North-South Committee for Promotion of Economic Cooperation Meets
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- The 13th meeting of the North-South Committee for the Promotion of Economic Cooperation was held here from April 18 to 22 according to the agreement reached at the 20th North-South Ministerial Talks.
It was attended by members of the north side headed by Ju Tong Chan, vice-chairman of the Committee for National Economic Cooperation who is chairman of the north side to the above-said inter-Korean committee, and its suite members and members of the south side with Jin Tong Su, vice-minister of Finance and Economy who is chairman of the south side to the same committee, as its chief delegate and its suite members.
The meeting adopted an agreement after discussing measures for boosting the inter-Korean economic cooperation in the common interests of the nation to achieve its co-prosperity.
According to the agreement, the north and the south agreed to take necessary measures for investment and cooperation to develop the national economy in a balanced way and boost inter-Korean economic cooperation undertakings.
They also agreed to have a trial operation of trains in the sections of railway links along the eastern and western coasts in the north and the south on May 17, make a working contact in Kaesong in this regard and cooperate with each other in the efforts to open the railways on those coasts to traffic at the earliest possible date.
The north and the south also agreed to hold working contacts for cooperation in developing light industry and underground resources, the third-phase construction of the Kaesong Industrial Zone and the joint advance into third countries, in Kaesong within May and June.
Both sides also agreed to implement an agreement on flood control on the River Rimjin after adopting it by way of exchanging documents early in May and have a working contact on the issue of dredging the estuary of the river depending on the provision of a military guarantee, a working contact on the prevention of natural disasters already agreed upon and a working contact on scientific and technical cooperation in Kaesong.
And they agreed to discuss and decide on the schedules of a panel meeting on cooperation in fisheries, a meeting of an arbitration committee of companies and a meeting of a joint committee on the entry into Kaesong and Mt. Kumgang and exit from there and stay of persons there by way of exchanging documents.
It was noted in the agreement that the south side shall provide 400,000 tons of rice to the north side on credit.
At the meeting the north and the south agreed to have the 14th meeting of the committee in an area of the south side within July.
Kim Il Sung's Work Published in Nigeria
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- The famous work of President Kim Il Sung "On the Three Principles of National Reunification" was brought out in booklet by the Enugu Publishing House in Nigeria.
The work is the conversations with the south Korean delegates to the high-level political talks between the north and the south held on May 3 and November 3, Juche 61 (1972).
The President in the work clarified the three principles of national reunification calling for achieving national reunification independently, promoting great national unity and attaining national reunification by peaceful means and the issue of realizing north-south cooperation.
The booklet in its preface referred to the fact that Kim Il Sung regarded national reunification as the most important task for the nation from the very day of Korea's division and wisely led the reunification movement, shattering the moves of the anti-reunification forces including the U.S., and in this course put forward the three principles of national reunification, the ten-point programme of the great unity of the whole nation and the proposal for founding the Democratic Federal Republic of Koryo.
A book releasing ceremony was held at the publishing house on April 3.
Day of Sun Commemorated in Foreign Countries
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- Remembrance meetings, meetings, film shows and book and photo exhibitions were held in Norway, Sweden, Bulgaria, Laos, Switzerland, Zimbabwe, Indonesia and India from April 2 through 14 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
On display in the venues of the events were famous works of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, photos showing their immortal feats and books and photos introducing Songun Korea.
Speakers at the events noted that the Day of the Sun is a holiday of not only the Korean people but also the progressive humankind.
Kim Il Sung is the great leader deeply trusted and highly praised by the world people for his exploits performed for the cause of independence against imperialism, they added.
The participants of the film shows watched Korean films including "The Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung Meets Heads of State and Prominent Figures of Foreign Countries" and "The Fatherly Leader among Children."
Messages to Kim Jong Il were adopted at the meetings held in Norway, Sweden, Bulgaria and Switzerland.
Meanwhile, film shows and photo exhibitions were held by the Peruvian Journalists' Association, a city committee of the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea, a shipping company of Singapore, the Laos-Korea Tin Company and the Konvest Company Ltd., Stroinmashintorg Company and the Electron Technology Company of Russia, and the Badja Machine Co., the Rabitra Bahtera Pratama Co. and other companies of Indonesia from April 5 through 18 on the occasions of the Day of the Sun, the 14th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and the 75th founding anniversary of the heroic Korean People's Army.
The secretary general of the Indonesia-Korea Association for Friendship and Cultural Exchange, made public a statement on April 9 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
Pyongyang Declaration Supported
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- The Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union made public a statement on April 17 on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the publication of the Pyongyang Declaration.
The statement recalled that 70 communist and workers' parties of the world made public the Pyongyang Declaration "Let Us Defend and Advance the Cause of Socialism" on April 20, 1992, noting that its vitality and justice have been proved by the times.
The Workers' Party of Korea, the great party of President Kim Il Sung, equipped with the Juche idea and Songun idea, has confidently advanced along the road of socialism under the leadership of Kim Jong Il, the statement said, adding that the WPK has taught precious experience in defending and advancing the cause of socialism.
G. Debarajan, secretary of the Central Committee of the All-India Forward Bloc, in his statement on April 17 on the same occasion said that socialism, the ideal of humankind, is sure to triumph.
He stressed the reality of the DPRK firmly defending socialism centered on the popular masses is instilling great hope and confidence into many people of the world aspiring after socialism.
Information Bulletins Issued in Peru and Bulgaria
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- The friendship organizations in Peru and Bulgaria issued information bulletins on the occasions of the Day of the Sun, the 14th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and the 75th founding anniversary of the heroic Korean People's Army.
The Peruvian-Korean Institute of Culture and Friendship carried an article entitled "Significant Holidays in April" in its bulletin on April 11. The article said that socialist Korea has fully demonstrated all over the world its might as a powerful country which no formidable enemy can dare provoke, thanks to the wise leadership of the three generals of Mt. Paektu.
The KPA is firmly defending Korean-style socialism and happiness and dignity of the popular masses, the articles said, adding: We will boost solidarity with socialist Korea in the future, too.
The Bulgaria-Korea Friendship Association carried an article entitled "Day of Sun" in its bulletin on April 12.
U.S. Forces Urged to Bear Expenses for Depollution of Environment in Their Bases
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- The South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification reportedly issued a statement titled "The U.S. Forces Must Bear the Expenses for the Depollution of Environment in Their Military Bases" on April 16.
The statement denounced the unilateral agreement reached at the joint committee of the south Korea-U.S. "Status of Forces Agreement" on April 13 on imposing upon the south Korean authorities the burden of covering the expenses for depolluting the environment in the U.S. military bases.
The issue of environmental pollution in the U.S. military bases has long presented itself as a serious issue, the statement said, contending that it is intolerable that the authorities burdened the people with the expenses for the depollution of environment in the U.S. military bases.
It urged the authorities to immediately fire the negotiator who irresponsibly agreed with the outsiders to cover the above-said expenses with the taxes collected from the people and strongly demand the U.S. military side bear those expenses.
Great National Unity Called for in S. Korea
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- The South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification reportedly issued a statement on April 18 on the occasion of the 59th anniversary of the joint conference of representatives of political parties and public organizations in south and north Korea. The statement said that the conference held in Pyongyang in April, 1948 was a historic meeting which confirmed the will of all patriotic forces in the south and the north of Korea to get united and foil the U.S. imperialists' policy of colonial enslavement and their moves to divide the Korean nation.
The spirit of the conference which provided a historic chapter for the great national unity has been carried forward as the idea of "By our nation itself" enshrined in the June 15 joint declaration, the statement said.
It called on all the patriotic-minded forces standing for the independent reunification of Korea to turn out as one in the struggle to achieve the great unity of the nation irrespective of ideology, system, political view and religious belief under the banner of the June 15 joint declaration.
In order to achieve the great national unity it is necessary to wage a more positive struggle to throw overboard pro-U.S. conservative forces including the Grand National Party of south Korea keen on flunkeyism and separatist moves, the statement stressed.
It urged the "government" authorities to stop cooperation with outsiders going against the independent reunification movement, bearing in mind the historic lesson that flunkeyism toward the U.S. leads to national ruin and show their will to implement the June 15 joint declaration in practice at an early date. The authorities should repeal all evil laws including the "National Security Law" and immediately stop joint war exercises with outsiders, the statement urged.
Book on Greatest Man Published in Democratic Congo
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- The book "Remembering President Kim Il Sung, the Greatest Man" was published in Democratic Congo on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
A book releasing ceremony was held at the Congo New Media Publishing House on April 6.
Otete Gaston Mboyo, chairman of the National Committee of the Genuine Lumumbist Patriotic Party of Democratic Congo who is chairman of the Democratic Congo-Korea Friendship and Solidarity Association, made a speech at the ceremony.
Noting that President Kim Il Sung is the only man who is highly praised by the world people as the sun of humankind irrespective of idea, political view and socio-political system, he stressed the President was, indeed, an outstanding great man produced by humankind in the 20th century.
GIs' Monstrous Crimes under Fire
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- The Solidarity for Implementing South-North Joint Declaration reportedly released a statement on April 17 to bitterly denounce GIs' killings of civilians.
The statement recalled the fact that AP made public again on April 13 materials on the killings of civilians committed by the U.S. imperialist aggressor troops during the June 25 Korean War and urged the U.S. to probe the truth behind the killings of civilians and apologize and compensate to the Korean people for them a hundred times, though belatedly.
Noting that as the above-said killings have been confirmed, the south Korean "government" should call America to task for them, though belatedly, the statement went on:
GIs perpetrated murder of civilians not only during the Korean War but in almost all the wars the U.S. fought.
The U.S. forces should quit south Korea at once.
The Solidarity for Implementing South-North Joint Declaration will carry on its dynamic actions till the truth behind the U.S. monstrous war crimes has been probed, it has fully apologized and compensated for them and its troops have been withdrawn from south Korea.
Movement for Solidarity and Alliance Called for in S. Korea
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- An event marking the 47th anniversary of the April 19 Popular Uprising and a seminar on national independence and reunification reportedly took place in Seoul on April 18 under the sponsorship of the "April Revolution Society" in south Korea.
Speakers at the event said that the April 19 Popular Uprising culminated in bringing down the then dictatorial regime of the pro-Japanese, pro-American forces led by Syngman Rhee, but the conservatives, lackeys of outside forces, are now embroiled in a scramble for power, dreaming of returning to power.
They called on the progressive camp to unite on the principle of great national unity for national independence and turn out in the struggle to eliminate the anti-reunification forces who are in collusion with outsiders.
Speakers at the seminar underscored the need to wage a positive massive struggle against the U.S. and war, for national independence and peaceful reunification and launch a struggle against the Grand National Party of south Korea so as to bring about a decisive phase of independent reunification.
Noting that all the organizations should unite around the June 15 All Korea Committee true to the idea of "By our nation itself," away from partisan interests and strategies, they called upon all the organizations of the reunification movement to put the movement for solidarity and alliance onto a new higher stage.
DPRK Strives to Reduce Levels of Greenhouse Gases
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- The DPRK government is taking an active part in the international activities for reducing levels of industrial gases, which are of great significance in solving the global environment issue.
The air pollution by the waste gas from diesel engines claims 800,000 in the world every year and the emission amount of carbon dioxide, the factor of the global warming, has been increased by 30 percent as compared with that two decades ago.
The issue of reducing levels of the greenhouse gases threatening the existence and development of the humankind is one common to all the countries around the world.
The DPRK government has drawn up a strategy for reducing greenhouse gases and taken positive measures for its implementation.
In accordance with the strategy, the work for increasing the energy efficiency and use of natural energies is being pushed ahead with.
A series of measures have been taken for introducing the advanced technologies to the thermal-power plants to raise the generating efficiency and for decreasing the energy consumption to the maximum.
The Thaechon Youth Power Station No. 4, Kumjingang Hungbong Youth Power Station and other large-sized hydraulic power stations have been constructed in different parts of the country, wind-driven generators applied to families in the western coastal areas and exhibitions of scientific and technological successes in developing and using the wind energy held.
The government has also made every possible effort for decrease of the greenhouse gas emission in the agricultural field, as well as for forestation, a key to carrying out the strategy.
The DPRK not only extends investment to the protection of environment but also conducts propaganda activities with various themes including the issue of reducing emission of greenhouse gases every year on the occasion of the Earth Day which falls on April 22.
S. Headquarters of Pomchonghakryon Meets
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- A meeting of the Central Committee of the South Headquarters of the 16th-term National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification (Pomchonghakryon) was reportedly held in Seoul on April 15.
The meeting informed the participants of the 17th meeting of co-chairmen of Pomchonghakryon and reviewed activities conducted by the south headquarters of the 15th-term Pomchonghakryon.
A resolution was adopted at the meeting.
It called on the youth and students affiliated to the south headquarters of Pomchonghakryon to put up the slogan "Add brilliance to the June 15 reunification era by attaching importance to the nation, defending peace and achieving unity" under the uplifted banner of "By our nation itself" and channel all efforts into implementing it.
The resolution appealed to the youth and students to exert all efforts for achieving the unity of the entire nation and genuine peace on this land in the period from June 15 to August 15, the period of the joint movement of Pomchonghakryon for attaching importance to the nation, defending peace and achieving the unity.
Slogans against the U.S. and the south Korean Grand National Party were made public there.
Some of them urge the U.S. to strictly abide by the principle of simultaneous actions as regards dialogue with the DPRK to implement September 19 joint statement and February 13 agreement. There are also slogans which call for driving the U.S. forces, the biggest stumbling block in the way of achieving reunification in the reunification era, out of south Korea and fulfilling the June 15 joint declaration.
Among them are slogans that call for immediately disbanding the traitorous GNP dependent on the south Korea-U.S. alliance while slandering the national cooperation. Some slogans also call for punishing this group for being chiefly to blame for corruption and irregularities and destitution of people.
The presidium of the south headquarters of the 16th-term Pomchonghakryon was elected and an action program of the organization for this year was discussed and adopted at the meeting.
Kim Il Sung's Idea of Great National Unity Hailed
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- President Kim Il Sung's idea of great national unity serves as a great asset and a fundamental cornerstone for the settlement of the issue of the country's reunification and the national problem. It is the most precious legacy bequeathed by him to the Korean nation.
Rodong Sinmun today observes this in a signed article.
The President clarified the national problem from a new angle on the basis of the Juche idea, scientifically explained the law governing the development of the nation and the idea and line of the great national unity, thus providing a sure guarantee for the settlement of the national problem, reunification issue, the article notes, and goes on:
The President, basing himself on a scientific analysis of the existence and development of the nation, originally clarified that the national problem is, in essence, the issue of national independence.
After originally clarifying the essence of the national problem on the basis of the Juche idea, he put forward the most just idea and line of the great national unity essential for the settlement of the national problem. The above-said idea and line comprehensively deal with all the problems arising in achieving the great unity of the whole nation ranging from the basis and principle of the great unity to the tasks and ways to do so.
Only when all the members of the Korean nation achieve the great unity of the nation from the stand that they are a homogeneous nation though they may differ from each other in ideology, political view and religious belief can they wipe out the distrust and terminate confrontation between the north the south of Korea, achieve the national reconciliation and unity and realize the peaceful reunification of the country.
The President advanced the policy of reunifying the country by founding the Democratic Federal Republic of Koryo, a reunified state to be set up by federal formula, providing a firm foundation for establishing an independent and reunified national state.
The reunification of the country by the federal formula presupposes tolerating and recognizing the two systems, two governments existing in the north and the south. Therefore, the great national unity nation serves as a basis for achieving it.
The political basis of the DFRK is the unity of all classes and strata forming the nation. The President made the great unity of the whole nation serve as a basis for founding an independent and reunified national state, the federal state, the final goal of the settlement of the reunification issue. Herein lies the justice of the proposal for founding the DFRK set forth by him.
The President's Juche-oriented idea and line of the great national unity provide a firm guarantee for the achievement of the great unity of the whole nation and the cause of the country's reunification and serve as a precious treasure guaranteeing a bright future of the country and the nation.
U.S. Urged to Stop Terrorism
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- The United States can never cover up its criminal nature as a kingpin of international plot-breeding and terrorism, says Rodong Sinmun Sunday in a signed article.
Its armed invasion of Grenada and Panama and the Afghan and Iraqi wars are typical examples of state-sponsored terrorism, terrorism by force of arms, a clear proof of the ferocious and criminal nature of the U.S. policy of terrorism, the article notes.
Citing facts to prove that the U.S. toppled governments of those countries which it considered as standing in the way of the establishment of a world order led by it and assassinated progressive politicians under the pretexts of "democracy" and "defence of human rights", the article terms the U.S. a centre of terrorism and an organizer, executor and sponsor of terrorism.
The U.S. has bred all sorts of plots and resorted to all forms of terrorism including terrorism in political, military and economic fields in a bid to attain its purpose of domination, the article notes, and goes on:
One of the craftiest methods of terrorism employed by the U.S. is to commit proxy terrorism by use of its stooges.
The U.S. imperialists have got their proxies to faithfully implement its war strategies under the pretexts of "threat of terrorism" and "war on terrorism".
The U.S. proxy terrorism means, in essence, the craftiest and most wicked terrorism as it aims at pitting people against themselves and fishing in trouble waters.
The U.S. terror policy is mainly targeted against the DPRK at present. The U.S. is staging joint military exercises with Japan and south Korea while reinforcing troops in and around south Korea. This is aimed to commit new state-sponsored terrorism, proxy terrorism against the DPRK.
It is imperative to foil the U.S. imperialists' policy of aggression and strategy of terrorism in order to avert a war, defend global peace and defend the sovereignty and security of the country. It is also necessary to fight against those forces acting stooges and proxies for the U.S. imperialists.
South Side's Delegation Leaves
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- The south side's delegation with Jin Tong Su, vice-minister of Finance and Economy, as its chief delegate left here on Sunday after attending the 13th meeting of the North-South Committee for the Promotion of Economic Cooperation.
S. Korean Authorities' Anti-DPRK Malarkey Assailed
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland issued a statement Sunday accusing the prime minister of south Korea and a judge of the court of letting loose remarks seriously infringing upon the sovereignty of the DPRK. They talked about "territory" and "articles of Constitution" when dealing with the issue of the origin of goods produced in the Kaesong Industrial Zone.
The statement said:
The south Korean authorities have let loose vituperations aimed at tarnishing the DPRK's prestige and dignity in the past. But it is the first time that they made such reckless, provocative and traitorous malarkeys. Those remarks are not only a total denial of the June 15 joint declaration but an intolerable insult to the DPRK and a grave challenge to it.
They are little short of a declaration of confrontation to bring the favorably developing north-south relations back to those in the past and war outbursts aimed to harass peace on the Korean Peninsula.
The DPRK will never tolerate the south Korean authorities' anti-reunification act of opposing the June 15 joint declaration and tarnishing the dignity and prestige of the DPRK and certainly make them pay for those remarks.
The south Korean authorities should admit the gravity of the situation and apologize before the Korean nation for the extremely provocative remarks against reunification. They should also immediately dismantle all legal and institutional mechanism going against the June 15 era.
Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il Praised
Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- Syrian and Guinean personages made public statements on the occasions of the Day of the Sun and the 14th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission.
Saber Ballul, vice-dean of the Political Faculty of University of Damascus in Syria, in his statement on April 11 noted that eternal President of the Korean people Kim Il Sung is an outstanding man no one can ever match. The Juche idea and Songun idea fathered by the President serve progressive humankind as a powerful ideological and theoretical weapon in the anti-imperialist national liberation struggle, he said, adding:
Kim Jong Il who is pursuing the peculiar Songun politics, inheriting the Songun idea founded by Kim Il Sung, is the greatest strategist and outstanding brilliant commander in the present times as he cropped America's feathers.
Gouressiou Bari, chairman of the Guinean Committee for Supporting the Independent and Peaceful Reunification of Korea, in his statement on April 10 said that Kim Il Sung attached priority to the people's interests and conducted all the work on its basis, regarding it as his maxim to believe in the people as in Heaven.
Under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il the reunification of Korea is coming true on the basis of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration as the days go by, he stressed.
Day of Sun Commemorated
Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- Remembrance meetings and photo exhibitions took place in Romania, France and Poland and remembrance meetings, lectures, friendship gatherings and film shows were held in Indonesia, India, Iran and Mexico from April 8 to 14 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
On display in the venues of the functions were works of the peerlessly great men, photos showing their immortal revolutionary exploits and photos introducing the Korean people in their efforts to build a great prosperous powerful nation.
Speeches were made at the remembrance meetings.
Niculae Pavelescu, chairman of the Executive Committee of the Left United Party of Romania, said that the whole life of President Kim Il Sung was the life devoted to the Songun revolution for defending and glorifying Korea's sovereignty and independence.
Andre Aubry, delegate president of the France-Korea Friendship Association, noted that Kim Il Sung was the greatest man endowed with clairvoyant wisdom and strategy, personality as a great man and noble virtues which no statesmen of the world could ever possess.
Artur Lepecki, chairman of the Radom Branch of the Poland-Korea Association, noted that it is the greatest exploit of Kim Il Sung that he fathered the Juche idea, the acme in the history of human thoughts, and built a Juche-oriented socialist power by fully embodying the Juche idea.
The vice general secretary of the Vanguard Party of Indonesia said that the future of the Korean people is rosy thanks to the leadership of Kim Jong Il who is wisely leading them.
The chairman of the Juche Philosophy Study Committee of India in a lecture said that Kim Il Sung whose whole life was dedicated to the country and the people would be always remembered by the Korean people and would enjoy progressive humankind's eternal admiration and praise.
The participants of the film shows watched Korean films including "The Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung Meets Heads of State and Prominent Figures of Foreign Countries" and "For Liberation of the Country."
Punishment of GI Criminals Demanded by S. Korean Women's Organization
Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- The Anti-U.S. Women's Society reportedly made public a statement on April 16 demanding punishment of the GIs who sexually abused south Korean women.
The statement recalled that no sooner had two GIs belonging to the Second Division of the U.S. forces in south Korea been released after being interrogated for sexually abusing a south Korean woman passer-by in her thirties than they were caught red-handed on the spot while sexually abusing a woman police officer in her twenties in conspiracy with each other.
Noting that the GI criminals denied their crimes, making shameless false statements during the interrogation, the statement denounced the police for taking such a humiliating attitude as handing over the criminals to the U.S. forces side.
It asserted that south Koreans can never be safe as long as the unequal SOFA remains in force.
The authorities should immediately detain and punish the shameless criminals and abrogate SOFA, the statement demanded.
All-out Actions against FTA Declared in S. Korea
Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- The Headquarters of the All-People Movement for Checking south Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement grouping more than 800 civic and public organizations across south Korea reportedly held an emergency meeting of their representatives in Myongdong of Seoul on April 13.
Present at the meeting were representatives of measure committees involving 16 fields and 13 regional measure committees under the headquarters and civic and public organizations in different parts of south Korea.
Speakers at the meeting denounced the "government" for striking the deal for the conclusion of FTA with the U.S. despite the opposition of the majority of the people.
They declared that a strong massive struggle alone can probe the truth behind the humiliating negotiations and check the "government's" moves for the conclusion of FTA.
A declaration read out at the meeting bitterly accused the "government" of striking the deal for the conclusion of FTA which would seriously affect the living of the people, trumpeting about "national interests" and "historical option."
The people from all walks of life will pool their efforts and wage a vehement struggle against the conclusion of FTA and force the present "government" to step down, it noted, adding that to this end the organization would launch an all-out struggle for checking FTA late in June and late in November.
Japanese Reactionaries' Anti-DPRK Moves Flayed
Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- The reactionaries of Japan are begging other countries to understand and support its stand on the "nuclear and abduction issues". They also decided to persistently apply the sanctions against the DPRK kicked off in October last year.
Minju Joson Saturday observes in a signed commentary carried in this regard: They are more interested in realizing their political stratagem than settling "security" and "humanitarian issues." They are deliberately creating complexities and difficulties in the way of the six-party talks by raising at the talks the "abduction issue" irrelevant to their agenda. Clear is the aim sought by them through this. Successful progress in the talks would deprive Japan of any justification for its moves to realize militarist overseas expansion and turn Japan into a military power because it has so far used the "nuclear issue" on the Korean Peninsula as a good pretext for them.
The successful settlement of the above-said issue would make it hard for Japan to legitimately push forward any longer its moves to turn it into a military power, as they are banned by law, and precipitate its political and diplomatic isolation.
It is the calculation of the Japanese reactionaries that their insistence on the "abduction issue" would help them appear as victims and stir up the national sentiment of the people in a bid to stop the political support rate for them from declining.
They seem to consider this behavior as a "clever idea" but others dismiss it as a ridiculous attitude of a political dwarf unable to foresee even an inch.
Frankly speaking, it is the message of the international community to Japan that it would be well advised to properly redeem its past crimes instead of raising a hue and cry over the "abduction issue".
The Japanese reactionaries had better behave themselves, pondering over the consequences to be entailed by their rash act.
Commemorative Stamps off Press
Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- New stamps (a kind of souvenir sheet, a kind of sheetlet and a kind of individual stamp) have been issued in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Korean People's Army.
Printed on the upper parts of the stamps are the words "In commemoration of 75th anniversary of the Korean People's Army" and "Juche 21 (1932) - Juche 96 (2007)".
The souvenir sheet reflects the images of President Kim Il Sung and Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il on the platform of Kim Il Sung Square, the venue of the parade, against ranks of military parade along with the marshal star and the words "Glory to the revolutionary armed forces loyal to our Party! Kim Jong Il, February 11, 1991".
The sheetlet shows immortal exploits performed by President Kim Il Sung, who founded the Juche-oriented revolutionary armed forces and had made tireless efforts for their development, and Kim Jong Il, who has strengthened them to the invincible ones strong in ideology and confidence, carrying forward the Songun revolutionary leadership.
The individual stamp gives features of the KPA soldiers filled with the firm resolution to defend the fatherland with arms by inheriting the anti-Japanese revolutionary traditions.
Their face values are 120, 100, 80 and 12 won respectively.
Syrian Foreign Ministry Delegation Arrives
Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Syrian Foreign Ministry led by its Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmad Arnous arrived here on Saturday by air.
Wreaths Laid before Kang Pan Sok's Statue and Grave
Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- Wreaths were laid before the statue of Kang Pan Sok, indomitable revolutionary fighter and outstanding leader of the Korean women's movement, standing in the Revolutionary Site in Chilgol and her grave in Mangyongdae, Pyongyang on the occasion of her 115th birth anniversary.
Standing before the statue and the grave were wreaths sent by Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army.
Present at the wreath-laying ceremonies were Yang Hyong Sop, Kim Ki Nam, Choe Yong Rim and other officials, leading officials of working people's organizations, officials of ministries and national institutions, KPA servicepersons, officials of party and power bodies and working people in the city.
Placed there were wreaths in the name of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly and the DPRK Cabinet.
Wreaths in the name of working people's organizations, ministries, national institutions, KPA units, educational and public health institutions and party and power bodies, farms and schools in Pyongyang were placed there.
U.S. Air Force Perpetrates Madcap War Exercises against DPRK
Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- The U.S. imperialist aggressor forces are hell-bent on aerial war exercises against the DPRK, according to military sources.
On April 18 and 19 the U.S. imperialist warlike forces sent 15 reconnaissance planes of different types including RC-7B, RC-12 and U-2 to intensively spy on the whole area of the DPRK before launching into the exercises.
Meanwhile, overseas-based F-15s, formations of F/A-18s, E-8C and E-2C flew to the U.S. air force bases in south Korea.
On April 19 and 20 planes of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces conducted madcap air battle exercises and drills for intensive air raids by formations, close air support and long-distance navigation with the air above the areas of North and South Chungchong Provinces, south Korean Kangwon Province and Kyonggi Province as operational theatres.
The above-said aerial war exercises commanded by E-3 involved a total of more than 500 planes of various types including those of the U.S. 7th air force in south Korea and overseas-based flying corps.
Kim Jong Il Sends Wreath to Bier of Hwang Pyong Chol
Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il sent a wreath to the bier of Hwang Pyong Chol, who had been engaged in the study of the national music at Pyongyang Kim Won Gyun Conservatory, on Saturday, expressing deep condolences over his death.
New Measure Taken by Japan for Sanctions against DPRK Protested
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- Officials and compatriots under the Tokyo Metropolitan headquarters and the Saitama Prefectural headquarters of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) staged a demonstration in front of the Japanese Diet building on April 18 in protest against the measure taken by the Japanese authorities to extend the unjust sanctions against the DPRK for another six months.
The protesters denounced the Japanese authorities for getting ever more undisguised in their politically-motivated suppression and human rights abuses against Chongryon and Koreans in Japan, pursuant to the one-sided hard-line policy toward the DPRK.
They strongly demanded the Japanese authorities immediately lift the "sanctions" against the DPRK and embargo on "Mangyongbong-92", and stop the moves to stamp out national education and discriminations against Korean schools, chanting slogans critical of the authorities.
Chongryon officials and Koreans in Kanto area including Kanagawa, Nishi Tokyo and Chiba also staged a sit-in strike in front of the Japanese Diet building on April 19.
Kim Jong Il Inspects KPA Navy Unit 790
Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il inspected KPA Navy Unit 790 honored with the title of O Jung Hup-led 7th Regiment.
He went round the room devoted to the history of the unit and a warship associated with the revolutionary history.
He underscored the need to preserve and manage well historic relics and materials marked with giant footprints of President Kim Il Sung as they are precious revolutionary heritages to be conveyed down through generations along with the history of the nation's navy and conduct an effective education by use of them.
Looking round warships, he acquainted himself with the unit's performance of duty. Then he watched the training of seamen.
He expressed satisfaction over the fact that the seamen of the unit have grown to be matchless combat ranks and put forward important tasks which would serve as guidelines for further strengthening the nation's naval force.
He took deep care of the living of the seamen, going round a servicepersons' hall, education room and other entertainment and cultural facilities, a mess hall, a welfare service complex and supply service facilities.
He gave the seamen a pair of binoculars and an automatic rifle as gifts before having a photograph taken with them.
He was accompanied by KPA General Kim Kyok Sik, chief of the General Staff of the KPA, KPA Generals Kim Yun Sim, Ri Myong Su and Hyon Chol Hae, First Vice-Department Directors of the Central Committee of the WPK Ri Yong Chol and Ri Jae Il.
Kim Jong Il Inspects KPA Unit 1637
Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il inspected KPA Unit 1637.
At the military lecture room he acquainted himself with the training of the unit before watching the drill of its servicepersons.
He was pleased to learn that all the servicepersons have grown up to be stalwart combatants fully prepared politically and ideologically and in military technique to beat back any surprise invasion of the enemies at a single blow and firmly protect the socialist country. He put forward tasks to be undertaken by the unit to boost its combat capability.
The servicepersons of the KPA, a heir to the brilliant traditions of the anti-Japanese war, have grown to be invincible revolutionary ranks who devotedly defend the party and the leader and do not hesitate to dedicate even their lives to the fight for the cause of the Party and the cause of socialism, he said, adding:
It is a great pride of the Party and people to have such a matchless huge army.
He took warm care of the living of the servicepersons, going round an education room, bedroom, mess hall, kitchen, wash-cum-bath room, non-staple food store and other places.
He gave them a pair of binoculars, a machine gun and an automatic rifle as gifts before having a photo session with them.
He was accompanied by KPA General Kim Kyok Sik, chief of the General Staff of the KPA, KPA Generals Kim Yun Sim, Ri Myong Su and Hyon Chol Hae, and First Vice Department Directors of the WPK Central Committee Ri Yong Chol and Ri Jae Il.
For Spanish-speaking people
Minju Joson denuncia maniobras anti-RPDC de Japon
Pyongyang, 21 de abril (ATCC) -- En estos tiempos, los reaccionarios japoneses suplican a otros paises el apoyo y el entendimiento a su posicion en cuanto al "problema nuclear y el del secuestro" de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea.
Por otra parte, ellos decidieron dar prorroga a las medidas de sancion contra la RPDC que entraron en vigor en octubre del ano pasado.
En un comentario individual difundido este sabado por el respecto, el rotativo Minju Joson revela que los reaccionarios del pais isleno se interesan mas por alcanzar sus objetivos politicos que solucionar los "problemas de seguridad" y "humanitarios".
Por miedo a que pudieran perder la justificacion del expansionismo militarista y la conversion en una potencia militar, esgrimida tanto hasta la fecha, los reaccionarios de este pais complican y obstaculizan intencionalmente las conversaciones a 6 bandas planteando el "problema del secuestro", que no tiene nada que ver con la agenda de esta cita, senala el comentario y prosigue:
La solucion del problema nuclear de la Peninsula Coreana producira el aislamiento politico y diplomatico del pais isleno y lo pondra en una situacion incomoda en dar impulso de manera legal a sus maniobras de conversion en una potencia militar, lo cual esta prohibido por la ley.
Los reaccionarios islenos calculan que pueden incentivar la psicologia nacionalista de los habitantes de su pais si siguen acusando el "problema del secuestro" con el fin de convertir a si mismos en las "victimas". De esta manera, quieren recuperar el porcentaje de apoyo politico que cae en picada.
Quizas ellos consideren esto como "una idea ingeniosa", pero los otros lo ven como una conducta ridicula del enano politico (Japon) falto de vision.
Francamente dicho, la sociedad internacional demanda a Japon que se ocupe primero de recompensar sus crimenes del pasado en lugar de ese asunto.
Los reaccionarios islenos deben portarse con prudencia tras reflexionar seriamente de las consecuencias que tendran sus insensatas acciones.
Editados sellos dedicados al aniversario 75 del EPC
Pyongyang, 21 de abril (ATCC) -- Fueron emitidos nuevos sellos dedicados al 75 aniversario de la fundacion del Ejercito Popular de Corea (un papel enterizo de pequena dimension, un papel enterizo y un sello individual).
En la parte superior de ellos se leen las frases de "En conmemoracion del aniversario 75 del Ejercito Popular de Corea" y "El 21 (1932) de la Era Juche - El 96 (2007) de la Era Juche".
En el primero, que tiene en su trasfondo los bloques participantes en un desfile militar, se distinguen las imagenes del Presidente Kim Il Sung y del Comandante Supremo Kim Jong Il en la tribuna de la plaza, sede del desfile, y se notan la estrella de mariscal y las letras de "!Gloria a las fuerzas armadas revolucionarias fieles a nuestro partido! el 11 de febrero de 1991, Kim Jong Il".
El segundo da cuenta de las imborrables hazanas del Presidente, quien fundo las fuerzas armadas revolucionarias de tipo jucheano y realizo ingentes esfuerzos por desarrollarlas, y del Dirigente quien al emprender sin treguas el camino de direccion sobre la revolucion mediante el Songun (priorizacion militar), formo al EPC como el invencible y fuerte en ideologia y fe.
En el tercero se destacan los militares del EPC firmemente decididos a salvaguardar la patria con fusiles dando continuidad a las tradiciones revolucionarias de la Guerrilla Antijaponesa.
El valor nominal del primero y el tercero es de 120 y 12 wones, respectivamente.
@Los sellos que van dentro del segundo cuestan 100 y 80 wones.
Rinden homenaje a Kang Pan Sok por 115o aniversario de su natalicio
Pyongyang, 21 de abril (ATCC) -- Con motivo del 115o aniversario del nacimiento de Kang Pan Sok, indomable combatiente revolucionaria y destacada dirigente del movimiento femenino coreano, fueron depositadas ofrendas florales ante su estatua de bronce en el capitalino Lugar Historico de la Revolucion de Chilgol y su tumba en Mangyongdae.
@En ambos lugares estaban colocadas ofrendas florales enviadas por el Dirigente Kim Jong Il, Secretario General del Partido del Trabajo de Corea, Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea y Comandante Supremo del Ejercito Popular de Corea.
@En las ocasiones estuvieron presentes Yang Hyong Sop, Kim Ki Nam, Choe Yong Rim y otros cuadros, los funcionarios directivos de entidades de masas, ministerios y organos centrales, los oficiales y soldados del EPC y los funcionarios del partido y el Poder y los trabajadores de esta capital.
@Fueron puestas tambien las ofrendas florales a nombre del CC del PTC, el Presidium de la Asamblea Popular Suprema y el Consejo de Ministros, de la RPDC, y las otras a nombre de las organizaciones de masas, ministerios, organos centrales, unidades del EPC, instituciones de ensenanza y salud publica, organismos del partido y el Poder, granjas y escuelas en esta capital.
Incesantes ejercicios belicos aereos de EE.UU. contra la RPDC
Pyongyang, 21 de abril (ATCC) -- Segun una fuente castrense, los agresores norteamericanos perpetran incesantemente los ejercicios belicos aereos contra la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea.
Antes de iniciarlos, los dias 18 y 19, los belicistas yanquis realizaron de modo concentrado el reconocimiento sobre toda la extension de la RPDC movilizando 15 aviones espias de diferentes tipos como "RC-7B", "RC-12" y "U-2".
De otro lado, arribaron a las bases aereas de EE.UU. enclavadas en el Sur de Corea los cazabombarderos "F-15", las escuadrillas de cazas de asalto "F/A-18", un "E-8C" y un "E-2C", despegados de las bases ultramarinas.
Los dias 19 y 20, los aviadores yanquis se enfrascaron en los ejercicios de combate aereo, ataque concentrado por escuadrillas, el apoyo cercano aereo y navegacion a larga distancia en los espacios aereos sobre las provincias de Chungchong del Sur y del Norte, la de Kangwon (de la parte sur) y la de Kyonggi.
En estas demenciales maniobras comandadas por un "E-3" tomaron parte mas de 500 aeronaves en total de diferentes modelos, pertenecientes a la septima fuerza aerea norteamericana ocupante del Sur de Corea y provenientes de las bases yanquis en ultramar.