Important Days of DPRK Commemorated

   Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- Colorful functions took place in different countries 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 anniversary of the heroic Korean People's Army.
    A national meeting, film show and reception were held in Quito, Ecuador on April 12 and film shows and photo exhibitions were organized by the Malaysian People's Movement, the youth organization of the Malaysia Chinese Association and several companies in Malaysia from April 5 to 10.
    Lectures, round-table talks and film shows also took place in Mali, Ethiopia, India, Mexico, Democratic Congo and Romania from April 9 to 12.
    Meanwhile, Mouhammad Bouchiha, secretary general of the People's Unity Party of Tunisia, and a member of the Political Bureau of the party separately released statements on April 15 and 18 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.


Celebrations Held in DPRK

   Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- Functions were held on April 23 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Korean People's Army.
    A national oratorical meeting of officials and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea was held at the Central Workers Hall. Speakers there praised the immortal exploits performed by the illustrious commanders of Mt. Paektu in the 75 year-long history of victory and glory covered by the KPA, and evinced the strong revolutionary determination of officials and members of the GFTUK to build a great prosperous powerful socialist nation on this land under the banner of great Songun at an early date.
    Members of the Korean Democratic Women's Union presented the performance entitled "Long live the great army-people unity" in the plaza of the Monument to Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War. Their repertoire included colorful numbers such as chorus, solo and drum beating and singing.
    The performers highly praised the undying feats performed by the illustrious commanders of Mt. Paektu in establishing the tradition of Songun revolution and training invincible ranks to ensure a firm military guarantee for the victorious advance of the cause of Juche.
    A performance was given by the central art group of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea at the Mangyongdae Farm in Mangyongdae District. In their poem and chorus, female solo, agitation and chorus, mixed duet and other numbers the performers highly lauded the exploits President Kim Il Sung performed in the army building by giving origin to the new history of Songun leadership and thereby leading the two revolutionary wars to victory and setting an epoch-making example in building revolutionary armed forces in the era of independence.
    Present at the national oratorical meeting and the event of members of the women's union was Kim Jung Rin, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.


Military Attaches Corps Here Feted

   Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- The Ministry of the People's Armed Forces hosted a reception in honor of the military attaches corps here on April 23 on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the heroic Korean People's Army.
    Present there on invitation were military attaches of embassies of different countries.
    KPA Vice Marshal Kim Il Chol, minister of the People's Armed Forces, in his speech said that the foundation of the KPA was an auspicious event in the history of the nation as it brought about a turning point in developing the Korean revolution and hewing out the destiny of the Korean people.
    Noting that the KPA has grown to be an invincible revolutionary army under the wise leadership of Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il, he said that the army and people of the DPRK will as ever continue to develop the friendship and cooperation with the armies of different countries in the idea of independence, peace and friendship.
    Yang Xilian, military, naval and air attache of the Chinese embassy who is doyen of the corps, in a speech said that the foundation of the KPA by President Kim Il Sung made it possible for the Korean people to achieve the national independence and reliably guarantee the socialist revolution and construction in the DPRK.
    Saying that the members of the corps are wholeheartedly rejoiced over the signal achievements made by the heroic KPA, he hoped that the KPA would grow stronger and register greater successes in defending the country, building socialism and achieving the cause of independent and peaceful reunification of the country under the leadership of Kim Jong Il in the future, too.


April 19 Popular Uprising Commemorated in S. Korea

   Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- The preparatory committee of the Solidarity for Progress of south Korea and the April Revolution Society co-sponsored in Seoul on April 19 a function commemorating the 47th anniversary of the April 19 popular uprising, according to a media report.
    The speakers at the function noted that the uprising was an eruption of grievances and resentment of the people at the colonial rule of the U.S. The spirit of resistance against the outside forces displayed by the April 19 fighters, they said, is powerfully inspiring the struggle of the people to put an end to the U.S. domination and build a new society.
    It is the way for carrying forward the April 19 spirit to check the conclusion of the "Free Trade Agreement", they stressed.
    The declaration read out at the function said the people would get united and wage a vigorous struggle against the conclusion of the FTA.
    Meanwhile, the South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification in its statement on the same day said the April 19 popular uprising gave the south Korean people the lesson that democracy and reunification were unthinkable without independence. It declared it would clamp a lid on the U.S. domination and interference and, in unity with people of all social strata, would certainly frustrate the intrigues of the Grand National Party of south Korea and pro-U.S. flunkeyist conservative forces to return to power.


Japanese Newspaper's Dastardly Diatribe Assailed

   Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- Abe's forces have been free these days to let loose a string of balderdash that there is no evidence proving that the imperial Japanese army coercively recruited "comfort women" during World War II, a sheer falsification of historical facts. The Japanese Sankei Shimbun is busy echoing their assertions.
    Rodong Sinmun Tuesday observes in a signed commentary in this regard: This is nothing but a despicable diatribe which can be staged only by the ill-famed paper on the payroll of the Japanese reactionary forces.
    It is not the first time that the Sankei Shimbun staged a false propaganda against the DPRK, backed by the Japanese reactionaries. By echoing the sophism of the Japanese right-wing conservatives denying the crimes related to the "comfort women" for the imperial Japanese army the paper stripped bare once again its ugly colors as a venal trumpeter and a reptile paper.
    Objectivity, impartiality and truth are the life and soul of the media in their activities. No media bereft of them can ever win the trust of the public.
    That is why the unbiased public is spitting at the despicable act of the Sankei Shimbun and suspecting its ulterior design.
    Judging from its precedents, it might have released such misinformation in return for a petty amount of money provided to it by the Japanese right-wing conservatives or at their prodding. It is beyond doubt that the Japanese reactionaries were behind the false propaganda staged by the Sankei Shimbun as regards the above-said crimes.
    The more frequently Abe's forces use such reptile media as the Sankei Shimbun for spreading misinformation intended to persistently deny and misrepresent the above-said crimes, swimming against the trend of the times, the more saliently it will disclose their black-hearted intention.


Bolstering of Nation's Defence Power Called for

   Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- The DPRK's defence power is the result of the Songun revolutionary leadership of the illustrious commanders of Mt. Paektu and serves as an effective treasured sword for protecting the country and nation as it guarantees the sovereignty of the country and nation and their right to existence.
    Rodong Sinmun today observes this in a signed article.
    It goes on:
    In order to protect the sovereignty and independence it is necessary to counter the military hegemony of the U.S. imperialists by force of arms. This is the truth taught by the historical experience of the Korean revolution and the present times.
    The aggressive and predatory nature of the imperialists will remain unchanged as long as they are alive.
    If a country and nation make a concession to invaders, they will allow their sovereignty and right to existence to be wantonly violated by those enemies as they are seized by the ambition for domination.
    The imperialist aggressors' "protection" by force of arms always serves as a lever for interference in others' internal affairs, as a means of threat and blackmail and a source of national dissension.
    This is a stark reality of modern colonies that are subject to national disgrace and insult, deprived of any right to say what they want under the jackboots of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces.
    It is the strong army that guarantees the invincible spirit of reacting to the imperialists' high-handed stand with the toughest one and the independent determination to handle all matters according to an independent judgment and resolution, decisively frustrating any foreign pressure and interference.
    Some countries, each with vast land and rich resources, were unable to beat back the military invasion by the enemies and their peoples are languishing in the mire of destitution and poverty. The lesson taught by them goes to prove that an army is the most precious treasured sword for ensuring the existence and development of any nation.
    A rosy future is in store for the people, who though not fed well, give priority to the development of the defence industry, build their army into a strong one and convert their whole country into an impregnable fortress in order to guarantee the existence and prosperity of the nation.


KPA, Full of Spirit of Defending Leader Devotedly

   Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- April 25 is 75th birthday of the heroic Korean People's Army that has covered the road replete with victory and honor along with the long history of the Korean revolution.
    On this auspicious day, the Korean servicepersons and people are proud of the invincible KPA which is closely united with the spirit of devotedly defending the leader as its life-line.
    To defend the leader with their very lives is the unchangeable confidence and will the servicepersons have come to have in the course of winning victory after victory under the guidance of the great Songun commanders.
    The first generation of the Korean revolution accepted the ideas of President Kim Il Sung as the life and soul and acclaimed him as the leader with revolutionary confidence and obligation, singing the song "Star of Korea". The song sings of the morning star which rises in the dark sky of Korea and sheds bright rays all over the country.
    In particular, Kim Jong Suk, an anti-Japanese war hero, regarded defending Commander Kim Il Sung shouldering the destiny of the Korean nation as the first and foremost duty of the army and devoted her all for it. Her meritorious deed is a paragon for the army and people today in defending the leader with their very lives.
    The self-sacrificing spirit displayed by the O Jung Hup-led 7th regiment to protect the revolutionary headquarters during the anti-Japanese armed struggle serves as a living example in arming the whole army with spirit of defending the leader at any cost.
    During the hard-fought Fatherland Liberation War, a great number of servicepersons including Ri Su Bok, Kang Ho Yong, Ri Tae Hun and An Yong Ae dedicated their lives for their leader, fatherland and people, as the first generation of the revolution did.
    In the 1990s when imperialists intensified the moves to stifle the DPRK in an unprecedentedly vicious way, the KPA discharged its honorable duty and mission as the revolutionary armed forces for defending the revolutionary leadership with very life.
    The great love and trust shown by Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il for the soldiers on his continued Songun inspection tour to safeguard the destiny of the country were the great driving force to train the whole army as the vanguard unit for devotedly defending the leader and the crack death-defying corps for protecting the country.
    Today the KPA officers and men are full of a firm resolution and spirit to defend at all costs Kim Jong Il who shoulders the destiny and future of the nation.


Senior Officials of DPRK Visit Revolutionary Museum

   Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- Senior party and state officials and leading officials of ministries, national institutions and working people's organizations visited the Revolutionary Museum of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces on Tuesday on the occasion of the 75th birthday of the Korean People's Army.
    The visitors went round several rooms in the Hall "Supreme Commander and Comrades-in-Arms" that intensively deals with the glorious history of the Korean revolutionary armed forces, the history of the great Songun revolution in which the leader and his men, the Supreme Commander and his soldiers have formed a harmonious whole to always emerge victorious.
    Being briefed on the feats performed by President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in leading the KPA and the nobleness of the close ties of kinship between the generals of Mt. Paektu and their comrades-in-arms, they looked round historic data, relics and materials on display.


Wreaths and Floral Baskets Laid to Mark KPA Birthday

   Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- Wreaths were laid at the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery on Mt. Taesong and the Patriotic Martyrs Cemetery and floral baskets at the Monument to Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War on Tuesday on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Korean People's Army.
    Seen at the stands of the cemeteries were wreaths from 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 ceremonies of laying wreaths and floral baskets were senior party, army and state officials and officials of party, armed forces and power bodies, pubic organizations, ministries and national institutions, servicepersons and working people in the city of Pyongyang.
    After the national anthem of the DPRK was played, wreaths were placed at the stands of the cemeteries on behalf of the Central Committee of the WPK, the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly and the DPRK Cabinet and a floral basket before "Victory," the main statue at the monument, in the joint name of the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the WPK.
    Also laid were wreaths and floral baskets in the name of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces, public organizations, ministries, national institutions, units of the KPA, scientific, educational, cultural and art, public health and media organs and party and power bodies, factories, farms and schools in Pyongyang and bouquets.
    The participants observed a moment's silence in memory of the martyrs and paid deep respects to the officers and men of the KPA who honorably defended the sovereignty of the country and the gains of the revolution by defeating the U.S. imperialist aggressors in the Fatherland Liberation War.


Foreign Delegations Arrive

   Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- Ricardo Cantu Garza, coordinator of the National Coordinating Committee of the Workers' Party of Mexico, and his party arrived here today.
    Arriving on the same day were Keith Bennet, secretary general of the European Society for the Study of the Juche Idea, a delegation of the Forum for Self-Reliance Studies of Nepal led by its Chairman Subash Kaji Shrestha and a delegation of the Group for the Study of the Juche Idea of University of Kinshasa of Democratic Congo led by its Chairman Vele Mukelenge.


DPRK Ambassador to Italy Appointed

   Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- Han Tae Song was appointed as DPRK ambassador e.p. to Italy, according to a decree of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly.


Congratulations to Kim Jong Il from Chinese

   Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a floral basket and a congratulatory letter from the family of Zhou Baozhong and a floral basket from the family of Chai Shiying staying in the DPRK to mark the 75th anniversary of the Korean People's Army. Zhou and Chai were Chinese related to the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle.
    He also received baskets of flowers from Jong Il Sim, a Korean resident in Russia, and the visiting friendship delegation of Donggang City, Liaoning Province of China.
    The baskets and letter were conveyed to officials concerned respectively on April 24.


For Spanish-speaking people



Rodong Sinmun califica a Sankei Shimbun de portavoz de reaccionarios

   Pyongyang, 24 de abril (ATCC) -- En los ultimos dias, entre la horda del premier japones Abe cunden una tras otra las palabras negativas a los hechos historicos como que "no hay pruebas del reclutamiento forzado de las 'consoladoras sexuales' por parte del ejercito japones en el periodo de la Segunda Guerra Mundial", con las cuales sintoniza su voz el rotativo Sankei Shimbun.
    Tal virulenta conducta de este rotativo vendido confirma una vez mas su naturaleza del titere de las fuerzas reaccionarias japonesas.
    Asi senala el periodico Rodong Sinmun en un comentario individual del dia 24 y continua:
    Historicamente, a instigacion de los reaccionarios nipones, este periodico habia lanzado muchas veces la campana publicitaria para denigrar con desinformaciones a la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea.
    Al repetir recientemente el sofisma de la capa conservadora derechista de Japon, que niega los crimenes relativos a las "consoladoras sexuales" para las viejas tropas japonesas, Sankei Shimbun vuelve a demostrar su sucia fachada del trompetero pagado y periodico vendido.
    La objetividad, la imparcialidad y la veracidad significan la vida de las actividades periodisticas.
    La justa opinion publica denuncia el sucio comportamiento de ese rotativo y sospecha de que habra alguna mano negra detras de el.
    Si se toman en cuenta sus antecedentes, es muy probable que esta vez tambien Sankei Shimbun haya actuado de esa manera por una suma insignificante del dinero que le hubiesen pagado las fuerzas conservadoras derechistas.
    En todo caso, no cabe duda de que estuvo la mano negra de la capa reaccionaria japonesa en tales versiones distorsionadas de Sankei Shimbun en cuanto a los crimenes arriba referidos.
    Si la banda de Abe continua en sus maniobras desesperadas para negar y tergiversar a toda costa esos crimenes por conducto de los medios de prensa pagados como Sankei Shimbun navegando en contra de la corriente de la epoca, manchara mas su ya asquerosa imagen.


Fuerzas armadas garantizan la soberania y la vida de la nacion

   Pyongyang, 24 de abril (ATCC) -- En un articulo individual difundido este martes el diario Rodong Sinmun subraya que las fuerzas armadas de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea devienen el producto de la direccion de los Generales Insignes del monte Paektu sobre la revolucion mediante el Songun (priorizacion militar) y una poderosa arma patriotica que garantiza la soberania y el derecho a la existencia de la patria y la nacion coreana.
    Las experiencias historicas de la revolucion coreana y las circunstancias de la epoca actual confirman la verdad de que para defender la soberania y la independencia, hay que hacer frente con las fuerzas armadas a la heguemonia militar de los imperialistas norteamericanos, adelanta el articulista y prosigue:
    El imperialismo no dejara de cometer agresiones y saqueos hasta que llegue su fin.
    Por tal razon, alguna concesion a los invasores sacrificara la soberania y el derecho a la vida de un pais o una nacion para el dominacionismo de estos enemigos.
    La "proteccion" militar de los invasores imperialistas se convertira tarde o temprano en un remedio de intervencion en asuntos internos y del chantaje y causara la discordia fratricida.
    Esto ya es una realidad en las colonias de cuno moderno donde bajo las botas de las tropas agresoras gringas, los habitantes locales se ven obligados a sufrir la verguenza nacional y humillacion de todo tipo sin poder expresar su propio criterio.
    En ese sentido, se derivan de las potentes fuerzas armadas el impetu indoblegable de responder a la dureza de los imperialistas con la super-dureza y la autodeterminacion independiente de gestionar todos los problemas segun propio juicio y decision rechazando tajantemente la presion e intervencion de todas las fuerzas foraneas.
    La aleccionadora realidad de varios paises, que aunque cuentan con vastos territorios y abundantes recursos naturales, no pueden sacar a sus pueblos de la miseria y pobreza por no haber podido repeler la invasion armada de los enemigos, corrobora que los fusiles constituyen el factor mas importante para la existencia y el desarrollo de la nacion.
    Tendran un futuro maravilloso los pueblos, que aunque por ahora llevan una vida escasa, desarrollan con preferencia la industria de defensa nacional para la existencia y prosperidad nacionales, robustecen al ejercito y convierten a todo el pais en un bastion inexpugnable.


Festividades del 75o aniversario de la fundacion del EPC

   Pyongyang, 24 de abril (ATCC) -- Tuvieron lugar la vispera los actos dedicados al 75o aniversario de la fundacion del Ejercito Popular de Corea.
     En el conclave nacional de oratoria de los funcionarios y gremiales de la Federacion General de los Sindicatos de Corea, montado en la Casa Central de los Obreros, resonaron voces elogiando las inmortales hazanas de los Generales Insignes del monte Paektu acumuladas en los victoriosos y gloriosos 75 anos del EPC.
     Ademas, los oradores reafirmaron la determinacion revolucionaria de todos sus colegas de construir lo mas pronto posible en la tierra patria una gran potencia prospera socialista bajo la magna bandera del Songun (priorizacion militar).
     Mientras tanto, las miembros de la Union de Mujeres Democraticas de Corea ofrecieron en la explanada frente al Monumento a la Victoria en la Guerra de Liberacion de la Patria una funcion artistica intitulada "!Viva la gran unidad entre el ejercito y el pueblo!" con el coro, solo, cantos acompanados de tambor y otras variadas piezas.
     Las ejecutantes elogiaron altamente las imborrables hazanas de los Generales Insignes del monte Paektu, quienes crearon la tradicion de la revolucion del Songun y convirtieron al EPC en las invencibles filas preparando asi la firme garantia militar para el avance victorioso de la causa del Juche.
     Por otra parte, el grupo central de propaganda artistica de la Union de Trabajadores Agricolas de Corea ofrecio en la Granja de Mangyongdae del capitalino municipio homonimo una funcion artistica compuesta de la poesia y coro, solo femenino, agitacion y coro, duo mixto y otras piezas.
     En estos programas los integrantes del grupo encomiaron las proezas del Presidente Kim Il Sung quien al iniciar una nueva historia de la direccion del Songun, condujo a la brillante victoria las dos guerras revolucionarias y creo un ejemplo secular de la construccion de las fuerzas armadas revolucionarias de la epoca de independencia.
     En el primer y segundo actos estuvo presente el secretario del Comite Central del Partido del Trabajo de Corea, Kim Jung Rin.


MINFAP ofrece banquete en honor del Cuerpo de Agregados Militares

   Pyongyang, 24 de abril (ATCC) -- En ocasion del 75 aniversario de la fundacion del heroico Ejercito Popular de Corea, el Ministerio de las Fuerzas Armadas Populares ofrecio la vispera un banquete en honor del Cuerpo de Agregados Militares acreditado en Corea.
     A la ocasion fueron invitados los agregados militares de las embajadas de varios paises.
     Al hacer uso de la palabra, el vicemariscal del EPC, Kim Il Chol, ministro de las FAP, dijo que la fundacion del EPC fue un evento historico nacional que registro un viraje trascendental en el desarrollo de la revolucion y la forja del destino de la nacion coreana.
     Prosiguio que bajo la destacada guia del Comandante Supremo Kim Jong Il, el EPC se ha formado como invencible ejercito revolucionario y reafirmo que en el futuro tambien al igual que en el pasado, el ejercito y el pueblo de Corea continuaran desarrollando la amistad y la cooperacion con los ejercitos de varios paises del mundo bajo el ideal de la independencia, la paz y la amistad.
     Yang Xilian, agregado militar de la Embajada de la Republica Popular China, quien preside el citado Cuerpo, recalco en su discurso que gracias a la fundacion del EPC por el Presidente Kim Il Sung, se logro la independencia nacional del pueblo coreano y se aseguro la marcha de la revolucion socialista y la construccion en Corea.
     Continuo que los miembros del Cuerpo se alegran mucho de los grandes exitos logrados por el heroico EPC y deseo que bajo la direccion del Comandante Supremo, el EPC se fortalezca y se desarrolle aun mas y alcance mayores exitos en la defensa de la patria, la construccion del socialismo y el cumplimiento de la causa de la reunificacion independiente y pacifica.