Trial Train Operations Held
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- Trial train operations were held on the railways between the north and the south on the east and west coasts Thursday.
A report and speeches on the projects carried out to re-link the above-said railways were made prior to the operations.
Trains ran from Kumgangsan Youth Station in the north to Jejin Station in the south and from Munsan Station in the south to Kaesong Station in the north.
Present there from the north side were Kim Yong Sam, minister of Railways, and Kwon Ho Ung, chief councilor of the Cabinet, and other officials concerned and from the south side Ri Yong Sop, minister of Construction and Transportation, Ri Jae Jong, minister of Unification, and other officials concerned.
Social Science Forum Held
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- A social science forum on Tok Islet and designation of East Sea of Korea took place on Wednesday.
The participants of the forum heard eight papers scientifically explaining how Koreans discovered and established dominion over Tok Islet and how they explored the East Sea of Korea and gave it its traditional name and disclosing the injustice of Japan's claim to the islet and designation of the sea as "Japanese Sea".
Prof. and Dr. Jo Hui Sung, director of an institute of the Academy of Social Sciences, in his speech made under the title "Tok Islet is part of the territory of Korea as it was discovered by Koreans before any others to establish dominium over it" noted that the islet has always belonged to the territory of Korea since the Koreans discovered and explored Ulrung Island and Tok Islet in the East Sea before any others.
Dr. and Associate Prof. Kim Un Thaek, department chief of Kim Il Sung University, noted in his speech titled "Korea's dominium over Tok Islet seen through the case of An Ryong Bok" said that materials related to the case provide clear historical evidence proving that the islet belonged to Korea.
Master of Science Hwang Myong Chol, a researcher at the Academy of Social Sciences, made speech under the title "Japan's annexation of Tok Islet in 1905 is an illegal farce" and Associate Prof. and Master of Science Kim Tok Song, department chief of Kim Hyong Jik University of Education, speech under the title "Japan's claim to Tok Islet is revelation of its wild militarist ambition for territorial expansion".
The forum also heard speeches made under such titles as "'East Sea' is the name of a sea belonging to Korea proved by historical data dating back to the Koguryo-Ri Dynasty", "It is the most common international practice to name a sea on the basis of a continent and peninsula" and "The marking of 'Japanese Sea' is a criminal product of the Japanese imperialists' aggression against Korea and their colonial rule over it".
Iranian Embassy Officials Help Korean Farmers
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- Charge d'Affaires ad Interim Hossein Ali Entezari and officials of the Iranian embassy here on May 16 drove to the DPRK-Iran Friendship Ripsok Co-op Farm in Mundok County, South Phyongan Province, to give friendly helping hands to its members busy with the immediate farm work on the occasion of the week of DPRK-Iran friendship.
After being briefed on the history of the farm, the guests helped farmers in weeding in the cucumber field in a greenhouse.
They enjoyed an art performance given by an art group of students and talked with farmers, deepening the friendship.
Noting that Koreans are courteous, diligent and close friends, the charge d'affaires wished the farm great success in the agricultural production.
He said that he would make efforts to boost the friendly relations between Iran and the DPRK.
The guests handed aid materials to the farm.
U.S. Demand for Increased Burden for Upkeep of Its Forces Assailed in S. Korea
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- The preparatory committee for the Solidarity for Progress in south Korea reportedly held a meeting in front of the U.S. military base in Ryongsan, Seoul, on May 12 to denounce the U.S. forces present in south Korea for illegally using the share of defense expenses imposed upon south Korea.
Noting that the expenses for the upkeep of the U.S. forces in south Korea last year snowballed 15 times as against 1989, the speakers at the meeting said: The United States is demanding an increased burden for the upkeep of its forces under unreasonable pretexts every year.
They condemned the U.S. for demanding the south Korean authorities disburse much more money this year to cover even the expenses for transferring a U.S. military base, which it should pay, out of the fund for the upkeep of its forces.
The south Korean military and the pro-U.S. conservative forces including the Grand National Party are responding to such brigandish demand of the U.S., they said, calling upon all the people to turn out in the struggle to thwart the unreasonable demand of the U.S. for an increased burden for the upkeep of its forces and remove its followers.
Japan's Dangerous Moves to Revive Militarism under Fire
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- Japanese Prime Minister Abe who took office in September last year put forward "the building of a beautiful country" as the main orientation of the state policy, vociferating that it was his mission to draw "a new state image."
Noting that what Abe has done while in office so far has nothing to do with "the building of a beautiful country," Rodong Sinmun in an article Thursday says: If his Cabinet has done something, it was for converting Japan into a more dangerous criminal state, a state seeking aggression.
Citing a series of facts, the author of the article goes on:
One of the examples is the creation of a war constitution which Japanese reactionaries are hastening under the cloak of "making a constitution suited to the 21st century." What they seek is to scrap the "pacifist constitution" which has been claimed to be the symbol of "a peaceable state" and knock into shape a war constitution which would allow the completion of a legal system and war mechanism for legally gratifying their ambition for overseas aggression.
Today Asia and the rest of the world unanimously demand that Japan fully settle its past crimes and make a new start. The present ruling quarters including Abe, however, are openly denying the past history of crimes.
Japan is evading the state responsibility for the issue of "comfort women" forcibly recruited for the Imperial Japanese Army and refusing to admit the past war crimes. This cannot be construed otherwise than an attempt to repeat the past doings.
Abe revealed Japan's intention to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council when he said at the end of last year that it is necessary for countries with sufficient will and capacity to see international peace and security guaranteed by involving themselves in the process of the adoption of UNSC resolutions.
Japan is impudently overreaching itself in an attempt to grab a UNSC permanent seat. This is not for making any "international contribution" but for its hideous purpose of securing a springboard favorable for the building of a military power and overseas expansion and racing headlong along the road of aggression unhindered.
The criminal scheme of the Japanese reactionaries to bound along the road of the building of a military power and overseas aggression under the showy veil of "building a beautiful country" has become a target of sharp alert at home and abroad.
Folk Songs, Precious National Music Asset
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- There are many folk songs in Korea which reflected social conditions. Some folk songs reflect the emotional feelings of the people and some others reflect people's feelings about natural things.
Among the folk songs picturing the emotional life are "Lullaby" sung by mothers for the blessed future of their children, "Yearning for Parents" and "Song of Love" reflecting conjugal love.
The folk song "Arirang" is typical of them.
"Arirang" had been widely sung by the people for fully reflecting the sorrow of parting in national tune. Along with the passage of years, the song has mutated into many folk songs mirroring the joy of meeting and optimism for the future.
The folk songs reflecting the feelings over natural things are "Mt. Kumgang Tharyong", "Pakyon Falls", "Yangsando", "Flower Tharyong", and "Roast Chestnut Tharyong".
These folk songs are precious musical heritage clearly showing the development of the lofty and beautiful mental and moral life of the Korean people down through history.
Okhodong Spring Medicinal Water
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- The Okhodong medicinal water is one of the famous mineral springs of the DPRK.
The spring located in a valley in Yaksu-ri, Sonchon County, North Phyongan Province was discovered over 500 years ago. The acidulous water was proved efficacious for gastric juice secretion, urination and metabolism.
It, therefore, is used for the treatment of various kinds of digestive diseases.
It had been monopolized by the privileged circles before the liberation of the country. It was since the liberation that thanks to the popular policy of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Okhodong recuperation centre for social insurance was built there in May Juche 36 (1947) and the spring medicinal water has been widely used for the promotion of the people's health.
The centre has developed into a full-fledged sanatorium for special treatment with updated medical facilities and able health staffs.
It has sections for clinical treatment, spa research room, clinical laboratory and rooms for general treatment and physiotherapy.
The medical personnel of the sanatorium have made a great success in the treatment of various diseases and in prevention of their recurrence over the last six decades. They have recovered lots of patients suffering from chronic digestive trouble, cardiovascular disorder and bronchial asthma by applying spa water bath, spa water inhalation, medical mud and new curative methods into treatment.
Greetings to President of Democratic Congo
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Tuesday sent a message of greetings to Joseph Kabila, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, on its liberation day.
Expressing the belief that the good relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries would steadily grow stronger in the future, too, Kim in the message sincerely wished the president and the people of Democratic Congo successes in their work to consolidate the peace and stability of the country and achieve the national unity and economic reconstruction.
Congratulations to Malian President
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Wednesday sent a congratulatory message to Amadou Toumani Toure on his reelection as President of the Republic of Mali.
Expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger in the future, Kim in the message wished the president bigger success in his responsible work for the prosperity and development of the country.
Gift to Kim Jong Il from Laotian Delegation
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift by the visiting delegation of the Ministry of Information and Culture of Laos.
It was conveyed to Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, on Thursday by Mounkeo Oraboun, minister of Information and Culture of Laos who is heading the delegation.
DPRK Delegation Leaves for Seoul
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the DPRK Measure Committee for Demanding Compensation to Comfort Women for the Japanese Army and the Victims of Forcible Drafting led by Chairwoman Hong Son Ok left here Thursday to take part in the 8th Asian Solidarity Meeting for the Settlement of the Issue of "Comfort Women" for the Japanese Army to be held in Seoul.
Kim Yong Nam Meets Laotian Delegation
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a friendly talk with the delegation of the Ministry of Information and Culture of Laos led by Minister Mounkeo Oraboun at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Thursday.
Present there were Kim Pyong Ho, deputy director general of the Korean Central News Agency who is vice-chairman of the DPRK Information Committee, and others and Lao Charge d'Affaires ai here Phonekham Inthaboualy.
Japanese Authorities' Suppression of Chongryon Protested
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- The Swiss Committee for Supporting the Independent and Peaceful Reunification of Korea sent a letter to the Japanese prime minister in protest against the Japanese authorities' suppression of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) on May 8.
Denouncing the criminal suppression of Chongryon and its affiliated institutions as barbarian fascist terrorism, the letter said:
We lodge a protest with the Japanese police against its arrest of the deputy head of a section of the Educational Department of the Chongryon Central Standing Committee and demand an immediate release of him.
Japan's inhumane fascist suppression of Chongryon and Koreans in Japan as well as its moves to replace the "Pacifist Constitution" by a war constitution clearly prove that Japan is again rushing headlong into fascism and militarism and preparing fresh aggression against the Korean people.
The suppression of Koreans in Japan is a continuation of the crimes committed by Japan against the Korean people in the past.
We strongly demand that the Japanese authorities stop at once all acts of suppression of Chongryon and set free all the arrested officials of Chongryon.
For Spanish-speaking people
Rodong Sinmun denuncia renacimiento de militarismo en Japon
Pyongyang, 17 de mayo (ATCC) -- El primer ministro japones Abe, que tomo el poder en septiembre del ano pasado, definio la "construccion de un pais hermoso" como el rumbo principal de la politica estatal mientras enfatizaba que tiene la "mision de dar nueva fisonomia al Estado".
Todo lo que el gabinete de Abe hizo despues de su toma de posesion preconizando la "construccion de un pais hermoso" se encamina a convertir a Japon en un pais criminal y agresor mas peligroso.
Asi senala el diario Rodong Sinmun en un articulo individual de este jueves y continua:
A citar un ejemplo, los reaccionarios japoneses maniobran para fabricar una constitucion belica bajo el pretexto de "elaborar la carta magna que convenga al siglo 21".
Esto se orienta a dejar sin efecto la actual "constitucion pacifista", con que ellos pintaban a su pais como un "Estado pacifico" en los tiempos anteriores, y a fabricar una constitucion belicista que permita perfeccionar el sistema legal y belico para realizar legalmente la agresion a ultramar.
Hoy dia, Asia y el resto del mundo demandan unanimemente que Japon comience de nuevo tras expiar por completo todos sus crimenes del pasado.
Pero, la actual capa dominante, incluyendo Abe, niega abiertamente la historia criminal del pasado.
En ese contexto, evade la responsabilidad estatal por el caso de ex "consoladoras sexuales" para el viejo ejercito japones y no reconoce los crimenes de guerra cometidos por este en el pasado, lo cual se traduce en un gesto para reproducir el expediente delictivo.
A finales del ano pasado, Abe expuso la intencion de su pais de hacerse miembro permanente del Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU alegando que "es necesario garantizar la paz y la seguridad internacionales al permitir a los paises con suficiente voluntad y capacidad tomar parte en la aprobacion de resoluciones en el Consejo de Seguridad".
Detras de estas maniobras atrevidas y distantes de la supuesta "contribucion internacional" descansa el malsano proposito de ganar terrenos favorables a la conversion en potencia militar y al expansionismo a ultramar y de emprender libremente el camino de agresion.
Tal procedimiento criminal de los reaccionarios japoneses levanta una seria precaucion en el interior y el exterior del pais.
Seminario de ciencias sociales sobre anotacion de isla Tok y Mar Este
Pyongyang, 17 de mayo (ATCC) -- Tuvo lugar la vispera el seminario de ciencias sociales sobre la anotacion de la isla Tok y el Mar Este de Corea.
En la ocasion fueron publicadas 8 monografias, que desenmascararon lo injusto de la "jurisdiccion sobre la isla Tok" y la inscripcion del "Mar de Japon", reclamadas por este pais isleno, argumentando de modo cientifico el descubrimiento y la toma de esta isla y el proceso de exploracion del Mar Este de Corea, por parte de la nacion coreana, y los nombres tradicionales de este ultimo.
En su trabajo titulado "La isla Tok es un territorio legitimo de Corea, descubierto por primera vez por la nacion coreana y pertenecido siempre a la misma", el profesor titular y doctor, Jo Hui Sung, quien es director de un instituto de la Academia de Ciencias Sociales, ratifico que el pueblo coreano siempre tomo la jurisdiccion sobre la isla Tok durante todo el proceso historico desde cuando descubrio y exploro antes que nadie la isla en cuestion y la Ulrung en el Mar Este de Corea.
Por su parte, el doctor y candidato al profesor titular, Kim Un Thaek, quien es jefe de catedra de la Universidad Kim Il Sung, intervino con su disertacion intitulada "La jurisdiccion de Corea sobre la isla Tok constatada por el incidente de An Ryong Bok".
El pedagogo reafirmo que los detalles de ese caso devienen irrefutables testimonios historicos, que dan la soberania a Corea sobre esa isla en litigio con Japon.
Le siguieron en acceder al microfono el candidato al doctor e investigador de la Academia de Ciencias Sociales, Hwang Myong Chol, y el candidato al profesor titular y al doctor, Kim Tok Song, quien es jefe de catedra de la Universidad Pedagogica Kim Hyong Jik, en sendos trabajos intitulados "La 'adhesion' de la isla Tok a Japon en 1905 es ilegal y fraudulenta" y "El reclamo de la 'jurisdiccion sobre la isla Tok' por parte de Japon es un manifiesto de su expansionismo militarista".
Igualmente, se dieron a conocer otros temas tales como "'Mar Este' es el nombre de un mar coreano verificado segun documentos historicos de los periodos de Coguryo y de la dinastia de los Ri", "Es una costumbre internacional generalizada nombrar un mar de acuerdo con el continente y la peninsula que lo rodean" y "La inscripcion del 'Mar de Japon' es producto criminal de la agresion y el colonialismo a Corea por parte de los imperialistas japoneses", etc.
Agua medicinal de Okhodong
Pyongyang, 17 de mayo (ATCC) -- El agua medicinal de Okhodong, muy conocida en Corea, se encuentra en un valle pintoresco de la comuna de Yaksu del distrito de Sonchon de la provincia de Phyong-an del Norte.
Tiene efectos maravillosos en la impulsion de secrecion gastrica, la diuresis, la aceleracion de metabolismo, la disolucion y excrecion del moco, etc.
Por eso, se utiliza en el tratamiento de diversos problemas del sistema digestivo a causa de varios factores.
Aunque fue hallada hace mas de 500 anos, antes de la liberacion del pais (en agosto de 1945), estuvo al servicio exclusivo de las capas privilegiadas.
Gracias a la politica popular del Partido del Trabajo de Corea, se construyo alli en mayo del 36 (1947) de la Era Juche la Casa de Cura y Descanso de Okhodong del Seguro Social. Desde entonces, el agua mineral pudo contribuir al fomento de la salud del pueblo.
Despues, esta casa se desarrollo en una especializada entidad de asistencia medica y en un excelente sanatorio con ultramodernos medios y competentes medicos.
Tiene suficientes bases materiales como las secciones de clinica, sala de estudio de hidroterapia, laboratorio de clinica, el cuarto de tratamiento combinado y el de fisioterapia.
Durantes 60 anos pasados, los medicos del sanatorio, al aplicar activamente los cientificos metodos de cura, lograron grandes exitos en el tratamiento y la prevencion de rebrote de varias enfermedades incluso los males cronicos de organos digestivos.
Tambien, curaron a numerosos pacientes convalecientes de enfermedades de vasos sanguineos cardiacos y del asma bronquial, al introducir la ingestion de agua mineral, el bano en esta y barro y otros metodos.
Kim Jong Il recibe presente de una delegacion de Laos
Pyongyang, 17 de mayo (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il recibio presente que le dirigiera la delegacion del Ministerio de Informacion y Cultura de Laos presidida por su ministro Mounkeo Oraboun de visita en Corea.
El jefe de la delegacion lo entrego este jueves a Kim Yong Nam, presidente del Presidium de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea.