North-South Military Working-Level Talks Held
Pyongyang, July 11 (KCNA) -- The north-south military working-level talks were held at the Thongil House in the portion of the north side in Panmunjom on Tuesday.
Present there was the delegation of the north side led by Korean People's Army Senior Colonel Pak Rim Su.
At the talks the head of the north side's delegation accused the south Korean authorities of conducting a psychological warfare against the DPRK by use of handbill-scattering equipment and a variety of broadcasting media. He sited facts to prove that they are craftily slandering the headquarters of the revolution in the DPRK and the socialist system of Korean style by mobilizing even anti-DPRK organizations.
He went on to say: Both sides agreed to stop all propaganda and psychological operations against the other side on June 4, 2004 and reaffirmed on May 11 this year that they would more strictly abide by and implement the north-south military agreement already adopted. Nevertheless, the south side is persisting in the new form of psychological operation. This is an unpardonable criminal act of scrapping the bilateral military agreement.
The attitude of the south side is a traitorous act of swimming against the trend of the June 15 era towards reconciliation, unity and reunification and an anti-peace move to deliberately dampen the aspiration and wishes of the whole nation to prevent the danger of war and achieve durable peace.
The anti-DPRK psychological warfare of the south side is a military provocation timed to coincide with the intrusion of south Korean naval warships into the territorial waters of the north side which is being perpetrated in the West Sea of Korea almost everyday.
The head of the delegation of the north side demanded the south side admit that all its psychological operations are a wanton violation of the bilateral agreement and make a formal apology to the north side. He, at the same time, urged the south side to immediately disband all the anti-DPRK organizations involved in the new psychological operations, severely punish their main culprits and take responsible measures against the recurrence of such psychological operations against the DPRK.
The south side admitted the fact that such psychological operation was conducted against the DPRK and reiterated that it would take steps against the recurrence of such case.
The talks discussed other issues arising in the implementation of the joint press release adopted at the 5th north-south general-level military talks.
Floral Basket Placed before Portrait of Smiling President Kim Il Sung
Havana, July 9 (KCNA Correspondent) -- A ceremony of laying a floral basket before the portrait of smiling President Kim Il Sung was held at the Kim Il Sung Economic Special School of Cuba on July 6 on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of his demise.
Present there were the chairman of the Cuban Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification, the director, teachers and students of the school and staff members of the DPRK embassy in Havana.
The participants laid a floral basket before the portrait of the President and paid homage to him.
Kim Il Sung Remembered Abroad
Pyongyang, July 11 (KCNA) -- A seminar, lecture, reading session and film show were held by the Mexican Committee for the Study of Kimilsungism, the Indian Intellectuals' Society for the Study of the Juche Idea, the Indian Youth Group for the Study of Works of Comrade Kim Il Sung and the Group for the Study of Progressive Idea of the Northern Branch of Pretoria of the Democratic Teachers' Union of South Africa on July 2 and 3 on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of demise of President Kim Il Sung.
On display in the venues of those functions were works of the President and Kim Jong Il, photos showing their immortal revolutionary exploits and photos introducing the single-minded unity of Songun Korea and its struggle to build a great prosperous powerful nation.
Ramon Jimenez Lopez, president of the Mexican committee, in his speech said that Kim Il Sung fathered the Juche idea, built up the excellent people-centered socialist system in the DPRK and made undying contributions to the accomplishment of the cause of global independence.
V. K. Chopra, chairman of the Indian Intellectuals' Society for the Study of the Juche Idea, in the lecture said that the history of the President serves as a precious wealth that helps the Korean people and other progressives invariably advance along the road of independence.
The chairman of the South African group at the reading session said that Kim Jong Il has successfully carried forward the President's Songun idea and cause, turning the DPRK into an invincible socialist fortress with strong self-reliant defence capability, adding that this greatly encourages the people of developing countries.
Release of Co-Representatives of All-People Movement Headquarters Demanded
Pyongyang, July 11 (KCNA) -- A candlelight meeting demanding the release of co-representatives of the All-People Movement Headquarters for Checking the south Korea-U.S. "Free Trade Agreement" was held in Seoul on July 6 under the sponsorship of the headquarters, according to a news report.
Speakers at the meeting accused the police of handing over the representatives to the prosecution. This was prompted by the intention of the security authorities to arrest the actions against the conclusion of FTA, they added.
They declared that they would let more people know about the unwarranted arrest of the above-said co-representatives and join organizations of people of different social standings in their dynamic actions till they are set free.
Ryu Son Min, chairman of the 15th-term south Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon), made public a statement on the same day. The statement said that the rash actions on the part of the security authorities are mean ones to break the will of people from all walks of life to struggle against the conclusion of FTA and a political plot to dampen the spirit of the progressive forces to win a certain victory in the "presidential elections."
Hanchongryon will surely force the pro-U.S. conservative forces to pay for the crimes committed against the people, noted the statement, urging the security authorities to immediately release the co-representatives, bend their knees before the people and make an apology to them.
Plenary Meeting of GFTUK Held
Pyongyang, July 11 (KCNA) -- The 58th plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea (GFTUK) took place here on July 10.
Present there were members of the Central Committee of the GFTUK, chairmen of its provincial, city and county committees and officials of the GFTUK committees at major industrial establishments.
The meeting discussed the recall and by-election of members of the leadership of the Central Committee of the GFTUK.
The meeting relieved Ryom Sun Gil of the post of the chairman of the C.C., GFTUK and elected Kim Pyong Phal to replace him.
"National Women's Solidarity" Formed in S. Korea
Pyongyang, July 11 (KCNA) -- "The National Women's Solidarity" involving 16 women's organizations in south Korea including the Women's Committee of the Democratic Labor Party, the Women's Committee of the south Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Anti-U.S. Women's Society was inaugurated at Duksung Women's University in Seoul on July 8, according to a media report.
The declaration read out at the ceremony said the "National Women's Solidarity" was being formed to eliminate discrimination against the women, bring peace to this land and achieve the reunification of the divided nation.
It stated that the organization would stand against the U.S. moves for neo-liberal "globalization" increasing discrimination against the women and fight to eradicate the root cause of war posing threat to the existence of the nation and realize peace on the Korean Peninsula.
It said the women would vigorously turn out in the struggle to implement the historic June 15 joint declaration, which opened up a new era of independent reunification, reject domination and interference of outside forces and bring earlier national reunification by the concerted efforts of the Korean nation.
Reception Hosted by Chinese Ambassador
Pyongyang, July 11 (KCNA) -- Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Liu Xiaoming hosted a reception at his embassy on July 10 on the occasion of the 46th anniversary of the conclusion of the DPRK-China treaty of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance.
Present there on invitation were Kim Yong Dae, vice-president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Choe Chang Sik, minister of Public Health who is chairman of the Central Committee of the DPRK-China Friendship Association, and officials concerned.
The Chinese ambassador in his speech said that the Chinese side together with the Korean comrades would exert efforts to steadily spur friendship and cooperation between the two countries and thus bring greater well-being to the two peoples.
Noting that the Korean people have achieved successes in the spirit of self-reliance and fortitude under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea headed by Kim Jong Il, he referred to the fresh progress made in the inter-Korean relations and external relations.
He sincerely wished the Korean people greater success in the work for the prosperity of the country and its independent and peaceful reunification.
Kim Yong Dae in his speech said that the DPRK and China have stepped up socialist construction and made a great contribution to ensuring peace and security in Northeast Asia and the rest of the world while supporting and cooperating with each other in the spirit of the treaty in the past.
The Korean people are rejoiced over the many successes made by the Chinese people in the work to achieve the socio-political stability and unity and modernize the country in the run-up to the 17th Congress of the Communist Party of China, he said, hoping that the Chinese people would make greater progress in their struggle.
It is the consistent stand of the WPK and the DPRK government to steadily boost the traditional DPRK-China friendship provided by the leaders of the elder generation of the two countries, he said, expressing the belief that the friendship would grow stronger thanks to the joint efforts of both sides.
Japan's Reactionary Domestic and Foreign Policies under Fire
Pyongyang, July 11 (KCNA) -- As soon as the Abe regime emerged, it trumpeted that it would do something great, talking about "the building of a beautiful country" and "assertive diplomacy" but it is now finding itself in hot water due to its mistakes and setbacks made in its domestic and foreign policies.
Rodong Sinmun Wednesday in a signed commentary explains this, citing facts.
It says:
The complicated political situation prevailing in Japan with the election to the House of Councillors at hand is a natural product of the reactionary domestic and foreign policies pursued by the Abe Cabinet since its appearance.
The period less than ten months after its appearance witnessed an unbroken occurrence of shocking cases such as the suicide of the incumbent minister, the first of its kind in Japan in the post-war time, loss of pension records and scandals and slips of tongue committed by senior officials.
Some days ago, Kyuma, the then Japanese minister of National Defense, made reckless remarks, causing a public furor. He was so stupid as to assert that one should not blame the United States because Japan would have come under the control of the Soviet Union but for the U.S. use of atomic bombs.
Extremely reckless remarks made by Japanese mandarins including the outbursts let loose by the minister of Health, Labor and Welfare describing women as "baby-making machine" bring into bolder relief the weakness and base nature of the Abe regime.
The Abe team is becoming adamant in denying even the sexual servitude for the Imperial Japanese Army which had been admitted by its predecessors.
Regarding the diplomacy of depending on the United States as the cornerstone of its foreign policy, the Abe group is going extremely zealous in supporting U.S. foreign policy for aggression including its policy of "anti-terrorism war," while taking an active part in the U.S. hostile moves against the DPRK and rendering cooperation in them.
It is a tragedy in history and shame on the Japanese people that there exists on earth such a corrupt and despicable regime as the Abe regime made up of servile top class pro-U.S. sycophants and dirty political charlatans, concludes the commentary.
Rodong Sinmun on Theme of World Population Day
Pyongyang, July 11 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun Wednesday dedicates a signed article to the World Population Day. The theme of this year's World Population Day is Men as Partners in Maternal Health, says the article.
It is an important issue related to the present and future of the world population to promote the health of pregnant women, women in childbed and other women, it notes, and goes on:
The United Nations Population Fund renders help in realizing sex equality and promoting the health of women in cooperation with governments of various countries. It began helping the DPRK from 1986. It is cooperating with the DPRK in medicine and medical equipment for health service, training of health workers and population scholars, information service for health and census, etc.
A variety of work is now under way in the DPRK on the occasion of the World Population Day. A photo and poster exhibition on the theme of the World Population Day and a seminar on the theme of Men as Partners in Maternal Health are held at the Grand People's Study House. The Population Institute of the DPRK releases a special issue of "Population News" in cooperation with the UN Population Fund.
Women's Health and Well-being Promoted in DPRK
Pyongyang, July 11 (KCNA) -- Yang Song Il, chief of the External Exchange Section of the Population Centre of the DPRK, gave an interview to KCNA on the occasion of the World Population Day which falls on July 11.
Reporter: This year's theme for World Population Day "Men as Partners in Maternal Health" indicates that the issue of women's reproductive health has been raised as a very serious one, I think.
Chief: Yes. The health of women is being seriously deteriorated in many countries because of early marriage, unwanted pregnancy, sexual violence, malnutrition and so on.
Every minute, a woman dies in childbirth. Every minute, the loss of a mother shatters a family and threatens the well-being of surviving children.
Reporter: Would you tell me about the activities of the DPRK government for the improvement of women's health and welfare?
Chief: The government has long pursued the policy of encouraging population growth and paid deep attention to the health of women. As a result, the birth rate reached 44.7 percent in Juche 59 (1970).
While raising the social understanding of the population issue for the purpose of qualitative growth of population, the government has adopted Laws on Public Health, Families, Nursing and Upbringing of Children and others and thus improved the women's health and welfare in a systematic way. It has established a system under which the mothers and children are looked after at the expense of the state and society.
In particular, the section doctor system constitutes a firm guarantee for prophylactic treatment to protect women's health.
Doctors of infirmaries and clinics in residential quarters take in charge of families. They have consultations concerning family planning and regularly look after the health of the pregnant women with responsibility. Women undergo medical check-up over ten times and five times respectively before and after childbirth.
The medical service for mothers and children that had been confined only to obstetrical and gynecological departments was further expanded in the 1990s and a positive measure was taken to make men participate in protection of the reproductive health of women.
Reporter: When did the cooperation between the UNFPA and our country start from?
Chief: It started from 1986. Now it is in the 4th cycle of assistance. During the previous cycles, many medical facilities and medicament were rendered to more than 80 hospitals including the provincial maternity hospitals. A progress has been made in the improvement of women's health.
Reporter: What activities have been done on the occasion of World Population Day?
Chief: A special issue of the newspaper "Population Newsletter", organ of the centre, was published and distributed to organs concerned and a seminar and photo and poster shows were arranged in the Grand People's Study House on the theme for this year.
Various propaganda activities for the theme are being conducted.
Songun Policy Lauded
Pyongyang, July 11 (KCNA) -- The Songun policy pursued by the Workers' Party of Korea serves as an all-powerful treasured sword which makes it possible to smoothly settle all the difficult and complicated problems arising in the revolution and construction in the present times. One of the major secrets of it is that the Songun policy is most skillfully combined with the revolutionary principle, creativity and subtlety.
Rodong Sinmun Wednesday observes this in a signed article.
The WPK's Songun policy is a prestigious one as it is run through with the transparent revolutionary principle, the article says, and goes on:
The WPK laid it down as a firm revolutionary principle to give priority to the military affairs, reinforce the revolutionary armed forces in every way and uncompromisingly fight against imperialism long ago and has steadfastly adhered to it since then.
It is the unshakable principled stand of the WPK to resolutely react to the high-handed policy of the enemies with the toughest policy and shatter their crafty strategy to destabilize the DPRK with a merciless revolutionary ideological offensive.
The enemies dare not provoke the DPRK today as its revolutionary armed forces are powerful and the WPK sticks to its steadfast revolutionary stand.
Noting that high creativity and subtlety along with the revolutionary principle are the important characteristics of the Juche-oriented leadership art, the WPK's strategic and tactical leadership, the article goes on:
The WPK has pursued the policy of victoriously advancing the revolution and construction through uninterrupted creation and renovation, coping with the changed situation on its own initiative and turning misfortune into a blessing and adversity into favorable conditions by use of preeminent strategy and tactics. Herein lie the invincibility and tremendous vitality of the Songun policy of the WPK.
The world-startling shining victory of the army and people of the DPRK in the battle to defend socialism, their proud victory today when they greeted the dawn of a great prosperous powerful nation represent the great victory of the WPK's Songun policy and the victory of the revolutionary principle, creativity and subtlety.
Greetings to Mongolian President
Pyongyang, July 11 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Nambariin Enkhbayar, president of Mongolia, on July 9 on the occasion of the 86th anniversary of the victory in the Mongolian people's revolution.
Expressing belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger in mutual interests in the future, too, Kim wished the Mongolian president and people fresh success in their efforts to develop national economy and culture and achieve prosperity of the country.
Greetings to President of Sao Tome and Principe
Pyongyang, July 11 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Monday sent a message of greetings to President of Sao Tome and Principe Frederique de Menezes on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of its independence and the proclamation of republic.
Kim in his message wished the president success in his work for the national unity and the development of the country.
Indian Organizations Denounce Japanese Authorities for Crackdown upon Chongryon
Pyongyang, July 11 (KCNA) -- The All-India Indo-Korean Friendship Association and the Indian Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification in a joint statement issued on July 5 expressed support to the statement issued by a spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry condemning the unprecedented suppression of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) by the Abe group. It declared that they can never overlook the Abe group's suppression of Chongryon that has reached the most reckless and brutal phase.
The Abe group is infringing upon the sovereignty of the DPRK, which no preceding governments of Japan dared do so, in a bid to physically destroy Chongryon and suppress the activities of Chongryon and Koreans in Japan, the statement said, and continued:
It is our view that the Japanese authorities are under the legal and moral obligation to protect Chongryon as it is a legitimate organization of overseas Koreans of the DPRK in Japan. We extend full support to the activities of the organizations of Chongryon in Japan and strongly demand the Japanese authorities headed by Abe immediately halt their suppression of Chongryon.
Suppression of Chongryon in Japan Blasted by Koreans in China
Pyongyang, July 11 (KCNA) -- The General Association of Koreans in China on July 9 issued a statement titled "Japanese reactionaries must promptly stop suppression of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon)".
Fully supporting the statement of a spokesman for the DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it denounced the robber-like crime of the Japanese reactionaries in trying to grab even the Hall of the Headquarters of Chongryon after cracking down on Chongryon so savagely.
The acts of the Abe group are intended to destroy Chongryon by physically removing the base of activities of Chongryon, the defender of the democratic national rights of the Koreans in Japan, noted the statement. It branded this as a blatant infringement upon the sovereignty of the DPRK and an intolerable suppression of the human rights of the Koreans in Japan which no previous regime of Japan has ever dared.
Warning that the Abe group would never be pardoned, the statement said:
We solemnly demand that Japan, a defeated nation, make an honest apology and compensation for its crime-woven past history against the Korean nation and stop at once its agitation of turning the Japanese society to the Right and militarizing it and its suppression of Koreans in Japan.
If Japan continues to suppress the Koreans in Japan and tries to stifle Chongryon, turning a deaf ear to this warning, it will face a stern punishment not only by the Korean people but by the world progressives.
The Koreans in China will fight it out to decisively frustrate the anti-DPRK and anti-Chongryon acts of the Japanese reactionaries with their united strength.
For Spanish-speaking people
Rodong Sinmun condena la politica del gabinete de Abe
Pyongyang, 11 de julio (ATCC) -- Despues de su llegada al poder, la banda de Abe hablo mucho de la "construccion de un pais hermoso" y la "diplomacia de criterio propio" como si fuera a hacer grandes cosas. Sin embargo, esta empantanada ahora en un atolladero por sus erroneas y fracasadas politicas internas y externas.
Asi senala el periodico Rodong Sinmun en un comentario individual de este miercoles y continua:
La muy compleja situacion politica creada en Japon en visperas de las elecciones de consejeros de la dieta es un producto inevitable de las reaccionarias politicas exteriores y interiores del gabinete de Abe.
En menos de 10 meses posteriores a la aparicion del ejecutivo de Abe se desataron uno tras otro los casos sensacionales como el suicidio de un ministro en activo, que nunca habia sucedido en ese pais despues del fin de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, la desaparicion de los registros vinculados a la pension, los escandalos y disparates de los altos funcionarios.
Recientemente, el recien dimitido ministro nipon de Defensa Kyuma produjo un gran revuelo al decir que no se debe reprochar a Estados Unidos por el lanzamiento de bombas atomicas porque si este no lo hubiera hecho, el pais isleno habria sido ocupado por la ex Union Sovietica.
Mientras tanto, el ministro japones de Salud y Trabajo insulto a las mujeres como "maquinas de parir".
Todas esas palabras tan groseras resaltan la vulnerabilidad y la asquerosidad del ejecutivo liderado por Abe.
Por otra parte, la banda de Abe niega porfiadamente hasta el crimen relativo a las "consoladoras sexuales" para las viejas tropas japonesas, lo cual fue admitido por sus antecesores.
Al tomar como piedra angular de su politica exterior la diplomacia sobre EE.UU., ella apoya activamente la politica exterior agresiva de este imperio, incluso la "guerra antiterrorista", y colabora de buena gana en las maniobras hostiles a Corea.
La existencia del poder de Abe tan corrupto y sucio, integrado por los aduladores a EE.UU y estafadores politicos de pesima calana, resulta una tragedia de la historia y una verguenza para el pueblo japones.
Coreanos en China protestan represion a Chongryon en Japon
Pyongyang, 11 de julio (ATCC) -- La Asociacion General de Coreanos Residentes en China hizo publica el pasado dia 9 una declaracion intitulada "Los reaccionarios japoneses deben poner de inmediato fin a la represion contra la Chongryon" (Asociacion General de Coreanos Residentes en Japon).
El documento expresa entero apoyo a la declaracion de un portavoz del MINREX de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea y critica la conducta gangsteril de los reaccionarios japoneses que no satisfechos de sus salvajes actos represivos a la Chongryon, intentan arrebatar hasta la Casa Central de ella.
El objetivo de esa maniobra de la horda de Abe reside en eliminar fisicamente el centro de las actividades de la Chongryon, entidad defensora de los derechos nacionales democraticos de nuestros coreanos en ese pais isleno, para destruir finalmente esta misma entidad, subraya la nota y continua:
Ninguno de los anteriores gobiernos se atrevio a ese brutal atentado a la soberania de la RPDC, lo cual es intolerable represion a los derechos humanos de los coreanos en Japon.
Por lo tanto, no perdonaremos jamas a los pandilleros de Abe.
Exigimos severamente a Japon que siendo pais derrotado en la Segunda Guerra Mundial, pida perdon e indemnice sinceramente sus multiples crimenes del pasado y pare ahora mismo la agitacion de derechizacion y militarizacion de la sociedad japonesa y la represion contra nuestros compatriotas residentes en ese pais isleno.
Si este sigue recurriendo al hostigamiento a los coreanos radicados ahi y a la Chongryon sin escuchar nuestra advertencia, sera castigado severamente por la nacion coreana y los demas pueblos progresistas del mundo.
Los coreanos residentes en China desplegaran hasta el fin con sus fuerzas unidas la lucha por frustrar tajantemente las maniobras de los reaccionarios japoneses contra la RPDC y la Chongryon.
Rinden tributo a Kim Il Sung en Cuba
La Habana, 9 de julio (ATCC) -- En ocasion del l3o aniversario del fallecimiento del Presidente Kim Il Sung, tuvo lugar el dia 6 en el Instituto Politecnico de Economia Kim Il Sung en Cuba un acto de colocacion del cesto de flores ante su retrato con amplia sonrisa.
En la ocasion estuvieron presentes el presidente del Comite Cubano de Apoyo a la Reunificacion de Corea, el director, profesores, empleados y estudiantes del citado plantel docente y los miembros de la embajada coreana en ese pais.
Tras depositar el cesto de flores, los participantes le rindieron tributo al Presidente.
Sesionado 58o pleno del CC de FGSC
Pyongyang, 11 de julio (ATCC) -- Tuvo lugar el dia 10 en esta capital el 58o pleno del Comite Central de la Federacion General de los Sindicatos de Corea (FGSC).
Participaron en esta cita los miembros del CC de la FGSC, los presidentes de los comites de la misma en las provincias, ciudades y distritos y los funcionarios de este gremio de las importantes fabricas y empresas.
En la reunion fueron tratados los problemas relativos a la destitucion y la eleccion suplementaria de los miembros del directorio del CC de la FGSC.
Especificamente, Kim Pyong Phal asumio la presidencia del CC de la FGSC en reemplazo de Ryom Sun Gil.