Kim Jong Il Guides Creation of Fine Art Works
Pyongyang, August 23 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il provided guidance to the creation of fine art works.
The Mansudae Art Studio and Pyongyang University of Fine Arts created many new art pieces including Korean paintings, oil paintings, gem paintings, handicraft, embroideries and calligraphic works conducive to the revolutionary education of Party members and other working people.
Looking round art works on display, he expressed his great satisfaction over the fact that the creators, teachers and students of the studio and the university created many successful works of high ideological and artistic value.
He highly appreciated the feats performed by the studio and the university, noting that they have produced many excellent fine art pieces reflecting the spirit of the Workers' Party era and trained talented reserves in the last period, thus making a great contribution to bringing about a great heyday of fine art.
The creation of art pieces is now brisk not only among experts but in the army and all fields of the society, producing a lot of works worth national treasures, he said, setting forth tasks to be implemented to further develop the Juche-oriented fine art.
Noting that what is most important for developing the Juche-oriented fine art truly serving the popular masses' cause of independence is to fully apply the theory of Korean-style fine art into the creation, he called upon the artists to equip themselves with the Party's idea and theory of fine art and bring about a change in the creation of art pieces, guided by them.
Underscoring the need to continue paying deep attention to the development of Korean painting with a long tradition and excellent artistic characteristics, he said that in order to preserve the unique characteristics of the Korean painting, it is important to firmly preserve its unique techniques.
It is necessary to make sustained efforts to systemize the overall theory of fine art in order to rapidly develop the nation's fine art, he said, expressing expectation and conviction that the artists would create many more excellent fine art pieces strong in the spirit of the times and thus perform their sacred mission and duty.
He was accompanied by Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the Central Committee of the WPK, Kang Nung Su, minister of Culture, and Ri Jae Il, first deputy department director of the C.C., WPK.
Kim Jong Il Guides Work of Factory Itinerant Art Agitation Groups
Pyongyang, August 23 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il provided guidance to the work of factory itinerant art agitation groups.
He acquainted himself with the agitation activities of itinerant art agitation groups of the Kim Jong Thae Electric Locomotive Factory, the Taean Heavy Machine Complex and the Tobacco Complex, watching the performances given by them under different circumstances.
He said that the itinerant art agitation the advantages and vitality of which have been clearly proved in the practical struggle in the past has become an important means of educating the masses for its great influence and attraction and set forth the tasks facing itinerant art agitation groups in their activities.
The itinerant art agitation is an advantageous political work which helps make the greatest success as it is conducted at production sites in a flexible manner with lightning speed, he said, noting that the experience gained at several factories vividly shows what great strength working people display when they are firmly armed with transparent working class consciousness and encouraged to give full play to their revolutionary enthusiasm and creative ingenuity.
Saying that the present stirring era requires more appealing agitation than ever before, he stressed the need to conduct all agitation work the same militant way as the political work was done on heights and in trenches in flames on the frontline to arouse combatants to fight decisive battles, their hearts burning with the pledge of loyalty, during the past Fatherland Liberation War.
The basic requirement of the information service and agitation of anti-Japanese guerrilla style is to go among the masses and conduct them in keeping with the specific conditions without formality and style, he said, adding that to this end the members of the agitation groups should proceed to the production sites with knapsacks on their backs and share sweets and bitters with them in order to arouse their intense loyalty.
He stressed the need for the factories to follow the example of the People's Army and direct big efforts to the mass cultural work so that the workers may get fully prepared in terms of working class awareness and culture.
He called upon the Party organizations at the factories and enterprises to direct deep attention to the work of the itinerant art agitation groups.
He expressed expectation and conviction that all the factories and enterprises would conduct powerful ideological offensive through the itinerant art agitation groups and all other information service and agitation means and thus bring about a great leap.
Kim Jong Il Sends Wreath to Bier of Jong Thae Un
Pyongyang, August 23 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il Thursday sent a wreath to the bier of Jong Thae Un who was a winner of Kim Il Sung Order and old-age pensioner after acting a party official for years, expressing deep condolences over his death.
Message of Sympathy to Kim Jong Il from Raul Castro Ruz
Pyongyang, August 23 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a message of sympathy from Raul Castro Ruz, first vice-president of the Council of State and first vice-president of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba, on Tuesday in connection with the heavy rain that hit the DPRK, causing big human and material losses.
The message expressed deep solidarity with the fraternal Korean people and sincere hope that they would eradicate the aftermath of the natural calamities as early as possible.
Congratulations to Ghanaian FM
Pyongyang, August 23 (KCNA) -- Pak Ui Chun, foreign minister of the DPRK, sent a congratulatory message to Akwasi Osei-Adjei upon his appointment as foreign minister of the Republic of Ghana.
In the belief that the bilateral traditional ties of friendship and cooperation would continue to grow stronger in the future, too, the message wished him success in his new job.
Lots of Literary Works Praising Kim Jong Il Created
Pyongyang, August 23 (KCNA) -- A lot of literary works highly praising the greatness and immortal revolutionary exploits of Kim Jong Il have been brought out in the DPRK generation after generation.
President Kim Il Sung personally wrote the immortal famous revolutionary ode "Poem in Praise of Kwangmyongsong" in February Juche 81 (1992).
The immortal revolutionary paean "Song of General Kim Jong Il" was created in February Juche 86 (1997), providing the army and people of the DPRK with an immortal paean in praise of the sun to be sung down through generations.
The paean "We Will Be Loyal Down through Generations," the first of its kind in history, was created in Juche 60 (1971). This was followed by the production of many other works including "We Sing of the February Holiday," "The General of Korea" and "The General Is the Son of Guerrillas."
Paeans singing of the greatness of the illustrious commander of Mt. Paektu and his immortal exploits created in the era of Songun include "Our General Is the Best," "The General on a Galloping White Horse" and "We Live, Believing in You as in Heaven."
The first collection of poems "Paeans of February" and a collection of epics "Rays of Guidance Shine All over the World" praising the lodestar of the times were produced in the 1970s. Then followed the production of epics and other works highly praising the revolutionary exploits of the legendary great man and his outstanding leadership art.
Among them are epic "On the Peak of 20th Century," a long epic "The General and Soldier of Mt. Osong," a long poem "Under the Blue Sky in June," a lyric epic "The Supreme Commander and Life-Guardsmen" and a congratulatory poem "The General Pulling through Snowstorm" which deal with the history of the great Songun revolutionary leadership of Kim Jong Il.
The 1980s witnessed first a collection of short stories "Giant Footprints" and then a series of collections of other short stories including "Happiness of Korea" and "Great Heart."
Also produced were full-length novels "Wisdom," "Torchlight in Pyongyang," "Spirit of Kanggye" and "With Bayonets" belonging to a cycle of novels "Immortal Guidance" which systematically and comprehensively deal with the greatness of the peerlessly great man and many other novels.
New Books on Agricultural Science and Technique Published
Pyongyang, August 23 (KCNA) -- Many books on agricultural science and technique were published by the Agricultural Publishing House this year.
Those books deal with main contents of the work to combine agricultural science and technique with production on a higher level and ways to do so.
Among them are books dealing with scientific and technical issues of increasing the yield of crops by properly selecting seeds of crops, the conception of green manure crops and their feature and cultivating technique, species of vegetables being cultivated in a big way or newly introduced to rural areas and the requirements for putting the veterinary and anti-epizootic work on a scientific and technical basis.
Above-said new books also include "Handbook for Sericultural Industrial Workers," "Weather in 12 Months," "Handbook for Fruit-Growing Technicians" and "Plants and Health and Longevity."
Stop to "Ulji Focus Lens" Demanded in S. Korea
Pyongyang, August 23 (KCNA) -- Civic and public organizations of south Korea reportedly staged actions in protest against the large-scale "Ulji Focus Lens" joint military exercises launched by the U.S. and south Korean authorities against the DPRK on August 20.
The preparatory committee of the Solidarity for Progress in south Korea at a press conference held in Seoul charged that the "Ulji Focus Lens" joint military drills are standing in the way of ensuring peace on the Korean Peninsula as they are all-out exercises for a preemptive attack on the north kicked off according to the "OPLAN 5027-04" aimed at bringing down it.
The organization declared that it would hold meetings and demonstrations in various parts of south Korea including Seoul, Inchon, Kyonggi Province till the U.S. and south Korean authorities halt the saber-rattling.
Representatives of an organization affiliated to the Seoul Reunification Solidarity released a declaration urging a halt to the "Ulji Focus Lens."
The declaration demanded the U.S. stop the reckless war exercises at once, positively opt for implementing the agreement reached at the six-party talks and concluding a peace agreement and pull its forces out of south Korea.
It urged the south Korean authorities to strive to achieve national cooperation, not depending on the war "alliance" with the U.S.
That day members of civic and public organizations from various circles each staged a one-man demonstration before the U.S. embassy in Seoul and the "command and control office" of the south Korea- U.S. "combined forces command" demanding a halt to the north-targeted war exercises.
Much Touted "Freedom" in Capitalist Society Termed Hypocritical
Pyongyang, August 23 (KCNA) -- Bourgeois advocates are painting the capitalist society as a "free society" in a foolish bid to deter mankind from longing for socialism, create illusion about capitalism and thus westernize other countries. The much touted "freedom" in the capitalist society is, however, nothing but sheer hypocrisy.
Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article.
It goes on:
The toiling masses cannot enjoy genuine freedom in the capitalist society as they are completely excluded from independent political life and the management of state affairs.
The above-said advocates claim that state power organs are set up in the capitalist countries through election, but it is only rich capitalists and their henchmen that hold political power.
The "freedom" of thought much publicized by the imperialists is only aimed at suppressing the progressive ideas and spreading reactionary bourgeois ideas in the capitalist society. The progressive thoughts are bound to become the target of merciless suppression in the capitalist countries.
The nature of the capitalist system itself clearly proves that genuine freedom can never be guaranteed in the capitalist society.
People in the capitalist society regard it as their top goal to seek their own interests. This naturally sparks off such friction and contradictions of containing and blaming each other among them and the jungle law is bound to prevail in the society.
There can be no actual conditions for guaranteeing the toiling masses freedom and rights in the capitalist society.
The imperialists describe the freedom of speech and press as an "icon of freedom". But it is also hypocritical.
With no rhetoric about "freedom" in the capitalist society can the bourgeois advocates ever cover up the reactionary and unpopular nature of the capitalist system.
U.S. "Ulji Focus Lens" Joint Military Exercises under Fire
Pyongyang, August 23 (KCNA) -- The U.S. "Ulji Focus Lens" joint military drills now under way are, to all intents and purposes, provocative saber-rattling aimed to invade the DPRK and a manifestation of its deep-rooted hostile policy toward the latter. The Korean nation can never pardon it.
Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article.
It is quite clear to everybody that the U.S. policy towards the DPRK is hostile one and a policy of aggression, the article notes, and continues:
The above-said provocative war maneuvers now under way in south Korea clearly prove that the U.S. remains unchanged in its hostile policy of aggression toward the DPRK and still persists in the military confrontation with the latter behind the curtain of dialogue.
It is, indeed, anachronistic for the U.S. to pursue military stand-off quite contrary to the trend of the times towards reconciliation and peace. The U.S. war drills targeted against the DPRK do Washington nothing good as they vitiate the atmosphere of peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula and exacerbate confrontation and tension.
Under the situation where the U.S. is going mad with rackets of military confrontation with its dialogue partner, no one can expect any positive results from the talks and, even if there be any, it would not help settle any issue.
The U.S. would be well advised to give up its anachronistic design for military showdown with the DPRK and make a switchover to the stand for dialogue and peace.
National Exhibition of Consumer Goods Opens
Pyongyang, August 23 (KCNA) -- A national exhibition of consumer goods opened here on Thursday.
On display there are at least 45,000 products of different kinds such as fabrics, garments, daily necessities, foodstuff and furniture. They are divided into the wings for daily necessities produced by the centrally-controlled light industry, local industry, ministries and national institutions and August 3 mass consumption goods made by different provinces.
Also on display are more than 800 designs of daily necessities of different kinds created by industrial fine artists and designers of several art studios including the Mansudae Art Studio and amateur painters and designers.
There will take place during the exhibition an essential foodstuff fair, an exhibition of designs of daily necessities and fairs and exhibitions of various fields, a workshop, the dissemination of new technology and other events.
Cultural Relics Repaired or Restored in DPRK
Pyongyang, August 23 (KCNA) -- Great efforts are channeled to preserve well the cultural remains and relics in the DPRK.
More than 20 cultural relics have been repaired or restored to the original state on the principle of historicism in the last one year and more.
In Pyongyang, a section of over 70 meters of the fortress wall on Mt. Taesong was restored with original wall stones and the construction of tens of meters of road leading to the fort and arrangement of surroundings were completed.
The finishing touch is being put to the project for restoring the fortress walls in the city to the original state as a tourist object.
A general repair project of the Taeung Hall and Myongbu Hall, the main buildings of the Jonggwang Temple in Riwon County, South Hamgyong Province was done.
In North Hamgyong Province the Monument to Great Victory in the Battle in Northern Areas was set up on the original place in Rimmyong-ri of Kim Chaek City, where it had stood 100 years ago and more than 3,500 trees of good species were transplanted in its surrounding area.
In North Hwanghae Province, a 400 meter-long section of the fortress wall on Mt. Jongbang was restored as it had been.
Similar repair works were undertaken in the Chonju Temple in Nyongbyon County of North Phyongan Province, Ryonghung Temple in Yonggwang County and Kunja Pavilion in Kumya County of South Hamgyong Province, Tomb No.3 in Thaesong-ri, Kangso County of South Phyongan Province and other cultural and historical relics in different parts of the country.
Anniversary of Kim Jong Il's Start of Songun Revolutionary Leadership Observed
Pyongyang, August 23 (KCNA) -- The performance "Long journey under the Songun leadership" was given by workers and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea at the Central Workers' Hall to celebrate the 47th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's start of Songun revolutionary leadership. And a celebration meeting of youth and students was held at the Central Youth Hall and a similar meeting of members of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea and agricultural workers took place in Anbyon County, Kangwon Province and members of the Korean Democratic Women's Union held a celebration meeting before the plaza of the Tower of the Juche Idea on August 22 and 23.
The reporters and speakers at those events said that the Songun revolutionary leadership Kim Jong Il started by inspecting Guard Seoul Ryu Kyong Su Tank Division 105 on August 25, Juche 49 (1960) marked a historic event as it brought about an occasion of a landmark turn in developing the revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK and accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche.
Recalling that Kim Jong Il has led the army and people of the DPRK to victory and glory by making ceaseless long journeys for Songun leadership in the rigorous annuals of revolution, they stressed that this immortal history serves as an eternal treasure of the Juche revolution, the most precious national treasure of the Koreans.
Kim Jong Il unrolled Songun politics on the basis of making deep insight into the requirements of the developing revolution with his far-sighted wisdom, thus providing the Party, the army and people of the DPRK with an all-mighty treasured sword and turning the country into an impregnable fortress.
Workers and members of the trade unions put on the stage colorful art pieces including mixed chorus, dialogic poem and female solo. The audience also heard touching stories told by those who had the honor of being received by Kim Jong Il during his journeys for Songun leadership.
All the performers and speakers renewed their resolutions to devotedly defend the headquarters of the revolution and remain true to the idea and cause of the Party, bearing in mind the firm faith that they have such great Party and country and the socialist cause is sure to triumph thanks to Kim Jong Il.
Pyongyang University Student Games Held
Pyongyang, August 23 (KCNA) -- The Pyongyang University Student Games for "September 5 Cup" took place from August 13 to 23 at the Yanggakdo Football Stadium, the gymnasium and swimming pool of the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace to celebrate the Day of Youth.
The games brought together players selected from more than ten universities in Pyongyang.
The participants were divided into two groups. They competed in eight events including defence sports, football, basketball and volleyball.
Players of Kim Il Sung University placed first in total points in the games of the group A and those of Pyongyang University of Foreign Studies came first in total points in the group B.
Meanwhile, similar games also took place in different provinces.
Football Match between DPRK and Lebanese Teams Held
Pyongyang, August 23 (KCNA) -- A match between the DPRK and Lebanese men's teams was held at the Kim Il Sung Stadium on August 23 as part of the final preliminary of the Asian regional qualifier of Group A for the 29th Olympics.
The Lebanese team won the game 1-0.
Group A includes the DPRK, Australian, Iraqi and Lebanese teams.
As only the winner of each group is qualified for the Olympics, it is expected that the preliminaries will be fierce.
For Spanish-speaking people
Kim Jong Il dirige la labor de creacion de bellas artes
Pyongyang, 23 de agosto (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il, Secretario General del Partido del Trabajo de Corea y Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, dirigio la labor de creacion de bellas artes.
La Casa de Creacion Mansudae y la Universidad de Bellas Artes de Pyongyang crearon nuevamente una gran cantidad de piezas de bellas artes como las pinturas al estilo coreano, las al oleo, las hechas con polvos de piedras preciosas, los productos artesanales, los bordados, las caligrafias, que contribuiran a la educacion revolucionaria de los militantes del partido y los trabajadores.
Al pasar revista a esas obras, el Dirigente se mostro muy satisfecho de que los creadores, profesores, empleados y estudiantes de ambas unidades crearon muchas obras excelentes de alto nivel ideo-artistico.
Recordo que en el pasado esas dos entidades hicieron una gran contribucion a la apertura de la era de gran prosperidad de bellas artes al crear excelentes obras, que reflejaron el impetu de la epoca del PTC, y formar a las reservas talentosas, y aprecio altamente sus meritos.
Hoy dia, la creacion de bellas artes adquiere vigorosidad no solo entre los especialistas sino tambien en el ejercito y en todas las esferas sociales y en este curso se crean muchas obras del valor de patrimonio nacional, dijo e indico las tareas que se presentan para desarrollar aun mas las bellas artes del tipo jucheano.
Lo mas importante para desarrollar las bellas artes jucheanas, que contribuyen verdaderamente a la causa de independencia de las masas populares, es materializar cabalmente en la creacion las autoctonas teorias sobre esta rama, apunto y destaco que los pintores deben armarse firmemente con las ideas y teorias del PTC en materia de bellas artes y registrar un viraje en la creacion tomandolas por su pauta.
Deben seguir prestando profunda atencion al desarrollo de las pinturas al estilo coreano, que tienen una larga tradicion y magnificas peculiaridades artisticas, resalto y continuo que para seguir manteniendolas, es preciso desarrollar sus originales metodos de dibujo.
Para desarrollar vertiginosamente las bellas artes de nuestro pais se debe seguir encauzando las fuerzas a la sistematizacion de todas las teorias sobre ellas, senalo.
El Dirigente expreso su esperanza y conviccion de que los pintores crearan mucho mas obras excelentes, que reflejen el espiritu de la epoca, para cumplir satisfactoriamente con su sagrada mision y deber.
Le acompanaron el secretario del Comite Central del PTC, Kim Ki Nam, el ministro de Cultura Kang Nung Su, y el primer subjefe de departamento del CC del PTC, Ri Jae Il.
Kim Jong Il dirige el trabajo de grupos de agitacion artistica
Pyongyang, 23 de agosto (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il, Secretario General del Partido del Trabajo de Corea y Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, dirigio el trabajo de los grupos moviles de agitacion artistica de las fabricas.
Presenciando las funciones, que ofrecieron bajo diferentes circunstancias los grupos de ese tipo de la Fabrica de Locomotoras Electricas Kim Jong Thae, el Complejo de Maquinaria Pesada de Taean y del Complejo de Tabaco, el Dirigente se cercioro de sus actividades agitadoras.
La agitacion artistica movil, que mostro plenamente su superioridad y vitalidad en las anteriores luchas practicas, resulta uno de los importantes medios de educacion masiva por su gran facultad conmovedora y atractiva, recalco el Dirigente y presento las tareas que incumben a esos grupos para sus actividades.
Continuo que esa modalidad deviene un ventajoso trabajo politico que permite alcanzar maximos exitos al desplegar la agitacion de manera movil y relampagueante en los mismos talleres de produccion.
Anadio que las experiencias de varias fabricas muestran expresamente esa realidad de que ellas pueden poner de pleno manifiesto las gigantescas fuerzas de los trabajadores cuando los arman firmemente con una inconmovible conciencia clasista y motivan su entusiasmo revolucionario y actividad creativa.
La vigorosa epoca actual, destaco, demanda una agitacion mas conmovedora que nunca y prosiguio que es preciso desarrollar de modo combativo todas las actividades agitadoras segun el estilo de trabajo politico en el frente que en la pasada Guerra de Liberacion de la Patria (1950-1953) llamo a los combatientes a lanzarse a la batalla decisiva jurando la fidelidad con sus corazones en esas cotas y trincheras envueltas en llamas.
El requisito principal de la propaganda y la agitacion a la manera de la guerrilla antijaponesa es compenetrarse entre las masas y desplegar esas labores segun las condiciones concretas rechazando las formalidades y esquematismo, enseno.
Para ello, los agitadores deben acudir a los talleres de produccion con la decision de convivir y compartir las penas con los obreros a fin de prender en sus corazones las llamas de fidelidad, indico.
Destaco que siguiendo el ejemplo del Ejercito Popular de Corea, las fabricas deben prestar mucha atencion a las actividades culturales masivas para preparar firmemente a la clase obrera en lo clasista y cultural.
Encomendo a las organizaciones del partido en las fabricas y las empresas que presten profunda atencion al trabajo de los grupos moviles de agitacion artistica.
El Dirigente Kim Jong Il expreso su esperanza y conviccion de que todas las fabricas y empresas levantaran un viento mas fuerte de auge al lanzar una intensa ofensiva ideologica movilizando todos los medios de propaganda y agitacion, inclusive los grupos mencionados.
Kim Jong Il recibe telegrama de consuelo de Raul Castro Ruz
Pyongyang, 23 de agosto (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il, Secretario General del Partido del Trabajo de Corea y Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, recibio un telegrama de consuelo que le enviara el dia 21 Raul Castro Ruz, primer vicepresidente de los Consejos de Estado y de Ministros de la Republica de Cuba, en relacion con las perdidas humanas y muchos danos materiales ocasionados en Corea por una lluvia torrencial.
La misiva expresa profunda solidaridad con el hermano pueblo coreano y desea de todo corazon que este resarza cuanto antes las secuelas del desastre natural.
Rodong Sinmun califica "Ulji Focus Lens" de acto criminal
Pyongyang, 23 de agosto (ATCC) -- El ejercicio militar conjunto "Ulji Focus Lens", que Estados Unidos despliega ahora en el Sur de Corea, resulta una provocativa accion militar encaminada a agredir a la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea y una expresion de la arraigada politica hostil del primero a la segunda.
Por lo tanto, la nacion coreana nunca podra tolerar esa maniobra militar.
Asi senala el diario Rodong Sinmun en un articulo individual difundido este jueves y continua:
Todo el mundo sabe que la politica de EE.UU. sobre la RPDC se caracteriza por la hostilidad y agresividad.
El provocativo simulacro conjunto contra la RPDC, que se libra en el suelo surcoreano, muestra claramente que no hubo ningun cambio en la politica hostil y agresiva de EE.UU. a la RPDC y que este imperio sigue intentando detras de la cortina del dialogo el conflicto armado con ella.
Tal intento de EE.UU. en contra de la corriente de la epoca hacia la reconciliacion y la paz resulta sumamente anacronico.
"Ulji Focus Lens", que destruye el clima de paz y reunificacion de la Peninsula Coreana y concita la confrontacion y la tension, no beneficiara ni a los mismos norteamericanos.
Dado que EE.UU. despliega freneticamente esa campana de confrontacion militar contra el interlocutor del dialogo, todos pensaran que aunque se alcancen resultados positivos en las negociaciones, esto no servira de nada para resolver el problema.
EE.UU. debe abandonar su anacronico intento de confrontacion militar con la RPDC y tomar una posicion a favor del dialogo y la paz.