Kim Jong Il Inspects Command of KPA Unit
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il inspected the Command of KPA Unit 255.
He, conducted by the commander of the unit, went round the room devoted to the history of the unit.
He said that the unit is a proud unit which has performed shining feats in the sacred struggle to defend the gains of socialism won by the Korean people at the cost of blood since the past Fatherland Liberation War.
After acquainting himself with the unit's performance of duty, he dropped in at a military lecture room and learned about the training of its commanding officers.
He praised the officers and men of the unit for having discharged their guard duty in a responsible manner and all commanding officers for having made strenuous efforts to acquire rich military knowledge, military technique and commanding ability and set forth the tasks to be fulfilled by the unit to increase its combat capacity.
Going round a servicepersons' hall, a library and other entertainment and educational facilities, he acquainted himself with how the political work is conducted among servicepersons.
He highly praised the unit for having conducted the revolutionary education and working class education in a unique manner and by various forms and methods to suit the characteristic features of servicepersons and established the habit of reading, in particular, to make all of them enthusiastic readers. He stressed the need to pay primary attention to the ideological education so that servicepersons may be fully prepared as ideologically strong fighters.
Then, he took deep care of the living of the servicepersons, making the rounds of a bedroom, a kitchen, a wash-cum-bath house, a non-staple food store and other supply service facilities.
He said that all the commanding officers should clearly understand the importance of the supply service and always pay deep attention to it and thus provide the best living conditions to the servicepersons standing guard over the defence line of the country everyday despite rain or snow to protect the security of the country and the people.
He had a photo session with the servicepersons of the unit.
He was accompanied by KPA Generals Hyon Chol Hae and Ri Myong Su.
Inter-Korean General-Level Talks Close
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- The 7th north-south general-level talks closed Friday.
The talks adopted an agreement on providing a military guarantee for passage, communications and customs clearance in the areas under the control of the north and the south.
In the agreement the north side, prompted by the firm will of the Korean People's Army to thoroughly implement the historic October 4 declaration, decided to take measures for providing a military guarantee for increasing the time of passage through Kaesong and Mt. Kumgang areas, ensuring speedy and smooth communications and cutting down the time of customs clearance with a view to contributing to the inter-Korean cooperation projects in those areas.
The talks also discussed the issue of fixing peaceful waters and waters for joint fishing in the West Sea.
The north side advanced a fair and aboveboard proposal for setting the waters between the maritime boundary guarded by the KPA and the "northern limit line" asserted by the south side as peaceful waters and fixing waters for joint fishing inside them.
This proposal based on the recognition of the complicated situation in the West Sea reflects the desire of all Koreans to make the West Sea a peaceful one free from source of conflicts.
This is a landmark proposal as it makes it possible to fix a "special zone for peace and cooperation in the West Sea" as required by the June 15 era of reunification and reenergize north-south cooperation and exchange and thus promote to the full the interests and prosperity common to the nation.
The south side, however, set forth a proposal for fixing waters for joint fishing reflecting its intention to set them deep inside the territorial waters of the north side on the basis of the illegal "northern limit line."
The south side's unreasonable proposal met a strong rebuff from the north side. As a result, they failed to reach an agreement on fixing waters for joint fishing and peaceful waters in the West Sea.
The north side brought to light the injustice of the south side's proposal and vehemently denounced the south side for its improper attitude of persisting in its old stand dating back to the era of confrontation, going against the era of reunification.
Both sides agreed to further discussions on matters related to fixing those waters in the future.
DPRK, Iran Cooperate in Sports
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- A memorandum of understanding on cooperation in sports between the DPRK Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission and the Physical Education Organization of Iran was inked in Pyongyang on Friday.
Present at the signing ceremony from the DPRK side were Mun Jae Dok, chairman of the commission, and officials concerned and from the Iranian side were members of the delegation of the Physical Education Organization led by Head Mohammad Ali Abadi, who is vice-president of Iran, and Hamid Reza Sadegh, Iranian charge d'affaires a.i. here.
The memorandum was signed by Mun Jae Dok and Mohammad Ali Abadi.
Kim Jong Il's Records for Songun Revolution in 2007
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- Juche 96 (2007) is drawing to a close. The year has witnessed another gigantic general march of the Korean people to bring the height of prosperity to Songun Korea.
In the last month of the year replete with historic events, the Korean people are looking back on the records of the Songun revolution in Kim Jong Il's devoted activities for the people.
He visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace on the New Year's Day to pay respects to President Kim Il Sung. On the very day, he plunged into energetic revolutionary activities to carry the President's plan of building a prosperous and powerful country into practice.
In January he inspected units of the Korean People's Army one after another and then found himself at industrial establishments in Huichon City to inspire their workers to a fresh upsurge. Making a round of newly built Thaechon Youth Power Station No. 4, he highly praised the meritorious services of the constructors. And he wisely guided the whole country to bubble over with the spirit of Thaechon.
Reports came in an endless stream all through the year following January about his revolutionary activities inspiring the soldiers and people with conviction of certain victory and courage in building an economic power.
When he was among soldiers he took care of their life as a real father would and instilled valor of invincibility into them, and when he was at such factories as the Chongjin Essential Foodstuff Factory and the Pakchon Silk Mill he clearly indicated the orientation and ways for the improvement of people's living.
The army and people of Korea renewed their determination to carry the revolutionary cause of Juche to accomplishment through generations when they heard news of him giving highly important instructions to intensify education in the revolutionary traditions while giving on-site guidance to the work concerning revolutionary relics in the cities of Chongjin and Kanggye.
He made "the midsummer forced march" in August when unheard-of sweltering heat and torrential rains hit the country to build a prosperous and powerful nation and bring the happy morrow of the people earlier.
The objects of his on-site inspection reported in the month of August are nearly 20.
Following the historic "midsummer forced march" in the east coastal areas, he made a forced march in Jagang Province, the northern region of the country, and he continues his inspection tour toward the end of the year.
The single-hearted unity of the leader, the Party and the popular masses is getting closer and the might of harmonious whole is opening the heyday of national prosperity in the course of the long journey of Songun he is making day and night.
Huge Letters Praising Kim Jong Suk Carved on Natural Rock
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- Letters praising Kim Jong Suk, an anti-Japanese war hero and woman commander of Mt. Paektu, were carved on a natural rock in Jangsu Peak in Pansok-ri, Cholwon County, Kangwon Province, on the occasion of her 90th birth anniversary.
Carved on the rock covering thousands of square metres were the following letters: "Woman commander Kim Jong Suk, an anti-Japanese war hero. December 24, Juche 96 (2007)."
This reflects the unanimous wishes of the servicepersons and people to hold the peerlessly great person in high esteem for ever. Each letter of her august name is 17 metres high, 10 metres wide and 1.2 metres deep and each of other words is 12 metres high, 7 metres wide and 1 metre deep.
The carved letters represent one more monumental national treasure as they recorded in the history of the Songun revolution the undying revolutionary feats Kim Jong Suk performed by dedicating herself to the struggle for the liberation and prosperity of the country and the well-being of the people as a sunflower from the day she took the road of revolution in her early years to the last moments of her noble life.
An unveiling ceremony took place on the spot Thursday.
Present there were Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Ri Chol Bong, chief secretary of the Kangwon Provincial Committee of the WPK, officials concerned, members of the shock brigade and officials, working people and school youth and children in the county.
Kim Ki Nam, addressing the ceremony, said that the letters praising the three generals of Mt. Paektu have been carved on natural rocks on Jangsu Peak in a row, adding that this is a manifestation of the firm will of the Party members and other working people to boundlessly revere and follow the peerlessly great persons and advance along the road of Juche-oriented revolution to the last under the Songun revolutionary leadership of the Party.
National Photo Exhibition Opens
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- A national photo exhibition was opened to commemorate the 90th birth anniversary of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk.
On display in the venue of the exhibition are more than 180 photos showing her revolutionary life and the reverence of all people for her.
Among those photos are "Anti-Japanese war hero Comrade Kim Jong Suk staunchly fighting in defence of the revolutionary idea of the great leader", "Anti-Japanese war hero Comrade Kim Jong Suk safeguarding the headquarters, personally standing sentinel" and others showing her transparent spirit of devotedly defending the leader.
Also on display there are photos dealing with her warm revolutionary comradeship and ardent patriotism and those showing the profound reverence of the Korean people and the world people for her.
Its opening ceremony took place at the People's Palace of Culture on December 14.
Minister of Culture Kang Nung Su made an opening speech.
Revolutionary Battle Sites and Historic Sites in Area of Mt. Paektu Draw Endless Stream of Visitors
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- A total of more than 1.7 million people have visited the revolutionary battle sites and historic sites in the area of Mt. Paektu associated with the immortal feats of the three generals of Mt. Paektu this year.
At least 250,000 people visited the area in June alone.
Officials of the party and armed forces organs, working people's organizations, ministries and national institutions and servicepersons of the Korean People's Army, officials of organs at all levels in Pyongyang and local areas and working people held a national meeting in front of the Monument to the Victorious Battle of Pochonbo on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Pochonbo battle commanded by President Kim Il Sung and toured the area of Mt. Paektu.
The visitors included former unconverted long-term prisoners who are indomitable pro-reunification patriotic fighters, officials in charge of information service of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea from across the country, officials of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea and the Korean Democratic Women's Union, university students and school children.
At least 25,000 foreigners and overseas Koreans have visited the revolutionary battle sites of Mt. Paektu this year. Delegations and delegates of international organizations and friendship and solidarity organizations of various countries and regions visited the secret camp in Mt. Paektu on the occasion of the significant February holiday.
National Science and Technology Presentations Held
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- National science and technology presentations in the field of crop seed production and the field of post and telecommunications were held here between Dec. 11 and 13.
The participants in the presentations heard speeches introducing scientific and technological achievements and experience gained in the drive to step up the general advance of the Songun revolution and discussed measures to widely introduce them.
The participants in the national science and technology presentation in the field of crop seed production heard at least 120 data on scientific and technological achievements.
Those of the science and technology presentation in the field of post and telecommunications heard papers dealing with at least 90 data on scientific and technological achievements.
World AIDS Day Observed in DPRK
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- A function was held at the Grand People's Study House on Thursday on the occasion of World AIDS Day.
Present there were officials of ministries, national institutions and working people's organizations and in the field of public health.
On hand were Tej Walia, representative of the WHO here, Antony Bates, technical advisor to the Regional Office of UNAIDS for Asia-Pacific Region, staff members of foreign embassies and representatives of international organizations here.
Ri Pong Hun, vice-minister of Public Health, made an opening address.
He said that AIDS is presenting itself as a very serious socio-economic issue in the world.
The epidemiology information system and information service, education and supervision system to prevent AIDS have been established in the DPRK to achieve successful progress in this work, he noted, adding that the DPRK would increase the capacity for preventing and controlling AIDS in close touch with the WHO and the UNAIDS organization.
Then the floor was taken by the representative of the WHO here.
The participants in the function heard a hygienic lecture on the subject of "On AIDS, disease of death."
They went round photos and literature showing the achievements made in the work to prevent AIDS in the DPRK and enjoyed a performance given by a hygienic information service squad.
Martial Arts Indigenous to Korea
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- Today Taekwon-Do, the pride of the Korean nation, is widely spreading over the world.
The martial arts indigenous to Korea train the fighting spirit, patience and physical strength of people.
It is based on Subak which had been widely disseminated in Korea in the period of the three kingdoms, Thaekgyon, Nalpharam and other martial arts which were created after then.
Subak, with hand-striking as the main, was popular among the Koguryo people in particular.
The mural paintings of tombs belonging to Koguryo including Tomb No. 3 in Anak well illustrate that the Subak martial arts were on a high standard with all elements such as hand-striking, kicking and blocking.
The tradition of Subak martial arts has been carried forward since then.
Koryo, the first unified state of Korea, encouraged it throughout the country, holding matches often.
In the period of Ri Dynasty, too, Subak was popular among the people everywhere in the country.
According to a record, there was a match of specially selected masters of Subak in the early 15th century where many of them defeated eight muscular men or more.
Later, Subak developed into Thaekgyon which uses feet.
After then, Thaekgyon also developed into Nalpharam of the Pyongyang area which applies feet and head as well as fists.
Taekwon-Do, one of the excellent martial arts in the world, gives great national pride to the Koreans.
U.S. DPRK-Targeted Air Battle Exercises under Fire
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- The U.S. imperialist bellicose forces for aggression are now busy with air battle exercises targeted against the DPRK, while deploying flying corps in south Korea by turns from the outset of December, according to a military source.
On Dec. 11 and 12 they deployed at least ten overseas-based F/A-18s and KC-130 in their air force bases in south Korea in the wake of their deployment of formations of F-15 on Dec. 4.
They staged madcap air battle exercises in coordinated operation with the U.S. 7th air force in south Korea, while periodically deploying planes by turns.
Involved in those drills staged on Dec. 12 and 13 were at least 280 planes belonging to overseas-based flying corps and those of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces in south Korea including F-16, F-15, A-10, F/A-18. KC-130 was busy refueling them in the midair over south Korea.
The U.S. would be well advised to behave itself and stop at once the above-said war exercises and immediately send back the flying corps deployed in south Korea.
Rodong Sinmun on Role Played by WPK as Mother Party
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- The Workers' Party of Korea has steadily consolidated its leadership position amidst the absolute support and trust of the popular masses since the very day of its foundation because it has creditably performed its duty as a mother party responsible for the destinies of the people.
Rodong Sinmun Friday says this in a signed article.
It goes on:
It is the general goal of the WPK to build a great prosperous powerful nation in which the national power is strong and everything is thriving and the people live a happy life with nothing to desire more in the world.
The WPK is a great party taking care of the destinies of the people in a responsible manner because it has developed in depth the Juche idea as required by the times and the revolutionary development, invariably considering the Juche idea as the eternal guiding idea.
Being guided by the great Juche idea, the WPK has developed to be a mother party enjoying the absolute support and trust of the popular masses and Korean-style socialism fully demonstrated the advantages as socialism centered on the popular masses.
The WPK set forth the theory of the great Songun revolution and established the unique Songun political mode. This served as a shining example of the times in which the WPK has firmly defended, developed and enriched the revolutionary idea of President Kim Il Sung and meant a striking demonstration of the unshakable will to take care of the destinies of the people to the last in a responsible manner.
The WPK was great in that it formed a harmonious whole with the popular masses and has advanced the revolution and construction by the dint of its might and worked hard to improve the standard of people's living, regarding it as the supreme principle governing its activities.
The Korean people will surely build a dignified great prosperous powerful socialist nation on this land, remaining single-mindedly true to the Songun leadership of the great party, and lead the most worthwhile and happiest life in the world under the care of the mother party, concludes the article.
Ri Hoe Chang's Anti-Reunification Remarks under Fire
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- The Switzerland-Korea Committee posted on its Internet homepage an article denouncing traitor Ri Hoe Chang's reckless remarks against national reunification on November 30.
The homepage in the article charged that the traitor seeking to grab power in south Korea let loose a string of imprudent remarks against the DPRK and national reunification and did not hesitate to utter dangerous remarks designed to wreck peace and ignite a war on the Korean Peninsula.
If Ri, who is going crazy about confrontation between fellow countrymen, turning his back on the nation, is allowed to grab power, nightmare of fascist dictatorship will come to south Korea again and, at the same time, the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration will be turned to be a dead paper and a war will break out in Korea, it warned.
It called upon youth and students and people from all walks of life in south Korea to turn out as one in the struggle to eliminate Ri Hoe Chang, an anti-reunification traitor.
Kim Jong Il's Work Published in Nicaragua
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il's famous work "The Juche Philosophy Is an Original Revolutionary Philosophy" was brought out in booklet by a publishing house of Nicaragua on December 5.
The work, published on July 26, Juche 85 (1996), makes a scientific analysis of the limitation of age of the preceding philosophy and originality of the Juche philosophy. It clarifies the idea that the Juche philosophy serves as a revolutionary and political philosophy of the Workers' Party of Korea and indicates the principled matters arising in the study and dissemination of the Juche philosophy.
For Spanish-speaking people
Terminada VII ronda de conversaciones a nivel de general N-S
Pyongyang, 14 de diciembre (ATCC) -- Quedo terminada este viernes la VII ronda de conversaciones militares a nivel de general entre el Norte y el Sur de Corea.
En la ocasion fue aprobado el acuerdo para asegurar militarmente el transito, las comunicaciones y el paso aduanero en las zonas administradas por el Norte y el Sur.
Segun este documento, partiendo de la firme voluntad del Ejercito Popular de ejecutar a cabalidad la historica Declaracion del 4 de Octubre y para contribuir a los trabajos de cooperacion intercoreana en las zonas de Kaesong y el monte Kumgang, la parte Norte decidio tomar las medidas de garantia militar para alargar el tiempo del transito, asegurar la rapidez y flexibilidad de las comunicaciones y reducir el tiempo del paso aduanero.
En las conversaciones fue discutido el problema sobre la fijacion de la zona pacifica y la de pesca conjunta en el Mar Oeste.
La parte Norte presento su imparcial y justa propuesta consistente en fijar como la zona pacifica las aguas entre la linea de guardia naval de si misma y la de "limite con el Norte" reclamada por la parte Sur y en establecer en ellas la franja de pesca conjunta.
Esta propuesta refleja el deseo de todos los coreanos de convertir el Mar Oeste en el pacifico sin las causas del conflicto admitiendo tal como es la compleja realidad existente en este mar.
Ademas, esa iniciativa de importancia trascendental permite fomentar al maximo los intereses y prosperidad comunes de la nacion coreana al establecer la "zona especial de cooperacion pacifica del Mar Oeste" y dinamizar tambien en el mar la cooperacion e intercambio N-S segun la exigencia de la epoca de reunificacion iniciada el 15 de Junio.
Pero, la parte Sur presento su proyecto sobre el particular en que esta reflejado su intento de acercarse a las profundidades del mar territorial de la parte Norte tomando como pauta la ilegal "linea de limite con el Norte".
Esta injusta propuesta fue rechazada rotundamente por la parte Norte.
En fin, el debate de este problema resulto infructifero.
La parte Norte desenmascaro lo injusto de la iniciativa de la parte Sur y condeno categoricamente la mala conducta de esta que no se libera de su anticuada posicion del periodo de confrontacion navegando en contra de la epoca de reunificacion.
Ambas partes acordaron seguir discutiendo el mismo problema.
Corea e Iran firman documento sobre cooperacion en deporte
Pyongyang, 14 de diciembre (ATCC) -- Quedo rubricada el dia 14 en esta capital la nota de entendimiento sobre la cooperacion en el sector del deporte entre el Comite de Direccion de Deportes de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea y la Organizacion de Educacion Fisica de la Republica Islamica de Iran.
En la ceremonia de firmas estuvieron presentes por la parte coreana el presidente del Comite de Direccion de Deportes, Mun Jae Dok, y otros funcionarios y, por la irani, los miembros de la delegacion de la Organizacion de Educacion Fisica presidida por su presidente Mohammad Ali Abadi, quien es vicepresidente del pais arabe, y el encargado de negocios a.i. en Corea, Hamid Reza Sadegh.
Suscribieron el documento Mun Jae Dok y Mohammad Ali Abadi.
Cronica revolucionaria de Kim Jong Il en 2007
Pyongyang, 14 de diciembre (ATCC) -- Va expirando el 96 (2007) de la Era Juche en que se libro una gran marcha general para abrir la era de prosperidad de la Corea del Songun (priorizacion militar).
Al final de este ano lleno de eventos historicos, el pueblo coreano recuerda con gran emocion la cronica de la revolucion del Songun del Dirigente Kim Jong Il registrada en su camino de abnegacion para el pueblo.
Desde aquella manana del primero de enero en que rindio sublime tributo al Presidente Kim Il Sung en el Palacio Memorial Kumsusan, el Dirigente nunca dio treguas a sus dinamicas actividades revolucionarias para materializar a plenitud el proposito del Presidente sobre la construccion de una patria prospera.
Solo en enero inspecciono incesantemente las unidades del Ejercito Popular de Corea y visito varias fabricas y empresas de la ciudad de Huichon para conducir a los obreros a la nueva marcha.
Durante su recorrido por la recien construida Central Hidroelectrica Juventud no. 4 de Thaechon, evaluo de grandes los meritos de los constructores e hizo reinar en todo el pais el temperamento de Thaechon.
Los medios de prensa reportaron durante todo el ano las noticias sobre sus actividades revolucionarias que redoblaron la fe en la victoria y el coraje del ejercito y el pueblo de Corea alzados a la edificacion de una potencia economica.
En las unidades del EPC el Dirigente atendio con afecto paternal la vida de los soldados y les dio el valor y audacia de los invencibles y en las fabricas y empresas como la Fabrica de Alimentos Basicos de Chongjin y la Fabrica de Seda de Pakchon ilumino la direccion y los remedios para mejorar la vida del pueblo.
Mirando la imagen del Dirigente dando instrucciones programaticas para intensificar la educacion en las tradiciones revolucionarias cuando dirigia sobre el terreno la rama de conservacion de lugares historicos de la revolucion en las ciudades de Chongjin y Kanggye, el ejercito y el pueblo de Corea tomaron la firme decision de cumplir hasta el final de generacion en generacion la causa revolucionaria del Juche.
Para adelantar la patria prospera y la feliz manana del pueblo, en agosto, en que hacia un calor sofocante y se reportaron inusitadas inundaciones, el Dirigente emprendio la "marcha forzada en la estacion canicular" dirigiendo en el terreno a casi 20 unidades.
Despues de esa historica "marcha" en la zona litoral del Mar Este, el Dirigente se dirigio a la provincia de Jagang en la zona septentrional del pais y hasta en estos dias al final del ano no deja de hacer la visita de orientacion.
En este largo camino del Songun, que el Dirigente recorrio de dia a noche, se consolido mas la unidad monolitica entre el lider, el partido y las masas populares y su poderio trajo la era de gran prosperidad de la patria.
Acto en Corea por el "Dia Mundial de SIDA"
Pyongyang, 14 de diciembre (ATCC) -- Tuvo lugar el dia 13 en el Palacio de Estudio del Pueblo el acto por el "Dia Mundial del SIDA" con la participacion de los funcionarios de ministerios, organos centrales, organizaciones de masas y de sector de salud publica.
Tambien participaron el representante de la Organizacion Mundial de la Salud en Corea, Tej Walia, el asesor tecnico de la Oficina Regional de la ONUSIDA para Asia y el Pacifico, Antony Bates, los miembros de las embajadas de varios paises y representantes de organizaciones internacionales, en Corea.
El viceministro de Salud Publica Ri Pong Hun, en su discurso de apertura, dijo que el SIDA resulta un serio problema socioeconomico de dimension mundial.
Se refirio a que en Corea se lleva adelante con exito la prevencion de ese flagelo a traves de los sistemas informativo, publicitario, educativo y de vigilancia.
Subrayo que Corea fortalecera mas la capacidad de control y prevencion del SIDA en estrecha relacion con la OMS y la Organizacion de la ONUSIDA. Seguidamente, uso la palabra el representante de la OMS en Corea.
En la ocasion se impartio una conferencia higienica intitulada "Sobre el SIDA, enfermedad mortal".
Los participantes pasaron revista a las fotos y materiales de propaganda que demuestran los exitos logrados en Corea en la prevencion de ese mal y vieron una funcion artistica del grupo de propaganda higienica.