Kim Yong Nam Sends Message of Condolences to Pakistani President
Pyongyang, December 29 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of condolences to Pervez Musharraf, president of Pakistan, on Friday over the sudden demise of Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan.
In the message Kim expressed deep condolences to the Pakistani president and, through him, to the bereaved family members.
2007 Brings New Phase in National Reunification
Pyongyang, December 29 (KCNA) -- Juche 96 (2007) has witnessed that the vigorous efforts to usher in the June 15 era of reunification have opened a new aspect for national reunification.
Political parties, government and organizations of the DPRK issued a joint statement on January 17, calling on all the Koreans in the north, the south and overseas to turn out as one in the drive to make this year as a year of attaching importance to the nation, defending peace and achieving unity.
A meeting of officials to accelerate the reunification in 2007 was held under the sponsorship of the South Headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification (Pomchonghakryon). At the meeting, the representatives of south Korean youth and students declared at home and abroad that they would be the vanguards to demonstrate the spirit of giving priority to the nation and the spirit of defending the nation. Organizations of overseas Koreans including the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, the General Association of Koreans in China and the International United Confederation of Koreans manifested their resolution to shine the June 15 reunification era under the banner of an idea of attaching importance to the nation.
Meetings were arranged between the north and the south and joint reunification functions were held. Cooperation, interchange and travel for the national reconciliation, unity and reunification took place briskly.
In particular, thanks to the lofty patriotic intention and will of leader Kim Jong Il the historic north-south submit was arranged and the "Declaration for the Development of North-South Relations and Peace and Prosperity" was made public on October 4. They were noteworthy events which opened up a new epochal phase in the movement for national reunification.
Talks and contacts between the north and the south were held in various fields in the year. Among them were the first inter-Korean premier talks, two rounds of inter-Korean ministerial talks, the north-south general-level military talks, the second north-south defence minister-level talks, the north-south military working-level talks, the 13th meeting of the North-South Committee for the Promotion of Economic Cooperation and the 8th and 9th north-south Red Cross talks.
The grand festival for national reunification marking the 7th anniversary of the publication of the June 15 joint declaration held in Pyongyang and the May Day reunification meeting of workers in the north and the south of Korea for implementing the June 15 joint declaration held in Changwon City, South Kyongsang Province, south Korea, fully demonstrated the strong will of the Korean nation to shape the destiny of the nation independently.
This year also witnessed the joint participation of the athletes from the north and south in the opening ceremony of the 6th Asian Winter Games with the Korean peninsula flag in their van, several meetings of separated families and relatives, the trial train operations in the re-linked railway sections between the north and the south on the east and west coasts and a ceremony for the completion of the Singye Temple which was jointly restored by Buddhists in the north and the south.
An agreement on tourism between the north and the south was concluded and the national economic cooperation was briskly carried on in the Kaesong Industrial Zone.
Indeed, it was a significant year when the entire Korean people in the north, south and abroad turned out in the pro-reunification movement and opened up a new era for the development of north-south relations and peace and prosperity.
Miru Plain Changes Looks
Pyongyang, December 29 (KCNA) -- The area of the Miru Plain is being put on a new look.
Several hundred hectares of paddy and dry fields have been turned into standardized ones in the Miru plain covering vast areas of Koksan, Singye and Suan in North Hwanghae Province during recent 40 days.
Through the vigorous gravity-fed waterway project in the Miru Plain, various objects including three aqueduct tunnels and five underground ducts were completed and the waterway extending hundreds of ri mainly formed its shape.
Over 270 hukbosan fertilizer factories and over 50 stockbreeding bases were constructed and scores of objects are nearing their completion.
A work to improve the fertility of farmland has been pushed ahead simultaneously. More than 50,000 tons of ash for soil improvement and over 20 tons of manure per hectare were carried out to fields.
More than 410 modern rural dwellings and public buildings were constructed.
The newly built dwellings, each for one or two households, have a few living rooms, a kitchen, a wash-cum bath room, pens of domestic animals, a storehouse and others designed for affording convenience in peasants' life.
The members of stock brigades from various provinces, cities and counties are now striving hard to see out the year with fresh labor feats.
Demolition of Concrete Wall Urged
Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- The concrete wall, a symbol of confrontation and division, which divides Korea into two, must be demolished immediately.
Rodong Sinmun Sunday says this in a signed article.
The wall erected in the south side's area along the Military Demarcation Line is one of division and confrontation the military dictators of south Korea built in a bid to permanently divide the Korean nation into two at the instigation of the outside forces, the article notes, and goes on:
It is a national disgrace that such physical wall still remains even in the present June 15 era of reunification which witnesses the opening of a wide avenue for the development of inter-Korean relations, peaceful reunification and national prosperity. It is also quite contrary to the trend of the times. The existence of this wall is hindering the inter-Korean reconciliation, cooperation and independent reunification.
The old era of inter-Korean confrontation had gone and the whole nation is advancing toward independent reunification and peace and prosperity under the banner of "By our nation itself". Therefore, intolerable is the existence of the concrete wall, a symbol of confrontation and division and a leftover of the old times.
It is a demand of the history and nation to demolish the concrete wall. The continuous maintenance of the wall, far from demolishing it, is a treacherous crime against the times which can be perpetrated by those unpleased to see the peace and reunification of the Korean Peninsula and the development of the June 15 era of reunification.
It is preposterous to say about the development of inter-Korean relations, peace and prosperity and reunification while keeping the wall of confrontation and division. Whether to demolish the concrete wall or not serves as a touchstone distinguishing the stand for national reconciliation and unity, peace and reunification from the one for confrontation and war and division in the Korean Peninsula.
Anyone who pursues division and confrontation against the national aspiration and trend of the times, keen on keeping the leftover of the era of confrontation such as the concrete wall, will surely meet the severe punishment of the history and nation.
Signal Successes Made This Year
Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- The DPRK has demonstrated its dignity and might to the world and made a fresh leaping progress in building a great prosperous and powerful country, advancing under the uplifted banner of Songun this year, says Rodong Sinmun Sunday in a signed article.
The political and military might of the DPRK has been strikingly manifested and signal successes have been made in building an economic power this year, the article notes, and goes on:
This year the people of the DPRK commemorated in grand style the 95th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung and celebrated the 75th birthday of the heroic Korean People's Army as grand festivals of victors. The 9th Kimilsungia Festival was held and Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia Show, military parade, torchlight procession of youth and students and other political events were held with large attendance to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the KPA.
The election of deputies to local power organs helped consolidate the foundation of the people's power in the DPRK, strikingly demonstrating the invincibility of Korean-style socialism.
Major units of the national economy were technologically reconstructed and production increased there and such monumental edifices of Songun era as the Samsu Power Station, the Thaechon Youth Power Station No. 4 and the Orangchon Power Station No.1 were built and projects of key significance in developing the country's economy were pushed forward.
Stirring realities representing the spirit of Songun Korea advancing toward the high goal of building a great prosperous powerful nation were presented in all fields of building socialist culture this year.
In educational field, the modernization and the IT level of education has been put on a higher stage this year marking the 30th anniversary of the publication of the Theses on Socialist Education. Art performance "Blue Sky over My Country" (Part Dawn) was given and grand gymnastic and artistic performance "Arirang" successfully re-presented and music of new genre such as song and music for dance "Arirang on Jiansanfeng" were created. Sportspersons recorded signal successes in international games.
This year witnessed stirring events in the struggle for national reunification and in the development of the international relations to be recorded long in the nation's history.
The historic north-south summit meeting was held in October and the Declaration on Development of North-South Relations and Peace and Prosperity was adopted. A momentum was given to the atmosphere of reconciliation, unity and reunification and brisk exchange and cooperation were conducted.
The DPRK has enjoyed ever higher international prestige and international environment favorable for more dynamically advancing the Korean revolution was created.
Rodong Sinmun on Revolutionary Viewpoint on Masses
Pyongyang, December 29 (KCNA) -- If officials are to become true servants for the people as required by the era of Songun and skillfully organize and mobilize them for the building of a great prosperous powerful nation, they should thoroughly establish a revolutionary viewpoint on masses. Rodong Sinmun Saturday says this in a signed article.
It goes on:
The revolutionary viewpoint on the masses calls for regarding the people as masters, the most powerful forces of revolution and construction, revolutionary comrades with whom they share the intention and destiny and settling all problems by always believing in their inexhaustible strength and relying on it and for devotedly serving them, going deep among them and sharing sweets and bitters with them.
The officials should make strenuous efforts to thoroughly establish the above-said viewpoint, always regarding the slogan "We Serve the People!" as the maxim in their work and life.
Today the Workers' Party of Korea appeals to all officials to become true servants for the people so that they may call them "our leading personnel."
The article calls upon all officials to firmly establish the revolutionary viewpoint on the masses and more devotedly work for the people and thus bring the Party's benevolent politics into full bloom and make positive contributions to pushing forward the building of a great prosperous powerful socialist nation.
Rodong Sinmun on Grave Consequences of Imperialists' High-Handed and Hegemonic Policy
Pyongyang, December 29 (KCNA) -- The imperialists' high-handed practices and policy aimed at dominating the world greatly disappointed the world progressives aspiring after independence and peace and seriously affected the development of the international relations this year, observes Rodong Sinmun Saturday in a signed article.
Clashes, disputes and military conflicts persisted in different parts of the world including Northeast Asia and Mideast and the situation remained tense this year due to the imperialists' policy of aggression to put the world under their control, the article says, and goes on:
In January, the world heard the U.S. president's order to dispatch more U.S. troops to Iraq. Since then the U.S. bellicose forces have blustered that they would not rule out even a military option to discourage Iran from pursuing the "nuclear weapons program", vociferating about the "nuclear threat" from Iran all the year round.
They have pushed forward the policy of stifling the DPRK while massively reinforcing their aggression troops in and around the Korean Peninsula. Quite contrary to the changing reality, they waged DPRK-targeted war exercises in and around south Korea one after another with the mobilization of their lackeys including war-thirsty forces in Japan and south Korea under the pretext of "combating terrorism", thus pushing the situation to the brink of war.
The situation grew tense in Asia-Pacific including the Korean Peninsula and in Mideast and Eastern Europe and discord and conflict became all the more pronounced among regions and countries, among big powers, in particular. This was also attributable to the U.S. warlike forces' high-handed policy.
The U.S. warlike forces sparked off an arms race in the international arena and threw the world into the danger of fresh Cold War while frantically stepping up arms buildup under the pretext of "war on terrorism".
The imperialist forces' "anti-terrorism war" and high-handed practices caused the evil cycle of terror and retaliation, escalated armed conflicts and dispute and gave rise to bloodshed and destruction in the Arab world including Iraq and in several other regions.
The trend of the international situation this year goes to clearly prove that the anti-imperialist and independent countries and the world progressive people aspiring after peace can defend the sovereignty and peace of the country and promote the building of an independent new world only when they wage a staunch struggle against the imperialists' high-handed and hegemonic policy under the uplifted banner of independence and peace. The people of the DPRK will wage a more dynamic struggle for peace and socialism against war under the banner of Songun with firm faith in sure victory.
Japan Urged to Stop Its Move to Build Missile Shield
Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- The South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification, the People for Achieving Peace and Reunification and other civic and public organizations of south Korea called a joint press conference for denouncing Japan's building of missile shield and urging its stop in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul on Dec. 26, according to a news report.
Speakers at the press conference referred to the fact that Japan has gone frenzy in its moves to build the missile shield together with the U.S. while conducting missile intercepting tests in the sea. This is a direct threat to the peace of the Korean Peninsula as it is dangerous one to mount a preemptive attack on the DPRK, they said, adding:
Japan's missile test staged at a time when the "operational plans" aimed at preemptive attacks on core facilities in the DPRK were revised and completed under the U.S. patronage shows that the moves of the U.S. and Japan to build the missile shield to mount a preemptive attack on the DPRK have reached the phase of completion.
The U.S. and Japan decided to set a "missile shield joint operational center" in the military base in Japan, becoming all the more blatant in the moves to build the shield.
The organizations made public a press release in which they strongly urged the Japanese government to stop at once the reckless move to build the missile shield, a violation of the "Pacifist Constitution."
Birth Anniversary of Kim Jong Suk Commemorated in Peru and Bangladesh
Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- The Peru Group for the Study of Kimilsungism issued an information bulletin on Dec. 19 on the occasion of the 90th birth anniversary of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk.
The bulletin in an article said Kim Jong Suk has been highly praised as a great model of the Korean women and the world women revolutionaries as she performed immortal feats for the Korean revolution and the world revolution.
The greatest feat she performed was that she gave birth to Kim Jong Il, sun of future, and brought him up, it stressed.
The Bangladesh-Korea Friendship and Solidarity Committee released a special information bulletin on Dec. 22.
In articles titled "Comrade Kim Jong Suk Enjoying Immortality in Memory", "Woman Hero of Mt. Paektu", etc. the bulletin introduced the life of Kim Jong Suk in detail, stressing that her brilliant life will always be remembered by not only the Korean people but also the world progressives.
Information Bulletins Issued in Egypt and France
Pyongyang, December 29 (KCNA) -- The Egypt-Korea Friendship Association issued an information bulletin on December 19 on the occasions of the 16th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's assumption of office as supreme commander of the Korean People's Army and the 90th birth anniversary of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk.
The bulletin in an article referred in detail to the fact that Kim Jong Il developed the KPA into an army strong in idea and faith and the invincible ranks which, high in the degree of organization and discipline, formed a harmonious whole with the people, and augmented the military and technical might of the KPA in every way.
The bulletin in another article introduced the immortal revolutionary career and exploits of woman commander of Mt. Paektu Kim Jong Suk, stressing that her august name and exploits are always shining with eternally prospering socialist Korea.
The France-Korea Friendship Association issued an information bulletin on December 18 on the occasion of the 90th birth anniversary of Kim Jong Suk.
The bulletin in an article said that Kim Jong Suk performed great exploits for carrying forward and accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche and achieving the cause of building a new country, adding that her august name would be always remembered by the Korean people.
DPRK's Important Days Observed by Koreans in Ukraine
Pyongyang, December 29 (KCNA) -- The United Confederation of Koreans in Ukraine held a meeting on December 21 on the occasions of the 16th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's assumption of office as supreme commander of the Korean People's Army and the 90th birth anniversary of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk.
Present there were officials of the confederation and compatriots.
Kim Yong Sul, chairman of the confederation, addressing the meeting, said that the KPA grew to be invincible revolutionary armed forces under the wise and experienced leadership of Kim Jong Il.
The immortal revolutionary exploits performed by Kim Jong Suk in the anti-Japanese war and in building a new country after the liberation of Korea will shine forever in the history, he stressed.
He called upon the overseas compatriots to wage a dynamic movement for national reunification to implement the north-south joint declaration.
The meeting decided to hold a photo exhibition in Kiev on the occasion of the Day of the Sun in 2008.
Demolition of Concrete Wall Urged by Pakistani Organizations
Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- The Lahore Branch of the Pakistan-Korea Friendship Association, the Pakistan Organization for Afro-Asian People's Solidarity, the Pakistan Peasants Committee, the Pakistan Trade Union Federation and the Pakistan Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification issued a joint statement on Dec. 20, as regards the lapse of 28 years since the construction of the concrete wall in the area south of the Military Demarcation Line.
Noting that the existence of the concrete wall is a challenge to the conscience of the international community and the entire Korean nation, the statement said that the wall is, in fact, a product of the U.S. "two Koreas" policy and an outrageous crime harassing justice and peace.
The U.S. imperialists are chiefly to blame for the division of Korea, it said, terming them forces pursuing its perpetuation.
The statement urged the immediate removal of the concrete wall and the withdrawal of the U.S. forces and nuclear weapons from south Korea.
For Spanish-speaking people
Kim Yong Nam envia telegrama de consuelo al presidente pakistani
Pyongyang, 29 de diciembre (ATCC) -- Informado del fallecimiento inesperado de la ex premier de Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, el presidente del Presidium de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, Kim Yong Nam, envio el dia 28 un telegrama de consuelo al presidente pakistani Pervez Musharraf.
El remitente expresa profundas condolencias al destinatario y, por su conducto, a los familiares de la difunta.
En 2007 se dio nueva coyuntura en la reunificacion de Corea
Pyongyang, 29 de diciembre (ATCC) -- El 96 (2007) de la Era Juche resulto el historico en que gracias a la dinamica lucha por glorificar la epoca de reunificacion iniciada el 15 de junio, se dio una nueva coyuntura en el movimiento por la reunificacion de la patria.
El pasado 17 de enero, los partidos politicos, el gobierno y las entidades de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea publicaron una declaracion conjunta, a traves de la cual fijaron 2007 como "ano de preponderancia de la nacion coreana, la defensa de la paz y el logro de la unidad" y exhortaron a todos los coreanos del Norte, el Sur y en ultramar a levantarse en la lucha por cumplir estas tres tareas.
En la conferencia de marcha por la reunificacion, auspiciada por la direccion surena de la Alianza Pannacional de Jovenes y Estudiantes por la Reunificacion de la Patria, los delegados de jovenes y estudiantes surcoreanos juraron al interior y exterior del mundo ofrecerse como vanguardias en dar prioridad a la nacion y defenderla.
Entretanto, la Asociacion General de Coreanos Residentes en Japon, la Asociacion General de los Coreanos en China, la Asociacion Internacional de Coreanos (unidad) y otras entidades de los compatriotas en ultramar expresaron sus decisiones de hacer brillar la epoca de reunificacion iniciada el 15 de junio bajo la bandera de la preponderancia de la nacion.
Entre ambas partes de Corea se realizaron conversaciones, actos conjuntos nacionales por la reunificacion, la cooperacion, el intercambio y viajes reciprocos para la reconciliacion nacional, la unidad y la reunificacion.
Particularmente, gracias al noble proposito patriotico y la voluntad del Dirigente Kim Jong Il, se celebro la historica cumbre intercoreana y se publico el 4 de octubre la "Declaracion para el Desarrollo de las Relaciones Norte-Sur, la Paz y la Prosperidad", lo que constituye un evento de capital importancia que abrio una nueva fase trascendental para la reunificacion de la patria.
En 2007, entre el Norte y el Sur de Corea tuvieron lugar la primera ronda de las conversaciones entre los premieres, las a nivel de ministro sostenidas dos veces y las militares a nivel de general.
Ademas, se efectuaron la segunda ronda de las conversaciones entre los ministros de las fuerzas armadas, el encuentro entre expertos militares, la XIII reunion del Comite por la Promocion de Cooperacion Economica, las octava y novena rondas de las conversaciones de la Cruz Roja y otros dialogos y contactos en varias ramas.
En el gran festival para la reunificacion de la patria por VII aniversario de la publicacion de la Declaracion Conjunta del 15 de Junio realizado en esta capital y el Congreso de los Obreros Norte-Sur por la Reunificacion en ocasion del Primero de Mayo para la ejecucion de dicha declaracion efectuado en la ciudad de Changwon de la provincia de Kyongsang del Sur, se manifesto la firme voluntad de los coreanos de forjar de modo independiente el destino nacional.
En la ceremonia inaugural de los VI Juegos Asiaticos del Invierno los jugadores de ambas partes de Corea desfilaron juntos bajo la bandera de reunificacion.
Se desarrollaron en varias ocasiones los encuentros entre los parientes y familiares separados y se realizo la circulacion experimental de trenes en los tramos ferroviarios en las costas oriental y occidental empalmados entre el Norte y el Sur.
De otro lado, tuvo lugar la ceremonia de inauguracion del templo Singye restaurado en conjunto por los budistas del Norte y el Sur.
Tambien, fue aprobado el acuerdo acerca del turismo y se hizo mas fuerte en la Zona Industrial de Kaesong la senal de cooperacion economica nacional entre el Norte y el Sur.
Por cierto, el presente ano resulto el muy significativo en que todos los coreanos del Norte, el Sur y en ultramar se levantaron energicamente en el movimiento por la reunificacion de la patria y abrieron una nueva epoca para el desarrollo de las relaciones entre Norte y Sur, la paz y la prosperidad.
Editados boletines en Egipto y Francia
Pyongyang, 29 de diciembre (ATCC) -- Con motivo del aniversario 16 del nombramiento del Dirigente Kim Jong Il como Comandante Supremo del Ejercito Popular de Corea y del aniversario 90 del nacimiento de la heroina de lucha antijaponesa Kim Jong Suk, la Asociacion de Amistad Egipto-Corea dio a luz el dia 19 un boletin.
Esta publicacion hace referencia detallada al hecho de que el Dirigente Kim Jong Il fortalecio el EPC como el fuerte en la ideologia y la conviccion y como las invencibles filas muy organizadas, disciplinadas y unidas monoliticamente con el pueblo y consolido por todos los medios el potencial tecnico-militar del EPC.
Ademas, da a conocer la vida y las inmortales hazanas revolucionarias de la generala del monte Paektu y senala que su nombre y proezas brillan siempre junto con la Corea socialista prospera.
Por otra parte, la Asociacion de Amistad Franco-Coreana publico el dia 18 un boletin dedicado al aniversario 90 del nacimiento de Kim Jong Suk.
El boletin subraya que Kim Jong Suk acumulo enormes hazanas en la sucesion y el cumplimiento de la causa revolucionaria del Juche y en la construccion de una nueva patria y destaca que su nombre quedara eternamente en el corazon del pueblo coreano.
Coreanos residentes en Ucrania conmemoran el 24 de diciembre
Pyongyang, 29 de diciembre (ATCC) -- Con motivo del 16o aniversario del nombramiento del Dirigente Kim Jong Il como Comandante Supremo del Ejercito Popular de Corea y del 90o aniversario del natalicio de la heroina de lucha antijaponesa Kim Jong Suk (24 de diciembre), la Asociacion Ucrania de Coreanos (unidad) organizo el dia 21 un encuentro conmemorativo.
En la ocasion estuvieron presentes los funcionarios de dicha asociacion y otros coreanos residentes en ese pais.
El presidente de la entidad Kim Yong Sul destaco en su discurso que gracias a la sabia y probada orientacion del General Kim Jong Il, el Ejercito Popular de Corea se convirtio en las invencibles fuerzas armadas revolucionarias.
Prosiguio que brillaran eternamente en la historia las inmortales hazanas revolucionarias que realizo la heroina Kim Jong Suk en el periodo de la guerra antijaponesa y en la construccion de una nueva patria que se llevo a cabo despues de la liberacion de Corea.
Llamo a los compatriotas en ultramar a desplegar dinamicamente el movimiento de reunificacion para la ejecucion de la Declaracion Conjunta Norte-Sur de Corea.
En la reunion se resolvio organizar una exposicion fotografica en Kiev con motivo del Dia del Sol (15 de abril, cumpleanos del Presidente Kim Il Sung) de 2008.