Congratulations to Kim Jong Il from Putin
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il Saturday received a congratulatory message from Russian President V. Putin on the occasion of his birthday.
The message says:
I extend wholehearted congratulations to you on your birthday.
We highly appreciate your efforts for boosting the relations of friendship, good neighborliness and cooperation between the two countries.
I am convinced that the common desire of the peoples of Russia and the DPRK to develop the many-sided and fruitful cooperation will be conducive to further deepening the dialogue between the two countries and raising its efficiency.
I wish you good health and fresh success in the work for the prosperity and welfare of the people of the DPRK.
Congratulatory Message to Kim Jong Il from First Vice-President of Council of State of Cuba
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a congratulatory message from Raul Castro Ruz, first vice-president of the Council of State and first vice-president of the Council of Ministers of Cuba, on Feb. 15 on the occasion of his birthday.
The message extended the warmest congratulations to Kim Jong Il on behalf of the Communist Party, the government and people of Cuba on the occasion of his birthday.
It wholeheartedly wished Kim Jong Il success in his work of leading the fraternal Korean people as well as a healthy and long life.
Gift to Kim Jong Il from Raul Castro Ruz
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift by Raul Castro Ruz, first vice-president of the Council of State and first vice-president of the Council of Ministers, on the occasion of his birthday.
The gift was conveyed to an official concerned by Jose Manuel Galego Montano, Cuban ambassador to the DPRK, on Friday.
Gifts and Large Floral Basket to Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift and a large floral basket by Defence Minister of Syria Lieut. General Hassan Turkmani who is deputy commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Syria on the occasion of his birthday.
He was also presented with a gift by the Egypt-Korea Friendship Association.
The gifts and the large floral basket were conveyed to the DPRK ambassadors to the above-said countries on February 5 and 11.
Gifts to Kim Jong Il from Russian Organizations and Figures
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il was presented with gifts by the Russian Army Academic Song and Dance Ensemble Named after Alexandrov, the State Academy Beryozka Dancing Troupe of Russia Named after N. S. Nadezhdina, Chairwoman of the Party for Peace and Unity of Russia Sazhi Umalatova, General Manager of the Russian Technical Glass Research Institute Solinov and Governor of the Maritime Provincial Administration of Russia Darikin on the occasion of his birthday.
The gifts were conveyed to the DPRK ambassador to Russia and the DPRK consul general in Nakhodka on January 30 and February 12 and 13.
Russian Title of Honorary Academician Awarded to Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- The Russian International Charity Fund "Protectors of Arts for the Century" decided to award the title of honorary academician of the "International Academy of Culture and Art" to Kim Jong Il on the occasion of his birthday.
A letter on the decision was conveyed to the DPRK ambassador to Russia by Oleg Vitaliyevich Oleinik, president of the fund, on Feb. 14.
Recalling that President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il were awarded the highest orders and honorary titles of the fund, the president said that the fund plans to erect busts of the great men of the century on a monument to be built in the central part of Moscow on its own initiative to convey the undying feats performed by them down to posterity.
Kim Jong Il Awarded Russian Commemorative Medal
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il was awarded the Medal Commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the Great Socialist October Revolution by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union on the occasion of his birthday.
It was handed to the DPRK ambassador to Russia by the Chairman of the party Oleg Shenin at an awarding ceremony held in Moscow on Feb. 14.
The medal was instituted in 2007 in accordance with a decision of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the party.
Depicted on the medal are the flag of the former Soviet Union on which Warship Avrora and figures 1917 are engraved and letters "90th Anniversary of the Great Socialist October Revolution".
Congratulations to Kim Jong Il from C.C., AINDF
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a congratulatory message from the Central Committee of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front (AINDF) on Feb. 16, his birthday.
It is thanks to February 16, your birthday, that the Korean nation has had greatest fortune of being blessed with the illustrious leaders generation after generation and the revolutionary cause of Juche has emerged victorious through centuries, the message says, and goes on:
The glorious history of your revolutionary activities is a history of great succession embroidered with intense loyalty to President Kim Il Sung, and it is the shining annals of patriotism in which you glorified the dignity of the nation and ushered in a great heyday of building a great prosperous powerful nation with your distinguished political ability and outstanding leadership.
The hot wind of national reconciliation and unity, unprecedented in the history of the national division, has swept hard and the pro-reunification patriotic forces in the south and the north of Korea and abroad have dynamically pushed forward the June 15 era while shattering the desperate moves of the anti-reunification forces at home and abroad. This is entirely attributable to the outstanding leadership of you with patriotic noble idea and broad magnanimity.
You, the elder of the world politics, have demonstrated the authority and dignity of Juche Korea before the whole world and won victory after victory in the acute confrontation with the U.S., thus giving great strength and courage to the progressive humankind advancing along the road of independence, sovereignty and socialism.
The vanguard fighters of the AINDF and the patriotic people from all walks of life are filled with the firm resolve to dynamically advance along the road of independent reunification, true to your patriotic Songun politics.
Congratulatory Message to Kim Jong Il from Chongryon Central Standing Committee
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a congratulatory message from the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) on Feb. 16 on the occasion of his birthday.
Nothing in the world is greater than the honor and happiness of Chongryon and compatriots in Japan and their national pride of holding you who put the dignity and national power of the country on the highest level as the leader of the nation in high esteem, the message says, and goes on:
Ever since the day you left the first sacred footstep for carrying forward the revolutionary cause of Juche, you have embraced Chongryon and compatriots in Japan and wisely led Chongryon to display the honor as the forerunner in the world movement of overseas citizens at each stage of history.
We will always remember the profound care and solicitude shown by you for Chongryon and compatriots in Japan struggling to tide over the grave situation in which the Japanese reactionaries' unprecedented fascist suppression reached an extreme phase last year in particular.
We will fulfill the noble patriotic duty we have assumed before the country and the nation in carving out the new era of Songun Korea and thus significantly greet the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the DPRK and make tangible contributions to achieving the independent reunification of the country and building a great prosperous powerful nation.
We will let broad strata of Japanese people know about your great Songun idea and undying feats and conduct dynamic external activities so that the Japanese authorities may abandon their hostile policy toward the DPRK and sincerely opt for liquidating the past wrongdoings, normalizing the relations between the DPRK and Japan and improving the status of compatriots in Japan as called for by the DPRK-Japan Pyongyang Declaration.
Congratulatory Letter to Kim Jong Il from Overseas Koreans
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a congratulatory letter from the members of the congratulatory groups, delegations and visiting groups of overseas Koreans staying in the homeland on Feb. 16, his birthday.
The letter says:
Your birth as the bright star of Mt. Paektu was a great auspicious event as it promised the eternal happiness and prosperity of the Korean nation and a great fortune for the nation as it gave an assurance for the accomplishment of the Juche cause and the everlasting bright future of the socialist homeland.
The several decades-long history of your revolutionary leadership is brilliantly decorated as a worldwide genuine model of the revolutionary obligation in which the cause of President Kim Il Sung has been fully realized and is brightly shining with the single-minded unity of the leader, the party and the masses, something unattainable in other countries.
The personality of you as the great man who is publicly recognized and revered by the whole world as the elder pursuing great independent politics is shedding brighter rays for the epoch-making feats you have performed by putting the dignity and national power of the country on the highest level and ushering in a heyday of the prosperity unprecedented in the history of the Korean nation with your invincible Songun politics.
Overseas Koreans in their letter vowed to hold Kim Jong Il in high esteem as the great leader of the nation and the lodestar of the reunification of the country, always cherishing loyalty and sense of obligation though they are far away from the homeland, and take the road of patriotism for the reunification of the country and its prosperity generation after generation, true to the invincible Songun politics.
Concert for Celebrating February 16 Held
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- A concert was held on Saturday at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre to celebrate February 16.
Present to see the concert were cadres of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Korean People's Army and the state, officials of the party, the armed forces and power organs, social organizations, ministries and national institutions and working people in Pyongyang.
Also present to see it were congratulatory groups of overseas Koreans including the group of Koreans in Japan who came here to celebrate the February holiday, overseas compatriots and the chief of the Pyongyang mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front.
Present there on invitation were diplomatic envoys and military attaches of foreign embassies, representatives of the international organizations and foreign guests here.
The concert was performed by the players of the State Symphony Orchestra.
The performance was started with the symphonic suite "Long Journey for Songun Leadership".
The repertoire included male bass solo "Korea, I Will Glorify Thee", a famous masterpiece, and orchestras "The Sound of a Horse's Hooves in Mt. Paektu", "Don't Advance Night of Pyongyang" and "Rich Harvest Comes to the Chongsan Plain" and female soprano solo "I Don't Know Care Dearer Than It" and string ensemble "Girl on Steed".
The performers successfully represented the boundless praise and best wishes of all the servicepersons and people for Kim Jong Il.
18th Individual Contest for "February 16 Art Prize" Opens
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- The 18th Individual Contest for "February 16 Art Prize" was opened with due ceremony at the music hall of Pyongyang Kim Won Gyun Conservatory on Feb. 15.
The contest, divided into 12 sectors including national stringed instrument, national vocal music, piano, accordion and bayan and dance, will be held at the Pyongyang Grand Theatre and Pyongyang Kim Won Gyun Conservatory.
Participating in the contest are artistes, teachers and students from art organizations at all levels and the field of art education.
Kang Nung Su, minister of Culture, made an opening address at the ceremony.
At the end of the ceremony the contest began by sectors.
Joint National Meeting of KCU Organizations Held
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- A joint national meeting of the Korean Children's Union (KCU) organizations celebrating the birthday of Kim Jong Il took place at the Taekwon-do Hall on Saturday.
Present there on invitation were Choe Thae Bok and Kim Jung Rin, secretaries of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Kim Yong Jin, minister of Education, anti-Japanese revolutionary fighter, officials of the party and youth league, war veterans and persons of merit in Pyongyang.
Ri Yong Chol, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, said in his report that Kim Jong Il's birth as a bright star of Mt. Paektu was a great fortune of Korea and great event of the nation promising a bright future of the cause of Juche revolution. Kim Jong Il has devoted his all for the development of the work of the KCU with noble view on posterity in the whole course of leading the revolution, he noted.
A ceremony of admission to the KCU was held there.
The children joining the KCU took an oath before the flag of the KCU.
Dancing Parties of Youth and Students Held
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- Dancing parties of youth and students were held in different parts of the country today to celebrate the birthday of Kim Jong Il.
Kim Il Sung Square, the plaza of the April 25 House of Culture and other dancing party places in Pyongyang were crowded with the youth and students who gathered for dancing parties with the immense joy and pride of celebrating the greatest national holiday.
The dancing parties started to the tune of the Song of Best Wishes. The participants enthusiastically danced to the tune of songs in high praises of the great man including "Our Comrade Kim Jong Il," "Our General Is Best," "Please Accept the Best Wishes of the People," "Thunder on Jong Il Peak," etc.
The pleasant and exciting dances of youth and students gained momentum as time wore on.
Similar dancing parties took place in every province, city and county of the country on the same day.
First Camping Starts
Kanggye, February 16 (KCNA) -- First camping for this year started at the Jangjasan Schoolchildren's Camp with due ceremony on Saturday on the occasion of the February holiday.
Present there were Choe Ki Ryong, chairman of the Jagang Provincial People's Committee, officials concerned, campers from different parts of the country and employees of the camp.
A report and speeches were made at the ceremony.
At the end of the ceremony the campers conducted a march past and teachers and employees of the camp gave an art performance.
Performances Given to Celebrate February Holiday
Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- Performances were given at theaters in Pyongyang and local areas on the occasion of the birthday of Kim Jong Il.
The artistes of the Mansudae Art Troupe gave a music and dance performance for celebrating February 16 at the Central Youth Hall.
Through female vocal solo and chorus "Song Devoted to Comrade Kim Jong Il" and "General on a Galloping White Horse" and other numbers the performers highly praised Kim Jong Il, born as the son of guerrillas at the secret camp of Mt. Paektu in February, for glorifying Songun Korea before the world with his matchless grit and pluck.
A performance of the participants in the 18th Individual Contest for "February 16 Art Prize" was given at the Yun I Sang Concert Hall.
The revolutionary drama "Woman Comrade of Mt. Paektu" was given by the artistes of the State Theatrical Company at the State Theatrical Theatre. It impressively depicted the transparent spirit of devotedly defending the leader and revolutionary comradeship displayed by Kim Jong Suk, woman commander of Mt. Paektu, in the days of the anti-Japanese war.
An acrobatic performance was given at the Circus Theatre of the Korean People's Army. It made successful representation of the revolutionary optimism, emotion and militant spirit, delighting the working people greeting the significant holiday.
Performances were also given at art theatres and cultural houses in different places of the country including Jagang, North Hwanghae and North Hamgyong provinces.
Reception Given for Overseas Koreans
Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- A reception was given for overseas Koreans at the People's Palace of Culture on Feb. 16, the birthday of Kim Jong Il.
Present there on invitation were members of congratulatory groups, delegations, visiting groups and art troupes of overseas Koreans and other overseas compatriots staying in the socialist homeland.
Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the C.C., the Workers' Party of Korea, in a speech said that it is thanks to February 16 that the Korean people have demonstrated the dignity of the nation of the sun before the world, being blessed with illustrious leaders generation after generation and that the country is ushering in a heyday of great prosperity unprecedented in the history of the nation, demonstrating the national power of Songun Korea.
Very bright is the prospect of the country advancing under the Songun leadership of Kim Jong Il and the future of the nation, he stressed.
Vice-Chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan Nam Sung U who is heading a congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan in a speech extended the best wishes to Kim Jong Il, carrying the high praise and reverence of all the overseas compatriots on the occasion of the February holiday.
Kim Jong Il, who is wisely leading the building of a great prosperous powerful nation, the movement for national reunification and the cause of global independence with Songun, the treasured sword of certain victory, is a peerlessly great man and distinguished political elder, he stressed.
He noted that overseas compatriots will make tangible contributions to national reunification and the building of a great prosperous powerful nation true to the Songun politics of Kim Jong Il and thus greet the grand September festival with dignity.
17th "Paektusan Prize" International Figure-skating Festival Closes
Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- The 17th "Paektusan Prize" International Figure-skating Festival opened here on Feb. 15 on the occasion of the birthday of Kim Jong Il was closed.
A closing ceremony of the festival took place at the Ice Rink on Feb. 17.
Present there were Choe Thae Bok, Yang Hyong Sop and others and sportspersons and working people in Pyongyang and foreign guests.
At the ceremony, the festival prizes were conferred on Russian figure skaters Oxana Kazakova and Artur Dmitriev, Hungarian figure skater Julia Sebestyen, Bulgarian figure skater Sonia Ilieva Radeba, Belarusian figure skaters Evgenia Melnik and Oleg Krupen, Ukrainian figure skaters Alla Beknazarova and Volodymyr Zuyev, Spanish figure skater Daniel Peinado, French figure skaters Surya Bonaly, Stannick Jeanette, Marina Anissina and Gwendal Peizerat and the DPRK figure skaters Ri Bun Hui, Ri Song Min, Sung Mi Hyang, Jong Yong Hyok, Kim Un Ha and Kim Jin Song.
Pak Hak Son, chairman of the Korean Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission, in a closing address referred to the successful festival, expressing the conviction that sportspersons of various countries will gather to brilliantly adorn the festival stage of the auspicious February holiday in the idea of independence, peace and friendship in the future, too.
A demonstration presentation of figure skaters of several countries and the DPRK was given at the end of the ceremony.
Papers Editorially Observe Birthday of Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- Leading papers today dedicate editorials to the birthday of Kim Jong Il.
Rodong Sinmun says that the February holiday is the greatest national auspicious holiday which makes the servicepersons and people of the DPRK keenly feel the happiness of being blessed with the illustrious leaders generation after generation.
The paper goes on:
Kim Jong Il stood in the van of the party and the revolution long ago with the great aim to glorify Korea true to the noble intention of President Kim Il Sung. He has adorned the several decades-long history of his revolutionary leadership with his profound love and dedication to the country and the people.
His history of steering the nation-building is a sacred and proud history in which he has made the country immensely shine with the august name of Kim Il Sung and augmented its political and military might in every way, thus demonstrating the might of the DPRK as an invincible power and a great history in which he brought about a heyday of prosperity in this land with epoch-making creations and changes.
It is the resolution and will of the Workers' Party of Korea to fling open the gate to a great prosperous powerful nation at any cost in 2012 which will mark the centenary of birth of the President by bringing economy and the living standard of the people to a high level by dint of the DPRK's powerful political and military might.
The DPRK's cause of building a great prosperous powerful nation is the cause which makes dynamic progress thanks to Kim Jong Il's faith in independence, emerges victorious thanks to his Songun revolutionary line and is sure to be accomplished in the spirit of the forced march.
The Korean people can do anything as they have the single-minded unity around the headquarters of the revolution which has grown stronger than ever before despite the rigorous ordeal, all servicepersons and people have mental power stronger than any nuclear weapon and there are the invincible revolutionary armed forces capable of firmly defending the socialist country under any circumstances.
Minju Joson calls on all people to vigorously struggle to build a great prosperous powerful socialist nation and accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche, united closer around Kim Jong Il in hearty response to the call of the Party for glorifying this year, the 60th birthday of the DPRK, as a year of historic turn to go down in the history of the country.
Congratulations to Tanzanian President
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Friday sent a congratulatory message to Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete upon his election as president of the African Union at the 10th ordinary session of the assembly of heads of state and government of the AU.
Kim in the message noted that the summit held in a grand style amidst the great expectation and concern of the peoples on the African continent and the international community marked an important occasion in achieving signal progress not only in further facilitating the political and economic integration of the continent and achieving peace and prosperity of the region but also in putting the African industry on a new stage.
The message sincerely hoped that the president of the AU would achieve signal success in his responsible work for the integration and prosperity of the continent, the strengthening and development of the union and unity and cooperation among the member states to live up to the great expectation and trust of the African countries.
Greetings to Gambian President
Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Friday sent a message of greetings to Yaya A. J. J. Jammeh, president of Gambia, on the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of its independence.
Kim in the message wholeheartedly wished the Gambian president greater success in his work for the development and prosperity of the country.
General Director of Mongolian HUM Company Ltd., Interviewed
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- D. Michka, general director of the Mongolian HUM Company Ltd., on a visit to the DPRK on the occasion of the birthday of Kim Jong Il was interviewed by KCNA on Feb. 14.
Referring to the background against which the company awarded "DPRK Hero Kim Jong Suk Prize" to Kim Jong Il, he said:
This is a clear expression of the Mongolian people's boundless reverence and respect for Kim Jong Il who has greatly contributed to building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation, reunifying the country, developing the friendly relations between the two countries and defending the world peace as desired by President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Suk.
Our company has got distinguished hero Kim Jong Suk produced by Korea registered as its honorary member from more than ten years ago.
We instituted "DPRK Hero Kim Jong Suk Prize" to convey the feats of the woman commander of Mt. Paektu down to posterity.
We extend highest glory and warmest congratulations to Kim Jong Il on his receiving the prize.
We will in the future, too, widely introduce the undying feats of Kim Jong Il who is realizing Kim Jong Suk's desire to the Mongolian people and actively contribute to developing the friendly relations between the two countries, cherishing the great pride of holding Kim Jong Suk as our honorary member.
Just Cause of Korean People and Youths Supported
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- The just cause of the Korean people and youths for peace and reunification of the country was fully supported at a meeting of the General Council of the World Federation of Democratic Youth, which was held in Lisbon of Portugal between Feb. 1 and 3 with the attendance of delegates of youth organizations from more than 40 countries.
The report made at the meeting said that what was especially noticeable in the work of member organizations of the federation for last year was the action of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League in the DPRK. The struggle of the Korean youth is a model of the world youth movement, it stressed.
A political statement of the meeting branded the U.S. ceaseless arms buildup for aggression in the Korean Peninsula and in its vicinity as the main factor threatening the peace and security of Northeast Asia and the rest of the world. And it expressed the expectation that the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration, in which the will to achieve the reunification of the country by the Korean nation itself was clarified, and the October 4 Declaration for Development of North-South Relations, Peace and Prosperity would be implemented to the letter.
The action program for 2008 adopted at the meeting called for intensifying the activities for international solidarity with the Korean people and youths, who are striving to get the U.S. forces withdrawn from south Korea, achieve the independent and peaceful reunification of the country and glorify this year marking the 60th anniversary of the DPRK as a year of historic turn which will go down in the history of the country, with the June 25-July 27 month of the anti-U.S. joint struggle and September 9 as occasions.
A resolution for solidarity with the cause of the Korean people and youths was adopted at the meeting.
The federation in the resolution called upon all the progressive people and youths of the world who love peace and struggle for justice to extend firm solidarity to the Korean people and youths in their just cause of the independent and peaceful reunification of the country and vigorously turn out in the joint struggle to decisively smash the aggression and war moves of the U.S. imperialists and their followers seeking to hamstring the global peace and stability.
Kim Jong Il, Songun Commader with Unparalleled Courage and Grit
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il, who was born in Mt. Paektu and grew up in battle sites rocked by gun reports, is a brilliant Songun commander with unparalleled courage and grit.
The pages of the history of Songun revolution of Korea led by Kim Jong Il are filled with amazing events moving people with the thrill of a victor.
It was in January Juche 57 (1968) when the U.S. imperialits' armed spy ship Pueblo was captured, which was an event that shook the world.
Determined to seize the initiative in smashing the enemy's "retaliation", Kim Jong Il put forward concrete military countermeasures along with strategic and tactical plans to frustrate the "blitzkrieg" of the enemy at one blow in an event of war, thus making the arrogant U.S. imperialists shudder.
It was in August 1976 when a hair-trigger situation was created by the "Panmunjom incident" caused by the U.S. imperialists. He called soliders back to rest homes, saying their songs should reverberate through the rest homes even if a war might break out.
When the U.S. imperialists and the south Korean reactionaries were hell bent on various war exercises in 1981, he gave orders to mobilize people's army soldiers to the peaceful construction of a gigantic barrage, thus making the enemy sober up in the war frenzy.
In the first half of the 1990s when the sovereignty of the nation and the supreme interests of the country were facing a grave threat due to the U.S. nuclear blackmail and war adventure, the DPRK under his courage and grit declared a semi-war state and took the decisive step of quiting the NPT to crop the U.S. imperialists' feathers under the eye of the world.
In the days when the destiny of the country was at stake, he played a yut-game with soldiers and taught them how to play it on his way to the front. And he wisely led grand socialist construction at its head with iron will and grit to continue construction till 12 o'clock tonight even though a war might break out tomorrow.
His courage and grit always bringing victory, the army and people of Korea could launch into gigantic land rezoning and bring into being such grand edifices as the Anbyon Youth Power Station, the Youth Hero Motorway and Kumrung Tunnel No 2, overflowing with the optimism of sure victory in the days of untold difficulties.
The DPRK will always emerge victorious as it is led by Kim Jong Il, the brilliant Songun commander of Mt. Paektu,
Joint Struggle against Conclusion of FTA Agreed
Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- The south Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) declared on Feb. 12 that it would stage a solidarity struggle for frustrating the conclusion of south Korea-U.S. "Free Trade Agreement" together with a labor movement organization of the U.S., according to a news report.
Ri Sok Haeng, chairman of the KCTU, said that the two labor organizations shared the view that the negotiations for the conclusion of FTA were held in utter disregard of its socio-economic influences on different fields and concern over it and that FTA will bring serious damage to workers.
He held that the two organizations agreed to jointly struggle to check the conclusion of FTA.
Meeting Held in Russia to Celebrate Birthday of Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- A celebration meeting was held in Moscow on Feb. 11 on the occasion of the birthday of Kim Jong Il. It was sponsored by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the International Union of Soviet Union Officers.
The chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the union, in his report said that the birth of the bright star of Mt. Paektu was the greatest glory and happiness not only of the Korean people but the progressive humankind.
He said that the countries and nations greeting auspicious February 16 as the most significant holiday are on a steady increase with the flow of the time, adding that this proves how high the international prestige of Kim Jong Il is.
He stressed that Kim Jong Il is the greatest man in the 21st century as he has worked miracles startling the world in all fields including politics, military affairs, economy and culture as the supreme leader of the party, the army and the state.
Shenin, chairman of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, in his speech expressed the belief that socialism, the desire of the progressive humankind, is sure to win victory as it is led by Kim Jong Il.
The president of the People's Academy of Russia said that the imperialist forces including the U.S. do not dare provoke the DPRK because it is a country of Songun. The Songun politics of Kim Jong Il is a mighty politics defending peace and security of the world, to say nothing of the Korean Peninsula, he added.
A congratulatory message to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.
A Russian company arranged a show of Korean film "The Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il Gives On-the-Spot Guidance to Work of Different Fields" on Feb. 12.
Seminar on Greatness of Kim Jong Il Held
Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- The General Association of Koreans in China held a seminar on Kim Jong Il's greatness in Shenyang, China on Feb. 12 on the occasion of his birthday.
Present there were officials including Yang Yong Dong, chairman of the general association, representatives of each branch of the Liaoning provincial association under the general association and Koreans in the city.
Speakers highly praised the undying feats performed by Kim Jong Il in developing the DPRK into an invincible socialist fortress and demonstrating the independent dignity and might of Juche Korea before the world under the banner of Songun.
They said that the powerful politics, military power and economic potentials provided by the leader serve as a sure guarantee for putting the economy of the country and people's livelihood on a high level.
They said that all officials of the general association and the Koreans in China will make total dedication to the patriotic work for the prosperity of the country and its independent and peaceful reunification, upholding the Songun politics of the leader this year when the people of the homeland are to greet the 60th founding anniversary of the DPRK.
They called on the officials of the general association and the Koreans in China to turn out in the work for defending peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and bringing earlier the independent reunification of the country by positively waging the struggle to thoroughly carry out the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration in the idea of "By our nation itself".
A recorded lecture titled "The respected General Kim Jong Il is a peerless great man who ushered in a bright dawn of a great prosperous powerful nation with his Songun politics" was given before the seminar.
The provincial association held a congratulatory meeting, reception, art performance, film show and photo exhibition on Feb. 13.
Kim Jong Il's Work Published in Mexico
Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il's famous work "Let Us Exalt the Brilliance of Comrade Kim Il Sung's Idea on the Youth Movement and the Achievements Made under His Leadership" was brought out in booklet by the Publishing House of the Workers' Party of Mexico on Feb. 12.
The work, published on Aug. 24, Juche 85 (1996), deals with the fact that President Kim Il Sung set forth the idea and theory on the Juche-oriented youth movement and brilliantly solved the youth issue in the DPRK, and explains tasks for continuously developing the youth movement and ways to do so.
Information Bulletins Issued by Foreign Organizations
Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- The Egypt-Korea Friendship Association released a special information bulletin titled "His Excellency Kim Jong Il of the DPRK and Songun Politics, Peace" on Feb. 10 on the occasion of the birthday of Kim Jong Il.
The bulletin in an article said that the DPRK reliably defends socialism and the human cause of independence, standing firm against the U.S. styling itself the world's "only super power", under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il.
The article stressed that as led by Kim Jong Il defending peace with Songun the DPRK will always demonstrate its might as a fortress of independence and peace.
The Bangladesh-Korea Friendship and Solidarity Committee issued a special information bulletin on the same day.
In an article titled "Songun Politics-Outstanding Leadership Art" and other articles the bulletin noted that the birth of Kim Jong Il as the great successor to the revolutionary cause of Juche was a historical event which promised the Korean people and the world progressive mankind a shining victory of the cause of independence against imperialism.
All the successes achieved by the Korean people under the outstanding Songun leadership of Kim Jong Il prove that the Songun politics serves as an all-powerful treasured sword to be held fast to by the progressive mankind, it added.
The Bulgaria-Korea Friendship Association released a bulletin introducing the "Declaration for Development of North-South Relations and Peace and Prosperity" on Feb. 8.
Koreans in Japan Celebrate Birthday of Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- A meeting of Koreans in Japan was held at the Korean Cultural House in Tokyo on Feb. 15 to celebrate the birthday of Kim Jong Il.
Present there were Chairman So Man Sul and Chief Vice-Chairman Ho Jong Man of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), and other officials of Chongryon, compatriots, youth and students.
So Man Sul in a report at the meeting said that Kim Jong Il, who was born as the son of guerrillas with the spirit of Mt. Paektu and grew up in the flames of the anti-Japanese war, has always led the Juche cause to victory with the resourcefulness and grit as the brilliant commander, thus performing the undying feats which will shine long in the history of the country.
Chongryon officials and compatriots in Japan have always conducted patriotic activities full of conviction of victory in an alien land far away from the homeland, he said, adding: This is attributable to the great loving care and wise leadership of Kim Jong Il, who warmly embraces and shows deep love and care for Japan-resident Koreans as the same family members.
He further said:
Last year Kim Jong Il made sure that the 21st Congress of Chongryon, a landmark in the movement of Koreans in Japan in the new century, was brilliantly adorned as a congress of victors and unity. And he wisely led the struggle of Chongryon to definitely put its work on a new higher stage.
The reporter called upon Chongryon officials and Koreans in Japan to wage a more dynamic struggle to bring about a decisive turn in hewing out the work of Chongryon and the movement of Koreans in Japan in the new century in step with the stirring reality of the homeland of Juche which is advancing toward the high peak of a great prosperous powerful nation, closely rallied around Kim Jong Il.
A congratulatory message of the Chongryon Central Standing Committee addressed to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.
Then a celebration performance was given.
Earlier, on Feb. 14 a celebration reception was given at the Korean Hall in Tokyo.
Seminars on Kim Jong Il's Works Held in Egypt and Britain
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- Seminars on Kim Jong Il's works were held by the Egyptian Committee for the Study of the Juche Idea and the British Association for the Study of Songun Policy on Jan. 29 and Feb. 2 on the occasion of his birthday.
Reports and speeches were made there.
Yehia Zakaria Khairullah, chairman of the Egyptian committee, said in his report that it is of weighty significance to have the seminar on Kim Jong Il's work "Abuses of Socialism Are Intolerable" on the occasion of the auspicious February holiday.
The work is a historical document as it expounds in an overall way the socialist idea, the invincibility of the socialist system and the superiority of socialism over capitalism, he said, highly praising Kim Jong Il for having firmly defended Korean-style socialism centered on the popular masses under the uplifted banner of Songun.
Dermot Hudson, chairman of the British association, in a speech referred to the significance of Kim Jong Il's work "The Line of the Songun Revolution Is a Great Revolutionary Line in Our Times and an Ever-victorious Banner of Our Revolution" and expressed the resolution to intensify the activities of studying and disseminating the Juche idea, the Songun idea.
Kim Jong Il Praised by Indian Politician
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- Secretary of the Central Committee of the All-India Forward Block G. Debarajan issued a statement on Feb. 8 on the occasion of Kim Jong Il's birthday.
He highly praised Kim Jong Il for the undying feats he performed in the Korean revolution and the cause of global independence.
He said that Kim Jong Il has strengthened and developed the Workers' Party of Korea into an invincible party and consolidated the single-minded unity of the whole society with his unique Songun policy, firmly defending Korean-style socialism despite the imperialists' pressure and arbitrary practices and bringing about a new turning point in the struggle for the building of a great prosperous powerful socialist nation and the independent and peaceful reunification of the country.
He extended support and solidarity to the WPK and Korean people in their just struggle to build a great prosperous powerful socialist nation and attain the independent and peaceful reunification of the country under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il.
For Spanish-speaking people
Kim Jong Il recibe mensaje de felicitacion del presidente ruso
Pyongyang, 16 de febrero (ATCC) -- En ocasion del cumpleanos del Dirigente Kim Jong Il, Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, el Presidente de la Federacion Rusa, V. Putin, le hizo llegar este sabado el siguiente mensaje de felicitacion:
Con motivo de conmemorarse su cumpleanos, deseo expresarle mis mas sinceras felicitaciones.
Evaluamos altamente sus esfuerzos por fortalecer las relaciones de amistad, buena vecindad y cooperacion entre los dos paises.
Estoy convencido de que la aspiracion comun de los pueblos de Rusia y la RPDC a desarrollar la cooperacion multilateral y fructifera contribuira a profundizar mas el dialogo entre ambas partes y a elevar su efectividad.
Deseo a usted buena salud y nuevos exitos en su trabajo para la prosperidad y el bienestar del pueblo de la RPDC.
Kim Jong Il recibe mensaje de felicitacion de Raul Castro Ruz
Pyongyang, 16 de febrero (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il, Secretario General del Partido del Trabajo de Corea, Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea y Comandante Supremo del Ejercito Popular de Corea, recibio un mensaje de felicitacion que en ocasion de su cumpleanos (16 de febrero) le dirigiera el dia 15 Raul Castro Ruz, primer vicepresidente de los Consejos de Estado y de Ministros de la Republica de Cuba.
El mensaje senala:
Con motivo de conmemorarse el 66 aniversario de su natalicio deseo expresarle en nombre del Partido Comunista de Cuba, del gobierno y del pueblo cubano mis mas cordiales felicitaciones.
Reciba, querido companero, nuestro fraternal saludo junto a nuestros sinceros deseos de exito en su trabajo al frente del hermano pueblo coreano, asi como de salud y larga vida.
Kim Jong Il recibe presente de Raul Castro Ruz
Pyongyang, 16 de febrero (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il recibio presente que en ocasion de su cumpleanos, le dirigiera Raul Castro Ruz, primer vicepresidente de los Consejos de Estado y de Ministros de la Republica de Cuba.
El embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario cubano en Corea, Jose Manuel Galego Montano, lo entrego el dia 15 a un funcionario coreano.
Iniciado XVII Festival Internacional de Patinaje por "Premio Paektusan"
Pyongyang, 16 de febrero (ATCC) -- Con motivo del cumpleanos (16 de febrero) del Dirigente Kim Jong Il, quedo inaugurado el dia 15 en el capitalino Patinadero Cubierto el XVII Festival Internacional del Patinaje Artistico sobre Hielo por el "Premio Paektusan" con la participacion de jugadores de Corea, Rusia, Hungria, Bulgaria, Belarus, Ucrania, Espana y Francia.
En la ceremonia de apertura estuvieron presentes Choe Thae Bok, Yang Hyong Sop, los deportistas y trabajadores capitalinos, los grupos de felicitacion y delegaciones de coreanos residentes en ultramar, compatriotas radicados en varios paises y los huespedes extranjeros.
Al hacer uso de la palabra inaugural, el presidente del Comite Coreano de Direccion de Deportes, Pak Hak Son, expreso la conviccion de que el presente evento lograra excelentes exitos gracias a los esfuerzos de los deportistas coreanos y los intimos amigos extranjeros.
En el acto hubo una presentacion colectiva de los patinaderos coreanos.
Terminada la ceremonia, hubo una representacion modelo de los patinaderos de varios paises.
El festival continua.