New York Philharmonic to Perform in Pyongyang
Pyongyang, February 23 (KCNA) -- The New York Philharmonic will give its performance in Pyongyang on February 26, Juche 97 (2008).
The philharmonic, founded in 1842, is one of the "three world-famous philharmonics" along with the Vienna Philharmonic and the Berlin Philharmonic.
It was the first in the world to perform Dvorak's symphony No. 9 "From the New World" in 1893. It has become renowned around the globe, appearing in many cities on five continents.
It plays varied musical pieces of different times from music preceding the Vienna classical music to modern music.
It performs some 180 concerts a year.
The philharmonic with Lorin Maazel as Music Director will give its 14 558th concert in Pyongyang.
FM Spokesman Interviewed
Pyongyang, February 23 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave the following answer to the question put by KCNA Saturday as regards the intention expressed by Fidel Castro Ruz, supreme Leader of the Cuban revolution, to resign from some of his duties:
Fidel Castro has recently expressed his intention to resign from such duties as president of the Council of State and supreme commander of the armed forces of Cuba.
He was operated and treated for acute intestinal bleeding in July 2006 but he has not been fully recovered.
He forged particularly comradely relations with President Kim Il Sung, the great leader of the Korean people, and has since made many contributions to the development of the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Cuba in the past period.
Since the victory of the revolution Fidel Castro has wisely led the party, government and people of Cuba to triumphantly advance the socialist cause in Cuba despite the U.S. persistent sanctions and blockade.
The Korean people have regarded Fidel Castro as the closest comrade-in-arms and comrade and will make positive efforts to steadily consolidate and develop the relations of friendship with the fraternal Cuban people.
It is the sincere hope of the DPRK that he will recover his health as early as possible and everything will go well in Cuba in the future, too.
Greetings to Kuwaiti Emir
Pyongyang, February 24 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, on Sunday on the occasion of the 47th national day of the State of Kuwait and the 17th anniversary of its liberation.
The president in the message wholeheartedly wished the emir good health and happiness and greater successes in his noble work for the prosperity of the country and the welfare of the people and expressed the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger in the future, too.
Congratulations to President of Czech Republic
Pyongyang, February 23 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, on Feb. 22 sent a congratulatory message to Vaclav Klaus upon his reelection as President of the Czech Republic.
Kim Yong Nam, in the message, expressed belief that the bilateral ties of friendship and cooperation would grow stronger in various fields and wished the president of the Czech Republic greater success in his responsible work for the stability and prosperity of the country.
Congratulations to Tanzanian Prime Minister
Pyongyang, February 23 (KCNA) -- Premier of the DPRK Cabinet Kim Yong Il sent a congratulatory message to Mizengo Kayanza Peter Pinda upon his appointment as Prime Minister of Tanzania.
Expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger, the message sincerely wished the prime minister greater success in his responsible work for the prosperity and progress of the country.
Palestinian Ambassador Hosts Reception
Pyongyang, February 24 (KCNA) -- Palestinian Ambassador to the DPRK Mohammad Shahta Zarab Saturday hosted a reception at his embassy on the occasion of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's birthday.
Present there on invitation were Pak Ui Chun, minister of Foreign Affairs, Choe Chang Sik, minister of Public Health, Kim Pyong Phal, chairman of the Central Committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, and others.
Mohammad Shahta Zarab in his speech said that the Korean people are making fresh leap forward and innovations in socialist economic construction to 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 under the leadership of Kim Jong Il.
He said that the Palestinian leadership and people would extend firm support and solidarity to the Korean people striving for national reunification and bright future, closely rallied around Kim Jong Il.
Pak Ui Chun in his speech noted that the friendship between the DPRK and Palestine provided by President Kim Il Sung and President Yasser Arafat is now growing stronger amid the deep care of the leaderships of the two countries.
He said that steadfast is the stand of the DPRK supporting the just cause of the Palestinian people to retake the legitimate national rights including the right to found a sovereign state with Kuds as its capital.
Russian Ambassador and Military Attache Host Reception
Pyongyang, February 23 (KCNA) -- Valery E. Sukhinin, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, and Alexey Bartusov, military attache of the Russian embassy here, hosted a reception at the Taedonggang Club for the Diplomatic Corps on February 22 on the occasion of the "Day of Defenders of the Motherland".
Present there on invitation were Pak Jae Gyong, vice-minister of the People's Armed Forces, and others and diplomatic envoys of various countries and military attaches of foreign embassies here.
Staff members of the Russian embassy here were on hand.
Speeches were made at the reception.
Wreaths Laid before Liberation Tower and Cemetery of Fallen Fighters of Soviet Army
Pyongyang, February 23 (KCNA) -- Staff members of the Russian embassy here laid a wreath in front of the Liberation Tower Saturday on the occasion of the "Day of Defenders of Motherland".
Present at the wreath-laying ceremony were Valery E. Sukhinin, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, Alexey Bartusov, military attache, staff members of the Russian embassy and the military attaches corps here.
After laying the wreath in the name of the embassy before the tower participants paid silent tribute to the fallen fighters.
Staff members of the Russian embassy here placed a wreath and bouquets in the cemetery of fallen fighters of the Soviet Army in Sadong district, Pyongyang, on the same day.
Rodong Sinmun on Establishing Juche in Musical Art
Pyongyang, February 24 (KCNA) -- To thoroughly establish Juche in the musical art is a fundamental problem decisive of the destiny of the Korean musical art and a basic principle of building the revolutionary and popular music.
Rodong Sinmun says this in a signed article today. It goes on:
What is important in establishing Juche in the musical art is to create and develop music with the main stress put on the national music and on the basis of the national melodies, actively encourage the traditional national music and national musical instruments, create new many songs of folk song style in the present times and accept the good achievements and experience gained in the musical art of other countries in the light of criticism to suit our specific conditions.
Our musical art fully representing the national flavor and emotion and overflowing with the Korean characteristics help the people cherish deep the great national pride and self-confidence and joy and happiness at working and living in the revolutionary era.
Particularly the achievements and experience made in thoroughly subordinating Western music and musical instruments to the Korean music with the main stress put on the national music and musical instruments are a clear proof of the validity and vitality of the Workers' Party of Korea's unique idea of literature and art on developing the musical art from the viewpoint of Juche.
The validity and vitality of the Party's original policy of creating instrumental music have been fully displayed through the creation and performances of such masterpieces as Korean-style symphonies "The Sea of Blood" and "The Flower Girl" and orchestras "Rich Harvest Comes to the Chongsan Plain" and "Arirang" in the past annals.
They are now further demonstrating their great might through the new high ground on which the music in the era of Songun has been put. Such admirable musical art works as piano concerto "Song Devoted to Comrade Kim Jong Il", orchestras "General on a Galloping White Horse" and "No One Knows" which clearly show new appearance of the development of the Juche-based orchestra in the new century, and string ensemble for pizzicato "This Land Is Very Good" give full play to the might of the Korean musical art with strong Juche character as they are excellent instrumental music works of our style, profound and philosophical in content and perfect in artistry.
The music of the Pochonbo Electronic Band is a shining example in successfully creating the Korean-style music to suit the taste and emotion of the Korean people with electronic musical instruments as required by them.
All the achievements made in the Juche-based musical art are the shining fruition produced by the outstanding idea of building music of General Secretary Kim Jong Il who has thoroughly developed the Korean musical art our own way.
Dangerous War Moves of U.S. Blasted
Pyongyang, February 24 (KCNA) -- The attempt of the U.S. war-thirsty forces to stage the north-targeted war exercise under the changed codename Key Resolve and Foal Eagle on the Korean Peninsula can never be allowed.
Rodong Sinmun today says this in a by-lined article.
The U.S. warmongers are renaming the military exercises staged in the past as the international community denounced them as war exercises to invade the north, the article says, and goes on:
They can never cover aggressive and provocative nature of the projected exercise and their sinister attempt.
The renaming cannot change the aggressive and provocative nature of the war exercise at all.
The fact that the U.S. is ceaselessly staging nuclear war exercises in south Korea goes to prove that it is still pursuing the policy of strength on the Korean Peninsula.
The war exercise in south Korea is an intolerable crime against peace and reunification casting a chill over the Korean nation's desire for reunification and putting a brake on inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation.
The projected joint military war exercise of the U.S. runs counter to the six-party talks.
Through the adventurous nuclear test war exercise the U.S. warmongers intend to pose a serious menace to the DPRK and spoil the atmosphere for dialogue. Their intensified war exercise in south Korea cannot be construed otherwise than an intentional move to spoil the atmosphere for the talks and bring the situation of the Korean Peninsula to the brink of a war. Their aim is to ignite a war against the north when a chance presents itself, while wasting time under the pretext of the six-party talks.
The adventurous war gamble against the DPRK the U.S. is going to stage together with the warmongers of south Korea will have a negative effect on the inter-Korean relations.
Leveling a gun at dialogue partner while talking about "dialogue" and "improved relations" is an act contrary to common sense and diplomatic practice. The escalating war exercises in south Korea cannot be justified in any case.
If the U.S. warmongers opt for the war gamble against the DPRK, bringing the situation of the Korean Peninsula into the irreversible grave phase against peace, they will be wholly responsible for the ensuing consequences, concludes the article.
Projected U.S.-S. Korea War Exercises under Fire
Pyongyang, February 23 (KCNA) -- The United States is planning to stage large-scale war exercises with the south Korean forces from March 2 to 7 with tens of thousands of troops and modern war hardware involved. Even nuclear-powered carrier "Nimitz" is expected to participate in these war maneuvers.
Rodong Sinmun Saturday observers in a signed commentary carried in this regard:
This saber rattling is slated to be staged against the dialogue partner at a time when the DPRK-U.S. dialogue is under way. This goes to prove that the U.S. does not stand for a negotiated settlement of the issue.
Through these war exercises the U.S. war-like forces seek to more tightly bind south Korea to the "military alliance" with the U.S. and consolidate the foundation of their aggressor forces' presence in it in a bid to realize their scenario for a war of aggression against the north and their ambition for establishing the sphere of military control over Asia.
The U.S. has said more than once that it would neither threaten nor invade the DPRK by force of arms but seek a negotiated solution of the issue.
It intends to opt for the use of force in case things go against its wish, while contending it is good to attain its sinister political aim through dialogue.
It has introduced fighter bombers into south Korea since the outset of this year and renamed the U.S. forces command in Japan "first army corps field command." These moves are to serve the purpose of this strategy.
The U.S. bellicose forces' reckless moves for a new war which escalate the situation on the Korean Peninsula not only pose a direct threat to the security of the DPRK but also seriously affect the situation in the whole of Asia.
The U.S. is working hard to boost the triangular military alliance involving the U.S., Japan and south Korea in a bid to seize military supremacy in the region and, moreover, realize its Asia strategy by use of allied forces, regarding the expected emergence of a new regime in south Korea as an opportunity favorable for carrying out its war strategy. This compels the DPRK to heighten its vigilance against the U.S. sinister intrigue.
U.S. Arms Race Blasted
Pyongyang, February 23 (KCNA) -- The U.S. administration proposed 193 billion US dollars as military spending in the fiscal 2008, an increase of 22 billion over that last year. This is a patent proof that the U.S. is, in actuality, stepping up the moves for aggression and war while talking about global "peace" and "security." Minju Joson today observes this in a signed commentary.
It goes on:
The U.S. spends a stupendous amount of funds every year in an effort to develop new type sophisticated weapons and mass-produce them.
Recently the U.S. decided on a plan for the deployment of forces, the biggest since the Second World War, the key point of which is to relocate one-third of its forces till 2011. This is aimed at accelerating the beefing up and relocation of its forces overseas and establishing military domination over various regions of the world and thereby putting the world under its control through its high-handed practices.
The moves stepped up by the U.S. to militarize the space for the purpose of getting space supremacy are part of its scenario for realizing its wild ambition for world supremacy.
A space command was newly set up and the development of space satellites equipped with interceptor missiles is making brisk headway and many spy satellites were launched one after another.
The U.S. said no to a draft treaty for demilitarizing space which calls for banning the deployment of weapons in the outer space proposed by China and Russia at the recent Geneva Disarmament Conference, thus revealing its true colors as a disturber of peace. Lurking behind this is a sinister intention of the U.S. to turn the space into a place favorable for establishing world domination and put the space under its unchallenged military control and hold military supremacy.
These moves of the U.S. for militarizing the space are creating the danger of a new Cold War in the international community.
U.S. and S. Korean Forces Hell-bent on Preparations for War Exercises
Pyongyang, February 24 (KCNA) -- The war-thirsty elements of the U.S. imperialist aggression forces and the south Korean forces are nowadays getting overheated in the preparations for Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military exercises while deploying their armed forces for aggression, according to a military source.
On Feb. 15, Striker unit of the First Brigade of the U.S. 25th Infantry Division was airlifted to Taegu airport and deployed in operational area as an advance party for the war exercises. And on Feb. 19 the Ninth Sapper Battalion of the Third Marine Munitions Division of the Third Expedition of the U.S. Marine Corps arrived in Phohang, getting frantic in perfecting the sapper support system for the joint operation in coordination with a sapper battalion of the First Marine Division of the Marine Corps Command of the south Korean forces.
A nuclear-powered guided missile submarine anchored at Pusan port of south Korea and nuclear-powered ultra-large aircraft carrier Nimitz and Aegis cruiser, which were rushed to the sea south of Jeju Island, staged an exercise for taking-off and landing of carrier-based aircraft and a targeting exercise in the waters on Feb. 21 and 22.
Kitty Hawk, an ultra-large aircraft carrier, and Blue Ridge, the U.S. Seventh Fleet command ship, has already anchored at Yokoska and Otaru ports of Japan.
24 F-16s, which will play a leading role of the air force in the projected war exercises, has been already deployed in the U.S. air force base in south Korea from the U.S. mainland. And F/A-18s, MC-130s and KC-135s flew into south Korea on Feb. 12 and 14.
B-52s and B-2As deployed in Guam entered into a position of emergency sortie and F-16s and F-15s were deployed in bases of Japan.
These war planes of different types are every day staging, in coordination with the U.S. Seventh Air Force present in south Korea and the south Korean air force, such actual war exercises as navigation flight, close air support, air battle and striking objects on ground and sea within the system of the projected war exercises.
The army and people of the DPRK are sharply watching with high vigilance the anti-DPRK joint military exercises of the U.S. imperialist aggression forces and the south Korean forces.
Protest against FTA Staged in S. Korea
Pyongyang, February 24 (KCNA) -- Members of the Democratic Labor Party of south Korea reportedly called a press conference at the "National Assembly" on Feb. 19 and declared that they would turn out in the action to check the conclusion of the south Korea-U.S. "Free Trade Agreement".
At the conference speakers expressed astonishment and wrath over the fact that the authorities seek to hastily settle the conclusion of the FTA with the U.S. while breaking the "promise" that they would fully accept the people's view. They charged that the FTA would bring about such big catastrophe as ruining the south Korean people's life.
Noting that the action against the conclusion of the FTA is a struggle to meet the demand of the popular masses, they clarified the stand to take the lead in the action.
Repression of People in S. Korea
Pyongyang, February 24 (KCNA) -- The security authorities of south Korea reportedly arrested Song Hyon A, chairwoman of the Information Committee of the Solidarity for Implementing the South-North Joint Declaration, on Feb. 19.
The Security Investigation Group of Seoul Metropolitan Police searched her house on the charge of the violation of the "National Security Law" and took her away to the Anti-Communist Section in Okin-dong, Seoul, claiming that she produced and distributed "enemy-benefiting" literature.
Last year the security authorities made an investigation into Song Hyon A when her husband Ri Jae Chun was put into custody after being charged with the "force of wire-pulling" the south Korean Federation of University Student Councils. They violated even her rights, claiming that she married Ri in camouflage.
In this regard, the above-said solidarity bitterly condemned that the arrest of Song was motivated by the security authorities' sinister intention to shift the suspicion of the "wire-pulling force", with which Ri was charged but later declared innocent, onto his wife.
Int'l Forum on Peace and Reunification of Korea Held
Pyongyang, February 24 (KCNA) -- An international forum of Christians on the peace and reunification of the Korean Peninsula was held in Germany between February 5 and 8.
Present there were more than 110 representatives of Christian organizations from Germany, UK, France, Switzerland, Canada, the United States, Japan and other countries and regions, among them delegations of the World Council of Churches and the Korean Christian Federation.
Speeches were made at the forum.
The speakers expressed deep concern over the fact that the situation of the Korean Peninsula is being aggravated day by day due to the U.S. persistent hostile policy towards the DPRK and its reckless war moves. And they referred to the matters arising in intensifying the international solidarity of Christian organizations in order to prevent the outbreak of a second Korean war and ensure peace in the region.
A statement adopted there stressed the need to activate the solidarity movement in response to the nationwide movement of the Korean people for national reunification.
It expressed full support for the Korean people in their efforts to achieve the reunification of the country on the principle of co-existence, co-prosperity and common interests.
It called upon Christians of all countries to oppose the U.S. hostile policy towards the DPRK, its war exercises and arms buildup and force the U.S. to withdraw its military bases from the Korean Peninsula and replace the Korean Armistice Agreement with a peace accord. It also stressed the need to more dynamically conduct the international solidarity movement for checking the Japanese authorities' hostile moves towards the DPRK.
Exploits of Kim Jong Il Lauded
Pyongyang, February 24 (KCNA) -- Rashed Khan Menon, chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Bangladesh, and Juzef Lachut, chairman of the National Executive Committee of the Polish Communist Party, respectively made public statements on February 16 on the occasion of the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Rashed Khan Menon in his statement said that the DPRK is demonstrating its dignity as a political and military power thanks to the energetic ideological and theoretical activities of Kim Jong Il and his distinguished Songun revolutionary leadership.
Kim Jong Il is not only the great leader of the Korean people but also distinguished leader of the working class and working masses of the world striving to realize the cause of independence against imperialism, he said, adding:
The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Bangladesh believes that Kim Jong Il will present greater victory and glory to the Korean people and the world progressive people struggling for the cause of independence against imperialism.
Juzef Lachut in his statement noted that Kim Jong Il has pursued the original Songun politics and the miraculous successes in the DPRK are a striking demonstration of his distinguished leadership ability as he gave clear answers to all the problems arising in the building of an economic power.
Under his wise guidance the Korean people are accelerating the dynamic advance for building an economic power while displaying the might of socialism under the uplifted banner of Songun, the statement said.
Kim Jong Il's Birthday Celebrated in Peru
Pyongyang, February 24 (KCNA) -- A national meeting, a film show and an art performance were held in Peru on February 13 to celebrate the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Speeches were made at the meeting.
Alberto Moreno Lohas, chairman of the New Left Movement of Peru, said that thanks to the political, military and diplomatic wisdom and strategy and tactics of Kim Jong Il, the Korean people have won in the war minus shooting with the U.S. seeking to stifle the DPRK and that victory of socialism is certain as it is guided by him.
Genaro Ledesma Izquieta, chairman of the People's Front of Workers, Peasants and Students of Peru, and Yuri Cesar Castro Romero, secretary general of the Peruvian-Korean Institute of Culture and Friendship, said that the cause of Juche started by President Kim Il Sung is advancing straight along the road of victory under the leadership of Kim Jong Il.
Felix Fernandes Torres, international secretary of the Revolutionary Socialist Party of Peru and secretary general of the Peruvian Committee for Supporting the Independent and Peaceful Reunification of Korea, said that the north-south summit in Pyongyang last year and the recent development of inter-Korean relations are a fruition of Kim Jong Il's patriotic idea. Korea will be surely reunified under the banner of the June 15 joint declaration as the cause of reunification is wisely led by him, the speaker stressed.
The participants in the film show watched the Korean film "We Will Follow You to the End of the Earth."
Then a celebration performance was given by Peruvian artistes.
Kim Jong Il's Birthday Celebrated
Pyongyang, February 23 (KCNA) -- Meetings and photo exhibitions were held in Kyrgyzstan, Mexico and Switzerland from February 9 to 15 on the occasion of the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Speeches were made at the meetings.
A. Usupbayev, chairman of the Marxist-Leninist Reunification Communist Party of the Kirgyzstan People, highly praised Kim Jong Il as the great leader who is wisely leading the Korean revolution and the world revolution with original Songun politics.
Jesus Antonio Carlos Hernandez, general secretary of the Central Committee of the People's Socialist Party of Mexico, noted that the Songun politics based on the Juche idea is the most original political mode in the present times for meeting all the challenges of the imperialists.
Martin Lotscher, chairman of the Switzerland-Korea Committee, said that the Songun politics pursued by Kim Jong Il helped smash the imperialists' moves to stifle the DPRK and it emerge a power and serves as an all-powerful treasured sword for fully ensuring peace and security of the Korean Peninsula and other regions of Asia.
Meanwhile, seminars on famous works of Kim Jong Il were held in Guinea and Finland and lectures were given by the Communist Party of Tajikistan, the Romanian Workers' Association, the Ethiopian preparatory committee for commemorating the Day of the Sun and February 16 and an Indonesian company from February 6 to 16 on the occasion of the February holiday.
Kim Jong Il's Immortal Exploits Praised
Pyongyang, February 23 (KCNA) -- Foreign figures highly praised the undying exploits performed by General Secretary Kim Jong Il for the Korean revolution and the world revolution on the occasion of his birthday.
Hasanul Huq Inu, chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the Bangladesh National Socialist Party, in a statement made public on February 14 said that thanks to the Songun politics of Kim Jong Il the Korean people have firmly defended the great idea and immortal exploits of President Kim Il Sung and put them on a higher stage and opened up a bright prospect of accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche through a struggle to build richer and stronger and more prosperous socialism centered on the popular masses.
It expressed the belief that the Korean people would unite closer around Kim Jong Il and uphold him for socialism, the reunification of Korea and world peace and progress.
The director for Political Affairs and International Relations of the Pan-African Movement, in his statement on February 15 noted that Kim Jong Il is the great statesman who performed immortal exploits for the Korean revolution and the cause of global independence.
Kim Jong Il is the benefactor who instilled great conviction into the followers of the Juche idea and the world revolutionary people by holding higher the banner of Juche when the world socialist cause faced the challenge of the imperialists early in the 1990s and the peerlessly outstanding leader who has demonstrated the might of socialist Korea by dint of Songun despite manifold difficulties and ordeals, the director stressed.
For Spanish-speaking people
Breve historia de la orquesta filarmonica de Nueva York
Pyongyang, 23 de febrero (ATCC) -- La Orquesta Filarmonica de Nueva York actuara en esta capital el proximo 26 de febrero.
Esta banda fundada en 1842 es una de las "tres orquestas filarmonicas mas famosas del mundo" junto con las de Viena y de Berlin.
Hasta la fecha, realizo giras por numerosas ciudades de los 5 continentes del mundo desde cuando interpreto en 1893 por primera vez a escala mundial la sinfonia no. 9 del compositor checo Dvorak "Desde el nuevo mundo".
Es capaz de interpretar las piezas musicales de diferentes generos creadas en distintos periodos, que van desde las obras anteriores al clasicismo de Viena hasta las contemporaneas.
Ofrece cerca de 180 conciertos como promedio anual.
La orquesta bajo la batuta del director Lorin Maazel ofrecera en esta capital su 14 mil 558a funcion.
Pueblo coreano desea recuperacion pronta de Fidel, afirma MINREX
Pyongyang, 23 de febrero (ATCC) -- En entrevista con la Agencia Telegrafica Central de Corea, el portavoz de la cancilleria de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea respondio este sabado a las preguntas relativas a la decision del maximo lider de la Revolucion Cubana, Fidel Castro, de no aceptar su reeleccion en las importantes posiciones.
Recientemente, el companero Fidel Castro Ruz anuncio su decision de no aceptar mas las posiciones del presidente del Consejo de Estado de la Republica de Cuba y del comandante en jefe de las fuerzas armadas, adelanto el portavoz y continuo:
El fue operado en julio de 2006 a causa de la hemorragia intestinal aguda y todavia no se ha recuperado totalmente.
En los tiempos pasados, el companero Fidel Castro hizo gran aporte al desarrollo de las relaciones de amistad y cooperacion con Corea manteniendo especiales relaciones camaraderiles con el camarada Kim Il Sung, gran lider del pueblo coreano.
Despues del triunfo de la revolucion cubana, pese a las persistentes maniobras de sancion y bloqueo de EE.UU., dirigio sabiamente al partido, al gobierno y al pueblo de Cuba logrando el avance victorioso de la causa socialista en Cuba.
El pueblo coreano considera a Fidel como su mas intimo companero de armas y hara ingentes esfuerzos por consolidar y desarrollar incesantemente las relaciones de amistad con el hermano pueblo cubano.
Deseamos de todo corazon que el companero Fidel Castro se rehabilite lo mas pronto posible y que todo vaya bien en Cuba.
Diplomaticos rusos ofrecen banquete
Pyongyang, 23 de febrero (ATCC) -- Con motivo del "Dia de Defensores de la Patria", el embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario, Valery Sukhinin, y el agregado militar Alexey Bartusov de la Embajada de la Federacion Rusa en Corea ofrecieron el dia 22 un banquete en el Club Taedonggang para el Cuerpo Diplomatico.
A la recepcion fueron invitados el viceministro de las Fuerzas Armadas Populares, Pak Jae Gyong, y otros funcionarios coreanos, los representantes diplomaticos y los agregados militares de embajadas de varios paises.
Tambien estuvieron presentes los miembros de la sede diplomatica rusa.
En la ocasion hubo discursos.
Ofrenda floral al monumento a la liberacion
Pyongyang, 23 de febrero (ATCC) -- Con motivo del "Dia de Defensores de la Patria", los miembros de la Embajada de la Federacion Rusa en Corea depositaron el dia 23 una ofrenda floral ante el Monumento a la Liberacion.
En la ocasion participaron el embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario Valery Sukhinin, el agregado militar Alexei Bartusov y otros miembros de la embajada rusa y el Cuerpo de Agregados Militares en Corea.
Tras depositar ante el citado monumento una ofrenda floral a nombre de la embajada rusa, los participantes guardaron un momento de silencio en memoria de los martires del ejercito sovietico.
El mismo dia, los miembros de la embajada rusa colocaron ofrenda floral y ramos de flores ante las tumbas de los martires del ejercito sovietico situada en el municipio de Sadong de la ciudad de Pyongyang.