New York Philharmonic Arrives
Pyongyang, February 25 (KCNA) -- The New York Philharmonic arrived here today.
It was met at the airport by Vice-Minister of Culture Song Sok Hwan who is chairman of the Korean Association for Art Exchange, and others.
Banquet Given for New York Philharmonic
Pyongyang, February 25 (KCNA) -- The DPRK Ministry of Culture and the Korean Association for Art Exchange gave a banquet in honor of the visiting New York Philharmonic at the People's Palace of Culture Monday.
Present there on invitation were members of the philharmonic led by its President Zarin Mehta.
On hand were Minister of Culture Kang Nung Su, Acting Chairman of the Korean Society for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Mun Jae Chol, Vice-Minister of Culture Song Sok Hwan who is chairman of the Korean Association for Art Exchange and other officials concerned.
Speeches were made there.
On the same day the members of the philharmonic appreciated a performance given by artistes in Pyongyang at the Mansudae Art Theatre.
KCNA on U.S. Dangerous Moves for Arms Race in Space
Pyongyang, February 25 (KCNA) -- The U.S. launched a missile to shoot down a spy satellite in the Northern Pacific on Feb. 20 defying the protest and denunciation from the international community.
This was done in the form of a general exercise staged by warships equipped with the specially improved interceptor missiles and the commanding system controlled by radars and computers under the U.S. Strategic Command, according to foreign press reports.
Foreign observers commented that it was a test for actual battle aimed at establishing a missile defense system (MD) as it marked an important occasion in rounding off a phase for developing the MD and flatly refuted the U.S. assertion about the reason behind its shooting down of the satellite.
What the U.S. claimed as a reason was that its spy satellite launched in December, 2006 was in such shape that it could hardly be remote-controlled from the earth and it might fall on the earth in the first week of March and it was, therefore, necessary to shoot down the satellite loaded with toxic fuel so that it might not fall down on a densely populated area.
The U.S. asserted that the satellite shooting down was neither a weapon test to intercept other countries' satellites nor a demonstration of force against potential hostile countries.
It was the unanimous view of the experts that although the satellite loaded with toxic fuel might be shot down as asserted by the U.S., its toxic substance might seriously contaminate the air.
As a matter of fact, the aim sought by the U.S. in shooting down the satellite is to restore the "Star Wars" initiative in the 1980s in a bid to contain China and Russia and other countries and hold military supremacy in the space.
No wonder, the Ministry of Defense of Russia on Feb. 16 said that the shooting down of the spy satellite was obviously designed to test a new type strategic weapon.
As known, the U.S. conducted a test of intercepting a satellite in 1985 by launching a missile from a fighter and has squandered a huge amount of fund on the development of space weapons for the last several decades.
In the wake of China's test of intercepting a satellite in January last year, the U.S. used this as a pretext for justifying its development of space weapons and accelerated its moves for the space militarization.
At the recent UN Disarmament Conference the U.S. stubbornly rejected the draft treaty on banning the deployment of weapons in the space proposed by China and Russia.
The U.S. in its "national policy on space" made public in October 2006 declared that it rejects the discussion on any agreement which may limit the advance into and use of space by the U.S. and objects to any form of arms reduction agreement.
It is crystal clear that these adventurous moves of the U.S. would reduce the international treaty on the peaceful use of the space to a dead document and spark off an arms race in the space as they were prompted by its unchanged way of thinking dating back to the Cold War era.
All these facts clearly prove once again that the U.S. is a harasser of world peace and stability.
Choe Thae Bok Meets Iranian Ambassador
Pyongyang, February 25 (KCNA) -- Choe Thae Bok, chairman of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a talk with Morteza Moradian, new Iranian ambassador to the DPRK who paid a courtesy call on him, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
FM Meets Mongolian Ambassador
Pyongyang, February 25 (KCNA) -- Foreign Minister of the DPRK Pak Ui Chun met and had a talk with Janchivdorjyn Lomvo, Mongolian ambassador to the DPRK who paid a farewell call on him, on Monday.
Symphonies of New Themes
Pyongyang, Februray 25 (KCNA) -- Quite a few symphonies of new themes have been created in the DPRK in past years.
The typical of them are "The Leader Is Always with Us", "Victory in Great Anti-Janpanese War" and "Please Receive Our Salute" which have been performed before enthusiastically acclaiming people.
These symphonies truthfully represent the earnest desire of the army and the people to hold President Kim Il Sung, the founder of socialist Korea, always in high esteem and uphold the Songun leadership of Kim Jong Il.
"The Leader Is Always with Us," the first symphony ever in history to be built on the theme of the immortality of the leader, well represents the imperishable revolutionary feats of the President and the unshakable faith and will of the Korean people to successfully carry forward the revolutionary cause of Juche pioneered by him to accomplishment.
The new symphonies include a number of works played on the theme of the struggle of the popular masses to achieve independence.
The audience are carried into stunned amazement by "The Flower Girl" and "The Fate of a Self-defence Corps Man", symphonies which render a musical delineation to the profound philosophical truth that struggle is the only way out for the oppressed working masses.
Some symphonies evolve on the subject of our-nation-first spirit.
One of them is the symphony "Pyongyang Is Best" which consists of three movements evolving on the musical themes of "At Crossroads of Destiny", "Flocks of Wild Geese Fly" and "Pyongyang Is Best", songs of the multi-part film "The Nation and Destiny".
This work gives a profound symphonic rendition to the idea that socialist Korea centered on the popular masses is the best in the world.
Architectural Edifices Show History of DPRK
Pyongyang, February 25 (KCNA) -- The Moranbong Theater, the Chollima Statue and the Grand People's Study House, monumental edifices of Korea, reflect the history of the DPRK replete with victory and glory.
They show glaringly how the DPRK has covered a road of advance and prosperity.
The Moranbong Theater which was built in 40-odd days in the spring of Juche 35 (1946) demonstrates the mettle of new Korea, that was rapidly dashing forward, rallied close around President Kim Il Sung, after having been subjected to foreign forces and feudal fetters for many years.
After the liberation, century-old events such as the nationalization of major industries, the agrarian reform, the establishment of the first university for the people, the foundation of the regular armed forces, the institution of the first popular law and the first democratic elections unprecedented in 5,000-year-long history of the nation took place in the northern half of the country. Proclaimed in the theater was the foundation of the DPRK.
The Chollima Statue (1961) reflects the lofty spiritual world of the Korean people in the age of Chollima who rose up again on the debris of the war.
In those years the Korean people turned out 120,000 tons of steel slab at a blooming mill with a capacity of 60,000 tons and registered world-startling successes.
The Grand People's Study House (1982) constructed in one year and nine months represents the 15 years of prosperity period of Pyongyang when many monumental creations including the Arch of Triumph, the Tower of Juche Idea, the Mansudae Art Theater, the Changgwang Health Complex and the Pyongyang Maternity Hospital were built.
DPRK Women Football Team Beats S. Korean Rival
Pyongyang, February 25 (KCNA) -- The DPRK women football team beat the south Korean rival 4:0 in a match of the East Asian Football Federation Women's Championship 2008 held in China on Sunday.
Rodong Sinmun Calls for Holding Higher Banner of "By Our Nation Itself"
Pyongyang, February 25 (KCNA) -- "By our nation itself" serves as a powerful mental weapon for achieving independent reunification, peace and prosperity, says Rodong Sinmun Monday in a signed article.
It is the only just way of attaining the full sovereignty of the country and the nation, exalting the dignity and honor of the nation and achieving peace and prosperity of the country and the nation to achieve the reunification of the country by the concerted efforts of the Korean nation on the principle of national independence, the article notes, and goes on:
Only when the principle of national independence is maintained can the rights and interests of the nation be defended, the destiny of the nation be carved out independently in line with the will and wishes of the nation, the sovereignty be fully exercised in the international arena and external relations be developed on the principle of full equality and mutual benefit.
The Korean nation is the driving force in the struggle to hew out the destiny of the nation and its might lies in great national unity.
Only when the great unity of the whole nation is achieved on the principle of national independence can the Korean nation become a genuine master responsible for carving out its destiny and dynamically push forward independent reunification, peace and prosperity.
All the fellow countrymen came to deeply realize that "By our nation itself," indeed, provides a basic guarantee for independent reunification, peace and prosperity and a lifeline, while grasping the validity and vitality of the idea of "By our nation itself." That is why "By our nation itself" serves as a banner powerfully encouraging all Koreans in their struggle for independent reunification, peace and prosperity.
U.S. Accused of Standing against Treaty Banning Arms Race in Space
Pyongyang, February 25 (KCNA) -- Recently China and Russia presented a draft international treaty banning the arms race in the space to the Geneva Disarmament Conference. Various countries of the world are expressing support and sympathy with it but the U.S. remains adamant in opposing it.
Rodong Sinmun Monday observes this in a signed commentary.
It cites facts to prove that by coming out against this proposed treaty the U.S. seeks a criminal aim to realize its ambition for dominating the world at any cost by accelerating the space militarization.
It is the U.S. invariable strategy to hold military supremacy in the space, it says, and goes on:
The U.S. has long regarded the space militarization as a means for realizing its ambition for dominating the world while persisting in the moves for it.
The U.S. is apt to accuse other countries of their activities in the space. This is aimed at containing their peaceful development and use of the space and securing a strategic edge in the space in a bid to use this for carrying out its strategy for world domination.
The "missile threat" from the DPRK and Iran much touted by the U.S. is nothing but a subterfuge for pushing ahead with the space militarization.
It is preposterous and a typical example of partiality and double standards for the U.S. to paint any countries' activities for space development as a "missile test," though it is for a peaceful purpose, while conniving at some other countries' activities for space development to serve a military purpose.
Space can never become anyone's monopoly.
It is intolerable that the precious scientific and technological achievements and social wealth created by humankind are used for putting down and dominating other countries and nations through high-handed military actions and producing means of aggression and war threatening the existence and peace of humankind, instead of using them for the mankind's welfare and development of civilization.
The U.S. would be well advised to abandon its attempt to violate other countries' right to peaceful development of space while spreading its unreasonable and nonsensical assertions.
Repeal of NSL Demanded in S. Korea
Pyongyang, February 25 (KCNA) -- Kwon O Chang, Yun Han Thak and Kim Sung Gyo, co-permanent representatives of the Solidarity for Implementing the South-North Joint Declaration, reportedly issued an appeal titled "Let's turn out in the struggle to demand the repeal of the National Security Law and support and implement the October 4 declaration" on Feb. 20.
It termed the security authority's arrest of Song Hyon A, chairwoman for information service of the above-said solidarity, wholesale suppression of the organization which has conducted positive activities for national reunification and an anti-reunification act of denying the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration.
It accused the security authorities of having frantically intensified the crackdown upon the progressive organization and figures on charges of the violation of the "NSL" after hatching all sorts of plots in a bid to hold in check the unity and growth of the progressive camp.
Noting that it is hard to expect the implementation of the October 4 declaration and the developed south-north relations unless the "NSL" is repealed, the appeal called upon the entire progressive camp to turn out as one in the struggle for the abolition of the evil law.
The above-mentioned solidarity will take the lead in the struggle for the repeal of the evil law and the implementation of the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration, it added.
Strong Actions against Joint Military Exercises Called for in S. Korea
Pyongyang, February 25 (KCNA) -- Civic and public organizations including the People for Achieving Peace and Reunification of south Korea and the South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification reportedly held a meeting to vow to wage joint actions against Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military exercises at the meeting hall of the Solidarity for Progress in South Korea on Feb. 20.
The meeting discussed issues of conducting diverse activities to build up public opinion that the above-said joint military exercises are obviously war maneuvers aimed at invading the north.
Its participants held that the projected joint military exercises would be staged under the simulated conditions of an actual battle in accordance with the war scenarios for making preemptive strikes at the north.
They declared that Key Resolve and Foal Eagle which the war-thirsty military forces of south Korea and the U.S. are going to stage are nothing but rash actions as they diametrically run counter to the will of the Korean nation to implement the June 15 joint declaration and the trend of the international community demanding the conclusion of a peace agreement on the Korean Peninsula.
They vowed to hold a press conference, meeting and demonstration in protest against war exercises and stage dynamic anti-war joint actions in various places.
February 16 Celebrated in Laos and Mongolia
Pyongyang, February 25 (KCNA) -- Meetings and art performances were held by the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union, the Laos-Korea Tin Company, the Central Palace of Culture of Mongolia and Kim Jong Il Kindergarten in Darkhan-Uul Province of Mongolia in the period from Feb. 10 to 16 on the occasion of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's birthday.
Displayed in the venues of the functions were photos showing the immortal Songun leadership exploits of Kim Jong Il and those introducing the invincible might of Songun Korea.
Speeches were made there.
A secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union said that Kim Jong Il enjoys high prestige for his feats performed in the Korean revolution and the cause of global independence and progressive humankind highly praises him, adding that the Lao youth would make sustained efforts to consolidate and develop the relations of the friendship and cooperation with the Korean people and youth in the future, too.
He sincerely wished Kim Jong Il good health and great success in his noble cause of leading the army and people of the DPRK, expressing the hope that the friendship between Laos and the DPRK would always grow stronger.
The manager of the Laos-Korea Tin Company said that the respect and admiration for Kim Jong Il are growing deeper worldwide as the days go by and it has become a trend of the times to celebrate February 16, Kim Jong Il's birthday.
The chairman of the Mongolia|Korea Friendship Society expressed his belief that the Korean people would win greater success in the struggle to build a great prosperous powerful nation and reunify the country under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il.
Repertoires of art performances included Korean songs including "Song of General Kim Il Sung", "Song of General Kim Jong Il", "General on a Galloping White Horse" and "No Motherland without You".
Congratulatory messages to Kim Jong Il were adopted at functions held in Mongolia.
Kim Jong Il Praised
Pyongyang, February 25 (KCNA) -- Organizations for the study of the Juche idea in Russia and UK and a regional organization for the study of the Juche idea posted special write-ups on Internet homepages on the occasion of the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
The Russian Youth Association for the Study of the Juche Idea posted the portrait of Kim Jong Il and "Kim Jong Il, Songun politics and peace" and "The flower shining with the august name of the great man" and other articles on its Internet homepage.
The British Association for the Study of Songun Policy posted on its Internet homepage photos showing the revolutionary activities of Kim Jong Il and articles under the title "Long live General Kim Jong Il, the iron-willed brilliant commander!"
The Internet homepage in articles highly praised the immortal feats he has performed by making great contributions to the Korean revolution and the cause of global independence and introduced the high pride and self-confidence of the Korean people who are holding him in high esteem as the great fatherly leader.
It also referred to the fact that the south Korean people and the progressive people of the world continue expressing profound reverence for him and media of different countries are giving wide publicity to the immortal exploits of the peerlessly great man.
Progressive mankind wishes Kim Jong Il good health, the Korean people great success in the struggle to achieve the reunification of the country and the DPRK eternal prosperity on the occasion of the February holiday, it noted.
The International Alliance of Societies for the Study of the Juche Idea and Songun Policy in East European and Central Asian Regions fixed columns entitled "Juche-Songun", "Songun-news of Juche movement", "Lives of the great persons", "Songun politics", "Juche theory" and " DPRK today" on the Internet homepage on which it posted photos of the three generals of Mt. Paektu and articles under different titles.
For Spanish-speaking people
En Pyongyang Orquesta Filarmonica de Nueva York
Pyongyang, 25 de febrero (ATCC) -- Llego este lunes a esta capital la Orquesta Filarmonica de Nueva York de Estados Unidos .
@La acogieron en el aeropuerto Song Sok Hwan, viceministro de Cultura y presidente de la Asociacion Coreana para el Intercambio Artistico y otros funcionarios coreanos.
Edificios transmiten historia de la RPDC
Pyongyang, 25 de febrero (ATCC) -- En los edificios monumentales de Corea, entre otros, el Teatro Morambong, la Estatua de bronce de Chollima y el Palacio de Estudio del Pueblo esta reflejada la historia de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea llena de la victoria y la gloria.
Estos edificios dan respuestas evidentes a como ha venido avanzando y prosperando la RPDC.
El Teatro Morambong construido durante mas de los 40 dias en la primavera del 35 (1946) de la Era Juche, demuestra el espiritu de la nueva Corea que ha avanzado a galope unida solidamente en torno al Presidente Kim Il Sung.
En el pasado Corea fue un objeto de la agresion extranjera y sufrio los grilletes feudales durante largo tiempo.
Despues de la liberacion (15 de agosto de 1945), en la parte norte de Corea sucedieron los eventos seculares nunca vistos en la historia de 5 mil anos, entre ellos, la nacionalizacion de las industrias principales, la reforma agraria, la construccion de la primera universidad del pueblo, el nacimiento de las fuerzas armadas regulares, el establecimiento de la primera ley del pueblo y las primeras elecciones democraticas. Tambien fue proclamada la fundacion de la RPDC.
La Estatua de bronce de Chollima (1961) simboliza el noble mundo espiritual del pueblo coreano en la epoca de Chollima que se levanto de nuevo sobre las ruinas en la posguerra.
En ese periodo el pueblo coreano produjo 120 mil toneladas de acero con el laminador de blooming de la capacidad de 60 mil toneladas logrando asi exitos que asombran al mundo.
Por otra parte, el Palacio de Estudio del Pueblo (1982) construido durante solo un ano y 9 meses representa los 15 anos de la "epoca de prosperidad de Pyongyang", cuando se irguieron muchos edificios monumentales inclusive el Arco Triunfal, el Monumento a la Idea Juche, el Teatro de Arte Mansudae, el Centro de Cultura Fisica Changgwangwon y la Casa de Maternidad de Pyongyang.
Musicas sinfonicas de nuevos temas
Pyongyang, 25 de febrero (ATCC) -- En el pasado, en Corea se crearon numerosas musicas sinfonicas de nuevos temas, entre otras, "El lider siempre junto a nosotros", "El triunfo de la guerra antijaponesa", "Que reciba saludo" que disfrutan de gran reputacion.
Las musicas sinfonicas reflejan la fervorosa aspiracion del ejercito y el pueblo a enaltecer eternamente al Presidente Kim Il Sung, fundador de Corea socialista y seguir con lealtad la direccion del Songun del Dirigente Kim Jong Il.
En particular, la musica sinfonica "El lider siempre junto a nosotros", que es la primera vez en la historia con el tema de eternidad al Lider, demuestra excelentemente la invariable conviccion y voluntad del pueblo coreano de llevar adelante las inmortales hazanas revolucionarias del Presidente y la causa revolucionaria del Juche iniciada por este.
Ciertas obras sinfonicas nuevas tienen por temas la lucha de las masas populares para la realizacion de la independencia.
Las sinfonias "La florista" y "El destino de un miembro del Cuerpo de Autodefensa" reflejan el profundo principio filosofico de que solo la lucha es la via de subsistencia para las masas trabajadoras explotadas tocando las cuerdas del corazon de los espectadores.
Tambien se encuentran las musicas sinfonicas que tienen por contenido ideo tematico la idea de dar prioridad a la nacion.
La obra representativa es la sinfonia "Es mejor Pyongyang" compuesta de 3 movimientos que tiene por tema musical "La bifurcacion del destino", "Vuelan ansares" y "Es mejor Pyongyang" que son canciones de la serie filmica "La nacion y el destino".
Esta obra da al publico la idea de que es el mejor en el mundo la Corea socialista centrada en las masas populares.
Entran en etapa crucial preparativos para "Key Resolve" y "Aguilucho"
Pyongyang, 25 de febrero (ATCC) -- Segun fuentes castrenses, en estos dias, entran en etapa crucial los preparativos de los belicistas estadounidenses y el ejercito surcoreano para los ejercicios militares conjuntos "Key Resolve" y "Aguilucho".
El dia 15, como la avanzada de esa maniobra militar, se traslado por via aerea al aeropuerto de Taegu la unidad "Striker" de la primera brigada de la 25a division de infanteria de Estados Unidos, que fue desplegada ya en la zona operacional.
@El dia 19, se desembarco en Phohang el 9o batallon de zapadores de la 3a division marina de logistica de la 3a expedicion del cuerpo de marines de EE.UU., que en colaboracion con el batallon de zapadores de la 1a division naval de la comandancia del cuerpo de marines del Sur de Corea, se enfrasca ahora en el perfeccionamiento del sistema de apoyo entre zapadores en las operaciones conjuntas.
A esto se suma el arribo al puerto de Pusan del Sur de Corea de un submarino de propulsion nuclear.
@Los dias 21 y 22, el portaaviones de propulsion nuclear de tamano supergrande "Nimitz" y el crucero de tipo Aegis "Preston" ejercitaron en las aguas maritimas al sur de la isla Jeju el despegue y aterrizaje de los aviones de cubierta y la localizacion de los objetivos de ataque.
Por otra parte, el portaaviones de tamano supergrande "Kitty Hawk" y la almiranta "Blue Ridge" de la septima flota norteamericana ya entraron en los puertos japoneses de Yokoska y Otaru.
Mientras tanto, 24 cazabombarderos "F-16", que protagonizaran el citado simulacro en el aire, se trasladaron del territorio estadounidense a las bases aereas de las tropas yanquis en el Sur de Corea.
@Los dias 12 y 14, lo hicieron tambien los aviones "F/A-18", "MC-130" y los aparatos nodrizas "KC-135".
Los cazabombarderos estrategicos "B-52" y "B-2A" desplegados en la isla Guam entraron en el estado de emergencia y las aeronaves "F-16" y "F-15" llegaron a las bases en Japon.
Estos medios de distintos modelos realizan casi a diario, en colaboracion con la 7a fuerza aerea norteamericana ocupante del Sur de Corea y la fuerza aerea surcoreana y en el marco de la inminente maniobra, los ejercicios de navegacion, apoyo aereo a corta distancia, batalla aerea y el ataque a los objetivos terrestres y maritimos.
El ejercito y el pueblo de la RPDC observan con alta vigilancia tales ejercicios militares conjuntos.