Congratulations to President of Cyprus
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, on Wednesday sent a congratulatory message to Dimitris Christofias upon his election as President of Cyprus.
Expressing the belief that the relations between the DPRK and Cyprus would develop on good terms in the interests of the two peoples, Kim in the message wished the Cypriot president success in his work for prosperity of the country and well-being of the people.
Japan's Scheme to Grab Tok Islet Unchanged
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- Japan is getting more desperate in its protracted moves to seize Tok Islet.
Recently, the Japanese land topographical bureau marked Tok Islet, an inviolable part of the territory of Korea, as Japan's islet in a detailed map on the scale of 1:25,000 which was drawn with the mobilization of a Japanese earth observation satellite and a commercial satellite of the U.S.
It is designed to legalize and justify Japan's bid to grab the islet by convincing the international community that it "belongs to Japan".
Afraid of world opinion, Japan had claimed "dominion" over Tok Islet through the mouth of a local government. In the new century, however, it has got quite outspoken in its attempts to seize it.
After the Japanese chief executive spun out the piffle in early 2004 that the islet is "a part of Japan's territory", a post and telecommunication company of Japan issued a stamp marking it as Japanese and members of a rightist organization even staged a demonstration on the sea, blaring that "Tok Islet belongs to Japan".
It must not go unnoticed that the Shimane Prefectural Assembly in 2005 adopted "an ordinance" declaring February 22 "Takeshima (Tok Islet) Day". And the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology opened a meeting of the Committee for the Examination and Approval of Textbooks and "passed" a history textbook arguing that Tok Islet "belongs to Japan".
Shimane Prefecture published more than 260,000 copies of a book claiming "dominion" over Tok Islet and distributed them to families in the prefecture and the local administrative bodies all over Japan from January 18, 2006.
In 2006 the Japanese government specified the islet as Japan's "territory" in its "defense white paper" and informed the International Hydrographic Organization of its intention to make a hydrographic survey nearby the islet, claiming that the waters there are the exclusive economic zone of Japan.
Furthermore, the Japanese authorities attempted to take the issue to the International Court of Justice by building up public opinion over its "dominion". They went such length as illegally encroaching upon the inviolable sovereignty of Korea over its territory by sending even warships and planes to the surroundings of the islet, threatening that a decisive physical countermeasure might be taken with regard to the issue of the islet.
In 2007 the Japanese government again marked the islet as one belonging to Japan in its "defense white paper" and adopted "Basic Law of the Sea" to be effective from July 20.
Thus, Japan's claim to the "dominion" over the islet and its moves to seize it by force of arms reached the culminating point.
Its shameless moves will face a stern punishment by history.
Adherence to Principle of National Independence Called for
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- The principle of national independence calls for solving all issues by the concerted efforts of the nation, rejecting the aggressive and anti-reunification foreign forces' domination and interference. It serves as a fundamental principle of national reunification over which the Korean nation should neither make any slightest concession nor allow itself to slacken it under any circumstances and lifeblood for achieving independent reunification.
Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article.
It goes on:
The above-said principle serves as lifeblood for the movement for independent reunification because the issue of national reunification is an internal issue of the Korean nation, in any respect, as it is related to the destiny of the Koreans and their prospect.
The issue of national reunification is an issue of the Korean nation which allows no interference from outside forces and a matter on which the future of the nation hinges. No foreign forces, therefore, have any right to interfere in the internal affairs of the Korean nation and no one can replace the Korean people in the struggle to reunify the country.
The cause of independent reunification can be successfully achieved in line with the will and interests of the nation only through the concerted efforts of the Koreans, the driving force for national reunification. It is only the Korean nation that has the will to achieve national reunification and is capable of doing so.
The Korean nation can achieve anything in the world should all its members have the strong spirit of national independence to wage the movement for national reunification by firmly believing in their strength and relying on them, rejecting flunkeyism and dependence on the foreign forces. The spirit of national independence represents the firm will and faith to settle all problems arising in the movement for reunification by the concerted efforts of the Korean nation, vehemently opposing and rejecting the foreign domination and interference in the matter of achieving the cause of national reunification, an issue related to the sovereignty of the nation.
The Korean nation should adhere to and apply the principle of national independence which does not allow any foreign domination and interference even a bit, fully responsible for accomplishing the cause of national reunification. Herein lies the master key to settling the issue of national reunification independently in line with the desire and interests of the nation.
Rodong Sinmun on Idea of Independence
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- The idea of independence serves as a fundamental idea and a common banner to be upheld by all countries and peoples of the world struggling to defend independence and achieve national prosperity and development.
Rodong Sinmun today observes this in a signed article.
It goes on:
The idea of independence calls for shaping one's own line and policy and enlisting popular masses' efforts to solve the problems raised. It serves as a source of strength for every country and nation to accelerate the building of a new independent society by its concerted efforts its own way, not reading others' faces.
The historic experience proves that the idea of independence alone helps each country and nation work out an independent line and policy reflecting its specific conditions and its people's wishes and interests and achieve independent development according to them.
Pursuing an independent policy based on the idea of independence presents the most just idea as it makes it possible to enlist the inexhaustible creative power of the popular masses for the building of a new society.
It is the wishes of the peoples of the progressive countries now engaged in the building of a new society to make them rich and powerful as they are directly interested in their prosperity and development. It is the idea of independence that helps realize their desire and wishes most fully and quickly.
The idea of independence constitutes a basis on which the DPRK shapes and implements all its policies and a fundamental principle governing its external activities.
The Korean people will as always firmly uphold and thoroughly implement the idea of independence and thus exalt the independent dignity and authority of the DPRK and positively contribute to promoting the cause of global independence, concludes the article.
More than 170 Cases of Aerial Espionage Committed against DPRK in February
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- The U.S. imperialist aggressor warhawks and the south Korean forces have persisted in the aerial espionage against the DPRK, according to a military source.
More than 170 cases of aerial espionage were committed against the DPRK in February alone: Over 100 by the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces and more than 70 by the south Korean forces.
On Feb. 28 south Korea-based U-2 spied on major targets in the DPRK. This plane made 25 flights to spy on the DPRK this month.
On Feb. 12 the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces' overseas-based RC-135 flew into south Korea to spy on all areas of the DPRK. As many as nine strategic and tactical reconnaissance planes flew in the air over the forefront areas on this day alone to spy on areas of the DPRK.
On Feb. 9, 12, 23 and 26 four RC-12s of those forces took off by turns and made long flights in the air over the areas along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) to observe and photograph areas of the DPRK.
On Feb. 20 and 25 three RC-800s of the south Korean forces took off by turns to perpetrate frantic aerial observation and electronic reconnaissance of the areas along the MDL. The number of espionage committed by this type plane reached more than 50 this month.
The south Korean forces' RF-4C made shuttle flights in the sky above the MDL almost every day to conduct round-the-clock aerial observation, photographing and electronic reconnaissance.
GIs' Crimes Condemned in S. Korea
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- The South Headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification reportedly made public a statement on Feb. 22 denouncing unabated crimes of the GIs in south Korea.
Referring to their criminal atrocities, the statement said that human rights abuses by them in south Korea are innumerable.
It is none other than the GIs who killed Hyo Sun and Mi Son, sexually abused a woman in her sixties and a policewoman last year and committed arson in a beauty room in Tongduchon, it pointed out.
The statement demanded that the "government" and the judicial authorities punish the GIs, violators, and the U.S. forces, a group of criminals, environmental wreckers and brigands, quit south Korea.
Seminars on Exploits of Kim Jong Il Held
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- Seminars on the immortal exploits of General Secretary Kim Jong Il were held in Russia, Nepal, Mongolia and Peru from Feb. 12 to 15 on the occasion of his birthday.
On display in the venues of seminars were famous works of Kim Jong Il and photos showing his immortal Songun leadership exploits.
Shashbiashbili, vice-chairman of the Party for Peace and Unity of Russia, praised Kim Jong Il as the greatest politician of the present times, the universally recognized leader and the greatest man in the world, expressing the conviction that as long as there is Kim Jong Il, Korea would be surely reunified as one and the Korean people build a great prosperous powerful socialist nation without fail.
The minister of Land Reform and Management of Nepal said that the Nepalese people would learn from the great idea and leadership exploits of Kim Jong Il and the successes and experience gained by the DPRK.
The president and a teacher of Darkhan University of Technology and G. Bold, executive chairman of the Darkhan-Uul Provincial Branch of the Mongolian Mt. Paektu Association for Independent Development, said that the ideas and theories set forth by Kim Jong Il serve as a banner of advance and victory of the cause of independence because of their scientific accuracy and revolutionary character.
Guillermo Alcazar Ribera, chairman of the Peru Group for the Study of Kimilsungism, stressed that Kim Jong Il has led all the progressive parties of the world to turn out in the struggle for global independence, full of conviction and optimism about victory, by conducting tireless ideological and theoretical activities and providing wise leadership.
Messages of greetings to Kim Jong Il were adopted at the seminars held in Nepal and Mongolia.
February Holiday Celebrated
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- Meetings were held in Russia, Italy and Austria and photo exhibitions and film shows in Russia, Ukraine, Thailand, Malaysia, Syria and Guinea from Feb. 6 to 15 on the occasion of the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
On display in the venues of those functions were books and photos showing his Songun leadership exploits and photos introducing the drive of the Korean people to build a great prosperous powerful socialist nation.
Participants of the film shows watched "The Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il Gives On-the-Spot Guidance to Work in Different Fields", "They Are Together on the Way of the Great Songun Leadership" and other Korean films.
Speeches were made at the meetings.
M. Merkulov, deputy presidential envoy to the Far Eastern Region of the Russian Federation, referred to the bilateral relations favorably developing under the care of the leaders of the two countries.
Paolo Pioppi, secretary general of the Italian Committee for Reunification and Peace of Korea, said that socialist Korea would continue vigorously advancing despite all sorts of moves of the imperialists thanks to the Songun politics of Kim Jong Il.
The chairman of the Austrian preparatory committee for commemorating the Day of the Sun and February 16 highly praised Kim Jong Il for the leadership exploits he has performed by turning the DPRK into an ideological and military power under the uplifted banner of Songun.
Messages of greetings to Kim Jong Il were adopted at the meetings held in Russia and Austria.
Kuwait-DPRK Friendship Association Formed
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- A ceremony of inaugurating the Kuwait-DPRK Friendship Association was held in the city of Kuwait on Feb. 14.
The chairman of the Parliamentary Relations Committee of the Secretariat of the National Assembly of Kuwait said at the ceremony that they were happy to form the friendship association on the occasion of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's birthday.
The association will contribute to extending and developing the exchange and cooperation between the two countries and fully support the cause of the Korean people standing against the foreign forces' moves to stifle the DPRK, he declared.
Discussed at the ceremony was the matter of opening an Internet homepage to briskly introduce the association's activities and the DPRK.
A congratulatory message to Kim Jong Il was adopted there.
Kim Jong Il's Birthday Celebrated
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- Receptions, photo exhibitions and film shows were held at the DPRK missions in Cuba, Laos, Iran, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Ethiopia, Uganda, Nigeria and Mexico and the DPRK permanent mission in the United Nations between Feb. 11 and 15 to celebrate the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Displayed in the venues of the functions were photos showing the feats of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and pictures introducing the invincible might of Songun Korea.
The participants of the film shows watched "They Are Together on the Way of the Great Songun Leadership", "The 75th Anniversary of the Heroic Korean People's Army", "The Faith of Korea" and other Korean films.
Speeches were made at the functions.
For Spanish-speaking people
Independencia nacional es cordon umbilical de reunificacion de Corea
Pyongyang, 29 de febrero (ATCC) -- El principio de la independencia nacional de rechazar la dominacion e intervencion de las fuerzas foraneas agresivas y anti-reunificacion y de resolver con las propias fuerzas de la nacion todos los problemas es el principio fundamental de la reunificacion de la patria y la linea de vida de la reunificacion independiente que la nacion coreana no puede conceder ni debilitar jamas.
Asi senala el periodico Rodong Sinmun en un articulo individual del dia 29 y continua:
Eso es porque el problema de la reintegracion del pais esta relacionado con el destino y el futuro de la nacion coreana, y porque este problema constituye en todo el caso la cuestion interna de la nacion coreana.
La reunificacion de la patria es el problema propio de la nacion coreana que no puede tolerar la intervencion de las fuerzas foraneas y que decide el futuro de la nacion. Cualquier fuerza extranjera no tiene derecho a intervenir en los asuntos internos de la nacion coreana y nadie puede reemplazar la lucha del pueblo coreano por lograr esta causa nacional.
Esta causa podra realizarse con exito conforme a la voluntad e intereses de la nacion solo por las propias fuerzas de la nacion coreana, sujeto de la reunificacion de la patria.
Solo los coreanos tienen la voluntad y la capacidad de alcanzarla.
Si todos los integrantes de la nacion poseen el fuerte espiritu de independencia nacional de rechazar el servilismo a las grandes potencias y la dependencia de fuerzas extranjeras y de desarrollar el movimiento por la reunificacion de la patria confiando absolutamente y apoyandose en la fuerza nacional, no habra cosa irrealizable en este mundo. El espiritu de independencia nacional significa precisamente la firme voluntad y conviccion de rechazar tajantemente la dominacion y la intervencion de las fuerzas foraneas en la realizacion de la causa de la reunificacion de la patria que es el asunto propio de nuestra nacion y el de la independencia de la nacion y resolver con las fuerzas unidas de la nacion todos los problemas que se presentan en esta lucha.
La nacion coreana debe mantener y materializar el principio de la independencia nacional con la posicion del dueno en el cumplimiento de la causa de reunificacion de la patria sin tolerar en lo minimo el dominio y la intervencion de las fuerzas foraneas.
He aqui precisamente la llave fundamental para solucionar de manera independiente el problema de reunificacion del pais conforme a la demanda e intereses de la nacion.
Es invariable la ambicion de Japon de usurpar la isla Tok
Pyongyang, 29 de febrero (ATCC) -- Se tornan cada dia mas siniestras las historicas maniobras de Japon encaminadas a usurpar la isla Tok.
Hace poco tiempo, el Consejo del Territorio y Geografia de Japon anoto la isla Tok, parte del sagrado territorio de Corea, como la suya en el mapa preciso a escala de 1/25 000 elaborado con la incorporacion del satelite de observacion terraquea y el otro comercial estadounidense.
Lo hizo para convencer de todos modos a la sociedad internacional de que la isla Tok es la japonesa y justificar su intento de usurparla.
Japon insistia en el "derecho a la posesion" de la isla Tok por conducto del gobierno local para eludir la critica de la opinion publica mundial, pero en el nuevo siglo esta maniobra se comete abiertamente.
A principios del ano 2004, el gobernante japones dijo que la isla Tok es parte del "territorio japones" y la Compania de Correos edito sellos en que se anota la isla en cuestion como la japonesa. Ademas, los miembros de las entidades derechistas desarrollaron hasta una manifestacion en el mar vociferando que "la isla Tok es la japonesa".
En particular, la asamblea departamental de Shimane aprobo en 2005 un "proyecto de reglamento" que define el 22 de febrero como "dia de Takeshima (isla Tok)". En tanto, el Ministerio de Educacion, Cultura, Deportes, Ciencia y Tecnologia celebro una sesion del comite de revision de manuales, en que se dio luz verde al manual de historia que define la isla Tok como un territorio japones.
El departamento de Shimane edito a partir del 18 de enero de 2006 260 mil ejemplares del libro que insiste el "derecho a la posesion" de la isla Tok y los distribuyo a las familias de su localidad y a los organos de administracion locales de todo el pais.
El gobierno japones anoto en la "carta blanca de defensa" para el 2006 la isla Tok como una parte de su "territorio" y anuncio a la Organizacion Internacional Hidrografica la decision de realizar la medicion de la via fluvial en las cercanias de la isla Tok insistiendo en que esta pertenece a la zona maritima economica exclusiva de su pais.
No bastandoles con todo esto, las autoridades del pais isleno difundieron el rumor del "derecho a la posesion" de la isla Tok tratando de llevar este problema a la Corte Internacional de Justicia. Y al hablar de las contramedidas fisicas, emplazaron los buques de guerra y aviones en los alrededores de la isla amenazando y violando el sagrado derecho territorial de Corea.
El gobierno japones en la "carta blanca de defensa" para el 2007 volvio a anotar que la isla Tok es la suya. Ademas, aprobo la "ley maritima principal" y decidio ponerla en vigor a partir del 20 de julio.
La insistencia en el "derecho a la posesion" de Japon y su maniobra de usurpacion militar de la isla Tok seran castigadas por la historia.
Constituida Asociacion de Amistad Kuwait-Corea
Pyongyang, 29 de febrero (ATCC) -- Tuvo lugar el dia 14 en la ciudad de Kuwait la ceremonia de constitucion de la Asociacion de Amistad Kuwait-Corea.
Al intervenir en la ocasion, el presidente del Comite de Relaciones Parlamentarias del Secretariado de la Asamblea Nacional de Kuwait expreso su gran placer por organizar la asociacion de amistad con motivo del cumpleanos (16 de febrero) del Dirigente Kim Jong Il y afirmo que esta entidad contribuira a ampliar y desarrollar el intercambio y colaboracion entre los dos paises y apoyara activamente la causa del pueblo coreano contra las maniobras de las fuerzas foraneas para atropellarlo.
En la ocasion fue discutido el problema de abrir un sitio web del Internet para dinamizar la propaganda de las actividades de la asociacion y de la realidad de Corea.
En el acto fue aprobado un mensaje de felicitacion al Dirigente.