Kim Jong Il Sends Wreath to Bier of Kim Ryong Yon
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il Thursday sent a wreath to the bier of KPA Vice Marshal Kim Ryong Yon, alternate member of the WPK Central Committee and deputy to the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, expressing deep condolences over his death.
SPA Session to Be Convened
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- The Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly on March 17 promulgated a decision on convening the SPA session.
According to it, the 6th session of the 11th SPA will be convened in Pyongyang on April 9.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Slams Dishonest Forces' Violence in Tibet
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave the following answer to a question raised by KCNA Thursday as regards cases of violence in Lhasa City, Tibet Autonomous Region of China:
There occurred assault, robbery, arson and murder in the above-said city recently.
This has touched off indignation and condemnation among all Chinese people as it was committed by Tibet separatists in an organized manner at the prodding of dishonest elements.
Tibet is part of an inalienable territory of China.
The DPRK government strongly denounces the unsavory elements for their moves to seek "independence of Tibet" and scuttle the upcoming Beijing Olympics and supports the Chinese government in its efforts to ensure social stability and the rule of law in Tibet and defend the fundamental interests of the Tibetan people.
Reconstruction Projects of Railways between Khasan and Rajin and Rajin Port to Be Implemented
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- The delegation of the "Russian Railways" Company visited Pyongyang between March 11 and 15.
During the visit, the railway organs of the two countries held talks to agree upon legal and technical issues of building a container wharf at Rajin Port and reconstructing the railroad between Khasan and Rajin with a view to cooperating with each other in organizing international freight transit transport by trans-Siberian railway and setting up a joint venture enterprise which will undertake the projects.
The discussion of technical issues related to establishing the joint venture company will be rounded off in the near future and a contract on setting up the company be concluded according to the "DPRK Law on Joint Venture" and the railway organs of the two countries will provide a guarantee for cooperation in the projects.
They agreed to break the ground for the reconstruction of the railway and port at the earliest possible date and a trial freight transport from the port to Europe will start within this year.
Greetings to Namibian President
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Tuesday sent a message of greetings to Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia, on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of its independence.
Kim in his message noted that the Korean people rejoice as over their own over the great successes made by the Namibian people in their work to build new Namibia, free and prosperous, over the past 18 years since they achieved national independence under the correct leadership of the South West Africa People's Organization.
He expressed the belief that the good friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would continue to grow stronger in various fields in the future, too, saying that the Korean people hope that the Namibian president and people would register greater success in their efforts to consolidate the political independence of the country and achieve social and economic progress.
Choe Thae Bok Meets Lao Ambassador
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- Choe Thae Bok, chairman of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a conversation with Chaleune Warinthrasak, Lao ambassador to the DPRK, when the latter paid a courtesy call on him at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Thursday.
WPK Delegation to Visit India and Iran
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Workers' Party of Korea led by Vice Department Director of its Central Committee Ri Yong Su left here today to participate in the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of India and the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
The delegation will also visit Iran.
DPRK Olympic Committee Meets
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- An annual general meeting of the DPRK Olympic Committee was held here today.
The meeting reviewed the work done by the committee last year and discussed the orientation of its work for this year.
A report was delivered by Kim Jang San, vice-chairman of the Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission who is vice-chairman of the above-said committee. Then followed speeches.
The report and speeches referred to the results and experience gained by the committee in its work last year and proposed tasks and ways for registering successes at the national and international sports games including the 29th Olympiad to be held this year by further increasing the functions and roles of the committee and different sports associations.
It was attended by members of the committee and officials in the field of sports.
Symposium Held to Mark World Water Day
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- A symposium was held at the Grand People's Study House here on Thursday on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the institution of "world water day" and of the "international year of public hygiene." It was co-sponsored by the Central Committee of the DPRK Natural Conservation Union and the Office of the UNICEF here.
Present there were officials, scientists and technicians of units concerned including the Ministry of Land and Environment Preservation, the Ministry of City Management, the Ministry of Public Health and the State Academy of Sciences, and staff members of missions of international organizations here including the above-said office.
Speeches were made by the chairman of the Water Conservation Association of the DPRK Natural Conservation Union and the acting representative of the UNICEF.
Then followed speeches titled "Rational use and management of water", "Public hygiene and water', "Water environment and health of man" and "Water resources and their conservation and management".
The speakers recalled that the UN General Assembly instituted "world water day" and set this year as the "international year of public hygiene," underscoring the importance and significance of water and the good hygienic environment.
Noting that the DPRK has registered great successes in the work to conserve water resources and make an effective use and management of them, they stressed the need to intensify the scientific researches into the conservation, use and management of water resources and hygienic information service.
Flame-Collecting Ceremony for 3rd International Martial Arts Games Held
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- A ceremony of collecting flame for the 3rd International Martial Arts Games was held in Chongchun Street here on Thursday.
Present at the ceremony were Hwang Pong Yong, chairman of the Korean Martial Arts Federation who is also chairman of the Korean Taekwon-Do Committee, martial arts players and working people in Pyongyang and Fritz Wendland, executive member of the International Martial Arts Games Committee.
Hwang Pong Yong in a speech said that since the flame raged in Pyongyang in September Juche 93 (2004) to herald the start of the games they have proved to be an international martial arts festival conducive to boosting the friendship, solidarity, fraternity and cooperation among martial arts practitioners and fans worldwide. He expressed belief that the torch would always be remembered by them as a sacred flame symbolic of the Martial Arts Olympics.
Hwang handed the torch to be sent to the 3rd games to its carriers on behalf of the host country of the 2nd games.
They collected flame from its holder before running along Chongchun Street.
The torch will be carried to the flame holder at the opening ceremony of the 3rd games to be held in Bangkok on April 12.
Reception Given at DPRK Embassy in Moscow
Moscow, March 18 (KCNA) -- A reception was given at the DPRK embassy in Moscow on March 17 on the occasion of the 59th anniversary of the conclusion of the agreement on economic and cultural cooperation between the DPRK and the Russian Federation.
Present there on invitation were officials of the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Bureau for the Supervision of Ecology, Engineering and Atomic Energy, the State Duma of Russia, the "Russian Railways" Company, the Russian Association for Friendship and Cultural Cooperation with the DPRK, the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Inter-governmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade and Economy, Science and Technology between Russia and the DPRK, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and the Ministry of Finance of Russia and reporters of Itar|Tass and Voice of Russia.
On hand were staff members of the DPRK embassy in Moscow.
DPRK Ambassador Kim Yong Jae to Russia and Vice-Minister of Culture Busigin made speeches at the reception.
Russian Embassy Officials Visit Fish Breeding Farm and Co-op Farm
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- Valery Sukhinin, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, and embassy officials visited the Poman Fish Breeding Farm and the Poman Co-op Farm, Sohung County, North Hwanghae Province on Thursday on the occasion of the 59th anniversary of the conclusion of the agreement on economic and cultural cooperation between the DPRK and the Russian Federation.
After being briefed on the fact that Poman-ri has turned into a socialist land of bliss, the guests looked round several fish ponds, a farmer's house and the Poman Power Station.
The ambassador wrote in the visitor's book that he hoped the officials and working people of the Poman Fish Breeding Farm would achieve greater success in carrying out the programmatic instructions given by Kim Jong Il, chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK.
Day of Pakistan Observed
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- A friendly meeting with staff members of the Pakistani embassy here was held at DPRK-Pakistan Friendship Pyongyang June 9 Taesong Middle School No. 1 on Thursday on the occasion of the day of Pakistan.
Present there on invitation were Ambassador Noorullah Khan and staff members of the Pakistani embassy.
On hand were Secretary of the Central Committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League Kil Chol Hyok who is chairman of the DPRK-Pakistan Friendship Association, members of the association, teachers and students of the above-said school.
The participants talked to one another about the need to boost the friendly relations between the DPRK and Pakistan, deepening the friendship.
Prior to the meeting, they were briefed on the history of the school.
Then they were shown round various educational facilities before appreciating an art performance given by its students.
Longevous Areas in DPRK
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- Scientists have of late pulblished analytical data about zonal longevous index in the DPRK (covering nearly 50 years).
Topping the list are South Hwanghae and North Hamgyong provinces.
Kim Jong Nam, director of the Special Institute of Sanitation and Prevention under the Red Cross General Hospital of Korea, said that the environmental influence on the longevity of man accounts for about 60 percent.
He went on:
The DPRK, a man-centered socialist state, has created a social environment ideal to the health and longevity of the people.
A universal free medical care is in force from long ago in the country, where special care is shown for the health of the old folks with the life expectancy at birth lengthened. They undergo regular health checkup and prophylactic treatment.
Meanwhile, nation-wide and all-people work for environmental protection precedes all the construction and development activities to strictly guarantee an environment for the hygienic and cultural life of the working people.
The natural environment also is being made favorable for the human life in the DPRK where the four seasons are distinct.
Studies into the longevous areas suggest that the climatic conditions are favorable for human health, as the annual changes of seasonal temperature are not great and they are situated in mountainous coastal regions and are away from industrial districts.
Notable is the very good quality of the water there. The drinking water is asepsis, proper in mineral content and slight in alkalinity in the Yonan, Kangryong, Chongdan and Paechon areas of South Hwanghae Province and the Hwadae and Myongchon areas of North Hamgyong Province where many macrobians are found.
More Data on Achievements Displayed in Three Revolution Exhibition
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- The Three Revolution Exhibition in Pyongyang has been supplemented recently with new data on achievements made under the Songun revolutionary leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea.
The exhibition hall of Juche idea works was added with famous works of President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il and a video tape recording part of the concluding speech delivered by the President at the consultative meeting of senior officials in charge of the economic field on July 6, Juche 83 (1994) just before the end of his life.
NC lathes, universal lathes and others are additionally displayed in the heavy industry hall which shows the history of development of the Juche-oriented industry. The model board of large-sized long distance belt conveyor of the Unryul Mine was renovated.
The agriculture hall was supplemented with model boards showing Poman-ri of Sohung County which has been turned into a socialist fairyland, Taehongdan County, a model unit in potato farming, and the past and present looks of the Handre Plain of Thaechon County which has been radically changed and bird's-eye views of the Youth Goat Stock-Farm of Hamhung City and the Kyenam Stock-Farm of South Hwanghae Province.
Seen in the electronic industry hall are more data on information technology, renovated communications and other achievements registered in recent years. On display in the artificial satellite room attached to the hall are the model of the artificial satellite "Kwangmyongsong No. 1" the DPRK launched into the orbit at one go-off and its related data.
Also supplemented there were scientific and technological achievements such as mask products of integrated circuits, products developed with nano-technology, application programs and intelligence-developing programs.
An endless stream of working people of all strata and school youth and children are visiting the exhibition.
According to data available, the number of visitors totaled more than 6,159,000 over the past 10-odd years.
U.S. Hostile Policy toward DPRK Slammed
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- The U.S. imperialist aggressor forces' presence in south Korea is a typical expression of the U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK and a main obstacle in the way of ensuring peace.
Rodong Sinmun Thursday observes this in a signed article.
It goes on:
The U.S. bellicose and aggressive policy toward the DPRK remains just the same as what used to be during the era of the Cold War. This is clearly evidenced by what has been done by the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces in south Korea.
The U.S. military is now busy reorganizing its aggressor forces present in south Korea as required by a new war strategy under the signboard of "strategic flexibility." They are getting frantic with the moves to transfer and expand its military bases in various parts of south Korea, pursuant to the strategy. The U.S. ground forces are being relocated to the area south of the River Han for the purpose of mounting a preemptive attack on the DPRK and naval and air forces bolstered to be capable of preempting precision strikes at it. They have become evermore undisguised in their moves to perpetuate their presence in south Korea, getting increasingly vociferous in justifying it.
The U.S. imperialist aggressor forces are field executors of the U.S. anti-DPRK policy. The situation always remains unstable on the Korean Peninsula and the building of a solid peace-keeping mechanism, the unanimous desire of the Korean nation, has been delayed because the U.S. has frantically driven the U.S. forces present in south Korea into escalating the moves to start a war of aggression against the DPRK, desperately pursuing its hostile policy toward the DPRK.
The U.S. persistent pursuance of its hostile policy towards the DPRK quite contrary to the trend of the times is an intolerable challenge to the DPRK and all Koreans at home and abroad vigorously struggling to build the above-mentioned mechanism on the Korean Peninsula as early as possible and fling open the gate to achieving independent reunification, peace and prosperity.
There is no ground whatsoever for the U.S. to stick to its hostile policy toward the DPRK at a time when the general situation on the peninsula requires dialogue, peace and reunification.
The U.S. would be well advised to roll back its hostile policy for aggression and war against the DPRK and respond to the proposal for building the above-said mechanism on the peninsula.
U.S. Scheme for Permanent Occupation of S. Korea Assailed
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- The Solidarity for Implementing the South-North Joint Declaration and other civic and social organizations in south Korea held the 182nd Friday rally against the U.S. and war and for the withdrawal of the U.S. troops outside the U.S. embassy in Seoul on March 14. They denounced the U.S. for its moves to keep its military presence in south Korea forever.
A resolution was read out at the rally. The resolution charged that the commander of the U.S. forces in south Korea asserted at a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on March 11 that even after the conclusion of a peace accord, the U.S. military presence in the Korean Peninsula should be invariably maintained for the security and economic interests of the U.S.
It noted that the U.S. is obstructing the implementation of agreements of the six-party talks while posing a grave threat to the situation on the Korean Peninsula with reckless remarks of hostility towards the DPRK and large-scale joint military exercises for aggression on it.
It is totally due to the U.S. hostile policy towards the DPRK and the U.S. troops in south Korea, its field executioner, that peace has not yet been achieved on the Korean Peninsula, the resolution held.
It contended that the U.S. should give up the scheme for its troops' permanent occupation and immediately withdraw them from south Korea in accordance with the will of the Korean nation desiring peace.
February 16 Marked by British Organization
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- The British Association for the Study of Songun Policy posted a special write-up accompanied by a portrait of General Secretary Kim Jong Il on its Internet homepage on March 6.
The homepage pointed in detail to the facts that on the occasion of his birthday the Internet homepages of the progressive organizations and media of south Korea highly praised Kim Jong Il's personality as a great man, lauding him as an outstanding thinker and theoretician and the sun of Songun in the 21st century and various political and cultural functions took place in a grand style in the DPRK.
The south Korean people are looking up to and following with ever-deepening reverence Kim Jong Il as the sun of the nation and the loadstar of national reunification as he has exalted the dignity and honor of the Korean nation and wisely led the movement for independent reunification to a shining victory by pursuing the great Songun politics, stressed the homepage.
WPK's Just Struggle Supported in Mexico
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- Beatriz Paredes, chairperson of the National Executive Committee of the Institutional Revolutionary Party of Mexico, and Jesus Antonio Carlos Hernandez, general secretary of the Central Committee of the People's Socialist Party of Mexico, respectively met with the delegation of the Workers' Party of Korea participating in the 12th symposium of world political parties on building a new society in Mexico on March 17.
Beatriz Paredes said at the meeting that Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the WPK, has made a great contribution to easing the tense situation between the north and the south of Korea, keeping peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and realizing its reunification.
She hoped that the WPK would achieve great successes in the efforts for the building of a great prosperous powerful nation and the country's reunification this year marking the 60th birthday of the DPRK.
The Institutional Revolutionary Party of Mexico, which has long developed its good relations with the WPK, will strive to strengthen the relations in the future, too, she declared.
Jesus Antonio Carlos Hernandez wholeheartedly wished the WPK greater successes in the efforts to build a great prosperous powerful nation and realize national reunification with the Songun politics under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il.
The People's Socialist Party of Mexico will always and positively support the just struggle of the WPK and the Korean people advancing under the uplifted banner of socialism, he stressed.
Japan Urged to Send Remains of Koreans to Their Bereaved Families
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- The U.S. forces made a large-scale air raid on Tokyo in March 1945, burning one third of the city and killing more than 100,000 innocent citizens there. Remains of unidentified and unclaimed dead bodies are still left in the Tokyo metropolitan shrine.
Among them are those of a great many Koreans. This fact has not been known for the last six decades. But it was in 2005 that the Tokyo fact-finding group for probing the truth behind the forcible drafting of Koreans succeeded in finding out names of Koreans on the list of the dead and on the boxes of remains kept in the shrine.
At least 10,000 Koreans are believed to be killed during the air-raid but their names still remain unknown.
A memorial service for the Korean victims was held in Tokyo on March 8, 63 years since the U.S. forces' air-raid on Tokyo.
Present there were Ko Tok U, vice-chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) who is also chairman of the Committee for Rights and Welfare of Chongryon, Pak Chang Gil, chairman of the Tokyo metropolitan headquarters of Chongryon, and other Chongryon officials and Koreans in Japan and Japanese figures.
The participants paid silent tribute to the victims.
Memorial addresses sent by the DPRK Measure Committee for Demanding Compensation to "Comfort Women" for the Imperial Japanese Army and the Victims of Forcible Drafting, the Association of Korean Victims of Forcible Drafting and Their Bereaved Families, the south Korean Committee for Probing the Truth into Damage Done to Forcible Draftees under the Japanese Imperialists' Occupation were read out there.
Kim Jong Chol, Korean delegate of the Tokyo fact-finding group, Kiyoshi Nishizawa, Japanese delegate of the group, and Akihiro Hatsushiga, member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, in their speeches confirmed the fact about the death of Koreans and called for sending the remains to their bereaved families.
For Spanish-speaking people
Convocatoria de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la RPDC
Pyongyang, 20 de marzo (ATCC) -- Segun la resolucion correspondiente publicada el dia 17 por el Presidium de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, se convocara el 9 de abril en esta capital el 6o periodo de sesiones de la oncena legislatura de este organo legislativo.
Entrara en practica reconstruccion de ferrocarril Hasan-Rajin
Pyongyang, 20 de marzo (ATCC) -- La delegacion de "Ferrocarril de Rusia" S.A. hizo una visita a Pyongyang del 11 al 15 del mes en curso.
Durante su permanencia aqui, los organos ferroviarios de Corea y Rusia sostuvieron las conversaciones sobre los problemas legales y tecnicos para construir en el Puerto de Rajin un desembarcadero de contenedores, reconstruir el ferrocarril Hasan-Rajin, cooperar en la organizacion intermediaria de transporte de cargas internacionales mediante el ferrocarril transversal de Siberia y fundar una empresa asociada que se encargara de ese trabajo.
Terminaran en un corto espacio de tiempo los problemas practicos con respecto a la creacion de la compania asociada y concertaran un contrato de esta necesario segun la "Ley de empresas asociadas de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea". Y los organos correspondientes de ambos paises garantizaran la cooperacion en este dominio.
Los organos ferroviarios de los dos paises acordaron dar inicio lo mas pronto posible a la reconstruccion del ferrocarril Hasan-Rajin y del puerto Rajin. Dentro del ano presente se efectuara el transporte experimental de cargas desde el puerto Rajin hasta Europa.
Asamblea anual del Comite Olimpico de la RPDC
Pyongyang, 20 de marzo (ATCC) -- Tuvo lugar el dia 20 en esta capital la asamblea anual del Comite Olimpico de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea.
La reunion hizo balance de la labor del 96 (2007) de la Era Juche del mencionado comite y discutio el rumbo de la labor del 97 (2008) de la Era Juche.
El vicepresidente del Comite Olimpico de la RPDC Kim Jang San quien es vicepresidente del Comite de Direccion de Deportes pronuncio el informe y otros intervinieron.
Los oradores se refirieron a los exitos y experiencias adquiridos el ano pasado en la labor del Comite Olimpico y presentaron las tareas y medios para elevar la funcion y el papel del Comite Olimpico y las asociaciones por disciplinas y asegurar exitosamente los torneos deportivos internacionales y nacionales incluyendo la XXIX Olimpiada que se efectuara este ano.
En la ocasion participaron los miembros del Comite Olimpico y los funcionarios del sector deportivo.
Acto de carrera de relevos de antorcha de III CIAM
Pyongyang, 20 de marzo (ATCC) -- Tuvo lugar el dia 20 en el reparto Chongchun de esta capital el acto de carrera de relevos de la antorcha por la III Competencia Internacional de Arte Marcial (CIAM).
En la ocasion participaron Hwang Pong Yong, presidente del Comite Coreano de Taekwon-Do y de la Federacion de Arte Marcial de Corea, Sok Chol, vicepresidente del Comite Internacional de Juegos de Arte Marcial (CIJAM), jugadores de este deporte y trabajadores capitalinos, asi como Fritz Wendland, miembro ejecutivo del ultimo Comite.
Al hacer uso de la palabra Hwang Pong Yong dijo que desde cuando en septiembre del 93 (2004) de la Era Juche se avivo en Pyongyang la antorcha que anunciaba el inicio de la Competencia Internacional de Arte Marcial, este evento deportivo sirvio del festival internacional del circulo de arte marcial promoviendo la amistad y solidaridad, la fraternidad y la cooperacion entre los especialistas y amateurs de esta disciplina deportiva en el mundo. Y expreso su conviccion de que esta antorcha se guardara eternamente en el corazon de ellos como sagrada llama de la olimpiada de arte marcial.
En representacion de la parte auspiciadora de la segunda Competencia Internacional de Arte Marcial, Hwang Pong Yong entrego el antorchero para la III competencia a los hombres para llevarlo.
Despues de prender fuego en la torre de antorcha ellos corrieron por la carretera del reparto Chongchun.
Esta antorcha llegara por via de varios paises a Bangkok, capital de Tailandia, pais anfitrion de la competencia que tendra lugar en proximo abril.