Kim Jong Il Orders Promotion of Military Ranks of Commanding Officers of KPA
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il issued Order No. 0019 to promote the military ranks of commanding officers of the KPA on April 15.
He stressed in the order that the revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK which President Kim Il Sung founded and led along the path of victory and glory have grown strong to be a-match-for-a hundred revolutionary army of Mt. Paektu fully armed with the spirit of devotedly defending the leader and are demonstrating the might of the driving force for the revolution in defending the country and building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation.
He noted that he ordered the promotion of the military ranks of commanding officers of the KPA on the occasion of the Day of the Sun, expressing the firm belief that the commanding officers of the KPA who have grown under the care of the Workers' Party of Korea and the leader would firmly defend the ideology, the system and the cause in the DPRK and creditably fulfill their mission and duty in the sacred struggle for the final victory of the Songun revolutionary cause started by the President, remaining true to the leadership of the WPK in the future, too.
According to the order, the military ranks of Kang Kuk Jong and Paek Yong Chol have been promoted to lieutenant generals and those of Choe Kwang Jun and 32 others to major generals.
Kim Jong Il Sends Gifts to Scientists and Technicians
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il sent gifts to scientists and technicians who have contributed to the development of software.
They have achieved successes in rapidly developing the software technology in recent years.
A ceremony of conveying the gifts was held on Monday.
Present there were Ri Kwang Ho, department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, officials concerned and scientists and technicians.
Kim Jong Il Receives Message from Russian President
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il Tuesday received a message from Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
He in his message extended heartfelt congratulations to Kim Jong Il on the occasion of April 15, a national holiday of the DPRK and the 96th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung who is founder of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Noting that the traditionally friendly and good-neighborly relations between the two countries established thanks to the outstanding contribution made by the President have grown successfully, he expressed his belief that the many-sided cooperation for the well-being of the peoples of the two countries and peace, stability and security in the Korean Peninsula and the rest of Asia as a whole would continue to grow stronger thanks to the common efforts in the future, too.
He wished Kim Jong Il good health and bigger success in his responsible state affairs and the friendly Korean people peace, happiness and prosperity.
Ceremony of Conveying Honorary Title of Academician Awarded to Kim Jong Il Held
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- A ceremony of conveying the honorary academicianship of the International Academy of Culture and Arts awarded to General Secretary Kim Jong Il by the Russian International Charity Fund "Protectors of Arts for the Century" was held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Tuesday.
Present there were Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Kang Nung Su, minister of Culture, Kung Sok Ung, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Hong Son Ok, vice-chairwoman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries who is also chairwoman of the DPRK-Russia Friendship Association, and officials concerned.
On hand were members of the delegation of the Russian International Charity Fund "Protectors of Arts for the Century" led by its President Oleg Vitaliyevich Oleinik, Valery E. Sukhinin, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, and his embassy officials.
Oleinik addressing the ceremony recalled that the fund decided to confer the honorary academicianship of the International Academy of Culture and Arts on Kim Jong Il on the occasion of his birthday this year.
The decision is a manifestation of the high recognition of the great feats performed by Kim Jong Il for the development of the world culture and art, he said.
He stressed that Kim Jong Il, the protector of genuine arts, has made undying contributions to developing the traditionally friendly relations between the two peoples of Russia and the DPRK.
The certificate of the honorary academician, a costume of academician and order awarded to Kim Jong Il were conveyed to Kim Yong Nam at the ceremony.
Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Suk Awarded Russian Commemorative Medal
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union awarded the Medal Commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution to President Kim Il Sung and anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
The medal was instituted according to a decision of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 2007. Engraved on the medal in relief are the flag of the former Soviet Union, on which the battleship "Avrora" and the year "1917" are depicted and words "90th anniversary of the great October Socialist Revolution."
A ceremony of conveying the medals took place in Moscow on April 10.
Present there were members of the leadership of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union including its Chairman Oleg Shenin and the DPRK ambassador to Russia and staff members of the DPRK embassy in Moscow.
The medals awarded to Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Suk were conveyed to the ambassador.
The chairman of the party said that reflecting the unanimous desire of all members of the party, its leadership decided to confer the medals to Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Suk on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
Presentation Ceremony of Commemorative Marble Stones Held
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- A presentation ceremony of commemorative marble stones bearing the names of the cities in Russia, which built the monuments on which the august names of President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il were engraved, was held before the Monument to "Protectors of Arts for the Century" in Pyongyang on Tuesday on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
Present there were Kang Nung Su, minister of Culture, Hong Son Ok, vice-chairwoman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries who is also chairwoman of the DPRK-Russia Friendship Association, Kim Jong Sik, vice-chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee, officials concerned and working people in Pyongyang.
On hand were the members of the delegation of the Russian International Charity Fund "Protectors of Arts for the Century" led by its President Oleg Vitaliyevich Oleinik, Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Valery E. Sukhinin and staff members of the Russian embassy in Pyongyang.
Oleg Oleinik in his speech at the ceremony said that the presentation of the marble stones bearing names of ten cities in Russia is a manifestation of the boundless reverence of the Russian public and people for Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
He, availing himself of the opportunity, extended thanks to Kim Jong Il who is making immortal contributions to developing the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two peoples of Russia and the DPRK and ensuring global peace.
Kang Nung Su in his speech said that the presentation ceremony is a great auspicious event for the peoples of the two countries and the world progressive people and it will mark a significant occasion to be recorded in the annals of the DPRK-Russia friendship.
He expressed the belief that the Russian fund would make a positive contribution to the deepening of mutual understanding, trust and friendship between the peoples of the two countries in the fields of culture and arts in the future, too.
The certificates of the stones were conveyed to Kang Nung Su by Oleg Oleinik.
And a guide granite stone on which the letters "The cities of Russia which built the monuments bearing the august names of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il" were engraved was unveiled.
After the presentation ceremony, there was a performance given by artistes.
Kim Yong Nam Meets Russian Delegation
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a friendly talk with the delegation of the Russian International Charity Fund "Protectors of Arts for the Century" led by its President Oleg Vitaliyevich Oleinik on a visit to the DPRK on the occasion of the Day of the Sun at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Tuesday.
Present there were Kang Nung Su, minister of Culture, Kung Sok Ung, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Hong Son Ok, vice-chairwoman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries who is chairwoman of the DPRK-Russia Friendship Association, and Valery E. Sukhinin, Russian ambassador to the DPRK.
Homage Paid to Kim Il Sung
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- Senior officials of the party and the state, a chairman of a friendly party and leading officials of the party and power organs, working people's organizations, ministries and national institutions visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace on Tuesday on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
A floral basket was laid before the statue of President Kim Il Sung in the joint name of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Central Military Commission of the WPK, the DPRK National Defence Commission, the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly and the Cabinet of the DPRK.
They entered the hall where Kim Il Sung lies in state and paid homage to him.
Anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters, servicepersons of the Korean People's Army, people from all walks of life visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace on the same day.
That day the diplomatic corps and the military attaches corps here visited the palace to pay homage to him.
Senior Officials of Party and State Visit Mangyongdae
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- Senior officials of the party and the state, a chairman of a friendly party and leading officials of the party and armed forces organs, working people's organizations, ministries and national institutions visited Mangyongdae on Tuesday.
They first visited the Mangyongdae Revolutionary Museum.
Then they entered the yard of President Kim Il Sung's old home in Mangyongdae where they were briefed on the fact that born in a patriotic and revolutionary family for several generations, he grew up to be a great revolutionary, nurturing ardent patriotism and the noble idea of believing in people as in Heaven. They looked round with deep emotion the relics preserved with good care at the historical house.
Senior officials of the party and the state had a photo taken before the old home.
Evening Gala Held
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- An evening gala of youth and students was held at Kim Il Sung Square on Tuesday, the Day of the Sun.
It began with the song "Let Us Sing the Day of the Sun". The participants danced to the tunes of such songs as "Song of Mangyongdae," "Korea, Let Us Sing of This Pride" and "My Country Is the Country of Leader for All Ages," presenting a veritable sea of beautiful dancers.
They presented light and dynamic dances to the tunes of such songs as "Pyongyang Is Best," "Song of Three Prides" and "My Country Is Very Good."
The square turned all the more lively as the dancers presented joyful dances full of happiness to the tunes of songs praising the sun resounding far and wide in the nocturnal holiday sky of the capital enchanting people with beautiful light decorations.
The evening gala reached its height when the participants in the 1st National Art Festival Commemorating the Day of the Sun, overseas Koreans and foreign guests joined the youth and students in dancing.
Performances for Guests of Honor Given
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- Performances for guests of honor of the 1st National Art Festival Commemorating the Day of the Sun were given at the Central Youth Hall and the People's Palace of Culture on Tuesday.
Also among the audience were senior officials of the party and the state, officials of the working people's organizations, ministries and national institutions and working people in Pyongyang, foreign guests and overseas compatriots.
The participants in the joint performance of the National Experts' Art Festival and the National Working People's Art Festival put colorful numbers on the stages.
The participants highly praised the revolutionary career and immortal exploits of President Kim Il Sung through the male solo "Song Devoted to Marshal Kim Il Sung," violin solo and dance "Eternal His Smile," female vocal solo "There Is No One Like the Leader in the World" and other numbers.
The performers made successful representation of the Songun revolutionary leadership exploits of General Secretary Kim Jong Il in such numbers as male solo "The General Is Great Defender" and female solo of folk song "Songun Nilliri."
They brilliantly decorated the stages with numbers showing the happiness and pride of the Korean people who are enjoying the genuine life in the socialist motherland and true appearance of popular cultural art of the Songun era.
Performance Given by Schoolchildren
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- A performance of members of art groups of the Pyongyang Schoolchildren's Palace was given on April 15, the Day of the Sun.
Put on the stage of the performance which began with national instrumental music and song "The Day of the Sun Is the Holiday of Flowers, Holiday in Spring" were colorful numbers including dance "On the Road of Looking for the General," solo of folk song and pangchang "Our General Is Best" and dance "Festive Drum Dance."
The performers depicted with deep emotion the ardent yearning for and the feeling of great thanks for Generalissimo Kim Il Sung who devoted himself to the work for happiness of the younger generation and General Secretary Kim Jong Il who has defended the socialist motherland and opened rosy future for schoolchildren with the Songun politics.
They successfully showed their cheerful and valiant appearances through the numbers including duet "Pride of Knowledge, Morality and Good Health" and quintet dance "Dance with Small Drums with Bells."
Floral Tribute Paid to Kim Il Sung
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- Floral baskets were laid before statues of President Kim Il Sung in different parts of the country on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
His statue on Mansu Hill was visited by an endless stream of servicepersons, people from all walks of life and school youth and children in Pyongyang on Tuesday.
Seen before the statue was a floral basket sent by Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army.
Placed before the statue were floral baskets in the name of party and armed forces and power organs, public organizations, ministries, national institutions, KPA units and institutions and enterprises at all levels, factories, farms, schools and other units in Pyongyang and flowers.
A floral basket in the name of the Pyongyang Mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front was also placed before the statue.
Floral baskets were also laid before his statues at Kim Il Sung University, Kim Il Sung Military University, the ministry of People's Security, the Korean Film Studio, the Pyongyang Schoolchildren's Palace and other places in Pyongyang.
Servicepersons, working people and school youth and children across the country placed floral baskets and flowers before the President's statues in their residential quarters before paying tribute to him.
Decision Made to Award "International Kim Il Sung Prize" to Former Namibian President
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- The "International Kim Il Sung Prize" Council decided on April 10 to award the "International Kim Il Sung Prize" to former President of Namibia Sam Nujoma in recognition of his great contributions to achieving genuine freedom and independence of his country and accomplishing the cause of global independence and peace.
Floral Basket to DPRK Embassy in Jakarta
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- Megawati Soekarnoputri, former president of Indonesia who is chairwoman of the Central Directive Council of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, sent a floral basket to the DPRK embassy in Jakarta on April 10 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
Letter to Kim Jong Il from AINDF
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front sent a letter to General Secretary Kim Jong Il Tuesday on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
The letter noted that after embarking on the road of revolution in his teens shouldering upon himself the destiny of the country and the nation President Kim Il Sung lived a noble revolutionary life as a peerless patriot and performed immortal feats without parallel in the world upholding the banner of Juche, the banner of Songun for 70-odd years.
The President, considering it as his maxim to believe in people as in Heaven, devoted himself to the people all his life and led the DPRK to exalt its dignity as a powerful country centered on popular masses envied by the world people, independent in politics, self-supporting in economy and self-reliant in national defence, through his outstanding and tested guidance, the letter said.
Feeling bigger pain than anybody else over the division of the country by the outside forces, the President worked heart and soul till the last moments of his life to bring a reunified country to posterity and wisely led the progressive humankind in its struggle to build independent new world, it added.
The Songun revolutionary idea of the President and exploits performed by him have been firmly defended and successfully carried forward thanks to the Songun politics pursued by Kim Jong Il, the sun of Mt. Paektu, the letter said, recalling that he made sure that the Kumsusan Memorial Palace was spruced up to be the best one, the Day of the Sun and Juche year were instituted and a steady continuity is being given to the revolutionary history of the President, out of noble moral obligation.
The letter continued:
You formulated the three principles of national reunification, the 10-point programme of the great unity of the whole nation and the proposal for founding the Democratic Federal Republic of Koryo advanced by the President as three charters for national reunification, thus bringing the immortal banner for achieving the independent and peaceful reunification to the nation.
We will arouse the people from all walks of life to the struggle to defend and implement the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration and resolutely foil the pro-U.S. conservative ruling forces' treacherous and anti-reunification moves upholding the banner of "By our nation itself" so as to open up the new phase of national reunification without fail.
Letter to Kim Jong Il from Chongryon
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il was presented with a letter by the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) on Tuesday, the Day of the Sun.
The letter said that April 15, the birthday of President Kim Il Sung, was the day of great fortune for the nation when the Korean people greeted for the first time the sun of Juche in the thousands of years of the nation's history.
Kim Il Sung was the benefactor of resurrection as he brought the happiness of national liberation to the Koreans in Japan and let them enjoy the boundless pride and honor of being overseas citizens of Juche Korea, the most dignified country in the world, the letter said, adding:
We can never forget the benevolence shown by the President who set forth the unique policy of switchover in line, saved the overseas Koreans' community and their patriotic movement from crisis, formed Chongryon, genuine organization of overseas Koreans, and led it step by step with paternal love when the movement of the Koreans in Japan was at the crossroads of survival or ruin.
The noble exploits performed by Kim Il Sung for the Korean revolution and the cause of global independence have been successfully carried forward by you today.
We, Chongryon officials and Koreans in Japan, are full of firm determination to defend and preserve Chongryon, precious legacy bequeathed to us by the President out of the noble patriotism, and develop the movement of Koreans in Japan as wished by him, cherishing deep in our mind your instructions that we should uphold the President for all ages and accomplish the cause pioneered by him to the end.
We will warmly love and firmly defend socialist homeland left by the President and led by you and make tangible contributions to the independent reunification of the country and the building of a great prosperous powerful nation, thus fulfill the sacred and patriotic duty Chongryon has assumed before the country and the nation.
We will also wage a dynamic struggle to certainly have the Japanese authorities' unreasonable measure of sanctions against the DPRK withdrawn, build up stronger public opinion for Japan's redemption of past and the normalization of relations between the DPRK and Japan and conduct more brisk external activities to create atmosphere favorable for the patriotic activities of Chongryon.
Floral Basket, Gifts and Congratulatory Messages Presented to Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il was presented with a floral basket by Kenichi Ogami, secretary general of the International Institute of the Juche Idea, and his party.
He was presented with gifts by Juan Campos Vega, chairman of the Mexican Institute for the Study of the Juche Idea, the delegation of the Bangladesh Self-Reliance Research Centre headed by its General Secretary Jobaida Pervin, the delegation of the French Group for the Study of the Juche Idea headed by Lyne Sinyodyium, the delegation of the Asian Regional Institute of the Juche Idea headed by its Secretary General Harish Gupta, the delegation of the Kyrgyz Group for the Study of the Juche Idea headed by its Chief Anarbek Usupbaev, Chairman of the Russian Committee of the Associations for the Study of the Juche Idea and Songun Policy Dmitri Kostenko and member of the Ukrainian "Treasured Sword of Songun" Association for the Study of the Juche Idea Vitali Kulik. He was also presented with congratulatory messages by Harish Gupta, secretary general of the Asian Regional Institute of the Juche Idea, S. P. Pathak, chairman of the Indian Society for the Study of Works of Kim Jong I
l, and Sadhna Harish, chairwoman of the Indian Study Group of Songun Politics.
The delegations and personages are on visits to the DPRK on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
The floral basket, gifts and congratulatory messages were conveyed to an official concerned on April 14.
Reception Given at DPRK Embassy in Havana
Havana, April 13 (KCNA) -- A reception was given at the DPRK embassy in Havana on April 11 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
Present there on invitation were officials of the Communist Party of Cuba, the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Revolutionary Armed Forces, the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, the Cuban Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification, and the Prensa Latina News Agency.
The participants highly praised the revolutionary life of President Kim Il Sung and the immortal exploits performed by him before the Korean revolution and the world revolution.
Kim Il Sung always lives in the hearts of not only the Korean people but the Cuban people, they said, speaking highly of the fact that General Secretary Kim Jong Il has led the Korean revolution to victory with his unique Songun politics true to the last instructions of the President.
Congratulatory Visit Paid to DPRK Embassy in Conakry
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Party for Unity and Progress of Guinea headed by its General Secretary Sekou Konate visited the DPRK embassy in Conakry on April 10 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun and the 15th anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission.
The delegation laid a floral basket before the full-length painting showing President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il standing together.
The general secretary said that Korean-style socialism associated with the whole life of the President could be firmly safeguarded thanks to the Songun policy of Kim Jong Il despite the most rigorous trials in recent years, adding that the DPRK greeted a new era of building a great prosperous powerful nation under his leadership.
The delegations of the Guinean National Committee for the Study of the Juche Idea and the Guinea|Korea Friendship Association also paid congratulatory visits to the DPRK embassy on the same day.
Mongolian Delegation Arrives
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Mongolian Mt. Paektu Association for Independent Development led by its Executive Chairman E. Maksim arrived here on Tuesday on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
Members of Women's Union Meet
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- A meeting "The song of the sun will always resound forth thanks to the general" was held by members of the Korean Democratic Women's Union in the Central Youth Hall on April 14 on the occasion of the 96th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung.
Ro Song Sil, chairperson of the Central Committee of the union, said that Kim Il Sung was the most outstanding great man representing the 20th century and the tender-hearted fatherly leader who brought boundless glory and happiness to the Korean people and women.
Put on the stage were chorus "Day of the Sun, Spring Holiday," poem and story "The sun will be immortal," duet and chorus "The General Is Identical to the Leader," song and dance with Janggu "Happiness Comes Thanks to Songun Leadership" and other numbers.
The performers sang high praises of the revolutionary exploits performed by Kim Il Sung in making undying contributions to the times and history by leading the long and arduous Korean revolution along the road of victory and glory and the Songun revolutionary exploits performed by General Secretary Kim Jong Il in achieving the prosperity of socialist Korea.
Kim Yon Chun, lecturer of the Korean Revolution Museum, Ri Ran Hui, who is living in Sochang-dong, Central District, and others said that the President had shown all loving care and benevolence for the people while giving ceaseless on-the-spot guidance and always finding himself among the people.
Completion Ceremony of Reconstruction of Chongryu Restaurant Held
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- The Chongryu Restaurant has been successfully reconstructed on the occasion of the Day of the Sun,
The restaurant has been loved by people as a famous national food service centre in the capital city since it was built.
The restaurant has turned into a monumental edifice of the Songun era the interior of which including the central dining hall is put on high formative and artistic level, being equipped with modern service facilities and all conditions in keeping with the desire and requirement of people in the new century and to suit its specific feature as a service center for people.
The ceremony for the completion of the renovated Chongryu Restaurant was held on Monday.
Present there were Kim Yong Il, premier of the Cabinet, and others, officials concerned, soldier builders, employees of the restaurant and working people in the city.
Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, in his speech said that General Secretary Kim Jong Il clearly indicated the direction and ways to complete the reconstruction of the restaurant on a high qualitative level, adding that the proud feats performed by soldier builders and helpers in creating another treasure of the Songun era by highly displaying the absolute loyalty to the great leader and the spirit of devoted service for people will be handed down to posterity along with the prosperity of the country.
He said that officials and employees of the restaurant should take good care of the building, equipments and furniture and develop the traditional national food and thus improve the service to fulfill their duties as faithful servants of the people.
The speaker called upon the soldier builders to build more monumental edifices for the prosperity of the country and the happiness of the people in the revolutionary soldier spirit and do-or-die spirit true to the Songun leadership of Kim Jong Il and thus contribute to the building of a great prosperous powerful nation.
Gift-plants Reflecting Boundless Reverence of Humankind for President
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- Varied species of flowers are beautifully blooming in different parts of Korea on the occasion of the Day of the Sun, the holiday common to the humankind.
Among them are rare flowering trees and plants sent to the DPRK by people in Asia, Europe, Africa, Latin America and other parts of the world in boundless reverence for President Kim Il Sung.
The gift-plants presented to him by heads of the party, state and government, prominent figures of various countries and overseas compatriots account to more than 1 600 trees and shrubs of over 1,100 species.
A commander of the former Chinese People's Volunteers presented a Metasequoia glyptostroboidas tree, fast-growing and beautiful, to the President who looked forward to the future of the country covered with green foliage, seeing a sapling in Juche 39 (1950) when the Korean war was at its height.
The President cultivated the tree in a flowerpot during the war and transplanted it in his residence after the war. He saw to it that the tree was propagated across the country.
The former chief of staff of the People's Army of Syria gifted Foeniculum vulgare, a precious medicinal herb for health, to the President on his 70th birthday.
Among the gift-plants are orchid plants including Angraecum sesquipedale and Paphiopedilum kirsasthus sent by Didier Ratsiraka, former president of Madagascar (September 1978), Jasminumsp and Wisteria floribunda trees by the former chairman of the International Liaison Committee for the Independent and Peaceful Reunification of Korea (April 1982), Krasnoshekii by Ukraine (November 1984), Syringa vulgaris by the former international secretary of the Central Committee of the Danish Communist Party (November 1986) and Adenium obesum and Plumeria rubra by Kaysone Phomvihane, former chairman of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and former president of Laos and his wife (April 1992).
Even after the demise of the President, various countries and international organizations have continued to send rare flower trees, flower seeds and flower roots to him.
160 flower plants of eight species including Thuja cccidentalis emenaude, Taxus baccata, Acer campestre and Rosa climbers came from the director of a company of France, dahlia roots with different colors such as red, white, light pink and rose pink from a floriculturist and his wife of Russia, rare tree saplings of 200-odd species from the chairman of the Academy of Forest of Denmark and 13 species of flower seeds including rose moss and aster which were collected in different parts of Italy from the FAO of the United Nations.
Russia, Cuba, Mozambique and other countries also sent flower trees, flower seeds and flower roots in the hope of planting them on Mansu Hill where the statue of the President stands.
Recent years have witnessed that the general manager of the Chinese Biology Co. Ltd sent 230-odd plants of different species including rare beautiful pine tree and the Japan-DPRK Friendship delegation of Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture, planted Metasequoia glyptostroboidas, that they brought, at the Arboretum of the Kumsusan Memorial Palace.
The gift-plants will be in full bloom throughout the country, conveying the boundless reverence and sincerity of all people for President Kim Il Sung.
Greatness of President Reflected in "Vehicle to People"
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- The Korean people with deep reverence for the peerlessly great man are looking back upon President Kim Il Sung's immortal services for the country and people on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
The President was the benevolent father of the people. He had found himself among the people for the prosperity of the country and the happiness of the people throughout his life.
The word "vehicle to the people" is implied with the great trait of the President who had taken the idea of believing in the people as the heaven as his lifetime motto and built the people-centered socialist country in this land, always finding himself among the people and sharing weal and woe with them.
Already in the first days of his revolutionary activities, he found the truth that the popular masses are the master of the revolution and the revolutionary struggle will be crowned with victory when they are educated and mobilized.
He created the history of love for the people, visiting more than 26,000 units from the day of history in October1945, after the liberation of the country when he called on the workers in Kangson without visiting his native home in a calling distance that he had remembered always for 20 years, to the early July of 1994.
He visited various local areas from December 1945 to Next February to acquaint himself with the actual conditions of the rural community for the solution of their cherished aspiration. And then he saw to it that the Law on Agrarian Reform in which the requirements and opinions of the peasants were reflected in a most correct way was promulgated.
He went to the Songjin Steel Works in the days of building a new country when a piece of steel was valued and directed deep attention to the health and life of the workers there. He instructed officials that the oven of first-stage iron-processing which was built by the Japanese imperialists to bleed workers white should be blown up.
Later he visited the works again and felt his heart rent to see workers wearing wooden shoes. And he took a benevolent measure to build footwear factories in different parts of the country so that all the people could wear leather shoes.
He made his way to a tideland ahead of others saying it was for the people, walked a path in a bog in a northern area saying that he should go to all places where people lived and found himself on a farm land at the age of 80 in June 1994, the closing days of his life.
Indeed, the life he spent in the "vehicle to the people" was full of love for the people.
Papers Editorially Commemorate Kim Il Sung's Birth Anniversary
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- Leading newspapers Tuesday dedicate editorials to the 96th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung.
Rodong Sinmun says that Kim Il Sung was the outstanding leader whom the Korean people greeted and held in high esteem for the first time in the nation's history spanning thousands of years, the sun of Juche always alive in the hearts of all people and the peerless patriot who devoted himself to the sacred revolutionary cause for the prosperity of the country and the happiness of the people.
The whole life of Kim Il Sung was the most glorious revolutionary life totally dedicated to the popular masses' cause of independence and socialist cause, the daily notes, and goes on:
After embarking upon the road of revolution in his early years, shouldering upon himself the destiny of the country and the nation, the President performed undying feats for the country and the revolution and the human cause of independence for 80 odd years despite the stern tempest of the century.
From the time the President hewed the path of the Korean revolution holding aloft the banner of Juche, the banner of Songun, till the last moments of his life he made tireless efforts to build a powerful and prosperous socialist country on this land and provide the people with a happy life with no more to desire in the world.
The revolutionary history of Kim Il Sung is shining as sacred annals during which he built new socialist Korea on this land and enabled the popular masses to lead a worthwhile life and as an immortal history in which he provided the country and the nation with an eternal foundation for always emerging victorious and achieving prosperity with his clairvoyant wisdom.
His revolutionary history is a brilliant history in which he remarkably exalted the dignity and international prestige of the DPRK and steered the era of independence. Kim Il Sung was the great man representing the 20th century and a world political elder.
The noble and patriotic history of the President has been successfully carried forward by General Secretary Kim Jong Il. Under his Songun leadership the DPRK is now demonstrating its might as an invincible socialist political and ideological power and a matchless socialist military power and has emerged a promising country pervaded with the spirit of making gigantic creations and leaping advances.
The cause of building a great prosperous powerful nation is sure to win as there are the experienced and tested leadership of the headquarters of the revolution and tremendous political and military power and ardent patriotism of all the servicepersons and people.
Minju Joson runs an editorial titled "Let's successfully carry forward and complete the revolutionary cause of the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung".
Works of Peerlessly Great Men Disseminated in Different Countries
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- A reading session and seminar on the famous works of the peerlessly great men took place in Guinea and Mexico on April 2 on the occasions of the Day of the Sun and the 15th anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission.
The chairman of the Guinea-Korea Friendship Association in the reading session on President Kim Il Sung's work "10-Point Programme of the Great Unity of the Whole Nation for the Reunification of the Country" said that the 10-point programme is the charter of national unity as it clarifies in detail the purpose and ideological foundation of the great national unity and principle and ways to do so.
Kim Jong Il formulated the three principles of national reunification, the 10-point programme of the great unity of the whole nation and the proposal for founding the Democratic Federal Republic of Koryo advanced by the President as the three charters for national reunification and set it forth as an important guideline to be held fast to by the whole Korean nation aspiring after the reunification, he said.
Juan Campos Vega, chairman of the Mexican Institute for the Study of the Juche Idea, and other figures at the seminar on Kim Jong Il's work "On preserving the Juche Character and National Character of the Revolution and Construction" highly praised the immortal exploits Kim Jong Il performed in accomplishing the popular masses' cause of independence by giving scientific exposition of theoretical and practical issues arising in preserving the Juche character and national character, while speaking highly of the originality, justice and great vitality of the work.
The Mongolian Mt. Paektu Association for Independent Development sponsored a lecture at Literary College of Mongolia on March 31 to explain Kim Jong Il's famous work "On Some Issues Concerning Ideological Foundation of Socialism."
Kim Il Sung Praised as Veteran Statesman
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- Jesus Antonio Carlos Hernandez, general secretary of the Central Committee of the People's Socialist Party of Mexico, released a statement titled "Historical legacies of Comrade Kim Il Sung will last forever" on April 5 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
He in the statement recalled that President Kim Il Sung provided precious and rich ideological and theoretical wealth through endless thinking and energetic devotion till the last moments of his life after embarking upon the road of revolution in his teens, and highly praised the President as an outstanding veteran statesman, great revolutionary and a man of noble character in the 20th century.
Not only the Korean people but the progressive mankind are commemorating the Day of the Sun as a common holiday, he said, adding that it is a manifestation of their will to remember his ideology and exploits long and uphold him as the eternal leader for the human cause of independence.
Meeting of Koreans in Japan Held
Tokyo, April 14 (KNS-KCNA) -- A meeting of Koreans in Japan was held at the Korean Cultural Hall in Tokyo on Monday to commemorate the 96th birth anniversary of Generalissimo Kim Il Sung.
Present there were So Man Sul, chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, Ho Jong Man, its chief vice-chairman, and other Chongryon officials, Korean students and other Koreans in Japan.
So Man Sul in his report said that Kim Il Sung is the sun of humankind recognized by the world as he steered the 20th century along the road of independence, stressing that the immortal exploits performed by him to develop the movement of Koreans in Japan have always shined along with Chongryon.
The history of the sun is given steady continuity thanks to the Songun leadership of General Secretary Kim Jong Il who made sure that the idea and cause of the President has been successfully carried forward generation after generation, he stressed.
Recalling that Kim Jong Il has wisely led the work to put the work of Chongryon and the movement of Koreans in Japan on a new higher level, the reporter emphasized that Chongryon, a patriotic legacy left by the President, is sure to triumph when it remains true to Kim Jong Il's leadership.
He declared that Chongryon officials and compatriots would firmly unite and wage a courageous struggle to force the Japanese authorities to lift at once the anachronistic and unreasonable sanctions against the DPRK and foil their fascist suppression of Chongryon and Koreans in Japan.
A letter of the Central Standing Committee of Chongryon to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.
For Spanish-speaking people
Kim Jong Il ordena ascender grados militares de comandantes del EPC
Pyongyang, 15 de abril (ATCC) -- El Comandante Supremo del Ejercito Popular de Corea, Kim Jong Il, dio este martes la orden no. 0019 de ascender los grados militares de los comandantes del EPC.
En la orden el Comandante Supremo subrayo que nuestras fuerzas armadas revolucionarias, fundadas y guiadas siempre al camino de victoria y gloria por el Presidente Kim Il Sung, se fortalecieron bajo la direccion del partido sobre la revolucion mediante el Songun (priorizacion militar) como poderoso ejercito revolucionario del monte Paektu capaz de combatir uno contra cien enemigos, donde predomina el espiritu de defensa a ultranza al Lider y exaltan su impetu como grueso de la revolucion en la defensa de la patria y la construccion de una gran potencia prospera socialista.
Prosiguio que da esa orden en ocasion del significativo Dia del Sol (15 de abril, cumpleanos del Presidente), muy convencido de que en lo adelante tambien los comandantes del EPC crecidos en el regazo del partido y el Lider apoyaran con fidelidad la direccion del partido, salvaguardaran con firmeza nuestra idea, regimen y causa y cumpliran con toda su mision en la sagrada lucha por la victoria final de la causa de la revolucion del Songun iniciada por el Presidente.
Esta vez, Kang Kuk Jong y Paek Yong Chol llegaron a ser tenientes generales, mientras Choe Kwang Jun y otros 32 recibieron el grado militar de mayor general.
Kim Jong Il envia regalos a cientificos y tecnicos
Pyongyang, 15 de abril (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il envio regalos a los cientificos y tecnicos quienes contribuyeron al desarrollo de la tecnica de programas.
En ultimos anos ellos obtuvieron exitos vertiginosos en el desarrollo de la tecnica de programas.
Tuvo lugar el dia 14 un acto de entrega de regalos.
En la ocasion participaron Ri Kwang Ho, jefe de departamento del CC del Partido del Trabajo de Corea, y otros funcionarios, cientificos y tecnicos.
Kim Jong Il expresa homenaje a Kim Il Sung
Pyongyang, 15 de abril (ATCC) -- Con motivo del Dia del Sol (15 de abril, cumpleanos del Presidente Kim Il Sung) el Dirigente Kim Jong Il, Secretario General del Partido del Trabajo de Corea, Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea y Comandante Supremo del Ejercito Popular de Corea, visito junto con los miembros del mando del EPC el Palacio Memorial Kumsusan para expresarle homenaje.
En la ocasion estuvieron presentes el jefe del Estado Mayor General del EPC Kim Kyok Sik, el ministro de las Fuerzas Armadas Populares Kim Il Chol, el primer subjefe de la Direccion Politica General del EPC Kim Jong Gak, los miembros del mando operacional de la Comandancia Suprema del EPC y generales del EPC.
Kim Jong Il recibe telegrama de Putin
Pyongyang, 15 de abril (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il, Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, recibio un telegrama que le enviara este martes el Presidente de la Federacion Rusa, V. Putin, con motivo del Dia del Sol (15 de abril, cumpleanos del Presidente Kim Il Sung).
El mandatario ruso dio en su misiva su sincera felicitacion al Dirigente Kim Jong Il en ocasion de la fiesta nacional de Corea: el 96o aniversario del natalicio del Presidente Kim Il Sung, fundador de la RPDC.
Las tradicionales relaciones de amistad y buena vecindad entre los dos paises establecidas gracias a la especial contribucion del Presidente Kim Il Sung se desarrollan con exito hoy dia, senalo y expreso su conviccion de que gracias a los esfuerzos comunes, en lo adelante tambien seguira ampliandose y fortaleciendose la cooperacion multilateral para el bienestar de los pueblos de los dos paises, la paz, la estabilidad y la seguridad de la Peninsula Coreana y de toda la demas region asiatica.
Deseo al Dirigente buena salud y mayores exitos en sus responsables trabajos estatales y al amistoso pueblo coreano la paz, la felicidad y la prosperidad.