Kim Jong Il Sends Wreath to Bier of Choe Hak Su
Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il on Sunday sent a wreath to the bier of Choe Hak Su, winner of Kim Il Sung Prize and writer of the April 15 Writing Group, expressing deep condolences over his death.
Flame Delegation for 29th Olympic Games Arrives
Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- The flame delegation for the 29th Olympic Games arrived here Monday. It brought with it the flame lantern for the 2008 Beijing Olympiad kindled in Athens.
The delegation headed by Li Binghua, executive vice-president and representative of the Organizing Committee for the 29th Olympiad, was cordially greeted by Pak Hak Son, chairman of the DPRK Olympic Committee who is chairman of the Korean Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission, Pak Pyong Jong, first vice-chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee, officials concerned and Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and staff members of the Chinese embassy here.
Sportspersons in Pyongyang warmly welcomed the delegation, waving pennants of the DPRK and China, flags of the torch relay for the Olympic Games and bouquets.
Torch Relay for 29th Olympic Games Held
Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- The torch relay for the 29th Olympic Games was held in Pyongyang on Monday.
A ceremony of starting the torch relay took place in the plaza of the Tower of the Juche Idea at 10 in the morning.
Present there were Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Pak Hak Son, chairman of the Korean Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission who is chairman of the DPRK Olympic Committee, and Pak Pyong Jong, first vice-chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee, and other officials concerned and working people in the city.
On hand were the flame delegation for the 29th Olympiad headed by Li Binghua, executive vice-president and representative of the Organizing Committee for the 29th Olympic Games, Chang Ung, representative of the International Olympic Committee, Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and staff members of his embassy, diplomatic envoys of different countries and representatives of international organizations here and Chinese guests staying in the DPRK.
Speeches were made there.
Pak Hak Son expressed conviction that the Pyongyang torch relay would mark an important occasion in realizing the common desire of the peoples of the DPRK and China for the Olympic movement.
Liu Xiaoming called for materializing the noble idea of peace, friendship and progress and disseminating the Olympic spirit to the five continents representing the desire of mankind to create happiness with the help of Olympic flame and thus advancing towards a beautiful morrow.
Pak Pyong Jong expressed belief that the Pyongyang torch relay event would prove to be a meaningful event for the Korean and other peoples of the world, hoping that the Chinese friends would stage the Olympiad as a splendid festival for promoting the world peace and friendship among peoples.
Pak Tu Ik, first torch bearer who is a People's Sportsman, received the torch of Beijing Olympic Games from Kim Yong Nam and left the plaza of the Tower of the Juche Idea.
Participating in the torch relay were 80 torch bearers made up of officials and sportspersons of merits who have contributed to developing the nation's sports and exalting the dignity and honor of Songun Korea, people from all walks of life, youth and students and Koreans in Japan and the Chinese ambassador to the DPRK and staff members of his embassy here and Chinese guests.
The torch bearers covered 20 odd kms from the Tower of the Juche Idea to the Kim Il Sung Stadium, passing the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre, the April 25 House of Culture, Jonsung Square, the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium, the Pyongyang Grand Theatre, Kim Il Sung Square and the Arch of Triumph being accorded enthusiastic welcome from hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life who turned out to the routes with pennants of the two countries.
The 80th torch bearer Jong Song Ok, last one who is "Queen of Marathon" of the world, arrived at the Kim Il Sung Stadium.
She was greeted by Kim Yong Il, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, officials concerned and working people in the city, the Chinese ambassador to the DPRK and others.
She lit the cauldron.
Speeches were made to hail the success of the Pyongyang torch relay event.
Then Li Binghua conveyed the torch marking the Beijing Olympic Games and its certificate to Pak Hak Son and Pak Pyong Jong.
The flame was handed over to the Organizing Committee for the 29th Olympic Games before the light of the cauldron was gradually put out.
The participants in the Pyongyang event enjoyed an art performance congratulating the event.
Flame Delegation for 29th Olympiad Leaves Here
Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- The flame delegation for the 29th Olympic Games headed by Li Binghua, executive vice-president and representative of the Organizing Committee for the 29th Olympiad, left here Monday.
It was seen off by Pak Hak Son, chairman of the Korean Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission who is chairman of the DPRK Olympic Committee, Pak Pyong Jong, first vice-chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee, officials concerned and Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and staff members of his embassy.
The delegation visited Mangyongdae on the same day.
Kim Yong Nam Meets Bulgarian Delegation
Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a talk with the delegation of the Bulgarian Socialist Party led by Dimitar Dabov, chief secretary of its Supreme Council, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Monday.
On hand were Pak Kyong Son, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, and Yordan Pamukov, charge d' affaires a.i. of the Bulgarian embassy here.
Talks between Delegations of WPK and BSP Held
Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Talks between the delegations of the Workers' Party of Korea and the Bulgarian Socialist Party were held on Monday.
Present at the talks from the Korean side were Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the Central Committee of the WPK, and officials concerned and from the Bulgarian side members of the BSP delegation led by Dimitar Dabov, chief secretary of its Supreme Council, and Yordan Pamukov, Bulgarian charge d'affaires ad interim here.
At the talks both sides exchanged views on developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two parties and matters of mutual concern.
Kim Ki Nam Meets Syrian Party School Delegation
Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, met and had a friendly talk with a delegation of the school of Syria's Baath Arab Socialist Party led by Riad Youness, deputy of the director of the school, on Monday.
Ugandan Delegation Arrives Here
Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- A Ugandan party and government military delegation led by Amama Umbabazi, general secretary of the Uganda National Resistance Movement and minister of Security, arrived here today.
5th North-South Conference of Youth and Students Held
Mt. Kumgang resort, April 28 (KCNA) -- The 5th north-south conference of youth and students organizations for implementing the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration was held at Mt. Kumgang resort on Sunday and Monday.
At the conference representatives of the north and the south reviewed successes achieved in the movement to bring about a new landmark phase of national reunification in the past period and discussed the orientation of immediate activities for preserving and implementing the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration.
The joint resolution adopted at the conference called upon the youth and students in the north and the south to strictly adhere to the principle of national independence in the movement for national reunification under the banner of "By our nation itself."
It also underscored the need for the youth and students not to allow any attempt to turn back the June 15 era of independent reunification and outsiders' interference in the issue of the country's reunification and national issues but resolutely reject and oppose them.
The resolution called upon the youth and students to wage a dynamic mass movement for exposing and denouncing all acts of totally denying the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration and the danger of war and stage a campaign for checking and frustrating the adventurous moves for war and anti-reunification acts of the bellicose forces at home and abroad through concerted efforts.
It also underlined the need to eliminate the legal and institutional mechanisms standing in the way of national reconciliation and unity, get the freedom of discussion and activities for reunification guaranteed and the pro-reunification patriotic organizations legalized and boost solidarity between the youth and students in the north and the south.
The resolution declared that the youth and students would strongly react to obstructions to the common event of the nation such as disallowing some representatives of the south side to take part in the conference under the absurd pretext of "security and disturbance of public order."
It called for setting the period from June 15 to October 4 as a "period of the joint movement of youth and students for implementing the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration" and staging a more intensive mass movement to usher in a new era of independent reunification and peace and prosperity on every important occasi
Famous Song "Snow Falls" Newly Presented
Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- The Pochonbo Electronic Band of the DPRK newly presented the song "Snow Falls" in a new form of instrumental music and song recently. The song (words by Kim Jae Hwa and music by Ri Myon Sang) was created in Juche 54 (1965).
Its organic combination of instrumental music with vocal music spreads an absolutely perfect symphonic musical world while preserving well the thematic and ideological content of the original song.
Through the deep-going artistic depiction of snow falling in large flakes over the country where the people are enjoying happiness to their hearts' content under the wise leadership of President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il, the song makes them recollect the noble revolutionary spirit and desire displayed by the fighters during the arduous anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle. And it also shows the spiritual world of the Korean people who are striving hard to build a great, prosperous and powerful nation in this land without fail in accordance with the desire of the forerunners.
It strongly appeals to the servicepersons and people of Korea from its debut and the mass media report every day what music experts and the working people of all walks of life said about the song with deep emotion.
Many people told KCNA that the Pochonbo Electronic Band is the pride of Korea, saying that it produced a masterpiece representing the Songun era this time, moving all people after it had represented the famous songs as "Unforgettable Gun Report Rang over Lagoon Samil" and "The Glow over Kangson".
Today the band is enjoying unsparing praise from the people as it represents well not only famous songs created in the past but also songs in the period of enlightenment and other songs of various themes to suit the modern aesthetic taste and feelings of the Korean people.
Korean Folk Amusement-Seesaw
Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Folk amusements become more popularized in the spring season in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Conspicuous among them is seesaw.
Seesaw is the one of the folk amusements that the Korean people have been fond of from olden times.
It was created on the principle of tread-mill in Korea.
The players show various arm and leg movements, moving up and down.
Seesaw is a sport which not only makes women's figure nice by balancing the whole body in the air but also builds up a healthy body by making the strength of legs strong and increasing the breathing capacity of the lungs.
Moves against Korean Nation's Advance toward Reunification Blasted
Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- No force on earth can block the historic advance of the Korean nation going toward the independent reunification under the banner of national independence, stresses Rodong Sinmun in a signed article today.
The Lee Myung Bak group of south Korea is these days openly challenging the trend of the era of independent reunification while escalating the sycophancy towards the U.S. and the confrontation against the DPRK, the article points out, and says:
The group seeks to overturn everything achieved between the north and the south after the publication of the June 15 joint declaration, getting over-heated in the anti-north war exercises and the "human rights" campaign to do harm to the fellow countrymen in league with outsiders. Moreover, it is staging a wholesale purge of the progressive and pro-reunification forces in south Korea to quell the people's desire for alliance with the north and reunification and incite the anti-DPRK sentiment among them.
Such frantic moves of the south Korean conservative ruling forces have frozen the north-south relations, causing a dangerous situation in which the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula might be wrecked to bring an irrevocable catastrophic crisis.
Their criminal moves can never be allowed as they follow the foreign forces and pursue the confrontation, swimming against the desire of the nation and the trend of times.
By nature, there can be no future for those challenging the development of history and they would make desperate efforts when their days are numbered.
Anyhow, futile are such desperate efforts of the reactionaries to reverse the history.
Any attempt of the foreign forces and the south Korean conservative ruling forces to spoil the Korean nation's cause of independent reunification is bound to meet a shameful defeat.
The Korean nation will more dynamically wage the struggle to ensure the cause of the independent reunification and advance it despite the harsher offensive of the reactionaries against the history and the manifold trials and difficulty.
Dangerous U.S. -S. Korea Military Confab Blasted
Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- The recent 14th south Korea-U.S. "seminar on defence analysis" was an extremely disturbing and dangerous war confab at which the U.S. reconfirmed the military domination over south Korea and the permanent presence of its forces in south Korea and hatched a plot to invade the north.
Rodong Sinmun Monday observes this in a signed commentary.
It goes on:
At the "seminar" the commander of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces present in south Korea vociferated about the "issue of boosting the capability of the south Korean forces," "the permanent presence of U.S. forces", "additional assistance" and the like. This was nothing but a revelation of the U.S. criminal attempt to perpetuate their military presence in south Korea, make the puppet army totally dependent upon them and use it as a war servant in the war of aggression against the north.
Recalling that the Lee Myung Bak group, hell bent on sycophancy towards the U.S. and confrontation with the north, broke into shouts of joy, blustering that the "importance" of the south Korea-U.S. "alliance" was "proved" at the "seminar," the commentary terms the action taken by the south Korean puppets to tighten their "alliance" with the U.S., pursuant to its scenario for a war of aggression against the north, a horrendous treacherous move to bring a nuclear war disaster to the Korean nation.
All Koreans cannot repress the surging hatred and resentment at the U.S. and south Korean war-thirsty elements swimming against the trend of the times towards peace and reunification by working hard to tighten the "alliance" aimed at launching a war of aggression against the north, the commentary notes, and goes on:
The U.S. had better behave itself, mindful of the consequences to be entailed by its arms buildup in south Korea and maneuvers to invade the north, and immediately withdraw its aggressor forces from south Korea.
If the Lee Myung Bak group persists in the confrontation with compatriots and the moves for a war of aggression against the north, turning their backs on the nation and colluding with foreign forces under the pretext of tightening the "alliance" with the U.S., they will not be able to escape a miserable end
April Holidays of DPRK Observed in Different Countries
Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Film shows and photo exhibitions were held by the Pan-African Movement and in Syria, Uganda, Thailand and Malaysia from April 7 to 16 to commemorate the Day of the Sun, the 15th anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and the 76th founding anniversary of the heroic Korean People's Army.
Displayed in the venues of the photo exhibitions were photos showing the revolutionary life of President Kim Il Sung and the Songun leadership exploits of Kim Jong Il.
The participants in the film shows watched "For the Liberation of the Country", "75th Founding Anniversary of the Heroic Korean People's Army" and other Korean films.
The speakers at the functions noted that Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il exerted great efforts for increasing the defence capability, thus enabling the DPRK to demonstrate its might as a military power which even the U.S. styling itself the world's "only super power" dares not provoke.
They said that thanks to Kim Jong Il who has creditably carried forward the cause of Kim Il Sung the DPRK has become a beacon of hope for the world people desirous of independence, hoping that the Korean people would register greater successes in their struggle to build a great prosperous powerful nation and achieve the reunification of the country.
For Spanish-speaking people
Kim Jong Il expresa condolencias por el fallecimiento de Choe Hak Su
Pyongyang, 28 de abril (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il envio el dia 27 una ofrenda floral ante el feretro del difunto Choe Hak Su, escritor del Grupo de Creacion Literaria 15 de Abril y laureado con el "Premio Kim Il Sung", en senal de profundas condolencias por su fallecimiento.
En Pyongyang delegacion de carrera de relevos de antorcha de olimpiada
Pyongyang, 28 de abril (ATCC) -- Llego el dia 28 a esta capital la delegacion de carrera de relevos de la antorcha de la XXIX Olimpiada que lleva el farol de estos juegos de Beijing para 2008, encendido en Atenas, capital de Grecia.
Pak Hak Son, presidente del Comite Olimpico y del Comite de Direccion de Deportes, de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, Pak Pyong Jong, primer vicepresidente del Comite Popular de la ciudad de Pyongyang, y otros funcionarios, Liu Xiaoming, embajador de la Republica Popular China en Corea y otros miembros de esta sede diplomatica acogieron cordialmente la delegacion presidida por Li Binghua, vicepresidente ejecutivo del comite organizador y delegado de dichos juegos.
Los deportistas capitalinos dieron calurosa bienvenida a la delegacion agitando banderines de ambos paises, los de la carrera de relevos de antorcha de la olimpiada y ramos de flores.
Se realiza con exito en Pyongyang carrera de antorcha olimpica
Pyongyang, 28 de abril (ATCC) -- Se realizo este lunes en esta capital la carrera de relevos de la antorcha de los XXIX Juegos Olimpicos.
A las 10 de la manana, tuvo lugar la ceremonia de inicio de la carrera en la explanada frente al Monumento a la Idea Juche.
En la ocasion participaron Kim Yong Nam, presidente del Presidium de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, Pak Hak Son, presidente del Comite Olimpico y del Comite de Direccion de Deportes, de la RPDC, Pak Pyong Jong, primer vicepresidente del Comite Popular de la Ciudad de Pyongyang, y otros funcionarios, asi como los trabajadores capitalinos.
Tambien, estuvieron presentes la delegacion de la carrera de relevos de la antorcha de los XXIX Juegos Olimpicos presidida por Li Binghua quien es vicepresidente ejecutivo y representante del comite organizador de la maxima cita deportiva, Chang Ung, representante del Comite Olimpico Internacional, Liu Xiaoming, embajador de la Republica Popular China y otros miembros de la embajada china, los representantes diplomaticos de varios paises y los representantes de organizaciones internacionales en Corea y los huespedes chinos que permanecen en Corea.
En la ocasion hubo discursos.
Pak Hak Son expreso la seguridad de que la carrera en Pyongyang servira de un importante motivo para realizar el deseo comun de los pueblos de Corea y China aspirantes al movimiento olimpico.
Liu Xiaoming llamo a avanzar hacia el hermoso futuro al realizar el noble ideal de la paz, la amistad y el progreso y propagar el espiritu olimpico a los cinco continentes del mundo reflejando el deseo de la humanidad de crear la felicidad con la sagrada llama olimpica.
Pak Pyong Jong dijo que este evento de Pyongyang quedara en las memorias del pueblo coreano y los demas pueblos del mundo y deseo que los amigos chinos conviertan los juegos olimpicos en un excelente festival para fomentar la paz mundial y la amistad entre los pueblos.
El primer relevo Pak Tu Ik, Deportista del Pueblo, quien recibio la antorcha de los juegos olimpicos de Beijing del presidente Kim Yong Nam, salio de la explanada frente al Monumento a la Idea Juche.
Los 80 relevos compuestos de los funcionarios y deportistas renombrados, quienes contribuyeron al desarrollo deportivo del pais y exaltar la dignidad y el honor de la Corea del Songun (priorizacion militar), los trabajadores de distintos sectores, jovenes y estudiantes, y coreanos residentes en Japon, el embajador chino y otros miembros de la sede diplomatica china en Corea y los huespedes chinos corrieron a pasos firmes tomando por turno la antorcha.
En el tramo de mas de 20 kilometros desde la explanada frente al Monumento a la Idea Juche, hasta el Estadio Kim Il Sung, que incluye el Gran Teatro de Pyongyang Este, la Casa Cultural 25 de Abril, la Plaza Jonsung, el Palacio de Deportes de Pyongyang, el Gran Teatro de Pyongyang, la Plaza Kim Il Sung y el Arco Triunfal, los portadores de la antorcha fueron acogidos hospitalariamente por los trabajadores de distintos sectores que portaban en sus manos los banderines de los dos paises.
La octogesima y ultima corredora llego a la explanada frente al Estadio Kim Il Sung.
La acogieron Kim Yong Il, primer ministro del Consejo de Ministros de la RPDC, otros funcionarios, trabajadores capitalinos, el embajador chino en Corea, etc.
La ultima relevo Jong Song Ok, "Reina de Maraton" de talla mundial, prendio el pebetero.
Hubo discursos para felicitar la exitosa realizacion de la carrera en Pyongyang.
Li Binghua entrego a Pak Hak Son y Pak Pyong Jong el antorchero memorial y el diploma de los Juegos Olimpicos de Beijing que el comite organizador de esta cita deportiva dona al Comite Olimpico de la RPDC y al Comite Popular de la Ciudad de Pyongyang.
Cuando se entrego la llama olimpical susodicho comite organizador, el fuego del pebetero se apago lentamente.
Los participantes presenciaron la funcion artistica en felicitacion a la carrera de antorcha olimpica en Pyongyang.
V reunion de representantes de jovenes y estudiantes Norte-Sur
Monte Kumgang, 28 de abril (ATCC) -- Tuvo lugar los dias 27 y 28 en este monte la quinta reunion de los representantes de las entidades de jovenes y estudiantes del Norte y el Sur de Corea para la ejecucion de la Declaracion Conjunta del 15 de Junio y la Declaracion del 4 de Octubre.
En la ocasion los representantes de ambas partes hicieron balance de los exitos logrados en el pasado en el movimiento por abrir una nueva coyuntura de viraje favorable a la reunificacion de la patria y discutieron el rumbo de actividades inmediatas para defender y ejecutar dichas declaraciones.
La resolucion conjunta aprobada en el acto senala que bajo la bandera de "Entre nosotros, los connacionales", los jovenes y estudiantes de ambas partes deben mantener cabalmente el principio de independencia nacional en el movimiento por la reintegracion.
Apunta que deben rechazar rotundamente todos los intentos perjudiciales tendentes a volver la epoca de la reunificacion independiente iniciada el 15 de junio, sin tolerar las injerencias foraneas en el asunto de la nacion, o sea, la reunificacion del pais.
Recalca que hay que desplegar activamente un movimiento masivo por revelar y repudiar todas las maniobras tendentes a negar totalmente las declaraciones en cuestion y la peligrosidad de la guerra y desarrollar la lucha por detener y frustrar con las fuerzas unidas la aventurera provocacion de guerra y las maquinaciones anti-reunificacion de las fuerzas belicas internas y externas.
Subraya la necesidad de eliminar los aparatos legales e institucionales que impiden la reconciliacion y la unidad nacional, realizar la libertad de la discusion sobre la reunificacion y las actividades relativas al respecto y la legalizacion de las entidades patrioticas pro-reunificacion y fortalecer aun mas la solidaridad entre los jovenes y estudiantes de ambas partes.
Se refiere a hacer frente energicamente a las conductas que obstaculizan el acto conjunto nacional como el presente foro, en el que no pudieron participar algunos representantes surenos bajo el injusto pretexto de "impedimento de preservacion de la seguridad y orden publico".
El documento define del 15 de junio al 4 de octubre como el "periodo de movimiento conjunto de los jovenes y estudiantes para la ejecucion de la Declaracion Conjunta del 15 de junio y la Declaracion del 4 de Octubre" y recalca la necesidad de aprovechar las efemerides principales para librar de manera concentrada el movimiento masivo por abrir una nueva epoca de la reunificacion independiente, la paz y la prosperidad.