Greetings to Chilean President
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Thursday sent a message of greetings to Chilean President Michelle Bachelet on the occasion of the independence day of the country.
Kim in the message sincerely wished the people of Chile prosperity and welfare.
Greetings to PM of St. Kitts and Nevis
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- Premier of the DPRK Cabinet Kim Yong Il sent a message of greetings to Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, on Monday on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the independence of the country.
The message wished the friendly people of St. Kitts and Nevis prosperity and welfare.
DPRK Officials Meet Mongolian Foreign Ministry Delegation
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a friendly talk with the delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia headed by State Secretary Tsogtbaatar Damdin at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Thursday.
DPRK Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun, too, met and had a talk with the delegation on the same day.
Kim Jung Rin Meets Chinese Women's Delegation
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- Kim Jung Rin, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, met and had a friendly talk with the visiting delegation of the All-China Women's Federation headed by Vice-Chairwoman Liu Xiao Lian at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Thursday.
The head of the delegation said that the Sino-DPRK friendship provided by leaders of the elder generation of the two countries is steadily strengthening and developing under the deep care of General Secretary Hu Jintao and General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
She hoped that the Korean people would achieve great successes in socialist construction and the struggle to reunify the country under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea headed by Kim Jong Il.
Kim Ki Nam Meets Delegation of Chinese People's Daily
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, met and had a friendly talk with the delegation of the Chinese People's Daily headed by its Secretary General Zhang Dexiu at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Thursday.
The head of the delegation said that the Korean people have registered shining successes in socialist construction by fully displaying the revolutionary spirit of self-reliance and fortitude under the leadership of Kim Jong Il.
Noting that the party newspapers are playing a great role in boosting the traditional relations of friendship between China and the DPRK, he expressed belief that the DPRK would win one victory after another thanks to the Party and people single-mindedly united around Kim Jong Il.
MOU Signed between DPRK and Laos
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- A memorandum of understanding on cooperation in sports was signed between the Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission of the DPRK and the National Sports Commission of Laos at the People's Palace of Culture Thursday.
Present at the signing ceremony from the DPRK side were Pak Hak Son, chairman of the Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission, and officials concerned and from the Lao side members of the delegation of the National Sports Commission led by President Phouthong Seng-Akhom and Lao Ambassador to the DPRK Chaleune Warinthrasak.
Pak Hak Son and Phouthong Seng-Akhom signed the memorandum.
DPRK Delegation Leaves to Attend UNGA Session
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- A DPRK delegation led by Pak Kil Yon, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, left here today by air to participate in the 63rd Session of the UN General Assembly.
National Martial Arts Championships Open
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- The 3rd national martial arts championships for September 10 Cup were opened with due ceremony at the Taekwon-Do Hall Thursday.
The championships drew at least 400 martial arts players of more than 10 units including provincial Taekwon-Do players groups and the Taekwon-Do players group of the Sunchon Cement Complex. They will compete in Taekwon-Do, Korean wrestling and Go events.
Present at the opening ceremony were officials concerned, players and school youth and children.
Hwang Pong Yong, chairman of the Korean Taekwon-Do Committee, made an opening address.
At the end of the ceremony the participants watched a demonstration performance given by Taekwon-Do practitioners of the players group of the Korean Taekwon-Do Committee.
DPRK and Chinese Women Meet
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- A meeting took place in Pyongyang Thursday between officials of the Central Committee of the Korean Democratic Women's Union (KDWU) and the visiting delegation of the All-China Women's Federation.
Present there were Vice-Chairwoman Kim Kyong Ok and other officials of the C.C., KDWU and members of the delegation of the federation headed by its Vice-Chairwoman Liu Xiao Lian.
The participants talked to one another about activities of the women's organizations of the two countries and achievements and experience gained by them in the last period.
Gift to Kim Jong Il from Delegation of the Mongolian Foreign Ministry
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received gifts from the visiting delegation of the Mongolian Foreign Ministry.
The gifts were handed to Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, by Tsogtbaatar Damdin, state secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia who is leading the delegation, on Thursday.
Gift to Kim Jong Il from the All-China Women's Federation
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift by the All-China Women's Federation.
The gift was conveyed to Kim Jung Rin, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Thursday by Liu Xiao Lian, vice-chairwoman of the federation, on a visit to the DPRK.
Gift to Kim Jong Il from Delegation of the Chinese People's Daily
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a gift from the visiting delegation of the Chinese People's Daily.
The gift was conveyed to Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the C.C., the Workers' Party of Korea, by Zhang Dexiu, secretary general of the daily who is heading the delegation, on Thursday.
Ssirum, National Game of Korea
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- Ssirum (Korean wrestling) is typical of traditional national games of Korea.
The popular ssirum tournaments which are held on folk holidays make the holiday atmosphere still more cheerful.
In particular, the ssirum tournament organized on the occasion of Hangawi (the lunar August 15th) has been most popular among the people.
The ssirum game held in Pyongyang on the day was famous across the country. It brought together fine grapplers selected throughout the country.
It is told that the winner who obtained a bull as a prize went back home like a victorious general along with his cheering villagers.
The Koreans were fond of ssirum. It is well illustrated by the mural painting of Jangchon Tomb No. one belonging to the period of Koguryo (the mid-fifth century).
Depicted in the mural painting are two wrestlers gripping each other's waist and going to employ strength and fortes and an old man with a stick in his hand to umpire the game.
The scene of ssirum contest being so vivid and the life being reflected truthfully, the tomb is called "ssirum tomb".
The ssirum, which was widely disseminated in the period of Koguryo, has been inherited century after century.
The master of ssirum was called "Yongsa" (brave man) in the period of Koryo and "Kapsa" (bodyguard) was also selected through ssirum competition during Ri Dynasty.
The Korean people have cultivated boldness, fighting spirit and physical strength through ssirum.
The ssirum, the whole of protean skills, tactful fortes and wisdom, is being carried forward to suit the physiques and tastes of the Korean people.
Names of Mt. Kumgang in Different Seasons
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- Mt. Kumgang situated in Kosong and Kumgang counties, Kangwon Province, is called variedly in different seasons.
Mt. Kumgang was known as one of "the five famous mountains", "eight scenic spots" and "three mountains of god" of Korea from olden times.
The "twelve thousand peaks" whose zigzagged peaks soar into the sky, fantastic rocks of multifarious shapes, many ponds, crystal-clear water rolling by cliffs and rocks, numberless falls over which hang rainbows, varied fauna and flora and green foliage are well harmonized with each other to spread a picturesque scenery.
This scenery presents peculiar features in each season.
It was called "Mt. Kumgang" (Diamond Mountain) in spring with its flowers of all species emitting sweet perfume likened to the most brilliant and beautiful diamond. In summer it was called "Mt. Pongrae" (Mountain of Eternal Youth) with white clouds circling around its peaks and rocky cliffs, its green foliage growing luxuriant and beautiful singing of birds and roaring falls filling the air.
It was called "Mt. Phungak" (Music Mountain) in autumn with maples being at their best and blue streams rolling down valleys and "Mt. Kaegol" (Skeleton Mountain) in winter with wind blowing hard and the branches of trees laden heavily with snow and ice pillars hanging from rocks.
Depicting Mt. Kumgang which presents a great diversity of scenes, changing momentarily according to season, time and weather, they said:
"Stones work ten thousand wonders, water plays a thousand cute tricks and trees are so lovely. Scenic beauties under heaven seem to be here."
Japan Has No Future without Redressing Its Past
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- Japan should opt for redressing its past to swim with the trend of the world as early as possible. This is also beneficial to itself. Rodong Sinmun today observes this in a signed article.
It goes on:
It is an urgent task raised by the times and a moral and historic commitment for those countries which did wrongs in the past to honestly admit and repent of them and make reparation for them in the new century. Precisely for this reason it has become a global trend for those countries to redress their past wrongs. And any action taken in this respect is earning sympathy from the international community.
The article cites facts to prove that the Japanese imperialists' invasion of Korea was a crime unprecedented in the world history. Japan has committed so many hideous crimes against the Korean nation for a historically long period that it should kneel before it a hundred times to make adequate reparation for them, the article notes, and goes on:
Japan is insisting that it cannot make any reparation or compensation for its crimes because Japan and Korea were not at war in the past. This is a far-fetched assertion and sheer nonsense.
Japan invaded Korea by force of arms and occupied it to annex it to her by force of arms. It enforced a colonial rule over Korea at the point of bayonet.
The Korean people emerged victorious in the war against Japan because they waged a hard-fought war of resistance against the Japanese imperialists for a long period under the uplifted banner of the anti-Japanese war commanded by President Kim Il Sung, winning a shining victory over the Japanese imperialists in August 1945.
Clear is the reason why Japan is so persistently evading its responsibility to make reparation for its past crimes, disregarding and negating the above-said historical facts.
It is not a simple economic issue for the DPRK to get reparation from Japan. This is an important political matter related to the dignity of the nation and its sovereign right and a crucial issue of foiling Japan's wild ambition for reinvasion and preserving peace.
Some circles of Japan, however, claim that the DPRK is demanding Japan make reparation for its past wrongs for an economic reason, but this is nothing but a ridiculous jargon. The Korean people have lived on so far without the help of Japan and can do so in the future, too. What Japan has brought to them is nothing but great misfortune, sufferings and disasters. In fact, had Japan not been situated so close to Korea, the Korean nation would not have been invaded by Japs nor would have undergone such sufferings under their colonial rule but would have made several times faster progress than now.
As a matter of fact, the Japanese imperialists committed indescribably enormous and fatal losses, mental, manpower and material, against the Korean people. Japan would be well advised to be guilt-conscious and pay a price for its past crimes.
Kim Il Sung's Far-sightedness Lauded
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- The DPRK has demonstrated its invincible might century after century and eternal happiness of the Korean people is firmly guaranteed as President Kim Il Sung provided the eternal foundation for the building of a rich and powerful nation with his far-sightedness.
Rodong Sinmun today stresses this in a signed article.
The DPRK had gone along the glorious road of victory and prosperity thanks to the President's far-sightedness, the article says, and goes on:
The DPRK is still now advancing along the most successful course of socialism as it regards the scientific line set forth by the President with his far-sightedness as the basic guidelines for state building and activities.
Witnessing the proud reality in which the DPRK has made long strides following up the victory century after century under the Juche banner of socialism, the Korean people are struck with admiration at the far-sightedness of the President, who put forward long ago such scientific lines and policies as the revolutionary line of independence in politics, self-support in the economy and self-reliance in national defence and had successfully applied them in practice.
His far-sightedness is mirrored in the strategic lines of the Workers' Party of Korea, including the line of simultaneously carrying on the defence building and the economic construction and the line of the three revolutions--ideological, technical and cultural revolutions--, which serve as the eternal banner for strengthening and developing the country.
The President has spared no pains to develop the party into a powerful weapon for the building of the country for many years since the government of the DPRK took its historic roots. And he did his utmost to increase the military capabilities all his life.
Thanks to him, the truth was proven that single-minded unity is essential to building a rich and powerful nation. Under his leadership the unity of the party, the army and the people was achieved on the highest level and the People's Army grown to be an invincible army.
The history in which the President led the DPRK to victory and prosperity with his rare far-sightedness is the history that can be made only by the peerlessly great man, the peerless patriot.
He said in his lifetime, "Kim Jong Il's era is glorious at present and it will become a more brilliant and prosperous era in the future." This prediction has come to a proud reality.
The DPRK will prosper forever as the President opened up the road of victory for it with his far-sightedness and General Secretary Kim Jong Il is glorifying it with his rare political caliber.
Seminar on Kim Il Sung's Work Held in Guinea
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- A seminar on President Kim Il Sung's work "For the Development of Agriculture in African Countries" took place at the Kim Il Sung Institute of Agricultural Science in Guinea on August 28 on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of his work.
Malik Souma, director general of the institute who is chairman of the Guinean Society for the Study of the Juche Farming Methods, said in his speech that the work published on August 31, 1981 serves as an encyclopedia for developing agriculture in African countries.
The institute which was founded under the meticulous guidance of the President is demonstrating the great vitality of South-South cooperation as an effective centre for agro-scientific researches and a seed production base which give strong impetus to the development of agriculture not only in Guinea but in other African countries, he noted, adding:
Under the deep care of Kim Jong Il, the great leader of the Korean people, the institute bearing the august name of the President is now fulfilling its noble mission in name and reality. We will register greater successes in all work of the institute in the future and thus add shine to the institute associated with the noble intentions of the President and Kim Jong Il.
Then more participants took the floor. Speakers recalled that the President clearly indicated the orientation and ways to develop agriculture in the African countries.
They stressed that great progress made in the agricultural development in African countries in the past clearly testifies to the validity of the great plan of the President.
Korean People's Struggle Supported by Tunisian Party Leader
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- Secretary General of the People's Unity Party of Tunisia Mouhammad Bouchiha issued a statement on Sept. 8 on the occasion of the 60th birthday of the DPRK.
He in the statement highly appreciated the strenuous efforts made by General Secretary Kim Jong Il to build a great prosperous powerful nation with the might of single-minded unity and accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche and positively supported the struggle of the Korean people to put an end to the national division and the principles the DPRK has maintained in the international arena.
He expressed great optimism about the DPRK's prospect of socialist construction and conviction that the Korean people would achieve greater success in the years to come as they have set a positive example in building self-supporting economy, defending world justice and peace and firmly adhering to the socialist principles and idea, etc.
DPRK Birthday Marked in Different Countries
Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- Meetings were held by different units of India including the national preparatory committee for celebrating the 60th anniversary of the DPRK and Korean book, photo and fine art exhibitions in Equatorial Guinea, Romania, Uganda and Indonesia between Aug. 27 and Sept. 8 on the occasion of the 60th birthday of the DPRK.
On display in the venues of the events were famous works of President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il, photos showing their undying feats and books, photos and fine art works introducing the successes made by the Korean people in building a great prosperous and powerful socialist nation.
P. Shiv Shankar, chairman of the All India Indo-Korean Friendship Association, V. K. Chopra, chairman of the Indian Intellectuals' Society for the Study of the Juche Idea, Anita Chopra, president of the Indian Working Women Society for Study of the Juche Philosophy, and others, in their speeches at the meetings highly praised the exploits performed by Kim Il Sung for the liberation of Korea and the nation-building.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the exhibition, the Equatorial Guinean minister of Health and Social Welfare paid high tribute to Kim Il Sung who founded the DPRK and devoted his all to its strengthening and development. He said that a fresh progress would be made in the efforts of the peoples of the two countries for socio-economic development.
The chairman of the Romanian Socialist Union said that through the photo exhibition impressively showing the six decade-long history of the DPRK, they came to know well about the fact that the Korean people are dynamically ushering in a new era of history as the full-fledged masters of the state and society and the national strength of the DPRK has been raised to the highest level under the Songun leadership of Kim Jong Il.
For Spanish-speaking people
Kim Yong Nam envia mensaje de felicitacion a la presidenta chilena
Pyongyang, 18 de septiembre (ATCC) -- El presidente del Presidium de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, Kim Yong Nam, envio el dia 18 un mensaje de felicitacion a la presidenta de la Republica de Chile, Michelle Bachelet, con motivo del dia de independencia de este pais.
En su misiva el remitente deseo de todo corazon al pueblo chileno la prosperidad y el bienestar.
Kim Yong Il felicita al premier de San Cristobal y Nieves
Pyongyang, 18 de septiembre (ATCC) -- El premier del Consejo de Ministros de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, Kim Yong Il, envio el dia 15 un mensaje de felicitacion al primer ministro de San Cristobal y Nieves, Denzil Douglas, con motivo del aniversario 25 de la independencia de este pais.
El remitente deseo al amistoso pueblo de este pais la prosperidad y el bienestar.
Parte de Pyongyang la delegacion de RPDC para Asamblea General de ONU
Pyongyang, 18 de septiembre (ATCC) -- Partio este jueves por avion de esta capital la delegacion de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea encabezada por el viceministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Pak Kil Yon, para participar en el 63o periodo de sesiones de la Asamblea General de la ONU.
Rodong Sinmun demanda a Japon liquidar crimenes del pasado
Pyongyang, 18 de septiembre (ATCC) -- Japon debe proceder cuanto antes a la liquidacion de su pasado criminal siguiendo la tendencia mundial para el bien de si mismo.
Senala asi el diario Rodong Sinmun en un articulo individual publicado este jueves y prosigue:
En el nuevo siglo, devienen la tarea de la epoca y la obligacion moral e historica que los paises con expediente criminal reconozcan y reflexionen sinceramente sus errores del pasado y los recompensen.
Practicamente, hoy en dia, constituye una corriente mundial la liquidacion del pasado criminal que causa la simpatia de la sociedad internacional.
La historia de agresion de Japon a Corea es la de crimenes sin precedentes tanto en los tiempos antiguos como en los contemporaneos.
Esos infames crimenes cometidos historicamente en contra de la nacion coreana son irreparables aunque Japon pida perdon mil veces poniendose de rodillas.
Este pais isleno insiste porfiada y absurdamente en que no puede hacer indemnizacion o remuneracion porque en el siglo pasado no estuvo en guerra con Corea.
Pero, Japon invadio y anexo a Corea con las fuerzas armadas y practico el colonialismo sobre ella tambien a fuerza de bayonetas.
El pueblo coreano es uno de los triunfantes en la Segunda Guerra Mundial porque guiado por el Presidente Kim Il Sung, libro durante mucho tiempo bajo la bandera antijaponesa una enconada lucha armada contra los imperialistas japoneses y los derroto por fin en agosto de 1945.
Sin embargo, Japon rehusa tercamente expiar sus crimenes del pasado negando ese irrefutable hecho historico.
Cobrar la indemnizacion de Japon no es un simple problema economico sino un importante asunto politico relacionado con la dignidad y derechos independientes de la nacion coreana y un tema delicado para frustrar la ambicion japonesa de retomar el camino de agresion y para preservar la paz.
Pero, algunas fuerzas de Japon hablan de que la RPDC demanda la indemnizacion por razones economicas. La RPDC ha vivido hasta la fecha sin la ayuda de Japon y puede hacerlo tambien en lo adelante.
Lo que ha dado Japon a la nacion coreana es incontables desgracias, calamidades y desastres.
Si no hubiera este vecino malvado, la nacion coreana no habria sufrido la invasion japonesa ni la dominacion colonial, al contrario, habria logrado un avance y desarrollo mucho mas rapidos y grandes que ahora.
Japon debera sentirse culpable de todos los danos espirituales, humanos y materiales hechos al pueblo coreano y pagarlos.