G.S. Kim Jong Il's birthday to be celebrated in Australia
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- An Australian preparatory committee was formed in Melbourne on January 25 to celebrate the 56th birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
The committee decided to widely introduce the achievements of General Secretary Kim Jong Il, print a special issue of bulletin and hold celebrations.
Ten-day film show opens to celebrate February 16
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- A ten-day film show opened to celebrate February 16. During the period from Feb. 10 to 19, a large number of documentary and feature films will be screened at all cinemas across the country.
Among documentary films are "Great Honor and Happiness of the People", which records the historic event of General Kim Jong Il's election as General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, "Under the Guidance of the Great Brilliant Commander" and "Comrade Kim Jong Suk, Great Communist Revolutionary Fighter and Woman General of Mt. Paektu", which shows the brilliant life of Kim Jong Suk, mother of the revolution.
Feature films include "Bloody traces" and serials of "The Nation and Destiny".
An opening ceremony took place here on Tuesday.
Egyptian charge d'affaires ad interim hosts reception on February holiday
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- Ahmed El Sayed Hellal, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Egyptian Embassy in Korea, hosted a reception Tuesday on the occasion of the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
In his speech he hoped that the Korean people under the leadership of General Kim Jong Il would accomplish the cause of socialism pioneered by President Kim Il Sung.
He also wished them greater success in the efforts to overcome the temporary difficulties caused by natural disasters, under the uplifted banner of self-reliance.
"His excellency the leader Kim Jong Il has built the Korean People's Army into a strong army capable of defending national independence and sovereignty and the gains of socialism and is wisely guiding the Workers' Party of Korea," he said.
"Under his leadership the Korean people," he hoped, "would reunify the country in accordance with the principles of independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity and the proposal for reunification by confederal formula."
Kim Yong Nam, politburo member of the WPK Central Committee, Vice-Premier of the Administration Council and Foreign Minister, said:
"It is an expression of the Egyptian people's deep respect for and trust in the respected General Kim Jong Il that close friends of Egypt have joined the Korean people in celebrating the February holiday.
"True to the behests of President Kim Il Sung and intention of General Kim Jong Il, we will make positive efforts to further strengthen and develop the friendly and cooperative relations with Egypt in the common interests of the two peoples."
Estimating the efforts made by the Egyptian government and people for national development and peaceful solution to the mideast problem, he sincerely wished the Egyptian people big success in the work for greater progress and prosperity.
Film show marks anniversary of Iranian Revolution
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- A film show was held here Tuesday to mark the 19th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
Invited to the show were Iranian Ambassador to Korea Mohammad Ganjidoost and embassy officials.
Vice-Chairman of the C.C., the Union of Agricultural Working People of Korea Kim Myong Chol, who is also Vice-Chairman of the Korea-Iran Friendship Association, other officials concerned and citizens were present.
The participants appreciated an Iranian feature film.
"Labour-management-government agreement" rejected in S. Korea
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- Some 70 trade unionists of the Hanna heavy industries thronged to the office of the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions on February 8 and started a sit-in in demand of the total rejection of the "labour-management-government agreement," according to a radio report from Seoul.
They said that to "legalise" the system of allowing companies to lay off workers is as grave as the case in which labour laws were railroaded through the "national assembly" and called for totally rejecting it.
On Feb. 9, deputies to the confederation held a meeting and turned down the inequal agreement.
They said that the points of the agreement including the introduction of the layoff system are invalid and urged the executives of the confederation to resign for their yes to the agreement.
They vowed that they would launch a general strike against the introduction of the layoff system.
They formed an emergency committee to push their demands.
Anniversary of victory of Islamic Revolution in Iran observed
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today observes the 19th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. The Iranian people, after the victory of the revolution, proved the truth that only when they adhere to the anti-imperialist independent stand, can they defend their idea, system and dignity, a signed article of the paper says, and goes on:
The imperialists viciously manoeuvre to isolate Iran politically, diplomatically and in the economic aspect, showing the naked hostile attitude toward the Iranian people, who firmly maintain the anti-imperialist independent stand, and the Islamic revolution.
But, the Iranian people do not yield to their pressure and moves to isolate and stifle their country, holding the banner of anti-imperialism and independence higher.
Iran is rejecting the dangerous double-dealing policy of the U.S. that calls for the "improvement of relations" while not abandoning the hostile policy toward the Iranian people.
The Korean people extend full solidarity to the cause and struggle of the Iranian people.
The friendly relations between the two countries and the two peoples are developing on good terms in accordance with the idea of the non-aligned movement and the demand of the two peoples.
The Korean people sincerely wish the Iranian people greater success in their efforts for anti-imperialist independence and for building of a new life.
Delegation of Mongolian party entertained
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) gave a reception for the delegation of the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) on a visit to Korea on Feb. 10.
Choe Thae Bok, Secretary of the WPK Central Committee, said in his speech that the MPRP with a long history of struggle has energetically made efforts for progress of society, the national unity and independent development of the country.
The WPK and the Korean people will as ever strive to further develop friendly relations between the two parties and the two peoples forged in the common struggle against imperialism and for independence and peace, he stressed.
O. Enkhtuvshin, Secretary of the MPRP who is heading the visiting delegation, in his speech said that President Kim Il Sung's visit to Mongolia and Mongolian leaders' Korea visit made a great contribution to developing the friendly relations between the two countries.
The two countries, he said, have supported and cooperated with each other in hard times and their will for cooperation is invariable.
He emphasized that the MPRP would make strenuous efforts for the development of the friendly relations between the two countries.
Letter to G.S. Kim Jong Il from Japanese wives
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA)-- The second home-visiting batch of Japanese wives in Korea on Feb. 5 sent a letter to General Secretary Kim Jong Il after winding up their visit to Japan under the agreement between the governments and Red Cross organizations of the DPRK and Japan.
The letter said in part:
"During our stay in Japan, we missed you respected General and your care so much.
"We poignantly felt how much excellent our socialism with you as father is. And we are well aware that our eternal happiness and the prosperity of our country, our homeland are guaranteed by you.
"We will fully trust and follow only you and educate our children to remain loyal to you down through generations, even though we have to continue the 'arduous march.'"
Thongil Street
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- Thongil Street is situated in the southeast side of the River Taedong, Pyongyang. It was built by reflecting the uppermost desire of the Korean people for national reunification. Hence the name Thongil (reunification) Street.
The street, about six kilometres long from the Raknang Bridge to the East Pyongyang Thermal Power Station and with the central avenue 120 metres wide running, is lined with apartment complexes for 36,000 family units, public buildings and pleasure parks.
Massive apartment blocks of different types consist of 18, 20, 25, 30, and 40-storied buildings, presenting a wonderful ensemble.
Tower-type apartment blocks give cubic effect. The left side of the street is dotted with folding screen-type apartment blocks 600 metres long which consist of 14 to 18-storied buildings and can house 1,500 families. The houses are arranged in keeping with the magnificent physical features of the street and each home is comfortably designed.
In the central part of the street, a 300-metre-wide promenade stretches out to the riverside of the Taedong.
Various species of luxuriant trees and flowers are found in green belts and sculptures representing animals such as bear, deer and tiger are placed here and there.
There is a sculptural group which symbolizes the aspiration of the Korean people for reunification. Two girls are coming from the north and south, with their hairs fluttering in the breeze and their two arms spreading, to embrace each other.
In the riverside there is the Pyongyang Mullet Soup House built on natural rocks. This restaurant of traditional Korean architectural style is well knit with the picturesque scenery of the River Taedong and has seating accommodations for 630.
In addition, there are Pyongyang Noodle House built on a complex of 17,500 square metres, which affords accommodation for 5,000 guests, and other service facilities.
Each residential quarter is furnished with nurseries, kindergartens, primary and senior middle schools, hospitals and medical posts.
Thongil Street is the first gateway to the capital from the south. Here Pyongyang people will greet their brethren from the south when Korea is reunified.
First flying car
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- The Korean people made a flying car more than 400 years ago for fight against the enemy.
The bird-shape flying car was boarded by four people. It was equipped with devices of steering wings and causing, storing and emitting wind.
It took off with the flexible wings and the jet propulsion by stored air and flew with flap and steering of the wings. The appearance of the car was far earlier than 1783 when a man is said to have flown with a balloon for the first time in the world.
According to master O Myong Ho, a researcher of the history institute of the academy of social sciences, this clearly shows that Korean ancestors greatly contributed to the development of planes. They used flying cars in battles against the foreign aggressors.
In 1592 when the Imjin Patriotic War was going on, a Korean army unit encircled by Japanese aggression troops in Jinju Castle in South Kyongsang Province. At that time the unit let a flying car fly 12 km for contact with another unit.
In 1374, a year of the Koryo Dynasty (918-1392), Koryo army soldiers flew onto Jeju Island from boats with balloons and defeated the Japanese enemy.
DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesman on resumption of DPRK-Japan talks
Pyongyang, February 11 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was interviewed by KCNA today over the issue of resuming full-fledged talks between the DPRK and Japanese governments.
The spokesman told KCNA:
Negotiations between Foreign Ministry working-level officials of the two countries which started last year continued in Beijing in January.
As was already reported, preliminary talks between vice department directors for the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries took place in August last year. At the talks both sides agreed to restart the full-fledged talks without preconditions as early as possible within the year. They reached a complete identity of views on the venue and other technical matters concerning the full-fledged talks and agreed to set the date of the talks through a diplomatic channel.
What remained to be done was only to agree to the date of the resumption of the talks. At the ensuing rounds of the working-level negotiations, however, the Japanese side overruled the agreement between the two sides and raised the groundless "missing person" issue as a precondition for the resumption of the talks, intentionally creating difficulties in restarting the talks at an early date.
At the latest round the DPRK side accused the Japanese side of violating the agreement reached at the previous rounds and preliminary talks held last year. But the Japanese delegate said he was not responsible for it because the agreement was what his predecessor made.
Such behavior of the Japanese side, which violates an agreement between the two states is really a despicable act that mocks diplomatic confidence.
The Japanese side's behavior makes us consider how to treat the Japanese delegate and what the Japanese government's position concerning the talks is.
In diplomacy, mutual confidence should be treasured and agreement implemented without fail.
If one side unilaterally turns down the agreement without discussion with the other side, such an act will only hurt its country's reputation. Of course, we are invariably seeking the normalization of the DPRK-Japan ties in conformity with the desire of the two peoples.
If Japan has no intention to restart the talks, however, we will stop seeking the resumption of the talks. And if Japan has not yet finished preparations for the talks, we will wait until it does.
If the Japanese side continues such a despicable act, we will no longer have dealings with it.
The Japanese side should be prudent, repenting of its double-faced diplomatic stand and insincere act.