Military exercise in Guam island, why?
Pyongyang, March 26 (KCNA) -- The U.S. recent dispatch of B-2 stealth bombers to Guam island is aimed at displaying its "strength" in the world, not merely at staging "exercise".
Rodong Sinmun says this in a signed article on Wednesday.
The daily notes:
The United States deployed these bombers in the island, describing them as "bats", in a heinous attempt to put down the mounting anti-u.s. Sentiment and keep the position of the only superpower. What is more serious is that their deployment and exercise are taking aim at the DPRK.
It is known to all that strategic nuclear bombers are frequently flying to South Korea from Guam island for military manoeuvres to make a surprise attack on the DPRK.
For what is "deterrent force"?
Pyongyang, March 26 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun Wednesday brands a study report on main elements of deterrent force after the cold war published by the strategic command of the U.S. Defense Department as a brigandish logic like a thief crying "stop thief".
The study report says it is proper for the United States to keep nuclear weapons in order to "deter" the potential "nuclear attack". Lurking behind it is a sinister attempt, the daily says, and goes on:
The United States is describing its nuclear weapons as "deterrent force" to block someone's "nuclear threat". This is a shameless sophism to justify its manoeuvres of aggression and war.
Today when disarmament is becoming a global trend, the United States should dismantle nuclear weapons, but it rather intends to keep them. To this end it needs a new pretext. That is why it is insisting on argument about "deterrent force" allegedly to block other countries' "nuclear threat" by nuclear weapons.
Under the pretext of "deterrent force" the United States is directing a focal point of its nuclear strategy to the developing countries after the cold war came to an end. The spearhead of the main attack is directed to the DPRK.
If the United States is interested in peace, it should fully eliminate the nuclear weapons, pull out all the nuclear weapons from its military bases in South Korea and other countries at an early date and completely remove nuclear threat against those countries which have no nuclear weapons.
DPRK-Russia cooperation in science and culture
Pyongyang, March 26 (KCNA) -- A 1998-1999 plan for inter-governmental scientific and cultural cooperation between the DPRK and Russia was signed in Moscow on Mar. 20.
It was signed by Korean ambassador to Russia Son Song Phil and the acting director of the Cultural Relations Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Rodong Sinmun urges repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners
Pyongyang, March 26 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today runs a signed article urging the South Korean authorities to repatriate the unconverted long-term prisoners of the DPRK origin.
The author of the article says:
Their repatriation conforms to the war conventions on treatment of pows and the Korean Military Armistice Agreement.
Kim In So conducted political activities in newly-liberated areas, serving in the Korean People's Army (KPA) and Kim Yong Thae joined the KPA after the Korean War started. And Ham Se Hwan was a voluntary soldier who joined the KPA in a newly liberated area of South Korea during its first southward advance and fought against the enemy with arms in hands.
The South Korean authorities are crying that the unconverted long-term prisoners are not pows but "criminals" because they were arrested while being engaged in guerrilla activities in South Korea.
The 1929 special convention on pows and the 1949 convention on treatment of pows made clear the status of resistance organisations such as guerrillas.
The repatriation of the unconverted long-term prisoners also conforms with humanitarianism and the standards of human rights on free choice of residence, emigration, travel and citizenship.
As mentioned above, they should have been repatriated scores of years ago in view of international law, the Korean Armistice Agreement and humanitarianism.
But they are still kept in south korea due to the persistent anti-north confrontation policy pursued by the successive South Korean rulers.
The South Korean authorities are openly revealing their intention not to return the unconverted long-term prisoners to the north. The authorities allege that they would "not repeat the past mistakes." This makes us suspect that the present ruling quarters of South Korea are following in the footsteps of the successive dictators who were engrossed only in inter-Korean confrontation, turning their back on the improvement of north-south relations, reconciliation and reunification.
They must not duplicate the criminal records of the successive rulers who used the repatriation of the unconverted long-term prisoners for their sinister political purpose but they must take a measure to send them back to the north without delay.
Resolution on Korean question adopted at Nepalese Party Congress
Pyongyang, March 26 (KCNA) -- A resolution on the Korean question was adopted at the Seventh Congress of the Nepal Communist Party (united) held from March 4 to 8.
It urged the united states to immediately withdraw its troops obstructive to the reunification of Korea, the South Korean government to renounce the policy of depending on outside forces and the north and south of Korea to negotiate with each other on the principle of independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity.
It hoped that the north and south of Korea would promote co-existence, co-prosperity and common interests on the basis of the proposal for founding the Democratic Confederal Republic of Koryo put forward by President Kim Il Sung.
Wide-range dialogue and negotiations called for
Pyongyang, March 26 (KCNA) -- Chae Jong Man, chairman of the central association of Korean nationals in Russia, expressed full support to the step taken at the joint meeting of the political parties and organisations of the DPRK.
In a statement dated March 19 he said that the Koreans in Russia, upon hearing news of the proposal of the joint meeting, are full of optimism and fresh conviction of the reunification of the country.
If the country is to be reunified, the frozen inter-Korean relations should be improved and the political parties and organisations in the north and south sit together for wide-range negotiations and dialogue, he noted, adding:
The South Korean authorities should get rid of dependence on foreign forces, take the stand of national independence, replace the anti-north confrontation policy with a pro-north reconciliation policy, pull down the concrete wall, abrogate the fascist "National Security Law" and dissolve the "Agency for National Security Planning".
Minju Joson on negative effect of economic "globalisation"
Pyongyang, March 26 (KCNA) -- Minju Joson on march 25 came out with a signed article on a negative effect of economic "globalisation" on the lips of the imperialists.
The developing countries must clearly know the predatory nature of the imperialists to establish a new exploiting order and turn out in the struggle to frustrate it, the author of the article said, and continued:
The imperialists are advertising that the economic "globalisation" is beneficial to the economic development of the developing countries. However, their advertisement is nothing but a sophism to bring the developing countries under their control by dint of their advanced economic power and intensify exploitation and plunder of them.
They are also alleging that the economic "globalisation" fosters free competitions among countries and nations in all markets and brings beneficial things to the development of the national economy of each country.
But, their allegation is an unrealistic sophism.
What they seek through the economic "globalisation" is to sell their surplus goods, fully exploit cheap manpower of the developing nations and plunder them of their rich resources, thus filling their pockets.
As a result, the developing nations are suffering serious losses in economic and social spheres.
As seen above, the economic "globalisation" gives a negative influence on the developing nations.
Repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners urged
Pyongyang, March 26 (KCNA) -- The Indian Federation of Bank clerks recently sent a letter to the South Korean President, urging him to send unconverted long-term prisoners back to the north.
The letter expressed deep concern over the miserable status of old Kim In So and Ham Se Hwan who had been long tortured and persecuted after they were arrested by the South Korean authorities during the Fatherland Liberation War (June 25, 1950-July 27, 1953) and are not allowed to return to their hometowns where their dear families and relatives are waiting for them.
Expressing resentment at the inhuman behaviour of the South Korean authorities, the letter urged them to immediately repatriate Kim In So, Ham Se Hwan and other unconverted long-term prisoners to the DPRK.
Cultural inheritage on Mt. Myohyang
Pyongyang, March 26 (KCNA) -- Many precious cultural legacies of the nation are preserved on Mt. Myohyang, one of the five scenic mountains in Korea.
Mt. Myohyang covers an area of 375 square kilometres around the highest peak Piro (1,909 metres high).
Attracting visitors there are not only majestic and squeer peaks and valleys but also such wonderful things as old buildings and stone towers.
In the mountain there are over 5,430 relics and remains including scores of buildings and pagodas, Buddhist figures, paintings, wood blocks for printing and implements for rites and living, which tell about the time-honored architecture and talents of the Korean nation.
Typical of them is Pohyon Temple, one of the five famous temples in Korea, representing architecture of the early 11th century.
Pohyon Temple is made up of the Taeung Hall which is the main building, Manse Pavilion and Pagodas and gates, built on the centre established long to north and south, and several buildings on its left and right sides.
Standing on both sides of the entrance to the temple are Kumgang god, statues of Munsu Buddha-elect on a blue lion Pohyon Buddha-elect on a white elephant and King Sachon with each leg treading on a man.
Taeung Hall, the largest and graceful building in the temple, and thirteen-storied octagonal and nine-storied rectangular pagodas in its yard show stone architecture developed in the middle age of Korea.
In the mountain is a newly-built house for "complete collection of Buddhist scriptures." preserved in the house are 1,159 volumes of the complete collection, which was printed from wood blocks in the period of the Koryo feudal state (918-1392). The blocks were completed in 16 years from 1236. This complete collection is one of the nation's cultural legacies of great value and historical significance, and the greatest work created by the people in the Koryo period.
Besides, there are Sangwon, Pulyong, Habiro, Kumgang and other small Buddhist temples showing ancestors' architecture.
Standing in the mountain is a history museum, built in May Juche 36 (1947), which consists of a Buddhist library, a Buddhist relics exhibition hall and a scenic spots introducing hall.
Papers mark day of Independence of Bangladesh
Pyongyang, March 26 (KCNA) -- Papers here today observe the 27th anniversary of the Independence of Bangladesh.
In a signed article Rodong Sinmun introduces achievements made by Bangladeshi people in their efforts for political stability and democratic development of the country.
The Bangladeshi government has taken measures to stabilize people's life and develop the national economy.
The paper says, and goes on:
The government has developed friendly and cooperative relations with neighboring countries, pursuing a non-aligned policy.
The Bangladeshi people support the Korean people in their socialist cause and in their struggle for the independent and peaceful reunification of the country.
Minju Joson points out in an article that the Korean people sincerely wish the Bangladeshi people greater success in their work for independent development and social progress of the country.