Foreigners tour Mt. Paektu
Pyongyang, July 15 (KCNA) -- Members of the missions of the World Food Program, the UN Development Program and the UN Children's Fund in the DPRK visited Mt. Paektu area from July 11 to 13. The visitors laid bouquets before the statue of the President Kim Il Sung standing by Lake Samji. They visited General Secretary Kim Jong Il's old home at the secret camp on Mt. Paektu and planted trees before climbing Mt. Paektu, the sacred mountain of the revolution. They also went round the Chongbong bivouac, the monument to the victorious battle in Musan area and the Taehongdan county integrated farm.
Rodong Sinmun on S. Korean warhawks' saber-rattling
Pyongyang, July 15 (KCNA) -- The South Korean "Ministry of National Defence" decided to deploy new-type 155 mm artillery on Paekryong Islet in the west sea, talking about the "northern limit line." Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary lambastes this as a move that can not be overlooked.
This step taken by them, far from withdrawing the "northern limit line" recognized by none and apologizing for that, reveals their criminal intention to lead the tense situation to a war at any cost, the news analyst observes, and continues: The South Korean authorities' unceasing armed provocations in the west sea and the projected deployment of new-type 155 mm artillery are timed to coincide with the U.S.'s ever more pronounced attempts to start a new war, a clear indication that the anti-north saber-rattling of the warhawks inside and outside South Korea has reached an extremely dangerous phase.
It is clear that the South Korean authorities will repeat provocations in the west sea for the purpose of igniting a war of aggression against the DPRK at any cost pursuant to the anti-north war scenario of their master, notes the commentary. It warns that if they finally provoke a war against the north, they will be killed in the flames kindled by themselves.
Friendly meeting with officials of Cuban embassy
Pyongyang, July 15 (KCNA) -- A friendly meeting with officials of the Cuban embassy in Korea was held at Korea-Cuba Friendship Moranbong Senior Middle School no. 1 Wednesday in the month of solidarity with the Cuban people. Secretary of the central committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League Kim Kyong Ho, vice-chairman of the Korea-Cuba solidarity committee, was present at the meeting. Invited there were Cuban ambassador to Korea Jose Manuel Inclan Embade and the embassy officials. The participants saw an art performance given by the pupils and played sports and amusement games.
Abrogation of "NSL" demanded in S. Korea
Pyongyang, July 15 (KCNA) -- 32 catholic organizations in South Korea, including the "Korean Catholic Priests' Council for Justice," met in Seoul on July 12 to inaugurate "Catholic Priests' Solidarity for Abrogation of the 'National Security Law'", the South Korean newspaper Hangyore reported.
At the inaugural ceremony, they were unanimous in saying that the "NSL", an evil law enacted during the term of the Park Chung Hee regime, is used as a tool to suppress people's freedom of thinking and conscience even under the "government for the people."
The newly-formed organization decided to make public a declaration of 2,000 religious leaders for the abrogation of the "NSL" in Seoul, Kwangju, Taegu and other parts of South Korea in August. It will also organize a pilgrim group for the abrogation of the evil law to make a mass tour of South Korea and conduct a signature campaign involving religionists and citizens from August 15 and urge the regular "National Assembly" session slated for September to abolish the law.
Meanwhile, the "Team for Worldwide Campaign Against 'National Security Law'" consisting of the Family Movement for Realizing Democracy, the Movement for Human Rights and the Bar Association for Democratic Society and three other organizations launched the struggle for abrogation of the evil law.
Besides, the 50-member pilgrim group for abrogation of the "National Security Law" of the "National Alliance for Democracy and Reunification" is collecting signatures from citizens and conducting propaganda activities for the abrogation of the evil law while making a tour of different parts of South Korea.
Move to vitalize anti-DPRK "cooperation" system
Pyongyang, July 15 (KCNA) -- The U.S., Japanese and South Korean warhawks are now getting overheated in vitalizing the "cooperation" system against the North of Korea.
Director of the Japan Defence Agency Norota met on July 13 blare, commander-in-chief of the U.S. forces in the pacific, on a visit to Japan and discussed the "issue of North Korea." The Japanese government at a ministerial meeting on the same day decided to "increase influence on the United States and South Korea to prevent North Korea from launching another missile."
That day, the diplomatic and military authorities of Japan and South Korea held a "consultative meeting on security policy" at the building of the Japanese Foreign Ministry and deliberated on "measures for cooperation regarding North Korea policy".
The "cooperation" system on their lips is intended to strengthen the military collusion under the signboard of regional "security" and stage a war of aggression against the DPRK by the U.S.-led allied forces.
If the U.S., Japanese and South Korean warhawks misjudge the DPRK's will and determination and dare to unleash a new war, they will have to pay a very high price and will not escape from the lot of a forlorn wandering spirit.
Korean books presented to Nepal
Pyongyang, July 15 (KCNA) -- A ceremony of presenting Korean books was held on July 8 at the Basstula Middle School, Baktapur, Nepal, on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the President Kim Il Sung's passing away. Reminiscences of the President "With the Century" was presented to the school at the ceremony. The principal and public figures said that the reminiscences of the President is a precious textbook that should be read and studied by all from politicians to ordinary people.
Guarantee of right to national education to Koreans in Japan
Tokyo, July 13 (KNS-KCNA) -- A press conference was held on July 8 by educational representatives of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), including Chae Hong Yol, chairman of the Central Council of the Union of Korean Teachers in Japan and Ku Tae Sok, principal of the Tokyo Korean Middle and High School, who is chairman of the Society of Korean High School Principals, in connection with the partial revision of qualifications of pupils of Korean and other foreign schools for examination to enter Japanese universities.
The Japan Ministry of Education recently deleted the term "graduates of Japanese middle schools and above" from the provision regarding qualifications for examination and took a measure of revising it to allow any pupil of 16 years and above to take examinations. The representatives stated at the press conference that the recent measure lightened a bit the burden on pupils and graduates of Korean high schools by allowing them to take examinations for admission to Japanese universities without finishing the evening and correspondence courses of Japan but it was hard to say that the unfair treatment of the Korean high school pupils has been fundamentally rectified.
The Japanese government should fully guarantee the right to national education to Japan-resident Koreans, not content with the recent step.
Japan's ambition for overseas aggression
Pyongyang, July 15 (KCNA) -- Some days ago the House of Representatives of Japan adopted a bill on setting up an ad hoc committee to reexamine the existing constitution.
Commenting on this, Rodong Sinmun today observes: It is the principal policy aim of the Japanese reactionary ruling quarters at present to remove the legal obstacle lying in the way of their overseas aggression. The news analyst goes on: In reexamining the existing constitution they seek to retrogressively revise the ostentatious "peace constitution" as a war constitution so as to establish a constitutional wartime system and legally mobilize all potentials of Japan for a full-dress overseas aggression.
The bill adopted by them to reexamine the constitution following the passage of the legislation for the implementation of the updated "guidelines" eloquently proves that they are a most dangerous bellicose group putting the successive Japanese ruling quarters into the shade. Those who do harm to others can never go scot-free. Today when it is the trend of the times to advocate independence and people are more awakened than ever before, those who are bent on overseas aggression are bound to go to ruin.
13th anniversary of the publication of the famous work
Pyongyang, July 15 (KCNA) -- An article of Rodong Sinmun today observes the 13th anniversary of the publication of the famous work of General Secretary Kim Jong Il "On Some Problems of Education in the Juche Idea".
The work published on July 15, Juche 75 (1986) comprehensively elucidated theoretical and practical problems in strengthening and developing the ideological education in conformity with the developing situation including profound principles of the Juche idea and the issue of conducting all forms of ideological education on the basic principles of the Juche idea.
The author of the article says that the work brought about a revolutionary turn in the ideological work of the Worker's Party of Korea to further develop and enrich the treasure house of the Juche idea and prepare working people as revolutionaries of Juche type firmly armed with the Juche idea.
It is the immortal exploit Kim Jong Il performed by bringing about a revolutionary turn in the WPK's ideological education that he has prepared the Korean people as revolutionaries of Juche-type who live and struggle guided by the Juche idea, regarding it as their firm creed, fighters who, equipped with transparent revolutionary world outlook on the leader, devotedly defend the leader, and as resolute defender of socialism, the article says, and goes on: The Juche character and national character are strictly preserved in the revolution and construction and the Juche idea has been fully embodied in all political, economic, military and cultural fields in Korea. This reality clearly testifies to the justice of the WPK's line of ideological education.
The Korean people are living and struggling under the uplifted banner of devotedly defending the leader with the firm confidence that they can certainly achieve victory in the socialist cause when they hold the respected Marshal Kim Jong Il in high esteem with single-hearted loyalty and filial piety and firmly defending the banner of socialism even in face of the ever more pronounced moves of the imperialists to isolate and stifle the DPRK.
No one to be exchanged for in DPRK
Pyongyang, July 15 (KCNA) -- The South Korean authorities doggedly refuse the repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners calling for the "exchange" of them for "POWs of ROK army" and "those abducted by the north." The DPRK has no one to be exchanged for except those who deserted the disgraceful army and joined the people's army to fight the enemy in the past Korean War and those who came over to the north of their own accord, cursing the South Korean society.
So Sang Dae, 69, residing in Mangyongdae district, Pyongyang, denounced the South Korean authorities for describing the defectors to the north from the army as "POWs" for no reason. He continued: I came over to the north in February 1953 from the 62nd regiment, the 20th division of the army and joined the Korean People's Army. At that time I did not do so at any instigation or under any pressure from someone. I state clearly that I am not a "POW" but a defector to the north.
Kim Jong In, 40, residing in Pongsan county, North Hwanghae Province, said the story about the "north-abducted persons" floated by the South Korean authorities is a sheer fabrication. He went on to say: I had a narrow escape from the death while I was adrift in rough storms in the sea. How can a man saved by compatriots in the north be called@"man abducted by the north?" I enjoy a happy life in the DPRK. I was not abducted by the north but a defector to the north and a proud citizen of the DPRK.
Kim Yong Gun, 71, residing in Sinchon county, South Hwanghae Province, said that it was preposterous for the South Korean authorities to term defectors to the north from the army "P0Ws". He continued: I was conscripted to the army right after the outbreak of the war. The South Korean Army are no more than bullet-shields for U.S. forces. I, determined to fight against the provokers of the Korean War, the U.S. imperialists and their lackeys, joined the Korean People's Army by taking the chance of standing at a forefront post in January, 1951. That is why I am not a "POW" but a defector.
The defectors were unanimous in their view that the DPRK has no one to "be exchanged" for claimed by the South Korean authorities.
Truth behind armed provocations revealed
Pyongyang, July 15 (KCNA) -- The propaganda department of the central committee of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) released a detailed report on July 10 laying bare the truth behind the recent armed provocations in the West Sea of Korea perpetrated by the South Korean authorities under the active patronage of the U.S., Seoul-based radio Voice of National Salvation said.
It cites concrete facts to prove that the incident was not an accidental one by any soldiers group but a premeditated anti-north armed provocation carried out by the South Korean military under the patronage of the U.S. military warhawks in a bid to invade the north.
According to the report, at 10:00 p.m. On June 1, the "chairman of the joint chiefs of staff" and other generals of the South Korean Army held an emergency confab in the office of the "National Defence Minister". An "operation plan for anti-north provocation was worked out soon at the "headquarters of the joint chiefs of staff".
This included an armed provocation in Panmunjom, an armed provocation in waters along the "northern limit line" in the west sea and other options. But the operation plan boiled down to an armed clash in waters along the "northern limit line" in the west sea.
The reason behind this choice was that the "northern limit line" in the west sea was unilaterally fixed by the "UN forces command" and the north, therefore, has not recognized it so far and it was their calculation that the North Korean army would take a prompt counter-action to protect some ten fishing boats of the north at work to catch crabs around the line if they were provoked even a little.
The operation plan had four phases -- taking out the rival force to clash, bumping of against ships, preemptive firing and escalation of armed attack. It was also planned to prepare in advance news materials intended to shift the blame for the incident on to the north and open them to the public at home and abroad and inform the countries concerned of it through South Korean missions abroad.
It was also envisaged in the plan that in order to keep the operation secret the personnel involved in the operation would be banned from staying outside or going out, the waters off Yonphyong Islet, the operational waters, be blockaded and the operation be co-named "WS(west sea)-99 operation."
The "operation plan" was immediately reported to Kim Dae Jung and carefully examined and approved by the commander of the U.S. forces in South Korea who has the prerogative of the supreme command over the "ROK army" before going over to the phase of implementation.
Jo Song Thae and other military brass-hats appeared on the spot and ordered warships of the "ROK army" to go into action according to the "operation plan" and escalate their provocation to the territorial waters of the north. Kim Dae Jung also heard reports about the situation any time, dispatched his "chief adviser for diplomacy and security of Chongwadae" to the second fleet command to convey his "message" telling it "not to miss an opportunity", and egged the officers and men onto an armed provocation.
On June 15, the date fixed for the start of an armed attack, Kim Jin Ho, "chairman of the joint chiefs of staff", under the command of the "National Defence Minister", under the prearranged plan, ordered 12 large warships which had intruded deep into the territorial waters off Yonphyong Islet, the waters of the north, to fire bullets and shells all at once.
The engagement between the two sides grew fierce as patrol boats of the north took an immediate counter-action.The naval force of the north that does not tolerate the slightest encroachment upon its sovereignty and territorial integrity severely damaged ten odd warships of the "ROK army", killed or wounded hundreds of their crewmen in the engagement that day, thus frustrating the attempt to invade the north in an instant.
Upset by this, the South Korean authorities vociferated about the "preemptive attack from the north". The "incident in the west sea" was orchestrated to tide over the serious ruling crisis of the present South Korean "government". The Kim Dae Jung group tried to seek a way out of it in the shocking armed provocation in the west sea.
The report cites materials to prove that the assertion of the South Korean authorities that the "incident" was caused by the "north's provocation" turned out to be baseless, inviting criticism from public at home and abroad. It continues: A gimlet protruding from a sack cannot be concealed. With no trick can the South Korean warhawks ever conceal the fact that they are the real criminal responsible for the "incident in the west sea".
The ruling quarters of the self-proclaimed "people's government" must fully probe the truth behind the "engagement in the west sea" before the people, give up the prize-giving farce and immediately and sternly censure the "National Defence Minister", the "chairman of the joint chiefs of staff" and others responsible for the incident.
The United States, the manipulator of the incident, must take off its mask, halt at once its reckless moves to unleash a second Balkan war on the Korean peninsula and withdraw its troops from this land without delay.
Minju Joson calls for taking revenge on enemy
Pyongyang, July 15 (KCNA) -- Minju Joson today comments on the proved truth behind the "murder of people in Yongdong" by the U.S. during the Fatherland Liberation War.
Our nation will make the U.S. pay for the blood of people in Yongdong county thousands of times and call the crimes they committed in this to account, the paper stresses, and goes on: Toward the end of July 1950 the 5th cavalry regiment of the U.S. imperialist cavalry division dispatched to the Yongdong line, North Chungchong Province cajoled residents there into "taking shelter in a safe place" and called out a plane by radio to commit bombing and strafing upon them.
And they drove the survivors into a cave and fired machine guns for four days to kill hundreds of women and children and old men and women.
The murder case has so far been propagandized as an@"outrage" by the Korean People's Army. The truth behind this distortion of history has been verified.
We vehemently denounce the U.S. for ruthlessly murdering hundreds of guiltless people and shifting the blame on to us for nearly half a century in a bid to use it in the anti-communist campaign. Now that the truth behind the murder of people in Yongdong has been probed, the U.S. should admit their crime and compensate for it and withdraw from South Korea.
Phibada Opera Troupe wins fame
Pyongyang, July 15 (KCNA) -- The Phibada Opera Troupe of Korea is now performing in different cities of China. The troupe has already given performances in China several times. The troupe was founded as the North Korean opera troupe in Juche 35 (1946). At that time the troupe gave performances to encourage the working people in building a new state.
The troupe was reorganized into the Phibada Opera Troupe in July, Juche 60 (1971).
General Secretary Kim Jong Il put forward the basic tasks of opera revolution to do away with the long-standing old form of opera and to modernize and popularize opera art based on revolutionary content and national form. He guided the creation of the revolutionary opera "Sea of Blood" with stanzaic songs, pangchang and dances, Juche-based orchestra and stage decor based on Korean paintings.
The creation of the opera "Sea of Blood" was a historical turning point in opening a new era of the opera art. It was followed by revolutionary operas "the Flower Girl," "a True Daughter of the Party," "the Fate of a Self-Defence Corps Man" and "Tell the Story, Forest " thus revolutionary operas were produced in Korea.
The opera troupe produced revolutionary operas, folk dance suits, legend dance dramas and other music and dance works. The troupe is giving opera performances and music and dance performances and providing recorded music for movies. The troupe boasts of over 40 artistes with honorary titles such as labour hero, people's artist, people's actor and actress, merited actor and actress and merited artist.
The troupe has given over 400 performances in foreign countries.
Korean folk sport: Subakhui
Pyongyang, July 15 (KCNA) -- Subakhui is one of the oldest and most popular folk sports in Korea. It is a form of hand combat in which two men stand face to face and deliver hand and fist blows while guarding themselves against each other's attacks until one of them falls down.
Subakhui was already in practice in the period of the three kingdoms of Korea (third century BC.-AD. the seventh century). Scenes of this sports are found on tomb murals of the Koguryo dynasty. In the period of the Koryo dynasty (918-1392), it was one of major programs for martial arts training, and the ability of a soldier was evaluated by his skill in this military art.
Subakhui consists of 25 skills of the hands and body, as well as 10 other special skills. In the Koryo dynasty competitions of this sport were frequently held. Those who were proficient were either chosen as professional soldiers and officers, or if they were already in active service, they were promoted to a higher rank.
Some talented practitioners at the time were so skilled in technique that their powerful fist blows were enough to make the rafters of a house tremble, and their strong punches could pierce a wall.
This military art continued to develop during the Ri dynasty (1392-1910). The skills now became diversified, one combining the hands and feet, and another combining kicking and head-butting with the use of fists. This time-honored traditional sport has developed into Taekwon-do, which today symbolizes the fighting spirit and vigor of the Korean people.
Gift from Kim Jong Il to Cambodian King
Pyongyang, July 15 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il sent a gift to Norodom Sihanouk, Cambodian King, on an official goodwill visit to Korea. The gift was handed over to Norodom Sihanouk by Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, today.
DPRK FM calls for withdrawal of U.S. from Panama Canal zone
Pyongyang, July 15 (KCNA) -- A spokesman of the DPRK Foreign Ministry today answered the question put by the KCNA as regards the demand of Latin American countries for the withdrawal of the U.S. troops from the Panama Canal zone.
The United States is now scheming permanent presence of its troops in the Panama Canal zone, raising preposterous demands for "rediscussion of the canal issue," "establishment of multinational anti-drug center in the canal zone" and "joint patrol over the territorial air, waters and land of Panama" under the pretext of "security" of canal and anti-drug struggle in this zone with the approach of the date of return of the Panama Canal, the spokesman said, and went on: This is its usual practice done whenever it committed aggression and plunder of other countries.
Panama and other Latin American countries are now charging that although the United States is vociferating as if it were interested in the "security" of the zone, it is no more than a trick for its strategic interests in the western hemisphere. They are strongly opposing the permanent presence of the U.S. troops in the Panama Canal.
The bid for the permanent presence of the U.S. troops in the Panama Canal zone is a brigandish act which cannot be justified in view of the national interests of the Panama people and the international law. The U.S. sinister attempt clearly proves that the U.S. troops are the harassers of peace and security everywhere in the world and the invaders. The plot for permanent presence of the U.S. troops is continuing in the Korean peninsula as in Panama.
The United States is chiefly responsible for the division of our nation. It is owing to the illegal presence of the U.S. troops in South Korea that our country remains divided for more than half a century. The United States should give up its anachronistic ambition for world domination and withdraw its armed forces not only from the Korean peninsula but from Panama at once.
DPRK FM spokesman clarifies its stand on satellite launch
Pyongyang, July 15 (KCNA)-- The spokesman of the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea today gave the following answer to the question put by KCNA as regards the recent mixed fuss in the United States over the issue of our resumption of the satellite launch: As already reported, the United States claimed that our satellite launch should be halted as it poses sort of "threat" to it and is undisguisedly calling for strongly reacting to our satellite launch.
As for the satellite launch, this belongs to the legitimate right of an independent sovereign state. The satellite launch aimed at a scientific research for the peaceful development of the space allows no one to say this or that of it. Many countries existing on this earth in the age of ultramodern science and technology are aspiring after an extensive scientific research into the outer space and launching necessary satellites.
We neither launch a satellite at anybody's dictate nor stop it at anybody's advise.
It is our consistent stand to launch a satellite any time according to our decision when we deem it necessary and when we are prepared for it scientifically and technologically. No one has the right to fault our satellite launch, saying this or that of it.
Aid materials from Cuba here
Pyongyang, July 15 (KCNA) -- Materials provided to the DPRK free by the Cuban government in aid for the development of poultry farming and stockbreeding arrived here on July 13. This will encourage the Korean people in building a powerful socialist nation.
S. Korean authorities' anti-north confrontation move
Pyongyang, July 15 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland issued a statement today denouncing the South Korean authorities for their ever more undisguised confrontation and war moves against the north.
The statement says among other things: The "Minister of National Defence" of South Korea, Jo Song Thae, "answering the question to the government on security at the full-dress national assembly session" on July 8, let loose a string of such malicious anti-north confrontation outcries as "strengthening South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation system" and "establishing a steadfast defence posture", while spreading a rumour about "missile threat" from the north.
He went the length of frantically agitating a war, vociferating about "prompt counteraction" or "perfection of military posture" over the incident in the West Sea of Korea. This betrayed the despicable intention of the South Korean authorities to lead the present tense situation prevailing on the Korean peninsula to a more grave phase with the backing of outside forces.
The missile issue belongs to the sovereignty of the DPRK.
No one has the right to slander it, and to find a fault with it is nothing but a subterfuge to find a pretext to commit military provocations against the north.
Moreover, the South Korean authorities' loudmouthed "northern limit line" which is not recognized by anyone is intended to complicate the situation on purpose and unleash a war against the north.
They continue making bravado, far from drawing a lesson from the incident in the west sea caused by them by infiltrating their warships into the territorial waters of the north. This is no more than a rash act of the lunatic. They must act with discretion, mindful of the grave consequences to be entailed by their anti-north moves.
If they, in collusion with the U.S. military, choose to ignite a war against the north while continuing to aggravate the situation intentionally, the Korean People's Army and people will decisively wipe out the aggressors, provocateurs, and certainly achieve the historic cause of national reunification.