Floral basket to Kim Jong Il from Cambodian King
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a floral basket from Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of Korea's liberation.
The charge d'affaires ad interim of the Cambodian embassy here conveyed the floral basket to an official concerned.
Korean girl breaks world record in grenade throwing
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- Athlete of the Korean People's Army Myong Kum Sun on Thursday broke the world record for grenade throwing during the women's military pentathlon competition at the 2nd Military World Games.
She scored 1078.0 points with distant throwing 53.50 metres and hit throwing full marks to improve the previous record held by a Chances athlete, quintuple world champion for military pentathlon.
"National Reunification Prize" awarded
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- The presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK issued a decree dated August 5 on awarding the "National Reunification Prize" to patriots from the north, south and overseas.
The "National Reunification Prize" was awarded to 19 patriotic figures including Kim Pyong Sik and O Ik Je who have contributed to the cause of realizing the national sovereignty and independent, peaceful reunification of the country in the north, south and overseas upholding the banner of independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity advanced by the President Kim Il Sung.
Reception given by Russian consul-general in Chongjin
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- Putivetz Alexey, consul-general of the Russian Federation in Chongjin, gave a reception on Friday on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of the liberation of Korea.
Invited there were Choe Ki Dok, vice-chairman of the north Hamgyong provincial people's committee, and officials concerned.
Speeches were made at the reception.
Suppression of the press in S. Korea condemned
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the central committee of the Korean Journalists Union (KJU) made public a statement on Friday condemning the South Korean ruling quarters for establishing a "political corps" and "press corps" in the "Intelligence Service" and revealing their attempt to further intensify political surveillance and suppression of the press.
The statement said:
The KJU central committee brands the South Korean ruling quarters' most heinous move to suppress the press as a more vicious plot to resort to harsher military fascist repression than in the past and resolutely denounces it.
They are bribing press organizations, journalists and other mediamen and putting them under the "government" control on the one hand and on the other, setting up even special mechanism for gag on the press in the "Intelligence Service" and getting overheated in the fascist suppression of the just activities of mediamen.
The South Korean ruling quarters are trying to conceal the fact that a "political corps" and "press corps" have been newly set up in the "Intelligence Service" but they can never justify their fascist acts.
All facts clearly show once again that with the "Intelligence Service" left intact the press cannot discharge its mission any time nor can the elementary democratic right be ensured in South Korea.
The South Korean ruling quarters must dissolve the "Intelligence Service", headquarters for fascist operations, at once, abolish the "National Security Law" and fully ensure the freedom of the press and patriotic activities of the South Korean students and pro-reunification democrats.
A-bomb photo show
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- An A-bomb photo show opened at the Pyongyang International House of Culture on Friday under the sponsorship of the Association of Korean A-bomb Victims for Anti-Nuke Peace.
Present at the opening ceremony were Choe Chang Sik, chairman of the Association of Korean Doctors for Anti-Nuke Peace, Ju Song Un, chairman of the Association of Korean A-bomb Victims for Anti-Nuke Peace, officials concerned, A-bomb victims and working people in the city.
Also on hand were a Japanese delegation of cooperation organizations of A-bomb photo show led by Yasuo Miyazaki, vice-chairman of the Japan People's Congress Against A and H bombs = a Japanese delegation of "Boat of Peace" led by Tatsuya Yoshioka, director of its executive committee = delegates of international organizations and delegations and delegates of solidarity organizations from different regions and countries who had participated in the "international forum calling for the demolition of the concrete wall" = and press officials of foreign embassies here.
Exhibited there were 87 photos showing the damage caused by A-bombs dropped over in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the wartime crimes of Japan.
An opening ceremony was addressed by Ju Song Un, Yasuo Miyazaki, Tatsuya Yoshioka and Ri Sil Gun, chairman of the Hiroshima Prefectural Council of Korean A-bomb Victims of Japan. The speakers said A-bombs were dropped over in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leaving many people dead and reducing cities to ruins. They noted that the A-bomb victims are still undergoing mental and physical sufferings owing to the aftermath of the holocaust.
Many Koreans were drafted to Japan for backbreaking labour and fell victim even to atomic bombs entirely because of Japan's colonial rule over Korea and its war of aggression, they said, urging the Japanese government to make an early apology and state compensation for this.
They called upon the progressives and anti-war, anti-nuke peace organizations to wage an active struggle in unity for checking and frustrating the reckless and anachronistic moves of the U.S.-led nuclear powers to provoke a nuclear war and defending the world peace and security.
The show will last till August 18.
Letter to Japan Red Cross Society
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- The central committee of the DPRK Red Cross Society sent a letter to the Japan Red Cross Society on Friday over Japan's evasion of an apology and compensation for the crimes it committed against the Korean people in the past.
The letter recalled that during the 40-odd-year colonial rule over Korea the Japanese imperialists ruthlessly killed more than one million guiltless people, drafted over six million young and middle-aged people for slave labour and conscription and harshly plundered the country of its precious natural resources and historical relics, walked away nearly 200,000 Korean women as sexual slaves to meet the carnal desire of the Japanese soldiers and drove them to an organized group rape, mercilessly killing them or reducing them to life cripples.
The letter expressed the expectation that the Japan Red Cross Society would pay attention to the work to alleviate the misfortunes and sufferings of millions of Koreans who were forcibly taken by the Japanese imperialists during their colonial rule over Korea and the mental and physical pain of former "comfort women for the army" and make every possible effort to get this matter settled in conformity with the human conscience and the idea of humanitarianism.
Joint meeting of workers in north and south of Korea
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- A joint meeting of workers in the north and south of Korea took place at the playground of the Sangwon Cement Complex on Friday.
The delegates of the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (Minjurochong) and its workers football team for reunification were greeted with warm compatriotic feelings by Ryom Sun Gil, chairman of the central committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, and officials and employees of the complex.
Chairman of Minjurochong Ri Hap Yong in his speech said that they came to the north as a football team on behalf of the workers in the south but their purpose was to find a way of sharing with the working brothers and sisters in the north the desire for reunification.
The participants had amusement games, divided into "unity team" and "solidarity team".
Workers in the north and south demonstrated the ardent desire for great national unity through the amusement games including "partner-finding" and "running with balls in arms".
The workers of the complex and delegates of Minjurochong and its football players could not repress regret at parting. They embraced with each other with tears in their eyes before having a picture taken.
Delegates and the football team of Minjurochong visited the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace and other places in Pyongyang.
S. Korean authorities' threat under fire
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- The South Korean authorities threaten that as soon as delegates and football team of the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (Minjurochong) return to the south from Pyongyang where they participated in the "soccer game of workers in the north and the south for reunification" they would "investigate" into their activities and take a "legal action" against them.
Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary says this is a mockery and challenge to the north-south reconciliation and unity.
The commentary goes:
"Minjurochong" delegates and football team's Pyongyang visit is an official visit which went through legal formalities after getting the authorities' permission.
It is preposterous for the authorities to accuse them of their activities, talking about the "purpose of their visit."
"Minjurochong" football team did not come here just to play a game but to share compatriotic feelings with fellow countrymen in the north who have lived in separation for over half a century without hearing from each other and to become an apostle of reconciliation, unity and reunification.
So, "Minjurochong", a mass organization of workers in South Korea, formed a football team to visit Pyongyang though the workers do not know when they would be dismissed as a large number of jobless people are flooding streets under the IMF mandate.
The South Korean authorities would have not brought charges against them but for their intention to use the football game between workers in the north and south for a confrontation.
Their real intention to incriminate activities of delegates and football team of "Minjurochong" is to dampen enthusiasm for reunification growing strong occasioned by their Pyongyang visit and divert public attention to the north-south confrontation.
Unpardonable mockery of nation's desire for reunification
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA)-- The present chief executive of South Korea has come in for strong criticism by a signed commentary of Rodong Sinmun today for peddling recently a "proposal to the north" on the occasion of the "August 15 Independence Day".
Recalling that the anti-reunification forces are working hard to dampen the desire of the nation for reunification growing stronger than ever before in South Korea on the occasion of the August 15 grand pro-reunification festival, the commentary observes the present chief executive has lost the face to talk about "a proposal to the north" and "reunification."
The commentary gives a detailed account of the chief executive's record of anti-reunification moves, adding that he has failed to advance any idea or proposal on reunification though it is almost one and half years since he took power.
His "proposal to the north" is supposed to contain nothing but "dialogue", "cooperation" and "aid" meant to serve the sinister purpose of leading the north to "reform and opening" and "change of system", the commentary stresses, and goes on:
No matter what glossy words the South Korean chief executive may utter he cannot convince anyone unless he drops his venomous intention to do harm to the other party, and it will only invite curse and resentment.
If the South Korean authorities truly want dialogue and reunification, they should stop trite word-juggling. They are well advised to recognize and accept the three charters of national reunification even now.
Any "proposal" made by him to "the north" without taking any positive attitude toward the three charters of national reunification and the issue of implementing the three priorities would be no more than an empty talk.
The South Korean authorities should refrain from any act of mocking the desire of the nation for reunification with hypocrisy and deception.
U.S. hard-line conservatives hit for seeking anti-DPRK "cooperation"
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- The U.S. hard-line conservatives have stubbornly sought tripartite "cooperation system" against the DPRK in league with Japan and the South Korean authorities. They underscore the "necessity" of what they call "cooperation" with other surrounding countries.
Rodong Sinmun today describes this as a foolish action of the U.S. hard-line conservatives who try to create a favourable environment for attaining their hegemonistic ambition.
The news analyst says:
The U.S. has stepped us arms buildup and war preparations in the Asia-Pacific region in a bid to roll back the tide unfavorable to it in the Korean peninsula. A growing number of countries are accusing the U.S. of this, sharpening their vigilance.
The tripartite "cooperation system" is product of attempt of the U.S., Japan and the South Korean authorities go to stifle the DPRK.
The U.S. attempt at the anti-DPRK "cooperation" can never come true for its unreasonableness.
For settlement of the Korean issue it is necessary to seek detente, not escalating tension.
If the U.S. continues to encourage Japan, the South Korean authorities and even other surrounding countries to confrontation with the DPRK, the issue can not be solved at all. It will only lead to grave consequences.
The U.S. must act with discretion, mindful of what consequences the U.S.-Japan-South Korea "cooperation system" and the attempted "cooperation" with surrounding countries will bring.
Korea is one
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun in a political essay today calls for demolishing the barrier of the division and relining the severed blood ties of the nation in the spirit of independence, peace and great national unity to bring a reunified Korea.
The national reunification is the strongest long-cherished desire and supreme will of the Korean nation, the essay notes, and continues:
We 70 million fellow countrymen have the great sun of the reunification who represents the will of the nation for reunification. The President Kim Il Sung is the sun of liberation and the Marshal Kim Jong Il is the sun of reunification.
Reunifying the country in our generation without fail and handing the world's best reunified powerful nation to the coming generation is the supreme will, motto and aim of the Marshal. Our country is sure to be reunified as we have him.
The U.S. imperialists are our sworn enemy who severed the blood ties of the Korean nation and the South Korean rulers will meet a stern trial by the nation for blocking the national reunification, increasingly depending on foreign forces.
The 70 million fellow countrymen should turn out to win independence, peace and great national unity for one Korea, not two Koreas.
Whoever loves the country as a member of the Tangun nation should throw himself into the march to realize the independent reunification, whether he is at home or abroad.
The national reunification is near at hand. There is no force on earth which can check the dynamic march of Kim Il Sung's nation under the leadership of Kim Jong Il, the great sun of national reunification.
Monument to 3 charters of national reunification to be built
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- The monument to the three charters of national reunification will be built at the entrance to Thongil Street of Pyongyang.
The President Kim Il Sung put forward the three principles of national reunification--independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity--, the proposal for founding the Democratic Confederal Republic of Koryo which calls on the north and south to create a federal state and the ten-point programme of the great unity of the whole nation, thus providing the grand reunification program common to the nation.
General Secretary Kim Jong Il formulated them as the three charters, the three pillars for national reunification to be invariably maintained in achieving the reunification of the country.
The 33 metre high monument, peculiar in its style, is quite distinguishable from other monuments built at home and abroad in the past. It is designed in such a way as to show well the content of the three charters of national reunification and their greatness.
"Tansim" (unity) is the theme of the monument.
It will be unveiled on August 15, 2000, the 55th anniversary of the liberation of the country.
A ground-breaking ceremony took place today.
Present there were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, officials of the political parties and organizations, delegates from north, south and overseas to the grand pan-national pro-reunification festival, foreign guests and working people in the city.
In his address Yang Hyong Sop said that the monument to be erected will hand down to posterity the undying feats performed by President Kim Il Sung in accomplishing the sacred cause of national reunification and more vigorously encourage the whole nation to make a grand nationwide march for reunification under the banner of the three charters of national reunification.
It was followed by a speech by Choe Chang Gu, chief engineer of the headquarters for building the monument, and speeches by So Won Chol, a youth delegate of the south headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon), and Ri Jong Hwal, chairman of the Association of Koreans in Japan for Peaceful Reunification.
They said that the projected building of the monument would make it possible to meet the wish of the fellow countrymen to glorify the undying reunification feats of President Kim Il Sung for all ages.
Introduced at the ceremony were aid materials contributed by people from all parts of the northern half of Korea, the overseas headquarters of Pomminryon and overseas. Koreans after hearing the news of the building of the monument.
At the end of the ceremony the participants did commemoration labour.
Friendly gathering with European regional representatives held
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- A friendly gathering with the European regional representatives who have participated in international solidarity functions was held here on Friday on the occasion of August 15, the day of liberation of Korea.
Invited there were general secretary of the c.c. of the New Communist Party of Great Britain Andy Brooks and secretary general of the Nordic Cooperation Committee for Friendship and Solidarity with the Korean people Anders Kristensen who is also chairman of the Denmark-the Democratic People's Republic of Korea friendship Association and his party.
Present there were hong son ok, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, and other officials concerned.
The participants appreciated schoolchildren's art performance and had a talk in a friendly atmosphere.
Cohen's bellicose remarks
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) issued a statement on August 11 denouncing U.S. Defense Secretary Cohen's remarks revealing the U.S. attempt to ignite a war against the DPRK, according to Seoul-based radio Voice of National Salvation.
Recalling that during his recent visit to Seoul Cohen threatened that if the DPRK launches another missile, they will "strongly counter" it by all military means, the statement branded his remarks as an open declaration of war.
It went on:
The U.S. warhawks are incriminating the DPRK's satellite launch and making a very adventurous provocation against it such as "military countermeasure". This shows that the United States is trying to ignite a "second Balkan war" on the Korean peninsula at any cost.
Noting that the present chief executive of South Korea, when meeting with Cohen, asked him to extend the missile range of South Korea to 500 kilometers in order to "deter" the "north's missile launch", the statement said:
This shows that the wild dream of the ruling quarters of the "people's government" has reached an extremely dangerous stage.
The people in the south will never tolerate the anti-DPRK moves of the United States and the South Korean warhawks to unleash a war on the Korean peninsula at any cost by escalating the confrontation and tension between the north and south.
Kim Yong Nam meets Minjurochong delegates
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, today met at the Mansudae Assembly Hall with the delegates of the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (Minjurochong) and its workers' football team for reunification led by vice-chairman and reunification committee chairman Ri Kyu Jae and under the general direction of chairman Ri Kap Yong, who participated in the "soccer game of workers in the north and south for reunification."
He conversed with them in a warm and compatriotic atmosphere.
Present there was Ryom Sun Gil, chairman of the central committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea.
Photo exhibition and art show for 10th pan-national rally open
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- A photo exhibition and a fine art show for the 10th pan-national rally opened at the Pyongyang International House of Culture today.
Put on display are many photos and paintings showing that the President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il put forth most fair and reasonable principles and proposals for national reunification and made tireless efforts for their materialization from the first day of the country's division.
Also exhibited are photos showing how the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon) has struggled since the first pan-national rally and photos and paintings depicting Koreans at home and abroad striving to realize the nation's desire for reunification.
Photos and paintings presented from the north, south and overseas including paintings reflecting the superiority of the Korean nation are also put on show.
Present at the opening ceremony were Kim Yong Dae, vice-President of the SPA presidium of the DPRK and chairman of the c.c., the Korean Social Democratic Party, Ryu Mi Yong, chairwoman of the c.c., the Chondoist Chongu Party, O Ik Je, vice-chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland and compatriots from the north, the south and overseas participating in the grand pan-national pro-reunification festival and working people in Pyongyang.
After an opening speech was made by Song Sok Hwan, vice-chairman of the north headquarters of Pomminryon, the participants looked round exhibited photos and paintings.
"Minjurochong" delegates and football team leave
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- Delegates of the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (Minjurochong) and its workers football team for reunification led by vice-chairman Ri Kyu Jae, chairman of the reunification committee, and under general direction of chairman Ri Kap Yong who participated in the "soccer game of workers in the north and south for reunification" left here this afternoon.
Along the long route from the Pyongyang Koryo Hotel, where they put up, to Thongil Street , a large number of workers, unionists, athletes, school youth and children enthusiastically sent off the southerners, who were going back after successfully winding up their itinerary in Pyongyang, with warm compatriotic feelings.
Brothers of the north and south hugged each other with tears of regret at parting, feeling a great pity at failure to have longer meeting and promising one another to meet again together at the plaza of reunification.
Chairman Ryom Sun Gil of the central committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea and officials concerned bid farewell to the delegates and football players on Thongil Street .
Children and women workers gave the delegates and football players bunches of flowers and put garlands around their necks.
The delegates and football players are expected to return to Seoul via Panmunjom at the end of a farewell ceremony.
Greetings to Mongolian Prime Minister
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, premier of the DPRK cabinet, sent a message of greetings to Rinchinnyamyn Amarzargal upon his appointment as Mongolian Prime Minister.
The message expressed the belief that the relations between the two countries would develop in the interests of the two peoples.
Pomchonghakryon stage to sing of reunification
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- Pomchonghakryon (the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification) stage to sing of reunification was held at the central youth hall today.
Present there were Pomchonghakryon officials and representatives from the north, south and overseas and youth and students overseas and in the city.
Present on invitation were Kim Yong Dae, Ryu Mi Yong, O Ik Je and other leading cadres of public organizations, delegates of the south side and overseas compatriots' organizations of Pomminryon (the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification) to the grand pan-national pro-reunification festival, overseas compatriots and honorary foreign guests.
The curtain of the stage was raised with the chorus and dance "Song of grand festival of youth and students for reunification." Put on the stage were trio poem recital "Three-way solidarity, gun-roar of victory", five-man chorus "March of Pomchonghakryon," a female solo and pangchang "Let's go cheerfully" and other numbers which fully reflected the aspiration of youth after reunification.
The hall seethed with strong desire for reunification as performers presented to the accompaniment of national instrumental music choruses "Reunification Arirang" and "Let's go to greet reunification" calling for rejoining the severed blood ties of the nation.
The audience broke into an enthusiastic applause when overseas youth and students and Hwang Hye Ro, delegate of the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils sang songs.
To the strains of the music of the song "The train of reunification is running" the participants formed rows and performed the dance "Reunification train", depicting a running train, each one putting his hands on other's shoulders.
Greetings to Congolese President
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, sent a message of greetings to Congolese President and commander of the armed forces Denis Sassou Nguesso on August 13 on the occasion of the 39th anniversary of the Independence of the Congo.
Expressing the belief that the good friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries will continue to develop, the message wished the President and people of the Congo greater successes in their work for prosperity of the country and national unity.
Kim Yong Nam greets Russian President
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, today sent a message of greetings to Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin, President of the Russian Federation, on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of the liberation of Korea.
Expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would as ever develop on the principles of independence, equality and noninterference in internal affairs, the message wished the Russian people welfare.
Greetings to Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a message of greetings from B. Yeltsin, President of the Russian Federation, on August 9 on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of the liberation of Korea.
The message expressed the belief that to all roundly develop the relations between Russia and the DPRK and deepen the traditional friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples conforms with the interests of the two countries and will contribute to strengthening peace and security in the Korean peninsula and northeast Asia.
Reception for "Minjurochong" and workers' soccer team
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- A farewell reception was arranged by the central committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea (GFTUK) at the Mansudae Art Theatre Friday in honor of the delegates of the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (Minjurochong) and its workers' soccer team, who participated in the "soccer game of workers in the north and south for reunification".
Addressing the reception, Ryom Sun Gil, chairman of the GFTUK central committee, said representatives and the soccer players of "Minjurochong" played a big role in realising the solidarity and unity between the workers in the north and the south and encouraging the great unity and reunification movement of the entire nation.
"The working class in the north will always remember the delegates and the players who are returning to the south after doing a praiseworthy thing," he added.
"Working class in the north and the south should fling the door of unity open with this meeting as a stepping-stone so as to fulfil their duty in the glorious patriotic cause of reunification for the country and the nation," he noted.
He expressed the expectation that all workers in the south, including those under "Minjurochong," will serve as a torchlight and a strong hammer in the struggle for attaining the great unity of the entire nation, stressing that the GFTUK and all workers in the North Korea will always support and encourage the just patriotic struggle of the South Korean workers and advance shoulder to shoulder with them.
"Minjurochong" chairman Ri Kap Yong in his return speech said working brothers in the south and the north have got firmly united and grown to be a vanguard to realize the great unity of the entire nation with the soccer game for reunification as an occasion.
He called upon the workers to take the lead in establishing peace-keeping mechanism on the Korean peninsula to achieve the national reunification, promote the meeting of workers in the south and the north and further develop the relations between the "Minjurochong" and the GFTUK.
There was a performance by the Wangjaesan Light Music Band at the reception.