Kim Jong Il represents great banner of victory

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- Foreign visitors to the DPRK are unsparing in their praises of the great leader Kim Jong Il who is leading the Korean people to victory.
    Genaro Ledesma Izquieta, chairman of the People's Front of Workers, Peasants and Students of Peru, said: Kim Jong Il has the Juche idea as his unshakable political philosophy and is wisely leading the popular masses with a clear goal to build a powerful nation in Korea. This is a great inspiration to the world progressives.
    Garib Newaz, president of the Bangladesh People's League, noted that the Korean People's Army is now admirably carrying out its task as a vanguard of the revolution under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il and the revolutionary spirit of soldiers is prevailing all over the country, giving impetus to the building of socialism.
    Mustafa Jaber, head of a Jordanian Juche idea study delegation, said that the launch of an artificial satellite during the "arduous march" in the DPRK is a shining fruition of the superb leadership of the great Kim Jong Il and a demonstration of the invincible might of the Korean people united close around him.
    A Bangladesh public figure Choudhuri Siraj said that the Korean people are struggling vigorously for building a powerful nation in firm belief that they will surely win victory as long as they have Kim Jong Il as their leader.
    Kim Jong Il represents the banner of all victories of the Korean people, he added.


Guinean President inspects field under new species of rice bred

   Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- Guinean President Lansana Conte on November 25 inspected the field under new species of rice "CK-801" and "CK-771", which had been bred by Korean scientists and planted on the Sonya farm in Dubreka Province, Kindia region.
    Upon being briefed on agricultural scientific researches in Guinea by Korean scientists, he highly praised them for breeding and introducing excellent rice species.


Struggle for abolition of "security law" supported

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- The central committee of the Korean Educational and Cultural Workers' Union sent a solidarity letter to the "National Council for College Faculty for Democracy" in South Korea on November 30 supporting its struggle for the abolition of the "security law".
    The letter noted that the struggles for the repeal of the "security law" spearheaded by the council are commanding unanimous support and approval of the 70 million compatriots as they are the most righteous and justifiable ones to remove legal and institutional mechanisms standing in the way of independence and democratization of society and national reunification.
    As long as such an evil law as the "security law" remains in force, there can be neither independence and democratization of society nor genuine education in South Korea, the letter stressed. It expressed full support to the council in its just struggle for the total abolition of the "security law".
    The letter continued: The South Korean authorities' loudmouthed "revision of the 'security law'" is nothing but a crafty trick to make the law a more fascist one in a bid to bind the South Korean people hand and foot, throw a bigger hurdle in the way of reunification and continue to use it as a means for the upkeep of their power.
    The letter expressed the belief that the council would strengthen solidarity with other organizations and carry on its vigorous struggle for the total abrogation of the "security law" and a turning-point in independence and democratization of the South Korean society and national reunification.


Romanian National Day observed

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- Neculai Cotlogut, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Romanian embassy here, gave a reception at the Taedonggang club for the diplomatic corps on the evening of November 30 on the occasion of the National Day of Romania.
    Invited to the reception were Ri In Gyu, vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kim Pong Ik, vice-Minister of Foreign Trade Choe Jong Hwan, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, and other officials concerned.
    Foreign diplomatic envoys here were also invited.
    Speeches were made at the reception.


North-targeted mobile exercise staged

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- The South Korean warmongers staged a field mobile exercise under the simulated conditions of an actual war by mobilizing the "Paekgol" (skeleton) unit of the South Korean Army from November 22 to 28, according to a radio report from Seoul.
    Its objective was to repel someone's all-out attack.
    They claimed that they have perfected all elements for "rounding off war preparations" by putting all combat equipment into action and staging exercises of laying real obstacles to be needed for "battle" and transporting various war materiel including ammunition simultaneously.


KCTU's struggle favored

   Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today expresses its backing for anti-"government" struggle of the "Korean Confederation of Trade Unions" and workers in South Korea.
    Calling attention to the fact that the South Korean workers vowed to keep on anti-"government" struggle and turn out in a courageous struggle for right to existence and democratic freedom, the news analyst describes their determination and choice as correct.
    The commentary further says:
    The South Korean authorities are talking about "recovery of the economy" and "leap," making it seem as if economic crisis was over. Their utterances are an unpardonable deception and mockery of the people.
    Two years of the mandate of the U.S.-led International Monetary Fund led to a total bankruptcy of the South Korean economy and the helpless deterioration of living conditions of the people.
    The only way out is struggle from A to Z.
    The determination and choice are all correct. The workers and other people of South Korea should continue a courageous and persistent struggle till the day when they achieve a final victory in their just struggle for retaking right to existence and democracy.


Lao National Day marked

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- A meeting took place at the Chollima House of Culture on November 30 under the co-sponsorship of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and the Korea-Laos Friendship Association on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the National Day of Laos.
    Invited to the meeting were Lao ambassador to Korea Khamkheng Sayakeo and embassy officials.
    Hong Son Ok, vice-chairperson of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and vice-chairperson of the Korea-Laos Friendship Association, officials concerned and working people in the city were present.
    Speeches were made at the meeting.


Anniv. of Kim Jong Il's work commemorated

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- A meeting was held here on November 30 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the publication of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's work "On Further Improving and Strengthening Labour Administration".
    Minister of Labor Ri Won Il said in his report that it is a highly important work which clearly indicates the way of finally solving the issue of labor under socialism and a militant banner of vigorously accelerating socialist and communist construction by improving and strengthening labor administration.
    He continued:
    The work formulates the essence of the labor administration as work with people and a political work and lays down a fundamental principle and a basic orientation of the socialist labor administration and the necessity, tasks and ways to strengthen it.
    It also clarifies all the issues related to the improved and strengthened labor administration such as establishing a revolutionary style of work in the whole society and making an effective use of manpower resources in all fields and at all units.
    He stressed that its validity and vitality have been clearly demonstrated through the practical struggle over the past Decade.
    Among those present were Han Song Ryong, secretary of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea, Kwak Pom Gi, vice-premier of the cabinet, and other senior officials, officials concerned and officials in the field of labor administration in the capital and local areas.


GIs' massacres and spraying of defoliant assailed

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- O Ik Je, vice-chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, when interviewed by KCNA on Nov. 30 denounced GIs' massacres and spraying of defoliant in South Korea.
    He said that there would have been no atrocities in South Korea, a colony of the U.S., but for their involvement.
    A probe into GIs' massacres including the killings in Rogun-ri and their spraying of defoliant should be undertaken as a pan-national campaign, traitors to the nation be liquidated and a fact-finding group be formed with representatives of victims, representatives of civic organizations and true members of the nation without fail, he noted.
    He demanded the U.S. admit their crimes, make an apology for them and make due compensation to the victims of all the massacres including the killings in Rogun-ri and all the victims to defoliant.


Cuban embassy officials visit military academy

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- Cuban ambassador Jose Manuel Inclan Embade and embassy officials here on Tuesday visited Kang Kon General Military Academy on the occasion of the 43rd Day of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba.
    The guests visited the museum of revolutionary activities of comrade Kim Il Sung and went round educational facilities.
    After visiting the academy, the ambassador said that the great Kim Jong Il is steering the country's overall affairs, while strengthening the Korean People's Army with the army-first revolutionary leadership to meet the requirements of the developing reality.
    The KPA is not only defending the homeland but also playing a great role in socialist construction, he added.


Phyongchon Revolutionary Site

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- The Phyongchon Revolutionary Site is visited by an endless stream of people from all walks of life in Korea.
    More than 10,000 people visited it in recent one month alone.
    Military attaches of foreign embassies here and other foreigners also went to see the site.
    It is situated in Phyongchon-dong no. 1, Phyongchon district, Pyongyang.
    The place is associated with the revolutionary exploit the President Kim Il Sung performed by choosing the site for the nation's first ordnance factory after the country's liberation on august 15, 1945 and bringing the beginning of its munitions industry.
    There stands an oil painting which depicts President Kim Il Sung firing a submachine gun made by Korean workers with their own efforts and anti-Japanese heroine Kim Jong Suk. There are also a monument to their guidance, a firing range, submachine gun assembly workshop and a panorama of the Phyongchon Revolutionary Site.
    Looking round historic relics, the visitors retrospect with deep emotion the immortal feats performed by the President for the development of the munitions industry of the country.
    The President, regarding the issue of increasing the defence capabilities of the country as the most important issue of the state, visited the Phyongchon plain in October, 1945.
    He told officials to build our own munitions industry together with modern regular armed forces capable of reliably defending the country and people from the imperialists' invasion in order to build a prosperous, independent and sovereign state. He unfolded a far-reaching plan to build an ordnance factory in the Phyongchon plain and develop the nation's munitions industry with the factory as a mother factory.
    Up to July 1950 since then he visited the place 16 times and gave highly important instructions on more than 70 occasions.
    The President went there in December 1948 to test-fire a submachine gun made by the workers of the factory.
    In June, 1949, Kim Jong Suk and General Secretary Kim Jong Il visited there to fire weapons made by the factory the story of which will be conveyed to posterity.


Repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners called for

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- Nuran Nabie, secretary general of the Bangladesh-Korea Friendship Association, on November 25 sent a letter to the chairman of the UN Commission on Human Rights demanding the repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners in South Korea.
    In the letter he recalled that a number of North Koreans taken prisoner in the Korean War (1950-1953) have been put to inhuman torture, though they were wounded, serving prison terms in South Korea for more than 30 years.
    He called upon the UN Commission on Human Rights to urge the South Korean authorities to take a measure for the repatriation of unconverted long-term prisoners, who have been separated from their families by force for nearly 50 years, so that they may be reunited with them.


"Mindan"-lining Koreans demand repeal of "security law"

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- A meeting of South Koreans in Japan demanding the repeal of the "security law" was held in Tokyo on Nov. 14 under the co-sponsorship of the Federation of South Koreans in Japan for Democracy and Unification (Hanthongryon) and the Overseas Koreans' Solidarity Council for the Repeal of "Security Law," according to the November 21 issue of Minjok Sibo published in Japan.
    The executive chairman of the solidarity council, addressing the meeting, said Koreans in Japan gained 100,000 signatures through a vigorous signature-campaign for the abrogation of the "security law" in different parts of Japan and the struggle against the evil law in South Korea is escalating into the massive movement.
    Kwak Tong Ui, chairman of Hanthongryon, gave a lecture.
    A resolution was adopted at the meeting.
    After the meeting the participants staged a demonstration carrying slogans demanding the repeal of the "security law."
    Meanwhile, representatives of Hanthongryon and the South Korean youth league in Japan on Nov. 15 went to the South Korean embassy in Tokyo to stage a protest chanting slogans such as "repeal the 'security law' and immediately release all prisoners of conscience."


Labour movement promoted

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- The South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) is vigorously waging a struggle to strengthen its unity and expand and develop labour movement, according to a South Korean magazine Hangyore 21.
    The KCTU formed the third-term executive in October and organized a steering committee for the development of labor movement involving personages of all walks of life including academic circles. It Declared that it would map out a correct strategy to make workers the main force which might lead the social change and conduct activities.
    The KCTU said that it would consolidate organizations under its influence for the present and struggle to carry out immediate fighting tasks.


U.S.-South Korea war confab

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- The airforce operation headquarters of the "ROK" army had a war confab on Nov. 29 with the attendance of at least 40 people from the three services of the "ROK" army and the aviation domain of the U.S. forces present in South Korea, according to a radio report from Seoul.
    The warmongers cried for rapid "cooperation system" between civil aviation organs and the "ROK" army in the "event of contingency".
    The confab held with unabated anti-north war exercises is war hysterics of those who try to find a way in provoking a war against the north.


Hysterics of those overheated with reconquest fever

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- The Japan Defense Agency decided to stage a command post drill together with the U.S. under the simulated conditions of "emergency" on the Korean peninsula in February next year.
    The drill is reportedly to be staged allegedly to cope with "emergency" on the peninsula, "ballistic missile attack on Japan proper and armed guerrillas' occupation of a nuclear power plant."
    It is designed to realise the vaulting ambition for reconquest of Korea, create an atmosphere for the reconquest in Japan and establish a fascist wartime system, says Rodong Sinmun in a commentary today.
    The news analyst says:
    The Japanese reactionaries make it a fait accompli to participate in another Korean war provoked by the U.S. They adopted the legislation concerning the updated "Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation" this year to have right to the participation in a war and right of belligerency. They are able to engage themselves in military operations anywhere. Through the projected drill they seek to establish a unified operation commanding system and coordinated operation with the U.S. aggression forces.
    The drill to be staged under the simulated conditions of the DPRK's "invasion of South Korea" means a fait accompli of Japan's entry into the Korean front.
    This time the Japanese reactionaries betrayed their intention for the entry into the Korean front in case the U.S. unleash a Korean war on the plea of the "threat of southward invasion."
    They will get nothing from showdown with the DPRK, but destruction.


Moves for continued U.S. military presence

   Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- The South Korean authorities decided to have full-dress discussions with the U.S. about continued U.S. military presence and upkeep of the South Korea-U.S. combined command in South Korea even after Korea's reunification and other issues, said a radio report from Seoul.
    In this regard the South Korean authorities plan to discuss from the beginning of next year technical matters to develop South Korea-U.S. "security alliance" after Korea's reunification through South Korea-U.S. "dialogue on security", a consultative body of department directors of the "Ministry of National Defense", the radio said.


"Security law" should be abolished

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- People from all walks of life have intensified the struggle for the complete repeal of the "security law", an anti-reunification evil law, in South Korea as never before.
    This struggle waged by the civic, religious and human rights organizations as well as broad masses in South Korea enjoys full support at home and abroad as it is a just struggle to remove legal and institutional obstacles for the democratization of the South Korean society and national reunification.
    The "security law" is the fascist law which mercilessly tramples down the democratic right and freedom of the popular masses and the anti-national, anti-reunification law which blocks national reconciliation, unity and reunification.
    Syngman Rhee framed up the "law" on December 1, 1948, following the pattern of the "law on maintaining public peace" which had been rigged up to suppress the anti-Japanese champions of independence in the period of the Japanese colonial rule.
    This became an evil law which is unprecedented in the world's history of law, through repeated mal-revisions.
    The South Korean successive rulers have regarded the "security law", describing the North Korea as an "anti-state organization" and the fellow countrymen as an "enemy", as a means for carrying out their flunkeyist and treacherous policy and a lifeline for maintaining their power.
    Owing to this "law", those who were connected with the "incident of the revolutionary party for reunification", the "incident of the reconstruction of the revolutionary party for reunification" and "people's revolutionary party" were arrested and punished in South Korea, and all the progressive dissident organizations for independence and democratization of society and national reunification were dissolved and suppressed as "enemy-benefiting organizations."
    And youth, students and people from all walks of life, who visited the North Korea, were driven to prison under the pretext of "charges of infiltration and escape" and the "charges of praise and encouragement" and even overseas compatriots were kidnapped and walked away and thus elementary rights of human beings were mercilessly trampled down.
    Therefore, voices demanding the abrogation of the "security law" are growing stronger worldwide as days go by.
    In December 1994, the DPRK inaugurated a measure committee for the repeal of the "security law" in South Korea. In February this year the joint meeting of the DPRK government, political parties and organizations proposed to repeal the evil law as one of the three priorities for inter-Korean dialogue.
    Countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and other regions and international organizations issued statements, messages and resolutions for the repeal of the "security law" Even the U.S. government is crying for its repeal.
    It is a shame and misfortune of the nation that such a medieval evil law as the "security law" still remains in force.
    The South Korean authorities still refuse to totally abrogate the law, engaging themselves in partial "revision" such as changing a few phraseologies when the 20th century is drawing to the end.
    This is an unpardonable mockery of and challenge to the people at home and abroad.
    The medieval "security law" of South Korea must unconditionally be abolished at once.


Kyongsong hot spring

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- Kyongsong county in North Hamgyong Province is dotted with hot springs.
    Among them are sand hot spring and Onpho hot spring.
    The former is located two kilometers northwest of the county town and the latter eight kilometers further to the mountain valley.
    The temperature of the area is relatively high in winter months, with spectacular showy white frost-flowers on the twigs.
    The sand hot spring has two sources at an interval of 300 metres with three spring-heads in the southeast and two in the northwest. The ground is covered with sand. Hence the name of the sand hot spring.
    The spring gushes out some 400 tons of hot water a day.
    The water temperature is 60'c. It is efficacious for indigestion, hypertrophy, arthritis, the aftereffects of trauma, sterility, nervous system trouble, hypertension, arteriosclerosis and other diseases. It promotes basal metabolism and the functions of internal organs and stimulates appetite.
    The sanatorium has 10 medical sections for balneo-therapy, physical treatment and mud therapy. Up-to-date medical appliances are available. It is staffed with dozens of experienced doctors including those with academic degrees.
    It can accommodate thousands of people annually.
    The Oonpho hot spring has more spring-heads than the sand spring, with the water temperature of 70'c.
    The six spring-heads which are now available spout 1,700 tons of hot water a day.
    The Onpho rest house has an accommodation capacity of 1,000 people, equipped with advanced facilities. The term is two or three weeks for a holiday-maker. He can enjoy climbing, sports, angling, boating and sea bathing there.
    Forests are kept as special reserve.
    The hot springs are accessible not only to Koreans but to foreigners.


Japanese delegation here

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- A delegation of Japanese political parties led by Tomiichi Murayama, former prime minister and member of the House of Representatives of Japan, arrived here today by air.
    The delegation is made up of personages from the Liberal Democratic Party, the Democratic Party, the New Komei Party, the Liberal Party, the Communist Party, the Social Democratic Party, the reform club and dietmen.
    It came accompanied by delegation suite members, officials of the Foreign Ministry, other personnel concerned and media men of Japan.
    It was greeted at the airport by department director Kim Yang Gon and deputy department director Song Ho Gyong of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea and officials concerned.


Greetings to Central African President

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, sent a message of greetings on November 28 to Ange-Felix Patasse, President and head of state of the Central African Republic, on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of its proclamation.
    The message sincerely wished the President and people of Central Africa great success in work for consolidating peace and development of the country, expressing belief that the friendly relations between the two countries would be developed continuously.


Solidarity message to Yasser Arafat

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, on November 29 sent a solidarity message to Yasser Arafat, President of the State of Palestine, chairman of the executive committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and head of the Palestinian National Authority, on the occasion of the "world solidarity day with the Palestinian people."
    On this day it expresses the firm solidarity with the Palestinian President and people who are struggling for the recovering of the legitimate national rights including the rights of Palestine and the right to self-determination and the foundation of an independent state.
    The message says that the justice cause of the Palestinian people enjoys an active support and encouragement of the Korean people and the world progressive people.
    It expresses the believe that the bonds of the friendship, unity and solidarity between the two people will be strengthened continuously and wishes Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian people a success in their work for founding an independent state.


Greetings to Lao President

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, today sent a message of greetings to Lao President Khamtay Siphandone on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
    The message noted that over the last 24 years the Lao people achieved great successes in their dynamic struggle to defend the revolutionary gains along the way of socialism by themselves under the leadership of the People's Revolutionary Party of Laos.
    Expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries and two peoples forged through common struggle for independence against imperialism will grow stronger and develop in the interests of the cause of socialism, the message sincerely wished the Lao President and people greater success in their work for strengthening and developing the people's democratic system.
    Premier Hong Song Nam sent a message of greetings to his Lao counterpart Sisavath Keobounphan and Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun to his Lao counterpart Somsavath Lengsavath.


FM spokesman on "timetable" for deployment of U.S. forces

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- In case the U.S. persistently try to stifle the DPRK militarily, it will be held wholly responsible for all the ensuing consequences.
    The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK today stressed this when answering a question put by KCNA in the wake of the U.S. announcement of "timeframe" for the deployment of its forces in emergency on the Korean peninsula.
    He said:
    On November 20 the U.S. pacific command made public the size of the U.S. forces to be quickly hurled into the Korean peninsula for a total war there and its "timeframe."
    This proves that the "operation plan 5027," a scenario for the second Korean war of aggression published by the U.S., is not a mere fiction that poses threat but it has been carried into practice in full swing.
    Now the double-dealing tactics of the U.S. reminiscent of both sides of a coin is becoming clearer.
    By nature, the DPRK has never reposed expectations in the "appeasement policy" of the U.S. crying for "improved relations."
    Out of the stand to solve the Korean peninsula issue only through dialog and negotiations it Decided to have high-level talks with the U.S. It was generous enough to stop missile test-fire which belongs to the sovereignty, during the negotiations with the U.S.
    Contrary to the sincere efforts of the DPRK, the U.S. had one war confab after another in an attempt to invade the DPRK and made public what it calls "timeframe" for the deployment of the U.S. forces in emergency on the Korean peninsula, stepping up war preparations.
    This stand taken by the U.S. behind the scene of the negotiations for the "improvement of relations" clearly shows that its Korea policy still remains unchanged to stifle the DPRK by force of arms rather than to pursue a peaceful settlement of the Korean peninsula issue.
    It is clear to anyone that the U.S. seeks to unleash a war of aggression at any cost, while paying lip-service to "dialogue" and "engagement." This compels the DPRK to think of the negotiations with the U.S. again.
    The U.S. moves to stifle the DPRK militarily forced the DPRK to increase its self-reliant national defence capabilities in every way.
    It is the fixed stand of the DPRK to return force for "strength," dialogue for dialogue.
    Reckless military threat and blackmail cannot frighten nor bring the DPRK to its knees at all.


Kim Yong Sun meets Japanese delegation

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Sun, secretary of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea, met and had a talk with a delegation of Japanese political parties led by Tomiichi Murayama, former prime minister and member of the House of Representatives of Japan, who paid a courtesy call on him at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
    Present were department director Kim Yang Gon and deputy department director Song Ho Gyong of the C.C., the Worker's Party of Korea and officials concerned.


Party given for delegation of political parties of Japan

    Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea gave a party in welcome of the Korea visit of a delegation of Japanese political parties at Okryu Restaurant today.
    Present on invitation were members of the delegation headed by Tomiichi Murayama, former prime minister and member of the House of Representatives of Japan, suite members, officials of the Foreign Ministry, other personnel concerned and media men of Japan.
    Secretary Kim Yong Sun, department director Kim Yang Gon and deputy department director Song Ho Gyong of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea and officials concerned were present.
    Kim Yong Sun, addressing the party, said that the unhappy history between Korea and Japan made at the beginning of the present century has not been liquidated till now when the new century is at hand and the abnormal relations continue between them.
    He noted:
    This is not beneficial to peace and stability of northeast Asia. This is a very regrettable thing which is contrary to the aspiration and desire of the peoples of Korea and Japan, we think.
    Recently voices crying for the liquidation of the unfavorable past and improvement of relations between the two countries are ringing out from Japan. Statesmen should not turn their back on this. It is a good thing that the delegation of Japanese political parties came to our country in the hope to improve DPRK-Japan relations at the end of the 1900s, we think.
    It is the invariable desire of the peoples of the two countries to make a clean sheet of the past unhappy history between them and develop relations of good neighbourhood and friendship on the principle of independence, equality, non-interference in other's internal affairs and reciprocity.
    Tomiichi Murayama said in his speech that abnormal relations between Japan and Korea have existed for more than 50 years since the second world war and that there are great many hurdles in the bilateral relations.
    He said Japan and Korea are neighbors separated each other by a thin strip of water, adding that they came to Pyongyang with a will to work toward the improved atmosphere between Japan and Korea and create an environment for full-dress authority-to-authority dialogue.
    He expressed hope that their visit would be the first step forward for the establishment of new relations of trust between the two countries.



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