Unconverted long-term prisoners, men of strong faith and will, to come to DPRK

    Pyongyang, August 25 (KCNA) -- Unconverted long-term prisoners in South Korea are due to come into the care of the DPRK soon in accordance with the historic north-south joint declaration.
    The unconverted long-term prisoners have waged courageous struggles, devoting their youth and happiness to the sacred cause for the party and the revolution, the country and the people. That is why their coming into the care of the mother party and that of the socialist fatherland, which they have wished even in their dreams, is a great revolutionary event as it alleviates the misfortune and pain of the fellow countrymen and brings great joy and hope to them.
    The whole country is greatly excited by the forthcoming event of welcoming the unconverted long-term prisoners, the praiseworthy sons of the motherland who courageously overcame scores of years of ordeals in prison with their transparent revolutionary views on the leader and inflexible will and emerged as victors by remaining true to the revolutionary principles and constancy to the last.
    The 63 unconverted long-term prisoners to come into the care of the DPRK in the first batch early in September amid the blessings of all people are as follows:
       Kang Tong Gun, 84. 37 years in prison
       Kim Tong Gi, 68. 34 years in prison
       Kim Myong Su, 78. 37 years in prison
       Kim Sok Hyong, 86. 30 years in prison
       Kim Son Myong, 75. 45 years in prison
       Kim Yong Dal, 66. 30 years in prison
       Kim Yong Man, 76. 30 years in prison
       Kim Yong Thae, 69. 35 years in prison
       Kim Yong Gyu, 77. 34 years in prison
       Kim Yong Su, 69. 27 years in prison
       Kim U Thaek, 81. 40 years in prison
       Kim Yn Hwan, 70. 31 years in prison
       Kim Ik Jin (Kim Il Jin), 68. 31 years in prison
       Kim In So (Kim Kuk Hong), 74. 34 years in prison
       Kim In Su, 76. 36 years in prison
       Kim Jong Ho, 84. 31 years in prison
       Kim Jung Jong (Kim thak), 74. 29 years in prison
       Kim Chang Won, 66. 31 years in prison
       Ko Kwang In, 65. 34 years in prison
       Ryu Un Hyong, 76. 34 years in prison
       Ryu Yon Chol, 88. 27 years in prison
       Ryu Han Uk, 89. 37 years in prison
       Ri Kyong Gu, 70. 38 years in prison
       Ri Kyong Chan, 65. 35 years in prison
       Ri Kong Dun, 66. 33 years in prison
       Ri Tu Gyun, 74. 31 years in prison
       Ri Se Gyun, 78. 30 years in prison
       Ri Jae Ryong, 55. 30 years in prison
       Ri Jong, 89. 25 years in prison
       Ri Jong Hwan, 78. 43 years in prison
       Pak Mun Jae, 78. 28 years in prison
       Pak Wang Gyu (Pak Wan Gyu), 71. 33 years in prison
       Pang Jae Sun, 83. 38 years in prison
       Sok Yong Hwa, 75. 20 years in prison
       Son Song Mo, 70. 19 years in prison
       Song Sang Jun, 73. 36 years in prison
       Sin Kwang Su, 71. 15 years in prison
       Sin In Su, 82. 30 years in prison
       Sin In Yong, 71. 32 years in prison
       An Yong Gi, 71. 38 years in prison
       Yang Jong Ho, 69. 31 years in prison
       O Hyong Sik, 68. 31 years in prison
       U Yong Gak, 71. 42 years in prison
       Yun Yong Gi, 74. 40 years in prison
       Yun Hui Bo, 83. 25 years in prison
       Im Pyong Ho, 84. 32 years in prison
       Jang Pyong Rak, 66. 38 years in prison
       Jang Ho, 80. 32 years in prison
       Jon Jin, 77. 38 years in prison
       Jon Chang Gi, 82. 23 years in prison
       Jo Chang Son, 71. 30 years in prison
       Choe Son Muk, 72. 38 years in prison
       Choe Su Il, 61. 35 years in prison
       Choe Ha Jong, 73. 36 years in prison
       Han Paek Ryol, 80. 23 years in prison
       Han Jang Ho, 77. 39 years in prison
       Han Jong ho, 82. 13 years in prison
       Han Chun Ik, 75. 29 years in prison
       Ham Se Hwan, 68. 34 years in prison
       Hong Kyong Son, 75. 33 years in prison
       Hong myong Gi, 71. 38 years in prison
       Hong Mun go, 79. 37 years in prison
       Hwang Yong Gap, 76. 35 years in prison


10th round of DPRK-Japan intergovernmental talks closes

    Kisarazu, August 24 (KCNA) -- The 10th round of DPRK-Japan intergovernmental full-dress talks closed in Kisarazu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, today.
    Present at the talks were the members of the DPRK government delegation headed by Jong Thae Hwa, roving ambassador of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the members of the Japanese government delegation headed by Kojiro Takano, ambassador of the Foreign Ministry for negotiations on the establishment of Japan-DPRK diplomatic relations.
    The talks proceeded in a good atmosphere.
    Meanwhile, a joint communique on the 10th round of DPRK-Japan intergovernmental full-dress talks was issued in Tokyo on Thursday.
    Noting that the 10th round of DPRK-Japan intergovernmental full-dress talks was held in Tokyo from August 21 to 24, the communique said:
    1. Both sides had earnest discussions on an early establishment of good-neighborly friendly relations from the common stand to improve the DPRK-Japan relations and in the spirit of deepening mutual confidence between the DPRK and Japan.
    2. Both sides exchanged their frank opinions on all issues between the DPRK and Japan, including the redress for the past, on the basis of the success achieved at the talks between the two foreign ministers held in Bangkok in late July, the first of their kind in history.
    And both sides had discussions aimed at materializing exchange and visits in the political, economic, cultural and other fields to serve the purpose of promoting the mutual understanding between the DPRK and Japan.
    Both sides shared the view on pushing forward exchange between the diplomatic authorities of the two countries as part of it.
    They also shared the view that exchange between civilian businessmen is desirable.
    3. Both sides confirmed the need to promote the DPRK-Japan intergovernmental full-dress talks in the future, too, and agreed to have the 11th round of intergovernmental full-dress talks in October in a third country to be chosen by both sides.


Head of DPRK govt. Delegation to DPRK-Japan intergovernmental talks interviewed

    Pyongyang, August 25 (KCNA) -- Japanese right-wing reactionaries committed unprecedentedly malicious anti-Chongryon and anti-DPRK rowdyism in front of the central hall of Chongryon (General Association of Korean Residents in Japan) in Tokyo with the opening of the 10th round of the DPRK-Japan intergovernmental talks as a momentum.
    Minju Joson today carries a signed commentary in this connection.
    The rowdyism committed by right-wing hooligans of Japan is an outrageous act intended to slander and threaten Chongryon, the dignified overseas compatriots organization of the DPRK, and an undisguised hostile act against the DPRK, the commentary says, and goes on:
    Such blatant rowdyism timed to coincide with the DPRK-Japan intergovernmental full-dress talks can not be considered as an accidental crime perpetrated by an individual or a group.
    This is an unpardonable challenge to the DPRK which has made every sincere effort to improve the relations between the DPRK and Japan and a deliberate and premeditated act to chill the desire of domestic and foreign peoples for the normalized relations between the two countries.
    The DPRK is a dignified and sovereign country where the leader, the party and the masses are single-heartedly united and Chongryon is a compatriots organization which conducts legal activities in Japan and is recognized and supported by many countries and peoples around the world.
    The DPRK will regard any provocation to Chongryon as a hostile act against the DPRK and resolutely react to it.
    The Japanese police authorities should arrest all the criminals responsible for the provocation, strictly punish them and take necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of similar crime.


DPRK govt. Delegation hosts reception for Japanese counterpart

    Kisarazu, August 24 (KCNA) -- The DPRK government delegation, staying in Japan for the tenth round of DPRK-Japan intergovernmental full-dress talks, hosted a reception in honor of its Japanese counterpart in Kisarazu, Chiba Prefecture, today.
    Invited to it were the members of the Japanese government delegation led by Kojiro Takano, ambassador of the Foreign Ministry for negotiations on the establishment of the Japan-DPRK diplomatic relations.
    The members of the DPRK government delegation headed by Jong Thae Hwa, roving ambassador of the Foreign Ministry, were present.
    Also on hand were chief vice-chairman Ho Jong Man and vice-chairman Nam Sung U of the central standing committee of Chongryon (General Association of Korean Residents in Japan).


2nd day competitions of junior Taekwon-do championships

   Pyongyang, August 25 (KCNA) -- The second day competitions of the 5th World Junior Taekwon-do Championships took place at the Taekwon-do Hall yesterday.
    The day saw matches in men's sparring individual in 58, 63 and 70 kg class, women's team pattern, women's pattern individual in 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade and women's sparring individual in 48 and 60 kg class.
    The following are some results of the matches:

Men's sparring individual
    58 kg class
    1: Kim Kwang Hyon (DPRK)
    2: Urbanek Jaroslav (Czech)
    3: Konstantin Yurikov (Russia)
       Olkiewicz Konrad (Poland)

Women's sparring individual
    48 kg class
    1: Ha Ryon Bok (DPRK)
    2: Vera Nemcova (Czech)
    3: Mariya Yachenko (Russia)
       Maria Undurraga (Argentina)

Women's pattern individual
    First grade
    1: Kang Alexandra (Russia)
    2: Dilorom Muritdinova (Uzbekistan)
    3: Pak Hyang Mi (DPRK)
       Ana Coronel (Argentina)
    Second grade
    1: Jong Son Hui (DPRK)
    2: Julie Marie Goneau (Canada)
    3: Yuliya Boreiko (Russia)
       Chew Siew Chin (Malaysia)
    Third grade
    1: Ro Song Hui (DPRK)
    2: Alexandra Novikova (Russia)
    3: Flyora Bektemirova (Uzbekistan)


Aid equipment to DPRK from UNDP

    Pyongyang, August 25 (KCNA) -- UNDP provided the DPRK with aid equipment needed for the recovery from damage in its agricultural field.
    A hand over ceremony was held at the Nampho port yesterday.
    David Morton, resident coordinator of the United Nations and resident representative of UNDP in the DPRK, conveyed the equipment to vice-Minister of Agriculture Kim Jong Ryang.


WPK's invariable stand of attaching great importance to youth

    Pyongyang, August 25 (KCNA) -- It is an invariable stand of the Worker's Party of Korea (WPK) to attach great importance to youth, Rodong Sinmun on Thursday said in a signed article dedicated to the fourth anniversary of the famous work of General Secretary Kim Jong Il "Let Us Exalt the Brilliance of Comrade Kim Il Sung's Idea on the Youth Movement and the Achievements Made Under His Leadership."
    The work comprehensively elucidates the ideas and theories on the youth movement clarified by the President Kim Il Sung and the exploits performed by him for the development of the youth movement and elaborates on the principled issues arising in its development.
    It is the basic idea of the work that the youth league should remain a youth league of Kim Il Sung for all ages and the Korean youth movement should steadily develop as a youth movement of Juche as indicated by him.
    The article went on:
    The WPK's politics of attaching great importance to the youth is now fully enforced in the course of building a powerful nation.
    The slogan "Love the youth " put up by Kim Jong Il has been successfully carried out to increase the concern of the whole party, all the people and the entire society for the youth.
    The vitality of the politics of attaching great importance to the youth is demonstrated by the fact that great efforts are directed to training the youth as revolutionaries, they are led to admirably perform their role as vanguard in the struggle to defend and exalt Korean-style socialism and unbounded love is shown for them.


DPRK government delegation welcomed by Chongryon

    Tokyo, August 24 (KNS-KCNA) -- A meeting of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) was held at the Korean Hall of Chongryon in Tokyo on Wednesday to welcome the DPRK government delegation which is taking part in the 10th round of DPRK-Japan intergovernmental full-dress talks.
    Invited to the meeting were members of the delegation headed by roving ambassador of the Foreign Ministry Jong Thae Hwa.
    First vice-chairman So Man Sul, chief vice-chairman Ho Jong Man and other officials of the central standing committee of Chongryon were present.
    So Man Sul and Jong Thae Hwa made addresses at the meeting before an art performance was given by Korean schoolchildren.
    The central standing committee of Chongryon gave a luncheon for the delegation that day.


More vigorous movement for national reconciliation and unity called for

    Pyongyang, August 25 (KCNA) -- Chief Pak Kwang Gi of the Pyongyang mission of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) issued a statement yesterday on the occasion of its 31st foundation anniversary.
    He said:
    The foundation of the revolutionary party for reunification, the predecessor of the NDFSK, on Aug. 25, Juche 58 (1969) was a successful materialization of the idea and theory on building a party of Juche and a historical declaration which heralded a new start of the revolutionary movement in the South Korean society.
    The NDFSK set it as its main political program to put an end to the U.S. colonial rule over South Korea and establish a regime based on national independence and defined it as the general goal of the movement for the nation and democracy to turn the South Korean society independent and democratic and achieve national reunification and has waged a strenuous struggle to realize them.
    Thanks to its positive activities, the man-centered Juche idea, the guiding idea of the times, has taken a firm root in South Korean people's mind, it has become their unanimous desire to follow the idea and there have emerged great many patriotic vanguard fighters and core members of movements fully equipped with the Juche idea.
    Under the guidance and influence of the NDFSK, many independent organizations were formed, ranks of the revolutionary movement rapidly grew stronger and the movement for independence, democracy and reunification is getting more popular and viable day by day on a solid organized basis. As a result, the revolutionary movement in the South Korean society is confidently advancing toward victory.
    The NDFSK will introduce the great leader Kim Jong Il's brilliant ideas, leadership and noble virtue and the immortal exploits performed by him for national reunification to the South Korean people from all walks of life in a more active and diverse way. And it will guide them to hold Kim Jong Il in high esteem as the destiny of the nation and lodestar of national reunification and remain loyal to his leadership.
    The NDFSK will channel all its efforts into the implementation of the June 15 south-north joint declaration.


National meeting of School Youth League and Children's Union

    Pyongyang, August 25 (KCNA) -- A national meeting of active instructors of the school youth and the Children's Union was held at the People's Palace of Culture on August 23 and 24.
    Present there were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kim Jung Rin, secretary of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea, officials concerned, model instructors of the school youth and the Children's Union from across the country and officials of the Kim Il Sung socialist youth league.
    The meeting reviewed the achievements and experience gained in the work of school youth and children under the leadership of the party and discussed tasks and ways to fully prepare all the school youth and children as true youth vanguard and children's lifeguard of the party boundlessly loyal to the great leader Kim Jong Il and dependable builders of a powerful nation.
    Its participants listened to the recorded instructions given by the President Kim Il Sung on the work of School Youth League and Children's Union from his concluding speech "On some tasks for improving education in schools" made at the meeting of the political committee of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea on may 3, Juche 63 (1974).
    A report of first secretary of the central committee of the league Ri Il Hwan was followed by speeches.
    A letter of pledge to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.


National memorial service for Kim Hyok

   Pyongyang, August 25 (KCNA) -- Today marks the 70th death anniversary of Kim Hyok, a communist revolutionary fighter of Korea.
    Kim Hyok was a young man with a strong sense of justice and ardent desire for learning, but had to experience a miserable fate as an intellectual of a colony.
    It was not until the summer of Juche 16 (1927) when he went under the leadership of the President Kim Il Sung that he could turn over a new leaf in his life to find himself worth living.
    He became a member of the "down-with-imperialism union" and played a pivotal role at the Anti-imperialist Youth League and the Young Communist League of Korea. A member of the first party organization, he worked as chief editor of Bolshevik, a revolutionary publication, and a commanding officer of the Korean Revolutionary Army.
    He energetically conducted propaganda about the greatness of Kim Il Sung among the people of broad segments including youth and students in rural areas.
    A revolutionary poet with burning passion, he created the revolutionary hymn "Star of Korea" carrying the ardent wish of all the fellow countrymen.
    This song was the first hymn dedicated by the Korean people to their leader. It was a great revolutionary song heralding a new history of the Korean revolution in which Kim Il Sung was acclaimed as its leader and the leader and the masses were united as one in mind.
    While carrying out the task assigned to him by President Kim Il Sung, he encountered with the enemy who surprised him at a secret rendezvous in Harbin. Having exchanged fire with the enemy, he jumped from the third floor of the building, resolved to die for the President's safety.
    A national memorial service for him was held at the People's Palace of Culture today to commemorate his 70th death anniversary.
    Kim Il Chol, Minister of the People's Armed Forces, said in his memorial address:
    The noble revolutionary life of Kim Hyok, a communist of younger generation, is a brilliant model for all of us, which tells how a revolutionary soldier of Juche type should safeguard his leader and live and fight for the country and revolution.
    All the servicemen and working people including the party members should vigorously travel a new long journey of the revolution, actively learning from the steadfast revolutionary outlook on the leader and the total dedication to the revolution Kim Hyok, Cha Kwang Su and other fighters of the first generation of the Korean revolution had.
    Present at the memorial service were Hong Song Nam and other senior party and state officials.
    Pyongyang-based newspapers today dedicate articles to this anniversary.


Joint international struggle for peace called for

   Pyongyang, August 25 (KCNA) -- All the peace-loving forces the world over should launch a joint international struggle to achieve durable peace, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article.
    The reality clearly shows that the world cannot be in peace as long as there are forces who pursue wrong ideas and policies intended to encroach upon the independence of other countries and nations and dominate them, the article notes, and goes on:
    Begging for peace is as foolish as helping the anti-peace forces in their dangerous war moves. Peace can be won only through struggle. This is a bitter lesson taught by the human history stained with dark smoke of war.
    In order to defend peace it is imperative for all countries and nations to firmly maintain independence and struggle against the wrong ideas and policies designed to violate the independence of other countries and nations.
    The paper underscores the need to settle the internal affairs of their countries and nations by their own efforts.
    The imperialists' policy of strength should never be tolerated, it says, adding there can be genuine peace only when people fight against the imperialists' policy of strength at the risk of their lives.
    All the peace-loving forces should unite and never tolerate the high-handed practices and privilege of the imperialists in the international arena but struggle to achieve the independence and democratization of the international community, it concludes.


Anniversaries of DPRK and WPK to be celebrated in Guyana

    Pyongyang, August 25 (KCNA) -- A Guyanese preparatory committee was formed to celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the 55th anniversary of the Worker's Party of Korea.
    An inaugural meeting was held in Georgetown on Aug. 18.
    The Minister of Public Service of the Presidential Office of Guyana said in his speech that the DPRK has become a politically, militarily and economically powerful country under the wise leadership of the President Kim Il Sung and the General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
    The general secretary of the Good Green Guyana said the WPK has won only victories over the last 55 years, adding that this was possible because Kim Il Sung had always put forward right policies and lines and Kim Jong Il has wisely led the struggle to carry them out.
    The Minister of Public Service of the Presidential Office and the leader of the Good Green Guyana were elected co-chairmen of the preparatory committee and the general secretary of the party was elected first vice-chairman of the committee at the meeting.
    The preparatory committee set a celebration period from Aug. 19 to Oct. 20 and decided to hold various political and cultural functions during the period.


Indonesian political party supports three-point charter of Korea's reunification

    Pyongyang, August 25 (KCNA) -- The Indonesian United Party of diversity participated in the international signature campaign supporting the three-point charter of Korea's reunification.
    Its chairman Nurdin Purnomo signed the signature paper on behalf of its 400,000 members on Aug. 16.


Construction of basic food production centers progresses apace

    Pyongyang, August 25 (KCNA) -- The construction of modern basic food production centers is making headway in the DPRK.
    The calls of the Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea published with the approach of its 55th anniversary appealed to all provinces of the country to build solid modern basic food production centers before the anniversary.
    Production will be kept at a high rate at these centers equipped with modern facilities for the production of bean paste and soy and all other automatic production processes.
    North and south Hamgyong provinces are taking the lead in this construction.
    The construction of many structures is close to completion and the manufacture of equipment and its installing have been carried out 80-90 percent in these provinces.
    Meanwhile, many technical innovation proposals of great value have been introduced to production. Boilers are being reconditioned. Fuel is gasified to ensure more than 98 percent combustion efficiency. Designing an automatic control system for the production of soybean malt has been completed.
    Jagang and Kangwon provinces are pushing all the projects ahead of schedule, hastening the projects to enlarge the existing buildings and the disassembling of the equipment and manufacture of new modern ones to replace them.
    South Hwanghae and north Phyongan provinces and other provinces are finding package solutions to all problems in the construction of those centers such as manpower organization, guidance to construction and manufacture of equipment.
    Enormous is the work to be done. Scores of tanks each weighing 10 tons should be dismantled, several storehouses and set-ups be built and at least 100 sets of equipment of scores of types be manufactured. Not a few difficulties and bottlenecks lie before the builders.
    But builders in all the provinces are successfully pushing ahead with the projects in the revolutionary spirit of self-reliance with a goal to complete them before the founding anniversary of the party.


New stamp

    Pyongyang, August 25 (KCNA) -- The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has recently issued a stamp portraying Rev. Moon Ik Hwan (June 1, 1918-January 18, 1994), a winner of the National Reunification Prize for his contribution to the cause of Korea's independent and peaceful reunification.
    The prize was conferred upon him on August 15, 1990, the 45th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese military rule.
    He visited Pyongyang from March 25 to April 3, 1989 and was received in audience by President Kim Il Sung.


Japanese right-wing reactionaries' provocation flailed

    Kisarazu, August 24 (KCNA) -- Jong Thae Hwa, roving ambassador of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who led the DPRK government delegation to the 10th round of the DPRK-Japan intergovernmental full-dress talks had a press conference in Kisarazu, Chiba Prefecture, Thursday.
    Present there were reporters of Japanese newspapers, news agencies and TV broadcasting institutions, foreign correspondents in Tokyo and DPRK reporters.
    Jong Thae Hwa briefed them on the 10th round of the full-dress talks.
    He first touched upon the issue of Japan's apology, the core of Japan's redeem for its past. The Japanese side said it "would handle the issue within the parameters of Murayama's statement," but in his statement he had in mind all the Asian countries which Japan invaded and occupied in the past, Jong said, and continued:
    Korea was under the Japanese imperialists' longest military rule among Asian countries and suffered severest and tremendous pain and damage. Therefore, repentance within that parameters is not enough, and it is hardly acceptable to the Korean people.
    He called attention to the facts that millions of Korean people lost their lives and Korea was plundered of huge amount of its cultural relics and deprived of even its national soul during the Japanese imperialists' unprecedented military occupation and rule. Therefore, the Korean people can never accept an "apology" expressed by saying "Owabi," the term included in "Murayama's statement," which is commonly used by one after hurting others by accidental blunder or by careless mistake, he noted.
    Referring to the issue of compensation, he held that Japan's insistence on "property claim against Japan" goes to prove that Japan is not repenting of its past crimes at all as it is based on the brigandish logic that the Japanese imperialists' aggression and military occupation of Korea were "lawful acts."
    Recalling that the Japanese imperialists inflicted immeasurable human, material and spiritual damage upon the Korean people in pursuance of their inhuman policy of suppression, he said that the DPRK side clarified once again at the talks that the lives of millions of Koreans and blood, sweat and tears shed by them and their deep-seated grudge can never be handled by the method of "property claim against Japan."
    He stated: But for the Japanese imperialists' military occupation and rule over Korea, the Korean people would have not undergone the pain of national division for over half a century. Therefore, Japan should own a due responsibility for this and compensate for enormous damage it has inflicted upon the Korean people by consistently pursuing the policy of isolating and stifling the DPRK after its defeat, he said.
    Turning to the issue of cultural treasures, he said:
    Given the stark historical fact that Japan destroyed and looted a lot of cultural treasures of Korea as it pleased pursuant to the policy to obliterate the Korean nation after invading and occupying Korea in the past, the DPRK side strongly urged the Japanese side not to deny the criminal acts under the pretext that they "obtained them by legitimate means" but make a due apology for their crimes and, at the same time, make a material compensation for the destroyed ones and return all the looted ones.
    Pointing to the issue of compensation to the Koreans in Japan and the guarantee of special status to them, he said that the majority of Koreans now residing in Japan are those who narrowly escaped deaths from all sorts of hard labour and national humiliation after being kidnapped or taken away to Japan by force by the Japanese imperialists under various pretexts of "compulsory military service" and "labor conscription," and their descendants. They are most miserable victims of Japan's occupation of Korea, he said, and continued:
    They have remained victims of all manifestations of the hostile policy of national discrimination pursued by the Japanese authorities until today since the liberation of Korea. The DPRK side clarified that in view of the seriousness and importance of the issue, it would handle the issue related to them not as an issue related to the legal status of Koreans in Japan but as "an issue related to the compensation to the Koreans in Japan and the guarantee of special status to them."
    Recalling that Japan is working hard to adopt the "bill on prefectural suffrage" at any cost despite the fact that the DPRK clarified its stand at the 9th round of the full-dress talks that it would never allow the farce of "suffrage" which encroaches upon the sovereignty of the DPRK, denies the national identity of the Koreans in Japan and sparks disturbances and confrontation among Koreans in Japan and in the local society of Japan, he said that the DPRK side explicitly told the Japanese side at the talks that this was an intolerable attitude.



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