Benin President on friendly relations with DPRK
Pyongyang, July 3 (KCNA) -- Mathieu Kerekou, President of Benin, when meeting with the DPRK ambassador to his country on June 23, said President Kim Il Sung showed too much care for Benin to tell about.
Leader Kim Jong Il values the friendly relations between the two countries and the Benin people are greatly encouraged by all achievements made in the DPRK under his leadership, the president noted.
Saying that there is no change in Benin's position towards the Korea's reunification issue, he sincerely hoped that Korea would be reunified by the efforts of the nation independently, peacefully and on the principle of great national unity by means of federation free from foreign interference as the Korean people want.
Traditional sports encouraged
Pyongyang, July 3 (KCNA) -- Sporting pastimes, an integral part of human life and labour, have been a traditional favourite of Koreans since olden times.
Korean wrestling, in which two opponents try to outmanoeuvre each other, gripping the belt around the other's waist or thigh, has a long history as evidenced by its depiction in the tomb murals of Koguryo from the 4th-5th century.
Other folk sports are tug-of-war, seesaw and swinging.
Swinging was widespread in the areas centering on western Korea by the early middle ages, and the most notable feature was swinging at Tano Festival (lunar May 5) in Pyongyang.
Traditional sports symbolic of national resourcefulness and courage are given further imptus by government measures.
Folk games are a frequent part of holiday events in different fields- at national institutions and industrial and educational establishments.
In spring and autumn, schools organize athletic meets, and during winter holidays, Such games as kite-flying, top-spinning and sleding. On holidays and Sundays, people enjoy chess, swinging, seesaw and wrestling, and chess of old and young fans are a typical scene of parks and resorts. TV education and culture programme broadcasts chess moves on a weekly basis.
Wrestling is the dominant folk game. At Tano Festival (celebration of the end of rice-transplanting), wrestling contests are held for the prize of an ox. a symbol of fortitude and strength, this event is widespread as a national sports event. At last years' national wrestling championships, players from North Phyongan Province and Pyongyang, traditional powerhouses, clinched a clean sweep between them.
Mass-based folk sports go a long way to diversifying the people's entertainment and deepening national pride.
Sri Lankan national seminar on Juche idea and self-reliance held
Pyongyang, July 3 (KCNA) -- A Sri Lankan national seminar on the Juche idea and self-reliance was held in Colombo on June 22 on the occasion of the 37th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's start of work at the central committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.
A report and speeches were made at the seminar.
The reporter said that what is distinguished in the exploits of Kim Jong Il is that he has developed and enriched the Juche idea founded by President Kim Il Sung to glorify it as a great guiding idea in the era of independence.
He works out and applies all lines and policies in conformity with the desire of the Korean people and the specific realities of Korea, the reporter noted.
The speakers said that the high international prestige and might of the WPK are entirely the fruition of his wise leadership.
Under his leadership the Korean people are waging a vigorous struggle to build a powerful nation, they said, underscoring the need to apply the principles of the Juche idea and self-reliance to speed up the independent development and prosperity of Sri Lanka.
They expressed full support to the proposal of holding a world conference of Juche idea study organizations and its followers to mark February 16, the birthday of Kim Jong Il, next year.
A letter to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the seminar.
Month of solidarity with Korean people opens abroad
Pyongyang, July 3 (KCNA) -- Opening ceremonies of a month of international solidarity with the Korean people were held in Bulgaria and Tanzania on June 22 and 23.
Speeches were made at the ceremonies.
F. Limo, vice-chairman of the Tanzania-DPRK Friendship Association, said that under the wise guidance of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il the Korean people have firmly defended the sovereignty of the nation, smashing the protracted anti-DPRK campaign of the imperialists.
The U.S.-led imperialists should give up their hostile policy towards the DPRK and refrain from disturbing the implementation of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration, he noted.
Milcho Gyurov, vice-chairman of the Bulgaria-Korea Friendship Association, said it is a big crime to be severely punished by all humankind that the U.S. imperialists divided the Korean nation and ignited the Korean War in a bid to achieve their wild ambition for world supremacy.
He called for strongly demanding the withdrawal of the U.S. troops from South Korea, whose presence is the main obstacle to the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea, and expressing full support and solidarity with the heroic Korean people's struggle.
A message of solidarity to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the ceremony in Bulgaria.
Remarks of Japan Defense Agency chief under fire
Pyongyang, July 3 (KCNA) -- The Japan Defense Agency chief told the U.S. defense secretary during his recent U.S. junket that any missile defense program Japan pursues in the future would be "independent" of U.S. plans to build a national defense shield. In this regard Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary says:
His remarks are aimed to clarify Japan's stance that the "Theatre Missile Defense" system which Japan and the U.S. are jointly developing will not be part of the U.S. "Missile Defense" system.
The Japanese reactionaries' talk about the establishment of the independent "Missile Defense" system indicates their undisguised intention to move toward the space militarization.
Japan has already emerged as a dangerous aggression force by escalating its moves to become a military power through an annual spending of tens of billions of dollars.
The Japanese reactionaries are now hell-bent on the moves to realize their ambition for overseas expansion. but, they are well advised to stop such a foolish act as jumping into the fire with faggot on their backs.
Closure of U.S. bombing range urged in S. Korea
Pyongyang, July 3 (KCNA) -- Tens of members of the all-people measure committee for closure of the U.S. military bombing range in Maehyang-ri and the measure committee for compensation for the damage of Maehyang-ri villagers held a protesting rally on June 28 in front of the building of the U.S. lockheed martin company in Seoul which manages the bombing range, according to Yonhap News from Seoul.
They submitted a letter of protest to the company side, demanding the closure of the range.
Meanwhile, the all-people measure committee said that Maehyang-ri villagers are suffering heavy injury from the firing exercises of U.S. fighter planes in the range and that it is preparing to take the action for damages against the authorities early in July.
Leakage of oil from U.S. military base protested
Pyongyang, July 3 (KCNA) -- Members of the civilian committee of measures against damage done by the leakage of oil from the U.S. military base and a civic organization staged a demonstration in front of the U.S. military barracks in Wonju city, South Kangwon Province on June 27 in protest against the renewed oil leakage from the base, said Yonhap News from Seoul.
Saying that they ascertained the flow of oil between sand layers around a reservoir some 600 metres away from the scene of the recent case, they urged an investigation into the serious pollution in the area caused by the protracted massive leakage of oil from the U.S. army unit and measures against this damage.
They declared that the demonstration would be followed by a one-by-one demonstration in demand of the investigation into the truth and compensation for the damage and they would collect signatures from over 10,000 civilians to be sent to the U.S. troops side and the authorities.
U.S. unchangeable design to stifle DPRK denounced
Pyongyang, July 3 (KCNA) -- The U.S. should refrain from any action provoking and threatening the DPRK, if it truly wants dialogue and negotiation with it, Minju Joson today says, commenting on the U.S. decision to sell the vertical missile launching system "MK 41" to South Korea.
The commentary says: The decision made by the U.S. to sell the missile launching system to South Korea, while talking about the resumption of "dialogue" with the DPRK clearly tells what aim the U.S. is pursuing in its loudmouthed "dialogue" and what it seeks in its moves against the DPRK.
Arms buildup is incompatible with dialogue. The recent measure taken by the U.S. would adversely affect the tense situation in northeast Asia.
The DPRK is left with no option but to continue to increase defence capability for self-defence as the U.S. pursues an unchangeable design to stifle the DPRK by force of arms, talking about "dialogue" and negotiation with it, concludes the commentary.
Gift to Kim Jong Il
Pyongyang, July 3 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received a gift from the president of the "Holland Euro-Asia Group."
It was conveyed to an official concerned by president Bin Yang on a visit to the DPRK.
Chief of general staff of KPA meets Cuban military delegation
Pyongyang, July 3 (KCNA) -- Vice marshal Kim Yong Chun, chief of the general staff of the Korean People's Army, met and had a talk with the Cuban military delegation led by colonel general Alvaro Lopez Miera, vice-minister of the revolutionary armed forces and chief of the general staff, which paid a courtesy call on him today.
Present there were colonel general O Kum Chol, lieutenant general Pak Sung Won and military attache Eduardo Sanchez Pena of the Cuban embassy here.
Talks held between military delegations of DPRK and Cuba
Pyongyang, July 3 (KCNA) -- Talks were held here today between the military delegations of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Cuba.
At the talks, both sides reiterated their will to boost the friendly relations between the armies of the two countries and exchanged their views on a series of matters of mutual concern.
Present at the talks were vice marshal Kim Yong Chun, chief of the general staff of the Korean People's Army, colonel general O Kum Chol, lieutenant general Pak Sung Won, and other generals and officers and members of the Cuban delegation headed by colonel general Alvaro Lopez Miera, vice-minister of the revolutionary armed forces and chief of the general staff, and Eduardo Sanchez Pena, military attache of the Cuban embassy here.
The talks proceeded in a comradely and friendly atmosphere.
Cuban military delegation here
Pyongyang, July 3 (KCNA) -- A military delegation of the Republic of Cuba led by colonel general Alvaro Lopez Miera, vice-minister of the revolutionary armed forces and chief of the general staff, arrived here today.
The delegation was met at the airport by vice marshal Kim Yong Chun, chief of the general staff of the Korean People's Army, and other generals and officers.
Also on hand were charge d'affaires Violeta Goodridge Culzac and military attache Eduardo Sanchez Pena of the Cuban embassy here.
A welcome function took place at the airport.