U.S.-Japan joint naval maneuver assailed
Pyongyang, July 19 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today carries a signed commentary assailing the Japanese maritime "Self-Defense Force" and the U.S. navy for staging a joint special mine-sweeping exercise in Mutsu Gulf, Aomori Prefecture, Japan.
Dismissing the exercise as a war maneuver of aggressive and offensive nature in view of its scale, duration and program, the commentary says:
Since the demise of the Cold War, the U.S. and Japan have shifted target of their joint military exercises to the Korean peninsula from the former soviet union under the pretext of "emergencies in areas surrounding Japan."
The U.S. and Japanese reactionaries put a main emphasis on naval attacks in their Korean military strategy. Contending that sea provides several times larger space for strike than the ground given the natural and topographical features of the Korean peninsula and their naval strike power is "superior" to that of the DPRK, the U.S. and Japan seek to mount a surprise attack on the DPRK by a large-scale naval assault to seize its front and rear in a short time. Their maneuver under the simulated conditions of an operation to rapidly sweep mines in the territorial waters of the DPRK is designed to achieve that aim.
The ongoing joint maneuver is, in fact, to carry out their war scenario.
In other words, they aim to start the second Korean war.
With nothing can the U.S. and the Japanese reactionaries cover up the criminal and dangerous nature of the exercise.
Foreign diplomatic envoys visit Sinchon Museum
Pyongyang, July 19 (KCNA) -- Foreign diplomatic envoys here visited the Sinchon Museum in South Hwanghae Province yesterday on the occasion of the month of international solidarity with the Korean people.
Displayed in the museum are materials showing how brutally the U.S. imperialist aggressors killed innocent people in Sinchon during the last Korean War (June 25, 1950-July 27, 1953).
After the visit they made an entry in the visitor's book.
Palestinian ambassador Shaher Mohammed Abdlah wrote that the exhibits vividly show GIs' brutal atrocities and history will never pardon the criminal atrocities.
Secretary of the Libyan People's Bureau Ahmed Amer al Muakkaf wrote that the great Korean people won victory despite the desperate efforts of the U.S. imperialists.
Russian ambassador gives reception
Pyongyang, July 19 (KCNA) -- Russian ambassador to the DPRK Valery Denisov hosted a reception at the embassy yesterday on the occasion of the first anniversary of the historic meeting between leader Kim Jong Il and President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and the adoption of the DPRK-Russia joint declaration.
Referring to the signing of the treaty of friendship, good neighbourliness and cooperation between the two countries in February 2000, the ambassador said that the bilateral relations were rejuvenated through several contacts in the past one year.
He highly praised the Korean people for their achievements made in building a powerful nation under the leadership of Kim Jong Il and noted that the russian federation is paying deep attention to peace, stability and detente on the Korean peninsula.
Russia supports the aspiration of the Korean people for peaceful and democratic reunification reflected in the north-south joint declaration, he said, adding: to put an end to Korea's division is not only the desire of the Korean people but an essential condition to ensure a durable peace on the Korean peninsula and in all areas of Asia.
Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, said that the DPRK has steadily strengthened cooperation and relations in various fields including politics, the economy, military affairs, culture and sports in the spirit of the DPRK-Russia joint declaration during the past one year. We expressed the belief that such equal and reciprocal cooperation would further expand and develop in the future, he noted.
The Korean people have well known about the successes made by the russian government and people in their work to achieve socio-political stability and unity, develop the economy and strengthen the national defense capabilities under the leadership of President Putin, he said, adding: We are rejoiced over them and wish the leadership and people of Russia greater success in their future work.
President Kim Yong Nam sojourns in Cambodia
Phnom Penh, July 18 (KCNA correspondent) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, on an official goodwill visit to Cambodia, separately met and had talks with Chea Sim, President of the Senate, Norodom Ranariddh, President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, who paid courtesy calls on him at the Khemarin Palace on Tuesday.
Kim Yong Nam laid a wreath before the monument to independence in Phnom Penh on Wednesday.
That day, he and his party visited the national museum and other places and made a sightseeing tour of the city.
Kim Yong Nam in company with King Norodom Sihanouk enjoyed a performance given by Cambodian artistes at the royal palace.
Cambodian king hosts banquet in honour of Kim Yong Nam
Phnom Penh, July 17 (KCNA correspondent) -- King of Cambodia Norodom Sihanouk hosted a banquet at the royal palace on July 17 in honour of Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly.
Among those present there on invitation together with Kim Yong Nam were minister of foreign trade Ri Kwang Gun, minister of culture Kang Nung Su, vice-minister of foreign affairs Pak Kil Yon, DPRK ambassador to Cambodia Kim Jong Nam, vice-chairperson of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Hong Son Ok and suite members.
Present there were president of the national assembly Norodom Ranariddh, deputy prime minister in charge of the royal palace Kong Sam Ol, minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation Hor Namhong, minister of culture and art Norodom Bopha Devi, Cambodian ambassador to the DPRK Oum Mannorine and other officials concerned.
Norodom Sihanouk said in his speech that he would like to pay most respectful tribute to President Kim Il Sung, the father of the revolution, the heroic father who achieved Korea's liberation and the father of the creation who succeeded in the development of all fields and the building up of strong national defence capability 100 percent. he also referred to the fact that Kim Il Sung rendered sincere assistance to the just cause of Cambodia with immensely broad magnanimity.
He said that he has always and totally supported the peaceful and compatriotic policies for Korea's reunification put forward by President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il, and expressed deepest thanks to Kim Jong Il for having voiced invariable strong support to the just cause of Cambodia.
Kim Yong Nam said in his speech:
The Korean people highly praise the king who is respected and loved by all the Cambodian people as the father of the Khmer nation for the devoted service he has rendered for the sacred cause for the people's happiness with warm love of the country and the nation, and sincerely wish the government and people of Cambodia greater success in the efforts to realise the noble intention of the king.
The Korean people will as ever make all efforts to further consolidate and develop the good relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, provided and brought into full bloom by Kim Il Sung and Norodom Sihanouk, under the particular care of Kim Jong Il.
A performance of artistes was given at the banquet.
First anniversary of DPRK-Russia joint declaration marked
Pyongyang, July 19 (KCNA) -- Papers here today dedicate editorial articles to the first anniversary of the DPRK-Russia joint declaration.
Rodong Sinmun says that the Pyongyang meeting between the heads of the two countries and the adoption of the joint declaration marked historic events which provided a solid groundwork for developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries in all fields.
Exchange and cooperation between the two countries have gained in depth in various fields since the adoption of the declaration, the article notes, and continues:
The development of the DPRK-Russia relations is in full accord with the interests of the peoples of the two friendly neighbours. They are making joint efforts to boost the traditional bilateral relations of friendship in all fields.
A number of positive measures are being taken and fresh changes taking place in Russia today in the direction of building powerful Russia.
Russia stands opposed to hegemonism, strong-arm politics and the moves to establish an unipolar world and calls for multi-polar world and a new fair international order in the international arena.
It maintains the firm stand to keep and strengthen the 1972 ABM treaty and strongly reject the U.S. establishment of the "Missile Defense" system in particular.
Such efforts exerted by Russia are conducive to checking a new arms race and space militarization and guaranteeing the global peace and security.
The DPRK closely follows the principled stand maintained by Russia on a series of major international issues and estimates them.
It is the hope of the Korean people that Russia will achieve fresh success in their efforts to increase the national defence capability, boost economy and stabilize people's living under the leadership of President V.Putin.
An article of Minju Joson notes that the efforts made by the two countries to improve the traditional friendly relations in all fields in the spirit of the historic DPRK-Russia joint declaration will have a positive impact on the peace and progress in the region and the rest of the world.
Anecdotes about President Kim Il Sung
Pyongyang, July 19 (KCNA) -- It happened in a hot day of August Juche 40 (1951).
President Kim Il Sung examined the trial products of military uniform for winter use and chose a pair of padded shoes.
He had used the shoes for more than one week since the next morning to estimate their quality. One day he visited an engineering work site to hear soldiers' comment on the shoes.
He told them not to simply say that the shoes were good but point to their defects to help produce better ones.
He was pleased to hear their opinions and assured them that the shoes liked by them would be produced.
Early in July Juche 39 (1950) the president assigned officials in the field of education a task to recover the true records of the ri dynasty (government diary of the feudal state of the ri dynasty that existed for 519 years).
he instructed them to recover the precious national treasure at any cost. A course to recover the books was drawn on the operational map of the supreme headquarters and orders were issued to institutions concerned and units of the Korean people's army to carry out the operation. This was how the true records of the ri dynasty were recovered amid the turbulences of the war.
There is another anecdote telling about the greatness of the president.
One day in the Autumn of Juche 53 (1964) the president received an overseas Korean businessman. The businessman told the president that he was wrong when he intended to build a factory in South Korea, adding that he would like to build it in the north. But the president noted with smile that there was no need to do so and it would not be bad but good for the Korean people if even one more factory was built in south Korea. And he said that the construction of the factory in South Korea would be helpful to the future development of the country. Deeply moved by his noble compatriotism and broad-mindedness, the businessman lauded the president as a god of Korea who takes care of all the people.
Inter-Korean meeting of peasants for reunification opens
Kosong, July 18 (KCNA) -- A meeting of peasants of the north and south for reunification was opened on Mt. Kumgang today to implement the June 15 Joint Declaration.
Present there were delegations of the union of agricultural workers of Korea, the South Korean General Federation of Peasant Unions and the South Korean General Federation of Women Peasants' Unions and officials concerned.
Invited there were delegates of the South Korean people's council for national reconciliation and cooperation, the solidarity for reunification to implement the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and achieve peace on the Korean peninsula, seven religious orders, the "Korean Confederation of Trade Unions", the "Federation of Korean Trade Unions" and the youth and students promotion committee under the headquarters for promoting national joint functions in 2001 to implement the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration.
Congratulatory speeches were made there.
Sung Sang Sop, chairman of the central committee of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea, who was heading the delegation of the union said that the meeting would be a prelude calling the fellow countrymen to an August 15 grand festival for national reunification as it is a grand significant meeting of all peasants in the north and the south to take the first big stride toward reunification.
Jong Kwang Hun, chairman of the South Korean General Federation of the Peasants' Unions, who is heading its delegation accused the united state of standing in the way of the national reunification of Korea and called on the nation to achieve independent reunification by the concerted efforts of the nation in the spirit of the June 15 Joint Declaration and thus reunify the country.
Kim Sun Ok, chairperson of the South Korean General Federation of Women Peasants' Unions, who is heading its delegation called on the nation to prevent the foreign forces and evil laws from obstructing its dynamic march for reunification and urged the female peasants to pool efforts and contribute to developing agriculture and achieving national prosperity and reunification.
Congratulatory messages from different organizations in the north and south were read out at the meeting.
At the reunification forum for supporting and implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration speakers underlined the need for the Korean peasants in the north and south to pay primary attention to national reunification and take the lead in the movement for reunification and frustrate foreign domination and interferances through cooperation among the compatriots and between the north and the south.
Performances were given by artistes of the north and the south and colorful folk sports and amusement games of peasants of the north and south took place at the meeting. the meeting continues.
Congratulations to secretary general of OAU
Pyongyang, July 19 (KCNA) -- Paek Nam Sun, minister of foreign affairs of the DPRK, sent a congratulatory message to Amara Essy upon the latter's election as secretary general of the Organization of African Unity at the 37th OAU summit.
The message said that the OAU and the African countries have registered many successes in achieving the peace and integration of the continent and solving political, social and economic issues including disputes by themselves.
It noted that the DPRK government and people, who value the traditional relations with the African countries, would further develop the friendly and cooperative relations with them in the future, too, in the idea of its foreign policy --independence, peace and friendship.
It sincerely wished him greater success in his responsible work for building peaceful and prosperous new Africa.
Message of sympathy to Vietnamese prime minister
Pyongyang, July 19 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, premier of the DPRK cabinet, on July 15 sent a message of sympathy to Phan Van Khai, prime minister of the Vietnamese government, in connection with big human and material losses caused by typhoon that hit the northern provinces of his country.
The message expressed deep sympathy to him and, through him, to the inhabitants in the afflicted areas.
The message expressed belief that the Vietnamese government and people would recover from the natural calamities and bring their living to normal as early as possible.