Friendly city established between DPRK and Mexico
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- An agreement on establishment of a friendly city between Wonsan, Kangwon Province, the DPRK, and Puebla, Puebla state, the United States of Mexico, was signed in Wonsan on August 1.
The agreement was inked by Kim Sang Chol, vice-chairman of the Wonsan city people's committee of Kangwon Province, and Rogelio Morales Trejo, head of the Puebla city friendly delegation of Mexico.
Reception given by Cuban ambassador
pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- Esteban Lobaina Romero, Cuban ambassador to the DPRK, hosted a reception at the embassy yesterday on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the attack on the Moncada barracks.
Present on invitation were minister of education Pyon Yong Rip, chairman of the DPRK-Cuba solidarity committee, Ri Kwang Gun, minister of foreign trade, Ryom Sun Gil, chairman of the central committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, Ri Il Hwan, first secretary of the central committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, Pak Sun Hui, chairwoman of the central committee of the Korean Democratic Women's Union, Mun Jae Chol, acting chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, and other officials concerned.
Speeches were made at the reception.
Public-rallying sportscaster
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- Ri Tong Gyu, deputy director of science at the Physical Science Institute, is a famous football expert and popular commentator on the sport.
His reporting of international football matches on TV leaves a magnetic impression on viewers as he details the history and performance of the world's teams and the career, fitness, ability and life history of individual players.
The 65-year-old boasts a colorful football career himself.
He was born and bred in Japan. When a Korean High School was established in the place where he was living, He became the first captain of the school's football team.
Despite rampant discrimination in Japanese society, he became the star of the Tokyo football scene. After returning home to Korea, he graduated from Pyongyang University of Medicine and became a scientist of sports physiology and a football researcher.
Endowed with an enticing voice in addition to his professional career and knowledge, he started as a TV football commentator in Juche 63 (1974), for an international tournament in Pyongyang. In Juche 71 (1982), the broadcasting of the 12th World Cup sealed his billing as a star, and he has since been the most courted sportscaster for TV programmes on international soccer.
With a ready command of Russian, Chinese, Japanese and English at his disposal, he gathers factfiles on world teams, players and coaches, and his collection now amounts to 26 thick volumes and mountains of file slips.
He is equally faithful to his commitment as a sports scientist and as a broadcaster, of which he says the latter is geared to rallying public interest in football.
Master's degree holder and associated professor, he has compiled seven books including "football: past and present," "football training" and "enhancing fitness of players", and he often gives invitational lectures on football trends at different institutions.
DPRK's stand to boost its relations with Russia hailed
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il clarified the DPRK-Russia relations and prospect of its development in his answers to questions raised by Itar-Tass.
The Pyongyang summit of the leaders of the two countries held last year was a landmark event in developing the friendly relations between the DPRK and Russia onto a new higher stage.
The DPRK-Russia joint declaration signed during the visit of the Russian President to the DPRK as well as the DPRK-Russia treaty of friendship, good-neighborliness and cooperation signed in February last year are historic documents that provide a guarantee for promoting the friendly relations between the two countries.
Practical measures have been taken by the two countries concerning cooperation in the fields of the economy, military affairs, science, technology, education and culture.
There are ample conditions for boosting the bilateral friendly and cooperative relations and their prospect is very bright.
Kim Jong Il noted in the answers that the development of the relations is of great significance in ensuring peace and security in Asia and the rest of the world.
Officials of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries made pledges to make energetic efforts for the development of the relations, true to his foreign policy.
Its vice-chairman Jon Yong Jin resolved to take the lead in implementing the independent foreign policy of the Workers' Party of Korea so as to devote himself to enhancing the DPRK's international prestige and creating favorable international environment for the Korean revolution.
Its vice-chairman Ho Hae Ryong vowed to loyally uphold the WPK's foreign policy for global independence in the efforts to glorify the immortal exploits performed by Kim Jong Il for the development of the relations.
Torrential rain hits DPRK for five consecutive@days
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- All areas of the DPRK are hard hit by torrential rain.
Unusual torrential rain persists in areas of Kangwon, north and south Hwanghae provinces and Kaesong city.
According to information available, 50 percent of the average annual rainfall was recorded in those areas in 5 days from July 27.
For example, rainfall stood at 607mm in Phyonggang county, 402mm in Sepho county, Kangwon Province and 517mm in Paechon county and 429mm in Yonan county, South Hwanghae Province.
On July 31 alone, rainfall registered 285mm in Phyonggang county, 232mm in Paechon county, 197mm in Yonan county and 180mm in Kaesong city.
Various fields of the national economy are hard hit by the torrential rain.
Competent officials are inspecting the afflicted areas to assess the damage and take necessary measures.
More torrential rain is expected to hit the country in the days to come.
KCNA report
pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- The KCNA has been authorized to report today as follows:
"Koshumaru no. 11," a Japanese tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas, unexpectedly bumped against "Myonggwang-3", a ship under the Korean Myonggwang trading corporation, on a routine voyage at sea at 34 degrees 06 min. 57 sec. north latitude and 135 degrees 00 min. 27 sec. east longitude, some 3.7 miles west of Okinoshima, aritacity, wakayama prefecture of japan, at around 09:05 on July 14.
This strong collision caused our ship to sink to the seabed 60 m deep in three minutes and its captain went missing.
16 crewmen of the ship were rescued and came back.
Meanwhile, Japan's tanker was slightly damaged at its bow but no human loss was reported from it.
According to the preliminary investigation by a relevant institution, this accident was caused by the Japanese tanker's careless forward observation.
It is very regretful that one person was reported missing.
However, relevant organs of Japan stopped the search for the missing person in two days after the accident. And Japan's diplomatic authorities said in an irresponsible manner that the case is not the government's business, when the bereaved family members asked for information about the details of the accident and confirmation of the fate of the missing. Such immoral and insincere behavior and attitude can convince nobody.
The Japanese authorities concerned should confirm the fate of the missing captain of "Myonggwang-3" as soon as possible and inform his family of it. And the Japanese government should take a sincere and responsible step for the settlement of the damage caused by the recent accident, in consideration of the relations between the two countries.
Kim Yong Nam meets general secretary of@International Federation of RCRCS
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and conversed with Didier Cherpitel, general secretary of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and his companion at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
Expressing thanks for the cordial hospitality accorded to them, the general secretary said that during their stay they saw the Korean people admirably overcoming difficulties and trials.
The federation will carry out its humanitarian mission with close cooperation with the DPRK red cross society, he stressed.
Condolences to President of Portugal
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, expressed deep condolences to the people and the President of Portugal and to the bereaved family over the death of former President of Portugal Francisco Da Costa Gomes.
Kim Yong Nam wrote in the message of condolence sent to President Jorge Fernando Branco de Sampaio on August 1 that as a close friend of the Korean people, Gomes energetically worked to prevent a war and ensure peace on the Korean peninsula and achieve Korea's peaceful reunification.
Sharing with you sorrow over the loss of a prominent political activist, a close friend of the Korean people, I once again offer deep condolences to you and, through you, to the deceased and the bereaved family, the message noted.
Congratulations to prime minister of Bosnia-Herzegovina
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, premier of the DPRK cabinet, sent a congratulatory message to Zlatko Lagumdzija, prime minister of the council of ministers of the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The message extended congratulations to him on his appointment as prime minister of the council and wished him success in his responsible work for the stability of the country and its reconstruction.
Meanwhile, foreign minister Paek Nam Sun sent a congratulatory message to Ante Domazet on his appointment as foreign minister of Bosnia-Herzegovina.