5th north-south ministerial talks close

    Seoul, September 18 (KCNA correspondent) -- The 5th north-south ministerial talks that opened in Seoul amid the great expectation and concern of the public at home and abroad closed today. At the talks the two sides reviewed the work done so far for the implementation of the north-south joint declaration and reached an agreement on the proposals discussed from the viewpoint of the nation's reconciliation, cooperation, unity and reunification.
    The talks confirmed once again the validity and vitality of the historic June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and marked a momentous occasion in opening a new turning phase in developing the inter-Korean relations and achieving the country's reunification by the nation's efforts through the thorough implementation of the joint declaration on the principle of national independence, as required by the new century, instilling hope and confidence into the fellow countrymen.
    A joint communique of the 5th north-south ministerial talks was issued at the talks. The communique says:
    The 5th north-south ministerial talks were held in Seoul from September 15 to 18, Juche 90 (2001).
    Confirming the mutual will to implement the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration to the letter and agreeing to make positive efforts to ensure the sustainable development of the north-south relations and peace, both sides have agreed on the following points at the talks:
    1. In order to promote the national reconciliation and unity the north and the south shall develop dialogue and cooperation between the authorities of the two sides and, at the same time, actively support contacts, visits and cooperation at a non-governmental level on the basis of mutual interests and respect.
    2. The north and the south have shared the understanding that it is necessary to take a humanitarian measure to alleviate the sufferings of separated families and relatives on the occasion of the autumn festival this year and, for this, agreed to exchange the 4th visiting groups of separated families and relatives from October 16 to 18.
    3. The north and the south shall take the following measures for the balanced development of the national economy and the escalated economic cooperation.
    1) In order to reconnect the Sinuiju-Seoul railways and the Kaesong-Munsan Motorway with the Kaesong industrial zone on a preferential basis, the north and the south shall start soon the linking project depending upon an agreement on the military guarantee to be signed and effectuated between the two sides and open them to traffic as early as possible.
    2) Having agreed to step up the work of setting up the Kaesong Industrial Zone, the north and the south decided to hold working-level contacts at an early date to this end and commence the project after confirming the scale of the zone and its detailed action program.
    3) The north and the south agreed to positively push ahead with measures to pep up Mt. Kumgang tourism, and for this shall hold authorities-to-authorities talks on October 4 and discuss and settle issues related to pepping up the tourism including tourism by way of land transportation.
    4) The north and the south agreed to positively cooperate with each other to put the project of linking the two parts of Korea-Russia railways into practice and examine the work of linking gas pipeline.
    5) The north and the south agreed to hold working-level contacts between maritime transport officials at an early date in order to discuss the issue of permitting peaceful cargo ships to pass through other side's territorial waters.
    6) The north and the south agreed to start field survey within November as soon as necessary measures are taken by the military authorities of the two sides within the framework already discussed between them on the issue of preventing flood damage in areas along the River Rimjin.
    7) The north and the south agreed to make four agreements take effect as early as possible after going through necessary procedures, the agreements which include the agreement on the protection of investment, the agreement on the protection of double taxation, the agreement on the procedures for the settlement of business disputes and the agreement on the settlement of accounts, all aimed to provide legal and institutional mechanism for inter-Korean economic cooperation already signed and exchanged between the north and the south.
    8) The north and the south agreed to hold contacts between working-level officials concerned at an early date in order to discuss the issue of jointly using part of the fishing ground in the east sea of the north side.
    9) The north and the south shall discuss specific measures to implement the above-said practical economic issues at meetings of the committee for the promotion of economic cooperation and other institutions concerned and hold the second meeting of the committee for the promotion of economic cooperation from October 23 to 26.
    4. On the basis of the decision to exchange Taekwon-do exhibition teams, the north and the south agreed to send the north side's team to the south side in October and the south side's team to the north side in November and discuss related working issues between officials concerned.
    5. The north and the south decided to hold the 6th north-south ministerial talks from October 28 to 31, Juche 90 (2001). Seoul September 18, 2001


Kim Dae Jung meets north side's delegation

    Seoul, September 17 (KCNA correspondent) -- President Kim Dae Jung today met the north side's delegation to the 5th north-south ministerial talks. After inquiring after the health of Chairman of the National Defence Commission Kim Jong Il, first of all, the president asked the head of the delegation to convey his greetings to him.
    Hoping that the talks would yield good results, he noted that the June 15 joint declaration should be surely realised and the south and north should attach great importance to the joint declaration and make sincere efforts to implement it.
    He said that the south and the north should strengthen reconciliation, unity and cooperation and work to solve the issue of the country's reunification by the concerted efforts of the nation no matter how complicated the world situation may get.


DPRK-Russia Moscow declaration hailed

    Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- A. B. Bardhan, general secretary of the national council of the Communist Party of India, issued a statement on Sept. 3, congratulating leader Kim Jong Il on his fruitful Russia visit. In the statement Bardhan said that Kim Jong Il's Russia visit greatly contributed to defending peace and security of Asia and the rest of the world.
    Under his outstanding leadership the Korean people are conducting a vigorous struggle to build a powerful nation and achieve independent and peaceful reunification of the country courageously overcoming all sorts of natural disasters, the statement said, adding that the Indian communists always support their just struggle.
    Meanwhile, Dorank Assifat Diasseny, director general of the African Regional Committee for the Study of the Juche Idea, said that Kim Jong Il's Russia visit was a great event that exerted great influence upon the development of the international relations.
    The DPRK-Russia Moscow declaration is a declaration of independence and peace in the 21st century and a banner for the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea, he stressed.


Russia Pyongyang Cultural Exchange Center established

    Moscow, September 16 (KCNA) -- The Russia Pyongyang Cultural Exchange Center was established. The Center will hold Korean book, photo and handicraft exhibitions, film shows, musical concerts, lectures, seminars and other functions on different occasions to widely introduce the immortal feats of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il and the Korean people's struggle for the building of a powerful nation and the independent reunification of the country to the Russian people, thus contributing to the strengthening of the DPRK-Russia friendship.
    An inaugural meeting of the centre was held at the Solnechnogorsk city house of culture in Moscow region on Sept. 5.
    The mayor of the city was elected chief of the centre at the meeting.
    The meeting discussed a plan for its management and action.


DPRK compelled to take counter-action against Japan's moves

    Pyongyang, September 18 (KCNA) -- The Japanese reactionaries are loud-mouthed about the "success" in the test-fire of a large-size carrier rocket "H-2A," describing it as a rocket for "peaceful space development." In this regard, Rodong Sinmun today says in a signed commentary:
    The Japanese authorities themselves admit that the recently test-fired rocket can be used for military purposes as it is a perfect "prototype rocket" easily convertible into an inter-continental ballistic missile.
    The rocket test-fire was conducted as part of moves for space militarization at a time when the moves for the revival of militarism and the conversion of Japan into a military power are being stepped up in Japan. This is one more criminal act of threatening the peace and stability in north-east Asia.
    What merits particular attention is that the United States and Japan are getting more undisguised in their moves to put spurs to the ongoing joint research into the Missile Defense (MD) system with the rocket test-fire as a momentum.
    The Japanese officials concerned with defence claim that the Japan-U.S. joint technological research into the MD is aimed to "cope with the missile from North Korea."
    The MD jointly pushed forward by the U.S. and Japan is not for "defense" but is designed to have a military edge over other big powers and hold military supremacy.
    But the DPRK will certainly force Japan to pay a high price for the anti-DPRK diatribe launched in the wake of its rocket test-fire.
    The Japanese reactionaries have gone the length of clamoring for an independent Missile Defence system, asserting that it is necessary for Japan to continue its research into it as a "North Korean missile crossed the airspace of Japan."
    The DPRK is compelled to take a counter-measure by the moves escalated by Japan to militarize space and set up its independent missile system under the pretext of "threat" from the DPRK. Japan's desperate attempt to develop new types of missiles targeted against the DPRK has reached a very dangerous phase.
    This compels the DPRK to reconsider its stand whereby it declared a moratorium on its satellite launch.
    The missile program of the DPRK is of peaceful nature but is not merciful to those who dare infringe upon its dignity and sovereignty.



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