Kim Jong Il sends autographic reply to Ri Jae Ryong and his wife
Pyongyang, July 24 (KCNA) - Leader Kim Jong Il, after reading a letter of thanks presented by former unconverted long-term prisoner Ri Jae Ryong and his wife Kim Kum Sun, sent them an autographic reply reading: "Let us name the baby born amid the blessings of the people throughout the country Chuk Bok. Kim Jong Il. July 23, 2002."
Unable to repress his joy of getting married and having his first child after coming into the care of the benevolent socialist homeland, Ri Jae Ryong, together with his wife Kim Kum Sun, on July 12 presented Kim Jong Il with a letter expressing their boundless thanks and asking him to kindly name their new-born daughter.
After being orphaned, he wandered about a remote fishing village in Sokcho, South Korean Kangwon Province. He had to work as a fisherman at the age of 14. He sailed out to sea for fishing and was in the danger of being drowned due to storm. But he was rescued by soldiers of the People's Army and came into the care of the northern half of Korea.
In the northern half of Korea he heard a legendary story that President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, while giving field guidance to the countryside, dropped in at his elder brother's house and took warm care of the living.
He keenly realized that the DPRK is, indeed, a true social system where all the people are leading a happy life under the care of the President and was determined to live in this land and defend this system at the cost of his life.
After joining the sacred struggle for national reunification, he was jailed at the age of 25. He was deprived of everything belonging to a human being in a prison of south Korea for 30 years and forsaken as an "old bachelor".
Kim Il Sung's exploits in war eulogized
Pyongyang, July 24 (KCNA) - July 27 is the day of victory in the war in the DPRK.
On the threshold of the victory day, all the Korean people recall with deep emotion the outstanding commandership exploits of President Kim Il Sung, an ever-victorious iron-willed brilliant commander.
During the three-year Korean War, the U.S. imperialists lost over 1,567,000 men, including more than 405,000 of their own armed forces, and an enormous amount of combat equipment and war supplies, including over 12,200 aircraft, more than 560 warships and ships, over 3,200 tanks and armored vehicles of different types, more than 13,350 trucks and 7,690 artillery pieces of various types. This is only part of the bitter setbacks suffered by them in the war.
The U.S. hurled nearly 2 million-strong forces, including three services of its army equipped with modern weapons, armed forces of its 15 satellites, "ROK" army and the Japanese militarist aggression forces, and a huge amount of sophisticated military hardware into the Korean War. The U.S. employed the most brutal and barbarous methods and means in the history of war by using even chemical and germ weapons.
But the then U.S. Presidents Truman and Eisenhower, commanders-in-chief of the "UN Forces" Macarthur, Ridgeway and Clark and military bosses Walker, Vanfleet and Dean suffered repeated shameful defeats.
The U.S. imperialists foolishly tried to occupy the young DPRK but were forced to yield to the Korean people. The loss they suffered in the war was 2.3 times what they had suffered in the Ppacific War.
The Korean people's war of justice was led by legendary hero Kim Il Sung who defeated the one million-strong Kwantung Army of the Japanese imperialists after setting out on the road of revolution in his teens.
Endowed with his extraordinary military wisdom and stratagem, he crushed the allied forces of imperialism by applying unique strategies and tactics and war methods and defended the sovereignty and dignity of the country and the nation.
Paek Nam Sun meets UN resident coordinator
Pyongyang, July 24 (KCNA) - Foreign minister of the DPRK Paek Nam Sun today met and had a talk with UN resident coordinator David Morton, UN coordinator for humanitarian work, resident representative of the UNDP and representative of the WFP here, who paid a farewell visit to him.
Present there were an official concerned.
Best option for national reunification
Pyongyang, July 24 (KCNA) - The proposal for reunifying the country by federal formula put forward by President Kim Il Sung is one for independent national reunification, a reasonable one for peaceful reunification and a fair and aboveboard one for great national unity as it is based on the three principles of national reunification -- independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity. Minju Joson today says this in a signed article.
It goes on:
The proposal calls for achieving national reunification on the basis of the national commonness that the Korean nation is a homogenous nation and establishing a unified state in which the regional governments of the north and the south exercise regional autonomy under the guidance of a unified national government, leaving the two differing systems as they are.
The Koreans have developed their mother tongue and created unique culture and history on one and the same land for 5,000 years. This commonness of the nation is a factor of solving the issue of Korean reunification by itself.
It is the way for the Korean nation to fulfil its responsibility as the master in solving the issue of the reunification free from interference of the U.S. imperialists to achieve national reunification on the basis of this commonness.
None of the two sides of Korea is ready to abandon its system or make a concession in this respect. If any side tries to overthrow the other's system, it will only spark confrontation and clash between the north and the south.
The way to seek a negotiated peaceful settlement of the issue of Korean reunification is to leave the existing two differing systems as they are and build a unified state.
The ownership of spiritual and material wealth belonging to people from all walks of life in the north and the south is protected by the governments concerned. Only when the two regional governments in the north and the south exercise regional autonomy can their spiritual and material wealth be protected from any infringement and can anyone turn out in a struggle for great national unity and the reunification of the country without the slightest worry or vacillation.
Film show held
Pyongyang, July 24 (KCNA) - The Ministry of the People's Armed Forces held a film show yesterday on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the great victory in the Fatherland Liberation War.
Present on invitation were members of the military attaches' corps here.
Also present were officers of the Korean People's Army.
Its participants saw the Korean documentary film "Holding Great Brilliant Commander in High Esteem" showing how Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il has trained the People's Army as invincible armed forces and what profound trust and love he has shown for the servicepersons.
New exhibits at three-revolution exhibition
Pyongyang, July 24 (KCNA) - On display at the Three-Revolution Exhibition in Korea are some 9,000 new exhibits and materials of more than 1,400 kinds.
The exhibition, situated in Ryonmot-dong, Sosong District, Pyongyang, is the epitome of the achievements made by the Korean people in the ideological, technical and cultural revolutions.
On display in the heavy industry hall are processes of underground coal gasification, new types of machine tools and rolling stock, various types of equipment for minor power stations and materials showing achievements registered in power, mining, building-material and chemical industrial sectors, forestry, city management and railway transport.
The electronic industry hall has a programme-applying room, which houses some 40 pieces of software presented by different scientific research centres.
Added to the light industrial and agricultural halls were a lot of exhibits showing what the Korean people achieved in the period of "arduous march."
The exhibits include products, drawing boards, templates, layouts, diagrams, models, video tapes, etc.
DPRK girls win gold medals in Asian weightlifting championships
Pyongyang, July 24 (KCNA) - DPRK boys and girls carried off 7 gold medals, 6 silver medals and 2 bronze medals in the 4th Asian Junior (below 16) Weightlifting Championships in Thailand.
Jang Song Wol and O Jong Ae set Asian juvenile records in girls' snatch and jerk of 63kg and 58kg categories, coming first in total points.
Ri Hyon Ok lifted 95kg in jerk, thus placing first and renewing the Asian juvenile record in the girls' 48kg category. She came second in snatch, placing second in total points.
Meanwhile, Jang Song Wol was awarded a prize for the best girl weightlifter in Asia in 2002.
Famous juvenile film director
Pyongyang, July 24 (KCNA) - The juvenile film "Boy General" (50 parts)is a smash hit. It was directed by People's Artiste Son Jong Gwon of the Korean April 26 Children's Film Studio.
It truthfully depicts the patriotism and self-sacrificing spirit displayed by resourceful and brave Koguryo boys and girls in the battles fought to beat back aggressors. The portrayal of Soe Me and Ho Bi in the film deeply impresses the audiences.
Son was recognized as a director of high calibre and repute for directing this thrilling one.
He is now 60 years old. Since he graduated from Pyongyang University of dramatic and cinematic arts he has devoted himself to directing juvenile films for nearly 40 years.
His first work was puppet film "Clever Boy And Brave Boy" on the theme of war. Since then he has directed more than 100 popular juvenile films.
Typical of them are cartoon films "Hedgehog Defeats Tiger," "Tale of Stone Buddha," "Bear Returns", "Tale of Rabbit" and "Clever Raccoon Dog".
He is now working heart and soul to produce more juvenile films to suit the children's mind.
KCNA blasts war outcries of S. Korean defense chief
Pyongyang, July 24 (KCNA) - Ri Jun, "minister of national defense" of south Korea, on July 22 pulled up the north as regards the salvage of the south Korean naval vessel sunken during the armed clash in the West Sea, blustering that "if the north provokes the south once again, it will take a prompt countermeasure," a Seoul-based radio reported.
His remark can not be interpreted otherwise than a dangerous war outburst that may spark a military conflict between both sides again as it is a blatant challenge to the principled stand of the north side toward the salvage of the vessel.
The north side has once made public its stand that if the south Korean side wants to salvage the sunken vessel, it should inform the north side of this in detail in advance. This is a just stand based on the fact that the waters where the work is to be undertaken to salvage the sunken vessel come under the military control of the north side. Now that the south Korean military persistently denies the fact and insists on the "Northern Limit Line," the north side cannot but point to its illegality once again.
The "Northern Limit Line" is recognized by no one as it is a bogus line unilaterally drawn by the United States and the south Korean military in the inviolable territorial waters of the DPRK.
The line drawn by the commander of the U.S. Forces present in south Korea in 1953 as he pleased without any agreement with the DPRK is not mentioned in the Armistice Agreement, too. Officials of the U.S. and south Korean military and political circles had once admitted the illegality of the line.
For scores of years the north has raised the issue of discussing and clearly drawing Military Demarcation Line in the West Sea and stressed the need to settle the issue, first of all, even after the recent occurrence of the incident in the West Sea.
But the south Korean bellicose forces are letting loose a string of war outcries that may spark greater conflicts, far from taking steps to prevent new ones.
In his recent "inaugural speech" Ri Jun made remarks getting on the nerves of the north, accusing it of "provocation" and calling for a "strong retaliatory strike". This time he went the length of asserting that "a war should not be ruled out" only to reveal his true colors as a war maniac more wicked than any other bellicose elements it is the unshakable will of the Korean people and People's Army to react to any provocation with a strong retaliation.
The south Korean bellicose forces should not act rashly, clearly mindful of the faith, fixed will and decisive resolution of the people in the DPRK to emerge victorious.
DPRK demands end to U.S. forces' presence in S. Korea
Pyongyang, July 24 (KCNA) - If lasting peace is to be ensured on the Korean Peninsula and its reunification be achieved the U.S. should drop its hostile policy toward the DPRK and terminate its forces' presence in south Korea, to begin with, says a spokesman for the foreign ministry of the DPRK in a statement issued today, nearly half a century after the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement (KAA).
Recalling that the U.S. has strained the situation on the Korean Peninsula by persistently and systematically violating the agreement since its signing, the statement continues:
Since the emergence of the Bush administration the U.S. has rendered the situation on the peninsula extremely tense by pursuing a hardline and hostile policy toward the DPRK more undisguisedly.
The inter-Korean relations are undergoing serious ups and downs due to the U.S. persistent attempt to make them serve the purpose of its policy.
An undesirable armed clash took place in the West Sea recently in the wake of that in 1999 and there is the danger of occurrence of more serious incidents in future. All this is attributable to the U.S. insistence on the "Northern Limit Line" illegally drawn by it, the bogus line not mentioned in the KAA, and its adamant refusal to withdraw it.
The "U.N. Command" should be dismantled to withdraw the U.S. troops from south Korea at once as the "command" is being used to cover up the illegal presence of the troops there.
If the U.S. Truly wishes the fair settlement of the Korean issue, it should do what it should do first.
Inter-Korean agreement adopted
Pyongyang, July 24 (KCNA) - The south Korean headquarters for the Promotion of National Joint Functions in 2002 visited Pyongyang from July 20 to 23 at the invitation of the National Reconciliation Council.
During its visit the two sides of the north and the south discussed the tasks to be fulfilled by reunification movement organizations to thoroughly maintain and implement the historic June 15 north-south joint declaration and ways to do so and adopted an agreement on July 23.
The agreement says:
1. Both sides decided to hold a grand August 15 meeting for national reunification as reunification functions common to the nation in Seoul on the occasion of the upcoming day of the country's liberation which falls on August 15. The north side agreed to send a delegation made up of representatives from all walks of life to it.
2. Both sides decided to hold functions involving a meeting for national unity, a north-south art performance, a north-south art exhibition, a photo exhibition, etc. on August 15 and 16.
3. It was agreed that the north side's delegation to this meeting would visit Seoul from August 14 to 17 and use a direct air route.
4. The south side agreed to warmly receive the north side's delegation and provide it with every facility for the successful functions.
5. Both sides agreed to positively help each other to ensure successes of a meeting of youth and students from the north and the south for reunification early in September and a meeting of women from the north and the south for reunification in mid-September in Mt. Kumgang on the basis of success and experience to be gained by the August 15 functions.
Congolese President supports Korean people
Pyongyang, July 24 (KCNA) - The Congolese people admire and support the Korean people in the efforts to modernize national economy and reunify the country as early as possible overcoming all sorts of difficulties under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il said Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso when he received credentials from the DPRK ambassador on July 8.
Saying President Kim Il Sung made a great contribution to the liberation of African countries and consolidation of their independence, the Congolese President underlined the need to further develop the long-standing and good relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Korean people's just cause favored
Pyongyang, July 24 (KCNA) - The secretariat of the Congolese Socialist Party and the Egyptian committee for the study of the Juche idea released statements on July 17 and 15 respectively in the month of solidarity with the Korean people.
The statements said that Korea should be reunified at an early date on the basis of the three principles of Korea's reunification and the June 15 north-south joint declaration.
Saying the danger of war should be removed in order to ensure peace on the Korean peninsula and achieve Korea's reunification, the statements urged the U.S. to withdraw its troops from south Korea at once.
Korean people's cause of national reunification supported
Pyongyang, July 24 (KCNA) - Ahmed Ramy, Egyptian Ambassador to the DPRK, supported the Korean people in their cause of national reunification.
He in his speech made at the reception given yesterday on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the July 23 revolution of the Egyptian people wished the friendly Korean people progress, prosperity and success in all fields in the future, too, and expressed support to them in their struggle to reunify the country peacefully.
He expressed firm belief that the relations between the two countries would grow stronger under the wise leadership and care of leader Kim Jong Il and President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak.
Pyon Yong Rip, minister of education who is also chairman of the DPRK-Egypt Friendship Association, in a speech said that since the July 23 revolution, the Egyptian government and people have waged a vigorous struggle to build a new prosperous society based on justice and equality and achieve the unity of the Arab nations, bravely repulsing the aggression and interference of the imperialists.
He said that the DPRK would continue to make energetic efforts to further develop the traditional friendly and cooperative relations with the Egyptian people.
Present on invitation were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, officials concerned and diplomatic envoys of different countries here.