Photo Exhibition Opens in Russia

     Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- A photo exhibition was opened in Vladivostok on August 13 on the occasion of the 2nd anniversary of the visit to the Far Eastern region of Russia by leader Kim Jong Il. On display at the exhibition were photos showing the historic visit to the region by Kim Jong Il.
    Present at the opening ceremony were the chief inspector for the Maritime Territory of the Presidential Envoy's Office in the Far East Federal District, officials of the Foreign Ministry in Vladivostok, officials of the Maritime Territorial Administration and the Vladivostok City Administration, mediapersons, people from all walks of life, the DPRK consul-general in Nakhodka and officials of the DPRK consulate general and officials of the General Bureau of Foreign Exhibition.
    Speakers at the ceremony including the chief inspector stressed the historic significance of the visit to the region by Kim Jong Il and introduced the immortal feats he performed while visiting various places.
    Then the participants looked round photos on display.

Appeal of Mongolian Organizations Supported

     Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- Hessou Kohovi, chairman of the Benin-Korea Amicable Association "Long Live Kim Jong Il, Supreme Leader", released a statement on August 10 in support of the appeal of the Mongolian organizations for erecting a monument to the greatness of the three generals of Mt. Paektu in the area of the secret camp in the mountain. In the statement he expressed full support to the appeal for holding a meeting in praise of the great persons and erecting the monument in the area in 2005, the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Korea and the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea.
    Mt. Paektu is the sublime mountain of Korea associated with the immortal fighting exploits and noble traces of President Kim Il Sung and anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk and a holy place of the Korean revolution where Kim Jong Il was born and grew up, he noted, adding that the WPK originated from the mountain and it was the main theatre of the anti-Japanese armed struggle.
    It is quite natural for the admirers for the three generals of Mt. Paektu and the world progressives who long to see and support the DPRK to hold such meeting and erect such monument on the above-said occasion.

All-people Rally in Seoul for Withdrawal of Troops Dispatched to Iraq

     Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- An all-people rally was reportedly held near Kwanghwamun in Seoul on August 15 with over 5,000 workers, youths, students and citizens in attendance for the withdrawal of the troops sent to Iraq. Speeches were made there.
    O Jong Ryol, permanent chairman of the National Alliance for Democracy and Reunification, appealed to all the people to turn out in a death-defying fight until the dispatched units were brought back from Iraq.
    Kang Sung Gyu, chief vice-chairman of the (south) Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, said workers came out in the anti-U.S. struggle as they knew only too well of the crimes the United States had committed against the Korean people while occupying south Korea. He declared they would launch into the second-half struggle with stress on the withdrawal of the dispatched troops.
    The participants shouted slogans "We oppose troop dispatch" and "We oppose the United States," waving placards reading "We accuse the government of forcing troop dispatch" and so on.
    Then they held a meeting to vow to march to the U.S. embassy.
    They charged at the U.S. embassy after tearing up a U.S. flag.
    The combat police blocked the road to the embassy with four police buses and brought shields down on the faces of protesters and wielded clubs, turning water guns at them. Many of them were wounded in the indiscriminate crackdown of the police.
    The angry protesters threw themselves at the police, wrested shields and occupied all the buses and tied the wrecked buses with the torn U.S. flag and straw ropes.
    They declared: "The struggle today merely showed our will. The day when all the people turn out, the U.S. occupation would be brought to an end."

Friendly Ties Established between DPRK and Ecuadorian Provinces

     Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- An agreement on the establishment of friendly ties between South Phyongan Province of the DPRK and Pichincha Province of the Republic of Ecuador was signed in Quito, the Ecuadorian capital, on July 15. The agreement was signed by DPRK Ambassador to Ecuador Yu Chang Un on behalf of South Phyongan Province and Provincial Governor Ramiro Gonzalez and Lawyer of the provincial government Hector Rodriguez Dalgo on behalf of Pichincha Province.

Public Organizations of S. Korea Reject U.S. Domination and Interference

     Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- Members of the Solidarity for Implementing the South-North Joint Declaration, the June 15 Solidarity of Youths and Students, the Headquarters of the People's Movement for the Withdrawal of U.S. Forces and other public organizations reportedly called a press conference in front of Kwanghwamun, Seoul, on Aug. 12 at which they rejected the U.S. domination and interference in the society of south Korea. They said that the U.S. has intervened in every crucial event such as the Kwangju popular uprising in 1980 and the resistance in June 1987 and this has been done through the U.S. ambassador to south Korea and the commander of the U.S. forces.
    They held that it can not but be a matter of grave concern that Christopher Hill, who had won confidence from Bush for having put into practice the plan of a country to dispatch troops to Iraq, was appointed as new ambassador in Seoul at a time when the U.S. is getting more undisguised in its interference in the affairs of the south Korean government.
    They urged the new U.S. ambassador to be faithful to his own duty, not persisting in the domination and interference in the south Korean society.

U.S. "Operation Plan 5027-04" under Fire

     Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- The U.S. imperialists are these days making desperate efforts to put into practice the new "operation plan 5027-04" they worked out in conspiracy with the south Korean military. This is a perfect and detailed version of the "operation plan 5027", a scenario for a war of aggression against the DPRK. Its main aim is to use the U.S. Third Armored Army Corps as an overseas reinforcement unit, conduct an "operation for destabilizing the rear of the DPRK" through joint air strikes by the U.S. forces in south Korea and the south Korean army, start a "full-dress northward expedition" in particular and "siege and occupy Pyongyang".
    The U.S. imperialists are focusing their efforts on bolstering up their forces in south Korea in a bid to put their war scenario into practice.
    They officially informed the south Korean military authorities of the plan to "reduce" a total of 12,500 troops till next year through various channels including the 10th meeting of the Consultative Council for the Future of the South Korea-U.S. Alliance Policy Initiative. A shipment of military equipment of the Second Brigade of the U.S. Second Division has already left Pusan Port for overseas.
    They are busy with the transfer of their bases. Projects of expanding their bases in Phyongthaek, Tongduchon and other areas are being pushed forward.
    They officially announced that the guard duties in the joint security area of Panmunjom and their military posts in the Demilitarized Zone would be handed over to the south Korean army.
    Some time ago, U.S. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld hinted that the plan for the relocation of its troops would be rounded off sooner or later.
    The U.S. is massively deploying sophisticated war equipment in south Korea to fill up the "vacuum" to be caused by the rapid progress of the "reduction" of the U.S. troops.
    F-117 Stealth fighter bombers that operated in the Iraqi war were deployed in the U.S. airforce base in Kunsan. Earlier, various types of uptodate war equipment including PAC-3 missiles had been introduced into south Korea.
    Aegis destroyer equipped with missiles and the latest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier are to be deployed in the East Sea of Korea and its surrounding waters soon.
    The Bush administration's "reduction" of the U.S. troops aimed to carry out a new strategy is in the process of being rounded off step by step with the massive amassing of armed forces.
    The U.S. imperialists' frantic moves to put into practice the "operation plan 5027-04" lay bare their true colors as war fanatics.

August 15 Rally for National Reunification Held in Seoul

     Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- An August 15 rally for national reunification reportedly took place at the open-air theatre of Yonsei University in Seoul on Sunday. Read out at the rally was "the joint resolution of the national reunification rally celebrating the 59th anniversary of August 15 national liberation" which had been agreed upon by facsimile and published in the north, the south and overseas.
    Then speeches were made by Han Sang Ryol, permanent representative of the Reunification Solidarity, Ri Jong Rin, honorary chairman of the South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification, and Hong Kun Su, permanent representative of the Reunification Solidarity.
    They bitterly denounced the south Korean authorities for disallowing the participation of patriotic organizations of the reunification movement such as the South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification and the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils in the rally scheduled to be held jointly by people in the south, the north and overseas on the occasion of the 59th anniversary of the liberation of the country, thus leaving the rally abortive.
    However, the people in the south, the north and overseas pooled the will of all the fellow countrymen to win reunification through the publication of the joint resolution, they said, and stated: "The trend of history and the June 15 march cannot be arrested any longer." "Let us strive to bring the day when fellow countrymen will meet again through a more brisk action."
    Branding the south Korea-U.S. alliance as an alliance for a war and massacre, they appealed to all the people to break it up in unity and turn out to make the year 2005 the year of national reunification.
    The participants shouted slogans such as "Let all the people unite closely under the banner of national independence" and "Let us have the 'Security Law' scrapped and accelerate the reunification of the country".
    Heads of reunification vanguards of different organizations introduced their 15-day activities and expressed their will to continue fighting vigorously for the withdrawal of the decision on troop dispatch, repeal of the "SL" and the reunification of the country.
    After the rally, the participants marched toward Kwanghwamun.

Reception Hosted by Egyptian Charge d'Affaires

     Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- Egyptian Charge d'Affaires here Abdel Hamyd Hani Ibrahim hosted a reception last evening on the occasion of the 59th anniversary of the liberation of Korea. Present on invitation were Choe Su Hon, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and officials concerned. Staff members of the Egyptian embassy here were on hand.
    Speeches were made at the reception.

Anti-War Rally Held in Seoul

     Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- A 2004 anti-war rally for peace and independent reunification was reportedly held in Seoul on the evening of August 14 under the sponsorship of the Reunification Solidarity for the Implementation of the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration and the Peace on the Korean Peninsula. It was attended by over 8,000 persons including workers, farmers, students and citizens.
    Its participants chanted slogans "Let's go to the reunified country" and "Let's break the chain of the S. Korea-U.S. alliance and greet a new day of the reunified country," holding placards reading "No S. Korea-U.S. Alliance", "No Security Law" and "No Troop Dispatch! National Cooperation against U.S. Yes!"
    Ra Chang Sun, chairman of the South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification, who is a permanent representative of the Reunification Solidarity, addressing the rally, declared: We are one. The south and the north must go firmly united on the way to reunification.
    Other speakers noted that reunification should not be delayed any longer as it is the trend of history, adding that the Koreans would implement the June 15 join declaration to the letter to achieve national reunification.
    Then, followed colorful cultural functions on the themes of opposing a war, desiring peace and demanding the repeal of the SL and a game of traveling by a reunification train with a large Korean peninsula flag in the van.
    Meanwhile, the police authorities mobilized over 16,500- strong force of 124 companies to throw a strict cordon in the venue of the rally and other parts of the city.

Japanese Gov. Urged to Change Its Approach towards Issue of Sexual Slavery

     Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- Representatives of non-governmental organizations made speeches as regards the past crimes of Japan during a discussion of the specified human rights issue, Point 6 of the agenda at the 56th meeting of the UN Sub-Commission on Protection and Promotion of Human Rights held in Geneva on August 10. The representative of the Asia-Japan Women's Centre accused Japan of refusing to own the legal responsibility for the sexual slavery for the imperial Japanese army despite the repeated recommendations of the United Nations and other international organizations and failing to take any step to implement the recommendations.
    Japan is obliged to immediately and honestly accept the opinion of the UN as its member nation, she said, calling upon the sub-commission and the governments of all countries to support the efforts made by the victims of the "comfort women" system and urge the Japanese government to correct its political attitude.
    The representative of the Japanese Reconciliation Organization recalled that the UN and other international organizations recommended the Japanese government to take practical steps such as investigation into the truth, admittance of guilt and state compensation and stressed Japan's unavoidable obligation to punish those perpetrators of violence against women in the wartime. But the Japanese government has doggedly refused to make a state compensation and even refused to admit its crimes, he added.
    Referring to the sustained efforts to settle the issue of the sexual slavery for the imperial Japanese army, he hoped that the sub-commission and the high commissioner for human rights would pay attention to the settlement of the issue and assist the organization in its efforts to achieve reconciliation.

DPRK Girls Prove Successful at 28th Olympic Games

     Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- DPRK girls Kye Sun Hui and Ri Song Hui gave a good account of themselves at the 28th Olympic Games in Athens. On August 16 Kye Sun Hui finished second in the finals of the women's judo 57 kg category. On the same day Ri Song Hui carried off a silver medal by coming second in total points in the 58 kg category of the women's weightlifting event. She lifted 232.5 kg in the total (102.5 kg in snatch and 130 kg in jerk).

Rally Held by South Headquarters of Pomminryon

     Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- A rally of the South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon) was reportedly held in the playground of Yonsei University in Seoul on August 15 for the repeal of the "Security Law" and a leap in the nationwide movement for the reunification of the country. Present there were more than 3,000 people including members of the South Headquarters of Pomminryon and civic and public organizations, youths and students.
    Ra Chang Sun, chairman of the South Headquarters of Pomminryon, in his speech called for putting an end to the history of division on the basis of the achievements made in the era of reunification after the publication of the June 15 joint declaration and opening a new era of building a reunified country by the efforts of the Korean nation itself.
    Im Pang Gyu, co-representative of the Reunification Square, said the curtain must be dropped without fail on the history of disgrace imposed by the U.S. forces upon the Korean nation in 2005, the 60th year of their occupation of south Korea.
    Paek Jong Ho, chairman of the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils, said he could learn more clearly of the reactionary nature of the "Security Law," watching the process of the abortion of the August 15 joint event of the nation. He shouted: "The repeal of the SL is another anti-U.S. struggle. Let us unite the masses as one in the struggle for the repeal of the SL and an end to the U.S. forces' occupation."
    Pak Jang Hong, vice-chairman of the South Korean Council of Youth Organizations (Hanchong), declared that Hanchong would be the vanguard in the struggle to have the SL scrapped in the fighting spirit to break through the ordeals and difficulties.
    An address of solidarity of the North Headquarters of Pomminryon was introduced at the rally.
    Then a resolution was read out.
    It underlined the need to expand and strengthen the Pomminryon organizations, make a great leap in the nationwide movement for reunification and tear up the evil law without fail.

GNP's Remarks about SL Assailed

     Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- There is no justification for the "security law" (SL) to remain in force as it is in violation of the spirit of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and goes against the will of all the Koreans for reunification, says Minju Joson Wednesday in a signed commentary. The right-wing conservative forces of the Grand National Party (GNP) of south Korea claim that one of the ways of settling the "the crisis related to the nature of the system" is to keep the SL as it is, the commentary says, and goes on:
    Given that they regard the SL as leverage to preserve the "nature," their efforts to keep it in force suggest that their loud-mouthed "nature" is nothing but a political slogan for standing up against the nation and reunification.
    It is their sinister intention to maintain the SL, an unprecedented fascist law against reunification, and preserve the "nature" in the period of the past military fascist rule and the "civilian" dictatorial rule.
    The right-wing conservative forces of the GNP are challenging the public which calls for the repeal of the SL, while floating the conception of the "nature" in a bid to reign over the people. Such anti-national and anti-reunification moves are intolerable as these are nothing but desperate efforts to revive the old against the will of the people.
    They should bear in mind that the day is not far off when they will face a stern judgment by the people and meet a disgraceful end.

U.S. Attitude towards Six-party Talks Assailed

     Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- The U.S. is nowadays insisting on its brigandish demand that the DPRK should drop its nuclear program first, once again reverting the DPRK's proposal for "words for words," "action for action" and "reward for freeze" to which the U.S. agreed at the last six-party talks as part of its anti-DPRK diatribe. This will only result in destroying the foundation for the settlement of the nuclear issue. Rodong Sinmun Wednesday says this in a signed commentary. It goes on:
    At the last talks the U.S. set out the "forthcoming proposal" advocating "dialogue" and "negotiations" for the settlement of the nuclear issue. There is, however, no noteworthy change in its stand and attitude.
    The basic foundation of the six-party talks is collapsing due to the recent reckless smear campaign of the U.S. against the DPRK over issue of "human rights," "drug" and "defectors from the north" aimed at the "overthrow of the system" in the DPRK and "its change."
    The U.S. is deploying ultra-modern combat equipment in and around south Korea in real earnest and intensifying the blockade against the DPRK and war exercises against it under the cloak of "reduction and relocation" of the U.S. forces in south Korea, blustering that "the option for the use of force is on the table." This is little short of laying a "time bomb" in the way of the six-party talks and a deliberate act of driving the talks to a collapse.
    Some of the U.S. ruling quarters even assert that the six-party talks are unnecessary and meaningless and the next round of the talks may be put off till the time after the presidential election slated for November.
    Judging from these facts, one may come to a definite conclusion that the U.S. is not interested in the talks but is keen only on stifling the DPRK as it did in Iraq. It is none other than the U.S. that is hamstringing the settlement of the nuclear issue and driving the talks to a breakdown. With neither excuse nor lie can the U.S. justify its criminal attempt or lay the blame at other's door.
    The U.S. is well advised to lend an ear to the demand of other participants in the talks, withdraw its unjust proposal and assertion and take a right option to have a sincere and well-intended way of thinking and stand. The fate of the talks and the prospect of settling the nuclear issue depend on the U.S. attitude.

Kim Yong Nam Meets Australian Foreign Minister

     Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a friendly talk with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, who paid a courtesy call on him at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Wednesday. Present there was the party of the foreign minister.
    Kim Yong Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and officials concerned were on hand.

Australian FM Winds Up His Visit to DPRK

     Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- Alexander Downer, foreign minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, left here Wednesday after wrapping up his visit to the DPRK. The foreign minister and his party were seen off at the airport by Kim Yong Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and officials concerned.
    Before their departure from here, talks were held between Paek Nam Sun, foreign minister of the DPRK, and Alexander Downer at the Mansudae Assembly Hall.
    Present there from the DPRK side were Kim Yong Il and officials concerned and from the Australian side the party of the Australian foreign minister.
    At the talks both sides exchanged views on a series of issues of bilateral concern including the nuclear issue.
    Meanwhile, the DPRK government gave a reception for the Australian foreign minister at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Wednesday.
    Present there on invitation were Alexander Downer and his party.
    Paek Nam Sun, Kim Yong Il and officials concerned were present there.
    Speeches were made there.

Paek Nam Sun Meets Australian Foreign Minister

     Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun met and had a friendly conversation with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Wednesday, when the latter paid a courtesy call on him. Present there were Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Yong Il, officials concerned and the party of the Australian foreign minister.

Australian FM Interviewed

     Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- Alexander Downer, foreign minister of　Australia, had a press conference at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Wednesday. It was attended by Korean mediapersons in Pyongyang and Australian　journalists.
    At the press conference the Australian foreign minister informed them that　views on solving the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula were exchanged at　the talks and conversations held during his stay in Pyongyang.　
    Then he answered the questions put by reporters.

For Spanish-speaking people

En Pyongyang canciller australiano

     Pyongyang, 18 de agosto (ATCC) -- Alexander Downer, canciller de la Federacion Australiana llego el dia 17 a esta capital. En el aeropuerto, el viceministro de Relaciones Exteriores Kim Yong Il y otros funcionarios coreanos acogieron al canciller y su comitiva.

Jugadoras coreanas ocupan segundo lugar en la 28 Olimpiada

     Pyongyang, 18 de agosto (ATCC) -- Las jugadoras de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, Gye Sun Hui y Ri Song Hui ganaron buenas notas en la 28a Olimpiada de Atenas. El dia 16, la judoca Gye Sun Hui ocupo el segundo lugar en la final de categoria de 57 kg.
    El mismo dia, Ri Song Hui conquisto una medalla de plata al ocupar el segundo lugar en la clasificacion general de categoria de 58 kg del levantamiento de pesas (F). Alcanzo el registro de 232.5 kg (102.5 kg de arranque y 130 kg de envion).

Entidad de Benin apoya llamamiento de organizaciones mongolas

     Pyongyang, 18 de agosto (ATCC) -- El presidente de la Asociacion de Amistad Benin-Corea "Viva el General Kim Jong Il", Hessou Kohovi, publico el dia 10 una declaracion en apoyo al llamamiento de las entidades mongolas a erigir en la zona del campamento secreto del monte Paektu un monumento que describe las imagenes de los 3 generales del monte Paektu. El documento expresa irrestricto apoyo a dicha exhortacion de las entidades mongolas de organizar el ano 2005 en que se cumpliran el 60 aniversario de la fundacion del Partido del Trabajo de Corea y el de la restauracion de Corea en la citada zona un acto de elogio a los tres generales del Paektu y erigir en ella un monumento que les describe.
    Subrayo que el Paektu es el monte sagrado de Corea, donde estan impregnadas las inmortales hazanas de lucha y las huellas del Presidente Kim Il Sung y de la heroina de lucha antijaponesa Kim Jong Suk, y constituye lugar sagrado de la Revolucion Coreana donde el Dirigente Kim Jong Il nacio y paso infancia y destaco que el Paektu se conocio como escena principal de la lucha armada antijaponesa y el PTC echo sus raices en el. Apunto que es muy natural para todos los adeptos a los tres generales del monte Paektu y todos los pueblos progresistas del mundo que simpatiza con Corea y la apoyan organizar en ocasion de las susodichas efemerides del proximo ano en la zona del campamento secreto del monte Paektu un acto de elogio a los tres generales de Corea y erigir un monumento que les describe.