Much Ado in S. Korea and U.S. Refuted

     Pyongyang, September 13 (KCNA) -- South Korea is making much ado that there was a big explosion in Kim Hyong Jik County, Ryanggang Province of the DPRK, on Sept. 9, according to a radio report from Seoul. It first claimed that the explosion was presumed to be a nuclear test or a forest fire and the explosion took place in Kim Hyong Jik County and then asserted that it might happen in an area along the Military Demarcation Line, not in Ryanggang Province. This is a preposterous smear campaign.
    There has been no such accident as explosion in the DPRK recently.
    Probably, plot-breeders might tell such a sheer lie, taken aback by blastings at construction sites of hydro-power stations in the north of Korea.
    The story about the explosion is nothing but a sheer fabrication intended to divert elsewhere the world public attention focused on the nuclear-related issue of south Korea for which they are now finding themselves in a dire fix.

Chairman of Russian Federation Council Here

     Pyongyang, September 13 (KCNA) -- Sergei Mikhailovich Mironov, chairman of the Federation Council of Russia, arrived here Sunday to pay an official goodwill visit to the DPRK at the invitation of its Supreme People's Assembly. He was accompanied by Oleg Nikolayevich Kozhemyako, member of the Federation Council, Bato-Zhargal Zhyambalnimbuyev, vice-chairman of the Control Committee for the Activities of the Council, Valery Pavlovich Parfyonov, director of the Secretariat for the Chairman of Council, and others.
    They were greeted at the airport by Choe Thae Bok, chairman of the SPA, officials concerned, Andrei Gennadievich Karlov, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, and staff members of the embassy.

Kim Jong Il Receives Mironov

     Pyongyang, September 13 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, Monday received Sergei Mikhailovich Mironov, chairman of the Federation Council of Russia, on an official goodwill visit to the DPRK. Present there were Oleg Nikolayevich Kozhemyako, member of the Federation Council, Bato-Zhargal Zhyambalnimbuyev, vice-chairman of the Control Committee for the Activities of the council, Valery Pavlovich Parfyonov, director of the Secretariat for the Chairman of the council, and other dignitaries and Andrei Gennadievich Karlov, Russian ambassador to the DPRK.
    Kang Sok Ju, first vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK, was on hand.
    Mironov conveyed to Kim Jong Il a personal letter from Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.
    He also presented a gift to Kim Jong Il.
    He expressed thanks for this and conversed with Mironov.

Lao President Hopes for Stronger Friendly Tie with DPRK

     Pyongyang, September 13 (KCNA) -- Khamtay Siphandone, chairman of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and president of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, expressed hope for continued development of the Laos-DPRK friendly relations in the future when receiving credentials from the DPRK ambassador e. p. to Laos on Sept. 7. Recalling that the parties, governments and peoples of the two countries have developed friendly and cooperative relations in various fields and supported and cooperated with each other in the international arena from long ago, the president stated that the Lao party, government and people would continue to support the lines and policies put forward by the Workers' Party of Korea.

Fight for U.S. Forces' Withdrawal from S. Korea Urged

     Pyongyang, September 13 (KCNA) -- The (south) Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon) reportedly issued a statement on Sept. 8 upon the lapse of 59 years since the U.S. forces' occupation of south Korea. In the statement it declared it would intensify the struggle to break up the humiliating "south Korea-U.S. alliance" and get the U.S. forces, the main source of all evils, withdrawn from this land on all accounts. Recalling that the U.S. forces had laid stumbling blocks in the way of reunification since they set foot in south Korea, statement said:
    The government forced troop dispatch to Iraq under the pressure of the United States, disregarding the people's opposition. This is enough to prove that this land still remains a U.S. colony.
    The present situation urgently calls on the 70 million fellow countrymen to join their strength to drive away the U.S. forces and achieve the reunification of the country, the statement stressed, and said: Let us reunify the country through the implementation of the June 15 joint declaration by pooling the strength of our nation.
    It called upon the 70 million fellow countrymen to join efforts and make next year the year of the withdrawal of the U.S. forces from south Korea and the year of national reunification.

Joint National Struggle against U.S. Called for

     Pyongyang, September 13 (KCNA) -- It is the most crucial national task to ensure peace and security of the country and protect the destiny of the nation at present to wage a courageous anti-U.S. and anti-war struggle through national cooperation, says Rodong Sinmun Monday in a signed article. All the Koreans, be they in the north or in the south, should pool their strength and wisdom irrespective of ideology, system, religious belief and political view and foil the U.S. imperialists' moves to provoke a new war through national cooperation as they are fated to share the same destiny on the same land, the article says, and goes on:
    National cooperation is essential for defending and thoroughly implementing the June 15 joint declaration and accelerating the independent and peaceful reunification of the country.
    The era for reunification after the publication of the June 15 joint declaration, a result of a strenuous struggle of the nation, can witness a final victory only when an atmosphere of reconciliation, cooperation and reunification is created.
    The U.S. is escalating the tensions by staging large-scale joint military exercises in and around south Korea after massing aggression troops there.
    This is aimed to derail the process of reconciliation on the Korean peninsula and implement its policy to invade the DPRK.
    The U.S. is the enemy common to the north and the south as it seeks to realize its ambition to dominate Korea at the sacrifice of the Koreans while resorting to all sorts of obstructive moves to chill their zeal for reunification and put an end to the era of reunification after the publication of the June 15 joint declaration.
    Whoever has the blood of the Korean nation should never shun the present reality in which the cause of reunification is seriously challenged.
    If the Koreans in the north and the south and abroad wage a joint staunch struggle, keeping pace with each other, they can certainly avert a new war on the Korean peninsula and create an atmosphere of peaceful national reunification.
    Whoever sincerely wishes peace of the country and its reunification should pool patriotic mind and strength in the ranks for national cooperation and wage a joint anti-U.S. struggle and thus build the structure of the Korean nation's confrontation with the U.S. in practice on this land.

9th Pyongyang Film Festival Opens

     Pyongyang, September 13 (KCNA) -- The 9th Pyongyang Film Festival opened Sunday at the Pyongyang International Cinema House. Present at the opening ceremony were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, officials concerned, script writers and screen actors and actresses, working people in the city, delegations and delegates from different countries and a delegation of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan.
    Invited there were foreign diplomatic envoys and embassy officials here.
    Kim Jong Ho, chairman of the Central Committee of the General Federation of the Unions of Literature and the Arts of Korea who is chairman of the organizing committee of the festival, said in his opening address that the current festival would be an important occasion in deepening the sentiments of friendship and unity among movie men and women from different countries and developing in scope cooperation and exchange in moviedom just as the past festivals gave a striking illustration of the idea of independence, peace and friendship.
    Ro Tu Chol, vice-premier of the DPRK Cabinet, said in his congratulatory speech that it has become a tradition of the festival to make a significant contribution to accomplishing the human cause of independence through the exchange of achievements and experience gained in the development of national movies of various countries and strengthened interchange and cooperation among them in compliance with the requirements of the times and desire of the popular masses for independence and peace.
    Noting that leader Kim Jong Il had shown deep concern to the preparations of the festival, though he was pressed for time, giving constant on-the-spot guidance to defend the sovereignty of the country and the nation and open a wide avenue of building a great prosperous powerful nation, he wished all the participants big success in the festival.
    The heads of the Nepalese and British delegations in their congratulatory speeches extended thanks to Kim Jong Il for his deep concern for a success of the festival, and to the DPRK government and the organizing committee of the festival.
    They said the festival guided by the idea of independence, peace and friendship would give a powerful impetus to friendship and unity among the world people and development of national cinematographic art.
    A reception was arranged at the Okryu Restaurant in the evening by the organizing committee of the festival and the Pyongyang City People's Committee for the participants in the festival.

Pak Pong Ju Meets Chairman of Russian Federation Council

     Pyongyang, September 13 (KCNA) -- Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, met and had a friendly talk with Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia Sergei Mikhailovich Mironov who paid a courtesy call on him at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Monday. Present there were Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam, Deputy to the Supreme People's Assembly Sin An Son, officials concerned and Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Gennadiyevich Karlov, Member of the Federation Council Oleg Nikolayevich Kozhemyako, Vice-Chairman of the Control Committee for the Activities of the Federation Council Bato-Zhargal Zhyambalnimbuyev, Director of the Secretariat for the Chairman of the Federation Council Valery Pavlovich Parfyonov, and others.

Pyongyang Intl. Books Fair Opens

     Pyongyang, September 13 (KCNA) -- The 4th Pyongyang International Scientific and Technological Books Fair was opened at the Grand People's Study House Sunday. The fair drew at least 10 countries and 27 bodies under the international organizations. Put on display are valuable scientific and technological books and materials on many fields.
    The opening ceremony was attended by Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, officials in the field of media, scientists and technicians, delegations and delegates of different countries who are here to attend the fair, diplomatic envoys and embassy officials of different countries here, representatives of international organizations and staff members of foreign missions here.
    Mun Jae Chol, acting chairman of the Korean Committee of Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries who is chairman of the organizing committee of the fair in an address made at the ceremony said that the fair has been an annual event which is a clear proof of the vitality of exchange and cooperation in the fields of science and technology.
    He hoped that the fair would prove successful in line with its mission and purpose and offer an important occasion in giving a strong impetus to promoting prosperity and progress common to humankind and deepening understanding, trust and friendship among peoples of various countries.
    The head of the delegation of the Far Eastern State University of Russia and the delegation of the Books Import and Export General Corporation of China in their speeches warmly hailed the opening of the fair, noting that the DPRK has actively developed international exchange in fields of science, technology and culture under the wise guidance of Kim Jong Il.
    The speakers expressed belief that the books and materials on display would help scientists and technicians in their work.
    Then the participants went round the fair hall.
    The organizing committee of the fair and the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries co-hosted a reception at the People's Palace of Culture Sunday evening for the participants in the fair.

Monument Creation Center

     Pyongyang, September 13 (KCNA) -- The sculpture creation group of the Mansudae Art Studio has distinguished itself in creating monuments of eternal value in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The group, founded in Juche 48 (1959), erected the Chollima Statue in April 1961. Since then, it has erected many monuments throughout the country.
    Among them are the Grand Monument on Mansu Hill, the Monument to the Victorious Battle of Pochonbo, the Tower of the Juche Idea, the Monument to Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War, the Monument to Party Founding and the Monument to the Three Charters for National Reunification. They convey the undying revolutionary history of President Kim Il Sung and brilliant revolutionary exploits of leader Kim Jong Il.
    The group has also created monuments demonstrating the might of the nation.
    Typical of them are the Revolutionary Martyr's Cemetery on Mt. Taesong where the remains of anti-Japanese fighters who dedicated their lives to the liberation of the country were buried and the Monument to the West Sea Barrage, symbolic of the heroic mettle of servicemen and constructors who built the barrage across the eight-kilometer-long rough sea.
    The group has also erected monuments in other countries including those to the independence and national heroes in Zimbabwe, Namibia, Benin and Laos.
    The group is made up of a lot of competent sculptors including Merited and People's Artists.

New Vegetable Cultivation Method Developed in DPRK

     Pyongyang, September 13 (KCNA) -- The Academy of Agricultural Science of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has succeeded in the research into a new vegetable cultivation technology. The new method is suitable for the climate of the country.
    It makes it possible to reap a higher yield than the existing methods while shortening the period of growing vegetable sprouts and having their roots struck.
    The new method can increase photosynthesis and disease-resistance of vegetables even in unfavorable conditions. And the shortening of the root-striking period brings the harvest 1.2 times earlier than the old methods. In case of spring vegetables, they do not need vinyl sheets.
    Researchers told KCNA that they have applied this method to different farms and produced more vegetables than the old ones.
    The new method is being widely introduced in vegetable farms across the country.

Talks between Chairmen of DPRK SPA and Federation Council of Russia

     Pyongyang, September 13 (KCNA) -- Talks between Choe Thae Bok, chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, and Sergei Mikhailovich Mironov, chairman of the Federation Council of Russia, were held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Monday. At the talks both sides exchanged views on the issue of boosting the friendly and cooperative relations between the law-making bodies of the two countries and on a series of matters of bilateral concern.
    The talks proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.
    Present at the talks from the DPRK side were Hong So Hon, deputy to the SPA and chairman of the DPRK-Russia Friendship Parliamentary Group, Hong Son Ok, deputy to the SPA, and officials concerned, and from the Russian side Andrei Gennadiyevich Karlov, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, Oleg Nikolayevich Kozhemyako, member of the Federation Council, Bato-Zhargal Zhyambalnimbuyev, vice-chairman of the Control Committee for the Activities of the Council, Valery Pavlovich Parfyonov, director of the Secretariat for the Chairman of the Council, and others.

Chinese Party and Government Delegation Winds Up Its Visit to DPRK

     Pyongyang, September 13 (KCNA) -- The Chinese party and government delegation led by Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, left here today after winding up its official goodwill visit to the DPRK at the invitation of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and the DPRK government. Leaving with Li were Wang Jiarui, head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, Ji Bingxuan, permanent vice-director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, Wu Dawei, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Gao Hucheng, vice-minister of Commerce, and other members of the delegation.
    The delegation was seen off at the airport by Yon Hyong Muk, vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the Central Committee of the WPK, Choe Ik Gyu, minister of Culture, Pak Kyong Son, vice-director of a department of the C. C. of the WPK, Kim Yong Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Ri Ryong Nam, vice-minister of Foreign Trade, officials concerned, Chinese Ambassador e. p. to the DPRK Wu Donghe, staff members of the embassy and Chinese students studying in the DPRK.
    It visited the Tower of the Juche Idea on Sunday.

Paek Nam Sun Meets Swiss Ambassador

     Pyongyang, September 13 (KCNA) -- DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun conversed with Swiss Ambassador e. p. to the DPRK Dominique Dreyer who paid a farewell call on him Monday. On hand were an official concerned and the resident coordinator of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

DPRK Foreign Minister Meets British Foreign Office Delegation

     Pyongyang, September 13 (KCNA) -- Paek Nam Sun, minister of Foreign Affairs, met and had a friendly talk with the delegation of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland led by Bill Rammell, deputy secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, that paid a courtesy call on him on Monday. Present there were an official concerned and the British ambassador e. p. to the DPRK.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il presencia funcion de conjunto artistico chino

     Pyongyang, 13 de septiembre (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il, Secretario General del Partido del Trabajo de Corea y Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, asistio el dia 12 a una funcion del conjunto artistico de China de visita en Corea para homenajear el 55 aniversario del establecimiento de relaciones diplomaticas Corea-China. Estuvieron presentes los miembros de la delegacion del partido y gobierno de China presidida por Li Changchun, miembro del Comite Permanente del Buro Politico del Comite Central del Partido Comunista de China, Tian Junli, jefe del conjunto artistico chino, Wu Donghe, embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario de China en Corea y otros miembros de esta sede diplomatica.
    La vieron tambien el vicepresidente del CDN de la RPDC Yon Hyong Muk, el secretario del CC del PTC Kim Ki Nam, el primer viceministro de Relaciones Exteriores Kang Sok Ju y funcionarios directivos del partido y sectores de cultura, arte, prensa e informacion.
    El conjunto artistico compuesto de los artistas talentosos de las entidades a nivel central, que habian participado en la funcion ofrecida en abril pasado en honor del Dirigente Kim Jong Il de visita en China, puso en la escena piezas preparadas sinceramente con sentimiento de amistad al pueblo coreano, entre ellas, el duo mixto "Brindamos por la patria", el solo de soprano "Mi patria", la danza "flor de loto", el ballet "cisne pequeno", la cancion y danza "muchachas que lanzan flores", la acrobacia "cuerda de seda" y las canciones coreanas "Cantalo, bifurcacion de Mangyongdae", "Cerca del General vive el soldado".
    Los ejecutantes demostraron bien el ardiente amor por la patria del pueblo chino y los tradicionales habitos de vivir de varias naciones.
    La funcion matizada por el caluroso sentimiento de amistad Corea-China arranco efusivos aplausos de los espectadores.
    Al termino de la funcion, el Dirigente envio un cesto de flores a los ejecutantes, subio a la escena junto con Li Changchun para felicitarles por el exito de la funcion y se fotografio junto a estos.
    Antes de presenciar la funcion, el Dirigente departio cordialmente con los artistas principales del conjunto artistico.

En Pyongyang presidente del Consejo de Federacion de Rusia

     Pyongyang, 13 de septiembre (ATCC) -- El presidente del Consejo de Federacion de Rusia, Serguei Mijailovich Mironov, llego el dia 12 a esta capital para realizar una visita oficial y de amistad a la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea por invitacion de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de esta. Le acompanan Oleg Nikolayevich Kozhemyako, miembro del Consejo de Federacion, Bato-Zhargal Zhyambalnimbuyev, vicepresidente de la Comision de Control para Actividades del CF, Valery Pavlovich Parfyonov, director del Secretariado para el Presidente del CF y otros integrantes.
    Los huespedes rusos fueron acogidos en la terminal aerea por el presidente de la Asamblea Popular Suprema Choe Thae Bok y otros funcionarios coreanos, el embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario de la Federacion Rusa Andrei Gennadievich Karlov y otros miembros de esta sede diplomatica en Corea.

Conversaciones entre presidentes de APS de Corea y CF de Rusia

     Pyongyang, 13 de septiembre (ATCC) -- Tuvieron lugar el dia 13 en el capitalino Palacio de los Congresos Mansudae las conversaciones entre Choe Thae Bok, presidente de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, y Serguei Mijailovich Mironov, presidente del Consejo de Federacion de Rusia. En la ocasion ambas partes intercambiaron opiniones sobre el desarrollo de las relaciones de amistad y cooperacion entre los dos parlamentos y una serie de problemas de interes mutuo.
    Las conversaciones transcurrieron en un ambiente amistoso.
    Asistieron alli por la parte coreana Hong So Hon, presidente del Grupo Parlamentario de Amistad Corea-Rusia y diputado a la APS, Hong Son Ok, diputada a la APS y otros funcionarios, y por la rusa, Andrei Gennadievich Karlov, embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario de la Federacion Rusa en Corea, Oleg Nikolayevich Kozhemyako, miembro del Consejo de Federacion, Bato-Zhargal Zhyambalnimbuyev, vicepresidente de la Comision de Control para Actividades del CF, Valery Pavlovich Parfyonov, director del Secretariado para el Presidente del CF, y otros integrantes.