Rodong Sinmun on Revolutionary Optimism of Army and People

     Pyongyang, December 26 (KCNA) -- The revolutionary optimism of the army and people in the DPRK has provided a sure guarantee for having brought today's victory despite all sorts of difficulties, says Rodong Sinmun Sunday in a signed article. It goes on: The period of the "Arduous March", the forced march, was a proud one in which the army and people of the DPRK highly displayed revolutionary optimism, rallied close around leader Kim Jong Il.
    Their revolutionary optimism and conviction of victory represent the revolutionary optimism peculiar to the revolutionary people who absolutely trust and follow their leader and share their destiny with him in any adversity.
    Their revolutionary optimism is based on intense loyalty to Kim Jong Il.
    Such loyalty to him serves as an ideological and moral source of enabling the army and people to staunchly fight with confidence and optimism without any hesitation and vacillation.
    It is the unshakable faith of the army and people in the DPRK that the road Kim Jong Il indicates is quite right and that there is nothing impossible if they follow it.
    They have set an example of revolutionary and noble cultured practices in life in the Songun era with persevering efforts even under the present difficult conditions and spruced up their native places, villages and work sites to lead an optimistic life. They could do so because they are full confident of the justice and invincibility of the socialist cause.
    The revolutionary optimism of the army and people in the DPRK is based on the true outlook on life that one should not live for today but for tomorrow. The revolutionary optimism that an arduous long march is bound to bring happiness is their unshakable revolutionary will.
    The drive to build a great prosperous powerful nation will be crowned with shining success thanks to the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il and the army and people of the DPRK struggling with revolutionary optimism.

Functions Held Abroad

     Pyongyang, December 26 (KCNA) -- Functions such as seminars, round-table talks, lectures and film shows were held in Liaoning Province, China, by the Romania-Korea Friendship Association, the Romanian Communist Party and the Democratic Congo-Korea Friendship and Solidarity Association from December 14 to 16 on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's assumption of the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army (KPA) and the 87th birth anniversary of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk.
    A seminar and a film show were held by the Peruvian Group for the Study of Kimilsungism in Lima on Dec. 18 on the occasion of those two significant days and an annual meeting of the group and an inaugural ceremony of its Internet homepage also took place on the same day on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of its formation.
    The chairman of the Central Committee of the Romanian Communist Party and others addressing the round-table talk and lecture held by the Romanian association and party said: World reactionaries headed by the U. S. have long made desperate efforts to stifle Korean socialism, but suffered repeated setbacks. The nuclear stand-off with the U. S. will end in a shining victory of the KPA and the Korean people holding Kim Jong Il in high esteem as the supreme commander.
    Shown at film shows were the Korean films "The Brilliant History of the Great Leadership" and "The Korean People's Army, Steel-Strong Ranks".
    Messages of greetings to Kim Jong Il were adopted at the annual meeting held in Peru and at the seminar held in Liaoning, China.

Candle-light Struggle for Repeal of NSL in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, December 26 (KCNA) -- The candle-light struggle for the repeal of the "National Security Law" within the year is surging into high tide in Seoul, according to a news report. Members of the People's Solidarity for the Abolition of the NSL held the 51st candle-light cultural event in front of the building of the "National Assembly" on Dec. 23.
    Attending there were members of the indefinite hunger strike group for the repeal of the NSL and civic and public organizations, at least 1,200 in all.
    Meanwhile, more than 1,000 members of the indefinite hunger strike group staged a candle-light silent demonstration for the repeal of the evil law from Maroni Park to Kwanghwamun in Seoul on Dec. 22.
    The demonstrators wearing belts reading "NSL to grave of history" in their chests made a march with their determination to get the evil law repealed within the year without fail though they were difficult to move for their 19-day long hunger strike.
    After arriving at Kwanghwamun, they held a candle-light rally denouncing the political camp for trying to shelve the repeal of the NSL within the year.

Kim Jong Il's Work Posted on Internet Homepage in Britain

     Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- "The Workers' Party of Korea Is the Party of the Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung", a famous work of leader Kim Jong Il, was posted by the British Association for the Study of Songun Policy on an Internet homepage on Dec. 13. The work, published on October 2, Juche 84 (1995), is an immortal great programme for party building and activities as it reviewed with pride the glorious history of the WPK which hewed a new road of building a revolutionary party in the era of independence under the leadership of President Kim Il Sung and indicated the way of strengthening and developing the WPK into the eternal party of the President.
    The association also posted on the homepage a photo-accompanied article explaining the great Songun idea and the invincible Songun policy, which were set out by Kim Il Sung and the originality and vitality of which are being fully demonstrated to the world by Kim Jong Il.

Demolition of Concrete Wall Demanded

     Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- Om Prakash Mantri, secretary general of the Asian Regional Committee to Support Korea's Reunification and the All India Indo-Korean Friendship Association, issued a statement on December 16.demanding the south Korean authorities pull down the concrete wall. The wall built 25 years back is a symbol of national division and confrontation and a challenge and mockery of the Korean people struggling to achieve national reunification, their greatest desire, and justice and conscience of mankind, he noted, and continued:
    This concrete wall is still standing despite the unanimous demand of the Korean people and the world progressives for its removal. This diametrically runs counter to the basic spirit of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration in which both the north and the south committed themselves to achieve national reunification independently by the concerted efforts of the nation.
    The Asian Regional Committee to Support Korea's Reunification and the All India Indo-Korean Friendship Association assert that the south Korean authorities, if they have a will to achieve national reunification in the spirit of the declaration, must terminate the political and military confrontation and ease tensions between the north and the south and remove all barriers standing in the way of reunification such as the concrete wall without delay.
    The statement strongly demanded the U.S. stop egging the south Korean authorities on to the confrontation with the DPRK and withdraw their aggressor troops and lethal weapons from south Korea without delay.

Repeal of NSL Demanded in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- The People's Solidarity for the Repeal of the "National Security Law" in south Korea reportedly held a press conference in the venue of people's sit-in strike in Youido, Seoul, on Dec. 20 in connection with the start of 1,000-man hunger strike for the repeal of the NSL within the year. The speakers said at the press conference that their struggle is encouraging tens of millions of people in their just cause. They declared they would continue their struggle till the NSL obstructing the implementation of the June 15 joint declaration is repealed. At least 20 lawmakers from the Uri Party visited those on hunger strike in demand for the total repeal of the NSL under way in front of the building of the "National Assembly" in Seoul on the same day. They supported and encouraged the hunger strikers, calling for the repeal of the evil law within the year.
    Legislators affiliated to the "association of national assemblymen for the repeal of the NSL within the year and normalization of the work of the NA" of the above-said party said that they would join the hunger strikers who turned out in actions at the risk of their lives and get the evil law repealed at any cost.
    They chanted "No NSL obstructing the reunification of the country", declaring they would lay a foundation of democracy and south-north exchange and cooperation and peaceful reunification through the repeal of the NSL.

Foreign Diplomats Visit National Fine Art Exhibition

     Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- Diplomatic envoys of various countries and representatives of international organizations here visited the national fine art exhibition marking the tenth anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's start of the Songun policy on Dec. 24 on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of his assumption of the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army and the 87th birth anniversary of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk. The visitors went round art works depicting the personalities of the three generals of Mt. Paektu as great persons and the heroic feats performed by the army and people of the DPRK in defending the country and building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation under the Songun revolutionary leadership of Kim Jong Il.
    They made entries in the visitor's book.

Seminar on Songun Idea Held

     Chongjin, December 24 (KCNA) -- Crewmen of the Chinese-flagged ship Sea Fortune held a seminar on the Songun idea of leader Kim Jong Il at Chongjin Port on the east cost of Korea on Dec. 24 on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of his assumption of the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army. Kim Jong Il who has carried forward and developed President Kim Il Sung's idea of attaching importance to the army set out the philosophy on the army that a revolution starts and is completed with the help of arms, speakers said.
    The Songun idea is an original revolutionary idea, they said, noting that Kim Jong Il clarified from a new angle the issue of the main force of revolution and thus provided a sure guarantee for successfully accomplishing the socialist cause.
    The truth and justice of the Songun idea have been proved in practice, they noted, stressing this great idea paved a wide avenue for the reunification of Korea and the building of a great prosperous powerful nation.
    At the end of the seminar its participants watched a Korean documentary film "The Brilliant History of the Great Leadership".

Three Prides of Hoeryong

     Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- Hoeryong, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, has long had three prides from olden times. They -- beautiful women, white apricot and kaolin -- have been well known not only in the country but in other countries including China, Russia, Japan and even the United States from long time ago.
    Hoeryong women are beautiful, honest-minded and diligent. They are strong in sense of obligation and viability and noble in traits.
    Typical of them is Kim Jong Suk, who was born there in 1917. She had been loved by villagers as "little daughter of the Hoeryong House" and "girl of the Hoeryong House" for her tender-heartedness and uprightness.
    Her lofty spiritual world can be seen in many anecdotes including stories that she guarded President Kim Il Sung at the risk of life in battles during the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle.
    The beauty of Hoeryong women has become all the more famous for her distinguished features, virtues and intelligence.
    White apricot began to be cultivated in the Obong area of Hoeryong in the early period of Ri Dynasty. It bursts into bloom in May and bears fruit in summer.
    Kim Jong Suk, who lived in Hoeryong for only five years, missed white apricot so much and, with the hope that the tree would be in full bloom throughout the country, devotedly fought to bring up the day. Her desire was realized by President Kim Il Sung. White apricot can be seen in any part of the country now.
    Hoeryong earthenware of different blue-grey colors and unique shapes with kaolin as the main material are also renowned in view of both the features of folk handicraft and virtual utility.
    Kim Jong Suk visited a pottery in Kyongsong in around September Juche 36 (1947) and encouraged its workers to make quality and useful earthenware for people.
    Under the meticulous guidance of Kim Jong Il Hoeryong earthenware have enjoyed greater popularity in the country.

For Spanish-speaking people

Velada de jovenes y estudiantes capitalinos

     Pyongyang, 25 de diciembre (ATCC) -- Tuvo lugar el dia 24 en la Plaza Kim Il Sung una velada de los jovenes y estudiantes capitalinos llenos de infinita alegria y felicidad por el 13 aniversario del nombramiento del Dirigente Kim Jong Il como Comandante Supremo del Ejercito Popular de Corea. Los participantes en el acto bailaron a compas de las melodias de las canciones "Confeti de felicitacion", "Cantemos el orgullo de disfrutar de la direccion del General", "Es mejor nuestro General", "Los 12 meses con el triunfo del Songun", etc., traduciendo la gran dignidad y el orgullo del pueblo coreano de gozar de la direccion del Dirigente, Sol del siglo XXI, y tomando de nuevo la voluntad de defenderle a costa de la vida y de avanzar a pasos firmes por el camino de la realizacion de la causa revolucionaria del Juche.
    La velada termino con la cancion "Respaldemos con las armas a nuestro Comandante Supremo".

Libro "Politica de Songun de nuestro partido"

     Pyongyang, 25 de diciembre (ATCC) -- La Editora del Partido del Trabajo de Corea dio a luz el libro "La politica de Songun de nuestro partido" recopilado por el Instituto de la Historia de Partido del CC del PTC. El libro consta de 4 capitulos que dilucidan globalmente la inevitabilidad historica de la politica de Songun que practica el Dirigente Kim Jong Il, el proceso de su concepcion, su esencia, su originalidad e inmortales hazanas acumuladas por esta politica.
    El primer capitulo "La concepcion de la politica de Songun por el camarada Kim Jong Il, gran Dirigente" relata el proceso historico de que este, al hacer balance de la trayectoria de las actividades revolucionarias del Presidente calificandola de historia de direccion sobre la revolucion mediante el Songun, descubrio un profundo principio del Songun y, haciendo corresponder este a la demanda de la epoca actual, creo y completo por primera vez en la historia politica humana el original modo de politica de Songun.
    El segundo "Contenidos principales de la ideologia y teoria sobre la politica de Songun presentada por el camarada Kim Jong Il, gran Dirigente" explica y argumenta, a base de los profundos contenidos ideo-teoricos y los datos reales, la esencia y la base de la politica de Songun consistente en materializar el principio de dar prioridad a los asuntos militares en el proceso revolucionario y constructivo e impulsar la construccion socialista en su conjunto tomando al ejercito popular por pilar de la revolucion.
    Y da amplia explicacion de que la politica de Songun ocupa la posicion de modo de politica principal en politica de los partidos de los paises en vias de construccion socialista y de modo de politica estrategico a ser mantenido permanentemente mientras que existe el imperialismo.
    El tercer capitulo "Las hazanas acumuladas por el camarada Kim Jong Il, gran Dirigente, al practicar la politica de Songun" relata con amplitud y en detalle la probada direccion del Songun del Dirigente y las inmortales hazanas realizadas por este gran hombre, fecundando esta direccion y hazanas con los datos referentes a las grandes transformaciones ocurridas en la lucha por realizar la causa del socialismo coreano, la de reunificacion de patria y la de verificacion de la independencia en el mundo.
    El ultimo "Es invencible la politica de Songun de nuestro partido" subraya que es invencible la politica de Songun que practica el Dirigente
    Kim Jong Il, gran Sol del siglo XXI, y que la causa de la revolucion del Songun es gloriosa causa revolucionaria que promete la victoria segura.

Diplomaticos y huespedes extranjeros visitan exhibicion de bellas artes

     Pyongyang, 25 de diciembre (ATCC) -- En occasion del 13 aniversario del nombramiento del Dirigente Kim Jong Il como Comandante Supremo del Ejercito Popular de Corea y del 87 aniversario del natalicio de la heroina de lucha antijaponesa Kim Jong Suk, los representantes diplomaticos de varios paises y representantes de organizaciones internacionales acreditados en Corea visitaron el dia 24 la Exhibicion Central de Bellas Artes. Esta galeria fue montada con motivo de cumplirse los 10 anos desde cuando el Dirigente comenzara a practicar la original politica de Songun (priorizacion militar).
    Los visitantes presenciaron atentamente los cuadros alusivos a las nobles personalidades de los 3 Generales del monte Paektu y a los aspectos del ejercito y el pueblo de Corea que acumulan hazanas heroicas en la defensa de la patria y la construccion de una gran potencia prospera socialista.
    Luego, dejaron autografos en el libro de visitas