Floral Basket to DPRK Embassy in Cuba

     Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- General Raul Castro Ruz, Cuban Minister of Revolutionary Armed Forces, sent a floral basket to the Korean embassy in Havana on Feb. 15 in congratulation of leader Kim Jong Il's birthday.

S. Korean Military Authorities Hit for Escalating Tensions

     Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- Minju Joson Sunday in a signed commentary denounces the south Korean military authorities for continuously infiltrating battleships into the waters of the north side in the West Sea of Korea to deliberately escalate tensions. The south Korean battleships' intrusion into the waters of the north side is a premeditated and intentional military provocation and an extremely dangerous move stimulating the north, which may cause an armed clash, the news analyst says, and goes on:
    The south Korean war-like forces are seeking to trigger off a military clash between the north and the south by making battleships intrude into the waters of the north side and to expand it to a total war with it as an ignition point. Herein lies the purpose of the intrusion of south Korean naval battleships.
    The south Korean military authorities have let battleships intrude into the waters of the north side under the pretext of defending the bogus "northern limit line" to increase military showdown between the north and the south and artificially aggravate the situation so as to chill the mounting desire of all the fellow countrymen for reunification and put the brake on the implementation of the north-south joint declaration.
    If the south Korean military authorities keep playing with fire in the West Sea of Korea despite the repeated warnings of the Navy Command of the Korean People's Army, they will be held entirely responsible for all the ensuing problems.

North's Possession of Nukes, Product of U.S. Hostile Policy toward It

     Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- The south Korean Solidarity for Implementing South-North Joint Declaration was reported to have issued a statement titled "The U.S. is chiefly to blame for the north's announcement of its possession of nuclear weapons and suspension of the six-party talks" on Feb. 11. The announcement rendered the U.S. hostile policy toward the north completely futile, the statement said, and went on:
    The U.S. has unilaterally scrapped the DPRK-U.S. Agreed Framework by terming the north part of an "axis of evil" and made frantic preparations to launch a war against the north, escalating the tensions of the Korean Peninsula.
    The U.S. persistent hostile policy toward the north while vituperating it as an "outpost of tyranny" compelled the north to access nuclear weapons.
    The U.S. should roll back its hostile policy toward the north and approach the talks with sincere attitude, though belatedly.
    The north's possession of nuclear weapons is a direct product of the U.S. hostile policy toward it.
    The U.S. should positively come out to bilateral talks if it does not want the Korean Peninsula issue to be solved in an extreme way.

Guinean President Sends Floral Basket to Korean Embassy

     Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- Lansana Conte, president of the Republic of Guinea, sent a floral basket to the Korean embassy in Conakry on Feb. 15 in congratulation of leader Kim Jong Il's birthday. The director of Protocol of the Presidential Office laid the floral basket before a statue of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il standing together on Mt. Paektu.
    Written on the ribbon of the floral basket were letters reading "Respects to His Excellency Kim Jong Il, General Lansana Conte, president of the Republic of Guinea".

Joint Struggle for Law on Past Liquidation Declared

     Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- 714 figures of academic, legal, press and cultural circles of south Korea reportedly called a press conference at the meeting hall of the Citizens Solidarity for Democratic Society in Jongro District, Seoul, on Feb. 15 to vow to join the joint struggle for a law on correct past liquidation. Ri I Hwa, chairperson of the All-People Committee for Correct Past Liquidation, and other speakers at the press conference branded the Grand National Party as conservative reactionary forces lying in the way of the progress of history and warned that the Uri Party should give up its attitude to steer state affairs through compromise.
    A declaration read out at the conference termed unilateral compromise of political camp an intention to nullify the liquidation of the past and manifested the firm will to make every possible effort for the enactment of the above-said law.

Cambodian King Sends Floral Basket to DPRK Embassy

     Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- Norodom Sihamoni, king of Cambodia, sent a floral basket to the DPRK embassy in Phnom Penh on Feb. 16 in congratulation of the birthday of leader Kim Jong Il. Under the instructions from the king Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the royal palace Kong Sam Ol laid the floral basket before the portraits of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
    On the occasion the deputy prime minister said that the king warmly congratulates Kim Jong Il on his birthday, asking the ambassador to convey the greetings of the king who reveres him.
    He also asked the ambassador to convey the best wishes of the Great King Norodom Sihanouk and the great queen to him on his birthday.
    He said that they entrusted him to deliver their sincere thanks to invariable loving care shown by Kim Jong Il.

Japan's Plot for Reinvasion of Korea Flailed

     Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- The Japanese militarists' efforts to justify the adoption of their new "defense program" and the permission of the exercise of the "right to collective self-defense" under the pretext of "military threat" from the DPRK are nothing but a plot to reinvade Korea in league with the United States. Rodong Sinmun says this in a signed article Sunday, and goes on:
    The "military threat" touted by the Japanese militarists is a far-fetched allegation fabricated by themselves. They have joined in the U.S. vicious hostile policy toward the DPRK and its moves to stifle it and, therefore, the situation of the Korean Peninsula has reached the worst phase.
    After the Cold War, Japan restored the rights of belligerency and participation in a war under the pretext of "peace-keeping" and has dispatched "Self-Defense Forces" to dispute-torn areas to actively assist the U.S. military operations. Through this Japan has experienced a modern war and confirmed the principles of military actions. On this basis Japan is set to commit a war of aggression against any country, joining up with the United States or independently. Its first target is the DPRK. This is proved by the new "defense program outlines" allegedly to cope with threat from the DPRK and China. In their overseas aggression, they seek to invade the DPRK first and then China and other Asian countries.
    Their permission to exercise the "right to collective self-defense" is a very dangerous military step for removing a biggest brake lying in the way of realizing their ambition for the "Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere" in the new century which they failed in the past.

Mira Koltsova Interviewed by KCNA

     Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- Mira Koltsova, head of the State Academy Beriozka Dancing Troupe of Russia Named after N.S. Nadezhdina, on a visit to the DPRK on the occasion of the February holiday was interviewed by KCNA at the Koryo Hotel in Pyongyang on February 18. She said that leader Kim Jong Il watched the performance given by her dancing troupe and highly appreciated the mixed group dance "In memory of defenders of the motherland" as a good work and gave valuable teachings that would serve as guidelines in the activities of the dancing troupe.
    Kim Jong Il is a great statesman recognized by the world, she noted, adding: He has an exhaustive knowledge of politics, economy and military affairs as well as literature and the arts.
    We were deeply moved to see he is well versed in dance, she said.
    She pointed out that while watching a performance given by the State Symphonic Orchestra of world standard during her stay in Pyongyang, she could realize that the art of Korea is making steady progress under the meticulous guidance of Kim Jong Il.
    The current visit convinced her that the Songun policy of Kim Jong Il who is leading the DPRK to prosperity is the most just and wisest political mode, she stressed.

Reception Given in Honor of Chinese Delegation

     Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- A reception was given at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Saturday in honor of the visiting delegation of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Present on invitation were members of the delegation led by Wang Jiarui, head of the department, and Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Wu Donghe and staff members of the embassy here.
    On hand were Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Pak Kyong Son, vice department director of the WPK Central Committee, Kim Hyong Jun, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and officials concerned.
    Kim Ki Nam in an address referred to great achievements the Chinese people have made in their efforts to consolidate the party and build socialism with Chinese characteristics under the guidance of the Communist Party of China led by General Secretary Hu Jintao.
    He expressed thanks to the Chinese party and government for having expressed invariable support and solidarity with the Korean people in their efforts to build a great prosperous powerful socialist nation and achieve the cause of the country's reunification.
    It is common desire of the two peoples and consistent stand of the WPK to continue to consolidate and develop the DPRK-China friendship, he said, manifesting the resolution to work hard to boost the friendship true to the intention of leader Kim Jong Il.
    Wang Jiarui in his reply said that the delegation visited the DPRK on the occasion of the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il and on the occasion of the Lunar New Year's Day, the holiday common to the two peoples.
    The new collective leadership of China led by General Secretary Hu Jintao sets store by the traditional Sino-Korean friendship and set it forth as its important policy to develop the bilateral friendly relations, he said.
    This year is a significant year for both parties and peoples, he said, adding that the Chinese people would exert positive efforts together with the Korean people to boost the bilateral friendly and cooperative relations in the spirit of "Inheriting the tradition, facing up to the future, building good-neighborly friendship and strengthening cooperation."

Infringement on Copyright in S. Korea Assailed

     Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- Hong Sok Jung, writer of the Central Committee of the Korean Writers Union, when interviewed by media persons in Pyongyang on Sunday said he could hardly repress his indignation at the fact that many novels authored by writers of the DPRK have been openly reprinted without permission. Reclarifying his stand on this widespread controversy over it, he said:
    I have already expressed my opinion last December when I met members of the south side's Council of Writers of National Literature.
    Some south Korean publishers reprinted without permission lengthy novel "Rim Kkok Jong" written by my grandfather Hong Myong Hui who was also called Pyok Cho and other literary works written by DPRK writers. This was an immoral and illegal infringement on copyright bereft of elementary ethic as it breaches international law on copyright and publishing practice.
    My grandfather known as a man of literature of the Korean nation began writing the novel in the 1920s.
    This work, however, has been reprinted by unconscionable publishers in south Korea without its writer's approval to gain excessive profits for the past more than 20 years.
    I express deep regret and concern over the open piracy of copyright in south Korea as a bereaved member of the author and as the very one who fell victim to the piracy by some south Korean publishing houses.
    I do not think that they have perpetrated such an unimaginable act, unaware of international law and practice concerning the copyright.
    The piracy is graver because it was deliberately committed. Being a victim to this crime I can never overlook this.
    Human rights and right to property are strictly protected in the DPRK under the law on copyright recently adopted at the Supreme People's Assembly as they were in the past.
    An infringement upon copyright means stealing other's intellectual creation. Therefore, such act can never evade public rebuff and denunciation for its immorality although "law" may connive at it.
    It is for this reason that there is a practice between states that when one uses the copyright of the other, one should get the approval of the author and make an appropriate reward for it.
    It is unpardonable to infringe without hesitation upon the literary work done by a compatriot in breach of international practice.
    I strongly demand once again that the open piracy in south Korea be unconditionally stopped and those responsible for it make a due apology and compensation for it without delay.

Kim Yong Nam Meets Again Chinese Delegation

     Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Sunday again met the delegation of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) led by Wang Jiarui, head of the department, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall. There was an exchange of views on the issue of boosting the friendly and cooperative relation between the two countries and common concern.
    Present there were Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the C.C., the Workers' Party of Korea, Pak Kyong Son, vice department director of the WPK Central Committee, Kim Hyong Jun, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and officials concerned and Wu Donghe, Chinese ambassador e. p. to the DPRK.

Gift to Kim Jong Il from Chinese Delegation

     Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift from the head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on a visit to the DPRK. Wang Jiarui, head of the international liaison department who is leading the Chinese delegation, on Sunday conveyed the gift to Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly.

Kim Jong Il's Work Published in Mexico

     Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il's famous work "Respecting the Forerunners of the Revolution Is a Noble Moral Obligation of Revolutionaries" was brought out in booklet by the Workers' Party of Mexico Publishing House on Feb. 10. The work, published on December 25, Juche 84 (1995), clarifies the idea
    that respecting the forerunners of the revolution is required by the revolution and the principled issues arising in establishing a moral trait of respecting them and developing the relations based on the noble sense of moral obligation among the people.

Degree of Master of Philology Awarded to Korean in China

     Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- The degree of master of philology of the DPRK was awarded to Hwang Song Il, Korean in China studying at the doctoral institute of Kim Il Sung University. He has contributed to proving the advantages of the grammatical structure of the Korean language and solving the issues arising in linguistic practice.
    An awarding ceremony took place at the People's Palace of Culture on Friday.
    Present there were Vice-Premier of the DPRK Cabinet Kwak Pom Gi, chairman of the State Commission for Conferring Degrees and Titles, Kang Chun Gum, secretary general of the commission, officials concerned and Koreans in China.

Retraction of Hostile Policy toward North Demanded in S. Korea

     Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- The South Headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification reportedly made public a statement titled "The U.S., retract its hostile policy toward the north at once" on February 12. The north's official announcement of its possession of nukes made in a statement of the Foreign Ministry is a self-defensive deterrent force and a just measure taken under the situation in which the U.S. is hell-bent on the moves to ignite a nuclear war, the statement said, and went on:
    The north put forward a proposal for taking simultaneous actions at the six-party talks for a peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue in the Korean Peninsula and worked hard for its realization, but the United States has driven the talks to breakdown by insisting that the north dismantle its nuclear program first. The U.S. has further stepped up its hostile policy toward the north, terming the north an "outpost of tyranny" and blustering that the U.S. would not rule out the use of force if necessary.
    It is none other than the U.S. that is chiefly to blame for having deprived the north of any justification to participate in the six-party talks and made it impossible for it to expect any positive results from the talks.
    In the long run, the north's announcement of its access to nukes is an inevitable product of the U.S. hostile policy toward the north.
    The U.S. should roll back its hostile policy toward the north at once.
    If the Bush administration persistently follows its hostile policy toward the north and opts to ignite a war, it will never escape a stern judgment by the Korean nation desirous of peace and reunification.

Koreans Urged Not to Have Any Illusion about U.S. Imperialism

     Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- It is self-evident truth proved by the times and history that one should not have even the slightest illusion about U.S. imperialism. The Youth and Student Solidarity for Implementing the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration said this in a statement reportedly issued on February 6 condemning the U.S. hostile policy toward the north. Bush's state of the union message, U.S. high-ranking officials' recent spate of utterances calling for a hard line toward the north and baseless lies about the north spread by U.S. media go to prove that the second term Bush administration's policy toward the north remains unchanged, said the statement.
    It demanded the U.S. drop its hostile policy toward the north if it really wants a peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

Foreign Ministry Arranges Friendship Gathering

     Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- The DPRK Foreign Ministry arranged a friendship gathering in honor of diplomatic envoys of European countries here on Friday on the occasion of the Lunar New Year's Day. The gathering was addressed by Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun and British Ambassador David Arthur Slinn.
    The speakers recalled that mutual contacts, exchange and cooperation between the DPRK and European countries have been boosted since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the DPRK and the EU.
    They called for developing friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and European countries in the New Year, too.

Egyptian Military Attache Hosts Reception

     Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- Mahmoud Mohamed Osman Atik, military attache of the Egyptian embassy here, hosted a reception Friday evening on the occasion of the birthday of leader Kim Jong Il. Present on invitation were Kim Sang Ik, vice-minister of the People's Armed Forces, and generals and officers of the Korean People's Army.
    Speeches were made there.

U.S. Imperialists' Intrigues Slammed

     Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- Plot breeding is a trite trick used by the United States to launch aggression and war. The U.S. used to fake up fictions by this trick to find a pretext for aggression and war. Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article.
    The recently announced results of investigation into "Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction" irrefutably proved that the rumor about "possession" of such weapons, raised by the U.S. as a ground for the Iraqi war, was a whopping lie from the beginning, the article notes, and goes on:
    The U.S. used to slander any country with false propaganda and sheer fiction if the latter is considered to be contrary to the former's interests.
    This is illustrated by its persistent smear campaigns against Syria and Iran. The U.S. is resorting to every conceivable means to create an impression that those countries have "supported" terrorists. And, under this pretext, it is seeking to make an armed invasion of them while intensifying interference and pressure upon them.
    The U.S. is seeking to repeat in the Korean Peninsula the same way and method as it applied to unleash the Iraqi war. After working out a detailed plan for another Korean war, it is attempting to totally disarm the DPRK and "overthrow" the Korean-style socialist system by military power under an unreasonable pretext.
    The U.S. aggressive nature remains unchanged and its tricks for aggression are getting more cunning and vicious, the paper says, calling upon the world peace-loving people to heighten their vigilance, penetrating into its crafty and outrageous tricks for aggression.

Koreans Called Upon to Intensify Struggle for U.S. Forces' Withdrawal from S. Korea

     Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- It is an unanimous resolution and will of all the Koreans to make this year, 60 years since the U.S. occupation of south Korea, the year of the U.S. forces' withdrawal from south Korea without fail through a vigorous nationwide struggle, says Rodong Sinmun Saturday in a signed article. This year the Koreans more keenly feel than ever before the national shame imposed upon them by the cursed U.S. forces' occupation of south Korea as they have brought immeasurable disaster and misfortune and untold disgrace and tragedy and harden their will not to allow this history of national tragedy to go on, the article notes, and continues:
    The occupation of south Korea by the gangster-like U.S. imperialist aggression forces is the root cause of all misfortune and pain inflicted upon the Koreans and a major stumbling block lying in the way of achieving the country's peace and reunification. It is the task assuming significance in the nation's history and an urgent requirement of the times which brooks no further delay to drive the U.S. forces out of south Korea and put an end to the history of national shame and tragedy that have lasted for 60 years.
    It is quite righteous and just for the Koreans to wage a dynamic struggle to force the U.S. forces out of south Korea under slogans calling for disallowing their presence in south Korea to go beyond 60 years and putting an end to the foreign domination over south Korea.
    The three forms of cooperation -- cooperation for national independence, cooperation for peace against war and cooperation for reunification and patriotism -- can be realized and prove successful only when the struggle to achieve them is accompanied by that to drive the U.S. forces out of south Korea, the article notes, underscoring the need for all the Koreans to be keenly aware of the vital significance and importance of the struggle for the U.S. forces' withdrawal and intensify it this year till they have quit south Korea to the last man.

Message of Sympathy to Chinese Premier

     Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, sent a message of sympathy to Wen Jiabao, premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China. Upon hearing the sad news that there was a gas explosion in a coal mine in Liaoning Province, which claimed many casualties, I express deep sympathy and consolation to you and, through you, to the government and people of the PRC and the bereaved families, the message said.
    It expressed belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party and government of China headed by Hu Jintao the Chinese people would eradicate the aftermath of the accident as early possible and bring the living of the victims to normal.

Kim Ki Nam Meets Chinese Delegation

     Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) - Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, today met and had a friendly conversation with the delegation of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) led by Wang Jiarui, head of the department, who paid a courtesy called on him at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Saturday. Present there were Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the C.C., the Workers' Party of Korea, Pak Kyong Son, vice department director of the WPK Central Committee, Kim Hyong Jun, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and personages concerned and Wu Donghe, Chinese ambassador e. p. to the DPRK.

Chinese Delegation Here

     Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China arrived here Saturday. It is led by Wang Jiarui, head of the department. The delegation was greeted at the airport by Pak Kyong Son, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, officials concerned, and Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Wu Donghe and staff members of the embassy here.

Message of Sympathy to Lebanese President

     Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Wednesday sent a message of sympathy to Lebanese President Emile Lahoud in connection with a recent bomb explosion in Beirut that claimed the life of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and big casualties. The message condemned the brutal terrorism in Beirut and hoped that the Lebanese government and people would overcome sorrow and achieve success in the work to eradicate the aftermath of the incident as early as possible and protect the stability and sovereignty of the country.

For Spanish-speaking people

Mexico: obra de Kim Jong Il en folleto

     Pyongyang, 19 de febrero (ATCC) -- La editora del Partido del Trabajo de Mexico dio a luz el dia 10 en folleto la imperecedera obra clasica del Dirigente Kim Jong Il "Tratar con respeto a los precursores de la revolucion es un sublime deber moral de los revolucionarios", publicada el 25 de diciembre del 84 (1995) de la era Juche. La obra dilucida claramente una idea de que respetar a los precursores de la revolucion es la demanda de la revolucion y los problemas de principios que se presentan para establecer un ambiente moral de tratarlos con respeto y desarrollar las nobles relaciones de obligacion moral entre las personas.

Encuentro de amistad en honor de diplomaticos europeos

     Pyongyang, 19 de febrero (ATCC) -- Con motivo del Ano Nuevo Lunar, el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea preparo el dia 18 un encuentro de amistad para los representantes diplomaticos de paises europeos acreditados en Corea. En esta ocasion hicieron uso de la palabra el canciller coreano Paek Nam Sun y el embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario del Reino Unido de Gran Bretana e Irlanda del Norte David Arthur Slinn.
    Los oradores refirieron que tras el establecimiento de las relaciones diplomaticas entre la RPDC y la Union Europea, se llevan a cabo de manera dinamica contactos, intercambios y cooperacion entre la primera y los paises del mega-bloque.
    Ademas, apuntaron la necesidad de desarrollar aun mas este ano nuevo estas relaciones de amistad y cooperacion.

Peru: editado libro "La familia revolucionaria de Mangyongdae"

     Pyongyang, 19 de febrero (ATCC) -- El Movimiento Independiente Nacional por la Alianza de Votacion Libre de Peru publico el dia 10 el libro "La familia revolucionaria de Mangyongdae". Al referirse al respecto el presidente del citado movimiento dijo que la gran veneracion que sienten ellos mismos hacia los miembros de la familia revolucionaria de Mangyongdae les hizo editarlo para dar a conocer ampliamente la gran historia revolucionaria de estos entre los pueblos de America Latina, inclusive el peruano.