Letter of Thanks to Kim Jong Il from Chinese Technicians

     Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- A letter of thanks was sent to Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, on Sunday by the team of Chinese technicians active at the Taean Friendship Glass Factory built with China's aid. The letter said: When we were greeting the New Year with joy, upon your authorization, Vice-Premier of the DPRK Cabinet Ro Tu Chol visited the Taean Friendship Glass Factory and met with the Chinese technicians to convey to us the sincerest and best wishes replete with warm love from yourself, the WPK, the DPRK government and the Korean people.
    This is the greatest honor and great inspiration for us and it made us feel warm feelings of Sino-Korean friendship more deeply. The year 2005 was an unforgettable year which recorded a brilliant chapter in the history of the friendly relations between China and Korea to be handed down through generations.
    We overcame all sorts of difficulties and hardships by pooling energies and wisdom with Korean comrades and built the Taean Friendship Glass Factory, a symbol of Sino-Korean friendship in the new century, qualitatively and in time to hand the modern factory that looks like a park to the Korean comrades thanks to the greatest attention and deepest care of you and President Hu Jintao and other leaders of the two countries.
    We will continue to closely cooperate with the Korean comrades and transfer the latest technology to them in a short span of time so that they may successfully operate the factory standing on the bank of the River Taedong by their own efforts and bring satisfaction to you and Hu Jintao.

DPRK Anniversaries Observed in Different Countries

     Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- A national celebration meeting, photo exhibitions and film shows were held in Peru, South Africa, Libya, Singapore, Malaysia, India and Switzerland from Dec. 17 to Dec. 24 last year on the occasion of the 14th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's assumption of office as supreme commander of the Korean People's Army and the 88th birth anniversary of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk. On display at the venue of a national celebration meeting and a photo exhibition held in Peru were works of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, Korean books and photos. Speakers there praised Kim Jong Il as invincible and iron-willed commander who has led the Korean army and people to victory and made socialist Korea of Juche an impregnable bulwark with his outstanding Songun politics.
    Noble loyalty showed by Kim Jong Suk and her precious instructions are kept deep in the mind of not only the Korean people but also the world progressive humankind, they said.
    Korean films including "Respected Comrade Kim Jong Il Is the Great Thinker and Theoretician" and "The Korean People's Army, Steel-like Ranks" were screened at photo exhibitions and film shows held in South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, India and Switzerland.
    Foreign personages there said in their speeches that Korean socialism is firmly defended and wining victory after victory despite all the imperialists' moves to isolate and stifle it thanks to the unique Songun policy pursued by Kim Jong Il.
    A letter and a congratulatory message to Kim Jong Il were separately adopted at the national celebration meeting and photo exhibition in Peru and the film show in Switzerland.

AINDF Central Committee Issues New Year's Message

     Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front made public a "New Year's message to all people" on Sunday, according to Kuguk Jonson Internet site. The letter noted that the year 2005 was a proud year of victory in which a new turning phase was brought about for national reunification and the whole land of Korea swept by the hurricane of "By our nation itself" thanks to the outstanding Songun politics, firm will for reunification and wise guidance of Kim Jong Il, the sun of the nation.
    The letter went on: This year we have an important task to fulfil to bring about an epochal turning point in the movement for independence, democracy and reunification.
    Achieving independence against the U.S. is the invariable ultimate goal of the revolutionary movement and a primary task devolved upon the Korean people this year.
    The patriotic people from all walks of life should hold higher the slogan "Let us live in the spirit of by our nation itself free from U.S. forces!" and convert all actions into anti-U.S. struggles so as to intensify the general offensive for the withdrawal of the U.S. forces and make a breakthrough towards fresh victory in the struggle for independence against the U.S. this year.
    All the people should focus all the efforts on the movement for implementing the June 15 joint declaration, a banner of independent reunification, and open up a new phase for national reunification.
    In the struggle for democracy this year it is necessary to concentrate all efforts on the struggle to completely bury the Grand National Party which is making a desperate bid to eliminate the progressive pro-reform forces and bring back the era of military dictatorship under the backstage manipulation of the U.S.
    In order to successfully implement the important tasks this year it is essential to significantly increase the movement forces organizationally and ideologically and work out correct strategy and tactics to cope with the prevailing situation.
    The Songun politics of Kim Jong Il is genuine patriotic politics protecting national dignity, security and interests and a treasured sword for national reunification, stressed the message.

Vice-Premier Ro Tu Chol Visits Lodging Quarters of Chinese Technicians

     Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- Ro Tu Chol, vice-premier of the DPRK Cabinet, visited the lodging quarters of Chinese technicians at the Taean Friendship Glass Factory on Sunday on the occasion of the New Year, Juche 95 (2006). He was accompanied by Yun Su Ryong, vice-minister of Construction and Building-Materials Industries, Ryang Jang Gyun, vice-minister of Construction and Building-Materials Industries and manager of the factory, and officials concerned. The visitors included Gu Jinsheng, economic and trade councilor of the Chinese embassy here.
    Ro Tu Chol congratulated the Chinese technicians greeting the New Year in Korea and had a friendly talk with them.
    The head of the team of Chinese technicians referred to the fact that the Taean Friendship Glass Factory was successfully built and started production under the deep concern of the top leaders of the two countries and thanks to the strong support of the two governments. He added that the Chinese technicians will more successfully operate the glass factory in the future and thus live up to the trust reposed by the top leaders and governments of the two countries in them.
    Souvenirs were handed to the Chinese technicians.

Abe's Wicked Sophism under Fire

     Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- Some days ago, Abe, chief Cabinet secretary of Japan, asserted that it is the view of the government that it would be impossible to normalize DPRK-Japan relations unless the "abduction issue" is settled and called for "sincere response" from Pyongyang. Minju Joson today observes in a signed commentary in this regard:
    What is most essential for settling the issues related to the DPRK-Japan relations is not the "abduction issue" but the issue of Japan's liquidation of its past crimes.
    The present hostile relations between the DPRK and Japan originated from Japan's crime-woven past and these bilateral relations have not yet improved chiefly because Japan has not redressed its crimes.
    The bilateral relations have steadily deteriorated since Japan's invasion of Korea. Japan has long sought a chance to invade Korea and reduced it to a colony more than 100 years back. As a result, the Korean people's grudge and resentment against Japan have been pent up and the bilateral relations have gone from bad to worse. Japan, however, has not made any apology and compensation to the Korean people for such crimes committed against them historically and, on the contrary, worked hard to evade its responsibility for them though 60 years have passed since its defeat in the World War II. This time Abe distorted the basic issue in the settlement of the bilateral relations in a bid to attain his sinister political aim. He is keen to sacrifice even the important matters related to establishing state relations with other country in a bid to improve his personal image and satisfy his greed for power. Worse still, he negated even Japan's legal and moral responsibility for the settlement of its past, thereby encroaching upon even the future interests of the state in the long run.
    Japan can never succeed in its unreasonable bid to go without settling its past wrongs at any cost, turning its face away from the hardcore point in the bilateral relations.

Anniversary of Kim Jong Il's Work Marked

     Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today dedicates an article to the 14th anniversary of the publication of leader Kim Jong Il's famous work "The Historical Lesson in Building Socialism and the General Line of Our Party." The work published on Jan. 3, Juche 81 (1992) has served as a monumental document as it clarified the principled issues arising in accomplishing the cause of socialism of Korean style.
    Kim Jong Il in the work scientifically explained the main cause of the frustration of socialism in some countries at that time and clearly proved the validity of the WPK's general line of building socialism, the article notes, and goes on:
    The last 14 years since the publication of the work represent a glorious history in which the validity and vitality of his ideas and theories have been fully proven.
    The wise leadership he has provided for steering the cause of socialism of Juche to a brilliant victory lies in that he has firmly abided by the principle of giving definite precedence to the ideological work and steadily improved the method of ideological education as required by the new century. He in the work stressed once again that it is important to consistently maintain the principle of giving top priority to the ideological revolution in the efforts to build socialism and steadily develop in depth the ideological revolution keeping pace with the advancing revolution and construction. His wise leadership also finds its manifestation in that he has made sure that the economic construction has been accelerated to augment the national power of the country.
    He laid down a correct line and policies for the development of the national economy and has wisely led the struggle to bolster the nation's power. His wise leadership also lies in that he has brought the Songun revolutionary culture into full bloom, thus making the socialist lifestyle prevail throughout the society.

Schoolchildren's New Year Celebration

     Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- Schoolchildren's New Year celebration was held at the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace Sunday on the occasion of the New Year, Juche 95 (2006). Present there together with schoolchildren were Kim Yong Nam, Pak Pong Ju, Jon Pyong Ho, Kim Il Chol and other senior cadres, members of the Cabinet, officials of the Party, military and power organs, public organizations, ministries and national institutions, servicepersons of the Korean People's Army, officials in the fields of science, education, culture and arts, public health and media, persons of merit, labor innovators and working people in Pyongyang. Present on invitation were overseas Koreans staying in the socialist motherland and diplomatic envoys, staff members of foreign embassies, representatives of international organizations, members of the military attaches' corps and foreign guests in Pyongyang.
    Amid the playing of the song of wishes, schoolchildren's New Year celebration "Care of Sun" began with the song and dance "We Offer New Year's Greetings to Father General." In the number schoolchildren extended sincere New Year's greetings to leader Kim Jong Il representing the loyalty of all the people and the younger generation of the country.
    The performers congratulated fathers and mothers of the country on the great creations and changes they brought about by making a great leap forward in the general advance for the building of a great prosperous powerful socialist nation under the leadership of the Party.
    Put on the stage were colorful numbers such as story-telling about the pride of children "The Greatest Pride" and tale and chorus "The Generalissimo Is with Us."
    The performers fully represented the unshakable faith and will of all the servicepersons and people to hold Kim Jong Il in high esteem as the great leader of the revolutionary cause of Juche forever and dynamically carry on the long journey of the Songun revolution led by him.

For Spanish-speaking people

Periodicos capitalinos conmemoran dia de triunfo de Revolucion Cubana

    　Pyongyang, 2 de enero (ATCC) -- Los periodicos capitalinos insertaron en sus ediciones del dia primero articulos dedicados al 47o aniversario del triunfo de la Revolucion Cubana. El diario Rodong Sinmun senala que el pueblo coreano hace llegar el saludo combativo y la calurosa felicitacion al hermano pueblo cubano que celebra esa efemeride y le desea de todo corazon un magnifico fruto en su lucha por defender el socialismo y progresarlo.
    La trayectoria de varios decenios recorrida por el pueblo cubano despues del triunfo de la Revolucion era desigual, indica el articulo y prosigue: Aun en medio de las obstinadas maniobras de amenaza, chantaje, bloqueo, subversion y sabotaje de EE.UU. contra Cuba, la Revolucion Cubana se defiende firmemente y logra el avance victorioso, lo cual se debe a que el pueblo cubano ha venido luchando con la firme conviccion en la justeza y la victoria de la causa del socialismo.
    　El pueblo cubano se enorgullece de que mantiene con firmeza la soberania del pais y el regimen socialista, conquista de la revolucion conseguida a costa de la sangre y, con la conviccion en la victoria y el optimismo, lleva adelante la revolucion y la construccion superando las dificultades. El partido y el gobierno de Cuba, bajo la bandera del socialismo, aceleran el desarrollo social, economico y cultural y llama activamente al pueblo a la lucha por el logro de la prosperidad del pais.
    El pueblo coreano estima los exitos que logra el hermano pueblo cubano en su lucha por defender y llevar adelante el socialismo. En lo adelante tambien el pueblo coreano se esforzara activamente por desarrollar aun mas las tradicionales relaciones de amistad y de cooperacion con el pueblo cubano, companero revolucionario de armas e intimo amigo.
    La Revolucion Cubana es la causa justa para la independencia y el socialismo y nadie puede detener su avance victorioso.

Acto de escolares y ninos por el ano nuevo 95 (2006) de la Era Juche

     Pyongyang, 2 de enero (ATCC) -- Tuvo lugar el dia primero en el Palacio de Ninos y Escolares de Mangyongdae el acto de escolares y ninos por el ano nuevo 95 (2006) de la Era Juche. Participaron junto con los ninos escolares Kim Yong Nam, Pak Pong Ju, Jon Pyong Ho, Kim Il Chol y otros cuadros, miembros del Consejo de Ministros, funcionarios de los organismos del partido, las fuerzas armadas y el Poder, organizaciones sociales, ministerios y organos centrales, oficiales y soldados del Ejercito Popular de Corea, funcionarios de sectores de ciencia, educacion, cultura y arte, salud publica, prensa e informacion, benemeritos, innovadores laborales y trabajadores capitalinos.
    Fueron invitados los coreanos residentes en ultramar quienes permanecen en la patria socialista, representantes diplomaticos y otros miembros de las embajadas de varios paises, representantes de las organizaciones internacionales y miembros del Cuerpo de Agregados Militares acreditados en Corea y huespedes extranjeros.
    En medio de la interpretacion de la cancion de felicitacion quedo iniciado el citado acto intitulado "Regazo del Sol".
    　En la funcion iniciada con la cancion y danza "Hacemos el saludo de Ano Nuevo al General padre", los ejecutantes rindieron el saludo de ano nuevo al Dirigente Kim Jong Il traduciendo el sentimiento de fidelidad de todo el pueblo e integrantes de la nueva generacion del pais. 　Y felicitaron a los padres y madres de todo el pais quienes bajo la direccion del partido lograron magnas creaciones y cambios en la marcha general para la construccion de una gran potencia prospera socialista.
    　Pusieron en la escena el relato "Mayor orgullo", la narracion y coro "El Generalisimo esta junto con nosotros" y otras piezas. Los ejecutantes mostraron fehacientemente la inconmovible conviccion y voluntad de todo el ejercito y el pueblo de marchar hasta el fin por el largo camino de la revolucion del Songun (priorizacion militar) dirigida por el Dirigente para llevar a feliz termino la causa revolucionaria del Juche.