Floral Basket Presented to DPRK Embassy in Equatorial Guinea
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- Equatorial Guinean President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo who is the founder and chairman of the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea sent a floral basket to the DPRK embassy in Malabo on Feb. 16, congratulating leader Kim Jong Il on his birthday.
The delegation of the party paid a congratulatory visit to the embassy to lay a floral basket before his portrait and pay tribute to him.
The head of the delegation referred to the development of the friendly and cooperative relations between the two parties and peoples. He wholeheartedly wished the fraternal Korean people greater success in their efforts to build a great prosperous powerful socialist nation and achieve the peaceful reunification of Korea under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea headed by Kim Jong Il.
U.S. Plan to Use Nukes against DPRK Disclosed
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- It was recently disclosed that the U.S. had a plan to use nukes against the DPRK in 1975, according to the KBS of south Korea.
This was disclosed by a confidential document of the Command of the U.S. Forces in the Pacific.
The document confirmed the fact that missile and artillery batteries of the U.S. forces equipped with nukes were stationed in south Korea in 1975 and there was the possibility of their use of nukes as deterrent to beat back "invasion by the north". It was also mentioned in the document that the then U.S. secretary of Defense directly referred to the tactical use of nukes on the Korean Peninsula, in particular.
Peasants and Moviemen of S. Korea Stage Joint Action against Conclusion of FTA
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- Peasants and moviemen reportedly staged a joint action against the negotiations for the conclusion of the south Korea-U.S. "Free Trade Agreement" (FTA) in Seoul on Feb. 17.
It began with a meeting for declaring the peasants' struggle to check the conclusion of FTA sponsored by peasants at Jongmyo Park in Seoul. Present there were peasants, moviemen, members of civic and public organizations, students under the south Korean Federation of University Student Councils and lawmakers from the Democratic Workers' Party.
Speakers at the meeting accused the authorities of going to sell out south Korean agriculture to the U.S. in disregard of the demand of the peasants. They stated the peasants should check the conclusion of FTA without fail though they may die on the street.
FTA means the second document which says "Japan and Korea are one community", they deplored, noting they would solidarize with each other and struggle to the last.
A declaration of actions made public at the meeting noted that the peasants would join all the people opposed to the conclusion of FTA in the unflinching struggle to defend food sovereignty and cultural sovereignty.
At the end of the meeting its participants staged a demonstration holding placards reading "Let's check conclusion of FTA and defend food sovereignty" and so on.
A "candlelight cultural event for checking the conclusion of FTA" was co-sponsored by the Moviemen's Measure Committee for Checking Cultural Aggression and Protecting Screen Quota" and the Federation of Peasants Associations of south Korea at the Citizens' Park.
February Holiday Observed in Different Countries
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- An opening ceremony of a week of Korean films, photo exhibitions and film shows were held by the Genuine Lumumbist Patriotic Party of Democratic Congo, the People's Rally for Socialism of Democratic Congo, a city committee of the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea, Binodnagar Public School in Delhi City of India and a Thai company in the period from Feb. 6 to 12 on the occasion of February 16, the birthday of leader Kim Jong Il.
On display in the venues of photo exhibitions were photos showing the immortal Songun revolutionary leadership exploits of Kim Jong Il and those dealing with the Korean people's efforts to build a great prosperous powerful socialist nation and achieve national reunification.
Screened at the film shows were Korean films including "Respected Comrade Kim Jong Il Is the Great Thinker and Theoretician" and "The Great Leadership Guiding the Building of a Great Prosperous Powerful Nation to Victory".
Meanwhile, a special bulletin titled "Kim Jong Il totally dedicated to the Korean revolution" was issued by the Group of Youth for the Study of Kim Jong Il Juche Idea in Vienna on Feb. 14, a bulletin titled "Feb. 16, the birthday of great leader HE Kim Jong Il" by the National Preparatory Committee of Tanzania for Commemorating the Day of the Sun and February 16, a bulletin by the Bangladesh-Korea Friendship Association on Feb. 5 and a booklet titled "Might of Songun" by the Italian Committee for Study of the Songun Idea for Independence and Sovereignty on Feb. 16 on the occasion of the February holiday.
Indonesian Charge d'Affaires Hosts Reception
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- Bambang Irawan K., Indonesian charge d'affaires ad interim in Pyongyang, gave a reception at the embassy on Tuesday on the occasion of the birthday of leader Kim Jong Il.
The charge d'affaires said in his speech that former Indonesian President Sukarno and President Kim Il Sung provided the firm foundations of friendly relations between the two peoples, adding that the relations are now being developed on good terms by leader Kim Jong Il and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
He stressed that the issue of Korea's reunification should be resolved by the Korean people themselves free from the interference of the foreign forces.
Indonesia is making positive efforts to develop the bilateral relations of cooperation still further in various fields to which the two countries attach great importance, he said, expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations would develop more favorably in the future.
Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, said in his speech that it is entirely the result of the seasoned leadership of Kim Jong Il that the DPRK is firmly advancing along the road chosen by it, fully demonstrating the dignity and honour of the country and the nation.
We will as ever work hard to expand the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries overall, he noted, expressing support and solidarity to the Indonesian government and people in their efforts for the territorial integrity of the country and economic restoration.
Present on invitation were Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun, Minister of Foreign Trade Rim Kyong Man, acting Chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Mun Jae Chol and others.
Press Conference and Film Show at Russian Embassy
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- A press conference and a film show were held at the Russian embassy here Tuesday on the occasion of the Day of Defenders of the Motherland.
Present there were Kim Pyong Ho, vice-director of the KCNA, and media reporters in Pyongyang.
Russian Ambassador Andrei Karlov said that the Russian Federation and the DPRK are making every possible effort to defend the security of their countries.
And then Military Attache of the Russian embassy Igori Pablov spoke of the significance of the Day of Defenders of the Motherland and the victory achieved by the Soviet people and armed forces in their brave fight against the invasion by fascist Germany and its followers during the Great Patriotic War.
The armed forces of Russia are faced with the tasks to ensure the security of the state, defend the sovereignty of the country and territorial integrity and beat back the outside forces' military aggression, he said, adding:
The leadership of the Russian armed forces fully supports the further development of military political and military technical cooperation with the DPRK on the principle of equality, mutual benefit and good-neighborhood.
Then he answered the questions raised by reporters.
Prior to the press conference, the participants watched a Russian documentary film.
Rodong Sinmun Calls for Abolishing NSL
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- The "National Security Law" (NSL) of south Korea is a typical remnant of the old era of confrontation which cannot be allowed to exist in the present era in which all the fellow countrymen are advancing toward reconciliation, unity and independent reunification under the banner of "By our nation itself". It is an obstacle to great national unity, which should be removed as early as possible.
Rodong Sinmun says this in a by-lined article today.
It goes on:
The NSL, a fascist law against reunification, designates the DPRK as an "anti-state organization" and the fellow countrymen as the enemy, opposes national unity and reunification and negates human rights.
It is the only evil law in the world which designates the fellow countrymen as the enemy and incriminates contacts, dialogue, travel and exchange between fellow countrymen. It is extremely abnormal that such law remains in south Korea.
It is due developments that the demand for abolition of the NSL has grown stronger in south Korea in recent years and it is becoming a pending issue at political camp.
Attitude toward the NSL is a touchstone distinguishing those who want great national unity and reunification from those who pursue confrontation and division. It is a deception and mockery of the nation as well as hypocrisy to talk about "reconciliation" and "cooperation" without the repeal of the NSL.
As long as the NSL remains in south Korea, it is impossible to achieve genuine inter-Korean reconciliation, unity and peaceful reunification.
"March of Songun Victory"
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- The Central Military Band of the Defence Ministry of the Russian Federation visited the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to give performances in celebration of the auspicious February holiday.
The world-famous military band has nearly 80-year long history.
Its performances were highly acclaimed by the audience.
In particular, the wind instrument music "March of Songun Victory" greatly inspired the working people of all strata.
It was composed by Valerii Khalilov, chief of the Military Orchestra Service and its chief conductor of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
During his visits to the DPRK he was deeply moved by the unique Songun politics pursued by Kim Jong Il who leads the Korean revolution to victory, attaching top priority to the military affairs.
He keenly realized that the Songun politics is the correctest one suitable to the Korean revolution and that the progressive humankind can defend the genuine freedom and peace only by embodying the Songun idea. He reflected this in his wind instrument music.
He successfully represented the thematic content of the music with powerful rhythm and enterprising melody, colorful harmonies and execution, thus leaving deep impressions on the Korean people.
The wind instrument music "March of Songun Victory" that the band played in the performances celebrating the February 16 and during the procession of the military bands of Korea and Russia along streets of Pyongyang fully showed the infinite reverence of the world progressive humankind for Kim Jong Il who is striving to build a new independent world under the banner of Songun.
New Exam Method Introduced in Middle Schools
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- All the middle schools across the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will introduce a new examination method from March, for the purpose of the development of students' intelligence.
The forms of examination questions have changed.
By the former method, a student should solve the examination question advanced in the form of treatise and write it down from beginning to the end. But by the new one, the examinee should select the correct answer among various given answers or fill the blank points with proper letters or marks. The new one is aimed at making students display their intelligence to the full by applying their knowledge in a comprehensive way.
Varied are the types of examination -- oral exam for foreign language subjects, experiment and observation for natural science subjects and talent test for computer, national language and other subjects. This brings what they have learned closer to practical use.
The new method completed by officials in the field of education, scientists and teachers after several-year-long efforts has been introduced in the No. 1 middle schools in different parts of the country, proving superior to previous ones.
It has good points.
As the examinees can write answers quickly, many examination problems may be advanced. Therefore, it makes it possible to overcome chance factor and appraise students' knowledge fairly and exactly in a comprehensive and dimensional way.
And as their answers are simple and clear, it takes short time to mark the exams and the examination results are same whoever marks the exams.
The new method is conducive to the development of intelligence and practical ability of students.
Greetings to Sultan of Brunei Darussalam
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, today sent a message of greetings to head of state Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, sultan of Brunei Darussalam, on the occasion of its national day.
The message expressed the belief that the friendly relations between the two countries would continue to develop on good terms.
Greetings to FM of Brunei Darussalam
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun sent a message of greetings to his counterpart of Brunei Darussalam Mohamad Bolkiah.
Extending warm congratulations to him on the occasion of the national day of Brunei Darussalam, the message sincerely wished him greater success in his work.
Kim Yong Nam Receives Credentials from British Ambassador
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, received credentials from British Ambassador to the DPRK John Everard at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
On hand were Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kung Sok Ung and officials of the British embassy.
Kim Yong Nam conversed with the ambassador after receiving his credentials.
Greetings to President of Guyana
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, on Feb. 20 sent a message of greetings to President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of the proclamation of the republic.
The message wished him bigger success in his responsible work for the prosperity of the country and the promotion of the wellbeing of its people.
It expressed the expectation and belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger in the idea of independence, peace and friendship.
Message of Sympathy to Philippine President
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, today sent a message of sympathy to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, president of Philippines, in connection with an landslide that hit Leyte Island, the central part of the country, causing big casualties and material damage.
The message expressed deep sympathy to the victims and the bereaved families and the people in the afflicted area.
It also expressed the belief that the president and the government of Philippines would eradicate the aftermath of the natural disaster and bring people's living to normal as early as possible.
Kim Jong Il Sends Wreath to Bier of Rim Hyong Won
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il Wednesday sent a wreath to the bier of Candidate Academician, Prof. and Dr. Rim Hyong Won, who was a teacher at Kim Hyong Jik University of Education, expressing deep condolences over his death.
For Spanish-speaking people
Obstaculo de la gran unidad nacional debe ser eliminado de inmediato
Pyongyang, 22 de febrero (ATCC) -- La "ley de seguridad" del Sur de Corea es la remanencia principal de la vieja epoca de confrontacion y el obstaculo de la gran unidad nacional que debe ser eliminado cuanto antes hoy en que toda la nacion toma el camino de la reconciliacion, la unidad y la reunificacion independiente bajo la bandera de "entre nosotros, los connacionales".
Asi senala el periodico Rodong Sinmun en un articulo individual del dia 22 y continua:
Esa ley fascista define a la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea como "entidad antiestatal" y a los norcoreanos como enemigos, se opone a la unidad y la reintegracion de la nacion y niega los derechos humanos.
En el globo terraqueo no hay otro codigo tan maligno como "la ley de seguridad" que define a sus connacionales como enemigos y acrimina el contacto, el dialogo, la visita y el intercambio con los coterraneos. Es anormal la misma existencia de esta ley en el Sur de Corea.
En los ultimos anos los habitantes surcoreanos demandan con mas urgencia la abolicion de esa "ley", que se aborda como cuestion importante en el circulo politico. Esto es una merecida evolucion de la situacion.
Hoy, la actitud a la "ley de seguridad" constituye una piedra de toque que distingue a quienes desean la gran unidad y la reunificacion de la nacion de quienes persiguen el enfrentamiento y la division de la nacion. Hablar de la reconciliacion y la cooperacion dejandola intacta es un engano, burla e hipocresia a la nacion.
Sin abolir la "ley de seguridad" no podra lograr la verdadera reconciliacion y unidad entre el Norte y el Sur de Corea ni la reunificacion pacifica.
Obiang Nguema Mbasogo envia cesto de flores a embajada coreana
Pyongyang, 22 de febrero (ATCC) -- Con motivo del cumpleanos (16 de febrero) del Dirigente Kim Jong Il, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, fundador-presidente del Partido Democratico y presidente de la Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial, envio el dia 16 un cesto de flores a la Embajada de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea acreditada en su pais.
La delegacion de dicho partido visito la sede diplomatica coreana y expreso una reverencia al Dirigente tras depositar un cesto de flores ante su retrato.
El jefe de la delegacion se refirio al desarrollo de las relaciones de amistad y cooperacion entre los dos partidos y pueblos y deseo de todo corazon que bajo la direccion del Partido del Trabajo de Corea encabezado por Su Excelencia el gran Secretario General Kim Jong Il, el hermano pueblo coreano logre mayores exitos en la construccion de una gran potencia socialista prospera y en la lucha por la reunificacion pacifica del pais.
Clausurada X edicion del Festival de Kimjongilias
Pyongyang, 22 de febrero (ATCC) -- Quedo clausurada el dia 21 la X edicion del Festival de Kimjongilias inaugurada el pasado dia 14 en la Exposicion Permanente de Kimilsungia y Kimjongilia en ocasion del 16 de febrero (cumpleanos del Dirigente Kim Jong Il).
En el certamen fueron exhibidos mas de 23 mil unidades de esta flor cultivadas por mas de cien entidades, incluidos los organismos de las fuerzas armadas, ministerios y organos centrales, militares del Ejercito Popular, trabajadores, jovenes y ninos escolares, la Asociacion General de Coreanos Residentes en Japon (Chongryon), compatriotas residentes en ultramar, embajadas de varios paises, representaciones de las organizaciones internacionales acreditadas en Corea, entidades sociales y de amistad, personalidades individuales del extranjero y chinos residentes en Corea.
Visitaron el lugar del Festival los funcionarios de los organismos del partido, las fuerzas armadas y el poder, organizaciones de masas, ministerios y organos centrales, ex combatientes revolucionarios antijaponeses, oficiales y soldados del EPC, trabajadores de distintos estratos, jovenes y ninos escolares, en total mas de 500 mil personas.
Lo recorrieron tambien los miembros de las delegaciones y grupos de felicitacion de coreanos en ultramar inclusive el de la Chongryon, representantes diplomaticos y representantes de organizaciones internacionales, funcionarios de embajadas de varios paises, el Cuerpo de Agregados Militares y el de Consejeros Economicos y Comerciales, la banda militar central del Ministerio de Defensa de la Federacion Rusa y otros numerosos huespedes extranjeros.
Choe Thae Bok, Yang Hyong Sop y otros cuadros participaron en la ceremonia de clausura del certamen.
Fue publicada la decision del jurado.
El certificado del premio mejor de la inmortal flor fue adjudicado a las 81 unidades, entre otras, el Ministerio de las Fuerzas Armadas Populares y el Comite por la Reunificacion Pacifica de la Patria y el certificado del premio excelente de la inmortal flor a 18 unidades, entre otras, el Ministerio de Industria Quimica, el Banco Central y el CC del la Union de Trabajadores Agricolas de Corea.
El Presidium del CC de la Chongryon recibio el certificado del premio mejor.
El certificado de participacion en el Festival fue entregado a 39 personas en total: militares del EPC, trabajadores, jovenes y ninos escolares, asi como 2 chinos residentes en la ciudad de Sariwon y en el distrito de Pongsan, quienes estuvieron presentes de la primera a la ultima edicion del Festival.
El presidente del Comite Coreano de Kimilsungia- Kimjongilia, Kang Nung Su, pronuncio un discurso de clausura.