Peace Marathon Race in S. Korea

    Pyongyang, May 25 (KCNA) -- A "peace marathon race for checking expansion of U.S. military base in Phyongthaek" was held in Phyongthaek, Kyonggi Province of south Korea on May 21, according to a news report. Participating in the marathon race sponsored by the Phyongthaek Measure Committee for Checking the Expansion of the U.S. Military Base were citizens of Phyongthaek and members of civic organizations, students and pupils of primary schools from different parts of South Korea.
    Speakers at a rally held before the marathon race said that they expect that through the marathon race the people will realize the unreasonableness of the expansion of the U.S. military base by themselves and turn out in the struggle to defend the peace of Phyongthaek area.
    The runners started from the Phyongthaek public playground, wearing letters "against expansion of U.S. military base" on their breasts and ran through the city, holding slogan boards reading "stop to forcible expropriation" in their hands and bringing to light the injustice of the expansion.
    At the end of the race the participants made demonstration marches and conducted various propaganda activities in different parts of the city.

Week Event of Iran-Korea Friendship in Teheran

   Teheran, May 23 (KCNA) -- A week event of Iran-Korea Friendship was held in Teheran from May 14 to 20. An opening ceremony was held on May 14.
    On display at the venue of the opening ceremony were photos of President Kim Il Sung meeting and having talks with leader Seyed Ali Khamenei, photos of leader Kim Jong Il giving on-the-spot guidance to different fields, their famous works, books and photos showing proud achievements made by the Korean people.
    Speakers at the ceremony said that the relations between Iran and the DPRK are special relations. The bilateral relations are boosted by the resistance of the two peoples against dominationists and plunderers, struggle slogans and action against dominationists of the world, indomitable spirit and objective to defend national dignity and independence to the end.
    They expressed the expectation that good achievements and experience of the two governments and the two peoples in socio-economic development would be introduced and through this the bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation would further develop during the week.
    Then the participants appreciated Korean film "Mangyongdae" before looking round books and photos on display.
    During the event Korean films introducing Songun Korea were screened.

Agreement on Cooperation Signed between Courts of DPRK and Russia

   Moscow, May 23 (KCNA) -- An agreement on cooperation between the Central Court of the DPRK and the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation was signed in Moscow on May 23. Present at the signing ceremony from the DPRK side were members of the delegation of the Central Court of the DPRK led by President Kim Pyong Ryul on a visit to Russia and Pak Ui Chun, DPRK ambassador to Russia, and from the Russian side were Byacheslav Rebezev, president of the Supreme Court of Russia, and officials concerned.
    The agreement was inked by Kim Pyong Ryul and Byacheslav Rebezev.

Fidel Castro Ruz on Boosting Cuba-Korea Relations

    Havana, May 23 (KCNA) -- Fidel Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, president of the Council of State and president of the Council of Ministers of Cuba, stressed the need to boost the friendly and cooperative relations between the two parties and two countries of Cuba and the DPRK in the joint struggle for socialism against the U.S., noting that the two countries have supported and cooperated with each other as the countries standing in confrontation with it. He met with the delegation of the Workers' Party of Korea led by Kim Ki Nam, secretary of its Central Committee, on a visit to Cuba and had a talk with it in a friendly atmosphere at the Revolutionary Palace on May 22.
    At the meeting he recalled that the Korean people are the brave people who built modern cities and villages one can see today after the war during which everything was reduced to ashes.
    Expressing full support to the proposals for national reunification put forward by the party and government of the DPRK, he hoped that Korea would be reunified at an early date.
    Present there were members of the WPK delegation, Pak Tong Chun, DPRK ambassador to Cuba, Carlos Rage Davila, member of the Political Bureau of the C. C., the Communist Party of Cuba and vice-president of the Council of State of Cuba, Fernando Ramirez, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, and officials concerned.

Anniversary of Chongryon Observed

    Pyongyang, May 25 (KCNA) -- Papers here today extend warm congratulations and compatriotic greetings to all officials of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) and Koreans in Japan who have fully demonstrated their dignity, honor and might, braving manifold difficulties and ordeals, on the occasion of the 51st anniversary of the foundation of Chongryon. Rodong Sinmun in a signed article says:
    The 51 years covered by Chongryon represent a glorious history in which it set a model of the Juche-oriented overseas compatriots movement under the leadership of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il, a history of patriotism and loyalty in which it has remained intensely loyal to the leaders, the homeland and the people and a proud one in which it has recorded the annals of the patriotic movement with victories and glory.
    The formation of Chongryon was a brilliant embodiment of the Juche-oriented idea and leadership of the President over the overseas compatriots movement and a historic event which brought about a signal change in the movement of Koreans in Japan and their life.
    Chongryon has creditably fulfilled its responsibility and role as the representative and defender of genuine rights and interests of the Koreans in Japan. In this course it has enjoyed unreserved love and deep trust from broad strata of compatriots.
    It has, at the same time, waged a vigorous struggle to achieve great national unity and national reunification, deeply aware of being part of the driving force for the movement for national reunification, strengthened the friendship with the peoples of different countries including the Japanese people and developed the relations with international organizations and other bodies, thus making big contributions to creating an international environment favorable for the movement of Koreans in Japan and national reunification.
    Many countries have their compatriots overseas and their organizations in the world, but there can hardly be in any other parts of the world such overseas compatriots organization as Chongryon intensely loyal to the leader, the nation and the homeland and enthusiastic in compatriotism.
    No force on earth can stop Chongryon from resolutely defending the patriotic cause, remaining true to its faith and sense of obligation despite manifold difficulties and stern ordeals.
    Minju Joson in an editorial says that the patriotic cause of Chongryon is sure to triumph along with the socialist homeland led by Kim Jong Il.

U.S. Arrogance Ignoring UN under Fire

    Pyongyang, May 25 (KCNA) -- The U.S. arbitrary and self-opinionated action of shaking its stick and dictating at the UN has gone beyond the limit. With nothing can the U.S. justify its action of ignoring the UN and take its place. Rodong Sinmun says this in a signed article Thursday.
    It is the U.S. attitude toward the UN to use it as a tool for carrying out its purpose of aggression, a stage for establishing an order of hegemonic domination over the world, the article notes, and observes:
    Typical examples of disregarding the UN are the U.S. imperialists' invasion of Iraq, their moves to pressurize Iran over the nuclear issue and their intensified policy of military occupation of south Korea.
    The U.S. arrogant act of ignoring the UN is exerting a great influence on world peace and human civilization.
    Owing to the U.S. arrogance the major principles of international relations including the UN Charter, international law, international justice and impartiality have been violated and the world plunged into confusion and disorder.
    For the U.S. to ignore the UN is as good as ignoring the world and debasing and rejecting humankind.
    In order to prevent the U.S. highhanded and arbitrary practices and establish a new fair international order in the international arena, all the countries including the UN member nations should resolutely fight against the U.S. policy of aggression, the policy of ignoring the UN. And they should enhance the authority and role of the UN as required by the new century so that the U.S. may not act at its own discretion.
    Those who turn their back on the people and block the trend of the times are bound to face international isolation and ruin. The U.S. is now in such a position. It had better understand its plight clearly and stop committing such criminal acts as ignoring the UN and resorting to highhanded and arbitrary practices.

Kim Yong Nam Meets Chinese Delegation

    Pyongyang, May 25 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a friendly conversation with a delegation of the Chinese People's Daily led by President Wang Chen at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Thursday. Present there were Choe Chil Nam, editor-in-chief of Rodong Sinmun, and Wu Donghe, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK.
    On the occasion the head of the delegation said that while visiting various places, he witnessed successes gained by the Korean people in socialist construction under the wise guidance of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
    Noting that the Sino-Korean relations of friendship and cooperation are favorably developing with each passing day under the deep concern of the top leaders of the two countries, he expressed the conviction that the Korean people under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea would register greater success in socialist construction.

Gift to Kim Jong Il

   Pyongyang, May 25 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift by the visiting delegation of the Chinese People's Daily. The gift was conveyed to Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, on Thursday by President of People's Daily Wang Chen who is leading the delegation.

New Kind of Cement Reinforcing Material Developed in DPRK

    Pyongyang, May 25 (KCNA) -- Plastic fiber, a new kind of cement reinforcing material, has been developed in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It is used in making quality roofing slates and ceiling boards of dwelling houses and public buildings, pipes and other building materials in proper combination with cement. The fiber is made with the help of latest fiber processing technology.
    As its surface is very rough and has many prickles according to the microscopic examination, the plastic fiber ensures powerful adhesion with cement solution. Therefore, the plastic fiber building materials are good in quality and have a long serviceable life.
    In addition, the production cost of the plastic fiber building materials is nearly 50 per cent lower than that of other ones.
    Ho Ho Yong, a section chief of the DPRK General Bureau of Invention, told KCNA that according to the survey of international inventions and industrial patents, the plastic fiber processing technology is superior to others not only in the economic aspect but in technical features.

Korea Sports Fund Established

    Pyongyang, May 25 (KCNA) -- The Korea Sports Fund (KSF) was set up on April 12, Juche 95 (2006) as a legal body of the DPRK government for public interests. The KSF, situated in Puksae-dong, Moranbong District, Pyongyang, has a Standing Council and Secretariat.
    Its mission is to regulate and encourage financial and material donation and cooperation rendered by individual figures at home and abroad, overseas Koreans, foreigners, public bodies and organizations with the spirit of lofty patriotism and humanitarianism and on the voluntary principle.
    Recently voluntary financial and material donation and cooperation were offered to the KSF by Koreans at home and abroad, the Hong Kong Talented Dragon Investment Co., Ltd. of China, the Wellstone Enterprise Co., Ltd. of Japan and various other foreign organizations of their own accord.
    Chairperson of the KSF Ri Hye Gyong, in an interview with KCNA, expressed the hope that many Koreans at home and abroad and foreign sports fans, groups and organizations would make a positive contribution to the sports development of the DPRK in the spirit of collaboration in the future, too.

Greetings to Italian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister

   Pyongyang, May 25 (KCNA) -- Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, sent a congratulatory message to Romano Prodi upon his appointment as prime minister of Italy. The message wished him success in his responsible work for the prosperity of the country.
    Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun sent a similar message to Massimo D'Alema upon his appointment as deputy prime minister and foreign minister of Italy. The message expressed the belief that the relations between the DPRK and Italy would favorably develop in the interests of the two peoples in the future, too.

Kim Jong Il Appreciates Art Performance

    Pyongyang, May 25 (KCNA) -- Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, appreciated a performance given by art groups of families of servicemen of KPA Units 287 and 567 who had participated in the 9th contest among art groups of families of servicemen of the KPA. The performers staged chorus "Song of Loyalty", vocal solo, poem reciting, janggu ensemble, chorus and story telling, folk song chorus, poem and story telling, drama based on a real story and other numbers of various genres.
    They enthusiastically sang of their great pride and honor of being dependable women revolutionaries and admirable No. two Songun buglers under the loving care of Kim Jong Il and their worthwhile life and powerfully demonstrated the unshakable faith and will and revolutionary stamina and indomitable spirit of the families of the servicemen to firmly defend the headquarters of the revolution and remain true to the sacred Songun cause like a fortress devotedly safeguarding it alongside their husbands under arms.
    He extended high appreciation to the members of the art groups for their successful performance, expressing great satisfaction over the fact that they gave a splendid performance rich in ideological content and high in artistry as it truthfully represented important socio-political issues arising in the struggle and life of people in the era of Songun.
    He also extended warm gratitude to all the performers and those families of servicemen who sincerely helped them, noting that the contests held among art groups of families of servicemen nine times clearly proved the validity and vitality of the WPK's literary and art policy on popularizing arts and strikingly demonstrated the proud feature of the new culture created in the era of Songun.
    He set forth tasks which would serve as guidelines in further developing popular art activities.
    Among the audience were KPA Generals Ri Myong Su, Hyon Chol Hae and Pak Jae Gyong and other general officers, Ri Yong Chol, Ri Je Gang and Ri Jae Il, first vice department directors of the C.C., WPK, Kim Yang Gon, councilor of the NDC of the DPRK, and other senior officials.

For Spanish-speaking people

Kim Jong Il inspecciona subunidad de la unidad No. 194 del EPC

    Pyongyang, 25 de mayo (ATCC) -- El Comandante Supremo 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, inspecciono una subunidad adscrita a la unidad No. 194 del Ejercito Popular de Corea, situada en una montana apartada, que ostenta el titulo del Septimo Regimiento de O Jung Hup. En el lugar le recibieron los comandantes de la unidad y la subunidad.
    Tras recorrer los equipos e instalaciones de entrenamiento, el Comandante Supremo vio ejercicios de los militares. Al mirar a los militares, armados firmemente con autoctonos metodos de combate del PTC, entrenandose envalentonados, se puso muy satisfecho de que todos estos se prepararon como combatientes capaces de pelear uno contra cien enemigos y dotados de alta tecnica y capacidad combativa.
    　Asimismo, evaluo de altos sus exitos logrados en el entrenamiento e indico las tareas para fortalecer mas la combatividad de este destacamento.
    Nuestros oficiales y soldados adquirieron sus fuerzas herculeas en los dias gloriosos en que avanzaban por el unico camino victorioso navegando en mares tormentosos y haciendo milagros de la historia con la bandera del Songun (priorizacion militar) en alto, dijo y destaco que es invencible el poderio del EPC.
    Acto seguido, recorrio la aula de leccion general, la sala de educacion, el dormitorio, el comedor, el bano, la barberia, el deposito de alimentos subsidiarios, el descansadero al aire libre y otros lugares atendiendo solicitamente la labor y vida de los militares.
    Se mostro regocijado de que aparte de nuevos cambios en el entrenamiento politico y combativo, la subunidad preparo tambien magnificas condiciones de vida a los soldados al acondicionar bien las instalaciones de cultura, educacion e intendencia y elogio altamente los exitos logrados en el pasado.
    El Comandante Supremo dio como recuerdo a los militares binoculos, una ametralladora y un fusil automatico y se fotografio junto a estos.
    Le acompano el subjefe de departamento del CC del PTC Hwang Pyong So.

EE.UU. quiere ponerse por encima de la ONU, critica Rodong Sinmun

   Pyongyang, 25 de mayo (ATCC) -- El diario Rodong Sinmun inserto en su edicion del dia 25 un articulo individual criticando a Estados Unidos que quiere ejercer influencia arbitraria por encima de la ONU. 　No se puede justificar de ninguna manera el despotismo en detrimento de esta organizacion internacional por parte del imperio, que en ningun caso puede reemplazarla, comienza el articulo y prosigue:
    　Estados Unidos pretende utilizar la ONU como aparato para cumplir sus objetivos agresivos y como escenario para implantar el orden de dominacion hegemonica sobre el mundo. Lo prueban la invasion armada a Irak, la amenaza nuclear a Iran y la intensificacion de su politica de ocupacion militar al Sur de Corea.
    　Tales arrogantes actos en desprecio a la ONU perjudican seriamente la preservacion de la paz del mundo y el desarrollo de la civilizacion humana, violan la Carta de la ONU y otros principios fundamentales de las relaciones internacionales, la ley internacional, la justicia y la imparcialidad y sumergen al mundo en disturbios y desorden.
    　El desprecio del imperio a la ONU significa menospreciar al mundo e insultar a la humanidad.
    　Para detener las arbitrariedades y el despotismo de este pais en la palestra internacional y establecer un nuevo y equitativo orden internacional, es preciso que todos los paises del mundo inclusive los miembros de la ONU luchen categoricamente contra el desprecio a esta y la politica de agresion del imperio.
    　Al mismo tiempo, hay que reforzar la autoridad y el rol de la ONU conforme a la demanda del nuevo siglo para que el imperio no pueda portarse a su antojo.
    　Quienes son repudiados por el pueblo y nadan contra la corriente de la epoca, seran inevitablemente aislados en la escena internacional y sufriran finalmente la bancarrota.
    　Hoy dia, EE.UU. se halla en esta incomoda situacion. Para salir de esta no debe despreciar a la ONU sino dejar de perpetrar arbitrariedades y despotismo.

Periodicos capitalinos conmemoran 51o aniversario de la Chongryon

    Pyongyang, 25 de mayo (ATCC) -- En ocasion del 51o aniversario de la fundacion de la Chongryon (Asociacion General de Coreanos Residentes en Japon), los periodicos capitalinos expresaron en sus articulos del dia 25 una calida felicitacion y saludo fraternal a todos los funcionarios de esta entidad y los demas coreanos residentes en Japon, quienes exaltan su dignidad, honor y poderio superando multiples reveses. En su trayectoria de mas de 50 anos, la Chongryon, bajo la guia del Presidente Kim Il Sung y el Dirigente Kim Jong Il, creo un modelo del movimiento autoctono de los coreanos en ultramar, escribio la historia de infinita fidelidad al Lider, la patria y el pueblo y registro victorias y glorias en todas las decadas en el movimiento patriotico por la nacion, comienza el articulista del Rodong Sinmun y prosigue:
    La fundacion de esta entidad fue una brillante materializacion de la autoctona idea y direccion del Presidente sobre el movimiento de los compatriotas en el extranjero y un evento historico que trajo un cambio trascendental en el movimiento y la vida de los coreanos residentes en Japon.
    La Chongryon ha cumplido satisfactoriamente su responsabilidad y papel como representante y defensor de los autenticos derechos e intereses de los coreanos residentes en Japon, por lo cual es muy amada y confiada por estos. Bien consciente de ser uno de sujetos del movimiento por la reunificacion de la patria, libro una energica lucha por la gran unidad nacional y la reintegracion territorial del pais e hizo una gran contribucion a la creacion de un ambiente internacional favorable al movimiento de los coreanos residentes en Japon y a la reunificacion de la patria al fortalecer la amistad con el pueblo japones y los demas del mundo y los vinculos con las organizaciones internacionales.
    Hoy dia, existen muchas organizaciones de los inmigrantes en diferentes latitudes del orbe.
    　Pero, no hay ninguna tan fiel a su Lider, a su nacion y a su patria como la Chongryon.
    Nadie puede detener el avance de la misma que firmemente lleva adelante la causa patriotica aun en medio de serias pruebas y dificultades de toda indole.
    En su editorial el rotativo Minju Joson subraya que la causa patriotica de la Chongryon saldra siempre victoriosa junto con la patria socialista dirigida por el Dirigente Kim Jong Il.

Nacido Fondo Coreano de Apoyo al Deporte

    Pyongyang, 25 de mayo (ATCC) -- Quedo organizado el 12 de abril del 95 (2006) de la Era Juche el Fondo Coreano de Apoyo al Deporte (FCAD y simplemente Fondo Deportivo) en calidad de un legitimo organismo gubernamental para los intereses publicos de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea. Esta entidad, enclavada en el barrio de Puksae del capitalino municipio de Morambong, tiene su consejo permanente y secretariado.
    Tiene por su mision coordinar y fomentar la donacion financiera y material que ofrecen voluntariamente las personalidades nacionales y extranjeras, los coreanos residentes en ultramar, las entidades y organizaciones dando pruebas del gran patriotismo y del noble espiritu de cooperacion humanitaria.
    Partiendo de esta mision, en los ultimos dias, esta entidad acepto las donaciones financieras y materiales de las entidades coreanas y de varios paises, incluso la Compania Limitada de Inversion para la Prevencion de Incendios de Hong Kong de China y la Wellstone Enterprise S.A. de Japon y de los coreanos residentes en ultramar.
    En sus declaraciones a la Agencia Telegrafica Central de Corea, Ri Hye Gyong, presidenta del FCAD, expreso su esperanza de que en el futuro tambien, los habitantes del pais, los coreanos residentes en otros paises, los aficionados extranjeros al deporte, las entidades y las organizaciones seguiran mostrando su fuerte espiritu de cooperacion para contribuir al desarrollo deportivo de Corea.