Functions Held Abroad

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- A ceremony of opening a Korean book and handicraft exhibition took place in the Czech Republic and a film show and a book and photo exhibition in Laos on May 22 and 23 on the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.
    On display in the venues were works of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, photos showing their exploits and Korean books, photos and handicrafts.
    The chairman of the Mlada Boleslav County Committee of the Communist Party of Czech and Moravia in a speech made at the opening ceremony said that thanks to the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il the DPRK became a political power stable and secure despite of any political upheavals in the world, noting that he has performed great exploits for 40 odd years since his start of work at the WPK Central Committee.
    What takes a distinguished position in his political mode is the Songun politics based on the revolutionary idea of Kim Il Sung, the speaker said, adding that thanks to this politics the DPRK, though small in population, has squarely stood against the U.S. styling itself the "only superpower".
    Personages of the Laos-Korea Youth Friendship Centre highly praised Kim Jong Il as a prominent leader after seeing the Korean film "The Brilliant History of Great Leadership".


Italian President on Relations with DPRK

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- I hope that the relations between Italy and the DPRK will continue to favorably develop, said Italian President Giorgio Napolitano when receiving credentials from the DPRK ambassador to Italy on May 22.
    Italy has long since shown interest in the development of relations with the DPRK, he said, referring to the bilateral interchange expanding after the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.


Stubborn Struggle for Peace Called for

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- Guaranteeing durable peace on the Korean Peninsula serves as a precondition for achieving reconciliation and cooperation between the north and the south and national reunification. Rodong Sinmun Monday says this in a signed article. It goes on:
    The issue of reunification of Korea is the issue of rejoining the blood ties of the nation artificially severed by foreign forces and achieving national harmony.
    Whenever the danger of war increased and military tension mounted on the Korean Peninsula, this would impede the process of national reconciliation and unity and the movement for reunification and put them in the mire of ordeals.
    The same can be said of the undertakings for inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation and the movement for independent reunification in the June 15 era of reunification.
    The history and reality eloquently prove that as long as the U.S. imperialists and their followers persist in their policy of war of aggression against the DPRK, it is hardly possible to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula nor is it possible to expect peaceful reunification and prosperity common to the nation.
    Due to the war moves of the war-like forces at home and abroad the situation still remains tense in Korea. North-targeted ceaseless joint military exercises with foreign forces and arms buildup are going on in south Korea. Their adventurous war moves going against the desire of the nation and the trend of the times have created on the peninsula so dangerous situation that a nuclear war may break out there any moment.
    Unless those moves of the war-like forces at home and abroad are frustrated, the peace of the country will be disturbed and the Koreans will suffer from a disaster of a nuclear war to be started by foreign forces.
    The national reunification and prosperity of Korea are possible only when it has a nation and territory. The defence of peace can guarantee safety of a nation and its bright future.
    One should not ask others to protect one's peace. It can be defended only through a stubborn struggle against aggression and war moves.
    The Songun politics serves as a treasured sword of the justice and a banner of patriotism as it helps to prevent aggression and war and defend security of the nation and peace of the country, the article concludes.


Rodong Sinmun on Korean-Style Socialism

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- Korean-style socialism is invincible socialism which treasures man most and glorifies man's dignity and value, declares Rodong Sinmun in a signed article Monday.
    It goes on:
    The historical practice of socialist construction proves that only man-centered socialism built with man, the popular masses, in the center is the most superior socialism which can truly ensure man's dignity.
    Our socialist motherland is the genuine bosom of life in which the dignity of man is glorified.
    Our socialist state defending the sovereignty of the country and the nation and glorifying man's dignity is an invincible independent powerful country shining with great Songun politics. The DPRK is defending the sovereignty of the nation with credit, delivering decisive counter blows to the high-handed interference and aggressive moves of the U.S. imperialists, depending on its mighty military force. It is thanks to Songun that the DPRK is throwing its rays as a bulwark of independence and its people are displaying their dignity all over the world. Songun is immediately the life and dignity of the Korean people.
    Korean socialism represents a man-respecting society in which the popular masses are put up as the foundation of society.
    In the DPRK the lines and policies of the Workers' Party of Korea and the state are drawn up in response to the demand and will of the popular masses and each production base is designed and built with the interests of the people in view. It is the principle of the WPK that a construction project, however important it may be, must not be undertaken, if it causes inconveniences to the people in their living and that all economic considerations must be cast aside, if it is beneficial to the people.
    Our socialism is the cradle of worthy human life which brings the creative talent and zeal of the people into full bloom.
    It opens before all the people a broad avenue of steadily developing their creative ability to suit their talent and attainment. In the DPRK everyone fully enjoys the right to learn under the most superior system of free compulsory education provided by President Kim Il Sung and fosters creative wisdom and displays it to the full in social relationship of helping and leading each other along.


A Weightlifter Sets Four-Time Record

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- Several weightlifters renovated their records in 10 categories in the weightlifting contest of the recent National Sports Festival held in commemoration of the Day of the Sun (birthday of President Kim Il Sung).
    Ri Kyong Sok in the April 25 Sports Group renewed his previous record in the jerk of the 56 kg category, having a great influence on other players in setting new records.
    He broke his records on four occasions. He set his first record at the"Mangyongdae Cup" Sports Contest held in Juche 92 (2003).
    It was broken next year at the DPRK Championship. Third one was made in 2005.
    He also distinguished himself in international matches.
    He won three gold medals in the snatch, jerk and total in the 56 kg category at the Asian Juvenile Weightlifting Championship held in Thailand in April 2002 and registered signal successes at other international games.
    He bagged a gold medal in the jerk of the same category at the 7th Asian Adult Club Weightlifting Championships held in Uzbekistan last year.
    He is striving harder without resting on his laurels.


Janggo Dance

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- Dance with Janggo (a long Korean drum) is a folk dance with a long history.
    Combined with various forms of drum-beating, rhythms, steps and dancing techniques, the Janggo dance is a favorite folk dance of the Korean people rich in national emotion.
    The Korean people used to dance the Janggo dance in folk amusements from olden times. The dance has gradually developed into an independent dance program such as peasant dance, solo dance and group dance.
    The Janggo dance can be danced by men and women. The men's one is dynamic and active and the women's one is soft, graceful and light.
    The peculiar rhythms and techniques of Janggo dance have been developed and enriched suitable to modern aesthetic sense and applied to creating varied dance pieces. Among such dance pieces are solo dance "Janggo Dance" and group dance "Yangsando".


Korean Medical Association in Brisk Activities

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- The Korean Medical Association is doing its bit in solving urgent scientific and technical problems arising in the public health service.
    This year it sponsored national and international symposiums on medical science with success.
    The symposiums in which scientific papers on traditional treatment means including acupuncture and moxibustion were presented proved the validity of the experience and theory of the Koryo medicine on a modern medical science and laid a foundation for putting all the Koryo medicines on extract and standard.
    Discussed there were issues for easily settling insufficient medicines at present in accordance with the actual conditions along with reserve and popular medicines.
    They also exchanged scientific research successes and valuable experiences in the fields of basic medicine, sanitation and anti-epidemics, Koryo medicine and internal medicine.
    The Korean Medical Association is organizing various forms of study, traveling lectures, clinical symposium and scientific lectures in a planned way to promote the practical abilities of medical workers.
    Meanwhile, it also organizes nation-wide short-courses for health service workers according to special branches including tumor and ophthalmology to apply cutting-edge medical science and technologies, thus making a great contribution to raising the efficacy of treatment.


DPRK FM Meets Swiss Delegation

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- Pak Ui Chun, foreign minister of the DPRK, met and had a talk with a delegation of the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs headed by Division Head Pierre Combernous on May 28.
    Present there were officials concerned and the country director to the DPRK of the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs.


Gift to Leader Kim Jong Il

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift by Laurent Gbagbo, President of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire.
    It was conveyed to Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, by Ambassador of Cote d'Ivoire to the DPRK Alain Nicaise Papatchi Coffie on Monday.


Kim Yong Nam Receives Credentials from Ambassador of Cote d'Ivoire

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, received credentials from Ambassador of Cote d'Ivoire to the DPRK Alain Nicaise Papatchi Coffie at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Monday.
    Present there were Kim Hyong Jun, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and staff members of the embassy of Cote d'Ivoire here.
    After receiving credentials, Kim Yong Nam conversed with the ambassador.


Suppression of Chongryon Protested by Koreans in Japan

   Tokyo, May 26 (KNS-KCNA) -- Officials of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) and Koreans in different parts of Japan staged protest actions in denunciation of the Japanese authorities' unreasonable crackdown upon Chongryon.
    On May 17, officials of the Hyogo Prefectural Headquarters of Chongryon and Koreans conducted an information activity exposing and denouncing anti-DPRK, anti-Chongryon moves of the Japanese authorities in various parts of the prefecture.
    They bitterly condemned the Japanese authorities for persisting in political suppression and human rights abuses against Chongryon and Koreans in Japan.
    They demanded the Japanese authorities immediately withdraw the unjustifiable "sanctions" against the DPRK and ensure the basic human rights and national rights of Koreans in Japan.
    On the same day, officials of the Kyoto Prefectural Headquarters of Chongryon and Koreans waged a signature campaign demanding a prompt end to the hard-line policy toward the DPRK and violation of the human rights of Koreans in Japan by the Japanese authorities.
    Officials of the Ibaraki Prefectural Headquarters of Chongryon and Koreans hung up a large streamer reading "We are against untenable political suppression of Chongryon!" and conducted an information activity, scattering handbills, at the Mito Station on May 18.


For Spanish-speaking people



Paz es premisa de la reunificacion y prosperidad de la nacion

   Pyongyang, 28 de mayo (ATCC) -- La preservacion de la paz duradera en la Peninsula Coreana es la premisa para lograr la reconciliacion, la cooperacion y la reunificacion entre el Norte y el Sur de Corea.
    Asi insiste el periodico Rodong Sinmun en un articulo individual de este lunes y continua:
    La reunificacion de Corea es un asunto de unir el vaso sanguineo de la nacion cortado artificialmente por las fuerzas foraneas y lograr la reconciliacion nacional.
    Con el aumento del peligro de la guerra y la tension militar en la Peninsula Coreana el movimiento por la reconciliacion, la unidad y la reunificacion de la nacion se veia restringido pasando por pruebas.
    Lo mismo ocurre con las labores para la reconciliacion y la cooperacion Norte-Sur y con el movimiento por la reunificacion independiente en la epoca del 15 de Junio.
    La historia y la realidad prueban elocuentemente que mientras perdura la politica de guerra de agresion a Corea de los imperialistas norteamericanos y sus fuerzas satelites no podra lograrse jamas la paz en la Peninsula Coreana ni esperar la reunificacion pacifica y la prosperidad comun de la nacion.
    Hoy, debido a las maniobras de las fuerzas belicistas internas y externas sigue siendo tensa la situacion de Corea.
    En el Sur de Corea ellas aumentan armamentos y no cesan de desarrollar los ejercicios militares conjuntos con las fuerzas foraneas contra la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea.
     Por tales maquinaciones aventureras que contravienen a la aspiracion de la nacion y la corriente de la epoca se crea una peligrosa situacion en que puede estallar a todo momento una guerra nuclear en la Peninsula Coreana.
    De no detener las maniobras provocativas de las fuerzas belicosas internas y externas, caera en el peligro la paz del pais y la nacion coreana sufrira la catastrofe de la guerra nuclear desatada por las fuerzas foraneas.
     Solo cuando existen la nacion y el territorio, valdran la reunificacion del pais y la prosperidad de la nacion.
    La paz no se podra preservar jamas por la mendicacion, sino a traves de la lucha tenaz contra las maniobras de agresion y guerra.
     La politica de Songun deviene una espada justa y bandera del patriotismo para detener la agresion y la guerra y defender la seguridad de la nacion y la paz del pais.


Presidente italiano se refiere a las relaciones con Corea

   Pyongyang, 28 de mayo (ATCC) -- Mientras recibia el dia 22 las cartas credenciales del nuevo embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario coreano, el presidente de la Republica de Italia, Giorgio Napolitano, expreso su esperanza de que las relaciones entre los dos paises sigan desarrollandose favorablemente.
     Desde hace mucho tiempo, Italia esta interesada en el desarrollo de las relaciones con Corea, dijo el mandatario y resalto que se amplia el intercambio bilateral despues del establecimiento de las relaciones diplomaticas.


Socialismo coreano aumenta la dignidad y valor del ser humano

   Pyongyang, 28 de mayo (ATCC) -- El socialismo coreano es una inquebrantable sociedad que estima al ser humano como ente mas precioso y multiplica su dignidad y valor.
    Senala asi el rotativo Rodong Sinmun en un articulo individual de este lunes y prosigue:
    La practica historica de la construccion del socialismo confirma que el socialismo humanocentrico, o sea, centrado en las masas populares, es la sociedad mas ventajosa para asegurar al ser humano la autentica dignidad.
    El socialismo coreano es la potencia independiente, que brilla con el poderio de la gran politica de Songun (priorizacion militar). Nuestra patria defiende honrosamente la soberania nacional lanzando con su poderosa capacidad militar una contraofensiva rotunda a las despoticas maniobras intervencionistas y agresivas de los imperialistas norteamericanos. Por tal razon, el Songun representa para el pueblo coreano su vida y dignidad.
    El socialismo coreano respeta al ser humano y considera a las masas populares como base de la sociedad.
    En nuestro pais las lineas y politicas del partido y el Estado se elaboran reflejando la demanda y la voluntad de las masas populares y las macro-bases de produccion tambien se disenan y se construyen para satisfacer los intereses del pueblo.
     Aunque una obra fuera muy importante, no se debe llevarla a cabo si ella resulta inconveniente para la vida del pueblo. Y hay que hacer todo lo posible para el beneficio del pueblo aunque se gaste mucho dinero. Esto es el metodo de calculacion del Partido del Trabajo de Corea.
    El socialismo coreano permite a las personas manifestar plenamente sus talentos y pasion.
    Ademas, posibilita a todos los ciudadanos desarrollar incesantemente su creatividad de acuerdo con sus talentos y vocaciones.
    Bajo el mas ventajoso sistema de ensenanza obligatoria gratuita, preparado por el Presidente Kim Il Sung, todos los habitantes tienen el derecho a estudiar y manifiestan su inteligencia creativa en las relaciones sociales caracterizadas por la ayuda reciproca.