Kim Jong Il Enjoys Performance Given by Art Groups of KPA Servicemen's Families

   Pyongyang, June 6 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il enjoyed together with KPA servicepersons a performance given by art groups of servicemen's families of Unit 313, Unit 757 and Unit 593 of the KPA that participated in the 10th contest among art groups of servicemen's families.
    Among the audience were KPA Vice Marshal Kim Yong Chun, vice-chairman of the NDC of the DPRK, KPA Vice Marshal Kim Il Chol, member of the NDC of the DPRK and minister of the People's Armed Forces, KPA General Kim Kyok Sik, chief of the General Staff of the KPA, and other KPA commanding officers, Secretaries of the C.C. of the WPK Choe Thae Bok, Kim Kuk Thae and Kim Ki Nam, First Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Sok Ju and other leading officials of the C.C. of the WPK.
    The performers sang high praises of the might of single-minded unity, the harmonious whole, between the supreme commander and servicepersons and their families and fully demonstrated the fixed faith and will, the revolutionary spirit and indomitable stamina of the servicemen's families to devotedly protect the headquarters of the revolution and remain loyal to the sacred cause of Songun alongside their husbands under arms.
    Kim Jong Il expressed great satisfaction over their splendid performance high in its ideological value and artistry as they represented their life and feelings in each number in a unique and truthful manner.
    He said that the brisk performances being given by art groups of servicemen's families at all units serve as a powerful engine vigorously arousing the servicepersons and people to the struggle to defend socialism as they represent one more aspect of praiseworthy revolutionary soldier culture created in the era of Songun.


Chinese Embassy Officials Help Korean Farmers

   Pyongyang, June 6 (KCNA) -- Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and his embassy officials gave friendly helping hands to farmers of the DPRK-China Friendship Thaekam Co-op Farm in Sunan district in rice-transplanting Tuesday.
    After looking round the DPRK-China friendship room on the farm, they talked to officials of the farm, deepening the friendship.
    The ambassador said that the Sino-DPRK friendly relations provided by revolutionaries of the elder generation have steadily developed under the deep care of General Secretary Kim Jong Il and General Secretary Hu Jintao.
    He hoped the Korean people would register bigger success in the efforts to accomplish the socialist cause under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il and the Workers' Party of Korea.
    They handed aid materials to the farm.


Demonstration for Peace against War Staged in Seoul

   Pyongyang, June 6 (KCNA) -- At least 4,000 students from all parts of south Korea reportedly staged a demonstration for peace against war in Seoul on June 3.
    Denouncing the U.S. troops for perpetrating war moves and man-killing in south Korea, they distributed among citizens literature explaining the reason why students turned out in the struggle for peace against war.
    They called upon all the people to actively turn out in the struggle to build a peaceful society in south Korea.
    Noting that it is the will of the students to make the Korean Peninsula free from war, they declared that the students would struggle for peace on the Korean Peninsula in the future, too.


Solidarity with Korean People Expressed

   Pyongyang, June 6 (KCNA) -- Our delegation's visit to the DPRK shows the desire of the Angolan army and people to further strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries, said Angolan Defense Minister Kundi Paihama, who was heading the Angolan military delegation.
    He said that the Korean army and people greatly encouraged the Angolan army and people when the imperialists were attempting to stamp out the Angolan people's righteous struggle.
    Noting that he came to know better about the immortal revolutionary history and exploits of President Kim Il Sung while visiting Mangyongdae where the President was born, the minister went on to say:
    The world progressives should learn from the personality of the President as a great man and his exploits.
    The friendly relations between Angola and the DPRK are now developing on good terms under the deep care of President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos and Kim Jong Il.
    I am convinced that these friendly and cooperative relations will grow stronger in the future, too.
    It is the steadfast stand of Angola to boost the friendly relations with the DPRK.
    Today the Korean people are working hard to accomplish the socialist cause, overcoming manifold difficulties and trials.
    We believe that the Korean army and people will surely emerge victorious in carrying out their just cause under the wise leadership of Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il.
    The victory of the Korean people will be that of the Angolan people and the world peace-loving people.
    The Angolan government and people extend full support and solidarity to the DPRK government and people.


It Is Legal and Moral Obligation of Japan to Protect Rights of Koreans

   Pyongyang, June 6 (KCNA) -- The Japanese reactionaries recently decided to extend the embargo on DPRK-flagged ships including "Mangyongbong - 92" and the enforcement of other sanctions against the DPRK by six months and formally passed the bill related to the matter through both houses of the Diet.
    Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary brands the decision of the Japanese reactionaries to extend the embargo as an unpardonable action against ethics and humanitarianism as it is a revelation of their criminal intention to completely block the humanitarian shipping service to ensure visits of Koreans in Japan to their homeland.
    It goes on:
    It is well-known to the world that "Mangyongbong - 92" is a ship which has operated for the sole humanitarian purpose of ensuring the above-said visits according to the agreement reached between the Red Cross organizations of the DPRK and Japan.
    This being a hard fact, the wicked and base Japanese reactionaries have persistently hampered the regular service of the ship, while going busy spreading sheer lies that it is a "ship carrying illicit money" and a "ship for spies and operatives".
    In July last year Japan took such a criminal action as completely banning the portcall of the ship under the pretext of someone's "threat".
    Not content with this, the Japanese reactionaries desperately barred Koreans in Japan from visiting their homeland, issuing such threatening and provocative instructions to the immigration institutions "to restrict the sailing to north Korea". The recent action to extend the embargo on "Mangyongbong - 92" was taken against this backdrop.
   
    This self-revealed before the world the vicious nature and moral vulgarity of the Japanese reactionaries who do not hesitate to trample underfoot any elementary humanitarianism and ethics to attain their criminal purpose.
    It is a legal duty and moral responsibility of the Japanese government to guarantee the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan its activities and protect the vital and other rights of the Koreans in Japan.


61st Anniversary of KCU Editorially Observed

   Pyongyang, June 6 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today dedicates an editorial to the 61st anniversary of the Korean Children's Union (KCU).
    Noting that the Korean people extend warm congratulations to the members of the KCU who are growing to be future reliable pillars of Songun Korea, the editorial stresses that schoolchildren are a precious treasure of the country and the nation.
    It goes on:
    The DPRK has found a most successful solution to the issue of bringing up school youth and children into reserves of the revolution under the wise leadership of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il possessed of a noble view on posterity and future.
    In the early period of the revolution the President formed the Saenal Children's Union, the first revolutionary children's organization in Korea, providing a glorious tradition of the Juche-oriented children's movement. He founded the KCU, a successor to the tradition of the anti-Japanese Children's Corps, on June 6, Juche 35 (1946), making a new history of bringing up children into reliable heirs to the revolution.
    Kim Jong Il, carrying forward the noble view of the President on the younger generation, has worked heart and soul to bring up the younger generation into reliable successors to the Juche-oriented revolution since the very day of his leadership over the revolution and construction.
    All the KCU members should fully prepare themselves to become reliable pillars of a great prosperous powerful nation holding aloft the slogan "Let's be ready always for the socialist motherland!"


Kim Yong Nam Greets Swedish King

   Pyongyang, June 6 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Carl ]Y Gustaf, King of Sweden, on June 6 on the occasion of its national day.
    Kim in the message wished the Swedish people prosperity and well-being.


Ceremonies of Accession to KCU Held

   Pyongyang, June 6 (KCNA) -- Ceremonies of accession to the Korean Children's Union (KCU) took place in different parts of the country on June 6 on the occasion of its 61st anniversary.
    The ceremonies were attended by exemplary members of the KCU and newcomers.
    Present there on invitation were officials of party and power organs and working people's organizations and in the field of education and war veterans and persons of merit and pupils' parents in different areas.
    The children joining the KCU took an oath before the flag of the KCU.
    Then officials, war veterans and persons of merit put red ties around the necks of the new KCU members and pinned its badges on their chests.
    Congratulatory speeches were made at the ceremonies.


International Environmental Workshop Held

   Pyongyang, June 6 (KCNA) -- An international environmental workshop was held at the People's Palace of Culture here from June 3 to 6 under the co-sponsorship of the Pyongyang International Information Centre for New Technology and Economic, the DPRK Ministry of Land and Environment Preservation and the Environmental Education Media Project whose office is in China.
    Present at the workshop were experts on environment at different units including the Ministry of Land and Environment Preservation, the National Academy of Sciences, the DPRK Natural Conservation Union and Kim Il Sung University.
    Also present there were the associate director of the Environmental Education Media Project and environment experts from various countries.
    The workshop was held on the themes of water and soil management in cities and the countryside, organic farming and renewable energy.
    During the workshop its participants exchanged achievements and experience gained in the environmental protection.


Kim Yong Nam Receives Credentials from Norwegian Ambassador

   Pyongyang, June 6 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, received credentials from Norwegian Ambassador to the DPRK Didrik Tonseth at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
    Present there was Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kung Sok Ung.
    After receiving credentials, Kim Yong Nam had a talk with the ambassador.


Rakrang Culture

   Pyongyang, June 6 (KCNA) -- The Rakrang culture was created in the period from BC 1st century to AD 3rd century in the Rakrang Kingdom which existed in the middle and northwestern areas of Korea centering on Pyongyang, Taebang Kingdom separated from the former and various small countries built by the people of the ruined Kojoson (Ancient Korea).
    The people of the Rakrang Kingdom and remaining people of the ruined Kojoson developed the fine culture created in the years of Kojoson (BC early 30th century-BC 108).
    A large number of relics and remains discovered in the area around Rakrang District of Pyongyang show the then developed culture such as architecture, sericulture, metal processing and weaving technologies.
    Conspicuous in the Rakrang culture are architectural structures. They made the most of the architecture used in the building of royal palaces, dwelling houses and tombs during Kojoson to construct more developed and formative architectural structures.
    Wooden-box, log-cabin and brick-piled tombs were unearthed in the area. The big and delicately processed boards, finely-patterned bricks like craft-works found out in the tombs and their vaulting, chambers and aisles graphically show the prominent architecture of the Rakrang people.
    Many metal weapons, quality horse equipment and cart accessories were also dug out.
    In particular, the 110-centimeter-long collapsible steel sword and other weaponry prove the then developed steel-making technology using high temperature metallurgy.
    Meanwhile, graceful and delicate gold and silver belt buckles reflect their fine and prominent craftsmanship.
    The dragon gold buckle with a pure gold plate was patterned with a mother dragon and seven young dragons and set in with more than 40 jades. Such ornament can never be seen among ornaments found out in other contemporary countries.
    Silk-weaving by indigenous three-molt silkworms handed down from Kojoson was on a very high level. The people produced quality silk cloth of various patterns at that time.
    The Rakrang culture rooted in the history and cultural traditions of Kojoson is a brilliant cultural heritage of the Korean nation.


Korean Children's Union, Successor to Revolution

   Pyongyang, June 6 (KCNA) -- The revolution has been successfully carried forward since the origin of the children's movement in Korea.
    President Kim Il Sung, who regarded the work of training the rising generation as an important issue related with the future destiny of the revolution in his early years, formed the Saenal Children's Union in December Juche 15 (1926), the first revolutionary mass organization of children, thus pioneering the Korean children's movement.
    Later the Saenal Children's Union developed into the Children's Corps, only to make a great contribution to the sacred cause of national liberation.
    The Children's Corps which was tempered in the flames of the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle produced many juvenile revolutionaries including Kim Kum Sun who laid down her life at the age of nine to keep a secret of the revolutionary organization, Jon Ki Ok and Mok Un Sik.
    With the foundation of the Korean Children's Union (KCU) on June 6, 1946 on the basis of the tradition of the anti-Japanese Children's Corps, the children made a positive contribution to the building of a new democratic Korea, rallied close under the red banner of the revolution.
    They organized children's guerillas during the hard-fought Fatherland Liberation War to beat enemies.
    During the postwar rehabilitation and construction and the grand socialist construction, the members of the union conducted various kinds of socio-political activities and a do-good-thing movement, while striving hard to prepare themselves as reliable pillars of the country who are knowledgeable, virtuous and healthy.
    Now, they are giving full play to the revolutionary spirit of Mt. Paektu in the Songun era.
    Yu Hyang Rim, then nine-year old girl in Pyongyang Misan Primary School, and children in Ryongchon County had risked their lives to evacuate the portraits of the three generals of Mt. Paektu to safe places under unexpected circumstances. Their spirit to defend the leader devotedly reflected the high standard of spiritual world of the members of Korean Children's Union in the Songun era.
    Bright is the morrow of the Songun Korea as it has KCU members growing as reliable successors to the revolutionary cause of Juche.


Pansanggi, Folk Meal Custom

   Pyongyang, June 6 (KCNA) -- Pansanggi (a set of dishes for a table) has long been used for the dietary life in Korea.
    The dinner set consists of a rice bowl, a soup bowl, a plate, a small dish, spoons, chopsticks and etc.
    According to the number of dishes on a table, it is called three-piece pansanggi, five-piece pansanggi, seven-piece pansanggi and so on.
    However, this custom of the nation associated with its emotional sentiment was obliterated under the vicious colonial rule of Japanese imperialism.
    Under the warm care of Kim Jong Il, who values the folk traditions, the Korean people have introduced pansanggi into their dietary life again.
    One day in October Juche 72 (1983) he summoned an official and instructed him that there had been pansanggi in the bygone days but it was impossible to see it now and pansanggi, a favourite of the people, should be developed and made on an experimental basis.
    When he was reported that pansanggi samples were prepared, he, though he was busy with state affairs, saw tens of pansanggis one by one and said that their quality should be raised further.
    Since then, pansanggi has developed in the colorful shapes to suit the people's taste.
    The Okryu and Chongryu Restaurants and other public catering establishments serve the working people with pansanggi put on with folk dishes of various kinds.


Choe Thae Bok Meets Vietnamese National Assembly Delegation

   Pyongyang, June 6 (KCNA) -- Choe Thae Bok, chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, met and had a friendly talk with a delegation of the National Assembly of Vietnam led by Nguyen Thi Hoai Thu, chairperson of its Committee for Social Affairs, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
    Present there were Deputy to the SPA Hong Son Ok, officials concerned and the Vietnamese ambassador to the DPRK.


Gift to Kim Jong Il from Vietnamese Delegation

   Pyongyang, June 6 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift by the visiting delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly.
    Nguyen Thi Hoai Thu, chairperson of the Committee for Social Affairs of the Vietnamese National Assembly who is heading the delegation, conveyed the gift to Choe Thae Bok, chairman of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, on Wednesday.


For Spanish-speaking people



Rodong Sinmun comenta conducta antihumanitaria de Japon

   Pyongyang, 6 de junio (ATCC) -- Recientemente, los reaccionarios japoneses decidieron dar una prorroga de 6 meses a las medidas de "sancion" contra la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, inclusive la prohibicion de la entrada de "Mangyongbong-92" y otras embarcaciones de ella en los puertos japoneses. Esta decision fue aprobada oficialmente en ambas camaras de la dieta japonesa.
    Al respecto, el rotativo Rodong Sinmun publico este miercoles un comentario individual que va como sigue:
    La medida de prolongar la inaccesibilidad de "Mangyongbong-92" a Japon parte del intento criminal de los reaccionarios japoneses de bloquear para siempre la humanitaria linea maritima, que facilita el viaje a la patria de los coreanos residentes en este pais-isla.
    Por lo tanto, resulta una salvajada anti-etica e inhumanitaria nunca perdonable.
    Todo el mundo sabe que esa nave cumple su mision meramente humanitaria de garantizar el viaje de los coreanos residentes en Japon, segun un convenio concertado entre las entidades de la cruz roja de la RPDC y Japon.
    Sin embargo, los reaccionarios islenos tan sucios y malevolos obstaculizaron porfiadamente la navegacion ordinaria de ese barco lanzando una absurda demagogia de que este sirve para las "remesas ilicitas" y el "espionaje".
    Finalmente, en julio del ano pasado prohibio completamente su arribo a Japon bajo el pretexto de la supuesta "amenaza" de alguien.
    Como si esto fuera poco, esos japoneses pegaron en los organos de inmigracion el letrero amenazante y provocativo "!Cuidado en viajar en barco al Norte de Corea!" a fin de frenar perversamente la visita a la patria de los coreanos radicados en Japon.
    De esta manera, ellos mostraron a todo el mundo la crueldad e inmoralidad de Japon que para cumplir sus objetivos criminales, no repara en violar el mas elemental principio humanitario y la etica.
    El gobierno japones tiene el deber legal y la responsabilidad moral de garantizar las actividades de la Chongryon (Asociacion General de Coreanos residentes en Japon) y proteger los derechos humanos y la vida de esos coreanos.


Rodong Sinmun felicita 61 aniversario de fundacion de UNC

   Pyongyang, 6 de junio (ATCC) -- El periodico Rodong Sinmun inserto en su numero de este miercoles un editorial dedicado al 61 aniversario de la fundacion de la Union de Ninos de Corea (UNC).
    El pueblo coreano felicita calidamente a los miembros de la UNC que crecen robustamente como protagonistas del futuro de la Corea del Songun (priorizacion militar), adelanta el editorial y prosigue:
     Los ninos escolares son considerados tesoros del pais y la nacion.
    En la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea se resolvio satisfactoriamente el problema de formar a los jovenes y ninos como reservas de la revolucion gracias al gran Lider y al gran Dirigente quienes poseen noble concepcion de las generaciones venideras y del futuro.
    Ya en la etapa inicial de sus actividades revolucionarias, el Presidente Kim Il Sung organizo la Union Infantil Saenal en calidad de la primera organizacion revolucionaria de ninos y preparo la gloriosa tradicion del autoctono movimiento de ellos. El 6 de junio del 35 (1946) de la Era Juche, fundo la UNC, que hereda la tradicion del Cuerpo Infantil Antijapones, dando inicio a la nueva historia de formacion de los infantes como fidedignos continuadores de la revolucion.
    El Dirigente Kim Jong Il, quien tiene la misma concepcion de las generaciones futuras del Presidente, desde el comienzo de su direccion sobre la revolucion y construccion, realizo ingentes esfuerzos por formarlas en fidedignos sucesores de la revolucion jucheana.
    Bajo la consigna de "!Preparemonos siempre para la patria socialista!", todos los afiliados de la UNC deben prepararse como fuertes pilares de la gran potencia prospera.


Cultura de Rakrang demuestra superioridad de nacion coreana

   Pyongyang, 6 de junio (ATCC) -- La cultura de Rakrang fue creada en el reino homonimo, que existio entre el siglo I a.n.e. y el siglo III n.e. en la region central y noroeste de Corea, y en el de Taebang derivado del primero y otros estados pequenos que habian sido fundados por los descendientes de Kojoson (desde principios del siglo 30 a.n.e. hasta 108 a.n.e.).
    Los moradores de Rakrang y los descendientes de Kojoson desarrollaron la ya excelente cultura creada en el periodo de este segundo Estado esclavista.
    Las reliquias y vestigios descubiertos a granel en una zona en torno al municipio de Rakrang de la ciudad de Pyongyang demuestran el alto nivel de la cultura de Rakrang en la arquitectura, la elaboracion de metales, la sericultura, la textura, etc.
    Lo mas destacado en ella es que fueron creadas las estructuras arquitectonicas mas racionales y plasticas aplicando las tecnicas logradas en el periodo de Kojoson en la construccion de palacio real, viviendas y tumbas.
    Las tablas grandes y delicadas, ladrillos con estampas tan finas que se asemejan a los productos artesanales, los tejados en forma oval y las vias, que fueron hallados en las tumbas con ataud de madera y las de ladrillo y tronco descubiertas en la misma zona, permiten conocer claramente de la extraordinaria arquitectura de los moradores de Rakrang.
    Tambien fueron desenterrados armas metalicas de gran eficiencia, arreos y otros articulos de herreria.
    Entre ellos, la espada de hierro desmontable de 110 centimetros de largo y otras armas de acero fundido fueron hechas con la metalurgia bajo alta temperatura.
     De otro lado, dan constancia de la orfebreria delicada y superfina de aquellos moradores las elegantes hebillas de oro y plata.
     En particular, es imposible ver en otros paises la hebilla de oro en que estan incrustados junto con mas de 40 jades un dragon y sus 7 criaturas.
     Ademas, en aquel periodo se desarrollo la textura de seda.
     La cultura de Rakrang arraigada en la historia y tradiciones culturales de Kojoson es un valioso patrimonio de la nacion coreana.


Pansanggi

   Pyongyang, 6 de junio (ATCC) -- En la red de servicios gastronomicos o los hogares de Corea salta a la vista Pansanggi, que despierta el apetito.
    Se trata de un juego de todos los platos tipicos de Corea necesarios para preparar una mesa de comer, a saber, el pozuelo de arroz, sopera, platos, cuencos pequenos, cuchara y palitos.
    Desde antiguedad, el muy culto pueblo coreano empleaba ampliamente en su vida alimentaria Pansanggi, que se clasifica en el juego de tres platos, el de cinco platos, el de siete platos, etc.
    Pero, debido a la brutal dominacion colonial de los imperialistas japoneses, fue desaparecido poco a poco.
     El que lo hizo reaparecer fue el Dirigente Kim Jong Il quien aprecia mucho y desarrolla la tradicion folklorica de la nacion coreana.
    Un dia de octubre del 72 (1983) de la Era Juche, el Dirigente llamo a un funcionario y le dijo que existia en el pasado un juego de platos llamado Pansanggi, pero ahora no puede verlo.
    Le recomendo que rescatara este articulo predilecto del pueblo coreano y fabricara uno de modelo.
    Cuando se informo de que ya se preparo la muestra, aunque estuvo muy ocupado, se persono a calificar uno por uno mas de decenas de los componentes de Pansanggi y dio indicaciones detalladas para elevar su calidad.
    Despues, Pansanggi se desarrollo mas en varias formas adquiriendo valor artesanal conforme al gusto del pueblo.
    En los rostros de los trabajadores, a que en la red de servicios gastronomicos como el Restaurante Okryu y el Chongryu sirven varios platos nacionales contenidos en Pansanggi, se nota un fuerte sentimiento de gratitud hacia el Dirigente Kim Jong Il.