Report on Postponement of Pyongyang Visit by President Roh Moo Hyun

   Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- The north side sent a telephone message Saturday to the south side in connection with the postponement of the Pyongyang visit by President Roh Moo Hyun slated to take place late in August due to the flood which hit areas of the north side recently, causing huge damage.
    In the message the north side referred to the fact that torrential rain hit most of its areas every day, causing great damage, and this made it top priority to recover from the flood damage and make the living of the people in the afflicted areas return to normal and, accordingly, proposed to the south side that President Roh Moo Hyun's Pyongyang visit take place early in October by unavoidably postponing it at least one month in connection with the above said flood that struck those areas all of a sudden.
    The south side expressed profound sympathy with the flood damage that struck areas of the north side and expressed understanding of the above-said proposal and consented to it.
    Roh Moo Hyun will visit Pyongyang from Oct. 2 to 4, 2007 under the agreement reached between both sides.


Message of Sympathy to Kim Jong Il from Hu Jintao

   Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a message of sympathy from Chinese President Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, on Friday in connection with the heavy flood that hit some areas of the DPRK, causing big human and material losses.
    Hu Jintao in the message said that he extended sincere sympathy to the people in the afflicted area on behalf of the CPC and the Chinese government and expressed belief that they would surely overcome the natural disaster and their living return to normal as early as possible under the leadership of the Party and government of the DPRK.


Kim Jong Il's Devoted Service to People

   Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- The mass media give news of Kim Jong Il's on-spot guidance almost every day. Upon the news, the servicepersons and working people of all strata in the DPRK are always moved deeply.
    His continued inspection tour of military units, factories and co-op farms conducted in spite of sultry weather and rainstorms in July and August reflects his love for and devotion to the sovereignty of the country and the happiness of the people.
    In August alone, he visited units of the Korean People's Army, the Ranam Coal Mining Machine Complex, Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex, Songjin Steel Complex, North Hamgyong Provincial People's Hospital, Hamhung Disabled Soldiers' Plastic Daily Necessities Factory and others.
    At KPA units, he watched military trainings of servicepersons and went round education rooms, bedrooms, mess halls and others to acquaint himself with their life as a whole from the humidity of the bedrooms in the rainy season to the processing of side-dishes and the water quality of the wash-cum-bath houses.
    The news of his on-spot guidance to the North Hamgyong Provincial People's Hospital touched the heartstrings of the people.
    He is always deeply concerned for providing best ones to the people. Pointing out the shortcomings in the construction of the hospital, he earnestly said that all the officials should become a true servant for the people.
    Such stories about the deep love shown for the people by him who always puts people's interest above everything can be heard in Jagang, North Phyongan, North Hamgyong and South Hamgyong provinces and other places visited by him this year.
    The people in everywhere he had visited are grateful for him. Among them are the Huichon Machine-Tool Factory, Thaechon Youth Power Station No. 4, Jangyonho Fish Farm, Chongjin Primary Seasoning Factory, Pakchon Silk Mill, Sinam Co-op Farm, February 8 Vinalon Complex, Hamhung Wood Processing Factory and Tanchon Mining Machine Factory.
    Moved by the continued on-spot guidance of Kim Jong Il for bringing earlier the bright morrow, the Korean people are filled with a firm resolution to uphold his leadership with loyalty.


Whole Country Is out to Rehabilitate Flood Damage

   Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- A campaign for healing the flood damage is being dynamically launched in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
    The Cabinet, ministries and national institutions set out on the rehabilitation work in provinces, cities and counties in a big way, paying primary attention to it.
    Ministries and national institutions including the State Planning Commission, Ministry of Construction and Building-materials Industry, Ministry of Metal Industry and Ministry of Light Industry preferentially supply cement, steel and other necessary materials to the work and push ahead with the work for stabilizing the living of the people in the flood-stricken areas at an early date.
    The Ministry of Food Procurement and Administration and the Ministry of Commerce provide food and essential foodstuffs to the people in the flood-hit areas ahead of others. Officials of the Ministry of Public Health, along with medical teams, have rushed to Munchon City and Yangdok, Koksan, Sinphyong, Chonnae counties and other areas, carrying a large quantity of medicines with them.
    The Ministry of Railways has concentrated efforts on rehabilitating the destroyed rail-roadbeds, railway bridges and communication facilities.
    The DPRK Red Cross Society handed over emergency relief goods including blankets, tents, kitchen utensils and water purifying pills to 16,000 families in the afflicted areas. More than 13,400 Red Cross volunteers have evacuated victims to safe places and are striving hard for the stabilization of their life.
    Servicepersons and people are also working day and night to heal the flood damage in various areas.
    In Pyongyang, efforts are being made to remove silts on the roads along the Taedong and Pothong rivers and rehabilitate others.
    The officials and working people in the flood-stricken Koksan, Sinphyong, Singye, Sohung and Yonsan counties of North Hwanghae Province, full of confidence, have turned out as one in the undertakings for rehabilitating the destroyed dwelling houses and public buildings and rearranging the flood-hit farm land.
    Those in South Phyongan, Kangwon, South Hwanghae and South Hamgyong provinces are engaged in repairing the destroyed roads and bridges while arranging fields which had been inundated.


Pyongyangites Are All out to Heal Flood-Damage

   Pyongyang, August 19 (KCNA) -- The Pyongyang citizens have turned out to heal the flood damage.
     The City People's Committee is directing primary attention to rehabilitating the destroyed dwelling houses and stabilizing the people's living in the afflicted areas.
     Great efforts are being made to restore the flood-stricken major objects such as facilities of production, power supply and communications and roads to the original state.
     In Pothonggang District, electricity is being supplied preferentially to the water pump stations to drain water in the submerged places including tens of institutions and industrial establishments in Unha area, the Pothonggang Pleasure Park, roads adjacent to Ponghwa Street. Fallen trees and silt are being removed.
     Phyongchon, Songyo, Sosong, Hyonjesan and other districts are rebuilding the destroyed dams and dealing with earth, sand and silt carried in by the flood and landslide.
     The Pyongyang Knitting Needle Factory, where 4,500 square meters of production buildings, more than 600 knitting needle facilities and transformers had been submerged, Pyongyang Children's Knitted Clothing Factory and other factories in the city are rebuilding destroyed walls and striving hard to put production on normal basis.
     The city is also taking measures to prevent promenades, pleasure parks and funfair facilities along the Taedong and Pothong rivers from possible damage.
     Officials in the ministries and national institutions are taking positive measures to heal the flood damage in various parts of the city including Panwol Islet.
     Officials in the City Rural Economy Committee, too, are directing the water-drainage work on the spot on flood-hit co-op farms in the suburbs of the city including Kangnam County and Rakrang and Sunan districts. They are also organizing in a scrupulous way the work to make the rice, bean and maize crops fallen by flood and wind stand and to sow vegetable seeds again.
     The flood damage is gradually healed in Pyongyang.


Message of Sympathy to Peruvian President

   Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Friday sent a message of sympathy to Alan Garcia Perez, President of Peru, in connection with an earthquake that hit southern part of the country recently, claiming heavy casualties and material losses.
    Kim Yong Nam in the message expressed profound sympathy and consolation to the president and, through him, to the Peruvian government and people in the afflicted area, expressing hope that the president and the Peruvian government would eradicate the aftermath of the earthquake damage and bring the living of the people in the disaster-stricken area to normal as early as possible.


Wreaths Laid before Grave of Kim Po Hyon

   Pyongyang, August 19 (KCNA) -- Wreaths were laid before the grave of Kim Po Hyon, an ardent patriot, in Mangyongdae Sunday on the occasion of his 136th birth anniversary.
    Seen before the grave was a wreath sent by General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
    The wreath-laying ceremony was attended by Kim Ki Nam and Choe Yong Rim, officials of party and power organs, public organizations, ministries and national institutions, servicepersons of the Korean People's Army and working people in the city.
    A wreath in the name of the WPK Central Committee was placed there.
    Placed then were wreaths in the name of working people's organizations, ministries, national institutions, military schools, educational and media institutions, party and power organs and farms in Pyongyang.
    The participants paid silent tribute to him recalling his life as he devoted his all for the country and the nation with noble intention of loving country and people.


Letter of Thanks to Kim Jong Il

   Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il was presented with a letter of thanks by Egyptian Ambassador to the DPRK Moustafa Mohamed Ahmed Al Hatter who is the doyen of the diplomatic corps here on August 17.
    The letter extended most heartfelt thanks to Kim Jong Il for giving the diplomatic envoys and representatives of the international organizations here the lucky chance of visiting the areas of Mt. Paektu from which the Korean revolution originated on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of Korea's liberation and showing deep care and solicitude for them.
    The visit to the old home of Kim Jong Il in the secret camp in Mt. Paektu and several other places helped them know better about his great revolutionary family of Mt. Paektu and the immortal revolutionary exploits performed by President Kim Il Sung for the liberation of the country and the freedom of the people, the letter said.
    It wished Kim Jong Il good health and happiness and the friendly Korean people steady progress and prosperity in building a great prosperous powerful nation under his wise guidance.


Delegation of Polish Foreign Ministry Arrives

   Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Polish Foreign Ministry led by its Vice-Minister Witold Waszczykowski arrived here on Saturday.


KCNA Censures Outbursts of Those Swimming against Trend of Times

   Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- There is a saying that a dog barks at the moon.
    Ri Kyu Thaek, lawmaker from the Grand National Party of south Korea, behaved in the same manner.
    He in a recent interview with the south Korean Yonhap News dared say this or that about the DPRK top leader's "return visit to Jeju Island." He talked nonsense that if the visit becomes a reality, this is sure to be misused for the "presidential election."
    He went the lengths of letting loose reckless remarks that the south and the north of Korea would use all cards for preventing the GNP from seizing power and they might drive the situation to the state of national emergency, if necessary, through "skirmishes" in the West or East Sea.
    One can hardly expect proper remarks from the GNP gentries, a group of anti-reunification gangsters. But the mud-slinging made by Ri Kyu Thaek, a mere political philistine, at the supreme headquarters of the DPRK cannot be construed otherwise than a grave political provocation touching off the indignation of the servicepersons and people of the DPRK.
    The forthcoming meeting of the top leaders of the north and the south of Korea is an event to be recorded in the national history as it will be of weighty importance in expanding and developing the inter-Korean relations onto a higher stage on the basis of the June 15 joint declaration and in the spirit of "By our nation itself" and thus opening up a new phase for peace on the Korean Peninsula, co-prosperity of the nation and the country's reunification.
    That is why not only all Koreans in the north and the south and abroad but also world people are warmly hailing and supporting it.
    Nevertheless, no sooner had the north-south agreement been made public than the GNP, a group of traitors, recklessly voiced opposition to it, thus bringing into bolder relief its anti-reunification and treacherous nature before the world. And it is now working with bloodshot eyes to abuse the inter-Korean summit for attaining its political and strategic purposes.
    They blustered that the "Ulji Focus Lens" joint military exercises should not be postponed nor their plan be changed and talked nonsense about the "return visit to Jeju Island" despite the fact that politicians of insight are demanding the cancellation of the plan for war exercises, aware that saber rattling targeted against the dialogue partner obviously runs counter to the desire of the nation and the trend of the times. Not content with this, they are floating the rumor about "skirmishes between the south and the north." This only indicates their ulterior intention to torpedo the dialogue.
    Those very dangerous remarks can be made only by those preoccupied with fascism and confrontation.
    Ri Kyu Thaek's vituperation is a product of the GNP gentries' desperate plot to throw wet blanket over the important event of the nation with sheer fabrications in a bid to play down the significance of the inter-Korean summit.
    It is the GNP gentries that link the announcement of the north-south agreement with the "presidential election" and are working hard to use it for their election campaign. Their coming to power precisely means a war. The reality clearly proves it.
    Neither the important event of the nation nor improved inter-Korean relations nor peace and reunification are thinkable as long as the GNP is at large.
    If the GNP gentries continue going reckless, swimming against the trend of the times towards peace and reunification they will not be able to escape bitter denunciation and stern judgment from the public at home and abroad.
    Availing ourselves of this opportunity, we would like to warn the Yonhap News and MBC against using misinformation as it is.


Seminar on Kim Jong Il's Work Held in Venezuela

   Pyongyang, August 19 (KCNA) -- A seminar took place in Tucupita, Venezuela on August 3 on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's famous work "Let Us Carry out the Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung's Instructions for National Reunification".
    Omar Lopez, chairman of the Venezuelan National Society for the Study of the Juche Idea, addressing the seminar, said that Kim Jong Il in the work comprehensively dealt with Kim Il Sung's idea of national reunification and exploits performed by him in the efforts for it and formulated the three principles of national reunification, the ten-point programme of the great unity of the whole nation and the proposal for founding the Democratic Federal Republic of Koryo put forward by the President as the three charters for national reunification.
    Speakers including the chairman of the Zulia, Venezuela Cultural Association for the Study of the Juche Idea spoke highly of the ideas of national reunification of the President and Kim Jong Il and their leadership exploits.
    Referring to the stirring reality that unfolded on the Korean Peninsula under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il in which Koreans are paving the way for national reunification free from interference of outside forces under the banner of "By our nation itself", they reiterated their resolution to deepen the study of the Songun idea and conduct positive activities for solidarity with the Korean people in the future.
    A message to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the seminar.


Projected "Ulji Focus Lens" Joint Military Exercises Denounced

   Pyongyang, August 19 (KCNA) -- The Switzerland-Korea Committee issued a statement on August 14 denouncing the U.S. forces' "Ulji Focus Lens" joint military drill to be staged in south Korea.
    The statement said that the joint military exercises are U.S. war maneuvers aimed at launching a preemptive nuclear attack upon the DPRK and invading it.
    Terming such reckless war moves acts going against the Feb. 13 agreement on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the statement said that the military exercises prove that the U.S. remains unchanged in its criminal purpose to destroy socialist Korea by force of arms and turn the Korean Peninsula into its military base for aggression.
    It is a treacherous act for the south Korean forces to participate in the war maneuvers targeted against the fellow countrymen, the statement said, adding that this is in violation of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and the war maneuvers assume more dangerous nature as they were planned with the north-south summit at hand.
    The statement demanded the U.S. give up their joint military exercises, abandon its anachronistic Cold War-minded hostile policy toward the DPRK and withdraw its forces from south Korea.


Day of Korea's Liberation Marked Abroad

   Pyongyang, August 19 (KCNA) -- A seminar and photo exhibition took place in Nepal and a lecture and film show in Ethiopia on August 10 and 11 respectively on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of Korea's liberation.
    Displayed in the venues of the functions were famous works of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and photos showing their immortal exploits.
    The minister for Education and Sports of Nepal at the seminar highly praised Kim Il Sung as a peerlessly great man who liberated the Korean nation from the Japanese imperialists' colonial rule and a distinguished leader who enjoyed profound trust of the world progressives including the Nepalese people.
    Subash Kaji Shrestha, chairman of the Study Forum for Self-Reliance of Nepal, noted that the President founded the immortal Juche idea and the Songun idea and led the 20 year-long arduous anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle to brilliant victory.
    The vice-chairman of the Ethiopian Youth Study Group of the Juche Idea at the lecture in Ethiopia highly praised the President as the benefactor of national liberation who defeated the Japanese imperialists with arms and achieved Korea's liberation and the father of socialist Korea. He also noted that the DPRK has turned into a power well known to the world under the Songun leadership of Kim Jong Il who has successfully carried forward the cause of the President.
    A message of greetings to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the seminar held in Nepal.


August 15 U.S. Regional Meeting for National Reunification Held

   Pyongyang, August 19 (KCNA) -- The August 15 U.S. regional meeting for national reunification reportedly took place in Los Angeles on August 15.
    It was attended by members of the U.S. Regional Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration and Koreans residing in New York, Chicago and other parts of the U.S.
    Speakers at the meeting said that a bright vista for reunification is unfolding under the banner of "By our nation itself".
    The desire of all Koreans in the north and the south and overseas for reunification is growing stronger than ever before, they said, calling on the Koreans in the U.S. to wage a positive movement for reunification.
    A resolution denouncing the Abe regime for its suppression of Koreans in Japan was read out at the meeting.
    Then a seminar on the theme of "The June 15 spirit and tasks before us" and other themes took place to mark the day.


Film Show and Reception Given at DPRK Embassy in Moscow

   Moscow, August 17 (KCNA) -- A film show and reception took place at the DPRK embassy in Moscow on August 16 on the occasions of the 6th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's visit to Russia and the 5th anniversary of his visit to its Far Eastern Region.
    Present there on invitation were officials of the government, political parties, organizations, the military and media organizations including Vice Foreign Minister Karasin who is also secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Bavrin and other officials of the Foreign Ministry, the Federal Bureau for the Supervision of Ecology, Engineering and Nuclear Energy, the Ministry of Defense, the Party for Peace and Unity of Russia and the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, the Russian Association for Friendship and Cultural Cooperation with the DPRK and representatives of the United Confederation of Koreans in Russia.
    On hand were the DPRK ambassador to Russia and staff members of the embassy.
    The participants laid floral baskets and bouquets before the full-length picture of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and paid tribute to them.
    Then they walked round the photos on display including "Comrade Kim Jong Il visits the Russian Federation", "Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission Comrade Kim Jong Il visits the Far Eastern Region of the Russian Federation" and "The great footprints left during the long journey for Songun" before watching a Korean film "The great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il pays an official visit to Russian Federation".
    The vice foreign minister, addressing the reception, said that the historic Russia visit paid by Kim Jong Il and the agreement reached at the summit and talks held in Moscow and Vladivostok marked new occasions in developing the traditional friendly relations between the two countries and expressed belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between Russia and the DPRK would grow stronger under the deep care of the top leaders.
    Now the relations between Russia and the DPRK are developing on a higher level, he said, adding that Russia would continue to strive to achieve the common goals of peace and security in Northeast Asia and the development of the economic relations of the two countries.


Youths and Students Meet in Seoul for Great National Unity

   Pyongyang, August 19 (KCNA) -- The Headquarters of the Youth and Students of the South Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration reportedly sponsored a meeting of youths and students to vow to achieve the great national unity in Seoul on August 15.
    Noting that the publication of the June 15 joint declaration brought about a great change in the inter-Korean relations, the speakers at the meeting called for more dynamically pushing forward the movement for national reunification through the great unity of the Korean nation.
    A resolution read out at the meeting declared that youths and students would conduct a dynamic campaign for getting the "National Security Law" opposed to the implementation of the June 15 joint declaration scrapped and denouncing the despicable acts of the "Grand National Party" of south Korea and other anti-reunification forces and wage a positive struggle for the cancellation of the plan for the large-scale "Ulji Focus Lens" joint military exercises.


Foolish Offensive of Imperialists against NAM under Fire

   Pyongyang, August 19 (KCNA) --The imperialists are becoming evermore frantic in their offensive against the non-aligned movement (NAM). The United States and other Western countries are trumpeting that the "NAM has lost its meaning."
    The Indian foreign minister strongly refuted and denounced such false claim recently. Noting that the NAM is playing a special role in the development of cooperation among developing countries, south-south cooperation, in particular, he stressed that it has made an important contribution to the struggle against colonialism and apartheid since the end of the Second World War.
    Rodong Sinmun Sunday says this in a signed article.
    It goes on:
    There are no other forces in the international arena than the NAM that groups many countries of the world and functions as an organized force regarding independence against imperialism as the noble idea of its activities.
    The NAM, a powerful anti-imperialist independent force, has given a powerful impetus to the process of world independence while greatly changing the balance of forces between progressives and reactionaries in the international arena.
    The non-aligned countries have pooled their strength in the struggle for independence against imperialists under the slogan "Let world people advocating independence unite!" and countered the imperialists' arbitrary practices with the strategy of unity.
    The position and say of the non-aligned and other developing countries have risen higher than ever before in the international arena including the UN and no issues can be properly settled without their involvement.
    The NAM is now creditably performing its noble mission as an independent political force by standing up against the imperialist and hegemonic forces and frustrating their moves for aggression and war under the banner of independence against imperialism.
    The NAM remains still today a powerful anti-imperialist revolutionary force in our times and a main force for building a new independent world which no one can ignore.
    Nevertheless, the imperialists are talking a lot that the NAM has "lost its meaning." This is nothing but a revelation of their uneasiness, impatience and fear of the fact that it is steadily performing its noble mission, concludes the article.


August 15 Reunification Functions Held in S. Korea

   Pyongyang, August 19 (KCNA) -- August 15 reunification functions reportedly took place at the campus of Chungang University in Seoul from the night of August 14 to the dawn of August 15.
    They were attended by at least 18,000 workers, peasants, women, youths and students from across south Korea and members of the vanguard from different sectors for independent reunification and civic and public organizations.
    The preparatory committee of the Solidarity for Progress of south Korea sponsored a "meeting for independent reunification demanding the cancellation of the plan for the 'Ulji Focus Lens' exercises and the withdrawal of the U.S. forces." The speakers at the meeting asserted that the "National Security Law," the anti-reunification evil law, should be abolished at once as it is the biggest stumbling block standing in the way of the national unity in the June 15 era of reunification.
    Different parts of the campus of the university were venues of functions such as the "2007 workers' gathering for independent reunification," the "national gathering of farmers and women farmers for reunification to implement the June 15 joint declaration and realize unified agriculture," the "2007 national women's gathering for reunification," the "August 15 grand reunification festival of students for independence, peace and great national unity" and the "gathering of south Korean youths for peace and reunification of the Korean Peninsula."
    The speakers at the functions vowed to struggle for putting an end to the U.S. forces' presence in south Korea, shattering the U.S. moves to perpetuate the national division and getting the south Korea-U.S. "alliance" for aggression dismantled.
    The Democratic Labor Party held a rally for independent and peaceful reunification at which it demanded the conclusion of the peace agreement, the withdrawal of the U.S. forces, a halt to the north-targeted war exercises and abolition of the NSL.
    Meanwhile, a meeting was held to mark the 15th anniversary of the formation of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification.
    The South Headquarters of the above-said organization in its resolution declared that it would check the "Ulji Focus Lens" joint military exercises and make the voices demanding the withdrawal of the U.S. forces ring out louder across south Korea on the occasion of September 8.


Movement for Independent Reunification against U.S. Called for

   Pyongyang, August 19 (KCNA) -- The South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification reportedly released a statement titled "Let's bring about a landmark phase in independent reunification against the U.S. in the spirit of 'By our nation itself'" on August 15 on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of liberation of Korea.
    The statement noted that the history of the anti-Japanese armed struggle for the liberation of Korea is still implanting the ardent love for the country and the nation into the minds of the younger generation as it serves as an example in carving out a new era unprecedented in human history.
    After liberation the territory of the country was divided due to the U.S. imperialists' occupation of south Korea and the pro-U.S. sycophantic and treacherous acts of the pro-Japanese elements, their lackeys, and the ancestors of the Grand National Party of south Korea (GNP), but the Koreans have waged a struggle to put an end to their colonial rule and moves for division, not yielding to them, the statement noted, calling for making a clean sweep of the U.S. imperialists and the pro-U.S. sycophantic forces from this land by the concerted efforts of the Koreans just as they put an end to the colonial rule of the Japanese imperialists armed to the teeth through a widespread anti-Japanese front.
    The statement also called upon the seventy million Koreans to intensify the actions against the U.S. and the GNP under the banner of "By our nation itself" to glorify the June 15 era of reunification.


Portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il Displayed in Venezuela

   Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- A function of hanging the portraits of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on a wall of the building of the Communist Party of Venezuela took place on July 31.
    The general secretary of the Central Committee of the CPV, addressing the function, said that the communists and people of Venezuela have deeply admired and revered Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and it is the great pleasure and honor to hang their portraits on a wall of the building of the CPV.
    The deputy director of the Canta Clara Publishing House who is member of the Political Bureau and financial secretary of the Central Committee of the CPV praised Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il as great leaders of the world revolutionary movement and his publishing house would positively bring out and distribute their famous works.
    The organizational secretary of the Sucre Provincial Committee of the CPV expressed the conviction that the Workers' Party of Korea and the Korean people would register fresh successes in their struggle, noting that when seeing the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, he drew great strength and courage to work harder.


Indonesian Ambassador Hosts Reception

   Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- Daulat Hotma Audison Passaribu, Indonesian ambassador to the DPRK, hosted a reception on August 17 on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the independence of Indonesia.
    Present there on invitation were Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun, Vice-minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Yong Il, Vice-minister of Foreign Trade Ri Myong San, Vice-Chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Jon Yong Jin who is chairman of the DPRK-Indonesia Friendship Association, officials concerned and diplomatic envoys of different countries and representatives of international organizations here.
    Also present there were staff members of the Indonesian embassy.
    Speeches were made there.


Grand Meeting for National Reunification Held in S. Korea

   Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- The South Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration reportedly sponsored a grand meeting for national reunification in Seoul on August 15.
    Speakers at the meeting urged the U.S. to roll back its hostile policy toward the north and make positive measures including the conclusion of a peace agreement, underscoring the need to put an end to the war moves and military confrontation threatening the existence of the Korean nation and achieve lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
    They stressed that the "National Security Law", an evil law of the times which blocks the implementation of the June 15 joint declaration, should be repealed.
    Read out at the meeting was a joint resolution released by the North Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration, the South Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration and the Overseas Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration to denounce Japan on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of Korea's liberation.
    At the end of the meeting, various cultural functions including a photo exhibition on the theme of "2007, the north today" were held.


Grand Meeting and March for Independent Reunification Held in S. Korea

   Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- The preparatory committee for the Solidarity for Progress in south Korea reportedly sponsored an "all-people grand meeting for independent reunification to demand a stop to the 'Ulji Focus Lens' joint military drills and to clear the Korean Peninsula of the U.S. forces" in Seoul on August 15.
    It was attended by at least 6,500 members of political parties and civic and social organizations including the Democratic Labor Party, the south Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the south Korean Federation of Peasants Associations and the south Korean Federation of University Student Councils.
    Speakers at the meeting called on the people to turn out in the struggle to drive the U.S. forces, the root cause of misfortune, out of south Korea.
    A resolution read out at the meeting accused the south Korean bellicose forces of planning to stage the "Ulji Focus Lens" joint military exercises to invade the north in collusion with the U.S., adding that this cannot be construed otherwise than submission to the U.S. in every aspect.
    The resolution demanded the U.S. immediately withdraw its forces from south Korea, give up the arms buildup and repeal the south Korea-U.S. "mutual defense pact".
    Prior to the meeting, members of political parties and civic and social organizations including the preparatory committee staged an "all-people grand march for independent reunification."


774th Wednesday Meeting Held in S. Korea

   Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- Victims of the sexual slavery for the Imperial Japanese Army and members of political parties and civic and social organizations and students of south Korea held the 774th Wednesday meeting in Seoul on August 15, according to a news report.
    Speakers at the meeting accused the Japanese reactionaries of becoming evermore undisguised in their hostile policy toward the north and intensifying the suppression of Koreans in Japan these days, adding that this proved that they were still pursuing a militaristic ambition.
    It is nothing but an empty talk for the Japanese authorities to call for "peace", while turning aside from the past crimes, they charged, vowing to carry on their actions till Japan admits its past crimes and makes a formal apology and legal compensation for them.


DPRK Women's Football Team Places First at 24th Universiad

   Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- The DPRK women's football team placed first by trouncing its Russian rival 1-0 in the finals of the 24th Universiad held in Bangkok on August 17.
    In the preceding matches Korean girls won overwhelming victories over its Irish, Thai, German and south Korean rivals and beat its Brazilian rival, supposed to be a winner, 4-3.


Japanese Reactionaries' Militarist Ambition under Fire

   Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- The Abe group is busy establishing a wartime system in the country, bolstering the combat capacity of the "Self-Defense Forces (SDF)" and supporting the U.S. in its war, talking about the need for "Japan to play a role as expected by the international community." These are dangerous moves for overseas expansion. Rodong Sinmun today observes this in a signed commentary.
    It goes on:
    It is the military and strategic aim of the Abe regime to get the SDF ready to cope with a modern war so that it may participate in a war of aggression anytime, taking advantage of the U.S. "war on terrorism."
    The Japanese reactionaries have aggravated the situation in Northeast Asia by staging all kinds of war exercises from the beginning of the year. They are planning to let the SDF participate in multi-national joint marine military exercise to be held in the Bay of Bengal in Indian Ocean in September. That is why they are zealously participating in the above-said military exercise under the pretext of "combating terrorism."
    The Abe forces intend to further increase their support to the U.S.-led war, underlining the need for "Japan to play the role as expected by the international community."
    The military operations being conducted by the SDF together with the U.S. forces in the dispute-torn areas can be described as a prelude to the operations to realize the ambition for overseas aggression harbored by the Japanese militarist forces for dozens of years after the war.
    The Japanese reactionaries are opting for pushing ahead with the establishment of the wartime system and rendering the country more militarist and fascist under the pretext of the above-said role of Japan.
    They upgraded the Defense Agency to the ministry, thereby drastically increasing the function and role of the ministry as the highest military mechanism and providing it with preconditions for mobilizing everything of the country as well as armed forces for a war under the command of the prime minister in "contingency."
    The Abe forces are also working hard to have strongholds of military strategic importance overseas under the plea of "military support" to the U.S. escalating the "war on terrorism" worldwide.
    The Japanese reactionaries are deliberately aggravating the situation by sparking off territorial disputes with neighboring countries over the issue of "dominium." These are politically motivated military provocations for reinvasion.
    The reckless moves of the Abe forces for reinvasion will only precipitate their ruin.


U.S. Imperialists and S. Korean Army Busy with Preparations for Joint War Exercises

   Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- The United States and the south Korean authorities are busy with preparations for the "Ulji Focus Lens" joint war exercises, the drills for war of aggression against the DPRK, to be staged in south Korea from August 20 to 31 in the wake of their recent announcement of the plan for the exercises, according to a military source.
    Overseas-based U.S. imperialist aggressor forces and latest military hardware are being amassed in south Korea and its vicinity and civilians, government officials, troops and police of south Korea are put on alert.
    Part of the first marines air regiment of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces flew into south Korea and formations of F/A-18 pursuit-assault planes were deployed in air force bases of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces present in south Korea.
    Task forces of nuclear-powered super carriers Stennis and Nimitz, super carrier Kitty Hawk were deployed in waters off Guam, an unprecedented naval movement.
    Meanwhile, overseas-based formations of B-52 strategic bombers and F/A-18 pursuit-assault planes were busy with air battle exercises combined with maneuvers for such long-distance navigation as flying back to their bases after dropping bombs from the air above south Korea within the framework of "Ulji Focus Lens."
    Exercises under the simulated conditions of concentrated transport of war reserve materiel by train and truck and drills for making participants familiar with procedures for going over to a wartime system are now under way at army depots of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces present in south Korea.
    Meanwhile, the brass hats of the U.S. forces present in south Korea and the south Korean forces are also going busy with preparations to examine the use of units and the feasibility of the plan for offensive battle actions, pursuant to "Ulji Focus Lens."
    The U.S. imperialists and the south Korean military bellicose forces should face up to the trend of the changing situation and stop at once "Ulji Focus Lens" aimed at disturbing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.


August 15 Meeting for National Reunification Held in Japan

   Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- The August 15 Japan regional meeting for national reunification took place in Tokyo on August 14.
    Present there were members of the Japan Regional Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration.
    Kwak Tong Ui, chairman of the regional committee, at the meeting called on the regional committee to make more tangible contributions to the efforts to bring a heyday in the cause of independent reunification by attaching great importance to the nation, defending peace and realizing unity as required by the situation where the movement for national reunification has reached a new turning phase.


For Spanish-speaking people



Informacion sobre aplazamiento de visita a Pyongyang de Roh Moo Hyun

   Pyongyang, 18 de agosto (ATCC) -- La parte Norte de Corea envio este sabado un aviso telefonico a la parte Sur sobre el aplazamiento de la visita del presidente Roh Moo Hyun a Pyongyang, programada para finales de agosto, debido a que recientemente las regiones del Norte fueron perjudicadas seriamente por las inundaciones.
    En la notificacion, la parte Norte precisa que en la mayor parte del territorio del Norte se produjeron muchas perdidas por una fuerte lluvia torrencial, que persistio varios dias, y explica que se presenta ahora como la tarea primordial estabilizar la vida de los habitantes tras resarcir los danos causados por las inundaciones.
    Por lo tanto, propone obligadamente postergar un mes mas o menos la visita del presidente Roh Moo Hyun, o sea, para los principios de octubre, debido a las inesperadas y serias perdidas generadas por la crecida del agua.
    Por su parte, la parte Sur expreso un profundo consuelo por el respecto y manifesto su comprension y acuerdo sobre la posposicion de la visita en cuestion.
    Segun el acuerdo logrado entre ambas partes, la visita a Pyongyang del presidente Roh Moo Hyun se realizara del 2 al 4 de octubre de 2007.


Kim Jong Il recibe carta del jefe del Cuerpo Diplomatico

   Pyongyang, 18 de agosto (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il recibio una carta de agradecimiento que le escribiera el dia 17 el embajador de la Republica Arabe de Egipto, Moustafa Mohamed Ahmed Al Hatter, quien preside el Cuerpo Diplomatico acreditado en Corea.
    El remitente agradece de todo corazon a Su Excelencia Kim Jong Il, quien dio a los representantes diplomaticos y los de organizaciones internacionales, acreditados en la RPDC, la oportunidad de visitar la zona del monte Paektu, cuna de la revolucion coreana, con motivo del 62o aniversario de la liberacion de Corea y les presto profunda atencion y grandes benevolencias para el recorrido.
    Recorriendo la casa natal del Dirigente en el campamento secreto en el monte Paektu y otros lugares pudimos conocer mejor de la grandeza de la familia revolucionaria del monte Paektu de Su Excelencia Kim Jong Il y de las inmortales hazanas revolucionarias de Su Excelencia el Generalisimo Kim Il Sung, gran Lider del pueblo coreano, realizadas para la liberacion del pais y la libertad del pueblo, destaca.
    Deseo buena salud y felicidad a Su Excelencia Kim Jong Il, el progreso y prosperidad eternos al amistoso pueblo coreano que bajo la sabia direccion de usted, construye una gran potencia prospera, finaliza.


Kim Jong Il recibe telegrama de consuelo de Hu Jintao

   Pyongyang, 18 de agosto (ATCC) -- El Dirigente 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, recibio un telegrama de consuelo que enviara el dia 17 Hu Jintao, Secretario General del Comite Central del Partido Comunista de China y Presidente de la Republica Popular China, en relacion con las grandes perdidas humanas y materiales ocasionadas en algunas zonas de la RPDC por las graves inundaciones.
    En la misiva el remitente expresa un profundo consuelo, en representacion del partido y el gobierno de China, a los habitantes de las zonas damnificadas y su conviccion de que estos, bajo la direccion del Partido y el gobierno de Corea, estabilizaran cuanto antes su vida al superar sin falta las secuelas del desastre natural.


Kim Yong Nam envia telegrama de consuelo al presidente peruano

   Pyongyang, 18 de agosto (ATCC) -- El presidente del Presidium de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, Kim Yong Nam, envio el dia 17 un telegrama de consuelo al presidente de la Republica Peruana, Alan Garcia Perez, por muchas perdidas humanas y materiales ocasionadas por un terremoto que sacudio la parte meridional de ese pais.
     En su misiva, el remitente expresa una profunda compasion y condolencias al destinatario y, por su conducto, al gobierno y los habitantes damnificados del Peru.
     Desea al presidente y al gobierno del Peru que resarzan cuanto antes las consecuencias del sismo para estabilizar la vida de los damnificados.