DPRK's Stand Supported by Syrian President
Pyongyang, October 24 (KCNA) -- Syria will fully support the stand of the DPRK in the future, too, said Bashar Al-Assad, President of Syria, when having a friendly talk with Choe Thae Bok, chairman of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, and his party on a visit to the country at the People's Palace on Oct. 22.
Noting that Kim Jong Il enjoys particularly deep respect from the Syrian people and other peoples of the world, the Syrian president paid highest tribute to the leader who put the international position of the DPRK on a high level.
Talks Held between DPRK, Syrian Speakers of Parliament
Pyongyang, October 24 (KCNA) -- Talks were held between Choe Thae Bok, chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, and Mahmoud Al-Abrashi, president of the People's Assembly of Syria, at the building of the People's Assembly in Damascus on Oct. 21.
Present there on the DPRK side were the entourage of the chairman and the DPRK ambassador to Syria and on the Syrian side were the vice-president of the People's Assembly and other officials concerned.
At the talks the two sides exchanged views on boosting friendly and cooperative relations between the assemblies of the two countries and issues of mutual concern.
The talks proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.
Japan's Extension of Sanctions against DPRK Flailed
Pyongyang, October 24 (KCNA) -- The current extension of sanctions against the DPRK by Japan is a vivid manifestation of its hostile policy toward the DPRK, observes Rodong Sinmun Wednesday in a signed commentary.
Noting that this folly clearly reveals the stupidity of political illiterates who go reckless, ignorant of the present trend of the situation and flow of the times, the commentary goes on:
The gravity of this step lies in that it is coinciding with the time when the points agreed upon at the six-party talks are at the stage of implementation.
Nearly all parties are doing what they should do under the agreement on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. But Japan only is engaged in dastardly acts causing the concern of others.
Japan is calling for extending sanctions while persistently raising the abduction issue that had already found a solution, an issue quite irrelevant to the mission and the purport of the six-party talks. One can wager from this that there is no politician capable of seeing far into the future in Japan, though it is dreaming of becoming a political power.
Still more fantastic is for Japan to advertise sanctions against the DPRK as a "breakthrough" in the solution of the problem. It does not make any sense to talk about normalizing relations while challenging the dialogue partner with sanctions.
Japan's push to maintain sanctions against the DPRK is a deliberate and premeditated provocation to escalate the confrontation between the DPRK and Japan and put a hurdle in the way of settling the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.
Standing glaringly exposed again is the Japanese reactionaries' criminal scheme to secure a pretext for turning Japan into a military giant and realizing its nuclear weaponization by blocking the improvement of the DPRK-Japan relations under the pretext of the abduction issue and curbing the settlement of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula with the breakdown of the six-party talks.
The present Japanese Cabinet is trying to repeat what the preceding Cabinet did, crying over the abduction issue. This would be a foolish act of following in the woeful footsteps of the predecessor.
The present Japanese authorities had better draw a lesson from the miserable end of the preceding Cabinet and stop the reckless farce of anti-DPRK sanctions.
DPRK-EU Economic Symposium Held
Pyongyang, October 24 (KCNA) -- The DPRK-EU economic symposium was held in Pyongyang on Oct. 23 and 24.
Present at the symposium were officials of the Chamber of Commerce of the DPRK and other institutions concerned, a delegation of the European Commission and a delegation of the European Parliament and diplomats of several European countries and economic specialists.
The symposium discussed the issues of developing the relations between the DPRK and the EU in agriculture, light industry, IT industry and finance.
Kim Yong Nam Receives Credentials from Icelandic Ambassador
Pyongyang, October 24 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, received credentials from Gunnar Snorri Gunnarsson, Icelandic ambassador to the DPRK, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Wednesday.
On hand were Kim Yong Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and a staff member of the Icelandic embassy.
After receiving the credentials, Kim had a talk with the ambassador.
Palestinian Ambassador Hosts Reception
Pyongyang, October 24 (KCNA) -- Palestinian Ambassador to the DPRK Mohammad Shahta Zarab hosted a reception at the embassy on Oct. 23 on the occasion of the 62nd founding anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea.
Present there on invitation were Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the C.C., the WPK, Choe Chang Sik, minister of Public Health, Kim Pyong Phal, chairman of the C.C., the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, Mun Jae Chol, acting chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, and officials concerned.
Mohammad Shahta Zarab in his speech said the foundation of the WPK by President Kim Il Sung brought a new turn in shaping the destiny of the Korean people and provided them with the political headquarters leading the revolution and construction to victory.
Noting that the President's cause of building the party of Juche-type had been successfully carried forward by leader Kim Jong Il, the ambassador said the WPK is making a constant progress in different fields by imbuing all the people with the Juche idea and the Songun idea.
Speaking next, Kim Ki Nam said the Palestinian people have made strenuous efforts to liberate the territory occupied by Israel and restore their legitimate national rights including the right to self-determination, the right to return home, and the right to build an independent state with Kuds as its capital.
The just cause of the Palestinian and other Arab peoples is sure to end in victory, he stressed.
Press Conference at Cuban Embassy
Pyongyang, October 24 (KCNA) -- A press conference was held at the Cuban embassy here Wednesday as regards Cuba's decision to submit to the UN General Assembly a resolution demanding the U.S. lift economic sanctions against Cuba.
Present there were mediapersons in Pyongyang.
Also present there were Cuban Ambassador to the DPRK Jose Manuel Galego Montano and embassy officials.
The ambassador referred to the fact that the Cuban people have undergone untold pain and huge economic losses due to the U.S. vicious blockade.
The Cuban people have waged an indomitable struggle against the U.S. blockade, closely rallied around Fidel Castro Ruz, he said.
Many countries and people of the world have extended support and encouragement to the Cuban people in their struggle, he said, adding that the U.S. moves to stamp out the Cuban revolution are bound to fail.
Cuba will never abandon sovereignty, independence and socialism but will certainly emerge victorious, he declared.
Questions raised there were answered.
Establishment of Fair International Relations Called for
Pyongyang, October 24 (KCNA) -- Today marks the Day of the United Nations.
The DPRK has made all efforts to ensure peace and security in the world and establish fair international relations as required by the objective and principle of the UN Charter since it became a member state of the UN on Sept. 17, 1991.
Rodong Sinmun Wednesday says this in a signed article devoted to the day.
It goes on:
The DPRK remains unchanged in its stand to carry out the fair and democratic reform of the UN and increase its role and function in a bid to ensure peace and security in the world and thus put the development of the international relations on a sound basis.
The present times are quite different from the days the UN came into being. The UN is faced with a lot of tasks at present. Unilateralism and arbitrary and high-handed practices have become pronounced, disturbing peace and security in the world, making the international relations complicated and hamstringing the progress of human civilization. Mankind can successfully meet these challenges only when the member states of the UN establish and develop the fair international relations based on the multilateralism that calls for strictly abiding by the universally accepted principles of respect for sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and reciprocity.
The application of unreasonable double standards to the international relations constitutes a factor of obstructing the development of the equal and sound international relations and a lever for infringing upon the sovereignty of the member states of the UN. The UN should reject the double standards in the international relations and ensure that the principle of equality and impartiality is strictly observed.
Lasting world peace and security would be unthinkable without putting an end to the situation where "the rich get ever richer and the poor get ever poorer" rapidly deteriorating in the world, eradicating poverty and resolving the social and economic problems.
There will be progress in ensuring global peace and security and the trust of the international community in the UN will grow deeper only when the UN increases its role and function as required by the times and in line with the desire and aspiration of humankind and settles all the international issues fairly and reasonably on the principle of justice and equality.
U.S. Blamed for Sparking off Arms Race
Pyongyang, October 24 (KCNA) -- The United States topped the world's list of arms and war materiel sale last year by selling arms and war materiel accounting for 42 % of the world sale of those things in the same period, according to a report recently released by the U.S. Congressional Research Service.
The U.S. initiated what it called a "security dialogue" in Mid-east recently, disclosing that it would sell those things worth 63 billion U.S. dollars to Mid-east countries in 10 years to come.
It is now asserting that its policy of selling arms and war materiel abroad is a measure to promote the defence of other countries and stabilize the regional situation.
Minju Joson Wednesday in a signed commentary carried in this regard terms this nothing but sophism to cover up the sinister aims sought by it through the massive sale of arms and war materiel.
Disclosing these aims, the commentary goes on:
The U.S. seeks to massively ship arms and war materiel to other countries and regions under the pretext of "collective security", foster growing demand of its allies for arms and thus secure the right to interfere in the affairs of the hot-spot regions through the arms sale and establish an unchallenged control over the regional issues.
It is the U.S. intention to meet its own interests even though the world gets embroiled in the vortex of conflicts and its people are suffering bloodshed.
The U.S. produced and indiscriminately used cluster bombs to massacre civilians. A lot of dead cluster bombs are exploding in different parts of the world, claiming huge casualties.
This being a hard reality, the U.S. decided to deploy new type cluster bombs to be ready to be used within this year, a challenge to the world.
The reality goes to clearly prove that the U.S. is chiefly to blame for harassing the world peace, escalating arms race and proliferating weapons of mass destruction.
New Documentary Film Produced
Pyongyang, October 24 (KCNA) -- The Korean Documentary and Scientific Film Studio recently produced new documentary film "Let Young People Forge Ahead in Spirit of Thaechon".
The film vividly shows members of the young vanguard working new miracles and innovations in different domains of the national economy, including agriculture, light industry and mining industry, in the spirit of Thaechon.
It also shows young people performing feats in the construction sites of power stations, including the Paektusan Songun Youth Power Station, and railways.
It tells that an economic power will emerge earlier than scheduled thanks to the young people who bear the brunt of the most difficult and hardest jobs in socialist construction.
Kaewon Temple and Sokgul Hermitage in Mt. Thonggyong
Pyongyang, October 24 (KCNA) -- There are many historic relics in the area of Kwaksan, North Phyongan Province.
Among them are the Kaewon Temple and Sokgul Hermitage in Mt. Thonggyong.
The Kaewon Temple was built in the period of Koryo (918-1392).
The temple consists of the main hall, five-storied pagoda, Unghyang Pavilion, etc.
Three Buddhist statues are preserved in the main hall as they were. The architectural structure and colorful painting of the temple show the then advanced architecture and artistic talent of the Korean ancestors.
The five-storied pagoda was built in the closing years of Koryo. The tower stands on the foundation rock on which lotus flowers are curved in relief. It reflects well the then delicate masonry.
The Unghyang Pavilion is a place where monks lived and prepared Buddhist rites.
The Sokgul Hermitage in Mt. Thonggyong is located in Chojang-ri, Kwaksan County. There is one of the three main Buddhist images, flanked by sculptures of the Four Devas carved on rocks.
Each image represents well its characteristic feature.
The Kaewon Temple and the Sokgul Hermitage in Mt. Thonggyong are of academic significance in studying historic relics of Korea.
New Books Off Press
Pyongyang, October 24 (KCNA) -- The Kum Song Youth Publishing House has recently published such new books as literary books, science fictions and illustrated books for children.
The biographical literature "Hong Pom Do" and full-length novel "A Girl of Kanghwa" reflect the struggle of the Korean people who fought against invasion and pillage by the Japanese imperialists.
The novels will help the working people, school youth and children deeply realize that the Japanese imperialists are the sworn enemy who had invaded and plundered Korea down through history.
The full-length novel "A Misty Target" contains a story about the efforts of security men in Pon (central)-Pyongyang security agency (the then name). They frustrated the subversive activities conducted by U.S. imperialism and its followers in an attempt to hold in check the vigorous advance of the Korean people for building a new country after the liberation.
The illustrated book of science fiction "Pace-makers of Cutting Edge Technology" deals with tens of schoolchildren who have received the special quick education. After the education, they register fantastic research achievements at various scientific and technological research institutions including IT, biological, nano, universe and laser science and technology.
Among the newly published books are the collections of juvenile stories "Valuable Sword Emitting Rays", "Golden Key" and collection of poems "Youth!".
Anti-Reunification Remarks of Conservatives Denounced in S. Korea
Pyongyang, October 24 (KCNA) -- The Association of Reservists for Peace in south Korea reportedly called a press conference in Seoul on Oct. 18 in denunciation of the anti-reunification actions of the ultra-right conservatives.
At the press conference the above-said body accused the Association of Reservists, the Association of Retired Generals and other ultra-right conservative forces of malignantly vilifying the projected talks for discussing the plan for fixing "a special area for peace and cooperation in the West Sea" and military confidence-building measures and others agreed upon between the south and the north.
The organization on behalf of the nation bitterly condemned the reckless actions of the vicious anti-reunification elements to check the advance of the national history to warm up the inter-Korean relations based on mutual respect and confidence and achieve peace and prosperity and reunification of the Korean Peninsula.
It called upon the progressive forces to strive to replace the armistice mechanism by a lasting peace mechanism on the Korean Peninsula through their concerted efforts.
Repeal of NSL Demanded in S. Korea
Pyongyang, October 24 (KCNA) -- More than 180 personages from all social strata of south Korea, including religious, academic, media, cultural and art, medical, civic and social, and human rights organizations, reportedly called a press conference in Seoul on Oct. 17 and issued a declaration on the repeal of the "National Security Law" (NSL).
Noting that the NSL is a stumbling block in the way of peaceful reunification, the declaration held that the abrogation of the evil law is a primary task at present.
It is a deception to talk about peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula with the NSL, the evil law against human rights, democracy, reunification and peace, left intact, it stressed.
The declaration demanded that the "National Assembly," the "government" and the security authorities stop at once suppression under the NSL and take active measures to scrap the evil law.
It is high time the disgraceful history of 59 years since the fabrication of the NSL was brought to an end, it said, declaring that the people from all walks life would turn out in a powerful struggle for the abolition of the NSL.
Kim Jong Il's Work Off Press in Aruba
Pyongyang, October 24 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il's famous work "On Preserving the Juche Character and National Character of the Revolution and Construction" was brought out in pamphlet by the Oranjestad Publishing House in Aruba on Oct. 15.
The work, published on June 19, Juche 86 (1997), clarifies the idea that adhering to the Juche character and national character in the revolution and construction is a basic principle that should be maintained to accomplish the cause of socialism and tasks and ways to materialize the idea.
WPK's Birthday Celebrated in Different Countries
Pyongyang, October 24 (KCNA) -- Meetings were held at the Kim Il Sung Economic Special School in Cuba, by the People's Socialist Party of Mexico and at the Laos-Korea Tin Company and in Kinshasa of Democratic Congo from Oct. 8 to 10 to celebrate the 62nd anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea.
On display in the venues of the meetings were works of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and photos showing their undying leadership feats performed in the party building.
Speeches were made there.
Juan Jose Leon Vega, chairman of the Cuban Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification, noted that the WPK is an invincible revolutionary party as it has invariably held aloft the banner of socialism while closely rallying the people around the party and the leader. The Korean people have registered great successes in the struggle for socialist construction and national reunification under the Songun revolutionary leadership of Kim Jong Il, holding him in high esteem, he said.
Jesus Antonio Carlos Hernandez, general secretary of the Central Committee of the People's Socialist Party of Mexico, expressed conviction that the Workers' Party and people of Korea would successfully uphold the idea and feats of Kim Il Sung, build a great prosperous powerful socialist nation and reunify the country under the leadership of Kim Jong Il.
Otete Gaston Mboyo, chairman of the National Committee of the Genuine Lumumbist Patriotic Party of Democratic Congo, said that the WPK is mighty as it holds General Secretary Kim Jong Il in high esteem.
For Spanish-speaking people
Presidente sirio promete apoyar la posicion de Corea
Pyongyang, 24 de octubre (ATCC) -- El presidente de la Republica Arabe de Siria, Bashar al-Assad, departio en un ambiente amistoso el dia 22 en el Palacio de Pueblo con el presidente de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, Choe Thae Bok, y su comitiva que realizan una visita al pais arabe.
En la ocasion, el mandatario sirio afirmo que su pais apoyara totalmente en el futuro tambien la posicion de la RPDC.
Anadio que el gran camarada Kim Jong Il goza de respeto especial del pueblo siriaco y los otros del mundo y expreso maximo homenaje a el quien elevo a lo alto la posicion de la RPDC en la arena internacional.
Kim Yong Nam recibe cartas credenciales del embajador islandes
Pyongyang, 24 de octubre (ATCC) -- Gunnar Snorri Gunnarsson presento este miercoles en el capitalino Palacio de los Congresos Mansudae ante el presidente del Presidium de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, Kim Yong Nam, sus cartas credenciales que le acreditan como nuevo embajador extraordinario y plenipotenciario de la Republica de Islandia en Corea.
En la ocasion estuvieron presentes el vicecanciller coreano Kim Yong Il y un miembro de la embajada islandesa.
Tras recibirlas, Kim departio con el diplomatico.
Rodong Sinmun denuncia la prorroga de sancion de Japon a la RPDC
Pyongyang, 24 de octubre (ATCC) -- La sancion de Japon contra la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea es una expresion concentrada de su politica hostil a Corea y acto insensato del politicastro que no sabe distinguir la tendencia de la politica y la corriente de la situacion general de hoy.
Senala asi el diario Rodong Sinmun en un comentario individual de este miercoles y prosigue:
La gravedad de la prolongacion de la sancion a la RPDC reside en que esta medida coincide en tiempo con la ejecucion de los articulos acordados en las conversaciones a 6 bandas.
Las 5 partes de la cita a 6 bandas hacen lo que les corresponde segun el acuerdo para la desnuclearizacion de la Peninsula Coreana, pero, solo Japon se ocupa de los actos contrarios a lo que hacen las partes mayoritarias de la cita.
El pais isleno prolonga la sancion al portar tercamente el problema del secuestro ya resuelto, que no tiene nada que ver con la mision y el proposito de la cita a 6 partes. Esto nos insinua que Japon, aunque suena con la potencia politica, no tiene politicos sensatos.
Japon toma la sancion contra la RPDC por la "salida" para la solucion del problema. Es de veras absurdo.
Es ilogico hablar de la normalizacion de las relaciones bilaterales aplicando la sancion a la contraparte del dialogo.
La prorroga de la sancion es una provocacion para agravar la confrontacion entre Corea y Japon y obstaculizar la solucion del problema nuclear de la Peninsula Coreana.
Se ha revelado otra vez la intencion criminal de los reaccionarios japoneses de justificar el armamento nuclear y la conversion de su pais en la potencia militar. De veras, ellos tratan de impedir la mejora de las relaciones con Corea al portar el problema del secuestro y de llevar al fracaso las conversaciones a 6 bandas tendentes a dar solucion al citado problema nuclear.
El gabinete japones va a repetir la conducta erronea del "gabinete del secuestro".
Las autoridades japonesas deben sacar leccion del fin tragico del anterior "gabinete del secuestro" y desistir de ejercer sancion a la RPDC.
Aruba: obra de Kim Jong Il en folleto
Pyongyang, 24 de octubre (ATCC) -- La Editorial Oranjestad de Aruba dio a luz el dia 15 en folleto la obra maestra del Dirigente Kim Jong Il "Para mantener el espiritu Juche y la nacionalidad en el proceso revolucionario y constructivo", publicada el 19 de junio del 86 (1997) de la Era Juche.
Esta obra aclara la idea de que mantener el espiritu Juche y la nacionalidad en el proceso revolucionario y constructivo sirve de principio fundamental a ser sostenido en el cumplimiento de la causa del socialismo, la tarea y remedio para llevarlo a cabo.