Greetings to Leader of Myanmar

   Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to General Than Shwe, Chairman of the Myanmar State Peace and Development Council, on Thursday on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the independence of Myanmar.
    Expressing the belief that the friendly relations between the DPRK and Myanmar would further expand and strengthen as required by the new century, the message wholeheartedly wished the chairman good health and happiness and greater success in his work for the stability and prosperity of the country.


Korean People Resolve to Implement Joint New Year Editorial

   Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- The Korean people are replete with the resolution to implement the tasks set forth by the joint New Year editorial released by Rodong Sinmun, Joson Inmingun and Chongnyon Jonwi.
    Ri Ul Sol, an anti-Japanese revolutionary fighter, told KCNA that the anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters would devote their all energy and knowledge to the implementation of the tasks, saying that the slogan "Glorify this year of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK as a year of historical turn which will go down in the history of the country!" is one stirring up the hearts of the servicepersons and people of the country.
    A general of the Korean People's Army Kim Sang Ik said that the KPA is the army of the leader and the Party, expressing the will of the entire KPA officers and men to always keep the highly strained posture with the firm anti-imperialist spirit and a high degree of spirit standing against the enemy, to decisively frustrate the reckless military aggressive actions of the enemy and to defend the socialist motherland as firm as an impregnable fortress.
    It is none other than the officials who should hold aloft the banner in the van of the present general offensive. They will concentrate the Party work on the economic construction and improvement of the people's life and ensure effective Party leadership over the administrative and economic activities in line with the requirement of the developing reality, stated Hong Song Nam, chief secretary of the South Hamgyong Provincial Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.
    Kwak Pom Gi, vice-premier of the Cabinet, said with emphasis: Today, the economy is the front of main efforts in the building of a great, prosperous and powerful nation. I will do my best in the efforts for building a powerful economic country as the officials did in the 1970s when the basic foundation of the Party was laid.
    Minister of Electric Industry Pak Nam Chil, Minister of Metal Industry Kim Sung Hyon and Minister of Agriculture Ri Kyong Sik also manifested their resolution, saying that they would positively modernize the economy on the basis of the up-to-date science and technologies and thus give full play to the superiority and vitality of the self-supporting national economy while constantly increasing the Juche character of the national economy in accordance with the demand of the Songun era with a high degree of the consciousness and honor of being in charge of the nation's economic work.


Korean People Launch into New Year's General Advance

   Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- Greeting the year Juche 97 (2008) with conviction of victory and optimism, the Korean people have turned out as one man in the general march of the New Year with the desire to glorify it as a year of historical turn.
     Very high is the enthusiasm of the working people of all strata to set off a storm of a new leap on all fronts of socialist construction by loudly beating the drum of the general advance from the first operation of this year.
     Upon receiving the militant slogan of the joint editorial "Glorify this year of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK as a year of historical turn which will go down in the history of the country!", the workers in charge of the vanguard sectors of the national economy are working ceaseless miracles and innovations at all the work sites.
     The workers of the power industry including those of the Pukchang Thermal-power Complex, the Pyongyang Thermal-power Complex and the East Pyongyang Thermal-power Plant are marching ahead in high spirits, boosting power production from the first day of the New Year, conscious that they are standing guard on the lifeline of socialist economic construction.
     The Pukchang and Tokchon Area Coal Complexes and the Sunchon Area Youth Coal Complex have reported noticeable results in production after setting themselves bold targets of increasing coal production. They are creating many more reserve cutting faces by keeping tunneling definitely ahead of cutting and actively introducing advanced mining methods.
     The workers of the iron and steel works including the Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex and the Songjin Steel Complex are taking big strides ahead in the increased production of irons and steels by strengthening the Juche character of metal industry and hastening technical modernization.
     The railway workers in charge of the arteries of the country including those of the Pyongyang, Hamhung and Kaechon Railway Bureaus have hurled themselves into challenging operations, having set high goals to fully satisfy the growing demand by keeping the means of transport in good order, establishing a strict discipline and meticulously organizing and commanding transport.
     In response to the call of the joint editorial to hold fast to the people's-living-first policy, the working people in the sectors of agriculture and light industry are also all out in the great leap forward.
     Agricultural working people throughout the country are concentrating on the production of high-quality manure for increasing the fertility of paddy and dry fields out of the desire to implement the Party's policy of improving potato farming, considerably increase the grain production by introducing advanced farming technology and methods and make a fruitful farming of soy bean.
     Light industrial workers are putting spurs to steadily increasing the indices of consumer goods, ensuring their high quality and thus fully meeting the people's demand for them.  


Rodong Sinmun Calls for Glorifying This Year as Year of Historic Turn

   Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- We should work hard with redoubled efforts full of fresh hope and enthusiasm and perform unprecedented miracle and exploits on all fronts of socialist construction this year marking the 60th anniversary of the DPRK, says Rodong Sinmun Thursday in an editorial.
    This year's general advance represents a sacred struggle to bring about a fresh turn in putting into practice the Workers' Party of Korea's plan for building a rich and prosperous country true to the intention of President Kim Il Sung and an advance of leaping progress whose victory is fully guaranteed by the solid foundation laid by the WPK with much effort while pursuing Songun, the editorial notes, and goes on:
    The people of the DPRK are proud to have a tradition in which they have remained intensely loyal to the call of the homeland and the DPRK has won one victory after another generation after generation thanks to the heroic struggle of its people.
    All party members, servicepersons of the People's Army and other people should give full play to the patriotic zeal that has grown stronger in the course of the Songun revolution and effect a surge on all fronts of socialist construction in high spirit and thus fully demonstrate the stamina of Songun Korea.
    We should give full play to the might of the single-minded unity of the revolutionary ranks rallied close around the headquarters of the revolution in this year's general advance.
    To launch a fierce general offensive with redoubled efforts full of faith in sure victory and optimism provides a sure guarantee for victory in this year's struggle.
    We should wage a more dynamic offensive from the outset of the year in all fields of the revolution and construction with exceptionally strong resolution and enthusiasm.
    All party members and other working people should leave clear trace of life to be remembered long by the homeland and the party in this year's general advance as befitting citizens of the most dignified DPRK and greet the significant September holiday with high pride of being victors, concludes the editorial.


Efforts for New Era of Reunification and Prosperity Called for

   Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun Thursday in a signed article calls for strictly implementing the slogan of "Open up a new era of independent reunification and peace and prosperity by pooling the efforts of our nation!" put forward in the joint New Year editorial.
    All the compatriots should turn out with fresh resolution and confidence in the nation-wide struggle for carrying out the October 4 Declaration for the Development of North-South Relations and Peace and Prosperity under the uplifted banner of the June 15 joint declaration, as clarified in the joint editorial, the article says.
    It goes on:
    Anyone who aspires after independence and reunification, not flunkeyism and dependence on outsiders, should respect the idea of "By our nation itself" and make positive contribution to developing the inter-Korean relations on this basis.
    Treachery of the pro-U.S. sycophantic forces swimming against the trend of the times towards the independent reunification and hindering the development of the inter-Korean relations and the cause of reunification in collusion with foreign forces should never be tolerated.
    The U.S. and the south Korean military should discontinue the joint military drills and arms buildup for aggression on the DPRK, as they are contrary to the cause for peace in the Korean Peninsula, and remove the U.S. military bases and the aggression forces from south Korea.
    The idea of confrontation regarding the fellow countrymen as the archenemy should be discarded in south Korea, and cooperation and exchanges between the north and the south should be conducted in such a way as to substantially contribute to the unity and reunification of the nation.
    The political parties and organizations and people from all walks of life in the north and the south should support the October 4 declaration and subordinate everything to achieving the fellow countrymen's desire for reunification by closely uniting as one for the great cause of the nation regardless of their political ideals and principles or their political interests and policies.


Rodong Sinmun Calls for Defending World Peace and Security

   Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- No force on earth can stem the trend of history towards independence, says Rodong Sinmun Thursday in a signed article.
    It is the most urgent task of humankind to defend the peace and security of the world at present when the imperialist reactionary forces are increasing the danger of aggression and war, the article notes, and goes on:
    The struggle to protect peace and security on the Korean Peninsula is directly linked with the efforts to ensure world peace and security. Peace and security in Asia and the rest of the world would be unthinkable without the efforts to preserve peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.
    The struggle for defending global peace and security means, in essence, a struggle against imperialism. The imperialists are now steadily escalating the tension and stepping up the preparations for a new war in order to achieve their purposes of aggression, plunder and domination, gravely threatening and disturbing peace.
    The present times are an era when independence and justice are triumphing.
    The trend of independence is now sweeping all continents and all regions. An increasing number of people are calling for independence and many countries are taking the road of independence.
    Nobody wants to be subject to others and no nation is willing to allow others to interfere in its internal affairs and encroach upon its dignity.
    The main trend of the present era is characterized by Songun.
    The unique Songun politics of Kim Jong Il, an all-powerful treasured sword and an ever-victorious banner, is instilling redoubled strength and courage into the progressive people and dealing a heavy blow at the imperialist aggressive forces on the international arena.
    The Workers' Party of Korea and the people of the DPRK will make a positive contribution to victoriously advancing the human cause of peace, the cause of independence, holding high the banner of independence and Songun in the new year, too.


Hanchongryon Releases Appeal

   Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- Ryu Son Min, chairman of the 15th-term south Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon), reportedly said in an appeal published on Dec. 26 last year that only victory is in store for the Korean nation vigorously advancing along the road of independent reunification.
    The appeal recalled that the 15th-term Hanchongryon waged a dynamic struggle for implementing three tasks in hearty response to the slogan "Let us glorify the June 15 era of reunification by attaching importance to the nation, defending peace and achieving unity!"
    Hanchongryon took the lead in the struggle to frustrate the U.S. hostile policy towards the DPRK and war preparations against it and get the U.S. forces withdrawn from south Korea and the "National Security Law" abolished in order to usher in a new era of national reunification and national prosperity in the idea of "By our nation itself", it said.
    Calling for glorifying 2008 as a year of victory for the Korean nation, the appeal underscored the need for Hanchongryon to wage a vigorous struggle as befitting the vanguard of the reunification movement.


Information Bulletin Published in Mexico

   Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- The Mexican Committee for the Study of Kimilsungism published information bulletin No. 7 carrying a photograph of Kim Jong Il standing on the tribune of honor of Kim Il Sung Square on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's assumption of supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army.
    The bulletin in an article highly praised the Songun leadership exploits of Kim Jong Il, adding that thanks to his transparent faith and indomitable will and matchless pluck, the DPRK could win one victory after another in the confrontation with the U.S.
    The Korean People's Army that has grown strong to be an army fully ready to devotedly defend their leader is symbolic of the invincible national power of the DPRK and demonstrating its might more powerful than nukes, the bulletin said, stressing that the KPA will always emerge victorious as it is holding Kim Jong Il in high esteem as supreme commander.


DPRK's Diamond Jubilee to Be Observed in Mongolia

   Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- A preparatory committee to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK was inaugurated with due ceremony in Ulan Bator on Dec. 26 last year.
    At the ceremony, Ch. Surenjav, chairman of the Mongolia-Korea Friendship Society, was elected chairman of the preparatory committee.
    The preparatory committee decided to fix the period ending Dec. 25 this year as a celebration period and widely introduce the undying feats of the peerlessly great persons and organize colorful political and cultural functions supporting the just cause of the Korean people during the period.
    D. Bilegt, general secretary of the Federation of Peace and Friendship Organizations of Mongolia, addressing the ceremony, said that 2008 is a year of particularly weighty significance as it will mark the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the DPRK, the 20th anniversary of President Kim Il Sung's visit to Mongolia and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, calling for significantly celebrating the anniversaries to contribute to the development of the bilateral relations and expressing solidarity with the Korean people in their efforts to build a great prosperous powerful nation and achieve national reunification.


Collection of Poems Off Press in Peru

   Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- The National Association of Writers and Artists of Peru published a collection of poems "Victory of the Korean People" on Dec. 20 last year on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's assumption of supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army and the 90th birth anniversary of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk.
    The collection contains 18 poems such as "Succession to Revolution", "Three Generals of Korea" and "Banner of Songun" written by Estuardo Martinez Perez, first vice-chairman of the association who is president of the Peruvian National Independent Movement for Free Voting's Union.
    The collection in the preface says: Anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk is a distinguished woman revolutionary who devoted her all to the freedom and liberation of the country. We pay highest tribute to Kim Jong Suk on the occasion of her 90th birth anniversary.


For Spanish-speaking people



Rodong Sinmun exhorta a la marcha para registrar cambios historicos

   Pyongyang, 3 de enero (ATCC) -- Este ano del 60o aniversario de la fundacion de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, todos nosotros, llenos de coraje redoblado y animo, debemos luchar con nueva aspiracion y pasion por crear milagros y meritos sin precedentes en todos los sectores de la construccion socialista.
     Senala asi el diario Rodong Sinmun en un editorial difundido en su edicion de este jueves y continua:
     La marcha general de este ano es una lucha sagrada por registrar nuevos virajes en la materializacion del proyecto del Partido del Trabajo de Corea de construir una patria prospera, en acato al proposito del Presidente Kim Il Sung y es una marcha de auge que asegura con firmaza la victoria gracias a la base poderosa preparada por el PTC en el camino del Songun (priorizacion militar).
     El pueblo coreano tiene una orgullosa tradicion de haber quedado fiel al llamamiento de la patria.
    Gracias a la heroica lucha del pueblo coreano, la RPDC ha venido logrando victorias tras victorias.
    Todos los militantes del partido, los oficiales y soldados del Ejercito Popular y los habitantes deben explotar como un volcan la pasion patriotica centuplicada en el camino del Songun para provocar ?un gran ascenso? en todos los sectores de la construccion socialista y exaltar el impetu de la Corea del Songun.
    Debemos manifestar sin reserva en la marcha general de este ano el poderio de la unidad monolitica de las filas revolucionarias, agrupadas compactamente en torno a la Direccion de la Revolucion.
    La firme garantia del triunfo en la lucha del ano en curso reside en desarrollar una ofensiva general llenos de conviccion y optimismo.
    Con decision y pasion extraordinarias tenemos que librar desde principios de este ano una fuerte ofensiva en todas las ramas de la revolucion y la construccion.
    Todos los militantes del partido y los trabajadores, siendo ciudadanos de la mas prestigiosa Republica, deben dejar claras huellas a ser registradas en la memoria del partido y la patria y acoger con gran orgullo de triunfadores la significativa fiesta de septiembre.


Rodong Sinmun llama a abrir nueva epoca de reunificacion y prosperidad

   Pyongyang, 3 de enero (ATCC) -- En un articulo individual insertado en su edicion de hoy, el periodico Rodong Sinmun resalta la necesidad de materializar a cabalidad la consigna "!Unidos nosotros, los connacionales, abramos la nueva epoca de la reunificacion independiente, la paz y la prosperidad!", presentada en el editorial conjunto que ha publicado por el Ano Nuevo junto con los rotativos Joson Inmingun y Chongnyon Jonwi.
    Como lo aclarado en el editorial conjunto, todos los coreanos con su decision y conviccion renovadas deben levantarse en la gigantesca lucha por implementar la Declaracion del 4 de Octubre por el Desarrollo de las Relaciones Norte-Sur, la Paz y la Prosperidad bajo la bandera de la Declaracion Conjunta Norte-Sur del 15 de Junio, exhorta el articulista y continua:
    Todos los hombres, que aspiran a la independencia y la reunificacion y rechazan el servilismo a las grandes potencias y el apoyo en las fuerzas foraneas, deben respetar el ideal de "Entre nosotros, los connacionales" y contribuir activamente, basandose en el, al desarrollo de las relaciones intercoreanas.
    No han de tolerar ni en lo minimo los actos vendepatrias de las fuerzas serviles a EE.UU. que a contrapelo de la corriente de la epoca hacia la reunificacion independiente y en contubernio con las fuerzas foraneas, obstruyen el desarrollo de las relaciones Norte-Sur y la causa de reunificacion.
    EE.UU. y la capa militar surcoreana deben abandonar los ejercicios militares conjuntos para la agresion a la RPDC y las maniobras de aumento armamentista, que resultan contraproducentes con la causa de la paz de la Peninsula Coreana, y retirar del suelo surcoreano a las tropas agresoras norteamericanas despues de desmantelar sus bases militares.
    En el Sur de Corea es preciso dejar la concepcion de confrontacion, segun la cual sus compatriotas son "enemigos principales".
     Hay que impulsar la cooperacion y el intercambio entre ambas partes coreanas para que contribuyan realmente a la unidad y la reunificacion de la nacion.
    Todos los partidos politicos, las organizaciones y todos los sectores y capas del Norte y el Sur, unidos firmemente en aras de la gran causa nacional, dejando a un lado sus propios planteamientos y opiniones, intereses y estrategia, deben apoyar y defender la Declaracion del 4 de Octubre y tienen que someterlo todo a la realizacion del anhelo nacional por la reintegracion.


Es indetenible la corriente de la historia hacia la independencia

   Pyongyang, 3 de enero (ATCC) -- Al difundir este jueves un articulo individual, el diario Rodong Sinmun da enfasis en que nada podra frenar la corriente de la historia hacia la independencia.
    Hoy, preservar la paz y la seguridad del mundo es la mas apremiante tarea de la humanidad porque las fuerzas reaccionarias imperialistas incrementan el peligro de agresion y guerra, adelanta el articulista y prosigue:
    La paz y seguridad de la Peninsula Coreana estan relacionadas directamente con las del mundo.
     Sin preservar la paz y seguridad de esa area, no pueden pensar en las mismas de Asia y el resto del orbe.
    La lucha por defender la paz y seguridad del mundo es, en su esencia, el combate contra el imperialismo, que para sus fines de agresion, saqueo y dominio a otros paises, agrava constantemente la tension y se prepara para desatar nuevas guerras amenazando y destruyendo gravemente la paz.
    En la epoca actual triunfan la independencia y la justicia.
    Hoy dia, la tendencia de la independencia envuelve a todos los continentes y regiones.
     Crece cada vez mas la cifra de los habitantes que demandan la independencia. Ya numerosos paises emprendieron el camino hacia esta.
     Nadie desea ser subyugado al otro. Cualquier nacion no permite que las otras intervengan en sus asuntos internos y violen su soberania.
    La corriente principal de la epoca actual se caracteriza por el Songun (priorizacion militar).
    La original politica de igual nombre del Dirigente Kim Jong Il, que resulta remedio omnipotente y la bandera de victoria, infunde las fuerzas y coraje a los pueblos progresistas y golpea duro en el escenario internacional a las fuerzas agresoras imperialistas.
    Este ano tambien el partido y el pueblo de Corea haran un gran aporte a impulsar victoriosamente la causa de paz e independencia de la humanidad enarbolando la bandera de independencia y del Songun.