New York Philharmonic to Visit Pyongyang
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- The New York Philharmonic will soon visit Pyongyang at the invitation of the DPRK Ministry of Culture and the Korean Association for Art Exchange.
It will give its performance at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre during the visit.
East Pyongyang Grand Theatre, Venue for Performance of New York Philharmonic
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- The New York Philharmonic, which will shortly visit the DPRK, will give its performance at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre located on a bank of the River Taedong flowing through Pyongyang.
The theatre, which underwent a formative and artistic renovation last year to meet the requirements of the new century, has all necessary facilities as an edifice of culture.
The grand columns of formative beauty, the mural depicting the splendorous Ulrim Falls and other fascinating decorations of the central hall add grace to the theatre.
Chandeliers shining brightly in various colors, sculptures of the women's instrumental ensemble and the dance "Snow Falls" and various decorative patterns of balconies and walls on the second and third floors lead the viewers deep into the artistic world.
Perfect are the harp-shaped walls of the seating hall, the stage and latest sound facilities.
Now the threatre is fully prepared for the successful performance of the New York Philharmonic.
Sound reflection boards have been newly manufactured and installed so as to ensure the reverberation effect of the symphonic music on the highest level. And the theatre has been furnished with music stands, chairs for players, the lighting and other facilities to suite the features of the performance of symphony orchestra.
Zarin Mehta, president and executive director of the New York Philharmonic, looked round the renovated East Pyongyang Grand Theatre in January and expressed his thanks to the Korean Association for Art Exchange for its utmost efforts.
Kim Yong Nam Meets Congratulatory Group of Koreans in Japan
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, met and had a conversation with the congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan headed by Nam Sung U, vice-chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, in an atmosphere overflowing with compatriotic feelings at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Friday.
Greetings to Guyanese President
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, on Friday sent a message of greetings to Bharrat Jagdeo, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, on the occasion of the 38th anniversary of the proclamation of the cooperative republic.
He expressed the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations existing between the two countries would grow stronger in the idea of independence, peace and friendship, sincerely wishing the Guyanese president greater success in his work for the prosperity of the country.
Greetings to Sultan of Brunei Darussalam
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, Friday sent a message of greetings to Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, sultan and head of state of Brunei Darussalam, on the occasion of its national day.
Kim in the message expressed the belief that the friendly relations between the two countries would grow stronger, wishing the people of Brunei Darussalam greater progress and prosperity.
S. Korean Ultra-Right Conservatives' Anti-North Smear Campaign under Fire
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- Recently the ultra-right conservative forces of south Korea in collusion with conservative media talked nonsense, asserting that 22 inhabitants from the north adrift near Yonphyong Islet in the West Sea are presumed to be "punished" after they were rescued and repatriated to it. They became vocal crying out for "confirming whether it is true" and letting them know about "the truth". They went the lengths of letting loose a string of vituperation against the north, groundlessly accusing it of "worst human rights performance."
They also asserted that they have "obtained or eavesdropped information" about "suspected diversion" of the food aid to the north to "the military purpose."
A spokesman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, answering the question put by KCNA in this regard on Feb. 21, dismissed this anti-north smear campaign of the ultra-right conservative forces in south Korea as a sheer fabrication devoid of any ground.
He went on:
As far as the above-said shipwrecked inhabitants are concerned, they resolutely brushed aside the sugar-coated words that if they were "defected" to the south, they would receive a large amount of money and lead a happy life, after they were taken away by a patrol boat of the south side. They are now leading a normal life in their homes after coming back to the north.
The story about the "suspected diversion" of food aid to the north to "the military purpose" is nothing but a politically motivated plot as it has never happened and can never take place.
Their talks about "punishment" and "the diversion of food aid to the military purpose" are nothing but charades which can be orchestrated only by those hell-bent on confrontation with the north and rash acts to antagonize the fellow countrymen.
The anti-north smear campaign staged by the pro-U.S. ultra-right conservative forces in south Korea, vilifying even the system in the north, arouses a serious concern about the prospect of the inter-Korean relations as it stripped bare their anti-reunification nature.
We will never overlook the challenge of the anti-north plot-breeding institutions nor tolerate any slightest mud-slinging at the system in the north which represents its highest dignity, in particular.
Rodong Sinmun on Multi-polarization of World
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- Today the trend of the multi-polarization of the world promotes the establishment of a new fair international order and the cause of global independence and, at the same time, precipitates the United States' international isolation and destruction.
Rodong Sinmun today observes this in a signed article.
It goes on:
The moves to turn the world into a multi-polar one mean the moves of the international community for democracy as they are aimed at countering the U.S. moves to turn the world into a uni-polar one.
Various countries of the world are now countering with unity and cooperation the U.S. moves for a uni-polar world aimed at dominating the world.
A typical example of this is the cooperation growing stronger among China, Russia and India. In the early period of their organization exchange and cooperation among those countries were focused on economic issues in the main.
But they expanded them to the political and military fields as the U.S. has become more undisguised in its high-handed and arbitrary practices and in its moves to turn the world into a uni-polar one since the Sept. 11 incident.
The European Union has striven hard to boost its independent position and role in the field of military security while showing the tendency of rejecting the U.S. military control and demand. Such moves of member nations of the EU as the signing of the "Lisbon Treaty" replacing the EU Constitution and the withdrawal and cutback of their forces present in Afghanistan and Iraq indicate their stance to contain the U.S. and distance themselves from it.
Activities are now brisk on the African Continent to found the "United States of Africa", a political, military and economic community.
There are noticeable moves in Latin America to counter the U.S. moves for a uni-polar world by concentrated efforts.
The trend of unity, cooperation and integration growing stronger in various parts of the world as the days go by has an impact on the changing strategic structure of the world.
No force on earth can stem the trend of the multi-polarization of the world, the current of the situation.
Rodong Sinmun on Kim Jong Il's All-Embracing Politics
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il's all-embracing politics is great politics as it reflects the fundamental interests and wishes of all classes and strata who make up the nation, politics of concord and reunification as it embraces all classes and strata in the north and the south and abroad and leads them to a bright future of reunification and politics of love as it takes care of the destiny of all the fellow countrymen and shows warm loving care and solicitude for them, says Rodong Sinmun in a signed article today.
It goes on:
The transparent stand of Kim Jong Il who attaches overriding importance to the country and the nation is fully reflected in the idea of "By our nation itself".
He made sure that the historic Pyongyang summit was held and the June 15 joint declaration adopted to provide all the fellow countrymen with the banner of "By our nation itself", a landmark of independent reunification and great national unity. This clearly shows the steadfast will of Kim Jong Il who has placed the interests of the country and the nation in the center of all his thoughts and activities.
His all-embracing politics calls for placing the nation above ideology and regarding the present more important than the past. This is a magnanimous and patriotic politics as it calls for embracing even those who committed crimes against the nation in the past, not digging up their past wrongs if they have patriotism, and helping them turn over a new leaf.
The reality in which reconciliation and unity among fellow countrymen are growing stronger day by day under the uplifted banner of "By our nation itself" is a proof of the immense attraction and great vitality of the all-embracing politics.
Cancellation of Plan for "Key Resolve" Joint War Exercises Demanded in S. Korea
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- Civic and public organizations of south Korea including the Solidarity for Implementing the South-North Joint Declaration reportedly held the 178th Friday rally for withdrawal of the U.S. troops against the U.S. and war outside the U.S. embassy in Seoul on Feb. 15.
Speakers at the rally held that the U.S. troops in south Korea, a main source of war, should be withdrawn for genuine peace on the Korean Peninsula, urging the south Korean "government" not to "cooperate" with the U.S. but come out for cooperation between compatriots.
A resolution titled "Cancellation of Plan for 'Key Resolve' exercises aimed at mounting a preemptive attack on the north to threaten peace on the Korean Peninsula" was read out at the rally.
Recalling that the south Korea-U.S. "RSOI" exercises would be staged from March 2 under the changed codename of "Key Resolve", the resolution branded the joint military exercises as war maneuvers for aggression whose main purpose is to make a preemptive strike at the north.
It demanded the U.S. immediately roll back the plan for the aggressive and reckless "Key Resolve."
Diamond Jubilee of DPRK to Be Celebrated by Russian Political Party
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- The Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union issued a resolution "On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK" on January 30.
The resolution said that on September 9, 2008, the anniversary of the founding of the DPRK, is a day of historic significance for the world progressive mankind.
It called on the CPSU organizations of every republic, region, city and district and its grass-roots level organizations to conduct mass organizational and political work for widely introducing the heroic struggle of the Korean people and let its veteran members, veteran soldiers of the Soviet Army who participated in the battles fought for the liberation of Korea and veteran soldiers of the Soviet armed forces take an active part in making preparations for celebrating the anniversary of the DPRK.
The CPSU will widely introduce through its media the exploits performed by President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il and the glorious struggle of the Workers' Party of Korea, achievements made in socialist construction in the DPRK and the heroic struggle of the Korean people to embody the Juche idea and the Songun idea, said the resolution.
It underscored the need for the party to organize celebration events including lectures, meetings and round-table talks and pay special attention to the work to introduce the glorious revolutionary traditions of the WPK, the KPA and the Korean people among the young people, in particular.
Kim Jong Il's Work Published in Russia
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il's famous work "Respecting the Forerunners of the Revolution Is a Noble Moral Obligation of Revolutionaries" was brought out in booklet by the Khabarovsk Territory Publishing House.
The work, published on Dec. 25, Juche 84 (1995), clarifies the idea that to respect the forerunners of the revolution is a demand of the revolution and the principled matters arising in establishing the moral traits of respecting the forerunners of the revolution and developing the noble relationship of moral obligation among the people.
A ceremony of releasing the work took place on Feb. 15.
Friendly Meetings Held in Laos and Iran
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- Friendly meetings were separately held at the Laos-Korea Tin Company and the Iran-Korea Friendship Magsal Agro-Stock Farm on Feb. 7 and 10 on the occasion of the February holiday.
Displayed in the venues of meetings were photos showing the immortal feats of the peerless great men and pictures introducing Songun Korea.
Speeches were made there.
The manager of the Laos-Korea Tin Company highly praised General Secretary Kim Jong Il as the great leader of the Korean people who has turned the DPRK into a powerful country by leading the cause of President Kim Il Sung to a shining victory and as a brilliant commander born of Heaven who has strengthened and developed the Korean People's Army into invincible revolutionary armed forces with the Songun revolutionary leadership.
The manager of the Iran-Korea Friendship Magsal Agro-Stock Farm said that the Korean people have achieved great success in building a great prosperous powerful nation despite the U.S. moves against the DPRK thanks to Kim Jong Il's Songun revolutionary leadership.
Participants of meetings talked to one another about the need to boost the relations between those countries and the DPRK, deepening the friendship.
February Holiday Observed in Poland and Bangladesh
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- Meetings were separately held in Warsaw and Dhaka on Feb. 5 and 7 on the occasion of the February holiday.
They were attended by figures of political parties and organizations including the Polish Communist Party, the Workers' Party of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh National Socialist Party, the Bangladesh Communist Party, the Communist Party of Bangladesh(Marxist-Leninist), the Bangladesh People's League, the Bangladesh Institute of the Juche Idea and the Bangladesh-Korea Friendship and Solidarity Committee and masses.
Present there on invitation were staff members of the DPRK embassies in their capital cities.
Speeches were made there.
Juzef Lachut, chairman of the National Executive Committee of the Polish Communist Party, noted that the Songun policy pursued by General Secretary Kim Jong Il is publicly recognized as a powerful weapon for the worldwide struggle against imperialism and as an all-powerful treasured sword for defending the sovereignty of the nation and achieving independence and peace.
Bangladeshi figures including Rashed Khan Menon, chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Bangladesh, and Hasanul Huq Inu, chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the Bangladesh National Socialist Party, said that Kim Jong Il's birthday is not only the greatest holiday for the Korean people honored to be blessed with the illustrious leaders generation after generation but an auspicious holiday common to humankind.
Noting that the DPRK has emerged a military power with strong military capability which no force dares provoke thanks to the great Songun policy of Kim Jong Il, they declared they would send invariable support and solidarity to the Korean people in their just struggle to build a great prosperous powerful nation and reunify the country.
A letter to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting held in Bangladesh.
Information Bulletins Issued on February Holiday
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- The Society for the Promotion of the Relations between Austria and DPRK issued special information bulletin No. 1 on Feb. 12 to mark the February holiday.
The bulletin carried the photos showing the Korean people visiting the statue of President Kim Il Sung on Mansu Hill, the old home of General Secretary Kim Jong Il in the secret camp in Mt. Paektu and a panoramic view of Pyongyang and articles introducing the activities of the society.
The Paektusan Czech-Korean Friendship Association issued a special information bulletin on February 11.
The bulletin in an article titled "Kimjongilia" explained how the immortal flower came into being, dealt with the fact that the flower was awarded top prizes at several flower shows and echoed what figures of different countries said of the flower.
The bulletin in an article titled "Kim Jong Il-politics based on trust" said that it was thanks to Kim Jong Il's politics based on trust that the army and people of the DPRK could perform astonishing miracles by pulling through all difficulties by their concerted efforts.
The bulletin in an article titled "Politician with high sense of moral obligation" noted that Kim Jong Il is profoundly respected and revered not only by the Korean people but by the international community, adding that this would be unthinkable without his noble personality and noble sense of moral obligation that touch all people so much.
The bulletin referred to the fact that Kim Jong Il published the work "Respecting the Forerunners of the Revolution Is a Noble Moral Obligation of Revolutionaries." It noted that thanks to his politics based on the noble sense of moral obligation the DPRK has achieved the single-minded unity of the whole society stronger than any nuke because all people are firmly united around the leader in thought and purpose and moral obligation.
Seminars on Kim Jong Il's Works Held in Russia, Ethiopia and Mexico
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- Seminars on famous works of General Secretary Kim Jong Il were held by the Russian Youth Association for the Study of the Juche Idea, the Ethiopian Youth Study Group of the Juche Idea and the Mexican Institute for the Study of the Juche Idea from Feb. 6 to 11 on the occasion of the February holiday.
Dmitri Kostenko, chairman of the Russian Youth Association for the Study of the Juche Idea, explained the basic contents of the famous work "Socialism Is a Science". It is thanks to the Songun politics that the DPRK has firmly defended its sovereignty from the imperialist allied forces' persistent moves for stifling it and exalted its dignity in the international arena, he added.
Nigatu Dagnachew, chairman of the Ethiopian Youth Study Group of the Juche Idea, in a speech on the famous work "On Having a Correct Viewpoint and Understanding of the Juche Philosophy" said that Kim Jong Il is a great master of philosophy who lucidly clarified the originality of the Juche idea.
Juan Campos Vega, chairman of the Mexican Institute for the Study of the Juche Idea, said that the idea and theory indicated by Kim Jong Il in his famous work "On the Fundamentals of Revolutionary Party Building" are very important guidelines to be held fast to by the revolutionary parties.
He expressed the belief that the cause of global independence is sure to win as it is led by Kim Jong Il.
A congratulatory message to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the seminar held in Russia.
U.S. Projected War Exercises for Aggression against DPRK Assailed
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- Alejandro Cao De Benos, chairman of the Korean Friendship Association (KFA) headquartered in Spain, made public a statement on February 13 denouncing the U.S. imperialists for arms buildup in south Korea and war exercises for aggression against the DPRK.
He in his statement cited facts that the U.S. imperialists continued perpetrating aerial espionage against the DPRK and brought additional huge forces and latest hardware to south Korea from their mainland this year.
Accusing the south Korean authorities of getting frantic in the U.S.-led war exercises, he termed this a grave challenge to and mockery of all the Korean people and world peace-loving people desirous of peace, stability and reunification of the Korean Peninsula.
The U.S. should face up to the trend of the June 15 era of reunification and stop at once its war moves for aggression against the DPRK and immediately withdraw its troops from south Korea, he held, urging the south Korean authorities to stop participating in the war exercises to hurt the fellow countrymen, pursuant to the policy of outsiders.
The KFA sends full support and solidarity to the struggle of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front and south Korean people against the U.S. and war and for the reunification of the country, he stressed.
2008 Meeting of Chongryon Activists Held
Pyongyang, February 22 (KCNA) -- The 2008 meeting of activists of the Kyoto Prefectural Headquarters of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) was held at the Korean Hall in Kyoto on February 8.
Kim Hak Bok, chairman of the Kyoto Prefectural Headquarters of Chongryon, in his speech recalled that the headquarters organized compatriots' meeting on the occasion of the new year, an emergency meeting, rally and demonstration denouncing the suppression by the Japanese reactionaries one after another from the outset of this year, adding that all this was aimed at powerfully demonstrating the might of Chongryon and compatriots' resentment and their united strength inside and outside Japan.
He went on:
The Kyoto organization will intensify the struggle to implement the decision of the 21st congress of Chongryon in this significant year greeting the 60th anniversary of the DPRK and thus build and expand the foundation of the patriotic movement in the new century and make a contribution to bringing about a decisive turn in the work of Chongryon and the movement of Koreans in Japan.
Then the participants watched a video on the actions of Chongryon officials and other compatriots protesting against the Japanese police authorities' unwarranted search operations against the Korean Commercial Association in Kyoto Prefecture.
The 2008 working plan and action goal of the headquarters were made public at the meeting.
The headquarters decided to dynamically launch the movement to invite Koreans to come to the fold of Chongryon and intensify the struggle against the Japanese government's moves to extend the sanctions against the DPRK and the suppression of Chongryon and Koreans in Japan.
Then the floor was taken by delegates of organizations and units at all levels to express their resolutions.
For Spanish-speaking people
Sobre la visita a Pyongyang de Orquesta Filarmonica de Nueva York
Pyongyang, 22 de febrero (ATCC) -- La Orquesta Filarmonica de Nueva York de Estados Unidos visitara pronto a esta capital cumplimentando la invitacion del Ministerio de Cultura de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea y la Asociacion Coreana para el Intercambio Artistico.
Durante su estancia, esta banda ofrecera su funcion en el Gran Teatro de Pyongyang Este.
Orquesta Filarmonica de Nueva York estrenara en teatro de Pyongyang Este
Pyongyang, 22 de febrero (ATCC) -- La Orquesta Filarmonica de Nueva York, que visitara pronto Corea, se estrenara en el Gran Teatro de Pyongyang Este que se encuentra en la ribera del rio Taedong.
Recientemente, este teatro fue reconstruido magnificamente en lo plastico y artistico conforme a la demanda del nuevo siglo.
Son muy elegantes y maravillosas las decoraciones arquitectonicas del salon central incluyendo los pilares majestuosos con bellesa plastica y el fresco que describe un grandioso aspecto de la cascada Ullim.
Las aranas que esparcen sus brillos multicolores, las esculturas que describen el concierto instrumental femenino y la danza "Cae la nieve", toda clase de decoraciones incrustadas en los balcones y paredes del segundo y tercero pisos permiten a los espectadores sumergirse en el mundo del arte.
Por eso esta bien acondicionado el teatro incluidos el salon de espectaculo y la escena que tienen paredes hechas en forma de arpa, las salas de sonido dotadas de instalaciones ultramodernas, etc.
Actualmente el teatro esta dispuesto a llevar al exito la funcion de la Orquesta Filarmonica de Nueva York.
Se fabrico y se instalo nuevamente en el maximo nivel el panel de reflexion del sonido para asegurar de modo mas ideal el efecto de la musica sinfonica y tambien estan instalados con arreglo a las caracteristicas de la funcion de la orquesta filarmonica los artiles, las sillas de los ejecutantes y la iluminacion.
El jefe de la Orquesta Filarmonica de Nueva Cork, Zarin Mehta, recorrio en enero el Gran Teatro de Pyongyang Este y expreso agradecimiento a la Asociacion Coreana para el Intercambio Artistico por sus ingentes esfuerzos.
Rusia: obra de Kim Jong Il en folleto
Pyongyang, 22 de febrero (ATCC) -- La Editorial del Territorio de Jabarovsk dio a luz en folleto la obra maestra del Dirigente Kim Jong Il "Tratar con respeto a los precursores de la revolucion es un sublime deber moral de los revolucionarios", publicada el 25 de diciembre del 84 (1995) de la Era Juche.
Esta obra aclara la idea de que tratar con respeto a los precursores de la revolucion es una demanda de la revolucion y los problemas de principios que se presentan en implantar un ambiente moral de tratarlos con respeto y desarrollar las nobles relaciones de obligacion moral entre las personas.
Tuvo lugar el dia 15 la ceremonia de presentacion de la obra.
Multipolarizacion del mundo es la tendencia internacional
Pyongyang, 22 de febrero (ATCC) -- La tendencia a la multipolarizacion del mundo promueve el establecimiento del nuevo orden internacional imparcial y la verificacion de la causa de independencia en todo el mundo y, al mismo tiempo, adelanta el aislamiento internacional y el arruinamiento de Estados Unidos.
Senala asi el rotativo Rodong Sinmun en un articulo individual de este viernes y continua:
La corriente a la multipolarizacion del mundo es un movimiento de la sociedad internacional por la democratizacion frente a las maniobras de EE.UU. tendentes a la unipolarizacion.
Varios paises del orbe se enfrentan con la solidaridad y cooperacion a las maquinaciones estadounidenses para la unipolarizacion del mundo.
A citar un ejemplo, se fortalece la cooperacion entre China, Rusia e India. En la etapa inicial de su organizacion estos tres paises realizaron principalmente el intercambio y la cooperacion en la rama economica. Pero, desde cuando se tornaban siniestros el despotismo y las arbitrariedades de EE.UU. con motivo del "incidente del 11 de septiembre" y se hacen abiertas sus maniobras encaminadas a la unipolarizacion del mundo, ampliaron su esfera a los dominios politico y militar.
La Union Europea se esfuerza por fortalecer su posicion y papel independientes en la seguridad militar y al mismo tiempo se inclina a rechazar el control militar y la demanda de EE.UU. La rubricacion del "Tratado de Lisboa", que hace las veces de la constitucion de la UE, y otros movimientos de los paises miembros como la retirada y reduccion de sus efectivos de Afganistan e Iraq muestran la desobediencia de estos paises a EE.UU.
En el continente africano se desarrollan activamente las actividades para crear "Estados Unidos de Africa", siendo una comunidad politica, militar y economica regional.
En tanto, en America Latina tambien se hace evidente el movimiento por hacer frente con las fuerzas y esfuerzos unidos a las maniobras de EE.UU. encaminadas a la unipolarizacion del mundo.
La tendencia cada dia mas creciente en varias regiones del mundo hacia la solidaridad, la cooperacion y la integridad ejerce influencia al cambio de la estructura estrategica del mundo.
La corriente de la situacion a la multipolarizacion del mundo no podra ser detenida por nada.