Kim Jong Il Enjoys Art Performance

   Pyongyang, March 8 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il enjoyed together with women officials an art performance given in celebration of the International Women's Day.
    When Kim Jong Il appeared in the auditorium, the audience enthusiastically welcomed him with profound thanks as he has trained the women of the DPRK as genuine mistresses of the revolution and construction and enabled them to enjoy a worthwhile life and happiness.
    He warmly congratulated the women officials on the day and extended warm greetings to them who have rendered devoted services for the prosperity of the country and the accomplishment of the revolutionary cause of Juche.
    Colorful numbers were staged by the artistes of the State Symphony Orchestra and the State Merited Chorus, both prestigious art troupes.
    Greatly satisfied with the splendid performance reflecting the faith and will of the DPRK and pervaded with the revolutionary soldier spirit given by them, he expressed expectation and belief that all artistes would conduct dynamic revolutionary performing activities to instill immense strength and courage into the Party members and other working people speeding up their general advance to greet the 60th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK as a great festival of victors.
    Among the audience were Kim Kyok Sik, Kim Il Chol, Choe Thae Bok, Yang Hyong Sop, Kim Kuk Thae, Kim Jung Rin, Kim Ki Nam, Kim Jong Gak and Choe Yong Rim and senior officials of the Central Committee of the WPK including its department directors and first vice department directors, commanding officers of the Korean People's Army, women deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly in Pyongyang, Pak Sun Hui, chairwoman of the Central Committee of the Korean Democratic Women's Union, and its other senior officials and women writers, journalists, broadcasters, creators and artistes in the city.


Congratulations to Syrian President

   Pyongyang, March 8 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il sent a congratulatory message to Bashar Al-Assad, regional secretary of the Arab Baath Socialist Party and President of Syria, on Saturday on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the March 8 Revolution in Syria.
    The message said:
    The March 8 Revolution marked an occasion of historic turn in the Syrian people's struggle to safeguard the dignity and sovereignty of the country and achieve its political stability and economic development.
    Our people have always and fully supported the Syrian people in their righteous cause of building independent and modern Syria and solving the Mid-east problems in a fair and comprehensive manner under the guidance of the Arab Baath Socialist Party headed by you.
    Convinced that the relations of friendship and cooperation between our two countries will grow stronger in various fields, I take this opportunity to sincerely wish you good health and happiness and your friendly people greater progress and prosperity.


Greetings to Syrian President

   Pyongyang, March 8 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad on Saturday on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the March 8 Revolution in Syria.
    Kim in the message said: I am rejoiced over the fact that the Syrian Arab people have achieved many successes in the efforts to build independent and modern Syria while invariably maintaining the principled stand under the leadership of the Arab Baath Socialist Party headed by you.
    Extending support and solidarity to the Syrian people in their just cause of defending sovereignty and security of the country, retaking occupied Arab territory including the Golan Heights and solving the Mid-east issues in a fair and comprehensive way, the message wished the Syrian people greater progress and success.


DPRK Foreign Ministry's Spokesman Blasts Taiwan's Bid to Enter UN

   Pyongyang, March 8 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK gave the following answer to the question put by KCNA on Saturday as regards the Taiwan authorities' bid to enter the United Nations:
    As already reported, the Taiwan authorities announced on February 1 that they would conduct a people's referendum on the issue of Taiwan's entry into the UN under the name of "Taiwan" on Mar. 22 and they are working hard to stage it at any cost.
    Such action of the Taiwan authorities is a grave one to strain the situation in the Taiwan Straits and in Northeast Asia.
    The DPRK denounces their attempt and decisively opposes Taiwan's bid to enter the UN in any form.
    The DPRK government has consistently supported the reunification policy of the party and the government of China on the basis of "one China" and "one country and two systems" and it will continue to do so in the future, too.


Kim Yong Nam to Visit Namibia, Angola and Uganda

   Pyongyang, March 9 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, will soon pay an official good-will visit to Namibia at the invitation of its President Hifikepunye Pohamba.
    Kim Yong Nam will pay similar visits to Angola and Uganda.


Int'l Women's Day Observed

   Pyongyang, March 8 (KCNA) -- A national meeting was held at the People's Palace of Culture on Saturday to mark the 98th International Women's Day.
    Present there were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Kim Jung Rin, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, senior officials of the working people's organizations, women officials, women labour innovators, women in Pyongyang and overseas Korean women staying in the socialist motherland.
    Present there on invitation were women of foreign embassies and missions of the international organizations here and foreign guests.
    Pak Sun Hui, chairwoman of the Central Committee of the Korean Democratic Women's Union (KDWU), in a report at the meeting said the international unity and solidarity of women have grown strong in the struggle for national independence and socialism against domination and subjugation and a great advance has been made in the development of the world women's movement over the past nearly a century since the progressive women who love justice and peace decided to observe March 8 as international women's day.
    Noting that President Kim Il Sung expounded a unique idea and theory on the women's movement on the basis of the Juche idea, the reporter stressed that after the liberation of the country the President founded the KDWU and personally worked out and promulgated the Law on Sex Equality.
    She went on to say:
    The Korean women's movement has covered a glorious road under the wise leadership and warm care of the President. The undying feats the President performed by putting forward women as a powerful force pushing one of the wheels of the revolutionary chariot and heroes of the times will shine for all ages.
    Under the leadership of Kim Jong Il, the Korean women's movement has greeted a heyday in its development.
    The reporter called upon all the women to fully display the spirit of women of Songun Korea in the general advance for opening up the gate of a great prosperous powerful nation full of conviction of victory and optimism.


Korean Women's Patriotic Devotion Called for

   Pyongyang, March 8 (KCNA) -- Today marks the International Women's Day.
    Pyongyang-based papers dedicate editorials to this day.
    Rodong Sinmun in an editorial says that the Korean women are proud women who have invariably followed a road of patriotism, glorifying the most shining history and tradition of the revolutionary women's movement, loyal to President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
    The editorial goes on:
    Kim Il Sung founded the Korean Democratic Women's Union and promulgated the Law on Sex Equality after Korea's liberation. This was a historic event which brought about a radical turn in the position and role of the Korean women.
    The Korean women's movement has greeted a new historic era in its development as it is led by Kim Jong Il. It was Kim Jong Il who authored historical work "The Women Are a Powerful Force Pushing Forward the Revolution and Construction" and many other works, leading the women to firmly uphold Kim Il Sung's Juche-oriented idea of the women's movement and leadership exploits and wage a dynamic struggle to revolutionize and working-classize themselves.
    All women should fully display their ardent patriotic zeal and militant mettle in the worthwhile struggle for the prosperity of the great socialist country, carrying forward the shining tradition in which they have rendered imperishable services to the country and the revolution under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea and the leader.
    Minju Joson in an editorial says immensely rosy is the future of the Korean women who hold Kim Jong Il in high esteem as the great brilliant commander of Songun.


Japan Condemned for Forcing Slave Labor on Koreans

   Pyongyang, March 8 (KCNA) -- The DPRK Measure Committee for Demanding Compensation to Comfort Women for the Japanese Army and the Victims of Forcible Drafting found out those who were forced to do slave labor at the head factory of Japan's Kobe Steel Co., Ltd. after being taken there during the Japanese imperialists' military occupation of Korea and have ascertained the obtained data proving part of Japan's crimes related to the forcible drafting and forced labour imposed upon Koreans.
    The committee made public a report on its fact-finding activities on Saturday.
    The committee is conducting its survey to find out those victims of DPRK origin and their bereaved families after receiving a list of 427 129 Koreans, who were taken away to Japan during the Japanese imperialists' military occupation, from the Fact-finding Group on Forcible Drafting of Koreans active in Japan late in 2003.
    According to the report, it has been confirmed during the survey that at least 140 of 413 persons, who were taken to the head factory of Kobe Steel Co., Ltd., were from North Phyongan Province of Korea at that time.
    The report cites testimonies made by survivors to disclose that the Japanese imperialists made the drafted young and middle-aged Koreans go through apprentice and training for a certain period in Korea before taking them to Japan and forcing them to observe slavery discipline and do hard labor for many hours a day at concentration camps.
    Noting that such testimonies and the survey proved that the then Japanese military was deeply involved in the forcible drafting of Koreans and enforcement of forced labour against them and helped find out some aspects characteristic of the crimes related to the forcible drafting of Koreans perpetrated by the Japanese imperialists at the end of the Pacific War, the report goes on:
    First, after the promulgation of the "State General Mobilization Law" in 1938 the Japanese imperialists took away most of the Korean draftees mainly to ore and coal mines and at the end of the Pacific War they massively took away them to military base construction sites and military materiel factories in their country.
    Second, in the early period of their military occupation of Korea they drafted Koreans mainly from the southern part of it and in the closing period of the war they abducted and took away Koreans mainly from its northern part.
    Third, Koreans draftees died with grudge unsettled due to various accidents, tortures, malnutrition, diseases and U.S. air raids while doing slave labour and their remains were left here and there in Japan uncared for.
    Abduction was one of the most typical methods of the forcible drafting enforced by the Japanese imperialists during their occupation of Korea.
    This was clearly testified to by the survey made of witnesses of victims in the past and official documents and data available from the Japanese government and enterprises in recent years.
    The issue of such forcible drafting and forced labor imposed upon Koreans presents itself as a pressing human rights issue and humanitarian issue the solution of which brooks no further delay as the mental and physical sufferings undergone by their victims and their bereaved families are still going on.
    The Japanese government should admit the legal responsibility for the crimes related to the past forcible drafting and forced labor imposed upon Koreans as soon as possible and honestly apologize and compensate not only to the survivors but to the dead and their bereaved families for those crimes. It should, at the same time, immediately open to the public all the data and documents on the crimes related to the forcible drafting, probe the truth about them in a responsible manner, ferret out the criminals and inflict penalties upon them at the relevant courts at home and abroad.
    It should stop at once the anachronistic moves against the DPRK and the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, conduct education to let the society and the generations to come properly know about the truth of the past history and thus prove in practice that it will not repeat the aggression and crimes.


Proud Woman Taekwon-Do Player

   Pyongyang, March 8 (KCNA) -- The DPRK has a lot of master-hand woman Taekwon-Do players. People's Athlete Jang Kum Suk is one of them.
    She, with a taste for Taekwon-Do, orthodox martial arts of the Korean nation, attended South Hamgyong Provincial Taekwon-Do School in her teens, catching the eyes of experts.
    She now active in the National Taekwon-Do Team has won in the 13th, 14th and 15th World Taekwon-Do Championships and other international contests, displaying the honor of Songun Korea.
    Jang, 23, is intensifying training with a higher goal.


Proud Sports Heroines of DPRK

   Pyongyang, March 8 (KCNA) -- The DPRK has produced many heroines who demonstrated the dignity and honor of the country with their signal sports achievements.
    Pak Yong Sun was the first sports heroine in the country who was honored with world table-tennis queen by winning the world table-tennis championships in succession. She is still alive in the minds of the people.
    Heroine of the DPRK Jong Song Ok came first at the women's marathon tournament in the 7th world track and field championships to become marathon queen.
    Among the sports heroines are Kim Il Sung Prize laureate and quadruple world judo championship holder Kye Sun Hui, Ri Song Hui who established a new record in the world weight-lifting championships and Jang Kyong Ok who is a world-famous champion in Taekwon-Do, the orthodox martial art of the Korean nation.
    Fifteen female footballers including Hong Myong Gum, Kil Son Hui and Kim Kyong Hwa were awarded the title of Labor Hero after they won the Third FIFA U-20 Women's World Championships in Juche 95 (2006).
    Other woman athletes are also devoting themselves to the efforts for the prosperity and development of the country as members of a powerful unit of the Songun revolution.


Papers Call for Holding High Torch of Songgang

   Pyongyang, March 9 (KCNA) -- It is ten years since General Secretary Kim Jong Il kindled the torch of Songgang.
    Rodong Sinmun Sunday in an editorial devoted to this anniversary calls on all the Party members and other working people to bring about a fresh leaping advance in the building of a great prosperous powerful nation by holding high this torch as successors to the glorious tradition of the great revolutionary upswing.
    The torch of Songgang represents a torch for a new offensive, a torch for creation and leaping advance as it signified the beginning of a great revolutionary surge in the era of Songun, the editorial notes, and goes on:
    As was the case with the revolutionary soldier spirit and the Kanggye spirit, the torch of Songgang implanted the conviction of a sure victory and staunch offensive spirit into the minds of our working class and the people during the most difficult period of the "Arduous March," the forced march, and helped them win shining victories in the struggle to defend socialism and build a great prosperous powerful nation. That is why the torch occupies a distinguished place in our revolutionary history and has tremendous vitality.
    The last decade during which the DPRK has advanced holding high the torch of Songgang represents a proud period which witnessed the full play of the mental power of the staunch Korean people who have boldly pulled through manifold trials in the spirit of self-reliance.
    The above-mentioned decade also represents a glorious history in which signal leaping progress has been made in the building of a great prosperous powerful nation by dint of science and technology.
    In the last decade the torch has brought a great change in the ideological and moral quality of the Party members and other working people and in their efforts to build a great prosperous powerful nation. It has given a strong impetus to the revolutionary advance of the Korean people with attractive power which is growing stronger with each passing day.
    In order to bring about substantial change in economic construction and the betterment of the people's living and fully demonstrate the spirit of Songun Korea for prosperity all the people should hold higher the torch and make a new leaping advance.
    The editorial calls upon all the people to hold high the torch true to the Songun leadership of Kim Jong Il and more dynamically advance toward a great prosperous powerful nation.
    Minju Joson in a signed article says that the torch will be everlasting as the torch for Songun victory which helps advance faster and more courageously toward the hopeful peak of a rich and powerful country.


Wild Ambition of U.S. and S. Korean Warmongers to Invade DPRK Can Never Come True

   Pyongyang, March 8 (KCNA) -- The U.S. and south Korean warmongers staged madcap three-dimensional exercises aiming at a preemptive nuclear attack by mobilizing huge forces and equipment in the sky, ground and sea after rounding off the preparations for mounting a preemptive attack on the DPRK any moment defying the strong protest and denunciation of the public at home and abroad. Their wild ambition for invading the DPRK can never come true.
    Minju Joson Saturday declares this in a signed commentary.
    It goes on:
    The Key Resolve and Foal Eagle war exercises pushed the situation on the Korean Peninsula to an extreme pitch of tension and threw a stumbling block in the way of improving the DPRK-U.S. relations and the inter-Korean relations. This saber rattling once again clearly indicated who is chiefly to blame for wrecking peace and stability on the peninsula.
    An all-out war has not broken out in Korea not because of the U.S. failure to make perfect preparations for a war of aggression against the DPRK. It is beyond doubt that the U.S. would have already ignited a war against the DPRK had the army and people of the DPRK not built up powerful war deterrent, tightening their belts.
    The more desperately the U.S. and south Korean warmongers rush headlong into a war, the further the army and people of the DPRK will reinforce their war deterrent and the more reliably they will protect the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
    The U.S. would be well advised to properly understand their will and make a radical switchover in its strategy of aggression against the DPRK.
    The south Korean warmongers had better behave themselves though belatedly, bearing deep in mind that if they persist in their confrontation with fellow countrymen in league with the U.S., they will not be able to escape a stern judgment of the nation.


Release of Chairman of South Headquarters of Pomchonghakryon Demanded in S. Korea

   Pyongyang, March 9 (KCNA) -- The former chairpersons of the 2nd-15th term south Korean Federation of University Student Councils reportedly issued a joint statement on March 4 in protest against the security authorities' arrest of Yun Ki Jin, chairman of the South Headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification (Pomchonghakryon).
    The statement recalled that in order to put an end to the U.S. interference and war moves and achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula the South Headquarters of Pomchonghakryon has vigorously struggled to get the "National Security Law" (NSL) repealed as it has only served the purpose of antagonizing fellow countrymen and fostering confrontation between them for over half a century.
    Accusing the security authorities of detaining even the chairman of the organization by labeling its activities "enemy benefiting", it demanded his immediate release.
    It also demanded the abrogation of the NSL, an evil law against the nation and reunification, and the lifting of the label of "enemy-benefiting" attached to the organization.


Koreans in Japan Demand Lifting of Its Sanctions against DPRK

   Pyongyang, March 9 (KCNA) -- Officials of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan and Koreans in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Nishitokyo, Chiba and Saitama staged a sit-in strike in Tokyo on March 6 in demand of the Japanese government's immediate lifting of unreasonable sanctions against the DPRK.
    They accused the Japanese government of standing in the way of the six-party talks, repeatedly extending sanctions against the DPRK at a time when positive efforts are being made to settle the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.
    Recalling that Japan extended the sanctions against the DPRK in April and October last year in a bid to increase pressure on it, they strongly demanded the Japanese government immediately lift those sanctions including the embargo on the ship "Mangyongbong-92".


U.S. War Exercises Denounced in Austria

   Pyongyang, March 9 (KCNA) -- The Left Bloc of the Austrian Trade Union Federation issued a statement on March 6, in which it declared that the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military exercises staged by the U.S. and south Korea are a grave challenge to the progressive humankind struggling for the denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula and the peaceful reunification of Korea.
    The statement noted that the bloc supports all the countermeasures taken by the DPRK to defend the country.
    Accusing the U.S. of threatening the peace in Korea and this region with a bellicose attitude, instead of keeping its promise with the DPRK, the statement demanded the U.S. take measures to ensure durable peace on the Korean Peninsula.
    The statement urged the U.S. and south Korea to halt all their maneuvers to provoke a war against the DPRK and immediately withdraw the U.S. troops from south Korea.


U.S. and S. Korean War-like Forces' War Maneuvers under Fire

   Pyongyang, March 8 (KCNA) -- The Czech, Moravian and Silesian Trade Unions' Association released a statement on March 4 condemning the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle being staged by the U.S. and south Korea.
    The statement branded the provocative and dangerous military exercises as perilous moves to escalate the tensions in the region and hamstring the process of peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula, stressing that such saber rattling can never be justified.
    If the U.S. truly wishes for detente and peace on the Korean Peninsula, it should terminate the hostile policy toward the DPRK, halt the military exercises in south Korea at once and immediately withdraw all its aggression forces including weapons of mass destruction from south Korea, it urged.


Information Bulletin Issued in Mexico

   Pyongyang, March 8 (KCNA) -- The Mexican Committee for the Study of Kimilsungism issued information bulletin No. 3 carrying a photo of Lake Chon on Mt. Paektu.
    The bulletin in an article titled "2008, a year of historical turn in the DPRK" said that this year marks the 60th founding anniversary of the DPRK. It introduced in detail the brilliant history of the DPRK in which it has covered the road of victory and glory since it was founded by President Kim Il Sung.
    Noting that the cause of building the rich and powerful country of Kim Il Sung is being successfully carried forward by General Secretary Kim Jong Il, the bulletin said that the dignity and might of the DPRK have been put on the highest level and this land greeted the heyday of prosperity thanks to his Songun politics.
    In 2012 the people of the DPRK will commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung, the bulletin said, adding that it is his lifetime intention and cause to build a great prosperous powerful socialist nation in which the national power grows strong, everything thrives and the people lead an affluent life with nothing to desire more in the world.
    The bulletin also introduced in detail the joint editorial of Rodong Sinmun, Joson Inmingun and Chongnyon Jonwi.


DPRK Praised

   Pyongyang, March 8 (KCNA) -- Dermot Hudson, chairman of the British Association for the Study of Songun Policy, posted an article titled "The Democratic People's Republic of Korea advancing by Songun political mode" on its Internet homepage.
    Noting that the DPRK will greet the 60th anniversary of its foundation this year, the article said that it is imposingly standing as a fortress of independence, a bulwark of socialism and a country of Juche under the outstanding guidance of President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
    The article introduced the original Songun political mode, stressing that Kim Jong Il held higher the banner of Songun when the U.S. imperialists and other international reactionaries were getting desperate in their moves to destroy the DPRK after the demise of the President.
    Songun Korea will successfully pave the way for socialism, the road of independence to be followed by the progressive people, upholding the leadership of Kim Jong Il, true to the behests of the President, the article stressed.


For Spanish-speaking people



Kim Jong Il envia mensaje al presidente de Siria

   Pyongyang, 8 de marzo (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, envio el dia 8 un mensaje de felicitacion a Bashar al-Assad, secretario regional del Partido Socialista del Resurgimiento Arabe (BAAS) y presidente de la Republica Arabe de Siria con motivo del aniversario 45 de la Revolucion del 8 de Marzo en Siria.
    La misiva senala:
    La Revolucion del 8 de Marzo fue un motivo de viraje historico en la lucha del pueblo sirio por defender la dignidad y la soberania del pais y lograr la estabilidad politica y el desarrollo economico.
    Nuestro pueblo apoya siempre activamente la justa causa del pueblo sirio para construir Siria independiente y moderna y resolver de manera imparcial y comprensiva el problema del Medio Oriente bajo la direccion del BAAS encabezado por usted.
    Aprovecho esta oportunidad para expresarle la conviccion de que las relaciones de amistad y cooperacion entre nuestros dos paises se ampliaran y se fortaleceran mas en varios sectores y le deseo de todo corazon a usted buena salud y felicidad y al amistoso pueblo de vuestro pais el mayor progreso y prosperidad.


MINREX condena intento de Taiwan de ingresar en la ONU

   Pyongyang, 8 de marzo (ATCC) -- A la pregunta de un reportero de la Agencia Telegrafica Central de Corea formulada en relacion con el intento de las autoridades de Taiwan de ingresar en la ONU, el portavoz del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea respondio como sigue:
    Como ya informado, las autoridades de Taiwan anunciaron el primero de febrero un aviso sobre el referendum del 22 de marzo para ingresar con el nombre de "Taiwan" en la ONU y tratan de realizarlo a toda costa.
    Tal comportamiento deviene un grave acto que posibilita empeorar la situacion del estrecho de Taiwan y la region del Nordeste Asiatico.
    Condenamos el intento de las autoridades de Taiwan y rechazamos tajantemente cualquier modo de ingreso de estas en la ONU.
    El Gobierno de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea ha apoyado invariablemente y seguira apoyando tambien en el futuro la politica de reunificacion del partido y el gobierno de China basada en "una China" y "un pais y dos regimenes".


Sobre visita de Kim Yong Nam a Namibia, Angola y Uganda

   Pyongyang, 9 de marzo (ATCC) -- El presidente del Presidium de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, Kim Yong Nam, realizara pronto una visita oficial y de amistad a la Republica de Namibia por invitacion del presidente Hifikepunye Pohamba.
    Tambien visitara oficial y amistosamente la Republica de Angola y la Republica de Uganda.


Revelan nuevo crimen de Japon contra el pueblo coreano

   Pyongyang, 8 de marzo (ATCC) -- Ultimamente, fueron hallados los coreanos quienes durante el periodo de la ocupacion militar de los imperialistas japoneses sobre Corea, fueron trasladados forzadamente a la fabrica matriz de la Aceria de Kobe S.A. de Japon para los trabajos esclavistas.
    Igualmente, quedo confirmada con datos irrefutables una parte del crimen de arresto y trabajo forzados, cometido por los imperialistas japoneses contra los coreanos.
    Al respecto, el Comite Coreano de Medidas para la Indemnizacion a ex "Consoladoras" para Tropas Japonesas y a las Victimas del Arresto Forzoso hizo publico el dia 8 el informe de investigacion que sigue:
    Basandose en la lista de 427 mil 129 coreanos arrestados forzosamente en el periodo de la ocupacion militar de los imperialistas japoneses sobre Corea, ofrecida a finales de 2003 por el grupo de averiguacion de los verdaderos aspectos del arresto forzoso a los coreanos que opera en Japon, nuestro comite abre una investigacion para buscar a las victimas oriundas del Norte de Corea y sus familiares.
    En el proceso de averiguacion, fue confirmado que mas de 140 de entre 413 personas trasladadas forzosamente a la fabrica matriz de la Aceria de Kobe S.A. fueron arrestadas en la entonces provincia de Phyong-an del Norte.
    Segun testimonios de las victimas, antes de ser llevados a Japon, los jovenes y adultos arrestados recibian cierto curso de capacitacion y entrenamiento.
    Ya en el territorio japones, quedaban encerrados en los campos de concentracion bajo una disciplina de esclavitud y tuvieron que realizar trabajos tan duros segun un horario fijado inhumanitariamente.
    A traves de los testimonios y el proceso de investigacion, se corroboro que la capa militar de Japon estuvo bien implicada en ese crimen y se conocieron las caracteristicas del arresto forzado practicado por los imperialistas japoneses en la ultima etapa de la Guerra del Pacifico.
    Primero, despues de la promulgacion en 1938 de la "ley de movilizacion general del Estado", los imperialistas japoneses mandaron la mayor parte de los coreanos arrestados a las minas y las otras carboniferas y en el periodo final de la Guerra del Pacifico, a los campos de construccion de las bases militares y las fabricas de industria belica en el interior de Japon.
    Segundo, a principios de su ocupacion militar de Corea, ellos arrestaron principalmente a los surcoreanos, pero en el periodo belico mencionado lo hicieron en el Norte de Corea.
    Tercero, mientras trabajaban en condiciones infrahumanas, los coreanos arrestados forzosamente fueron muertos injustamente por los accidentes y torturas de toda indole, la inanicion, las enfermedades, el bombardeo aereo de las tropas norteamericanas, etc. y sus restos mortales fueron abandonados en todas partes del territorio japones.
    Durante la ocupacion de Corea, el secuestro fue el metodo mas utilizado por los imperialistas japoneses para arrestar por la fuerza a los coreanos.
    Este hecho esta comprobado por las anteriores declaraciones de las victimas y por los documentos oficiales y datos del gobierno y empresas de Japon recogidos en los ultimos anos.
    Este asunto resulta el problema de DDHH y humanitario, que espera su solucion inmediata, porque sus secuelas espirituales y fisicas acosan hasta hoy a las victimas y sus familiares.
    El gobierno japones debe reconocer cuanto antes su responsabilidad legal por el respecto, pedir perdon y recompensar cabalmente a las victimas sobrevivientes y fallecidas y sus familiares.
    Ademas, debe desclasificar pronto todos los datos y documentos vinculados al caso y esclarecer con responsabilidad la verdad.
    Y tiene que buscar a los culpables y sancionarlos en los tribunales correspondientes en el interior y el exterior del pais.
    Al mismo tiempo, debera parar ahora mismo su anacronica campana anti-RPDC y anti-Chongryon (Asociacion General de Coreanos Residentes en Japon) y mostrar su decision de no repetir mas nunca la agresion y crimenes con acciones practicas como la labor docente para dar a conocer a la sociedad y a las generaciones venideras la verdadera historia del pasado.