10th anniversary of Torch of Songgang Kindled by Kim Jong Il Marked

   Kimchaek, March 9 (KCNA) -- A meeting took place at the Songjin Steel Complex on March 9 to mark the 10th anniversary of the torch of Songgang kindled by General Secretary Kim Jong Il.
    A congratulatory message sent by the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea to the workers, technicians and officials of the complex was conveyed at the meeting.
    The congratulatory message recalled that Kim Jong Il visited the complex on March 9, Juche 87 (1998) to kindle the torch of Songgang, the torch for effecting a new great revolutionary upswing, and dynamically led the workers there to take the lead in pulling through the difficulties during the "Arduous March," the forced march by rushing forward once again at the speed of Chollima (the winged horse).
    The drive to bring about a great revolutionary upswing launched in Songgang raged throughout the country, displaying great vitality in overcoming great difficulties before the Korean revolution and laying a solid springboard from which to build a great prosperous powerful nation, it noted.
    The message highly praised the workers, technicians and officials of the complex for having performed great labor feats in production and the construction over the last decade, holding high the torch of Songgang, and thereby rendered distinguished services for building a rich and powerful nation.
    A report was made by the chief secretary of the WPK Committee of the complex at the meeting to be followed by speeches.
    The reporter and speakers called on the workers, technicians and officials of the complex to successfully discharge their honorable mission and duty, holding higher the torch of Songgang with conviction of a sure victory and optimism, and thus greet a great festival of September with shining labour achievements.


National Meeting Marks 80th Anniversary of Peasants' Union

   Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- A national meeting was held at the Central Workers' Hall Monday to mark the 80th anniversary of the formation of the Peasants' Union by President Kim Il Sung.
    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, Ro Tu Chol, vice-premier of the Cabinet, leading officials of the working people's organizations, officials concerned, officials of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea and members of the union.
    Kang Chang Uk, chairman of the Central Committee of the union, in a report said that Kim Il Sung set forth a unique idea that peasants constitute part of a driving force for revolution together with the working class, considering the peasants' issue as a fundamental one in carrying out a social revolution after embarking upon the path of revolution in his early years.
    Kim Il Sung formed the Peasants' Union, the revolutionary peasants organization, the first of its kind in Korea, in Xinantun on March 10, Juche 17 (1928) and, on the basis of its experience, founded the Peasants' Union of North Korea, the single mass political organization of peasants, after the country's liberation and later strengthened and developed it into the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea, the mass political organization of socialist agricultural workers, the reporter said, and continued:
    The Peasants' Union creditably discharged its historic duty in the efforts to carry out the agrarian reform after the country's liberation, in the drive to increase the grain production and the work to aid the front during the Fatherland Liberation War and in the struggle to transform agricultural management on socialist lines in the post war period of the socialist revolution under the leadership of Kim Il Sung.
    The Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea has dynamically waged the ideological, technical and cultural revolutions in rural areas under the uplifted banner of the "Theses on the Socialist Rural Question in Our Country" authored by Kim Il Sung, thus pushing forward the work to revolutionize and working-classize the farmers and the socialist rural construction and making a positive contribution to settling the rural question.
    The noble exploits Kim Il Sung performed by forming the revolutionary peasants' organization and settling the rural question have been successfully carried forward and put on a new higher level by General Secretary Kim Jong Il, the reporter said.
    He underlined the need for all the agricultural workers and members of the union to deeply grasp Kim Il Sung's idea of building the revolutionary peasants' organization and his exploits performed in leading it and firmly defend and glorify the shining history and tradition of the Korean peasants' movement pioneered and led by Kim Il Sung.
    He also called on all the agricultural workers and the union members to bring about a fresh surge in the agricultural production, a great foundation for building a great prosperous and powerful nation, in hearty response to the militant call of the WPK to wage a general offensive for building an economic power.


Successful Pencil Drawings

   Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- The second national pencil drawing festival held in celebration of the February 16 holiday closed just at the Pyongyang International Cultural Center.
    On display at the festival were more than 880 pieces of pencil drawings selected from the pencil drawing exhibitions held in Pyongyang and local areas.
    The pencil drawings "Saying that the land belongs to the peasants who till it" and "Happiness of soldiers under the command of the General" depict well the greatness of President Kim Il Sung who devoted his whole life to the happiness of the people and General Secretary Kim Jong Il who demonstrates the might of Songun Korea to the whole world.
    Catching the eyes of the visitors were drawings "Yearning for the General" and "With the February holiday approaching" reflecting the ardent wish of the Korean people for the good health of Kim Jong Il and the drawings "Soldier constructors", " Hearts of those producing molten iron" and "Being proud of potato" delineating servicepersons and working people in their efforts for the building of a socialist economic power.
    "The evening of the New Year's Day", "Goal", "Folk amusement games are good", "On the shore of the East Sea", "Koryo Songgyungwan Academy" and other pieces vividly portrayed the happy and optimistic life of children, beautiful scenery of the country and the famous historical and cultural relics.
    Many pencil drawing pieces reflected the ardent will and desire of the fellow countrymen for national reunification, giving deep impressions to the visitors. Among them were "Pigeons, quickly fly" which depicted a girl student releasing a pigeon carrying around the neck an invitation card "We invite our fellows in the south of Korea to the Arirang performance. Pyongyang, Korea" with pigeons circling in the sky over the May Day Stadium on the background, "We are one", "One and the same spirit of the nation" and "Candlelight demonstration".


Many Korean Women Awarded Academic Degrees and Professorship

   Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- Hundreds of women working in the fields of scientific researches and education have received the titles of People's Scientist, Merited Scientist, Professor and Doctor over the last decade. They include more than 40 professors and over 170 doctors.
    Researcher at the Nonferrous Metal Institute of the State Academy of Sciences Dr. Hyon Yong Ra, a Labor Hero of the DPRK, has devoted her wisdom and zeal to scientific researches, making a noticeable contribution to the scientific development of the country. And researcher at the Ferment Institute of the Branch Academy of Light Industry under the State Academy of Sciences Prof. and Dr. Kang Hui Ho, a "Kim Il Sung Prize" laureate and Merited Scientist, has achieved remarkable results in researches into essential foodstuffs in 40-odd years.
    Section chief of the Rungra Science and Technology Center Dr. Ri Son A, a Merited Scientist, selected good spores of various edible and medicinal mushrooms and extensively introduced their cultivation method. Her research results were recognized at international invention exhibitions, invention technology and commodity trading expositions, etc. with the award of gold and top prizes.
    Teacher Pae Kwang Hui of Kim Il Sung University and many other woman teachers have been presented with doctorate for their distinguished services for the scientific and educational development of the country.
    Prof. and Dr. Choe Sun Yong, a Merited Scientist, and her sister Prof. and Dr. Choe Won Yong, a People's Scientist, both teach at Kim Chaek University of Technology. These sisters have a lot of things that they can really be proud of.
    Department chief of Pyongyang University of Medicine Kim Yong Jin was awarded the doctor's degree while devoting herself to scientific researches for the promotion of people's health and education of the younger generation for many years, succeeding to her mother Prof. and Dr. Yu Suk Gun, a "Kim Il Sung Order" recipient, Labor Hero, People's Scientist and Candidate Academician, who dedicated her ardor to scientific researches till the last moments of her life as a section chief of the Medical Biology Institute of the Academy of Medical Science.
    Today Korean women are devoting all their energies and wisdom to scientific researches and education for the great motherland which glorifies their worthy life.


U.S.-S. Korea War Exercises under Fire

   Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military exercises, large-scale war exercises for invading the DPRK, staged by the U.S. and south Korean bellicose forces from March 2 to 7 were extremely provocative and adventurous saber rattling aimed at creating new military tension on the Korean Peninsula and gravely threatening peace and the cause of reunification as they were a dangerous nuclear test war to invade and stifle the DPRK. Rodong Sinmun Monday observes this in a signed commentary.
    It goes on:
    The recent joint military exercises were staged under the simulated conditions of a preemptive attack on the DPRK after deploying huge forces and nuclear attack means in the sky, ground and seas. They were the maneuvers for an actual war as they were aimed at examining and rounding off the capability to carry out the dangerous war scenario for a preemptive nuclear attack on the DPRK which had already been worked out.
    What merits a serious attention is the fact that the U.S. openly staged the nuclear war exercises targeted against the DPRK at a time when both are in the process of dialogue and the undertaking to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula is now under way.
    One cannot but draw a conclusion, in the final analysis, that for all its noisy talk about "dialogue" and "peaceful solution" the U.S. is, in actuality, not willing to honor its commitments and its fine sounding advertisement is nothing but a ruse to cover up its wild design to invade the DPRK.
    It is becoming clearer day by day that the ulterior aim of the U.S. is not to seek a negotiated solution of the issue but settle it by means of military threat, pressure and war against the DPRK.
    No wonder, the above-mentioned warmongers exceptionally opened to the press the armed forces mobilized in the war exercises and their proceeding in a bid to demonstrate their military muscle.
    All facts go to prove that "dialogue" and "peace" much touted by the U.S. and south Korea is nothing but a smokescreen to deceive the world public and cover up their war moves against the DPRK and disarm and militarily stifle it.


U.S. Talk about "Regional Stability" Dismissed as Hypocrisy

   Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- The "regional stability" much touted by the United States is nothing but a deceptive slogan intended to justify its aggression and moves for military intervention in different countries and regions of the world and cover up their criminal nature.
    Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article.
    It goes on:
    The United States is interfering in the issues of other countries and regional matters under the pretext of ensuring "regional stability" in a bid to achieve its sinister aim.
    The U.S. seeks to settle the above-said issues in its favor by means of diplomacy.
    It is contemplating playing an important role in settling the Mideast problem, regarding its Mideast diplomacy as an important part of its foreign policy. It is busy playing the role of a "mediator" in the efforts to push forward the Palestine-Israel peace negotiations, in particular. This is prompted by its ambitious strategic interests.
    Another aim sought by the U.S. through this is to put different countries and regions under its control and domination through military intervention under the pretext of ensuring "regional stability." It is committing undisguised military intervention and recourse to force, painting its military force as a sort of "deterrent force."
    The fact that the U.S. does not stand for "regional stability" is more clearly proved by what is happening on the Korean Peninsula.
    The U.S. and south Korean forces staged large-scale war exercises against the DPRK at a time when there mounted in the north and the south an atmosphere of the movement for achieving reconciliation and unity under the banner of the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration. This was a serious military provocation to the DPRK and extremely dangerous criminal moves to push the situation on the peninsula to the phase of confrontation and the brink of war though it had been heading for independent reunification and peace and prosperity.
    The U.S. conservative hard-liners' arms build-up in south Korea and their war maneuvers targeted against the DPRK are hamstringing the efforts to seek a peaceful solution of the nuclear issue and driving the situation on the peninsula to a grave phase.
    The U.S. does not work for "regional stability" but is disturbing it, concludes the article.


Drive for Implementing Line of Economic Construction in Era of Songun Called for

   Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- The ongoing drive for building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation is a struggle to implement the line of economic construction in the era of Songun. In order to thoroughly implement the line of economic construction in the era of Songun put forward by the Workers' Party of Korea it is necessary to decisively bolster up the vanguard domains of national economy, basic industrial fields.
    Rodong Sinmun Monday says this in a signed article.
    It goes on:
    The above-said domains are the lifeline for the socialist economic construction.
    To bolster up the above-said domains is a fundamental requirement for increasing the military capability of the country in every way by giving priority to the development of the national defence industry.
    It is the invariable principled stand of the WPK and the Korean people to exert great efforts for developing the national defence industry as long as the imperialists' moves for aggression persist.
    National defence industry is closely linked with heavy industry and development of the national defence industry would be unthinkable without developing heavy industry.
    Bolstering up the above-said domains is a realistic requirement for dynamically developing light industry and agriculture to improve the standard of people's living at an early date.
    It is the firm resolution and will of the WPK to surely open up the gate of a great prosperous powerful nation in the near future by putting economy and people's living on a high level while increasing the nation's capability for self-defence in every way, pursuant to the line of economic construction in the era of Songun.
    The WPK's line of economic construction in the era of Songun precisely means an economic line for building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation.


Moves for Tightened "Triangular Military Alliance" Condemned in S. Korea

   Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- The preparatory committee for building the 16th-term south Korean Federation of University Student Councils reportedly made public a statement on March 5 strongly denouncing the formation of the south Korea-U.S.-Japan defence research institute coordinating committee.
    The statement recalled that defense research organs of the U.S., Japan and south Korea got together on Feb. 19 and agreed to form the "coordinating committee" and develop it into a "model of new international cooperation".
    They also adopted a "joint declaration" stating that south Korea, the U.S. and Japan shall take a joint military countermeasure in case any event of threatening security takes place in the Korean Peninsula and its vicinities, it pointed out.
    The bellicose forces of the U.S., Japan and south Korea, the statement said, have decided to build a new military cooperation system and, at the same time, work out a concrete military action plan for mobilizing their armies for cooperation in case of "emergency" and stage various forms of exercises to this end from June 1.
    The moves for intensifying the "triangular military alliance" sought by the U.S. have entered a full stage, it said, adding that this increases the danger of invasion on the north while laying a grave obstacle to achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula.
    If the conservative hardliners of the U.S. and Japan persist in the moves for a war against the north despite the warnings of the Korean nation, they will be doomed to destruction, the statement said.
    It urged the bellicose forces of the south Korean military to maintain the stand for peace and scrap the aggressive "alliance" with the U.S. and Japan.


Japanese Government Urged to Make Official Apology and Reparation

   Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- Members of the women's and human rights organizations in south Korea including the Council for the Solution of the Issue of the Volunteers Corps and victims of the sexual slavery for the Imperial Japanese Army reportedly held the 803rd Wednesday rally in Seoul on March 5 at which they demanded the Japanese government make an official apology and reparation for the issue of "comfort women".
    Speakers at the rally condemned the Japanese government for challenging the world conscience urging it to make an apology and reparation for the crimes related to the sexual slavery enforced by the Imperial Japanese Army in the past, while denying them.
    They accused the south Korean "government" of shutting eyes to the misfortune and sufferings of the people, far from judging Japan's crimes against humankind.
    Stressing the need to solve the issue of "comfort women" to settle the grudge of the victims, they urged the "government" to strive hard to force Japan to make an official apology and reparation for the above-said crimes.


S. Korean Organizations Urge U.S. to Conclude Peace Agreement with DPRK

   Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- Members of civic and public organizations from various circles including the south Korean Solidarity for Progress, the People for Achieving Peace and Reunification and the south Korean Confederation of Trade Unions reportedly held a press conference in Seoul on Mar. 6.
    A press release read out at the conference accused the south Korean and the U.S. warmongers of staging the "combined tactical drill for setting up a bridge" as part of the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint war exercises near the large bridge in Haengju of Seoul on the same day.
    The drill was aimed at carrying out a river-crossing operation, the press release noted, adding it has become clearer the exercises were designed to invade the north, not for "defence".
    It urged the U.S. not to persist in the war exercises for aggression deepening the crisis of war on the Korean Peninsula but opt for concluding a peace agreement with the DPRK.


Magazine "Paektu-Hanna" Published in China

   Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- The General Association of Koreans in China published the February issue of magazine "Paektu-Hanna".
    The magazine carried a photo of General Secretary Kim Jong Il receiving bouquets from Japan-resident Korean artistes.
    It introduced the celebrations held by the association and its affiliated organizations to significantly mark the birthday of Kim Jong Il as the greatest auspicious holiday of the nation.
    Carried in it were articles titled "Historic oath being echoed century after century" and "Always remembering the great leader".
    The articles praised President Kim Il Sung, saying that the world knows no such a great man as him who embarked on the road of revolution in his teens. They stressed that Kim Jong Il is wisely leading the work to glorify this year marking the 60th anniversary of the DPRK as the most significant year in its history.
    Under such headlines as "Kimjongilia, an immortal flower, in full bloom across the world", "Thank you, General" and "Valuing the national cultural heritage" the magazine carried articles telling about the ardent wish for good health to Kim Jong Il shown by all people revering and following him and praising his noble patriotism.
    It dealt with the news from the homeland and news about the north-south relations.


For Spanish-speaking people



Kim Jong Il presencia funcion artistica junto con funcionarias

   Pyongyang, 10 de marzo (ATCC) -- En ocasion del Dia Internacional de la Mujer (8 de marzo), el Dirigente Kim Jong Il, Secretario General del Partido del Trabajo de Corea (PTC) y Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea (RPDC), presencio junto con las funcionarias la funcion artistica conmemorativa.
    Cuando el Dirigente aparecio en el palco, los espectadores le acogieron hospitalariamente agradeciendo a el quien formo a las coreanas como verdaderas duenas de la revolucion y construccion y les garantizo una digna y feliz vida.
    El Dirigente dio calidas felicitaciones a las funcionarias que conmemoran su dia y les envio un cordial saludo a ellas quienes trabajan con abnegacion por la prosperidad de la patria y el cumplimiento de la causa revolucionaria del Juche.
    En la escena festiva los artistas de la Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional y el Coro Estatal Benemerito presentaron diversas piezas.
    El Dirigente se mostro muy satisfecho de que los artistas de esas prestigiosas entidades ofrecieran una excelente funcion que refleja bien la conviccion y la voluntad de Corea y el espiritu revolucionario de los militares.
    Expreso su esperanza y seguridad de que todos los artistas desplegaran dinamicamente sus actividades artisticas revolucionarias para dar infinito vigor y animo a los militantes del partido y otros trabajadores que aceleran la marcha general para glorificar el 60o aniversario de la fundacion de la RPDC como gran festival de los triunfadores.
    Entre el publico se distinguian Kim Kyok Sik, Kim Il Chol, Choe Thae Bok, Yang Hyong Sop, Kim Kuk Thae, Kim Jung Rin, Kim Ki Nam, Kim Jong Gak, Choe Yong Rim, los jefes y primeros subjefes de departamento y otros cuadros del CC del PTC, los miembros directivos del Ejercito Popular de Corea, las diputadas capitalinas a la Asamblea Popular Suprema, la presidenta de la Union de Mujeres Democraticas de Corea, Pak Sun Hui, y otras funcionarias directivas de esta entidad femenina, las periodistas, locutoras, creadoras y artistas en la capital.


Acto por decimo aniversario de la antorcha de Songgang

   Kimchaek, 9 de marzo (ATCC) -- Tuvo lugar el dia 9 en el Complejo de Acero de Songjin el acto por el 10o aniversario del encendimiento de la antorcha de Songgang por el Dirigente Kim Jong Il.
    En el acto se dio lectura al mensaje de felicitacion del Comite Central del Partido del Trabajo de Corea enviado a los obreros, tecnicos y funcionarios del Complejo.
    Segun el mensaje, el 9 de marzo del 87(1998) de la Era Juche el Dirigente Kim Jong Il visito el Complejo y encendio la antorcha de Songgang para producir un nuevo y gran auge revolucionario y guio dinamicamente a los obreros del Complejo a tomar la delantera de la lucha por abrir la brecha en la "marcha penosa" y la forzada corriendo de nuevo a todo galope con el impetu de Chollima.
    Las llamas del gran auge revolucionario encendido en Songgang se extendieron a todo el pais exhibiendo gran vitalidad en superar las severas pruebas de la revolucion coreana y preparar la firme base de construccion de una gran potencia prospera, senala el mensaje.
    Los obreros, tecnicos y funcionarios del Complejo de Acero de Songjin, al enarbolar la antorcha de Songgang encendida por el Dirigente Kim Jong Il, acumularon grandes meritos laborales en la produccion y la construccion en estos diez anos haciendo un aporte singular a acelerar la construccion de la patria rica y prospera, evalua el mensaje.
    En la ocasion el secretario responsable del Comite del Partido del Trabajo de Corea en el Complejo de Acero de Songjin presento el informe y otros intervinieron.
    Los oradores subrayaron que al avivar mas la antorcha de Songgang con el optimismo y la fe en la victoria cierta deben cumplir excelentemente su honrosa mision y deber para acoger el gran festival de septiembre con grandes exitos laborales.


Sobresalientes obras del 2o Festival Nacional de Esbozo

   Pyongyang, 10 de marzo (ATCC) -- Recientemente, tuvo lugar en la Casa Internacional de Cultura de Pyongyang la segunda edicion del Festival Nacional de Obras de Esbozo dedicado al 16 de febrero (cumpleanos del Dirigente Kim Jong Il).
    En esta ocasion fueron exhibidas mas de 880 obras ganadoras de las exhibiciones montadas en Pyongyang y las localidades.
    Las obras "Diciendo que la tierra es para los que la labran" y "La felicidad de los soldados con el General" reflejan bien las nobles personalidades del Presidente Kim Il Sung, quien dedico toda su vida por la felicidad del pueblo, y del Dirigente Kim Jong Il quien muestra a todo el mundo el gallardo aspecto de la Corea del Songun (priorizacion militar).
    Atrajeron la atencion de los visitantes las obras como "Pensamos en el General" y "En visperas de la fiesta de febrero", que traducen los deseos de todo el pueblo coreano a la seguridad y buena salud del Dirigente Kim Jong Il.
    Las otras como "Constructores militares", "Corazon de los fundidores de hierro" y "Orgullos de patata" describen la lucha de los militares y civiles por construir una potencia economica socialista.
    Ademas, "La noche del primer dia del Ano Nuevo", "Gol", "!Que divertidos son los juegos folcloricos!", "A la orilla del Mar Este", "Colegio Songgyungwan de Coryo" y otras pinturas a lapiz muestran la vida feliz y optimista de los ninos, el hermoso paisaje de la patria y los lugares famosos de interes historico- cultural.
    Dejaron profunda impresion a los visitantes las piezas relativas al gran deseo y voluntad de la nacion coreana de reunificar la patria como "Vuela, paloma", "Una sola", "Espiritu de la nacion unificada" y "Manifestacion con velas encendidas".
    En la primera aparece una alumna parada ante el Estadio Primero de Mayo, donde vuelan muchas palomas, mandando al cielo surcoreano una palomita portadora de la invitacion: "Invitamos a los companeros surcoreanos a la funcion gimnastico-artistica Arirang. Pyongyang, Corea".