Kimilsungia Festival Closes

   Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- The 10th Kimilsungia Festival closed with due ceremony at the Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia Exhibition on Friday.
    Attending the ceremony were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Kang Nung Su, minister of Culture, officials of ministries, national institutions and working people's organizations, servicepersons, working people and school youth and children.
    Also present were members of the delegation of Koreans in Japan, Indonesian Ambassador to the DPRK Daulat Hotma Audison Passaribu and his embassy officials, members of the societies for propagation of immortal flowers from different countries including Ri Pyong Sang, chairman of the Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia Association in America who is honorary chairman of the Society for Propagating Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia, overseas compatriots and foreign guests.
    Certificates of special prize were awarded to two units including the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, certificates of top prize to 45 units including the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, the Secretariat of the Cabinet and the Ministry of People's Security, certificates of excellent prize to 24 units and certificates of merit prize to eight units.
    Also certificates of special prize were conferred on the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, the Indonesian embassy and the Russian International Charity Fund "Protectors of Arts for the Century".
    Certificates of participation were awarded to tens of servicepersons, working people and school youth and children, the general director of the General Company for the Development of the National Economy in Heilongjiang Province of China, and Chinese residents in the DPRK.
    Kim Pyong Hun, chairman of the Central Committee of the General Federation of the Unions of Literature and the Arts of Korea, made an address at the ceremony.


Messages and Letters to Kim Jong Il

   Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il was presented with messages and letters by the Pyongyang Mission and the Japan Mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front, the General Association of Koreans in China, the International United Confederation of Koreans, the Federation of Koreans in the U.S. and its affiliated organizations, the Federation of Koreans in Canada, the Federation of Koreans in Australia, the Society for Cooperation among Koreans in Germany and the European Regional Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification and other organizations of Koreans and compatriots overseas on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
    They noted that all fellow countrymen paid highest tribute to President Kim Il Sung who dedicated himself to the country and the people and accomplishment of human cause of independence all his life.
    They recalled that the President paved the road of the unique Songun revolution and embodied the line of attaching importance to arms and military affairs, thus defeating the two most formidable imperialist enemies in one generation and turning the DPRK into a socialist power, independent in politics, self-supporting in economy and self-reliant in national defence, emphasizing that these immortal revolutionary feats would shine for all ages.
    They noted that the President is immortal as the sun of Juche and his revolutionary history is being given steady continuity thanks to Kim Jong Il who is a symbol of all victories and glory and future of Songun Korea.
    They said that all the fellow countrymen would always firmly trust and follow Kim Jong Il only and actively turn out in the patriotic movement for reunification to usher in the June 15 era of independent reunification and a new era of peace and prosperity by their concerted efforts.


Egyptian Ambassador Commemorates Day of Sun

   Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Moustafa Mohamed Ahmed Al Hatter, Egyptian ambassador to the DPRK, hosted a reception at his embassy on Thursday to commemorate the Day of the Sun.
    Present there on invitation were Kim Yong Dae, vice-president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Ri Ryong Nam, minister of Foreign Trade, Kim Yong Jin, minister of Education, and others.
    Staff members of the Egyptian embassy were on hand.
    The ambassador said at the reception that President Kim Il Sung, the great father of the Korean people, built a prosperous and powerful, independent and sovereign state by wisely leading the people with his unique idea.
    The friendly and cooperative relations between Egypt and the DPRK have a long history, he noted, saying that the Egyptian people extend firm solidarity to the Korean people in the efforts to reunify the country peacefully.
    Kim Yong Dae said that the traditional bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation, provided by Kim Il Sung together with the Egyptian leaders, have steadily developed under the care of General Secretary Kim Jong Il and President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak.
    The Korean people will strive to consolidate and develop these relations between the two countries in all fields, he added.


Iranian Ambassador Observes April Holidays of DPRK

   Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Morteza Moradian, Iranian ambassador to the DPRK, gave a reception at his embassy on Thursday to commemorate the Day of the Sun and the 15th anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission.
    Present there on invitation were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Jong Yong Su, minister of Labour, Pak Jae Gyong, Kim Yong Il and others.
    Staff members of the Iranian embassy were on hand.
    Morteza Moradian said at the reception that President Kim Il Sung had undergone the misfortune of the country occupied by the foreign force from his childhood and dedicated his all to the struggle for freedom and prosperity of the people.
    Today the Korean people are courageously fighting against the imperialists' every move under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il, he noted.
    He said that the Islamic Republic of Iran clarified several times its stand to support the DPRK's struggle for realizing the peaceful reunification of the country in conformity with the will and desire of the Korean people, free from outsiders' interference.
    Yang Hyong Sop said it is an expression of the Iranian friends' deep reverence for Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il that they have joined the Korean people in commemorating their significant holidays.
    The revolutionary cause pioneered by Kim Il Sung is being creditably carried forward and completed by Kim Jong Il, he said.
    He reiterated the DPRK's support and solidarity to the Iranian government and people in the efforts to increase the national defence capability and defend the rights to peaceful use of nuclear energy from the U.S. highhanded and arbitrary practices.


Russian Delegation Interviewed

   Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Members of the visiting delegation of the Russian International Charity Fund "Protectors of Arts for the Century" were interviewed with KCNA on April 16.
    Head of the delegation Oleg Vitaliyevich Oleinik noted that this time they presented commemorative marble stones bearing the names of Moscow and other cities in Russia where the monuments carrying the august names of the great leaders of the Korean people were built and conveyed the honorary academicianship of the International Academy of Culture and Arts awarded to General Secretary Kim Jong Il by the Russian fund.
    All the events sponsored by them were entirely designed to commemorate the Day of the Sun, the most significant day when Kim Il Sung, the eternal President of the DPRK and father of socialist Korea, was born, he said.
    Stating that monuments bearing the august names of the President and the leader will be built in various countries including Russia this year, too, he said that they have planned to erect 700 monuments till 2012 commemorating the 100th birth anniversary of the President.
    Stronskii Petr Timofeevich, president of the International Academy of Culture and Arts who is a member of the delegation, said it was an expression of the Russian people's reverence for Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il that the above-said monuments were built in cities of Russia including Moscow last year.


Pagodas, Heritages of National Culture

   Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- There are a seven-storied pagoda in Hyonhwa Temple and a pagoda in Hungguk Temple in Pangjik-dong, Kaesong City of Korea. They belong to the Koryo period.
    The seven-storied pagoda was erected in 1020.
    It consists of the pedestal, the seven-storied body and the head. It is 8.64 meters high and each side of the pedestal is 3.9 meters long.
    Buddhist figures are carved on the stone of each story of the body, the sculptural art of which is very refined and admirable.
    The pagoda shows the features of the pagodas built in the early years of Koryo in style, architecture and carving method.
    The pagoda of the Hungguk Temple is said to have been built by Kang Kam Chan, a famous general of Koryo, in 1021 with a hope for the security of the country.
    The original one was a five-storied pagoda built with plane and square trimmed granite stones. But now there remain the pedestal, the body of the first storey and three roofing stones.
    The length of each side of the pedestal is 1.71 meters and the height of the present pagoda 2.61 meters. Engraved in the centre of the southern face of the pedestal are the motive of its building, the name of the builder and the date of its construction.


Popular System of Labor in DPRK

   Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Today all the people are living an independent and creative life without worries about job in the DPRK.
    This is unthinkable apart from the noble loving care of President Kim Il Sung who devoted his all to bringing highest dignity and happiness to the Korean people who had once undergone all manner of humiliation and exploitation, deprived of their motherland.
    With the idea of "believing in the people as in the heaven" as his motto, the President put his heart and soul into establishing a true labor system at an early date after the national liberation.
    On June 24, Juche 35 (1946) he proclaimed the Labor Law for the Workers and Office Employees in North Korea containing provisions full of human-love such as banning juvenile labor and installing safety facilities at dangerous working spots.
    Immeasurable are the painstaking efforts he made to provide the working people with good working and living conditions, saying ours is a land for the working class.
    Visiting the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex, the Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex, the Songjin Steel Complex, the Komdok Mining Complex and other industrial establishments throughout the country, he showed benevolent affection, paying deeper attention to the health of the workers than production and took care that splendid cultural and welfare facilities including mess halls, dormitories and bathrooms as well as supply base were operated.
    On April 18, 1978 he proclaimed the Socialist Labor Law, the most excellent one in the world, to establish a revolutionary morale of working life in the whole society.
    The socialist benefits for the working people are growing day after day thanks to leader Kim Jong Il who is successfully carrying forward the noble intention of the President who dedicated everything to the happiness of the people with deepest affection for them.
    The leader, in spite of the urgency of his affairs in his guidance to the Songun revolution, found time to build many modernized model factories for providing workers with satisfactory working conditions and to build holiday homes and sanatoriums for the working people in different parts of the country, thus weaving endless legendary stories of love for the people.
    No wonder the Korean people, cherishing in their hearts the benevolent favors of the peerlessly great men, are living a worthy life, firmly defending the man-centered socialism with their creative labor by establishing a revolutionary morale of working life.


Rodong Sinmun on Programme for Great Unity of Nation

   Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun Friday dedicates a signed article to the 10th anniversary of the publication of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's famous work "Let Us Reunify the Country Independently and Peacefully through the Great Unity of the Entire Nation."
    Kim Jong Il in the work laid down the five-point policy for the great unity of the nation which calls for uniting under the banner of patriotism and the banner of national reunification on the basis of national independence, improving the north-south relations, struggling against the domination and interference of outside forces and anti-reunification forces, letting all Koreans visit each other and come in touch with each other, developing dialogue and strengthening the solidarity and alliance, the article says, and goes on:
    The five-point policy for the great unity of the nation is a successful continuation of President Kim Il Sung's idea and line on the great unity of the nation and their development in depth.
    The five-point policy for the great unity of the nation set forth by Kim Jong Il provided the Korean nation with a powerful ideological and theoretical weapon for accomplishing the cause of the great unity of the nation pioneered by Kim Il Sung on a new higher level and steadily advancing the cause of independent and peaceful reunification by dint of this unity.
    All Koreans have dynamically advanced towards the national unity and independent reunification, holding fast to the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration and achieved eye-opening successes by converting the north-south relations once characterized by distrust and confrontation into those of reconciliation and cooperation in this course.
    These are a clear demonstration of the validity and vitality and a sure victory of Kim Jong Il's idea and line on the great unity of the nation.
    The article calls on all Koreans to foil the anti-reunification confrontation moves of the separatists within and without and remain true to the idea of "By our nation itself," the main spirit of the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration, and achieve stronger harmony and unity on its basis and thus strengthen the driving force for reunification and fully demonstrate its might in carrying out the cause of national reunification.


Rodong Sinmun on Songun Politics

   Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- The Songun politics of the Workers' Party of Korea based on the Juche idea serves as an all-powerful treasured sword and the most powerful socialist political mode for leading the revolution and construction in the present times to shining victory.
    Rodong Sinmun today observes this in a signed article.
    It goes on:
    The scientific accuracy, originality and the invincible might of the Songun politics of the WPK lie in that it serves as a political mode fully embodying the Juche-oriented ideas, theories and methods, politics rooted in the Juche idea.
    The WPK decisively counters any action to infringe upon the sovereignty and dignity of the DPRK without the slightest concession and compromise, regarding it as the most principled matter of protecting the supreme interests of the state and the fundamental interests of revolution to defend the sovereignty and dignity of the country and the nation. This is the unshakable stand of the WPK advancing under the uplifted banner of Songun.
    The DPRK has successfully achieved the unity of servicepersons and people in thinking and fighting spirit on the basis of the revolutionary soldier spirit of the Korean People's Army under the Songun leadership of the WPK, thus remarkably bolstering the driving forces for the Korean revolution and demonstrating its dignity as an invincible political and ideological power which has attained the great unity between the army and people.
    The present emotion-charged reality in which all the servicepersons and people are bringing about a signal leap forward in building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation, single-mindedly united around the headquarters of revolution, is a striking demonstration of the tremendous vitality of the WPK's Songun politics which meets the requirements of the Juche idea.
    The Korean revolution which advances under the uplifted banner of Juche has not yet been completed but has a long and thorny path to cover. But the Korean-style socialist cause is sure to triumph thanks to the great Juche idea and the experienced and seasoned Songun politics of the WPK based on it, concludes the article.


Heightened Vigilance against Imperialists' Divide and Rule Policy Called for

   Pyongyang April 18 (KCNA) -- The imperialists' policy to keep other nations divided can never change as long as their hegemonic nature remains unchanged, says Rodong Sinmun Friday in a signed article.
    They sow seeds of discord in those countries and nations which are made up of several ethnic groups, races and tribes and where there exist several factional groups so as to stoke distrust and hostility among them, the article says. It cites the U.S. active interference in the issue of Kurd tribe in Turkey as an example.
    The imperialists employ the trite method of ruling other countries after dividing them because they are afraid of the united efforts of those nations and want to keep those nations under their permanent domination and control, the article notes, and goes on:
    The imperialists' divide and rule policy resulted in territorial and national division of those countries against the will of their peoples, thus bringing big misfortune and tragedy to them. It also hinders nations from achieving unity and their uniform development and sparks off various kinds of acute contradictions and disputes within the nation, thus disturbing regional peace and security. It also violates sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries and nations and inflicts colonial slavery upon them.
    The imperialists are now working hard to put the Korean nation under their control by keeping it permanently divided into two. The U.S. imperialists sow seeds of discord and dissension among the Koreans and prod the south Korean conservative ruling forces into confrontation with their fellow countrymen, thus straining the situation. The Korean nation has suffered the pain and misfortune resulting from the national split for more than half a century due to the U.S. imperialists' above-said policy and their policy to keep south Korea under their permanent occupation.
    The national and political contradictions and disputes are being aggravated on several continents and in different countries of the world directly or indirectly due to the imperialists' above-said policy.
    The world people should heighten vigilance against that policy of the imperialists.


Rodong Sinmun Assails Japan's Extension of Sanctions against DPRK

   Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- The Japanese authorities decided to extend six months the sanctions against the DPRK including the total embargo on "Mangyongbong-92" and other DPRK-flagged ships at the recent Cabinet meeting. This is the third time Japan took such action against the DPRK.
    Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary terms this action a totally unreasonable and illegal one.
    It goes on:
    The Japanese reactionaries took such action, pulling up the DPRK over the six-party talks and the "abduction issue". This is sheer sophism and a far-fetched assertion.
    The "abduction issue" much touted by the Japanese reactionaries had already found a solution.
    Their action is, in essence, a deliberate political provocation to the DPRK and an open declaration of their intention to push the DPRK-Japan relations to an extreme pitch of tension, torpedo the six-party talks and continue committing the political suppression of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) and Koreans in Japan and violating their rights.
    Unpardonable are the Japanese reactionaries' criminal actions such as treating Chongryon and Koreans in Japan as hostages to put pressure on the DPRK and unhesitatingly perpetrating the political suppression and inhumane atrocities against them.
    Their tightened sanctions against the DPRK are prompted by their sinister political purpose to escalate a siege to it in collusion with the dyed-in-the-wool pro-Japanese Lee Myung Bak group and stifle the DPRK and Chongryon at any cost.
    The Japanese reactionaries' racket for sanctions would only precipitate their own isolation as it creates complexities in the way of the six-party talks and the solution of the nuclear issue and does harm to peace.
    Should they persist in their base and wicked sanctions against the DPRK, swimming against the trend of the times, they will have to pay a dear price for this.


Japan's False Propaganda against DPRK Refuted

   Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Recently Japanese media including NHK were busy spreading wild rumor that the DPRK "exported a lot of rocket systems" to a country in Southeast Asia.
    Commenting on the fact, Minju Joson today says:
    Much upset by the serious political crisis in Japan and the approval rate for the Fukuda Cabinet sinking as low as 20%, the Japanese reactionary ruling quarters felt the need to fake up a shocking incident to slander the DPRK and build up public opinion critical of it in a bid to secure a pretext for escalating sanctions and pressure upon it and divert elsewhere Japanese people's criticism of them and thus tide over the political crisis and prolong their dirty remaining days.
    The fiction about "export of rocket systems" floated by them is nothing but a despicable plot hatched by them to serve this sinister purpose.
    What merits attention is that not only the international community but the United States are dismissing the above-said story. This goes to prove that the Japanese reactionaries are the kingpins of lies and deception, plot-breeding and fabrications.
    It is no more than a daydream for the Japanese reactionaries to try to tarnish the image of the DPRK and attain their sinister political aim by hatching plots, fabricating lies, applying sanctions and putting pressure. This will only lead them to disgrace and destruction.


S. Korean Conservative Ruling Forces' Accusations against DPRK Slammed

   Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- The south Korean conservative ruling forces are now bluffing, intoxicated with "results of the National Assembly election" held on April 9. Conservative media, too, are working hard to create impression that the conservative forces were supported by the south Korean public, vociferating about "will of people" and "public mind-set". They went the lengths of directing accusing fingers at the DPRK, urging it "to look squarely at the reality."
    Commenting on this, Minju Joson today observes:
    The ulterior aim sought by the conservative ruling forces in letting loose a spate of piffles is to push forward at any cost with a veil of "mind-set" Lee Myung Bak's "pragmatic policy towards the north," a policy of regarding the inter-Korean relations and national reunification as no more than trade.
    Another aim sought by them is to cover up their criminal act of bedeviling the inter-Korean relations with a veil of "people's will."
    The results of the recent "election," however, showed in practice what extent the people's distrust and disillusion with the south Korean political camp have reached, the news analyst notes, urging the conservative ruling forces to face up to the hard reality and the people's mind-set.
    Should the south Korean "National Assembly" run counter to the will and desire of the nation, acting a waiting maid of power, the south Korean public and all the fellow countrymen will never pardon it, the paper says.


Efforts for Recovering Inter-Korean Relations Urged in S. Korea

   Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- The South Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration called its steering commission on April 12 and issued a statement urging the "government" to opt for recovering the north-south relations.
    Noting that recently confidence between the south and the north has been injured and their relations been getting worse, the statement held that the blame for the crisis falls on the Lee Myung Bak "government" totally denying the implementation of the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration, fully supported at home and abroad.
    The south-north relations have been put at stake since the Lee Myung Bak gentries cried out for "reciprocity" and "theory of forcing the DPRK to scrap its nuclear program first" after they demanded disorganization of the "Ministry of Unification" before taking office, it pointed out, saying: Such assertions are as good as an act of blocking the cooperation and exchange between the south and the north and bringing dark clouds to the establishment of a peace-keeping mechanism in the Korean Peninsula.
    The Lee Myung Bak "government" should implement the October 4 declaration in a responsible manner, though belatedly, the statement said, strongly urging it to take positive steps to recover the south- north relations.


Lee Myung Bak's U.S. Visit Protested in S. Korea

   Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Members of civic and social organizations and personages of cultural and art, religious and other circles in south Korea called a press conference in Seoul on April 14 to denounce traitor Lee Myung Bak for his planned U.S. visit.
    Speakers at the conference noted that during his U.S. visit such matters would be discussed as the military expansion and arms buildup, the establishment of MD which will cause military tension in the Korean Peninsula and the rest of Northeast Asia, and south Korea's involvement in the "PSI." This will be a process of the efforts to wholly put into practice the U.S.-led unilateral policy for domination, they charged.
    Recalling that the U.S.-south Korea high-level negotiations were held on import of beef from the U.S. that day, they described this as a "present" Lee should bring to the U.S.
    Lee's call for the "restoration of relationship" with the U.S. is an act of reversing the last one decade-long history which has witnessed evermore strengthened anti-U.S. struggle, they noted.
    If Lee makes any agreement violating peace and people's vital rights during the visit, he will be bitterly denounced by the people, they warned.


Kim Il Sung's Work Off Press in Nicaragua

   Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- President Kim Il Sung's famous work "10-Point Programme of the Great Unity of the Whole Nation for the Reunification of the Country" was brought out in booklet by the Nicaraguan Group for the Study of the Juche Idea on April 10.
    The work was published on April 6, Juche 82 (1993).


Joint Seminar on Songun Politics Held in Dominica

   Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- A joint seminar on the Songun politics was held by the left-wing political parties of Dominica at the building of the Dominican New Line Party on April 1.
    The floor was taken by several figures at the seminar.
    Ivan Rodriguez, chairman of the Central Committee of the Dominican Workers' Party, noted that no country has stood as firm against the U.S. as the DPRK has done, adding that it has increased its defence capability in every way thanks to General Secretary Kim Jong Il's Songun politics.
    Ijinio Baes, member of the headquarters of the Dominican People's Movement, pointed out that the DPRK has directed primary efforts to boosting its defence capability by developing the national defence industry, stressing that the U.S. dared not to attack the DPRK, although it posed a threat to it.
    Present there were leaders and members of the Dominican left-wing political parties including the Dominican New Line Party, the Dominican Workers' Party, the Dominican Communist Party (Marxism|Leninism), the Dominican Working Force's Party and the Dominican People's Movement.


Important Days of DPRK Observed in Different Countries

   Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Lectures were given in Tanzania, India and Nigeria between April 4 and 9 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun and the 15th anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission.
    Displayed in the venues of the lectures were works of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and books introducing the revolutionary exploits of the peerless great persons and Songun Korea.
    The secretary of the Dar es Salaam Committee of the Revolutionary Party of Tanzania in his lecture said that President Kim Il Sung always lives in the hearts of humankind because his ideas and feats serve as a textbook for the life and struggle of the peoples of many countries in the world desirous of independence, sovereignty and socialism and a mental treasure common to humankind.
    He stressed that the noble ideas and exploits of the President would shine long thanks to Kim Jong Il possessed of the great ideas and leadership ability that won the admiration of the world.
    The secretary general of the Indian Youth Group for the Study of Works of Comrade Kim Il Sung referred in detail to the fact that the President founded the Juche idea and the Songun idea, adding that these ideas brought about a new turn in the ideological and moral life of mankind and ushered in a new era of history, the era of independence in which the popular masses carve out their destinies independently and creatively.
    Igwanagu Nicholas, chairman of the Nigerian Group for the Study of Kimjongilism, stressed that Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission provided the DPRK with a firm guarantee for always emerging victorious under the banner of Songun.


Exploits of Great Persons of Mt. Paektu Praised

   Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Hasanul Huq Inu, chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the Bangladesh National Socialist Party, issued a statement on April 9 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun and the 15th anniversary of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission.
    The statement noted that the Day of the Sun is a historical day which greeted a new era of socialist Korea and in which the era of independence dawned for the Korean people and progressive humankind.
    The exploits President Kim Il Sung performed by founding the Juche idea, a treasured sword for the era of independence, and making a great contribution to the cause of Juche revolution and the cause of global independence by providing outstanding leadership for more than 80 years would shine long with the human history, the statement noted, and continued:
    A sure victory is in store for the Workers' Party of Korea and the army and people of the DPRK advancing towards a bright morrow of socialism, holding in high esteem Kim Jong Il who is a symbol of the victory and glory of Songun Korea.


Information Bulletin "Thongil" Issued

   Moscow, April 16 (KCNA Correspondent) -- The International United Confederation of Koreans released the January and February issues of Juche 97 (2008) information bulletin "Thongil".
    The January issue of the bulletin carried the speech made by President Kim Il Sung at the banquet given in celebration of the New Year's Day of 1969.
    It also carried the joint New Year 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" released by Rodong Sinmun, Joson Inmingun and Chongnyon Jonwi.
    Given in the bulletin were accounts of seminars held by the Saratov Branch of the confederation and the Associations for the Study of the Juche idea and the Songun Politics in Saratov and Dagestan of Russia.
    The February issue of the bulletin carried an article titled "Kim Jong Il, a statesman of trust." Noting that Kim Jong Il is a statesman who firmly believes in himself, the article stressed that socialist Korea would win one victory after another thanks to Kim Jong Il, a peerless statesman who wins victories with his policy of trust.
    It also carried an article titled "Dialogue Leader Kim Jong Il had with Korean children".


Day of Sun Commemorated in China

   Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- The General Association of Koreans in China held events at Jilin Yuwen Middle School to commemorate the Day of the Sun on April 15.
    Present there were the DPRK consul general and staff members of his consulate in Shenyang, Chairman of the above-said association Yang Yong Dong and other officials and representatives from its affiliated organizations, compatriots in Jilin City and members of branches of DPRK companies in China.
    Present there on invitation were Chinese officials concerned including the vice-mayor of the Jilin City People's Government and principal of the above-mentioned school.
    Floral baskets and flowers were laid before the statue of President Kim Il Sung standing at the school.
    The participants paid tribute to him in profound reverence.
    Then followed a meeting sponsored by the association in commemoration of the 96th birth anniversary of the President.
    A letter to General Secretary Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.
    An art performance was given at the end of the meeting.
    Prior to the meeting, there took place a book and photo exhibition on the same occasion.
    Meanwhile, the organizations affiliated to the association had similar events.


For Spanish-speaking people



Clausurado X Festival de Kimilsungia

   Pyongyang, 18 de abril (ATCC) -- Tuvo lugar este viernes la ceremonia de clausura del X Festival de Kimilsungias en la Exposicion Permanente de Kimilsungias y Kimjongilias.
    Al acto asistieron el vicepresidente del Presidium de la Asamblea Popular Suprema de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, Yang Hyong Sop, el ministro de Cultura Kang Nung Su, los funcionarios de ministerios, organos centrales y organizaciones de masas, militares del Ejercito Popular de Corea, trabajadores, jovenes y ninos escolares.
    Tambien estuvieron presentes los miembros de la delegacion de coreanos residentes en Japon, el embajador Daulat Hotma Audison Passaribu y otros miembros de la embajada de Indonesia en Corea, el presidente de la Asociacion de Kimilsungias y Kimjongilias de America y presidente honorario de la Asociacion de Apoyo a la Divulgacion de Kimilsungias y Kimjongilias, Ri Pyong Sang, y los integrantes de las entidades homologas de varios paises, coreanos en ultramar y huespedes extranjeros.
    En la ceremonia clausural fueron otorgados el diploma del premio especial a dos unidades inclusive el Comite por la Reunificacion Pacifica de la Patria y el diploma del premio sobresaliente a 45 unidades incluyendo el Presidium de la APS, el Secretariado del Consejo de Ministros y el Ministerio de Seguridad del Pueblo.
    Igualmente, fue conferido el diploma del premio excelente a 24 unidades y el diploma del premio de merito a 8 entidades.
    En particular, el Presidium del CC de la Chongryon (Asociacion General de Coreanos Residentes en Japon), la Embajada de la Republica de Indonesia en Corea y el Fondo Internacional de Caridad "Protectores de Arte Secular" de Rusia ganaron el diploma del premio especial.
    Tambien fue concedido el certificado de participacion a decenas de militares del EPC, trabajadores, jovenes y ninos escolares el gerente general de la Compania General para el Desarrollo de Economia Nacional de la Provincia de Heilongjiang, China, y chinos radicados en Corea.
    El presidente del CC de la Federacion General de Escritores y Artistas de Corea, Kim Pyong Hun, pronuncio la palabra de clausura.


Kim Jong Il recibe telegramas y cartas de FDNA y otras entidades

   Pyongyang, 18 de abril (ATCC) -- Con motivo del Dia del Sol (15 de abril, cumpleanos del Presidente Kim Il Sung) hicieron llegar al Dirigente Kim Jong Il telegramas y cartas la Sucursal del Frente Democratico Nacional Antiimperialista en Pyongyang y la Representacion de esta entidad en Japon, la Asociacion General de Coreanos Residentes en China, la Asociacion Internacional de Coreanos (Unidad), la Federacion de Coreanos Residentes en los Estados Unidos y organizaciones bajo su egida, la Federacion de Coreanos Residentes en Canada, la Federacion Nacional de Coreanos Residentes en Australia, la Sociedad por la Cooperacion entre Coreanos Residentes en Alemania, la Direccion de la Region Europea de la Alianza Pannacional por la Reunificacion de la Patria, y otras organizaciones de los coreanos s en ultramar y coreanos individuales.
    Las misivas senalan que todos los coreanos rinden el mas sublime tributo al Presidente Kim Il Sung quien dedico todo lo suyo por la patria, el pueblo y la realizacion de la causa de independencia de la humanidad.
    Los remitentes enfatizan que se transmitiran eternamente las inmortales proezas revolucionarias del Presidente, patriota simpar y heroe legendario quien allano el camino de la original revolucion del Songun (priorizacion militar) y vencio en una generacion a las dos potencias imperialistas mas barbaras materializando la linea de dar importancia a las fuerzas armadas y a los asuntos militares y convirtio la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea en un poderoso Estado socialista soberano, independiente y autodefensivo.
    Subrayan que gracias al Dirigente Kim Jong Il, simbolo de toda la victoria y gloria y el futuro de la Corea del Songun, el Presidente vivira siempre como Sol del Juche y su historia revolucionaria se transmitira invariablemente.
    Finalizan que todos los coreanos confiaran firmemente y seguiran siempre al Dirigente y se levantaran activamente en el movimiento patriotico de la reunificacion para abrir con las fuerzas unidas de la nacion la epoca de reunificacion independiente iniciada el 15 de Junio, nueva era de la paz y la prosperidad.


Politica de Songun se basa en la idea Juche, reafirma Rodong Sinmun

   Pyongyang, 18 de abril (ATCC) -- En un articulo individual difundido este viernes, el diario Rodong Sinmun reafirma que la politica de Songun (priorizacion militar) del Partido del Trabajo de Corea es el modo politico mas poderoso del socialismo que permite conducir a la brillante victoria la revolucion y la construccion de nuestra epoca.
    La politica de Songun resulta cientifica, original e invencible porque materializa brillantemente la idea, la teoria y los metodos del Juche, senala el articulista y continua:
    El PTC, que avanza izando bien alto la bandera del Songun, considera que salvaguardar la soberania y la dignidad del pais y la nacion constituye su problema de principios mas importante para defender el maximo interes estatal y el fundamental de la revolucion.
    Por lo tanto, hace frente rotundo sin ninguna concesion o conciliacion a los que traten de atentar la soberania y la dignidad de nuestro pais.
    Gracias a la direccion del Songun del PTC, se logro la identificacion de las ideas y los modos de lucha entre el ejercito y el pueblo a base del espiritu revolucionario de los militares.
    De esta manera, se robustecieron extraordinariamente las fuerzas subjetivas de la revolucion coreana y nuestro pais es altamente dignificado como invencible potencia ideo-politica caracterizada por la gran unidad entre el ejercito y el pueblo.
    La conmovedora realidad de hoy, en que todo el ejercito y el pueblo unidos monoliticamente en torno a la Direccion de la Revolucion producen un auge en la construccion de una gran potencia prospera socialista, es una manifestacion de la inagotable vitalidad de la politica de Songun del PTC.
    A pesar de que no ha terminado la revolucion coreana que avanza bajo la bandera del Juche y es muy largo y arduo el camino que nos queda por recorrer, es definitiva la victoria de la causa socialista al estilo coreano gracias a la probada y diestra politica de Songun del PTC arraigada en la idea Juche.


Rodong Sinmun critica a Japon por prorrogar la sancion anti-RPDC

   Pyongyang, 18 de abril (ATCC) -- En la recien convocada reunion de ministros, las autoridades japonesas decidieron dar por tercera vez una prorroga de 6 meses a las medidas de sancion contra la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, incluyendo la prohibicion total de la entrada en los puertos japoneses de las embarcaciones coreanas como "Mangyongbong-92".
    Al publicar este viernes un comentario individual, el diario Rodong Sinmun califica de injusta, ilegal y absurda esa decision tomada cuestionando las conversaciones a 6 partes y el supuesto "problema del secuestro".
    En particular, los reaccionarios japoneses andan escandalizando en todas partes el ya resuelto "problema del secuestro", indica el comentarista y prosigue:
    Esto deviene la provocacion politica intencional contra la RPDC y abierta declaracion de que llevarian al fracaso las conversaciones a 6 partes empeorando al extremo las relaciones Corea-Japon y seguiran practicando la represion politica y la violacion de derechos humanos contra la Chongryon (Asociacion General de Coreanos Residentes en Japon) y los coreanos radicados en Japon.
    Son imperdonables las maniobras criminales de los reaccionarios japoneses que usan sin titubeo la violencia politica y cometen fechorias inhumanas contra la Chongryon y los coreanos residentes en el pais isleno tratandolos como rehen para presionar a la RPDC.
    La acalorada campana para alargar la sancion parte del malsano proposito politico de los reaccionarios japoneses de atropellar a la RPDC y la Chongryon apretando el cerco contra esta primera en contubernio con la banda de Lee Myung Bak, sirviente fiel de Japon.
    Pero esa campana, que complica el proceso de la cita a 6 bandas y la solucion del problema nuclear, traera unicamente el aislamiento de los mismos reaccionarios japoneses.
    Si ellos siguen enfrascandose en esa brutal campana anti-RPDC nadando en contra de la corriente de la epoca, tendran que pagarlo muy caro.