Kim Yong Nam Greets Cameroonian President
Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, sent a message of greetings to Paul Biya, President of Cameroon, on May 16 on the occasion of the 36th birthday of its Republic.
Kim in the message hoped that the bilateral ties of friendship and cooperation would grow stronger in various fields.
DPRK FM Meets Iranian and Mongolian Ambassadors
Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- Pak Ui Chun, minister of Foreign Affairs, respectively met and had a talk with Morteza Moradian, new Iranian ambassador to the DPRK, and Sodovjamts Khurelbaatar, new Mongolian ambassador to the DPRK, when they paid a courtesy call on him on May 19.
DPRK Ambassador to Democratic Congo Appointed
Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- According to a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Jo Man Sok was appointed as DPRK ambassador to Democratic Congo.
Iranian Friendship Delegation Arrives
Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- A friendship delegation of Hamedan Province of Iran led by Deputy Governor Akbar Abedi arrived here today by air.
DPRK Gymnasts Prove Successful
Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- DPRK gymnasts proved successful at the FIG 2008 World Cup Gymnastics held in Tianjin, China.
Ri Se Gwang won a gold medal and a silver medal in men's vault and rings events in the gymnastics organized by the FIG.
Kim Jin Hyok bagged bronze medals in men's parallel bars and rings.
Wonhung Sanatorium Reconstructed
Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- The Wonhung Sanatorium situated in Jagang Province of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has been rebuilt and started its service.
Working people from different areas, mainly from Jagang, North Phyongan and South Phyongan provinces, are curing their diseases there at state expenses.
It has recuperation pavilions of specialized departments and tens of houses with treatment rooms.
There are well-furnished treatment facilities using spa such as centers for balneotherapy, physiotherapy and sauna treatment.
The temperature of the hot spring is 45 degrees Celsius and it has abundant gushing water.
The spa has the function of radon and sulfur springs. It is effective for the palpation of blood circulation and treatment of chronic small and large intestinal inflammation, chronic poisoning by heavy metal, rheumatic arthritis, skin diseases, women's diseases and post-operation troubles.
The sanatorium which can accommodate hundreds of people at a time renders medical services for the treatment of a wide range of diseases.
Pyongyang Undergoes Facelift
Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- A campaign for putting Pyongyang on a new look has been vigorously launched with the approach of the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the DPRK.
The city is abustle with the work of paving most of the streets with asphalt, greening areas along streets and painting buildings.
More than 20 streets including Ryongnamsan, Ponghwa, Yongung, Changgwang and Hyoksin Streets and their sideroads and roads leading to and in parks, recreation grounds and other cultural resorts around Moran Hill and along the Taedong River have been already asphalt-surfaced.
According to the data available, the pavement project has been carried out over 50 per cent.
Great efforts are also directed to the projects for paving sidewalks with color blocks and for repairing and building infrastructure including water supply and sewage works.
The finishing touch is being given to the work of transplanting good species of trees including ginkgo and cryptomeria and flower shrubs and additionally planting turf.
Meanwhile, the project for plastering and painting buildings is also at its height.
Moves to Increase Upkeep of U.S. Forces Flayed in S. Korea
Pyongyang, May19 (KCNA) -- The People for Achieving Peace and Reunification, the Society for Supporting Prisoners of Conscience of the Family Movement for Realizing Democracy and the South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification in south Korea called a press conference in Seoul on May 14 to denounce the authorities for their moves to increase the upkeep for the U.S. forces present in south Korea.
Speakers at the press conference charged that the "Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade" is scheming to increase the upkeep for the U.S. military presence in south Korea in the way of offering materials instead of cash under the U.S. pressure.
This means that south Korea will provide the construction of dwelling houses and facilities for the U.S. forces in the name of "expenses for military facilities," they said, terming the scheme a deception of the people.
A press release read out at the press conference said that if the increase of the upkeep is carried out in the above-said way, the U.S. forces would make more troublesome demands. So, the scheme for the increased upkeep is another "drain on resources" in the wake of the opening of south Korean market to American beef, a humiliating step, it said.
It demanded that the authorities retake the upkeep for the U.S. forces illegally accumulated till now and abolish the "system of bearing the share of the upkeep" itself.
Anti-Popular Policy Criticized in S. Korea
Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- The south Korean Teachers Union issued a statement on May 13 condemning the anti-popular educational policy shaped by the Lee Myung Bak group.
The statement charged that though educational and civic organizations held a seminar, etc. to disclose the injustice and deceitfulness of the "plan for pushing campus autonomy" worked out by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and protest against it, the educational authorities are advocating only "autonomy of schools and education."
It stressed that the educational authorities should draw a due lesson from the reality in which people from various circles continue the candlelight protest against the anti-popular and sycophantic behavior of the present ruling forces day by day and the campaign calling for impeachment of traitor Lee is going on.
The union will wage together with people from all walks of life such struggles as sit-in strike, information activity and one million signature campaign, urging the "government" to enforce the proper educational policy, the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Trade Unions released a statement on May 14 criticizing the deceptive economic policy of the Lee group.
Recalling that the "government" decided to cut down the budget of local autonomies under the pretext of "recovering the economy" and "creating jobs," the statement charged that this decision is driving to corner the poor, an object of social protection.
It denounced the Lee Myung Bak "government" as that for the rich only, saying that it makes the sacrifice of the indigent in a very difficult condition, though calling for the "economic recovery for common people."
Actions against Import of American Beef Unabated in S. Korea
Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- A candlelight rally in protest against the opening of south Korean market to American beef took place at the plaza in front of the Seoul City Office on May 14 with more than 20,000 people attending.
Speakers at the rally declared it is the demand of the people that traitor Lee Myung Bak should recognize the fact that the negotiations on the opening of market to American beef were wrong and immediately nullify them by himself.
Lee is chiefly to blame for the unending suicides committed by stockbreeding farmers, they said, calling upon all the people to turn out to get their grudge settled.
That day candlelight rallies simultaneously took place in over 40 provinces, cities and counties across south Korea.
Meanwhile, the People's Council of Measures against the Total Opening of south Korean Market to American Beef held a meeting of representatives in Seoul on May 15 at which it decided to escalate the actions against the import of American beef.
Speakers at the meeting recalled that candlelight actions in protest against the import of American beef have so far been attended by a total of at least 200,000 people in more than 70 areas of south Korea and organizations in different domains were inaugurated to conduct diverse activities.
They stated the council would never stop their candlelight actions but escalate them till the renegotiations for meeting the required conditions for the import of American beef take place.
A letter of protest to traitor Lee Myung Bak was read out at the meeting. It urged Lee to come to his senses, though belatedly, and declare the outcome of the negotiations for the import of American beef null and void and renegotiate it.
At the end of the meeting, the participants staged a demonstration.
Seminar on Kim Jong Il's Work Held in Egypt
Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- A seminar on General Secretary Kim Jong Il's work "Giving Priority to Ideological Work Is Essential For Accomplishing Socialism" and a film show were held by the Egyptian Committee for the Study of the Juche Idea on May 12.
Chairman of the committee Yehia Zakaria Khairullah explained the main contents of the work and stressed that the work is of historical significance as it clears up the fundamental reason of collapse of socialism in some countries and comprehensively clarifies the tasks for accomplishing the socialist cause.
He said that in the DPRK the whole society has formed into a big family closely united in one mind and will around the leader by concentrating efforts on the ideological work on the basis of the man-centered Juche idea.
Korean socialism will be invincible forever thanks to the single-minded unity stronger than the nukes, he said.
Speakers explained and proved in a profound way the validity and vitality of the idea calling for giving priority to the ideological work clarified in the work in combination with the reality of the DPRK.
After the seminar the participants watched the Korean film "Respected Comrade Kim Jong Il Is a Great Thinker and Theoretician."
For Spanish-speaking people
Kim Jong Il presencia funcion de esposas de oficiales
Pyongyang, 19 de mayo (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il, Secretario General del Partido del Trabajo de Corea, Presidente del Comite de Defensa Nacional de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea y Comandante Supremo del Ejercito Popular de Corea, presencio una funcion de los grupos artisticos de las esposas de oficiales de las Unidades No. 963, No. 966 y No. 233 del EPC quienes participan en el primer concurso del segundo periodo de los mismos grupos.
Le acompanaron Kim Kyok Sik, jefe del Estado Mayor General, Kim Jong Gak, primer subjefe de la Direccion Politica General, otros miembros directivos, del EPC, Kim Ki Nam, secretario del Comite Central del PTC, Jang Song Thaek, jefe de departamento y otros cuadros responsables, del CC del PTC.
Las miembros de los grupos artisticos pusieron en la escena el poema en dialogo "Los familiares del monte Paektu y el socialismo", el coro en drama "Tengamos presente", la charla comica "Cerremos bien", el drama corta "Voluntad de seguir", la poesia y narracion "la generacion de la familia es la de revolucion" y otras piezas de declamacion de diversos generos.
Las ejecutantes, a traves de su funcion revolucionaria y combativa, cantaron con gran orgullo la digna vida de si mismas que marchan a pasos firmes por el unico camino de la revolucion en el regazo benevolente del Dirigente.
El Dirigente Kim Jong Il se mostro muy satisfecho de que las miembros de los grupos artisticos de esposas de oficiales ofrecieron esa magnifica funcion con la firme confianza politica que da respuestas a los problemas sociales de la epoca del Songun (priorizacion militar) y evaluo altamente sus exitos del espectaculo.
Senalo que todas piezas puestas en la escena son las obras de gran significacion cognoscitiva y educativa que resuelven de manera profunda en lo ideo-artistico los importantes problemas sociopoliticos que se presentan en la lucha y la vida de los seres humanos de la epoca del Songun y elogio la excelente creacion de las originales obras del arte de hablar.
Evaluo altamente los meritos de las esposas de los oficiales destacando que ellas son las admirables que ayudan con toda sinceridad el trabajo revolucionario de sus esposos.
Apunto que el concurso de los grupos artisticos de esposas de oficiales hace un gran aporte a popularizar el arte y acelerar la revolucionarizacion de los familiares de los oficiales y presento las tareas programaticas que sirven de guia para desarrollar mas las actividades artisticas populares y masivas.
Organos y entidades sociales de Corea expresan condolencias a los chinos danados
Pyongyang, 19 de mayo (ATCC) -- Con motivo de que el fuerte terremoto que azoto el dia 12 el distrito de Wenchuan de la provincia de Sichuan de China causo grandes perdidas humanas y materiales, el Comite de Relaciones Culturales con el Extranjero, el Comite Central de la Asociacion de Amistad Corea-China , el CC de la Union de la Juventud Socialista Kim Il Sung y otros organos y entidades sociales enviaron telegramas de consuelo a las entidades correspondientes de China para expresar profundas condolencias a los habitantes de zonas afectadas.
Rechazan aumento de cuota para mantenimiento de tropas de EE.UU.
Pyongyang, 19 de mayo (ATCC) -- Los Hombres Partidarios de la Paz y Reunificacion, la Asociacion de Ayuda a los Presos de Conciencia del Consejo del Movimiento de Familias por la Democracia y la Direccion Surena de la Alianza Pannacional por la Reunificacion de la Patria condenaron en una entrevista de prensa sostenida el dia 14 en Seul las pretensiones de las autoridades surcoreanas de aumentar la cuota para el mantenimiento de las tropas norteamericanas ocupantes del suelo surcoreano.
Los oradores revelaron que rendido ante la presion de EE.UU. por el aumento de esa cuota de la parte surcoreana, el "Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y de Comercio" trata de hacerlo con el abasto de materiales en lugar del dinero en efectivo
Subrayaron que esa medida es un engano al pueblo porque significaria la construccion de viviendas e instalaciones de las tropas norteamericanas a titulo del "costo para el mantenimiento de instalaciones militares"
La nota de entrevista leida en la ocasion apunto que si se realiza el aumento de la cuota referida a traves del ofrecimiento de materiales, las tropas norteamericanas demandaran condiciones mas complicadas y condeno que esto es otro ejemplo de "entrega desmesurada" junto con la apertura del mercado surcoreano a la carne de res de EE.UU.
Agrego que las autoridades surcoreanas deben demandar la devolucion de todo el dinero que acumularon ilegalmente hasta ahora las tropas norteamericanas por concepto de su manutencion y abolir el mismo "sistema contributario para el mantenimiento" de estos efectivos.
Se renueva la fisonomia de Pyongyang
Pyongyang, 19 de mayo (ATCC) - En visperas del 60o aniversario de la fundacion de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, se impulsan en etapa crucial los proyectos de urbanizacion para renovar el perfil de esta capital.
Ultimamente, se acondicionan las arboledas y los jardines y se adornan los edificios en las periferias de las calles capitalinas.
Ya quedaron asfaltadas las carreteras en mas de 20 avenidas como Ryongnamsan, Ponghwa, Yongung, Changgwang, Hyoksin, etc. y la vialidad de los lugares de recreo como parques y zonas de diversiones en la colina Moran y en el contorno del rio Taedong.
Segun estadisticas, hasta la fecha, la pavimentacion con asfalto se llevo a cabo en mas de la mitad de toda la vialidad capitalina.
Igualmente, se da buen impulso a la colocacion en las aceras de los bloques en colores y a la reparacion de la infraestructura como la red de acueducto y alcantarillado.
Entraron en la ultima fase la plantacion de gingko, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Eucommia ulmoides y otras buenas especies y arbustos florales y la siembra adicional del cesped.
Por otra parte, se realizan el repello en los edificios y la pintura de sus paredes exteriores.