Kim Yong Nam Greets Eritrean President
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Issaias Afewerki, President of Eritrea, on May 23 on the occasion of its independence day.
Kim in the message expressed the belief that the bilateral ties of friendship and cooperation would grow stronger in the common interests of the two peoples and sincerely wished the president and people of Eritrea greater success in their future work.
Gift to Kim Jong Il from Director-General of IIJI
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift by Vishwanath, director-general of the International Institute of the Juche Idea, on a visit to the DPRK.
The gift was handed to an official concerned by Vishwanath on Friday.
Performance Given by Members of Art Groups of Families of Serviceperson
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- The performance by members of the art groups participating in the first contest of the second-term of art groups of families of servicepersons of the Korean People's Army is going on at the People's Palace of Culture here before full houses.
Appreciating it on Friday were senior party and state officials, officials of party and power organs, the Cabinet, ministries and national institutions and working people in the city.
Put on the stage were narrative pieces of diverse genres including dialogic poem "Members of Mt. Paektu Family and Socialism", drama and chorus "Let's Bear in Mind", short drama "Reverence", poem and story-telling "Family Tradition Means Tradition of Revolution," witty talk "Let's Close without Fail" and chorus and story-telling "Self-Reliance Is the Only Way Out".
Through such numbers, the performers impressively depicted their high honor and pride of leading a worthwhile life as women revolutionaries and the second trumpeters of Songun grown up under the care of General Secretary Kim Jong Il and their faith and will to accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche to the end together with their husbands in military uniform.
Successful Results in Sports
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- Korean sportsmen and sportswomen are gaining noticeable successes in international tournaments.
They have bagged quite a few medals including more than 40 gold medals over the last three months or more.
Twenty players have been qualified for the 29th Olympiad in this period.
The first gold medalist of the year is Kim Kum Ok who took the women's title at the 11th Asian Marathon Championships held in Hong Kong, China, in February. Another Korean girl Jong Yong Ok finished the runner-up.
Ko Hyon Suk snatched gold in two women's events, 500 m and 1,000 m, at the "Norwegian Cup" International Speed-skating Competitions.
Wrestlers proved successful in the 2008 Asian Wrestling Championships.
Yang Chun Song clinched gold in the 66 kg category of freestyle wrestling and Cha Kwang Su silver in the 55 kg category of Greco-Roman wrestling. Bronze medalists were Kim Sun Nam in the 55 kg category of freestyle and Kim Kum Chol in the 66 kg category of Greco-Roman.
Korean marathoners captured two gold, one silver and one bronze medals in the International Association of Athletics Federations-the 21st "Mangyongdae Prize" held in Pyongyang in celebration of the Day of the Sun.
The honor of the mother country of Taekwon-Do was fully displayed in the 4th Asian Taekwon-Do Championships in Kazakhstan and the 3rd International Games of Martial Arts in Thailand where Korean boys and girls picked up dozens of medals including nearly 30 gold medals and several cups.
Ri Se Gwang and Hong Un Jong emerged supreme in men's and women's vaulting horse respectively in the World Cup Gymnastic Competitions in Slovenia and Judoists carried away five gold, silver and bronze medals from the 2008 Asian Judo Championships, finishing second in team total.
In the FIG 2008 World Cup Gymnastics held in Tianjin, China, Ri Se Gwang won gold and silver in vault and rings and Kim Jin Hyok bronze in parallel bars and rings.
Now, Korean sportsmen and sportswomen are intensifying training with the resolution to demonstrate the honor of Songun Korea in the Beijing Olympiad.
69th Anniversary of Victory in Battles in Musan Area Observed
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- The Monument to Victory in Battles in Musan Area where the statue of President Kim Il Sung stands is visited by an endless stream of servicepersons, working people and school youth and children on the occasion of the 69th anniversary of victory in battles in the Musan area.
The monument gives a truthful formative and artistic depiction of the immortal revolutionary feats the President performed by sounding a gun report in the homeland again in May of Juche 28 (1939) and thereby instilling the conviction of victory into the Korean people.
The number of visitors to the monument has reached more than 286,000 for six years since it was newly erected.
The visitors looked round the statue of the President, a relievo of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk who conducted dynamic military and political activities during the advance of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA) into the Musan area, a large group of relievos of subsidiary theme representing the indomitable struggle of anti-Japanese revolutionary forerunners, their hearts burning with ardent patriotism, people assisting the KPRA, the struggle of the developers of the alpine region and the happy life of the people in Taehongdan County, the tower depicting a rifle and the monument to the revolutionary history.
In front of the Monument to Victory in Battles in Musan Area they held seminars on the undying revolutionary exploits of the three generals of Mt. Paektu, public presentations of reminiscences of anti-Japanese guerrillas, etc., deeply grasping the greatness of the WPK and the leader and the anti-Japanese revolutionary forerunners' transparent spirit of devotedly defending the leader.
Free Educational System in DPRK
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- A universal free educational system is in force in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
A compulsory free education, the first of its kind in history, was given at the schools in the vast revolutionized rural areas and Children's Corps schools in the guerrilla bases-liberated areas in the 1930s during the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle. There experiences and achievements were accumulated in the enforcement of the free educational system.
President Kim Il Sung set forth a compulsory free education programme in the "Ten-point Programme of the Association for the Restoration of the Fatherland" in Juche 25 (1936) and developed and enriched it after the liberation of the country, thus perfecting the idea on the universal free education.
The idea has been carried into practice stage by stage according to new circumstances and conditions.
The government abolished all sorts of school expenses including monthly tuition fee, which were imposed by the Japanese imperialists and instituted a single popular schooling fee system in the period of building a new country.
At that time, the children of revolutionary martyrs, children of poor workers and peasants and a family with five or more students were exempted from paying the negligible schooling fee.
The universal free compulsory primary education was enforced in 1956 and the universal free compulsory secondary education in 1958.
In order to embody in an all-round way the principle of educating all the working people fully on the responsibility of the state, the DPRK adopted Cabinet Decision No. 18 "On abolishing completely the schooling fee of students" in March 1959 and announced that the universal free educational system would be enforced from April one that year.
The universal free educational system remained in force without interruption in the days of the "Arduous March" and the forced march.
Struggle against Dependence on Outsiders Called for
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- Actions against the ruling forces' policy of dependence on the outsiders are now rapidly mounting in south Korea. This is the inevitable result of their unpopular, sycophantic and treacherous politics of kowtowing to foreign forces and relying on them, bereft of the spirit of national independence.
Rodong Sinmun today observes this in a signed article.
It goes on:
Traitors standing in the way of the independent development of their nation while meeting outsiders' aggressive interests are bound to emerge from among those steeped in sycophancy and dependent on foreign forces.
The Lee Myung Bak group, zealously pursuant to the policies of outside forces, is blatantly challenging the June 15 era of reunification as their bootlickers in the moves against national reunification.
It is keen to block the cause of reunification and do harm to fellow countrymen, seeking cooperation with foreign forces, instead of siding with the nation and working hard to protect its interests at a time when the Koreans are striving to regain the sovereignty of compatriots and achieve national reunification by the concerted efforts of the nation.
The inter-Korean relations are inching close to the worst crisis since the publication of the June 15 joint declaration and the danger of war is increasing day by day. The desperate moves of the Lee group to stem the trend of history, depending on foreign forces in utter disregard of the reunification of the country and the destiny of the nation have, indeed, tremendous harmful impact on the development of the national history.
Military clashes between compatriots will be unavoidable if the south Korean bellicose forces persistently go mad with the moves to provoke a war in collusion with foreign forces, openly calling for even a "preemptive attack" on the DPRK. It is quite clear to everybody to what grave danger the destiny of the Korean nation will be exposed in that event.
It is the bitter historic lesson drawn by the Korean nation that sycophancy and dependence on foreign forces are bound to lead to national ruin.
The Lee group will not be able to escape a stern judgment of history as it is betraying the nation and blocking national reunification with the backing of foreign forces, steeped in sycophancy and the idea of depending on foreign forces.
Japan's Reckless Moves for Overseas Aggression Assailed
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- The Japanese authorities decided to submit a bill on a "permanent law" allowing overseas dispatch of "Self-Defense Forces" (SDF) to the Diet on March 25. The next day, Japan newly created a "central reaction regiment" in the Ground SDF to make sure that it will perform the role of an advance unit in the event of overseas dispatch.
Rodong Sinmun today observes in a signed article carried in this regard:
Such moves of Japan prove that its moves for overseas aggression have reached a very dangerous phase.
Citing facts to prove that the Japanese authorities have long left no means untried to revise its "Pacifist Constitution" as a war constitution, the article goes on:
The recent moves stepped up by the Japanese reactionaries to make the SDF regular armed forces and modernize it and develop the missile defense system, etc. are aimed at further updating the SDF and rounding off the missile strike capability.
They have become so emboldened that they are seeking even space militarization.
Now the danger of their moves to turn Japan into a military power and launch overseas aggression is further increasing than ever before, further straining the regional situation.
The present reality goes to prove that the Japanese militarists remain unchanged in their aggressive nature and old dream of "the Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere." But the ambition of the Japanese reactionaries for overseas expansion can never be realized. If Japan opts for reinvasion at any cost, swimming against the trend of the times, it will not be able to escape self-destruction and disgrace.
Traitor Lee Myung Bak's "Pragmatic Diplomacy" Termed Nonsensical
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- The south Korean MBC Wednesday termed the "pragmatic diplomacy" touted by traitor Lee Myung Bak nonsensical.
It said that "the creative 'pragmatic diplomacy' of the Lee Myung Bak government has been driven to a tight corner."
What Lee Myung Bak gained by forming "partnership" with Bush in Camp David, talking about the "restoration" of the relations with the U.S., was nothing but criticism of "diplomacy calling for drain on resources", it ridiculed.
At a time when Lee was finding himself in a pretty fix, Japan clarified its stand to have Tok Islet described as part of its territory in the textbooks for middle schools in Japan, MBC noted, deploring:
"Lee Myung Bak declared he would pursue a future-oriented policy of friendship toward Japan but in the meantime the Japanese government has been busy working out textbooks, a quite unfriendly attitude".
MBC said that south Korea is bound to stand isolated in Northeast Asia for being keen on "alliance" with the U.S. and Japan.
28th Anniversary of May 18 Kwangju Popular Uprising Observed in S. Korea
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- A function took place in Kwangju on May 18 to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the May 18 Kwangju Popular Uprising under the sponsorship of the South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon).
It was attended by members of the South Headquarters of Pomminryon, the south Korean Federation of University Student Councils, the south Korean Council of Youth Organizations, the south Korean Federation of the Poor and other organizations grouping people of different social standings.
The participants visited the cemetery in Mangwoldong to pay silent tribute to those who were brutally killed by the fascist dictators 28 years ago.
Then followed a rally.
Speakers at the rally said that the uprising, which took place in Kwangju in May 1980, was resistance of the people who turned out to oppose the military dictatorship and realize democracy.
Denouncing traitor Lee Myung Bak for pursuing humiliating diplomacy towards the U.S. and a policy of confrontation with the north, they said that it is the urgent task facing the people to thoroughly implement the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration.
Noting that to build on this land a society where the people would become a master of everything as early as possible means properly inheriting the spirit of the May 18 uprising, they called on the citizens of Kwangju to take the lead in frustrating the Lee Myung Bak "government's" moves for the import of American beef and defending the people's right to existence.
They underscored the need to steadily struggle to have the aggressive "alliance" with the U.S. scrapped and the U.S. troops withdrawn from south Korea.
Inheritance of Spirit Displayed by Participants in Kwangju Uprising Called for
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- The South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification released a statement titled "Let us achieve independence, democracy and reunification by inheriting the May spirit" on May 18 on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of the Kwangju Popular Uprising.
The statement recalled that 28 years ago, the people from all walks of life in Kwangju turned out to achieve the national reunification and democracy against the military dictatorial regime which trampled down with jackboots the people's ardent desire for democratization. The fighting spirit displayed in the uprising still prevails throughout south Korea, it noted, and went on:
Since traitor Lee Myung Bak from the Grand National Party of south Korea, a descendent of the man-killers during the May 18 popular uprising, came to power, the departed soul of dictators has haunted on this land again. People of different social standings are angered by the moves of the group of traitors to hamstring the implementation of the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration and bring the inter-Korean relations back to those in the past era.
The true nature of the dictatorial forces keen on sycophancy towards the U.S. can never change, the statement noted, calling upon all the people to turn out to defend the June 15 joint declaration and implement the October 4 declaration so as to carve out independent reunification and the future of peace and prosperity.
Meanwhile, the South Headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification in a statement on May 17 said that the people turned out in the struggle against the U.S. and Lee Myung Bak by carrying forward the spirit of the participants in the Kwangju popular resistance.
The statement called upon the youth and students to conduct the struggle to impeach pro-U.S. traitor Lee Myung Bak, descendent of the fascist dictatorial forces, aware of their mission as pioneers and vanguard of the times.
Japan's Shameless Ambition to Grab Tok Islet under Fire in S. Korea
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- The Press Headquarters of the South Side's Committee for Implementing June 15 Joint Declaration issued a statement on May 19 denouncing Japan for its shameless ambition to grab Tok Islet.
Recalling that the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology issued an instruction to describe Tok Islet as part of Japan's territory in the textbooks for middle schools, the statement said Japan thus brought to light again how shameless it has become in its wild ambition for aggression.
Ancient historical documents of Japan clearly prove the fact that Tok Islet is part of Korea's territory, the statement said, terming Japan's groundless claim to Tok Islet an act of distorting the history, a shameless attitude of evading its responsibility as a war criminal state.
It urged the Japanese government to drop at once its groundless assertions and unreasonable measures.
Meanwhile, Ho Jong Hwa, honorary professor at Gyeongsang National University of south Korea, called a press conference at the Jinju City Office on May 20 at which he produced the textbook of Japan dating back to the period of the Japanese imperialists' colonial rule in which Tok Islet is described as part of Korea's territory.
The textbook was brought out by Japan's "Tokyo Study Publishing House" in 1939.
The textbook carried a map showing Japan's territory and a picture dealing with its fights to grab territories. Tok Islet and Ullung Island were clearly marked as parts of Korea's territory.
At that time Japan used the textbook as a teaching material for those from the fifth grade of primary schools to the second grade of high schools not only in Japan but also in Korea and Manchuria, Ho Jong Hwa said, holding that "Japan should no longer assert that Tok Islet belongs to it".
Pyongyang Declaration Signed by More than 270 Political Parties
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- Many progressive political parties in the world regard the Pyongyang Declaration "Let us defend and advance the cause of socialism" as a charter for socialism and their action programme, highly appreciating it as a militant banner representing the desires of the political parties and peoples for socialism.
Leaders and representatives of various political parties desirous of socialism in the world made public this declaration in Pyongyang on April 20, Juche 81 (1992).
At that time the Pyongyang Declaration was signed by 70 political parties.
In recent years the world socialist movement gained in scope and strength as more political parties including the People's Liberation Front of Sri Lanka and the Finnish Communists' Association signed the declaration.
The Pyongyang Declaration was signed not only by political parties in developing countries and capitalist countries but also by progressive political parties in the United States and the number of the signatories is increasing as the days go by.
The total number of the political parties that signed the declaration has so far reached more than 270, over 30 in Asia, 67 in Europe and 175 in Africa and America.
April Issue of Information Bulletin "Thongil" Released
Moscow, May 21 (KCNA) -- The International United Confederation of Koreans issued the April issue of information bulletin "Thongil".
The bulletin carried a portrait of smiling President Kim Il Sung.
The bulletin in its articles highly praised the revolutionary history of the President, which takes an outstanding place in the history of the revolutionary movement in the 20th century, as the history of Songun revolutionary leadership which attached great importance to the army and gave priority to military affairs.
Also seen in the bulletin is an article titled "Right to national self-determination and independence of people" written by Vladimir Markov, secretary of the Central Committee of the Communists Union Party of Russia, praising the greatness of the President on the occasion of the Day of the Sun.
The bulletin also dealt with the exploits the President performed by providing the tradition of great national unity.
The bulletin carried an account of a meeting held in Moscow under the sponsorship of the Russian Association for Friendship and Cultural Cooperation with the DPRK 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.
It introduced the Korean People's Army demonstrating its might as a reliable defender of the cause of socialism while meeting the challenges of the imperialists under the leadership of Kim Jong Il.
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"MBC" critica "diplomacia pragmatista" de Lee Myung Bak
Pyongyang, 23 de mayo (ATCC) -- El pasado dia 21, la radio surcoreana "MBC" revelo el caracter absurdo de la "diplomacia pragmatista" de que habla con bombo y platillo el traidor Lee Myung Bak.
Adelanto que la "creativa del gobierno de Lee esta cayendo en el atolladero".
Aunque Lee paso sus dias en Camp David con Bush "hombro con hombro" jurando "rehabilitar" las relaciones con Estados Unidos, lo unico que consiguio fue la critica a su "diplomacia de entrega desmesurada", ironizo.
Prosiguio que justamente cuando Lee se halla en una situacion tan incomoda, el sufrio otro traspie al conocerse la posicion de Japon de anotar la isla Tok como territorio japones en el manual para las escuelas secundarias.
Deploro que "si bien Lee expuso su politica de amistad con Japon con vistas al futuro, lo que hizo mientras tanto este pais isleno fue la revision del manual que no tiene nada amistoso".
El Sur de Corea que recurre a la "alianza" con EE.UU. y Japon, sera aislado en el Nordeste Asiatico, advirtio la cadena.
Sobrepasan 270 partidos signatarios de la Declaracion de Pyongyang
Pyongyang, 23 de mayo (ATCC) -- Numerosos partidos politicos progresistas del mundo toman por la carta del socialismo y su programa de lucha la Declaracion de Pyongyang "Defendamos y llevemos adelante la causa socialista" evaluandola como bandera de lucha que refleja la aspiracion de si mismos y los pueblos al socialismo.
Esta declaracion fue publicada el 20 de abril del 81 (1992) de la Era Juche en esta capital por los lideres y representantes de los partidos politicos de varios paises del mundo aspirantes al socialismo.
En el momento de su publicacion, ella fue firmada por 70 partidos politicos.
En los ultimos anos, se sumaron a la lista de sus signatarios el Frente de Liberacion Popular de Sri Lanka, la Asociacion de los Comunistas de Finlandia y otros, por lo cual se vio fortalecido el movimiento socialista mundial.
Crecen cada dia mas los partidarios y los firmantes de la declaracion no solo en los paises en vias de desarrollo sino tambien en los paises capitalistas, incluso en Estados Unidos.
Hasta la fecha, sobrepasan 270 los partidos signatarios, especificamente, mas de 30 en Asia, 67 en Europa y 175 en Africa y America
Sistema de ensenanza gratuita de Corea
Pyongyang, 23 de mayo (ATCC) -- Aun en los periodos tan dificiles conocidos como la "Marcha penosa" y la forzada, el sistema de ensenanza gratuita general de Corea nunca dejo de funcionar.
Las experiencias y proezas en esa rama se lograron en la decada de 1930, periodo de lucha revolucionaria antijaponesa, cuando se puso en practica, por primera vez en la historia, la educacion gratuita obligatoria en las escuelas de vastas zonas rurales revolucionarizadas y las escuelas del cuerpo infantil de las bases guerrilleras-zonas liberadas.
En el "Programa de 10 puntos de la Asociacion para la Restauracion de la Patria" publicado en el 25 (1936) de la Era Juche, el Presidente Kim Il Sung presento el programa de educacion gratuita obligatoria y al desarrollarlo despues de la liberacion de la patria, completo la idea sobre la ensenanza gratuita general.
Esta idea fue materializada por etapas bajo diferentes circunstancias y condiciones.
En el periodo de construccion de nueva patria, en Corea se abolio el sistema tributario educacional de toda clase incluyendo el "pago mensual de la escuela" impuesto por los imperialistas japoneses y se establecio el sistema unificado del pago de caracter popular.
Fueron liberados de ese infimo pago por la educacion los hijos de martires revolucionarios, obreros y campesinos pobres y de las familias con mas de cinco escolares.
En virtud de la ensenanza gratuita cabal, la educacion gratuita obligatoria general en las escuelas primarias comenzo en 1956 y en las secundarias en 1958.
Para materializar globalmente el principio de que el Estado se responsabiliza totalmente por educar a todos los trabajadores, el gobierno de la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea aprobo en marzo de 1959 la resolucion del gabinete No. 18 "Sobre la abolicion general del pago por la ensenanza de los escolares" y anuncio que desde el primero de abril del mismo ano sera aplicado el sistema de ensenanza gratuita general.
Ultimos exitos deportivos de Corea
Pyongyang, 23 de mayo (ATCC) -- Los deportistas coreanos amplian sus exitos en las competencias internacionales.
Durante los ultimos 3 meses y pico, ellos ganaron mas de 40 medallas de oro y numerosas medallas de plata y bronce en los eventos internacionales.
En particular, 20 jugadores se clasificaron para los XXIX Juegos Olimpicos.
Kim Kum Ok aporto a la patria la primera presea dorada de este ano al ocupar el primer lugar en el XI Campeonato Asiatico de Maraton (F) efectuado en febrero pasado en Hong Kong, China en que Jong Yong Ok termino en el segundo puesto.
Ko Hyon Suk salio ganadora en las pruebas de 500 y 1000 metros de la Competencia Internacional de Patinaje Contrarreloj por la "Copa Noruega".
En el Campeonato Asiatico de Lucha 2008 Yang Chun Song y Kim Sun Nam ocuparon el primer y tercer lugares en las categorias de 66 kg y 55 kg de lucha libre, respectivamente, mientras Cha Kwang Su y Kim Kum Chol se situaron en el segundo y tercer puestos en las divisiones de 55 kg y 66 kg del estilo grecorromano.
Mientras tanto, los maratonistas obtuvieron 2 medallas de oro, una de plata y la otra de bronce en el 21o Torneo Internacional de Maraton por el "Premio Mangyongdae" - la Asociacion Internacional de Federaciones Atleticas, efectuado en Pyongyang por el Dia del Sol (15 de abril, cumpleanos del Presidente Kim Il Sung).
Los taekwondoistas conquistaron en el IV Campeonato Asiatico de Taekwon-Do y la III Competencia Internacional de Artes Marciales, efectuados en Kazajstan y Tailandia, decenas de medallas incluidas cerca de 30 preseas doradas y varias copas exaltando plenamente el honor de la patria de Taekwon-do.
Ri Se Gwang y Hong Un Jong ocuparon el primer lugar en el potro de sus respectivos sexos en el Torneo Gimnastico por Copa Mundial efectuado en Eslovenia.
Los judokas ganaron 5 medallas de oro, plata y bronce en el Campeonato Asiatico de Judo 2008 ocupando el segundo lugar en la clasificacion general por colectivos.
En la Copa Mundial de Gimnasia 2008 efectuada en Tianjin, China, Ri Se Gwang ocupo primer y segundo lugares en los ejercicios de potro y con aros (M) respectivamente y Kim Jin Hyok se ubico en el tercer lugar en las paralelas y ejercicios con aros (M).
Ahora, los deportistas coreanos entrenan con mucho entusiasmo con la unica meta de honrar con medallas a la Corea del Songun (priorizacion militar) en los Juegos Olimpicos de Beijing.