Kim Jong Il Gives On-the-Spot Guidance to February 8 Vinalon Complex

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il gave on-the-spot guidance to the February 8 Vinalon Complex.
    He first went round the Revolutionary Museum of the February 8 Vinalon Complex.
    Noting that the undying revolutionary exploits of President Kim Il Sung, founder and pioneer of the Juche-oriented vinalon industry, would remain brilliantly recorded in the history of the country, Kim Jong Il underscored the need for the workers of the complex to firmly uphold, preserve and glorify the leadership feats the President performed by devoting his whole life to improving the people's living standard.
    Then he learned about the technological updating and production at the complex, walking round the rebuilt and newly constructed workshops.
    After making the rounds of the exterior and interior of the rebuilt and newly established processes, he expressed great satisfaction over the fact that builders and their helpers successfully completed the large project equivalent to the construction of a big factory by their own efforts and with their technology in a brief span of time. He highly appreciated their feats and extended warm greetings to them.
    The complex has been updated as required by the new century and is now turning out a lot of products thanks to the indomitable revolutionary spirit of its workers who have a glorious tradition of unconditionally carrying out any difficult task if it is the decision and instruction of the party, he said, adding that this is the revolutionary spirit of the heroic Korean working class who have glorified the sacred annals of the revolution with struggle and exploits.
    Recalling that during the "arduous march," the forced march when they had to undergo all difficulties the workers of the complex protected the precious production equipment like their own lives full of confidence and optimism about the future, spruced up the complex and made a breakthrough towards reenergizing the production by their own efforts, he stressed that this spectacular success goes to prove the inexhaustible mental power of the Korean people who grew under the care of the President who made a great history of the nation-building in the spirit of self-reliance and fortitude.
    Putting forward the tasks to be fulfilled by the complex, he stressed the need for it to further strengthen the Juche character of the chemical industry and continue energetically pushing forward the updating of the complex.
    He expressed expectation and belief that the workers of the complex would hasten the updating and steadily increase the production capability with all their wisdom and enthusiasm and thus fully display the might of the complex as a model of the nation's Juche-based industry.
    He was accompanied by Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the Central Committee of the WPK, and Pak Nam Gi, its department director.


Kim Jong Il Enjoys Art Performance Given by Art Squads of KPA Units

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il enjoyed an art performance given by art squads of KPA Units 324 and 604.
    Put on the stage were agitation and song "The General Is Always with Soldiers", female quintet "Our General Is Best", mixed quartet "Our Army and Our People", male chorus "Training after Training", chorus "We Will Emerge Victorious under the Flag of the Supreme Commander" and other colorful numbers.
    The performers powerfully demonstrated the unshakable faith and will of the KPA and people to accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche and achieve the final victory in the sacred struggle for the prosperity of the socialist country, remaining single-mindedly loyal to Kim Jong Il.
    After watching the performance, Kim Jong Il extended warm regards to the performers who made a presentation truthfully representing the noble spiritual world of the KPA servicepersons.
    Noting that the artistic agitation is of great significance in educating the servicepersons, Kim Jong Il set forth important tasks which would serve as guidelines in further intensifying the revolutionary and militant art activities.
    Among the audience were senior officials of the Central Committee of the WPK including its Secretary Kim Ki Nam and Department Director Pak Nam Gi and KPA general officers.


Gift to Kim Jong Il

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift by the chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
    The gift was conveyed to an official concerned Wednesday by a staff delegation of the committee on a visit to the DPRK.


Congratulations to President of Lebanon

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, on May 26 sent a congratulatory message to Michel Suleiman upon his election as President of Lebanon.
    Wishing the President success in his work for the socio-political stability and prosperity of the country, the message expressed the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the peoples of the DPRK and Lebanon would grow stronger.


Greetings to Ethiopian President

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Wednesday sent a message of greetings to Girma Wolde-Giorgis, President of Ethiopia, on the occasion of its national day.
    Kim in the message wished the Ethiopian people great success in their work for progress and prosperity of the country.


Senior Officials of DPRK Meet Indian Foreign Ministry Delegation

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a friendly talk with the delegation of the Indian Foreign Ministry led by Secretary N. Ravi at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
    Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun, too, met the delegation on the same day.


Greetings to Nigerian Foreign Minister

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- Pak Ui Chun, minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK, sent a message of greetings to Ojo Maduekwe, foreign minister of Nigeria, on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
    The message noted that after the establishment of their diplomatic relations the two countries have steadily developed the good ties of friendship while fully supporting and closely cooperating with each other for peace, stability, progress and prosperity.
    Expressing the belief that the bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation would grow stronger in conformity with the desire and interests of the two peoples, it wished the Nigerian foreign minister success in his work.


Burundian Military Delegation Arrives

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- A military delegation of Burundi led by Samuel Gahiro, chief of the General Staff of the National Defence Army, arrived here today.
    A ceremony of welcoming the delegation took place in front of the Monument to Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War.
    Attending it were Kim Kyok Sik, chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, and general officers and officers of the KPA.


Kim Kyok Sik Meets Burundian Military Delegation

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- Kim Kyok Sik, chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, had a friendly talk with the military delegation of Burundi led by Samuel Gahiro, chief of the General Staff of the National Defence Army, on Wednesday when the latter paid a courtesy call on him.


Vietnamese Embassy Officials Help Korean Farmers

   Sariwon, May 28 (KCNA) -- Le Van Cu, Vietnamese ambassador to the DPRK, and his embassy officials helped members of the DPRK-Vietnam Friendship Migok Co-op Farm in Sariwon City, North Hwanghae Province, in farm work on May 28.
    After looking round the Migok Revolutionary Museum, the guests helped farmers in pulling rice seedlings and rice-transplantation.
    During break, they enjoyed an art performance and conversed with farmers.
    Noting that the farm has done a lot of work in the past under the deep care of President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il, the ambassador wished the farm great success in the future agricultural production.
    The embassy officials handed aid materials to the farm.


Samhyonryukgak, Musical Heritage of Korea

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- Samhyonryukgak is a valuable musical heritage showing the development of instrumental music in Korea.
    Samhyonryukgak, a style of instrumental performance that prevailed in the period between the 17th and 19th century, means a performance by six instruments -- three kinds of Korean flute, haegum (Korean four-string fiddle), drum and Janggo (a long Korean drum that tapers in the middle).
    Two of the flutes play the main melody. Their lively melody is responded by the remaining flute while haegum supports them.
    It traces its origin to masque dance music and it was disseminated widely from the early 12th century.
    From the 17th century it developed into a typical style of musical ensemble.
    The ensemble troupe composed of musicians of low birth gave performances at folk games, masque dances and sword dances.
    It, sometimes, played congratulatory music, march and so on.


Spring Weather Affects Adversely Agriculture in DPRK

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- The current spring weather has a bad effect on agriculture in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
    Section chief of the Central Meteorological Institute Kim Mun Uk told KCNA that the highest daytime temperature and the percentage of sunshine were 3 degrees Celsius and 20 percent lower than those of the average year in mid-May across the country.
    The abnormal high temperature in the middle of April, he went on, turned into an abnormal low temperature in May. As a result, the temperature in the west coastal areas was 2.5-3 degree Celsius lower than the average year and the lowest temperature in the northern areas including North Hamgyong Province went down below zero, reducing the temperature on the surface of the sown areas to 2-5 degrees Celsius below zero and causing even frost damage.
    Pyongyang, Jangphung and Suan areas were hit by hail 5-8mm in diameter and Haeju and Sinchon areas by hail 5-10mm on the 19th.
    The precipitation is lower than usual.
    The disastrous weather which happened in the important farming period delayed farming processes including rice-transplantation 10 to 15 days in general.
    The abnormal weather has seriously affected the growth of maize crops on a vast acreage of fields, cultivation of rice-seedlings and the striking of roots of rice-seedlings in the west coastal areas, the granary.
    The agricultural sector has taken various measures to prevent farming from damage by the possible disastrous weather.


U.S.-S. Korea Military Tie-ups for Aggression Assailed

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- The south Korea-U.S. "annual security consultative meeting" is a product of dangerous conspiracy of bellicose forces at home and abroad standing against the DPRK. It is a criminal and aggressive military consultative mechanism as it has served to strengthen the U.S. military occupation and domination over south Korea, disturb the struggle of the Korean nation for peace and peaceful reunification of the country and steadily escalate the military confrontation and tension and war crisis.
    Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed commentary.
    The U.S. and the south Korean puppets are now strengthening their cooperation and military tie-ups for a war against the DPRK on a more grave phase, going against the trend of the times, the commentary notes, and says:
    The Lee Myung Bak regime in south Korea is acting a faithful servant and shock force in carrying out its master, the United States' policy of aggression and war, turning aside from the national cooperation and calling for the strengthened "alliance" with the U.S.
    During his recent trip to the U.S. traitor Lee Myung Bak came out with the proposal of what he called "strategic alliance in the 21st century," revealing his intention to closely cooperate with the U.S. in realizing its wild ambition for world supremacy and aggression on the DPRK. He has also bent all his energies to cook up the dangerous "tripartite military alliance" while crying out for "strengthened international cooperation" and "close relationship" of the U.S., Japan and south Korea under the pretext of non-existent "threat" from the DPRK.
    The moves of the Lee Myung Bak group, who has indulged in reckless military provocations against the fellow countrymen in cooperation with the outsiders by kowtowing to them, are bringing the inter-Korean relations to a bankruptcy and further aggravating the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
    There is no ground for the "annual security consultative meeting", a criminal conspiracy mechanism of the U.S. and south Korean warmongers for aggression on the DPRK, to exist any longer in the era of independent reunification, the era of "By our nation itself". Therefore, it should be abolished without fail.


Lee Myung Bak's Humiliating Diplomacy toward Japan Accused

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- Recently, the chief Cabinet secretary of Japan asserted there is no change in its main stand that Tok Islet belongs only to Japan. This is an inevitable product of traitor Lee Myung Bak's pro-Japanese humiliating diplomacy.
    Minju Joson Wednesday says this in a signed commentary.
    It goes on:
    The Japanese reactionaries have repeated this far-fetched assertion. Such moves are getting evermore pronounced after the islet has been known to be abundant in resources.
    It is their ulterior intention to make the islet an object of international dispute by misleading public opinion through persistent assertion for Japan's claim to it and then usurp the islet when a chance presents itself.
    For this purpose, they are intensifying the education in Japan's "dominium over Tok Islet" so as to mobilize the younger generations in realizing Japan's ambition for reinvasion. Not content with such education only for high school students, they seek to give the same education to primary and middle school students.
    They would be well advised to renounce the unfeasible design for reinvasion and apologize for Japan's crimes committed against the Korean nation and take a step for reparation of them.
    What is at issue is that their reinvasion scheme to infringe upon the dignity and sovereignty of the Korean nation is being pushed ahead in real earnest after the Lee Myung Bak's group came to power in south Korea.
    In February when the Japanese foreign ministry daringly posted on its homepage a document stating the Tok Islet is part of Japan's territory, Lee Myung Bak or the minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of south Korea uttered no word about it, far from making any official statement. In April when he visited Japan, Lee called for "future-oriented new era of cooperation," prattling that the past would not be put in question.
    As the facts show, Lee's "pragmatic diplomacy" is instigating the Japanese reactionaries to realize their wild ambition for reinvasion.
    Though belatedly, Lee should apologize for the crimes he committed by selling off the dignity and sovereignty of the nation through his humiliating "pragmatic" diplomacy toward the U.S. and Japan, the commentary urges.


U.S. Development of High-Tech Weapons under Fire

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- The U.S. bellicose forces worked out a plan for "developing the battle system for future army" aimed at developing high-tech weapons and military equipment and are now pushing ahead with it at a time when the world is making positive efforts to create a peaceable environment. This is a blatant challenge to humankind's desire for peace and an act of gravely threatening and disturbing global peace and security.
    Rodong Sinmun today observes this in a signed commentary.
    It goes on:
    The U.S. war-thirsty forces are describing their production of such high-tech weapons and military equipment including nukes as a measure to cope with "possible military clashes." This is nothing but a subterfuge to cover up their true colors as a disturber of global peace, security and stability and launch a bigger war of aggression in the future.
    It is none other than the U.S. warmongers that they are creating the danger of military clash and war in different parts of the world.
    The U.S. is describing the development of the above-said weapons as a measure to cope with "possible military clashes" with some countries including the DPRK and China. This is little short of the announcement of a U.S. scenario for a war of aggression against these countries.
    The U.S. bellicose forces are massively deploying armed forces in the areas around the Korean Peninsula while speeding up the production of modern weapons with a much ado about "military threat" from the DPRK for the propose of igniting another Korean war. This development is increasing the danger of war on the peninsula, rendering the situation in the region tenser and sparking off and escalating the new arms race. The U.S. warmongers' moves to drive the situation to the phase of war can never be justified.
    The U.S. war-thirsty forces had better drop their foolish design to dominate the world with the upperhand of strength and swim with the trend of the times towards peace and disarmament.


Expulsion of U.S. Ambassador Demanded in S. Korea

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- The South Korean Council of Youth Organizations made public a statement titled "Expel the U.S. ambassador in Seoul engrossed in interfering in the internal affairs of south Korea" on May 22.
    Recalling that a few days ago the U.S. ambassador openly threatened the representative of an opposition party of south Korea over its position concerning the issue of import of American beef, grumbling that he was disappointed at it and felt regretful at it, the statement went on:
    This situation is attributable to the disgraceful sycophancy and submission of Lee Myung Bak as he does not hesitate to sacrifice the people, ignoring their will, in order to meet the U.S. demands.
    It demanded the authorities lend an ear to the voices of the people and renegotiate with the U.S. over the issue of American beef import, though belatedly, and expel at once the U.S. ambassador who is rude enough to interfere in the internal affairs of south Korea.


Struggle against Import of American Beef Unabated in S. Korea

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- A candlelight rally and demonstration against the Lee Myung Bak group's import of American beef were held in Seoul on May 26.
    The candlelight rally was attended by more than 10,000 citizens from all walks of life in Seoul.
    Speakers at the rally accused the police authorities of brutally suppressing the candlelight actions staged on May 24 and 25.
    Noting that the crackdown was nothing but the last-ditch efforts of the traitorous regime in a crisis, they declared that the intensified suppression would reinforce the will of the people to struggle.
    Then the participants started the demonstration towards "Chongwadae," chanting slogans "Ensure peaceful demonstration!" and "Release the detainees!" with placards reading "Nullify negotiations! No enforcement of decision!" and "Lee Myung Bak, step down!"
    Many citizens joined in the rally and demonstration. Much upset by this, the puppet authorities mobilized a huge police force, water cannons and police vans in a desperate bid to suppress them.
    The demonstration lasted till Tuesday morning.
    Meanwhile, the south Korean Confederation of Trade Unions called a press conference in Seoul on May 25 at which it declared it would continue sit-in strike against the import of American beef, according to MBC of south Korea.
    More than 400 doctors and veterinarians of south Korea also called a press conference in Seoul in demand of the renegotiations on the American beef import on the same day, according to KBS of south Korea.


Withdrawal of U.S. Forces from S. Korea Urged

   Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- The Switzerland-Korea Committee issued a statement on May 17 on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of the heroic Kwangju Popular Uprising.
    The statement noted that the uprising was a struggle of justice against the U.S. imperialists, who have ruled over south Korea after occupying it, and for national independent reunification and democracy.
    Though the uprising was quelled, the spirit of Kwangju remains alive still now, leading to the patriotic struggle of the south Korean people to drive out the U.S. occupation forces and reunify the country, the statement said, and went on:
    The pro-American conservative Lee Myung Bak regime is nowadays making desperate efforts to turn back the trend of "By our nation itself" whose vitality has been evidently displayed in the movement for Korea's reunification, but its scheme can never be realized.
    The Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front, which stands in the van of the anti-U.S. movement for the independent reunification, and the patriotic people of south Korea will further escalate their indomitable struggle and achieve the independent reunification of the country under the banner of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and the October 4 declaration.
    The statement demanded that the U.S. imperialists, mastermind of the Kwangju bloodbath, get out of south Korea.


For Spanish-speaking people



Kim Jong Il presencia funcion de grupos artisticos de unidades del EPC

   Pyongyang, 28 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 la funcion de los grupos de propaganda artistica de las Unidades no. 324 y no. 604 del EPC.
    En la escena se pusieron los programas de varios generos, entre otros, la agitacion y cancion "General se encuentra junto con los soldados", el quinteto vocal femenino "Es mejor nuestro General", el cuarteto vocal mixto "Nuestro ejercito y nuestro pueblo", el coro masculino "Vamos a entrenar mas y mas" y el coro "Saldremos siempre victoriosos enarbolando la bandera del Comandante Supremo".
    En esta ocasion los ejecutantes mostraron en tono patetico la ferrea conviccion y voluntad del ejercito y el pueblo de Corea de llevar a feliz termino la causa revolucionaria del Juche siguiendo invariablemente al Dirigente Kim Jong Il y lograr la victoria final en la sagrada lucha por la prosperidad de la patria socialista.
    Luego de presenciar la funcion, el Dirigente envio un cordial saludo a los ejecutantes quienes ofrecieron esa funcion que mostro vividamente el noble mundo espiritual de los uniformados del EPC.
    Dijo que la propaganda artistica tiene gran importancia en la educacion a los militares y presento las tareas programaticas que serviran de guia en los trabajos para intensificar las actividades de propaganda artistica de caracter revolucionario y combativo.
    Vieron la funcion junto con el el secretario del CC del PTC, Kim Ki Nam, el jefe de departamento del CC del PTC, Pak Nam Gi, y otros cuadros del CC del PTC y generales del EPC.


Kim Jong Il recibe presente de personalidad estadounidense

   Pyongyang, 28 de mayo (ATCC) -- El Dirigente Kim Jong Il recibio presente que le dedicara el presidente del comite de relaciones exteriores de la camara de representantes del congreso norteamericano.
    Lo entregaron este miercoles a un funcionario coreano el asesor de la camara de representantes del congreso estadounidense y su comitiva, de visita en Corea.


Kim Kyok Sik se reune con delegacion militar de Burundi

   Pyongyang, 28 de mayo (ATCC) -- El jefe del Estado Mayor General del Ejercito Popular de Corea, Kim Kyok Sik, departio este miercoles en un clima amistoso con la delegacion militar de la Republica de Burundi encabezada por Samuel Gahiro, jefe del Estado Mayor General del Ejercito de Defensa Nacional, que le hizo una visita de cortesia.


Minju Joson condena la diplomacia projaponesa de Lee Myung Bak

   Pyongyang, 28 de mayo (ATCC) -- Recientemente, el director del secretariado del gabinete de Japon dijo que "es invariable la posicion fundamental de que la isla Tok es territorio propio de Japon".
    En un comentario individual difundido hoy, el rotativo Minju Joson critica que esa conducta de los reaccionarios japoneses en torno a la isla Tok es alentada por la vergonzosa diplomacia projaponesa del traidor Lee Myung Bak.
    Los reaccionarios japoneses suelen insistir absurdamente en que la isla Tok pertenece a su pais y lo hacen mas abiertamente luego de confirmarse que en los alrededores de esta isla abundan los recursos naturales, revela el comentarista y continua:
    Ellos intentan inducir en error la opinion publica reclamando obstinadamente la territorialidad sobre la isla Tok a fin de extorsionarla en un momento oportuno al cabo de tratar este asunto como litigio internacional.
    De ahi que intensifican la educacion en la territorialidad sobre la isla en cuestion a las nuevas generaciones para utilizarlas en la nueva agresion a Corea.
    Ultimamente, tratan de impartir esa educacion, que se daba antes solo en las escuelas superiores, hasta a los alumnos de las primarias y las secundarias.
    Los reaccionarios japoneses deben desistir de su irrealizable ambicion de reagredir a Corea, pedir disculpas y recompensar por los crimenes cometidos contra la nacion coreana.
    Lo problematico del caso es que las tentativas de nueva agresion de los reaccionarios japoneses para atentar la dignidad y la soberania de la nacion coreana entran en la etapa crucial despues de la llegada al poder de la banda de Lee Myung Bak.
    En febrero ultimo, cuando el MINREX de Japon anoto en su pagina Web la isla Tok como una parte del territorio japones, Lee y el "ministro de Relaciones Exteriores y Comercio" surcoreano guardaron el silencio lejos de publicar una declaracion oficial al respecto.
    De mal en peor, durante su visita a Japon realizada en abril, Lee peroro que no cuestionaria el pasado y abriria la "nueva epoca de cooperacion con vistas al futuro".
    Como corroboran los hechos, la "diplomacia pragmatista" de Lee alienta a los reaccionarios japoneses a realizar su ambicion de agredir de nuevo a Corea.
    Aunque sea ahora, Lee debe pedir disculpas por haber vendido la dignidad y la soberania de la nacion practicando su vergonzosa diplomacia proyanqui y projaponesa disfrazada de "pragmatismo".