Foreign Ministry Spokesman Assails U.S.-S. Korea Joint Military Exercises

   Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave the following answer to the question put by KCNA Wednesday as regards the DPRK-targeted joint military exercises being staged by the U.S. and the south Korean puppet authorities:
    As already reported, the U.S. and the south Korean puppet authorities launched Ulji Freedom Guardian joint military exercises in all areas of south Korea on August 18.
    The exercises they launched under the pretext of "coping with emergency on the Korean Peninsula" are a clear proof of the hostile policy toward the DPRK and the north-south confrontational policy pursued by the U.S. and the south Korean puppet authorities as they are war maneuvers targeted against the DPRK from A to Z.
    The U.S. changed Ulji Focus Lens, the codename of the joint military exercises it staged every year from the middle of the 1970s, into Ulji Freedom Guardian this year in a bid to create impression that the exercises are "led" by the south Korean puppet army, "supported" by the U.S. forces. This is to serve the purpose of the Korea strategy aimed at using south Korea as a shock brigade in invading the DPRK.
    This is clearly evidenced by what the U.S. and the south Korean puppet authorities said when kicking off the exercises. They blustered that the exercises would help boost the level of the combat capability of the U.S. forces in south Korea and they would conclude the "war maneuvers through a perfect operation to promptly react to someone's provocation."
    It has become clear that the "contingency on the Korean Peninsula" touted by the U.S. and its followers precisely means a preemptive nuclear attack on the DPRK. This situation compels the DPRK to heighten vigilance against such unjust demands as the "verification in line with the international standard" recently claimed by the U.S. as regards the nuclear issue.
    The DPRK will increase its war deterrent in every way as long as the U.S. and its followers continue posing military threats to it. It will judge all matters on the principle of giving top priority to the security of the country and actively take corresponding practical measures.


Greetings to Hungarian President

   Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, today sent a message of greetings to Laszlo Solyom, President of Hungary, on the occasion of its national day.
    Kim in the message expressed the belief that the cooperative relations between the DPRK and Hungary would develop in conformity with the interests of the peoples of the two countries.


Fine Art and Calligraphic Contest of Schoolchildren Held

   Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- A national contest of members of fine art and calligraphic groups from schoolchildren's palaces (halls) was held in Pyongyang to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the DPRK.
    Participating in the contest, divided into pencil drawing, calligraphic and visual aid sections, were excellent members of groups selected at palaces and halls across the country.
    They presented at least 1,000 pieces of art works created at the extracurricular education centers.
    Highly estimated in the pencil drawing section were works produced by group members from the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace and the Nampho City Schoolchildren's Hall.
    Those of the Pyongyang Schoolchildren's Palace and the Sariwon Schoolchildren's Hall were highly appreciated in the calligraphic section and those of the Hamhung Schoolchildren's Hall and the Kim Chaek City Schoolchildren's Hall in the visual aid section.


Heroic Air Force of Korean People's Army

   Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- The air force of the Korean People's Army has developed and strengthened to be a strong revolutionary force under the care of the great persons of Mt. Paektu, thus defending the socialist Korea with credit.
    President Kim Il Sung exerted great efforts to the establishment of air force right after the liberation of the country.
    Paying primary attention to the building of the national armed forces along with the building of the Party and the state, he instructed officials to find competent aviation technicians one by one and put under strict control and arrange the airports and aerial equipments and facilities across the country.
    The president, as the chairman of the Aviation Association of Korea, saw to it that an aviation course was set up in the Pyongyang Institute and the regular flying corps, the first air force in the history of the Korean nation, was founded on August 20, Juche 36 (1947). He wisely led the building and activity of the national air force.
    The People's Air Force which was reorganized as the regular air force on February 8, 1948 rendered heroic military service by shooting down heavy bomber B-29s that the U.S. aggressors styled as "air fortress" with propeller aircraft during the hard-fought Fatherland Liberation War. It made a great contribution to defending the country with triumph.
    In the post-war period, too, it crushed the U.S. high-altitude reconnaissance plane EC-121 at one shot and discharged the internationalist duty with distinguished Juche-oriented air tactics, thus widely demonstrating the might of the heroic air force.
    Today the Air Force of the KPA has grown in strength politically, ideologically and in military technique under the Songun revolutionary leadership of Kim Jong Il only to display its might as the air citadel which firmly protects the socialist cause of Juche.


U.S. and S. Korean Joint Military Exercises Lambasted

   Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- The on-going Ulji Freedom Guardian joint military exercises being staged by the U.S. and the south Korean warlike forces are a grave military provocation to the DPRK as it is dangerous saber-rattling aimed to drive the situation on the Korean Peninsula to the brink of war, observes Rodong Sinmun Wednesday in a signed commentary.
    It goes on:
    As proved by the contents of the war exercises now underway under the pretext of "coping with the circumstances created by a crisis," "tiding over a crisis" and "simulating a support operation," the war-thirsty forces are seeking through this saber-rattling to maximize the operational commanding capacity and the preemptive nuclear strike capacity on the basis of the relocation of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces and transfer of the rights to command wartime operations to south Korea.
    The U.S. bellicose forces are instigating the pro-U.S. Lee Myung Bak regime to escalate the military pressure upon the DPRK and their moves for a war against it.
    The Ulji Freedom Guardian joint military exercises now underway in pursuance of the above-said scenario are designed to serve the criminal purpose of mounting a military attack on the DPRK behind the curtain of dialogue.
    The on-going joint military exercises are a blatant challenge to the Koreans who are working hard to achieve independent reunification, peace and prosperity by implementing the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration.
    The DPRK never begs for peace and will never remain a passive onlooker to the reckless moves of the warlike forces at home and abroad to start a war against it, either. The U.S. and south Korean bellicose forces are sadly mistaken, if they calculate they can gain something through the above-mentioned joint military maneuvers.


U.S. Moves to Relocate Its Troops in S. Korea Assailed

   Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- The U.S. is pursuing its Asia strategy with main emphasis put on rounding off the relocation of its troops in south Korea. An aim sought by the U.S. through this is to perfect the strategy for a preemptive attack aimed at putting the DPRK and, furthermore, the rest of Asia under its military control.
    Minju Joson today observes this in a signed commentary.
    It goes on:
    By stepping up the above-said moves the U.S. seeks to relocate its troops in the area south of the River Han for the present and thus keep its forces of aggression free from the DPRK's retaliatory strikes and mount a preemptive attack on it with long-distance precision strikes with the help of airplanes and missiles.
    It is also contemplating turning its troops in south Korea into the rapid reaction forces possessed of high maneuverability and flexibility and putting the Asian continent under its military control based on them.
    The ongoing Ulji Freedom Guardian staged by the U.S. is aimed to secure military capability for realizing a new strategy for the domination of the world. The U.S. reckless strong-arm military policy is posing a grave threat to the peace and stability of Asia and the rest of world, increasing the danger of a new war with each passing day.
    There is no other choice but to react to the U.S. strong-arm policy in kind in the world today. This only provides a sure guarantee for averting a war and ensuring peace and stability of the world.


"Pragmatism" Touted by Lee Myung Bak Termed Confrontational Watchword

   Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- "Pragmatism" touted by traitor Lee Myung Bak is an anti-reunification watchword aimed at severing the blood ties of the nation, escalating the north-south confrontation and perpetuating the national division. Rodong Sinmun Wednesday observes this in a signed article.
    It goes on:
    "Pragmatism" is an anti-reunification watchword aimed at turning the north-south relations into those between merchants as it is a replica of the treacherous theory of "reciprocity."
    To improve the inter-Korean relations and accomplish the cause of national reunification is a sacred patriotic cause which should be attained by placing the common interests of the nation above all irrespective of unilateral interests.
    Dealing with the issue of inter-Korean relations, taking profits or losses into consideration, does not suit the characteristics of the issue of the Korean nation and, therefore, this can never be a solution to the issue. If the north and the south hold a bargaining over the issue of the nation, the issue of reunification, like dealers, they will only spark off confrontation, much less achieving reconciliation and unity.
    It is as clear as noonday that insistence on "pragmatism," a clear indication of moneygrubber Lee's narrow-minded way of thinking and philistine character, will only foster distrust and confrontation between fellow countrymen, far from helping improve the inter-Korean relations.
    Lee's loudmouthed "pragmatism" is nothing but a separatist theory intended to cover up the despicable true colors of his group keen on north-south confrontation and justify its anti-reunification moves.
    The chief aim sought by Lee in touting "pragmatism" is to pursue confrontation, not reconciliation and cooperation between fellow countrymen.
    The "drain on resources" which the Lee group complained about is a deliberate provocative act to put a brake on the north-south cooperation undertakings that developed after the publication of the June 15 joint declaration and bring the inter-Korean relations to collapse. The Lee group has gone so foolish as to describe any favor done to fellow countrymen as "drain on resources," while betraying the national dignity and interests to serve their U.S. and Japanese masters and leaving the vital rights of the south Koreans to their tender mercies without hesitation. With nothing can the Lee group hide its true colors as the worst traitors in the world.
    The reality patently proves that what the group has talked about "drain on resources" and "sentiment of people" under the watchword of "pragmatism" is, in essence, nothing but sophism to cover up its true colors as confrontational maniacs keen to drive the north-south relations to collapse.
    The Lee group should bear in mind that its persistent trumpeting about criminal "pragmatism" despite the unanimous denunciation of the whole nation would only lead to disgraceful destruction.


Suppression of Participants in Candlelight Actions in S. Korea

   Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- The south Korean puppet security authorities are getting evermore pronounced in their suppression of the participants in candlelight actions, according to KBS of south Korea.
    The police authorities detained Han Sang Ryol, permanent co-representative of the Solidarity for Progress of south Korea, on August 18.
    They walked away him on Aug. 14 and took such step, asserting that he orchestrated the candlelight actions against the American beef import staged in Seoul from May up to now.
    The security authorities also put in custody more than 140 out of those arrested for their involvement in the 100th candlelight struggle on Aug. 15 and are now interrogating them at several police stations in Seoul. They requested warrants of arrest for two of them, charging that they fought against the police violence in the course of candlelight demonstrations in June and July.


Stop to War Exercises Urged in S. Korea

   Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- Anti-war peace organizations in south Korea held a rally outside the "commanding observation post" of the south Korea-U.S. "combined forces command" in Songnam, Kyonggi Province on Aug. 18 to protest against the Ulji Freedom Guardian joint military exercises perpetrated by the U.S. and south Korean puppet bellicose forces to invade the north.
    Speakers at the rally charged that the exercises involving more than 10,000 U.S. troops from south Korea and overseas and over 56,000 south Korean puppet troops and huge latest war equipment are a replica of the Ulji Focus Lens war exercises aimed at aggression on the north.
    The U.S. and the puppet warmongers are justifying the exercises as "ones to cope with the transfer of the right to control wartime operations" and "defensive drills," but their assertion is a whopping lie and the drills will make south Korea more dependent on the U.S., they said.
    They said that the exercises, being staged under the OPLAN 5027 aimed at "collapse of the north," are an open military display against the north and they badly affect the inter-Korean relations while aggravating the tense situation on the Korean Peninsula.
    They urged the Lee Myung Bak "government" to immediately stop the anti-peace and aggressive joint military exercises swimming against the trend of the times toward peaceful reunification.


Significant Days of DPRK Observed in Brazil and Laos

   Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- A round-table talk was held in Brazil and a book and photo exhibition, a film show and an art performance in Laos on Aug. 13 and 14 on the occasions of the 48th anniversary of the start of Kim Jong Il's Songun revolutionary leadership and the 60th birthday of the DPRK.
    On display in the venues of the functions were works of President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il and photos showing their Songun leadership feats and introducing the history of the DPRK.
    The national chairman of the People's Socialist Party of Brazil said at the round-table talk that Kim Jong Il, who provided powerful war deterrent with his Songun politics, is energetically working for the stability and peace in Northeast Asia and the rest of the world.
    It is entirely thanks to the DPRK's Songun politics that peace and stability are ensured in Korea and Northeast Asia today when sovereignty is being violated in other countries and regions and their innocent peoples are ceaselessly shedding their blood due to the U.S. high-handed and arbitrary practices and aggression, he stressed.
    He further said: We congratulate the Korean people on the signal achievements made by them in building a great prosperous powerful socialist nation with the 60th anniversary of the DPRK approaching and sincerely hope that they would achieve a greater victory in the future.
    Looking round the books and photos on display, officials of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union unanimously said that Kim Il Sung is the founding father of the DPRK and a prominent elder statesman and that the DPRK is making long strides under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il.
    Participants of the film show watched a Korean film dealing with the exploits performed by the President for the foundation of the DPRK and its strengthening and development.


Overseas Compatriots Mark Important Days of DPRK

   Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- Events took place in Uzbekistan on Aug. 15 to commemorate the 48th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's start of Songun revolutionary leadership and the 63rd anniversary of Korea's liberation.
    Present at the events were overseas Koreans in Uzbekistan and the ambassador and staff members of the DPRK embassy in this country.
    The participants laid floral baskets and bouquets before the full-length portrait of President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il at the DPRK embassy and paid high tribute to them.
    Then followed a photo exhibition.
    Looking round the photos on display, they highly praised the President for having accomplished the cause of national liberation and Kim Jong Il for glorifying the dignity and honor of the homeland of Juche with his Songun revolutionary leadership.


For Spanish-speaking people



Portavoz del MINREX condena simulacro "Ulji Freedom Guardian"

   Pyongyang, 20 de agosto (ATCC) -- A la pregunta de un reportero de la Agencia Telegrafica Central de Corea formulada en relacion con que Estados Unidos. y las autoridades titeres del Sur de Corea desarrollan el ejercicio militar contra la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea, el portavoz del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de la RPDC respondio el dia 20 como lo siguiente:
    Como ya trascendidos, EE.UU. y las autoridades titeres del Sur de Corea libran desde el dia 18 el ejercicio militar "Ulji Freedom Guardian" en todo el territorio surcoreano.
    Esta maniobra militar iniciada bajo el pretexto de "hacer frente al tiempo de emergencia de la Peninsula Coreana" se encamina indudablemente a ejercitar la guerra contra la RPDC y resulta la prueba evidente de la politica hostil a esta y la de confrontacion entre ambas partes de Corea que practican EE.UU. y las autoridades titeres surcoreanas.
    A partir de este ano, EE.UU. realiza este simulacro renombrando "Ulji Focus Lens", desarrollado cada ano desde mediados de la decada de 1970, como "Ulji Freedom Guardian" en que el ejercito titere surcoreano toma el "liderazgo" y le "apoyan" las tropas norteamericanas.
    Esto esta vinculado con la estrategia de EE.UU. sobre Corea consistente en utilizar el Sur de Corea como brigada de choque contra la RPDC.
    Lo corroboran las palabras agresivas pronunciadas por EE.UU. y las autoridades titeres surcoreanas al iniciar el polemico entrenamiento, entre otras, "mejorar el nivel de las fuerzas de combate" de las tropas norteamericanas en el Sur de Corea y "reaccionar de inmediato a la provocacion de alguien y finalizarla con la operacion completa".
    Dado que quedo evidenciado que el "tiempo de emergencia de la Peninsula Coreana", de que hablan EE.UU. y sus satelites, es precisamente el ataque preventivo nuclear contra nuestro pais, nos vemos obligados a redoblar mas la vigilancia a las injustas demandas que nos hace ultimamente EE.UU. en torno al problema nuclear, incluso la "verificacion conveniente a la norma internacional".
    Mientras persiste la amenaza militar de EE.UU. y sus fuerzas seguidoras, consolidaremos por todos los medios nuestras fuerzas disuasorias de guerra.
    Tambien, juzgaremos todos los problemas que se presentan en el principio de dar prioridad a la seguridad del pais y tomaremos activamente las medidas practicas correspondientes.


Rodong Sinmun condena ejercicio militar EE.UU.-Sur de Corea

   Pyongyang, 20 de agosto (ATCC) -- El simulacro militar "Ulji Freedom Guardian", que desarrollan ahora Estados Unidos y los belicistas surcoreanos, deviene una aventura belica para llevar la situacion de la Peninsula Coreana a la coyuntura de guerra, siendo grave provocacion militar a la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea.
    Asi senala el periodico Rodong Sinmun en un comentario individual publicado este miercoles y continua:
    Como muestra el contenido de este ejercicio iniciado bajo rotulos de la "creacion de la situacion de crisis", el "ejercicio de gestion de la crisis", el "simulacro de apoyo", los belicistas tratan de elevar al maximo en esta ocasion la capacidad de mando operacional y del ataque preventivo nuclear a traves de la reubicacion de las tropas agresoras norteamericanas y el traspaso al Sur de Corea del "derecho de mando de las operaciones en el tiempo de guerra".
    Las fuerzas belicistas norteamericanas instigan al "poder" proyanqui de Lee Myung Bak del Sur de Corea a la escalada de presion militar y actos provocativos de guerra contra la RPDC.
    "Ulji Freedom Guardian", que se libra en ese contexto, es la expresion del intento criminal de aniquilar por via militar a la RPDC detras de la cortina del dialogo.
    Ademas, resulta el desafio frontal a la nacion coreana que lucha por lograr la reunificacion independiente, la paz y la prosperidad mediante la ejecucion de la Declaracion Conjunta del 15 de Junio y la Declaracion del 4 de Octubre.
    La RPDC no mendigara jamas la paz ni estara con brazos cruzados ante el imprudente intento de los belicistas internos y externos de desatar la guerra contra si misma.
    Si los belicistas norteamericanos y surcoreanos piensan lograr algo con los ejercicios militares conjuntos para la agresion a la RPDC estarian muy equivocados.


Minju Joson revela objetivo de reubicacion de tropas yanquis

   Pyongyang, 20 de agosto (ATCC) -- En estos tiempos, Estados Unidos pone en el centro de sus programas la finalizacion de la reubicacion de sus tropas estacionadas en suelo surcoreano con el proposito de perfeccionar la estrategia de ataque preventivo con vistas a tomar el control militar sobre la Republica Popular Democratica de Corea y toda la region asiatica.
    Revela asi el periodico Minju Joson en un comentario individual publicado en su edicion de este miercoles y prosigue:
    Como el primer paso de esa labor, EE.UU. traslada a sus uniformados agresores a la zona al sur del rio Han para mantenerlos en el "tiempo de emergencia" fuera del alcance del ataque de represalia de la RPDC y atacarla preventivamente con aviones, misiles y otros medios de ataque a precision de largo alcance.
    Por otra parte, EE.UU. intenta desarrollar sus tropas ocupantes del Sur de Corea como fuerzas de reaccion rapida con alta movilidad y flexibilidad para tomar apoyandose en ellas el control militar sobre todo el continente asiatico.
    El objetivo del "Ulji Freedom Guardian", que despliega ahora EE.UU. en suelo surcoreano, tambien reside en adquirir la capacidad militar para poner en practica la nueva estrategia de dominio mundial.
    La imprudente politica de garrote militar de EE.UU. representa una seria amenaza para la paz y la estabilidad de Asia y el resto del mundo y agranda cada dia mas el peligro de la nueva guerra.
    En el mundo actual no hay otro remedio que enfrentarse con la fuerza a dicha politica. He aqui la garantia para frenar la guerra y preservar la paz y estabilidad del mundo.