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Saturday, August 27, 2011

Kim Jong Il Seen off by Russian President

Pyongyang, August 24 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, was warmly seen off by Dmitri Anatoliyevich Medvedev, president of the Russian Federation, on Wednesday upon the conclusion of his historical visit to the Russian Federation.

Present there were Alexandr Avramov, assistant to president for regional policy, Sergei Prikhodiko, assistant to president for external policy, Viktor Ishayev, presidential envoy to the Far East Region of the Russian Federation, Viktor Tolokonski, presidential envoy to the Siberian Region of the Russian Federation, Anatoly Serzhukov, minister of Defense, Igor Levitin, minister of Transport, Viktor Basargin, minister of Regional Development who is chairman of the Russian side to the Governmental Committee between Russia-DPRK for the Cooperation of Trade and Economy, Science and Technology, Valery Sukhinin, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, Aleksei Borodavkin, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Byacheslav Nagovitsin, president of the Republic of Buryatia, Matbei Gershevich, chairman of the People's Khural, Gennadi Aidayev, mayor of Ulan-Ude, Anatoly Sidorov, first vice commander of the Eastern Military District of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Tsilko, commander of the 36th Combined Forces of the Eastern Military District, and other central and local leading officials and commanding officers of the armed forces.

Kim Jong Il Meets with Russian President

Pyongyang, August 24 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, met with Dmitri Anatoliyevich Medvedev, president of the Russian Federation, in Ulan-Ude, the capital city of the Republic of Buryatia in Russia, on Wednesday.

Kim Jong Il exchanged warm greetings with Medvedev and had a talk with him.

The president warmly welcomed leader Kim Jong Il visiting Russia by sparing precious time despite his tight schedule leading the building of a prosperous and powerful country in the DPRK on behalf of the Russian government and the people. He said that the visit would mark a particularly important occasion in further developing the Russia-DPRK friendly relations as required by the new century.

The third visit to Russia paid by Kim Jong Il in the new century clearly proves what importance he is attaching to the Russia-DPRK friendship, he noted, paying high tribute to Kim Jong Il who has made an immortal contribution to the development of the Russia-DPRK friendship.

Kim Jong Il expressed his pleasure of meeting with Medvedev and thanked him for coming all the way to Ulan-Ude to kindly meet with him. He gave his impressions of his visit to the Far East and Siberian regions under the great concern of the Russian government and people and amid their cordial hospitality.

The talk took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere. -0-

Kim Jong Ils Russian Visit Hailed as Great Event

Pyongyang, August 24 (KCNA) -- Vorontsov, chief of Section for Korea of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, on a visit to the DPRK had this to say upon hearing the news of leader Kim Jong Il's unofficial visit to Siberia and the Far East Region of the Russian Federation:

Kim Jong Il's visit to Russia is a great event and it cannot but be an auspicious event for the peoples of the two countries.

Kim Jong Il is a great leader. He has paid deep attention to the development of relations with Russia. It has great expectation towards his current visit.

The visit would contribute to boosting the cooperation between the two countries in different domains.

He visited the Bureya Hydro-electric Plant, a large power base in the Far East Region of Russia.

His visit to Russia would mark an important occasion in developing the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries onto a new higher stage.

I wish Kim Jong Il success in his Russian visit. -0-

Pyongyang, August 23 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, visited the Republic of Buryatia in Siberia of the Russian Federation Tuesday.

The Republic of Buryatia was wrapped in a festive atmosphere to welcome Kim Jong Il.

He arrived at Ulan-Ude, the capital city of the Republic this morning.

He exchanged greetings with Byacheslav Nagovitsin, president of the Republic of Buryatia, Matbei Gershevich, chairman of the People's Khural, Sergei Shylin, federal chief inspector for the Republic of Buryatia of the Presidential Envoy Office to the Siberian Region of the Russian Federation, Pyotr Noskov, deputy prime minister of the government of the Republic of Buryatia and chief of the presidential office and government administration of the Republic of Buryatia, Gennadi Aidayev, mayor of Ulan-Ude, and other central and local leading officials who were present there to greet him and Viktor Ishayev, presidential envoy to the Far East Region of the Russian Federation, and Valery Sukhinin, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, who were accompanying him to conduct him on a visit to Siberia in the wake of his visit to the Far East Region.

Kim Jong Il was accorded warm welcome by citizens in national costumes. He was offered bread, salt, blue kerchief, milk and bouquet according to the customs of various nationalities in the region.

He was accompanied by Kim Yong Chun, member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and minister of the People's Armed Forces, Kang Sok Ju, member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and vice-premier of the Cabinet, Jang Song Thaek, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and vice-chairman of the NDC, Kim Yang Gon, Pak To Chun and Thae Jong Su, alternate members of the Political Bureau and secretaries of the WPK Central Committee, Ju Kyu Chang, alternate member of the Political Bureau and department director of the WPK Central Committee, Pak Pong Ju, first vice department director of the WPK Central Committee, O Su Yong, chief secretary of the North Hamgyong Provincial Committee of the WPK, Kim Kye Gwan, first vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and Kim Yong Jae, DPRK ambassador to Russia.

He had conversations with leading officials of the Republic of Buryatia including Byacheslav Nagovitsin and Matbei Gershevich.

Nagovitsin said it is a great honor of the people in the region including the Republic of Buryatia to receive Kim Jong Il, the great leader of the Korean people, in their place. He paid high tribute to Kim Jong Il who came all the way to visit Siberia to boost the traditional Russia-DPRK friendship.

Touring various places of the region including Ulan-Ude that day, Kim Jong Il got familiar with the customs and life of various nationalities of the Siberia region. He received warm congratulations and welcome whenever he went.

He was accompanied by Viktor Ishayev, Byacheslav Nagovitsin, Matbei Gershevich, Sergei Shylin, Pyotr Noskov, Gennadi Aidayev and Valery Sukhinin.

He cruised Lake Baikal, a large natural lake of Russia.

The lake is associated with unforgettable historic relics as it was visited by President Kim Il Sung on his way to foreign tour in July 1961, 50 years ago.

Kim Jong Il was greeted by the captain and sailors of passenger ship "Inperiya".

He got aboard the ship. Cruising the lake whose water seems to convey the feelings of the DPRK-Russia friendship just as it did half a century ago, he recollected in reverence the brilliant life and exploits of Kim Il Sung who devoted his all to the friendship among countries and accomplishment of the human cause of independence.

He said that Lake Baikal, scenic beauty of picturesque Siberia, is pride of the Russian people, underscoring the need to preserve well the lake and natural environment in its vicinity to hand them down to the generations to come and positively contribute to the living of the Russian people and the promotion of their well-being.

That day Byacheslav Nagovitsin hosted a luncheon in honor of Kim Jong Il visiting the Republic.

The luncheon took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Artistes of the Republic gave a special performance in welcome of him.

They included people's artistes, merited artistes and international concours winners of Russia and the Republic who visited the DPRK on several occasions including the April Spring Friendship Art Festival.

Put on the stage were numbers including female solos "Altan Delhe" and "Oriole", male solo "Flock of Cranes", mixed duet "Moment of Parting", national instrument solo "Series of Folk Music" and male solo of Korean song "Please Receive Our Salute".

The performance was acclaimed by the audience for high artistry.

Kim Jong Il congratulated the artistes on their successful performance and had a photo taken with them.

He was presented with a gift by the president of the Republic on behalf of its government and people on the same day.

His visit to the Republic took place amid the warm welcome and cordial hospitality accorded by leading officials of Russia and the people of Siberia.

Kim Jong Il to Visit Northeast Area of China

Pyongyang, August 25 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, will pay a visit to the Northeast area of the People's Republic of China on August 25 on his way home after winding up his visit to the Siberian and Far East Regions of Russia. -0-

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Kim Jong Il to Visit Siberia and Far Eastern Region of Russia

Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- Chairman Kim Jong Il of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will pay an unofficial visit to Siberia and Far Eastern region of the Russian Federation at the invitation of Dmitri Anatoliyevich Medvedev, president of the Russian Federation.

During the visit the top leaders of the two countries will have a meeting -0-

Kim Jong Il Passes through Khasan Railway Station, Russia

Pyongyang, August 20 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, passed through Khasan, the border railway station of Russia this morning on his way to pay an unofficial visit to Siberia and the Far East Region of the Russian Federation at the invitation of Dmitri Anatoliyevich Medvedev, president of the Russian Federation.

He was greeted at Khasan Railway Station by Viktor Ishayev, presidential envoy to the Far East Region of the Russian Federation, who came to Khasan to conduct him.

He was also greeted by Sergey Darikin, governor of Maritime Territory, Valery Sukhinin, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, Irina Skorobogatova, deputy governor of Maritime Territory, and other senior officials of Moscow, maritime territory, city and district.

When the train pulled in the station, the senior officials got on the train and offered greetings to him.

Medvedev, who has paid deep attention to the Russia-DPRK friendship, dispatched them to greet Kim Jong Il, Viktor Ishayev and other senior officials said, warmly welcoming him to Russia upon the authorization of its President.

Kim Jong Il's current visit to Russia will mark a historic occasion in putting the Russia-DPRK friendly and cooperative relations onto a fresher and higher stage, they noted.

He said he was very pleased to see for himself the achievements made by the diligent and resourceful Russian people through his current visit, thanking the senior officials of Moscow and local areas and people for warmly greeting him.

He was presented with a souvenir by Sergey Darikin on behalf of the Maritime Territorial Government and people.

After a while, he left for his destination amid send-off by senior officials of Russia.

Prior to it, he left the country to pay an unofficial visit to Siberia and the Far East Region of the Russian Federation.

He is accompanied by Kim Yong Chun, member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and minister of the People's Armed Forces, Kang Sok Ju, member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and vice-premier of the Cabinet, Jang Song Thaek, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and vice-chairman of the NDC, Kim Yang Gon, Pak To Chun and Thae Jong Su, alternate members of the Political Bureau and secretaries of the WPK Central Committee, Ju Kyu Chang, alternate member of the Political Bureau and department director of the WPK Central Committee, Pak Pong Ju, first vice department director of the WPK Central Committee, O Su Yong, chief secretary of the North Hamgyong Provincial Committee of the WPK, Kim Kye Gwan, first vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Kim Yong Jae, DPRK ambassador to Russia, and Sim Kuk Ryong, consul general of the DPRK Consulate General in Nakhodka of Russia.

His visit to Russia, another event in achieving world peace and security and the human cause of independence, will mark a historic occasion in boosting the DPRK-Russia friendship given steady continuity generation after generation and putting strong impetus to the drive of all the servicepersons and people to build a thriving socialist nation. -0-

Real Picture lf the DPRK

The attention of the international community is focused on the fast-growing DPRK/

“Your Eyes Are Not Deceiving You”

In October last year, at the renovated Kason Youth Park in Pyongyang, a CNN correspondent reported, describing the enchanting nocturnal view of the city: Your eyes are not deceiving you; you are seeing socialist north Korea.

The Western media has so far portrayed the capital of the DPRK as a dark city at night. To the surprise of audiences, a dazzling scene appeared on the screen, people swarming round in a brightly lit park and modern amusements giving them thrills and spills.

Pyongyang is called a city in a park. Indeed, the city abounds with parks and pleasure grounds, which overflow with joy and laughter day and night.

At night it is all the more spectacular. A giant parachute sits on Rungna Island in the picturesque Taedong River. The structure of a unique design is May Day Stadium, which was the venue of the grand mass gymnastics and artistic performance Arirang. At nights the splendid extravaganza drew audience into the world of fantasy and mystery. It was registered in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest gymnastic display.

On holidays or significant anniversaries a stunning display of fireworks lights up the sky over the city, Kim Il Sung Square and the Tower of the Juche in particular. On the nights of ordinary days people are seen waking and sitting under the bright lightings in streets and by the Taedong River in central Pyongyang. “Don’t Advance, Night of Pyongyang” is a favorite song of the Korean people. Sing and laughing can be heard in the newly built Mansudae Street and other residential districts at night, all looking like day.

Other aspects of life also exceed the expectation of the outside world. Okryu Restaurant sitting of the bank of the Taedong River serves Korea’s traditional dishes, including the famous Pyongyang cold noodles, as well as turtle, sturgeon and other rare dishes. Delicacy houses which major in pizza and other world-renowned dishes are of the increase. Excellent art performances are given at theatres in the city, such as the Pyongyang Grand Theatre, Mansudae Art theatre and the State Theatre. Korean artistes have reproduced famous plays of foreign countries, including A Dream of Red Mansions, The Soldier under Neon Light, The Butterfly Lover and Yevgeny Onegin.

Another peculiar sight is women in traditional costumes, which make them look like lovely flowers.

The Tower of the Juche Idea, the Arch of Triumph, the Grand People’s Study House, the People’s Palace of Culture and other monumental structures built in Korean-style architecture add splendor to the city.

Worthy of special note is the fact that all the Korean people, irrespective of class and social stratum, enjoy the cultural and anesthetic life to their heart’s content. A wide spectrum of people take part, according to profession and aptitude in national festivals for artistes, calligraphers and painters, singing contests, quizzes and sports events like the Grand Bull Prize National Ssirum dancing merrily in squares of pleasure grounds.

This is the real picture of socialist Korea, which the CNN correspondent wanted to show his audiences.

Prosperity on the Doorstep of Socialist Korea

“Korea does what it is determined to do!” “Break through the cutting edge!” “Keep your feet firmly planted on his land and look out over the world!” “Everything for the improving of people’s standard of living!”--- these are some of the slogans put up in different places of the country. They represent the aspiration, will and optimism of the Korean people who are steaming ahead towards the goal of a treat, prosperous and powerful nation. The DPRK is already recognized as a power in politico-ideological and military aspects. Now it strives for economic prosperity to make itself powerful in all aspects. Recent developments in this country show that it is not a distant future—the launch of two self-made artificial earth satellites, acquisition of nuclear capability, establishment of a new iron and steel production system that does not rely on coking coal and scrap iron, and mass-production of vinalon fiber and fertilizer by using local raw materials.

Sturgeon and ostrich farming is in full swing, offering a good prospect for improved people’s diet. The world-class Taedonggang Combined Fruit Farm Stretches far and wide, heralding a rosy future of fruit farming.

The Taegydo Tideland Reclamation Project was finished to link the islands off the west coast with the mainland. Earlier, foreign experts asserted that final damming up would not be successful unless the DPRK broke the gravity of the moon. But Korean builders finished the project on their own, reclaiming the tideland as large as the size of one country and bringing it under cultivation, thus redrawing the map of Korea.

A project for building 100 000 flats by 2012 is making rapid progress, changing the looks of Pyongyang as befits the capital of a great, prosperous and powerful country.

Experience all of these firsthand, and anyone would agree that prosperity of this socialist nation is close at hand.

De luxe hotels in Pyongyang and Hyangsan Hotel, Majon Hotel and other modern amenities in local provinces are waiting for curious foreigners.

As a Korean saying goes, to see once is better than to hear one hundred times. Don’t be misled by the Western media, and see everything in this country with your own eyes. The DPRK is friendly to visitors from abroad.

Monday, August 22, 2011

51 Years of Songun-based Revolutionary Leadership

Over 51 years have passed since leader Kim Jong Il visited Seoul Ryu Kyong Su 105 Guards Tank Division on August 25, 1960 together with President Kim Il Sung, and thus began his Songun revolutionary leadership.

Nobody knew then why he started his leadership calling at an army unit, not a factory or a farm.

It was on June 23, 1964, a few days after he started his work at the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea.

Talking to an anti-Japanese revolutionary veteran working at the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army, he said: I will in the future pay a great effort to strengthen the People’s Army as well as the Party. Without strengthening the People’s Army we cannot strengthen the Party, maintain the government and safeguard the security of the country and the people.

The veteran looked up at him with wonder and admiration.

Kim Jong Il went on to say: I spent my childhood in the anti-Japanese battlefield hearing gun report as a lullaby. That must be the reason why I like gun so much and want to spare nothing for the People’s Army.

He said that the gun was his first comrade and an eternal pillar in his mind.

Those were the remarks that could only be made by a great son of the guerrilla army with firm conviction and will.

With his steadfast resolve Kim Jong Il energetically pushed ahead with the cause of the leader-centered party and army building early from the 1960s.

On December 24, 1996, marking the fifth anniversary of his appointment as Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army, Kim Jong Il talked to the KPA commanding officers.

He said it was his rock-firm decision to tide over severe trials by depending on the People’s Army as the pillar of revolution.

He told them that they must understand why he gives priority to the People’s Army and that he leads the revolution and construction on the principle of placing the army ahead of the working class.

The concept of carrying on revolutionary struggle and construction with the working class as their core and main force had so far been considered to be an inviolable formula of revolution for socialism.

Kim Jong Il, however, enforcing the Songun politics, defined the People’s Army, not the working class, as the main force of revolution.

In safeguarding socialism to the end it is a very serious problem to define its pillar correctly, he noted, and stressed the need to strengthen the People’s Army, the defender of our socialism centered on the people.

A house can be safe only when its pillar is strong.

Today Songun Korea demonstrates its might and dignity to the full with the KPA serving as a pillar of revolution under the energetic guidance of Kim Jong Il, brilliant commander of Songun politics.

Having keenly felt already five decades ago that the future of a nation lies in Songun and the welfare of people and the prosperity of a country also lie in Songun, Kim Jong Il started his Songun revolutionary leadership with his visit to an army unit and today leads the building of a thriving nation by relying on the revolutionary soldier spirit.

The 51 years of leader Kim Jong Il’s Songun revolutionary leadership are decorated with victory and glory to safeguard the safety of the nation and open the road of prosperity by strengthening the KPA.

President Kim Il Sung's Maxim

President Kim Il Sung in his reminiscences "With the Century" wrote, "Revolutionaries, believe in the people and rely on them at all times and you shall always emerge victorious; if you are forsaken by them, you will always fail. Let this be your maxim in your life and struggle".

With this maxim, the President successfully waged two decades of the anti-Japanese struggle for national liberation.

In the second half of the 1920s, Korean communists and nationalists were indulged in scramble for hegemony and empty talk, not devoting themselves to the struggle for the country's liberation.

Under the situation, the President keenly felt that the working people awakened in a revolutionary way can display great strength and make revolution by themselves under any unfavorable and difficult conditions and that those relying on the people in revolution find nothing impossible.

With the idea that as fish cannot live without water, so guerrillas cannot live without the people, he made the anti-Japanese guerilla army truly serve the people.

He always regarded it as a life-or-death issue of the army to love the people and enjoy their support.

Under his great leadership the Korean People's Revolutionary Army successfully accomplished the historic cause of national liberation, based on close relations with the people.

Three Charters for National Reunification Memorial Tower

Ten years have passed since the Three Charters for National Reunification Memorial Tower was erected in Pyongyang.

The memorial tower was unveiled on August 14, Juche 90(2001), a day before the 56th anniversary of the country’s liberation from the Japanese colonial rule.

Thenceforth, more than 900 000 people have visited the tower.

Some 15 500 of them are overseas Koreans and foreigners belonging to nearly 3 000 groups.

The arch-style memorial tower covers over 100 000 square meters, with its platform embossed with group sculptures.

The tower is 30 meters high find 61.5 meters wide, symbolizing the three charters for national reunification and the June 15 joint declaration.

The tower portrays two women in Korean dress holding up the emblem of the three charters.

The tower’s weight, 7 000 tonnes, mirrors the strong will of the 70 million Koreans to pool efforts and reunify the country.

Standing near the tower is a monument containing President Kim Il Sungs proposition.

On display there are some 820 stone pieces presented by state and party leaders and prominent figures of other countries, and south and overseas Koreans.

When the tower was unveiled, the stone pieces numbered 740.

Many pro-reunification events, including a grand festival for national reunification in 2001, took place there.