NDC of DPRK Sends Open Letter to South Korean Side

Pyongyang, January 24 (KCNA) -- The National Defence Commission (NDC) of the DPRK Thursday sent an open letter to the authorities, various political parties, social organizations and people of various circles of south Korea by a special order of the first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, first chairman of the NDC of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army.

The letter says:

The history of the territorial partition which has lasted for several decades has brought untold misfortune and pain to the Korean nation.

Foreign forces are wholly to blame for this tragic and disgraceful history of the Korean nation which started following the liberation of the country.

Firmly determined to put an end to the history of the territorial partition and national split in view of the hard reality to which the Korean nation can no longer remain a passive on-looker, the supreme leadership of the DPRK in the New Year Address clarified internally and externally realistic ways of opening a fresh phase of national reunification.

The ardent appeal sent by the NDC of the DPRK to the south Korean authorities on January 16 represents an important proposal for opening a wide avenue for improving the north-south relations.

The important proposal of the DPRK reflects the steadfast will of its army and people to improve the north-south relations by concerted efforts of the two sides, not asking about all inglorious happenings in the past.

This offer also reflects the desire and wishes of all Koreans for independent reunification, peace and prosperity of the country.

Regretfully, however, the south Korean authorities still remain unchanged in its improper attitude and negative stand towards the proposal.

What is most important for mending the inter-Korean ties is to have a proper attitude and stance towards this issue.

The issue of improving the inter-Korean ties is a prerequisite for achieving the national reconciliation and unity and the starting point to provide a shortcut to reunification.

The DPRK has already unilaterally opted for halting all acts of getting on the nerves of south Korea and slandering it.

What is also important for paving a wide avenue for mending the north-south relations is to make a bold decision to stop all hostile military acts, the biggest hurdle stoking distrust and confrontation.

The creation of atmosphere is required for repairing the inter-Korean relations but what is more important is to definitely terminate hostile military acts, the main obstacle to it.

The DPRK did not urge the south Korean authorities to stop ordinary military drills.

It urged them to halt drills for a war of aggression to be staged against their compatriots in collusion with outside forces.

The south Korean authorities should not thoughtlessly doubt, misinterpret and rashly reject our sincere, important proposal.

The north-south relations will be improved on a solid basis only when both sides take realistic measures to prevent impending nuclear disasters with concerted efforts of the Korean nation.

The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is a goal common to the nation as it should be realized by concerted efforts of all Koreans.

The south Korean authorities should have no doubt about the DPRK's will for denuclearization.

No matter how many regimes and authorities have been replaced, the south Korean authorities should utter any word after having a proper understanding of the root cause of the nuclear issue on the peninsula.

Before finding fault with the nation's precious nuclear force for self-defence to which the DPRK had access, they should make a bold decision to stop their dangerous acts of introducing outsiders' nukes to do harm to their compatriots.

It is our determination to create an atmosphere of reconciliation and unity, completely halt hostile military acts, realize the reunion of separated families and relatives, resume the tour of Mt. Kumgang and reenergize multi-faceted north-south cooperation and exchanges.

Unshakable is the stand of the service personnel and people of the DPRK to pave a wide avenue for mending the north-south relations by concerted efforts of the Korean nation.

Improved inter-Korean relations precisely mean the independent reunification, peace and prosperity desired by all Koreans.

Kim Jong Un Visits Revolutionary Battle Site in Mt. Madu

Pyongyang, January 23 (KCNA) -- Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, visited the revolutionary battle site in Mt. Madu.

The revolutionary battle site in Mt. Madu built as a secret base in the area of Anju in the period of the anti-Japanese armed struggle was a base for regional leadership, an important base for military operation in the western part of Korea.

There existed secret camps in Mts. Madu, Sang, Jon and Thukmaek in places favorable in terms of nature and geography and various revolutionary organizations were formed according to the operational plan of President Kim Il Sung. As a result, there appeared a reliable revolutionary fortress for making full preparations for all-people resistance and conducting an operation for a final attack for national liberation.

After looking round the room for the education in trees bearing slogans, Kim Jong Un watched trees bearing slogans outside.

The area of Anju where the revolutionary battle site is located was an important operational area for greeting the great event of national liberation, he noted, adding the fact that Kim Il Sung built a secret base there clearly proves that he was a peerlessly great man possessed of far-sighted wisdom.

He pointed out that the revolutionary battle site in Mt. Madu bears witness to the immortal exploits performed by Kim Il Sung for accomplishing the historic cause of national liberation and the indomitable fighting spirit of the Korean people who ushered in a new era of the national liberation struggle in colonies, holding him in high esteem as the center of unity and leadership.

It is the unshakable will and determination of the WPK to always uphold, carry forward and develop the revolutionary traditions established by Kim Il Sung and complete the Korean revolution, Kim Jong Un stressed.

He had a photo session with the employees of the revolutionary battle site, expressing great expectation and belief that they would successfully fulfill their honorable duty.

The revolutionary battle sites are eternal treasures of the Korean revolution more precious than anything else and important bases for equipping the members of the party, working people, service personnel and youth and students with the revolutionary traditions of the WPK, he noted, setting forth important tasks which would serve as guidelines for managing and operating them and intensifying the education through them. He was accompanied by Hwang Pyong So, Ma Won Chun, Kim Yong Chol and Pak Jong Chon.

Kim Jong Un Guides Tactical Exercise of KPA Unit 323

Pyongyang, January 23 (KCNA) -- Supreme commander of the Korean People's Army (KPA) Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, visited a tactical drill ground of KPA Unit 323 honored with the Title of O Jung Hup-led 7th Regiment and guided the exercise.

After receiving a report on the plan for the exercise at the observation post, he gave an order to start the exercise. Soldiers showed him their admirable actions of occupying the "enemy's position" at a lightning speed, giving it no time to come to itself. After watching them strike and destroy the enemy's installations at a lightning speed by performing their combat mission independently and proactively despite adverse conditions, he said that he came to realize that they were good at day-to-day trainings.

He highly praised them for conducting the most successful exercise under very unfavorable conditions in terms of nature, geography and climate. He said that the exercise could prove successful as officers commanded the "battle" while performing difficult duties in the van of soldiers.

He once again highly praised the commanding officers and officers of the staff of the unit for acquiring capabilities to skillfully organize and command all forms of modern operations and battles and soldiers for being well versed in battle methods for satisfactorily performing their combat duty. He sent thanks to the unit on behalf of KPA supreme commander.

He set forth important tasks to be fulfilled by the KPA to organize and conduct drills under the simulated conditions of an actual war. He was accompanied by Ri Yong Gil, Kim Su Gil, Ri Pyong Chol, Kim Yong Chol, Pak Jong Chon and Hwang Pyong So.

Kim Jong Un Sends Vehicles to State Academy of Sciences

Pyongyang, January 23 (KCNA) -- Supreme leader Kim Jong Un sent vehicles to the State Academy of Sciences as gifts.

The gifts reflect his deep trust and great expectation that the scientists and technicians will uphold the party's policies with bigger scientific and technical achievements and make positive contributions to the prosperity and development of the country.

A ceremony of conveying the gifts took place on Tuesday.

Speeches were made to renew their determination at the end of the ceremony.

The speakers said that immensely profound is the loving care shown by Kim Jong Un for the scientists and technicians, who open a shortcut to building knowledge-based economy, projecting them as precious treasures of the country.

They said that officials, scientists and technicians would ride the excellent "steed" provided to them by the party, remaining true to Kim Jong Un's idea of attaching importance to science and his leadership, and thus successfully perform their role as vanguard and propellant in the building of a thriving nation.

Present at the ceremony were Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, and President Jang Chol and other officials, scientists, technicians and employees of the Academy.