U.S. Reckless Meddling in Taiwan Issue Blasted

 

Pyongyang, October 23 (KCNA) -- Pak Myong Ho, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK, on Oct. 22 made the following press statement:

Recently, the U.S. is building up military tension by inciting independence of Taiwan, which is an inseparable territory of China.

This year alone, the U.S. dispatched all kinds of battleships into the Taiwan Straits on the plea of "freedom of navigation" whenever occasion called. Some time ago, it even mobilized a battleship of its ally only to escalate tension in the Taiwan Straits.

The U.S. announced its plan for arms sale to Taiwan worth 750 million US$ by putting forth the unlawful "Taiwan Relations Act", and it is staging large-scale joint military exercise in the waters near Taiwan. Like this, it is increasing all the more its military threats against China.

It is an open secret that the members of the U.S. Special Forces and the detachment from U.S. Marine Corps have trained the Taiwanese army while stationing in Taiwan for more than one year.

This is an actual proof that the U.S. is using Taiwan as a tool to put pressure on China and an outpost to overpower China in an emergency though it outwardly maintains "One China" policy.

Taiwan is an integral part of China. The Taiwan issue, from A to Z, belongs to the internal affairs of China.

The U.S. acts constitute a naked interference in the internal affairs of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and cause a grave threat to the international peace and stability.

It is too natural and just demand that the Chinese government has, on several occasions, called for the U.S. to be as good as its word in abiding by the "One China" principle as well as a solemn commitment it made to China, not to have any kind of government-level exchanges with Taiwan, not to send a wrong signal to the separatist forces of Taiwan and to refrain from any action which aggravates the situation of the Taiwan Straits.

We fully support the Chinese government and people in their stand to defend the national sovereignty and territorial integrity and to realize the unification of the motherland without fail.

The situation of Taiwan is, on no account, irrelevant to the situation of the Korean peninsula.

The indiscreet meddling by the U.S. into the issue of Taiwan entails a potential danger of touching off a delicate situation on the Korean peninsula.

It is a well-known fact that the U.S. troops and its military bases in south Korea are in use to put pressure on China and that the huge forces of the U.S. and its satellite states, which are being concentrated near Taiwan, can be committed to a military operation targeting the DPRK at any time.

The hostile forces are already speeding up the deployment of their forces from all directions which are aimed at our country and China while making lame assertion, like a guilty party filing the suit first, that the DPRK and PRC can, in cooperation, cause military tension in Taiwan and on the Korean peninsula.

This reality proves that the U.S. is in its bid to stifle our country and China, both socialist countries, in order to hold its supremacy.

The U.S. should bear in mind that its reckless interference in internal affairs, its attempt for division and an open act of double standard would only invite tragic consequences of lifting an ax to drop it on its own foot. It is in correlation with the situation on the Korean peninsula that we would continue to watch the U.S. very closely in its stance to hold hegemony over the issue of Taiwan.

Answer of Spokesperson for DPRK Foreign Ministry

 

Pyongyang, October 21 (KCNA) –

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK gave the following answer to a question put by the KCNA on Oct. 20 as regards the fact that the U.S. is unreasonably pulling up the DPRK over its test-firing of a new-type SLBM:

The test-firing of the new-type SLBM by the Academy of Defence Science of the DPRK on Oct. 19 was part of the normal activities for carrying out the medium- and long-term plan for the development of defence science and it did not pose any threat or damage to the security of the neighboring countries and the region.

This notwithstanding, the U.S. described the DPRK's exercise of its legitimate right to self-defence as a "violation of the resolution" of the UNSC and a "threat" to the regional peace and stability by bringing to the fore the spokespersons for the White House and the Department of State and the Indo-Pacific Command, and is taking very provocative moves such as calling for convening an emergency meeting of the UNSC.

It truly concerns us that the U.S. is showing abnormal reactions to the exercise of the right to self-defence proper and just to a sovereign state.

As already clarified, the DPRK's deterrent does not aim at a specified state or forces but is for preventing the war itself and defending the sovereign rights. And the U.S. and south Korea have been ruled out as our arch-enemies.

When doing the recent test-firing we did not have the U.S. in mind nor aimed at it, but it is the work which had already been planned purely for the defence of the country. So there is no need for the U.S. to worry or trouble itself over the test-firing.

To criticize the DPRK for developing and test-firing the same weapon system as the one the U.S. possesses or is developing is a clear expression of double-standards and it only excites our suspicion about the "authenticity" of its statement that it does not antagonize the DPRK.

 If the U.S. does not take issue with the DPRK's regular and legitimate exercise of the sovereign right, no tension will be caused on the Korean peninsula but if the U.S. and its vassal forces persist with opting for a wrong action, it may act as a catalyst for more serious consequences.

We have already expressed strong concern over the fact that the U.S. and the UNSC are tampering with a dangerous "time bomb".

Academy of Defence Science Succeeds in Test Launch of New Type SLBM

 

 Pyongyang, October 20 (KCNA) –

The Academy of Defence Science of the DPRK test-fired a new type submarine-launched ballistic missile on Tuesday.

The test-launch was guided by Yu Jin, department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Kim Jong Sik, vice department director of the Munitions Industry of the Central Committee of the WPK, and leading officials of the Academy.

The Academy said that it presented a report of loyalty to the Party Central Committee with the pride and honor of succeeding in the test launch of new type SLBM from the same "8.24 Yongung" ship from which the first submarine-launched strategic ballistic missile was successfully launched five years ago to demonstrate the military muscle of the DPRK.

 It clarified that the new type SLBM, into which lots of advanced control guidance technologies including flank mobility and gliding skip mobility are introduced, will greatly contribute to putting the defence technology of the country on a high level and to enhancing the underwater operational capability of our navy.

Inter-Korean Relations: Challenges and Their Solutions

 

 

In late September this year, the Fifth Session of the 14^th Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was convened in Pyongyang. In his policy speech at the session, Kim Jong Un, President of the State Affairs, outlined and assessed the current inter-Korean relations and the situation of the Korean peninsula, before clarifying the policy towards the south Korea at the present stage. 

First of all, he mentioned the dishonest behaviour of the south Korean authorities.

Noting that south Korea was conspicuously conducting various military drills and arms build-up under the pretext of "containing" the DPRK and occasionally offending and provoking it in words and in deeds, he scathingly criticized the south Korean authorities for being bent on begging external support and cooperation while clamouring for international cooperation, toeing the line of the US.

In fact, the south Korean army waged various joint military exercises with the US troops, worsening the instability of the situation. In August alone, "exercise of the staff for crisis control" and a "combined command post exercise" took place from 10 to 13 and 16 to 26, respectively. Regardless of their scope and form, they both were aggressive in nature in that they were a rehearsal and preliminary for a nuclear war aimed at perfecting the operation plan, whose key point was a preemptive strike against the DPRK.

Kim Jong Un clarified the DPRK’s principled stand on south Korea’s proposal on declaring the termination of war.

He said that as long as the factors, the sparks of distrust and confrontation between the north and the south, remained intact, hostile acts would be continued even though the termination of war was declared and, therefore, various unexpected clashes be repeated.

He continued: It is the invariable demand repeatedly explained by us to ensure the respect for each other and withdraw the partial view, unfair and double-dealing attitude and hostile viewpoint and policies towards the other side before declaring the termination of war, and this is an important task to be settled beforehand in order to control the inter-Korean relations and open up a bright future.

Kim Jong Un clearly expressed the DPRK’s attitude towards the inter-Korean relations.

He stressed: It is important for the south Korean authorities to change its confrontational and habitual attitude towards our Republic, keep the stand of national independence through practices, not in words, deal with the inter-Korean relations with a view to settling the essential issues and give weight to and sincerely implement the north-south declarations.

Saying that he obviously reminded the south Korean authorities once again of the fact that it depended on the attitude of the south Korean authorities whether the inter-Korean relations would be restored and develop onto a new stage or continue to keep the present state of worsening, he added that the DPRK did not have any aim nor reason to provoke south Korea nor any idea to harm it and it was necessary for south Korea to promptly get rid of the delusion, consciousness of crisis and awareness of getting harmed that it should deter the north’s provocation.

In his speech, he advanced magnanimous measures for improving the north-south relations.

To look back, the south recklessly committed a childish act of scattering leaflets to the north last year, thus triggering strong anger of the north, with the result that the communication lines between the two were cut off.

Thereafter, the south did not stop scattering leaflets to the north, under the pretext of the freedom of individuals, and its government did not take active measures to promote its relations with the north but only clamoured about such inessential issues as civilian-level cooperation and humanitarian aid.

This clouded the bright future of the inter-Korean relations.

However, Kim Jong Un, as part of an effort to realize the expectations and desire of the entire Korean nation to see the north-south relations recover from the present deadlock as early as possible and durable peace settle in the Korean peninsula, took the broad-minded measure of restoring the north-south communication lines from early October.

His speech clearly explained the cause of deadlock in the inter-Korean relations and presented a just and fair proposal to break it. Also, it highlighted the nation-first ideal, the ideal of national independence, that the issues between the north and south should be solved by the Korean nation itself.

The south Korean authorities must approach the DPRK’s just and fair proposal in good faith and respond to it with sincere attitude.

DPRK’s Political Attitude to the United States

In late September Kim Jong Un, President of the State Affairs, delivered a policy speech at the Fifth Session of the 14^th DPRK Supreme People’s Assembly. The international community pays special attention to the part dealing with the country’s political attitude towards the US.  

Analysis of the Changes in the Prevailing International Situation

 

Saying that now there exist not a few serious crises and challenges facing the world but the fundamental danger comes from the US and its vassal forces’ high-handed and arbitrary practices that destroy the foundation of international peace and stability,    Kim Jong Un analyzed that the current international situation is mainly characterized by the fact that it has got more complicated as the structure of the international relations has been reduced to the structure of "new Cold War" due to the US’s unilateral and prejudiced bloc-forming style of external policy.

This can be called a scientific analysis that gives a glimpse of the cause of the complicated issues existing in the international arena.

The basis of his analysis was international peace and stability. The analysis is based on the undeniable and clear fact that the right to existence and development is the most fundamental right for mankind and it is guaranteed by international peace and stability. 

He analyzed that the US and its vassal forces’ high-handed and arbitrary practices are the main factor that destroys the foundation of international peace and stability. That his analysis is correct can be proved by the fact that about 70 countries are under sanctions by the US, the world has continued to suffer from wars and disputes even after the end of the Cold War and all these have been perpetrated or instigated by the US and its vassal forces.

What gives rise to more serious concern is the US’s unilateral and prejudiced bloc-forming style of external policy. It is because of this policy that the world faces an era of new arms race, an era of “new Cold War.”

DPRK’s US Policy

 

On the basis of the analysis, Kim Jong Un clarified the DPRK government’s political attitude towards the US.

The DPRK has consistently demanded that the US withdraw its dual standard and hostile policy to it.

With regard to the DPRK issue, the new US administration has advocated "diplomatic engagement" and "dialogue without preconditions."

The point is whether it is their sincere attitude.

Quite recently, DPRK-targeted war games have been staged around the Korean peninsula. If the US really intended to solve the problems through dialogues with the DPRK, it would have refrained from military actions threatening the latter.

This clearly shows that the current US administration’s advocacy of "diplomatic engagement" and "dialogue without preconditions" is nothing but a trick for deceiving the international community and hiding their hostile behaviours and that the US has never abandoned dual standard and hostile policy towards the DPRK.

Proceeding from this, Kim Jong Un set the country’s sector of external work the task of concentrating on providing tactical measures for thoroughly implementing the strategic policy of the DPRK government towards the US on the basis of strictly studying and analyzing the present US administration’s stand on the DPRK, the prospects of the US political situation and ever-changing international balance of forces within the framework of their correlations. 

However, the details of the strategic policy of the DPRK government towards the US were not mentioned in the media footage of his policy speech.

This will be another “homework” or anguish for the current US administration which watches the response of the DPRK towards it.

What should be remembered is that in his report to the Eighth Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea held early this year Kim Jong Un pointed out that the DPRK’s external political activities would be oriented with the main emphasis on prevailing over and containing the US, the fundamental obstacle to the development of the Korean revolution and the country’s principal enemy, that the key to creating a new DPRK-US relationship lay in the US withdrawing its hostile policy towards the DPRK, and that the DPRK would, in the future, too, approach the US on the principle of power for power and goodwill for goodwill.

Kim Jong Un Makes Commemorative Speech at Defence Development Exhibition

 

Pyongyang, October 12 (KCNA) -- The respected Comrade Kim Jong  Un made a commemorative speech at the Defence Development Exhibition  on October 11.

The following is the full text of the speech:

Comrades,

Today we will have an opportunity to see with our own eyes how the  defence capability of our glorious motherland, the Democratic People's  Republic of Korea, has developed.

I extend warm congratulations to you, who are participating in the  Defence Development Exhibition, an epitome of the advanced, modern and  courageous character of our Korea.

The Defence Development Exhibition Self-Defence 2021 opened today is  adding lustre to the celebration of this year's anniversary of the founding of  the Workers' Party of Korea.

As its name denotes, this exhibition is a grand festival that will  demonstrate intensively and visually the far-reaching ambition, leadership  ability and practical executive capability of our Party that is bringing about  a fresh turn in consolidating the defence potential of our state by invariably  holding fast to the invincible line of self-defence, as well as the level of  remarkable development of our state's defence science and munitions  industry and their bright future.

Today's grand-scale exhibition, a crystallization of our Party's  revolutionary defence policy and its robust viability, is an epoch-making  demonstration of our national strength no less significant than a large-scale  military parade.

Comrades,

I still remember vividly the road of do-or-die revolution in the defence  industry, an untrodden road, which our Party had to follow over the past  five years, shouldering the heavy historic mission of fostering a more  powerful and absolute strength with which to reliably defend the security  of the country and the eternal dignity, happiness and safety of posterity in  line with the demands of the changed objective and subjective conditions  and environment of our revolution and the rapidly-changing military  balance worldwide.

Every step we have taken on the road of developing our defence  capability over the past five years, in which are etched severe trials as well  as moments of emotive delight, was a step for quite a glorious and  worthwhile revolution and patriotism, a step for a great victory; we can be  proud of this in front of our Party, country, people and posterity.

We should not be inadvertent in seeing the military hardware displayed  in fine array here, which we have managed to develop over the past five  years.

The more we stroke them and the more we see them, the greater  dignity and pride we feel and the more valuable we feel they are; they are  ours.

All our people have rendered an unconditional and absolute support to  our Party's policy of strengthening the defence capability despite the fact  that they had to experience more severe hardships and difficulties caused  by the persistent anti-DPRK schemes by the hostile forces, who are  desperate not to see us growing stronger. But for their trust and ardent  patriotism, we would never ever have developed them.

Every piece of those military hardware tells many unforgettable tales  about our defence scientists and technicians and workers in the munitions  industry who, following the Party, have braved all manner of difficulties on  the road of defence upbuilding; it is also permeated with the blood and  sweat of these scientists, technicians and workers, who have worked self  sacrificingly by devoting their enthusiasm and wisdom.

They have always supported unconditionally and absolutely and  accepted death-defyingly any of the demands and determinations of our  Party, and displayed infinite loyalty and heroism on the road of  accomplishing the historic cause of strengthening our defence capability.

Availing myself of this opportunity, I, on behalf of the Party, the  government and all the people, extend warm gratitude to the scientists,  technicians, persons of merits and all other workers in the munitions  industry, who have rendered a contribution to achieving the outstanding,  advanced successes that were conducive to building a world-class defence  capability, the first of its kind in the history of our Republic, and to realizing  our people's long-cherished desire.

I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the other people.

I am convinced that this exhibition will be a victors' exhibition that will  review our great victories, an encouraging exhibition that will instil  inexhaustible strength and courage in the defence field and the people across the country and an enterprising exhibition that will promote faster  and more vigorous development of construction of our style of socialism.

Comrades,

The core of our Party's defence policy is to defend our country and  people by our own efforts, and contain any threat and challenge and  reliably and steadfastly safeguard peace by means of steadily-developing,  powerful defence capability.

Historically, our nation suffered trials owing to invasion by foreign forces  and has had to build socialism under the constant threats by hostile forces  from one century into the next.

In view of this lesson of the history of the nation and the demand and  special character of the Korean revolution, building up national defence is  an indispensable and vital state affair which our Party, government and  people must not neglect even a moment.

If a country does not have self-defensive capability of a proper level, it  will inevitably be left at the mercy of external military threat and, worse  still, cannot safeguard the existence of itself and its people. It has been an  immutable law of nature throughout human history.

The rapid development of military techniques and hardware is changing  the aspect of military operations and the security environment of states in  every region in the present world.

The military danger facing our state due to the military tension prevailing  around the Korean peninsula is different from that ten or five, nay, three  years ago.

Seeing the contents of various military exercises the United States and  south Korea frequently wage on the pretext of coping with what they call  threats while talking about peace, cooperation and prosperity in public and  south Korea's attempt to modernize its armaments which has recently  become intolerably undisguised, we can easily guess how military  environment will change in the region of the Korean peninsula tomorrow.

Recently, south Korea has been trying to upgrade the fighting efficiency  of its army under the powerful sponsorship of the United States, bringing  in a large number of cutting-edge weapons of various kinds including  stealth joint strike fighters and high altitude unmanned reconnaissance  aircraft.

While explicitly underlining the importance of its own defence technology  after the recent revision of its missile guidelines, it focuses on modernizing  its strike weapons of various kinds-developing various warheads and  extending the ranges of missiles so as to improve its missile capacity,  whose objective is clear, and enhancing the combat efficiency of  submarines and developing fighters.

South Korea's such attempt is too dangerous to be left to itself, but what  is more dangerous is its justification for modernizing its armaments and its  hypocritical and brigandish double-dealing attitude.

While doing everything they want to do, the south Korean authorities,  with a view to depriving us of our self-defensive right to develop defence  capability, volunteer to lead the anti-DPRK propaganda campaign of the  hostile forces headed by the United States, wantonly labelling even our  tests of conventional weapons as armed provocations, threats and  inappropriate deeds aggravating tensions.

They are now using the words provocation and threat as terminologies  exclusive to the north.

Trying to put our effort to develop self-defensive capability in fetters by  invoking the illegitimate UN resolutions, they are bent on increasing  military expenditure under the so-called righteous excuse of coping with  what they have unilaterally defined as threats.

Their hypocritical attitude and the US tacit sponsorship continue to  damage the inter-Korean feelings and emotions and their unlimited,  dangerous attempts to strengthen military capability are breaking the  military equilibrium in the region of the Korean peninsula and aggravating  the military instability and danger there.

South Korea has been unhesitant on several occasions in disclosing its  ambition for securing military supremacy over us under the preposterous excuse of deterring threat from us, and each time justified itself with the  containment of our threat and defence of peace.

Designating us as a source of threat and a target to be contained, not as  a partner of dialogue and cooperation, is a concentrated expression of their  deeply-ingrained hostility towards our Republic which cannot be concealed  no matter how hard they try to pretend otherwise.

We express deep regret over such avaricious ambition and their double dealing, illogical and brigandish attitude that causes unfairness to and hurt  the feelings of the other side; we will never ever tolerate but respond with  powerful action if they continue to infringe upon even our right to self defence in future.

But, if south Korea does not find fault with us in a stubborn manner and  if it does not pick a quarrel even with our exercise of national sovereignty,  I assure that no tension will be caused on the Korean peninsula.

Were it not for it, we will not be involved in verbal confrontation with  south Korea nor have any reason to be so.

I want to reiterate that south Korea is not the target of our armed forces.

Undoubtedly, we are not strengthening our defence capability targeting  at south Korea.

The dreadful history of having recourse to arms against the fellow  countrymen must not be repeated on this land.

I want to make sure once again: We are not talking about a war with  someone; we are building up war deterrent true to the meaning of the  words in order to prevent the war itself and to safeguard the sovereignty  of our state; our war deterrent and south Korea's so-called capability to  contain the north are different concepts in vocabulary, meaning and  essence.

Our arch-enemy is the war itself, not south Korea, the United States or  any other specific state or forces.

Therefore, as I stated in the recent policy speech, all I want is that the  authorities and the whole society of south Korea, in their viewpoint  towards the north, get rid of their outdated and anachronistic worry and  anxiety and illusory sense of mission that the North’s threat should be  contained, and free themselves from the excessive crisis-consciousness  and persecution complex as soon as possible.

We should not judge the prevailing situation spontaneously, sentimentally or subjectively, but approach it cool-headedly and correctly.

The change in the military and political environment created around the  Korean peninsula under the control of the United States, let alone the  excessive military obesity and covetousness of south Korea at issue,  portends much potential danger and presents pressing need for us to  develop to a stronger entity.

Recently, the United States has frequently sent signals that it is not  hostile to our state, but its behaviours provide us with no reason why we  should believe in them.

Sure enough, it is not fools alone that live in the world. I wonder if there  is any person or state who believes in its claim that it is not hostile to the  DPRK and, if any, I am curious to know who they are.

The United States is still generating regional tension with its wrong  judgment and acts.

What is clear is that the instable situation in the region of the Korean  peninsula cannot be easily removed because of the United States.

In view of this reality, the military balance of the region may grow more  perilous as the days go by and our state may face worse security concern  and menacing situation if we, satisfied with the successes we have  achieved in strengthening our national defence, slacken our pace for a  respite on the road of development.

Under the prevailing unstable situation on the Korean peninsula, steadily  strengthening our military might to cope with it is the demand of the times  of our revolution and the supreme duty which we have assumed for the  revolution and the future.

The reality demands that we refrain from resting on our laurels, marking  time, and exert ourselves to possess the capability and means strong  enough to control the existing concerns and threats.

The effort to possess strong military capability should be a natural, self defensive and mandatory right and core policy which a sovereign state  should not miss either in a peaceful environment or in a state of  confrontation.

It is because the self-defensive power is the root of the existence of a  state and a guarantee of its development.

We will confront with a decisive and resolute attitude all kinds of  despicable actions by the hostile forces that are inciting military tension in  the region of the Korean peninsula, and will do our best to achieve durable  peace in the region by ameliorating and removing one by one the causes  that are disturbing the foundation of peaceful environment.

However, any of our external efforts for achieving peace never means  the abandonment of our right to self-defence.

Comrades,

The Eighth Congress of the WPK has put forward the detailed tasks for  making our superiority in military technology in our hands more irreversible  by carrying out the second-stage revolution in the defence industry in the  field of defence science and the munitions industry during the five-year  plan period.

The main contents are to further strengthen the already-gained war  deterrent in terms of both quality and quantity and further accelerate the  development and production of strategic and tactical means essential for  guaranteeing national security.

What our Party trusts are the indomitable revolutionary spirit,  remarkable patriotism and outstandingly brilliant brains and talents of our  defence scientists and working class in the munitions industry who create  unprecedented miracles without fail if the Party and the revolution require  them to do so and the powerful foundation of the munitions industry firmly  consolidated amidst long-lasting hardships.

During the days of the first-stage revolution in the defence industry our  Party got a full understanding of the loyalty and practical abilities of the  defence scientists and technicians and potential of all units and talented  persons, and fostered a firm belief that the goals of cutting-edge defence  capability can be hit as long as we have the reliable revolutionary soldiers  who are ready to sacrifice their lives for their country and fellow people.

What strengthens this belief and makes us optimistic about the victory in  the new stage is that our Party has a huge army of up-and-coming creative  young scientists, who always carry out any intentions of the Party without  any conditions with an innovative approach.

These young talented persons are the pillars supporting the present and  future of our defence industry and a source of great strength of our Party  and state.

Along with them, we have the proud workers in the munitions industry,  who have been unfailingly faithful to the Party and the revolutionary cause  at all times.

The Party expects a great deal from our scientists and workers in the  munitions industry.

Our self-defence capability will keep changing in the future, too.

As long as there are the strong will and correct leadership of our Party  and there are the defence scientists and workers in the munitions industry  unfailingly loyal to the Party and the revolution, more brilliant successes  will be scored in carrying out our just and patriotic cause, in the course of  which more perfect, more complete and more powerful strategic might,  that is war deterrent, will guarantee the security and future of our country  and people.

Comrades,

Today's large-scale exhibition is, of course, aimed at encouraging  defence scientists and technicians and workers in the munitions industry  and inspiring the people with fresh confidence and courage on this  occasion. But the main purpose is to propel more powerfully the  development of the country's defence capability.

We should not rest on our laurels while looking back upon the glorious  history of the defence industry, in which we have so far built up our  defence capability satisfactorily to the level required by the stage of the  developing revolution. We must think about making a higher leap forward,  regarding the tenacious efforts and achievements we have made for more  than half a century shedding blood and sweat as a firm springboard.

The defence industry sector should, through this exhibition, analyze and  appraise its successes and level of development in an accurate and  comprehensive way, and on the basis of this, should draw up a plan and  design for the rapid development of its every field, share the excellent  experiences gained so far and take measures for a higher and faster leap  forward in the future.

We should all bear in mind again the grand strategy for defence  development set forth by the Eighth Congress of our Party, and thus  contribute to its development with redoubled courage.

Comrades,

Our Party has been frank enough to tell you about the requirements of  the revolution and the state of situation as they are and found great  encouragement in your steadfast attitude and ardent patriotism.

I stress once again: It is our Party's invariable priority policy and goal  and unwavering will to possess and further strengthen the military  capability which no one would dare challenge.

All those present here should critically analyze the situation of their  sectors and units in the light of the great successes achieved by our  defence industry, decide once again on which results they would present in  front of the Party, state and people in the future and make a fresh  determination also in the aspect of fully supporting our defence industry  for its further development.

Of course, the economic situation in the country is still difficult and other  sectors must have important and pressing tasks. All the sectors, however,  should never forget the overriding importance of consolidating the defence  capability, but remember that any development and success of our  revolution is inconceivable separated from the preferential development of  the national defence capability.

Without strong self-defence capability we can neither expect successful  progress of the internal and external policies of the Party and the  government nor think about stability and peaceful environment of the  country.

All the people, too, should support the consistent and iron will of our  Party and government by regarding it as the highest expression of  patriotism to strengthen the defence capability and rendering unsparing  material and spiritual assistance to it.

We must be powerful also for our coming generations. This is our first  and foremost task.

Let us all devote ourselves heart and soul, our wisdom and enthusiasm  to the sacred cause of bolstering up in every way the defence capability of  our great state without forgetting the pledges we made before the country,  revolution and people and filled with conviction on and confidence in sure  victory.

I once again welcome you for attending this event in which you will  witness yourselves our proud military strength.

Defence Development Exhibition "Self Defence-2021" Opens with Splendor

 

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Makes Commemorative Speech at  Opening Ceremony

Pyongyang, October 12 (KCNA) -- The people across the country going  all out in the struggle for the fresh development of our style socialist  construction in hearty response to the decisions made at the 8th Congress  of the Workers' Party of Korea and the administrative policy of the government of the Republic are significantly celebrating the October  holiday with great excitement as victors.

The Defence Development Exhibition "Self-Defence-2021" was opened  with splendor at the Three-Revolution Exhibition House on October 11 on  the occasion of the 76th founding anniversary of the WPK.

The venue of the exhibition was full of deep gratitude and reverence for  the glorious WPK which led the rapid development of defence building for  self-defence and provided the absolute might for firmly guaranteeing the  eternal wellbeing and future of our country.

Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the WPK and president of the State  Affairs of the DPRK, was present at the opening ceremony.

As he arrived at the venue of the ceremony, all the participants broke  into thunderous cheers of "Hurrah!" for the General Secretary of our Party  who provided the invincible war deterrence for firmly defending the  security of the country, the safety of our people and the peace of the  region and the world with his gifted wisdom, outstanding leadership and  matchless pluck and who is confidently leading the Party's cause, the great  cause of building a powerful and prosperous country, along the only road  of victory and glory.

Present at the ceremony were members of the Presidium of the Political  Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK Choe Ryong Hae, Jo Yong  Won, Kim Tok Hun and Pak Jong Chon.

Also present were Ri Il Hwan, Jong Sang Hak, O Su Yong, Thae Hyong  Chol, Kim Jae Ryong, O Il Jong, Kim Yong Chol, Jong Kyong Thaek, Kim  Song Nam, Ho Chol Man, Pak Thae Dok, Kim Hyong Sik, Yu Jin, Pak Myong  Sun, Ri Chol Man, Jon Hyon Chol, Pak Jong Gun, Yang Sung Ho, Ju Chol  Gyu, Ri Son Gwon, Jang Jong Nam, U Sang Chol, Kim Yong Hwan and  other Party and government officials, leading officials of the Cabinet,  ministries and working people's organizations.

Kwon Yong Jin, Ri Yong Gil, Rim Kwang Il and other leading officials of  the armed forces organs, and commanders of the combined units of all  services of the Korean People's Army were also present.

Present there on invitation were merited officials, scientists and  technicians in the national defence industrial field.

Before the opening ceremony, there was a distinctive rite of the  combined military band.

The band made various changes of formations to make numbers reading  "10.10" and the Party emblem to the tune of the revolutionary music full of  militant spirit, revving up the atmosphere.

Then there was a martial art demonstration performed by combatants of  the People's Army.

The soldiers who cultivated annihilating fighting spirit and bravery true to  the Party's training-first policy creditably performed combat actions and  method to be applauded by the participants.

A top notch parachutist showed landing skills, fluttering red Party flag in  the sky in October.

There was stunt flight of combat pilots in the sky above the venue.

The spectators kept applauding the air squadron as the pilots fully  showed aeronautics they cultivated through day-to-day training while  skillfully performing various aerial combat flight actions like buzzing,  perpendicular zooming and reversal.

Then there followed the opening ceremony.

As the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un mounted the platform together  with the leading officials and meritorious workers in the field of national  defence science research, thunderous cheers resounded throughout the  venue of the exhibition.

Pak Jong Chon, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau and  secretary of the Central Committee of the WPK, made an opening speech.

The national anthem of the DPRK was solemnly played as the exhibition  was declared open.

Kim Jong Un made a commemorative speech at the exhibition.

He said that the grand exhibition today is an intensive and intuitive  reminder of the great aspiration, leadership and practical ability of our  Party bringing about a fresh turn in consolidating the defence potential of our state by invariably maintaining the invincible line of self-defence, and  also becomes a striking manifestation of the state power as important as a  large-scale military parade as it demonstrates the marvelous development  that our state has gained and shining prospect of its defence science and  munitions industry.

Recalling how our Party had to opt for the path of effecting revolution in  the defence industry in a do-or-die spirit, the untrodden path for the past  five years, the General Secretary referred to the validity of our Party's  defence policy which set it as a prerequisite and vital state affairs that had  to be maintained all the time to increase defence capabilities, and ardently  appealed to all the people to devote themselves both physically and mentally as well as their wisdom and enthusiasm to the sacred cause for  consolidating the defence capabilities of our great state in every way.

As he ended his speech, all the participants broke into thunderous  cheers, extending the greatest reverence and deep gratitude to the  General Secretary of our great Party.

At the ceremony commendations were awarded to those who made  distinguished services for the development of the defence capabilities of  the country.

Kim Jong Un personally conferred Kim Il Sung Order  and Kim Jong Il Order, the highest orders in our  country, Kim Il Sung Prize, Kim Jong Il Prize, the title of the Labor  Hero of the DPRK and Gold Medal (Hammer and Sickle) and Order of  National Flag First Class, and watches bearing the august names of  President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il.

All the participants congratulated the recipients with loud applauses. Kim Jong Un looked round the exhibition together with the participants.

The exhibition is an epitome of the powerful defence capabilities of the  DPRK as it mainly includes all kinds of weapons and equipment developed  and produced by it in recent five years.

Looking round with deep emotion the arms and equipment associated  with the soul of Juche and which are as valuable as living organism  pulsating with the breaths of defence scientists, workers in the munitions  field and all the people of the country, the General Secretary once again  spoke highly of the soldiers in the defence field loyal to our Party who  devoted their patriotism and loyalty to the sacred cause of the national  history for consolidating the world's most powerful defence capabilities for  self-defence as firm as a rock.

In commemoration of the exhibition which would be specially recorded in  the history of our Party and the nation, he had a significant photo taken  with the leading officials in the field of defence science and then with the  parachutist and combat pilots of the Air and Anti-Aircraft Force of the  Korean People's Army who creditably performed stunt flight and landing  duties.

The exhibition venue full of warm and close feelings between the leader  and soldiers sharing bitters and sweets in the militant journey for building a  powerful and prosperous country stirred with great pride, honor and  happiness of the participants over time.

All the participants felt deep reverence for Kim Jong Un who opened up  the era of the most dignified powerful country, the era of our state-first  principle in the nation's history spanning 5 000 years with his steel-strong  faith, pluck, far-sighted wisdom and unusual leadership ability, while  sharing stories about his field leadership history associated with the  invincible weapons and equipment vividly reflective of the dignity and spirit  of the powerful country of Juche.

The exhibition will be a meaningful occasion of adding faith in  invincibility and vitality to the indefatigable historic advance of our people  for the overall prosperity of our own-style socialism, and of greatly  encouraging the defence scientists and workers in the munitions field who  are making devoted struggle to attain the goal of modernizing the defence  industry set forth at the 8th Congress of the Party.