PROVOKERS WILL HAVE TO PAY HIGH PRICE: CPRK SPOKESMAN

Pyongyang, March 7 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea (CPRK) released the following statement Monday:

The U.S. imperialists and the Park Geun Hye group of traitors finally commenced military actions to violate the sovereignty of the DPRK and destroy its right to existence by force. That is joint military rehearsal Key Resolve and Foal Eagle 16 joint military exercises that started Monday.

This time they even cast away the spurious mask of "annual" and "defensive" which they have so far oft-repeated to conduct them as the most undisguised, most vicious and the largest-ever nuclear war rehearsal for invading the DPRK.

The rehearsal cannot but be branded as the ferocious war racket that can never be tolerated by the army and people of the DPRK as it was started in the wake of the fabrication of the illegal "resolution" of the UN Security Council against the DPRK in a bid to politically isolate it and strangle its economy.

It is something unprecedented that almost all three strategic nuclear strike means of the U.S. were deployed throughout south Korea one by one and the large special operational groups and surprise strike landing teams of the three services of the U.S. forces which earned an ill fame as a group of murderers have been engaged in the exercises.

What is serious is that they are openly claiming that the aim of the joint military drills is to confirm the possibility of applying OPLAN 5015 to an actual war whose main contents are "beheading operation" targeting the supreme headquarters of the revolution of the DPRK, a surprise landing operation for occupying strategic vantage points all of a sudden and an operation for preemptive strikes at nuclear strike means of the DPRK.

The situation has reached the phase that can no longer be put under control.

All facts clearly prove that the U.S. imperialists and the puppet forces have escalated the situation under the pretext of the DPRK's H-bomb test for self-defence and its satellite launch for peaceful purposes, with an aim to ignite a war against it.

Under the prevailing situation the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea again reminds the U.S. imperialists and the puppet forces of south Korea of the fact that the DPRK did not make an empty talk when it said its measures for all-out counteraction include strong physical counteraction now that do-or-die battle of justice has begun to deal sledge-hammer blows at the aggressors and provokers seized with hysteria for a nuclear war and to defend the sovereignty and the right to existence of the DPRK.

The war maniacs of aggression should not run wild if they are to evade the retaliatory strike to be inflicted by the miniaturized, high-precision and diversified nuclear weapons deployed in operation fields of the powerful revolutionary Paektusan army and ready to be used by it at any moment, and not to be perished in the sea of flames by various caliber multiple rocket launchers produced in a serial way and deployed even in reserve artillery units.

The U.S. imperialists, the sworn enemy of the Korean people, and the Park Geun Hye group of traitors, the worst source of trouble to the nation, should never forget that all the bases of aggression in south Korea, Japan, the Pacific and the U.S. mainland are within the firing range of various type strike means of the revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK.

The enemy should clearly know that all the operation units of the revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK, which turned the mode of their preceding military counteraction into that of pre-emptive strike to cope with the snotty military actions of the enemy attempting to stamp out the sovereignty and right to existence of the DPRK, are placed on a fully-ready posture to detect at once and launch pre-emptive merciless and annihilating strikes at them, not giving any chance of regret, in case they show any sign of provocation.

It is the final decision made by the service personnel and people of the DPRK that they should deal with the U.S. imperialists and the Park Geun Hye group of traitors by force of arms only as they are bereft of any common knowledge and reason.

All Koreans at home and abroad and the world peace-loving people aspiring after peace and reunification of Korea would respond to the DPRK's final war of justice against the U.S., the sacred war for national reunification, by joining the fierce action against the war moves of the U.S. and Park Geun Hye.

If the enemy forces' war racket against the DPRK being recklessly staged in south Korea, a dangerous nuclear arsenal, is overlooked, the Korean nation will neither be safe nor will the world be able to escape from the disaster of a nuclear war.

The Park Geun Hye group of traitors will meet the bitterest defeat and disgraceful ruin as it once again cried out for making the DPRK pay a "due price" together with the gangster-like U.S. imperialists that challenged the dignity and social system of the DPRK in defiance of the solemn warnings served by it.

The final victory is in store for the service personnel and people of the DPRK who turned out in a just confrontation with the U.S. and the sacred war for national reunification under the uplifted banner of independence and Songun

CPRK SPOKESMAN ACCUSES PARK GEUN HYE REGIME OF ITS HIDEOUS CRIMES AGAINST NATION

A spokesman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea (CPRK) made public a statement Friday as regards the fact that Park Geun Hye pressurized the "National Assembly" to fabricate the "law on human rights in the north" and "anti-terrorism law", evil laws escalating confrontation with the fellow countrymen, on March 2, adding to her high treasons.

The fabrication of the laws is an unpardonable grave provocation to the DPRK and a hideous crime against the nation, pushing the inter-Korean relations to the brink of a war, the statement said, and went on:

All those who visited the DPRK admire the true picture of its social system under which the policy of giving priority to the people and respecting and loving them is fully enforced.

Philistines of south Korea and international human rights tricksters, who know nothing about the DPRK as they have never been to it, fabricated the "law on human rights" on the basis of the false information provided by a handful of human scum who defected to south Korea after committing hideous crimes and abandoning their country and families, and are talkative about "human rights" issue in the DPRK. This is an impudent political charade and undisguised mockery of the public at home and abroad.

The fabrication of the "anti-terrorism law" against the DPRK is a political cartoon without an equal in the world that makes even their American master, kingpin of international terrorism, blush and a foolish act to tarnish the image of the dignified DPRK and tighten the siege network for isolating and stifling the DPRK.

Through the fabrication of the laws Park Geun Hye brought to light her true colors as an outrageous confrontation maniac, fascist tyrant without an equal in the world and traitor for all ages.

All the servicepersons and people of the DPRK will take decisive and resolute countermeasures against the Park Geun Hye group of traitors as it dared challenge the dignity and social system in the DPRK.

DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman Rejects UNSC "Resolution on Sanctions"

A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry issued the following statement on Thursday:

The U.S. fabricated another "resolution on sanctions" by abusing the UNSC, while finding fault with the DPRK's H-bomb test and satellite launch.

The "resolution" unprecedented in its viciousness and illegality is a brigandish product which can never be justified.

If the access to nuclear weapons is to be called into question, the U.S., the first country in the world which had access to nuclear weapons and the only user of them, should be done so and if any fault is to be found with the DPRK's access to nuclear weapons, it is imperative to pull up the U.S. over the hostile policy and nuclear threat toward the DPRK for which it is responsible.

The DPRK's access to nuclear weapons is an unavoidable option for self-defense made by it as the U.S., the world biggest nuclear weapons state and the only user of the nuclear weapons, designated the dignified DPRK as an "axis of evil" and target of a preemptive nuclear strike and has persistently escalated the hostile moves and nuclear threats to the DPRK by introducing various kinds of lethal hardware for a nuclear war.

The DPRK's H-bomb test and satellite launch are being termed a breach of the previous "resolutions" of the UNSC but, in essence, those "resolutions" are a product of high-handedness practiced beyond the mandate of the UNSC.

If the UNSC has the mandate to ban an individual country from conducting a nuclear test, what does the NPT exist for and what is the nuclear test ban treaty necessary for?

As for the satellite launch, it is the legitimate right of a sovereign state.

The DPRK shaped the 5-year program for national aerospace development through the legitimate exercise of the independent right recognized by international law and according to it successfully launched earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong-4 which is now under normal operation.

Where in the UN Charter is the mandate investing the UNSC with the right to deprive an individual UN member nation of the right to use space for peaceful purposes, a right specified in international law, stipulated?

If the DPRK's satellite launch is to be found fault with, it is necessary to call into question all countries that launched satellites including the U.S.

The U.S., preoccupied with the hostility toward the DPRK, went so crude as not to hesitate to devise "luxury goods" asembargo items in a bid to prohibit the DPRK from importing even sports apparatuses such as ski resort facilities which have nothing to do with the development of weaponry.

Underlying it is a vicious hostile purpose and nature against human rights aimed to arrest happy laughs of people from being heard from such cultural recreation grounds as the Masikryong Ski Resort in the DPRK and to prevent its people from enjoying highly civilized socialist life, the promise the Workers' Party of Korea made to them, and, furthermore, to bring down the social system of the DPRK.

The DPRK bitterly denounces and totally rejects all "resolutions" against it including the recent "resolution", which are being misused for sinister political purpose of a big power in wanton violation of the independent right, right to development and right to existence of the sovereign state, as the criminal documents devoid of impartiality, legitimacy and morality.

Many member nations of the United Nations, small countries, in particular, are getting increasingly vocal in their call for the democratic reform of the UN Security Council the most undemocratic and unfair old structure and nature of which are still left intact within the UN machinery. And they are expressing their protest by ignoring unreasonable resolutions of the UNSC.

The DPRK, a country that covered the path of self-reliance and self-development in face of the U.S. sanctions and blockade, recently took the path it should have taken, while being fully aware that the U.S. would slap sanctions again.

The DPRK's self-development-first principle is the strength of the courageous people who emerged as a H-bomb state and satellite launching state by dint of its indigenous wisdom and technology with firm belief in their own efforts despite the U.S. ceaseless hostile policy and sanctions that lasted for more than seven decades.

It is a serious miscalculation to think that sanctions would work on the DPRK.

The DPRK's bolstering up of the nuclear deterrent is an exercise of the just right to self-defence which should be done constantly as long as the U.S. persists in its hostile policy, and the DPRK's satellite launch is the work for space development pursuant to the legitimate right of a sovereign state which should be done ceaselessly forever irrelevant to the U.S. hostile policy whose termination is still up in the air.

The world will soon witness more steps and actions to be taken by the DPRK on its path of successfully implementing the line of simultaneously developing the two fronts.

The U.S. will be wholly responsible for the total failure of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as it refused to the last the abandonment of its hostile policy toward the DPRK.

DPRK GOVT. SPOKESMAN CLARIFIES ITS STAND TO RESOLUTELY COUNTER UN "RESOLUTION ON SANCTIONS"

A spokesman for the government of the DPRK issued the following statement Friday:

Being taken aback by the H-bomb test of the DPRK and its successful launch of earth satellite Kwangmyongsong-4, the U.S. and other big powers and their followers finally fabricated "resolution No. 2270 calling for harsh sanctions" against the DPRK by abusing the name of the UN Security Council at the dawn on Thursday.

No sooner had the "resolution" been adopted than Obama published "a welcoming message" and let State Secretary Kerry make public "a statement supporting" it. Riff-raffs blindly echoed their statements one after another.

Trumpeting about the efficacy of the "resolution", the U.S. published "its own sanctions" in which leading officials of the army and government of the DPRK are put on the list of "special sanctions."

Following suit, Japan made public Abe's "commentary" and Foreign Minister Kishida's "statement" in support of the "resolution".

Even the Park Geun Hye group of south Korea issued a "statement" at midnight, describing the "sanctions" as the "harshest and comprehensive sanctions" and "strong message".

Terror-stricken by the H-bomb blast and successful launch of Kwangmyongsong-4 that shook the world at the outset of this year, the U.S. and other big powers and their followers held a confab for 57 days, cooking up the "resolution on sanctions." It was, therefore, nothing surprising and new as it was predicted.

What matters is that the "resolution" is the most undisguised and the most hideous international crime aimed to isolate and stifle the independent and righteous sovereign state under the unjustified pretexts.

As already clarified, the H-bomb test of the DPRK was a step for bolstering up the nuclear deterrence to safeguard the sovereignty and the right to existence of the nation from the U.S. hostile policy to invade the country and its increasing nuclear threats. The DPRK's satellite launch was the exercise of the universally recognized legitimate right of a sovereign state.

The government of the DPRK clarifies its stand before the world as follows as regards the fact that the U.S. and other big powers and their followers fabricated in conspiracy the UNSC "resolution on sanctions", gravely threatening the sovereignty of the DPRK and blatantly challenging its just cause:

Firstly, the DPRK brands the UNSC's vicious "resolution on sanctions" as the most outrageous provocation against the DPRK, the dignified independent and sovereign state, and categorically rejects it.

The "resolution" is a criminal document fabricated by the UNSC tasked to preserve global peace and security in wanton violation of the international justice and impartiality, dancing to the tune of the U.S. and other big powers and their followers after reneging on its mission and duty.

The DPRK has never recognized any UN "resolution on sanctions" against it.

Secondly, the DPRK will take resolute counter-measures as the U.S. and other big powers and their followers have become undisguised in their moves to trample down the DPRK's sovereignty and right to existence.

The DPRK's counter-measures will involve all various means and methods including strong and merciless physical counter-actions.

The DPRK will not remain a passive onlooker to the infringement upon its sovereignty and right to existence.

If an incident not desired by anyone happens in the Korean Peninsula and its vicinity, the U.S. and other big powers and their followers and those who sponsored the UN "resolution on sanctions" will be held wholly accountable for the ensuing consequences.

Thirdly, the DPRK will launch a more dynamic worldwide struggle to put a definite end to the unfair and unequal international political order with the recent hideous international crime committed by the UNSC as a momentum.

The DPRK can no longer take a fence-sitting attitude towards the trend of the world where justice and impartiality are violated and double standards and injustice are rampant.

It is the DPRK's stand not to allow the reality in which the legality and illegality are deliberately confused and justice and truth ruthlessly trampled down by the yardstick of the U.S. and other big powers.

The DPRK will as ever firmly hold the banner of the line of developing the two fronts and further bolster up the self-defensive nuclear deterrent and dynamically advance along the road already chosen towards the eminence of satellite power no matter what others may say.

The world will clearly see how the DPRK, reacting against the UN "resolution on sanctions" with a thousand-fold counter-measures, puts an end to the crime-woven history of the UN dominated by the U.S. and other big powers and the dolts toeing their lines and establishes international justice and impartiality.

KIM JONG UN GUIDES TEST-FIRE OF NEW MULTIPLE LAUNCH ROCKET SYSTEM

The U.S. imperialists and their followers' flagrant moves for political and economic pressure and military aggression on the DPRK have gone to a grave phase that can no longer be overlooked. They committed a ferocious hostility of illegalizing the DPRK's independent rights as a sovereign state by adopting an unprecedented and gangster-like, new "resolution of sanctions" over its bolstering of self-defensive nuclear deterrent and legitimate launch of earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong-4.

All the people in the DPRK are now waiting for an order of combat to annihilate the enemy with their surging wrath at the U.S. imperialists and south Korea's Park Geun Hye group of traitors.

Under such situation, there took place a test-fire for estimating the might of controlled ordnance rocket warhead for large-caliber multiple launch rocket system of new type to be deployed in the reserve artillery units of the Korean People's Army.

Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, guided the test-fire on the spot.

At an observation post he learnt in detail about the planned test-fire of new-type large-caliber multiple launch rocket system and the tactical and technological specifications of controlled ordnance rocket and gave an order on starting the test-fire.

The test-fire in various ways showed that the ordnance rocket warhead, made in combination with high-energy material, has amazing destructivity and killing power.

Kim Jong Un was very satisfied to see controlled ordnance rocket hitting accurately and destroying to pieces the strongly-built simulated enemy personnel, tank, artillery and vehicle shelters.

He said the development of Juche weapon representing the era of the dignified Workers' Party is a proud result from the undying feats of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il, who had dedicated their mental and physical efforts to the strengthening of the Juche-based defence capability, and from the Party's policy of attaching importance to the defence science and technology. At the same time, it eloquently shows the tremendous potentials of the DPRK's self-supporting defence industry, he added.

The serial production of Korean-style large-caliber multiple launch rocket system of new type helps further strengthen the striking power of the Korean People's Army qualitatively, he said with satisfaction.

The situation has reached a very dangerous phase that can no longer be neglected as the enemies are intent on such last-ditch attempt as "beheading operation" and "collapse of social system" while working hard to violate the dignity and sovereignty of the DPRK and its right to existence, he said, adding: Now is the time for us to convert our mode of military counteraction toward the enemies into a preemptive attack one in every aspect.

It is a very foolish act for Park Geun Hye to cry out for "preemptive attack" while recklessly beefing up the armed forces in league with the U.S. scoundrels, but her hysteria will precipitate only her ruin in the long run, he noted.

He said that the DPRK would see what sophism the enemies, seeking to deprive it of the independent right to use space for peaceful purposes, would spout to mislead public opinion over the test-fire of its new weapons system held today, with their large-scale joint military exercises against it ahead.

He stressed that the national defence sector should deploy at an early date new-type large-caliber multiple launch rocket system and other recently-developed strike weapons in the operation areas of the Supreme Command so as not to allow the enemies to sleep in peace till the moment they meet their final end in their land.

The only way for defending the sovereignty of our nation and its right to existence under the present extreme situation is to bolster up nuclear force both in quality and quantity and keep balance of forces, he said, stressing the need to get the nuclear warheads deployed for national defence always on standby so as to be fired any moment.

He expressed belief that the officials, scientists and technicians engaged in the defence science would steadily develop new-type ultra-modern strike arms and equipment, make fresh leaping progress in the strengthening of military capability this year greeting the Seventh Congress of the WPK and thus consolidate the country's defence capability as firm as a rock.

He was accompanied by Choe Ryong Hae, secretary of the C.C., WPK, Hong Yong Chil and Kim Jong Sik, vice department directors of the C.C., WPK, and Army Colonel General Yun Tong Hyon, vice-minister of the People's Armed Forces.

PRIDE OF THE KOREAN WOMEN

Over a century has elapsed since the women workers in Chicago staged a strike and demonstration demanding sex equality and freedom.

However, a great number of women are still suffering from deprivation of socio-political rights and inequality in various parts of the world. The problem of women still remains a serious matter of international concern.

Greeting March 8, the international day of women all over the world, the international community is showing interest in the realities of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, where women are leading a dignified life.

In retrospect, until the first half of the last century, women were subjected to maltreatment and contempt in Korea. They suffered a terrible misfortune owing to the fetters of feudal society that had lasted for a long period and the military occupation of their country by Japan (1905-1945). The number of the Korean women who were drafted as “comfort women” for the Japanese soldiers reached 200 000. They lost their chastity, before meeting a miserable death.

Korea’s liberation (August 15, 1945) brought about a turn in their status.

The Law on Sex Equality promulgated in July 1946, a year after the country’s liberation, put an end to the centuries-old miserable destiny of the women.

They became the fully-fledged masters of the country and society, exercising the same rights as men.

They are empowered to freely take part in state administration including election to power organs, and to elect and be elected irrespective of occupation, property status and academic qualifications. Many women have been elected deputies to the Supreme People’s Assembly and other power organs at all levels, and they exercise their right to express their opinions on state administration.

Particular concern has been paid to talented women and women officials in Korea; the number of women, who work at important positions in several fields and units including state and economic organs, scientific, educational and public health organs and cultural institutions, is increasing day after day.

Several laws including the Socialist Constitution, Law on Family, Public Health Law, Socialist Labour Law and Law on the Nursing and Upbringing of Children provide a legal guarantee for the positions, roles and rights of women.

The erstwhile victims of all kinds of class and personal constraint and the targets of maltreatment and contempt have become fully-fledged masters of the state and society at present.

The Korean women are leading a worthwhile life under the concern of the state and society.

They are free from taxation and fear for unemployment, and do not worry about child delivery, education of children and medical treatment under the free medical care system and free education system.

The Pyongyang Maternity Hospital is an epitome of the privilege the Korean women are enjoying. At this hospital, which is fully equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment, perfect sterilizing system and centralized oxygen supply system, women receive free of charge not only medical services such as delivery and treatment of female disorders but also necessary tonics and nutritive foods. Newly-born triplets and their mothers are presented with ornamental silver daggers, gold rings and other gifts.

It is not accidental that many foreigners, who visited Korea, gave unstinted praise, calling the DPRK the “heaven of women,” the Korean women “blessed ones.”

Under the close concern of the state and enjoying the social benefits, many women have earned fame as patriots, heroes and pacesetters of the era.

Among them are soldiers, scientists, a world marathon champion, football players, and meritorious workers and farmers.

Today the Korean women are giving free rein to their talents and resourcefulness at the major sites for defending socialism and building a thriving country, thus emerging as a force that cannot be slighted in society.

In the sector of light industry many women workers carry out their production plans ahead of schedule. Mun Kang Sun, weaver at Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill, has overfulfilled her yearly production plan by 200% in the past ten years. She operated five times more machines than her work norm. Once she fulfilled her two-year production quota in six months. For her feats of labour she was conferred the title of Labour Hero and elected in 2014 as a Deputy to the 13^th Supreme People’s Assembly.

In the agricultural sector, too, many women are working as senior officials in the units that are standing in the vanguard of grain production.

It is said that not a few women scientists were involved in the launching of four artificial satellites, which drew the attention of the world.

In recent years hundreds of People’s and Merited scientists, doctors and professors have been produced from among women working at the scientific research and educational sectors, more than a hundred women athletes, including Kye Sun Hui, quadruple world judo champion, and women football players, who emerged as world football stars, were conferred the titles of Labour Hero, People’s Athlete and Merited Athlete.

Last year women pilots of supersonic jet fighters were born for the first time, demonstrating the mettle and pride of the Korean women.

KIM JONG UN GUIDES TEST-FIRE OF NEWLY DEVELOPED ANTI-TANK GUIDED WEAPON

National defence scientists and munitions industry workers of the DPRK rounded off the development of one more Juche-based weapon of Korean style which may outrun the enemies' numerical and technical advantages through their painstaking research.

The test-fire of the newly developed anti-tank guided weapon was staged in the presence of Marshal Kim Jong Un.

When he ordered to fire, the targets were destroyed to pieces.

He said that it was wonderful firing, indeed, adding: The portable anti-tank laser-guided rocket produced by the munitions industry workers of the DPRK has the longest firing-range in the world. Its rate of hits is as accurate as a sniper's rifle firing and its armor penetrating capability and destructive power are marvelous.

He noted with great satisfaction that even the special armored tanks and cars of the enemies which boast their high maneuverability and striking power are no more than a boiled pumpkin before the anti-tank guided weapon of the DPRK.

He said that the anti-tank rocket comprehensively reflects the military strategic idea of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) on guerilla warfare.

Noting the weapon most vividly reflects his idea of putting all weapons and equipment on a precision and light weight basis and it is an impeccable Juche-based weapon that meets the specific conditions of the country, he said with pride that the Juche-based weapon helps realize how just the WPK's policy of putting all weapons and equipment on a precision and light weight basis is.

Noting combat and technical specifications of the anti-tank guided weapon have perfectly reached the level set by the Party, he called for quickly starting the massive and serial production of those weapons and sufficiently deploying them at frontline units and coastal defence units so that a bold campaign for hunting enemy tanks and armored cars may be conducted in contingency.

He thanked in the name of the Central Military Commission of the WPK the relevant scientists, technicians and munitions factory for developing the weapon system.

Calling on the sector of the national defence scientific research and all the workers of the munitions industry to channel their efforts into developing Juche-based weapons suited to the topography of the country and physical conditions of soldiers, he advanced militant tasks to be carried out by the munitions industry during the 70-day campaign and this year.

Accompanying him were Vice-Marshal of the Korean People's Army Hwang Pyong So, director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA, Army General Ri Myong Su, chief of the General Staff of the KPA, Army Col. General Yun Tong Hyon, vice-minister of the People's Armed Forces, Army Lieut. Gen. Jo Nam Jin, vice-director of the Organizational Department of the KPA General Political Bureau, and Jo Yong Won, Hong Yong Chil, Kim Chang Gwang and Kim Jong Sik, vice department directors of the Central Committee of the WPK.

KIM JONG UN ENJOYS CONCERT OF KPA MILITARY BAND

Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, enjoyed a concert marking the 70th founding anniversary of the KPA Military Band.

When he entered the auditorium, the performers and audience enthusiastically welcomed him, extending the highest glory and deepest thanks to him.

Through the concert the performers clearly showed the firm faith and resolution and indomitable will of the service personnel and people of the DPRK to accomplish without fail the revolutionary cause of Juche started in Mt. Paektu, rallied close around Kim Jong Un.

The band's solemn sound and dynamic, appealing and militant melody truthfully represented the ideological and mental world and invincible spirit of the heroic KPA advancing along the road indicated by the party, flying the red flag of the WPK as the first colors of the revolution.

Kim Jong Un expressed great satisfaction over the band's successful concert and warmly congratulated all its members on its 70th founding anniversary.

He recalled that the band has covered a glorious road, arousing the service personnel and people to developing the revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK and building a rich and powerful country for the past seven decades since it played military music at the inaugural ceremony of the Pyongyang Institute founded by President Kim Il Sung as the nation's first central cadre-training base after the liberation of Korea.

Leader Kim Jong Il repeatedly guided concerts of the band, developing the military music into an army and battle-style one and the world's leading one, the Supreme Commander noted, adding that the band has grown to be the nation's first military band, Juche-based revolutionary band and a group of buglers speaking for the stand of the Korean revolutionaries under the care of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il.

The band is like the face of the state, symbol of the KPA and a powerful weapon instilling revolutionary enthusiasm and fighting spirit into all the service personnel and people, he stressed.

It is the firm determination of the Party Central Committee to win the final victory of the revolutionary cause of Juche with the band in the van of the revolutionary ranks playing military music more loudly, he noted.

He set forth the tasks to be carried out by the band and took necessary measures.

He had a photo session with the officials, creators and musicians of the band.

Among the audience were Kim Ki Nam, Pak Yong Sik, Ri Myong Su, Jo Nam Jin, Ryom Chol Song and Jo Kyong Chol and service personnel.

KIM JONG UN GUIDES ACTUAL MANEUVERS OF KPA LARGE COMBINED UNITS

Actual maneuvers for attack and defence between large combined units of the Korean People's Army (KPA) were staged in three directions at the same time.

In the maneuvers a defence task was carried out by units of the KPA 91st Metropolitan Defense Corps and an attack task by units of the KPA 105th Tank Division and 425th and 815th Motorized Infantry Divisions.

Kim Jong Un, supreme commander of the KPA, guided the maneuvers at the third direction forward command post, learning about them in other two directions through a display.

The maneuvers were aimed to further round off the operational preparedness for reliably defending Pyongyang, the capital of the revolution, from any enemy attack by confirming the offensive and defensive operation capability through a drill for laying and overcoming obstacles between units and taking relevant steps.

After receiving a report on the maneuvers plan at an observation post, the Supreme Commander guided the maneuvers.

He referred to the merits and demerits of the maneuvers and advanced important tasks that would serve as guidelines in further strengthening the KPA into ever-victorious revolutionary armed forces by intensifying training the way the anti-Japanese guerrillas did in Mt. Paektu.

The maneuvers proved again that, in order to cope with a fierce, severe and cruel war, it is useless to conduct any drill unrelated to war and unfit for war environment, a drill of formalism, stereotyped pattern and stylish manner, he said, stressing: Commanding personnel and officers of the staff should turn all military trainings into practical and actual drills and practical brain drills with the unshakable Juche-based stand and attitude towards war.

He indicated one by one such principled matters arising in rounding off the combat readiness as enhancing the initiative, independence and creativity of commanding personnel and officers of the staff so that they can skillfully command operations and combats in keeping with the demand and conditions of modern warfare and the characters for carrying out their units' combat duty, bringing the party political work close to war environment so as to arouse soldiers to victory in combats, enhancing the responsibility and role of training reviewers to ensure drills under battle conditions, giving the same strict review of drills as that of combats, and making preparations in advance to take up a strong defensive position in any lines by making an effective use of natural and geographical conditions of the country.

He expressed belief that all the men and officers of the KPA would perform great merits in defending the socialist country, deeply aware that they should ensure the security of the country and its people's happiness with arms.

He was greeted at the drill ground by Army General Pak Yong Sik, minister of the People's Armed Forces, Army General Ri Myong Su, chief of the KPA General Staff, Army Lieut. Gen. Rim Kwang Il, first vice-chief of the KPA General Staff and director of its General Operation Bureau, Army Lieut. Gen. Jo Nam Jin, vice-director of the Organizational Department of the KPA General Political Bureau, Army Lieut. Gen. Pang Kwan Bok, vice-chief of the KPA General Staff and director of its Combat Drill Department, Lieut. Gen. Kim Myong Nam, commander of the KPA 91st Metropolitan Defense Corps, Maj. Gen. Kim To Un, its political commissar, Lieut. Gen. Ko Myong Su, commander of the KPA 815th Motorized Infantry Division, and Maj. Gen. Ju Song Nam, its political commissar.

Watching the drill were executive members of the KPA Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, engineer commanding officers and instructors of the military academies at all levels.

Kim Jong Un Guides Actual Maneuvers of KPA Large Combined Units

Actual maneuvers for attack and defence between large combined units of the Korean People's Army (KPA) were staged in three directions at the same time.

In the maneuvers a defence task was carried out by units of the KPA 91st Metropolitan Defense Corps and an attack task by units of the KPA 105th Tank Division and 425th and 815th Motorized Infantry Divisions.

Kim Jong Un, supreme commander of the KPA, guided the maneuvers at the third direction forward command post, learning about them in other two directions through a display.

The maneuvers were aimed to further round off the operational preparedness for reliably defending Pyongyang, the capital of the revolution, from any enemy attack by confirming the offensive and defensive operation capability through a drill for laying and overcoming obstacles between units and taking relevant steps.

After receiving a report on the maneuvers plan at an observation post, the Supreme Commander guided the maneuvers.

He referred to the merits and demerits of the maneuvers and advanced important tasks that would serve as guidelines in further strengthening the KPA into ever-victorious revolutionary armed forces by intensifying training the way the anti-Japanese guerrillas did in Mt. Paektu.

The maneuvers proved again that, in order to cope with a fierce, severe and cruel war, it is useless to conduct any drill unrelated to war and unfit for war environment, a drill of formalism, stereotyped pattern and stylish manner, he said, stressing: Commanding personnel and officers of the staff should turn all military trainings into practical and actual drills and practical brain drills with the unshakable Juche-based stand and attitude towards war.

He indicated one by one such principled matters arising in rounding off the combat readiness as enhancing the initiative, independence and creativity of commanding personnel and officers of the staff so that they can skillfully command operations and combats in keeping with the demand and conditions of modern warfare and the characters for carrying out their units' combat duty, bringing the party political work close to war environment so as to arouse soldiers to victory in combats, enhancing the responsibility and role of training reviewers to ensure drills under battle conditions, giving the same strict review of drills as that of combats, and making preparations in advance to take up a strong defensive position in any lines by making an effective use of natural and geographical conditions of the country.

He expressed belief that all the men and officers of the KPA would perform great merits in defending the socialist country, deeply aware that they should ensure the security of the country and its people's happiness with arms.

He was greeted at the drill ground by Army General Pak Yong Sik, minister of the People's Armed Forces, Army General Ri Myong Su, chief of the KPA General Staff, Army Lieut. Gen. Rim Kwang Il, first vice-chief of the KPA General Staff and director of its General Operation Bureau, Army Lieut. Gen. Jo Nam Jin, vice-director of the Organizational Department of the KPA General Political Bureau, Army Lieut. Gen. Pang Kwan Bok, vice-chief of the KPA General Staff and director of its Combat Drill Department, Lieut. Gen. Kim Myong Nam, commander of the KPA 91st Metropolitan Defense Corps, Maj. Gen. Kim To Un, its political commissar, Lieut. Gen. Ko Myong Su, commander of the KPA 815th Motorized Infantry Division, and Maj. Gen. Ju Song Nam, its political commissar.

Watching the drill were executive members of the KPA Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, engineer commanding officers and instructors of the military academies at all levels.

Kim Jong Un Enjoys Concert of KPA Military Band

Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, enjoyed a concert marking the 70th founding anniversary of the KPA Military Band.

When he entered the auditorium, the performers and audience enthusiastically welcomed him, extending the highest glory and deepest thanks to him.

Through the concert the performers clearly showed the firm faith and resolution and indomitable will of the service personnel and people of the DPRK to accomplish without fail the revolutionary cause of Juche started in Mt. Paektu, rallied close around Kim Jong Un.

The band's solemn sound and dynamic, appealing and militant melody truthfully represented the ideological and mental world and invincible spirit of the heroic KPA advancing along the road indicated by the party, flying the red flag of the WPK as the first colors of the revolution.

Kim Jong Un expressed great satisfaction over the band's successful concert and warmly congratulated all its members on its 70th founding anniversary.

He recalled that the band has covered a glorious road, arousing the service personnel and people to developing the revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK and building a rich and powerful country for the past seven decades since it played military music at the inaugural ceremony of the Pyongyang Institute founded by President Kim Il Sung as the nation's first central cadre-training base after the liberation of Korea.

Leader Kim Jong Il repeatedly guided concerts of the band, developing the military music into an army and battle-style one and the world's leading one, the Supreme Commander noted, adding that the band has grown to be the nation's first military band, Juche-based revolutionary band and a group of buglers speaking for the stand of the Korean revolutionaries under the care of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il.

The band is like the face of the state, symbol of the KPA and a powerful weapon instilling revolutionary enthusiasm and fighting spirit into all the service personnel and people, he stressed.

It is the firm determination of the Party Central Committee to win the final victory of the revolutionary cause of Juche with the band in the van of the revolutionary ranks playing military music more loudly, he noted.

He set forth the tasks to be carried out by the band and took necessary measures.

He had a photo session with the officials, creators and musicians of the band.

Among the audience were Kim Ki Nam, Pak Yong Sik, Ri Myong Su, Jo Nam Jin, Ryom Chol Song and Jo Kyong Chol and service personnel.

Kim Jong Un Guides Test-fire of Newly Developed Anti-tank Guided Weapon

National defence scientists and munitions industry workers of the DPRK rounded off the development of one more Juche-based weapon of Korean style which may outrun the enemies' numerical and technical advantages through their painstaking research.

The test-fire of the newly developed anti-tank guided weapon was staged in the presence of Marshal Kim Jong Un.

When he ordered to fire, the targets were destroyed to pieces.

He said that it was wonderful firing, indeed, adding: The portable anti-tank laser-guided rocket produced by the munitions industry workers of the DPRK has the longest firing-range in the world. Its rate of hits is as accurate as a sniper's rifle firing and its armor penetrating capability and destructive power are marvelous.

He noted with great satisfaction that even the special armored tanks and cars of the enemies which boast their high maneuverability and striking power are no more than a boiled pumpkin before the anti-tank guided weapon of the DPRK.

He said that the anti-tank rocket comprehensively reflects the military strategic idea of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) on guerilla warfare.

Noting the weapon most vividly reflects his idea of putting all weapons and equipment on a precision and light weight basis and it is an impeccable Juche-based weapon that meets the specific conditions of the country, he said with pride that the Juche-based weapon helps realize how just the WPK's policy of putting all weapons and equipment on a precision and light weight basis is.

Noting combat and technical specifications of the anti-tank guided weapon have perfectly reached the level set by the Party, he called for quickly starting the massive and serial production of those weapons and sufficiently deploying them at frontline units and coastal defence units so that a bold campaign for hunting enemy tanks and armored cars may be conducted in contingency.

He thanked in the name of the Central Military Commission of the WPK the relevant scientists, technicians and munitions factory for developing the weapon system.

Calling on the sector of the national defence scientific research and all the workers of the munitions industry to channel their efforts into developing Juche-based weapons suited to the topography of the country and physical conditions of soldiers, he advanced militant tasks to be carried out by the munitions industry during the 70-day campaign and this year.

Accompanying him were Vice-Marshal of the Korean People's Army Hwang Pyong So, director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA, Army General Ri Myong Su, chief of the General Staff of the KPA, Army Col. General Yun Tong Hyon, vice-minister of the People's Armed Forces, Army Lieut. Gen. Jo Nam Jin, vice-director of the Organizational Department of the KPA General Political Bureau, and Jo Yong Won, Hong Yong Chil, Kim Chang Gwang and Kim Jong Sik, vice department directors of the Central Committee of the WPK.

Pride of the Korean Women

Over a century has elapsed since the women workers in Chicago staged a strike and demonstration demanding sex equality and freedom.

However, a great number of women are still suffering from deprivation of socio-political rights and inequality in various parts of the world. The problem of women still remains a serious matter of international concern.

Greeting March 8, the international day of women all over the world, the international community is showing interest in the realities of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, where women are leading a dignified life.

In retrospect, until the first half of the last century, women were subjected to maltreatment and contempt in Korea. They suffered a terrible misfortune owing to the fetters of feudal society that had lasted for a long period and the military occupation of their country by Japan (1905-1945). The number of the Korean women who were drafted as “comfort women” for the Japanese soldiers reached 200 000. They lost their chastity, before meeting a miserable death.

Korea’s liberation (August 15, 1945) brought about a turn in their status.

The Law on Sex Equality promulgated in July 1946, a year after the country’s liberation, put an end to the centuries-old miserable destiny of the women.

They became the fully-fledged masters of the country and society, exercising the same rights as men.

They are empowered to freely take part in state administration including election to power organs, and to elect and be elected irrespective of occupation, property status and academic qualifications. Many women have been elected deputies to the Supreme People’s Assembly and other power organs at all levels, and they exercise their right to express their opinions on state administration.

Particular concern has been paid to talented women and women officials in Korea; the number of women, who work at important positions in several fields and units including state and economic organs, scientific, educational and public health organs and cultural institutions, is increasing day after day.

Several laws including the Socialist Constitution, Law on Family, Public Health Law, Socialist Labour Law and Law on the Nursing and Upbringing of Children provide a legal guarantee for the positions, roles and rights of women.

The erstwhile victims of all kinds of class and personal constraint and the targets of maltreatment and contempt have become fully-fledged masters of the state and society at present.

The Korean women are leading a worthwhile life under the concern of the state and society.

They are free from taxation and fear for unemployment, and do not worry about child delivery, education of children and medical treatment under the free medical care system and free education system.

The Pyongyang Maternity Hospital is an epitome of the privilege the Korean women are enjoying. At this hospital, which is fully equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment, perfect sterilizing system and centralized oxygen supply system, women receive free of charge not only medical services such as delivery and treatment of female disorders but also necessary tonics and nutritive foods. Newly-born triplets and their mothers are presented with ornamental silver daggers, gold rings and other gifts.

It is not accidental that many foreigners, who visited Korea, gave unstinted praise, calling the DPRK the “heaven of women,” the Korean women “blessed ones.”

Under the close concern of the state and enjoying the social benefits, many women have earned fame as patriots, heroes and pacesetters of the era.

Among them are soldiers, scientists, a world marathon champion, football players, and meritorious workers and farmers.

Today the Korean women are giving free rein to their talents and resourcefulness at the major sites for defending socialism and building a thriving country, thus emerging as a force that cannot be slighted in society.

In the sector of light industry many women workers carry out their production plans ahead of schedule. Mun Kang Sun, weaver at Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill, has overfulfilled her yearly production plan by 200% in the past ten years. She operated five times more machines than her work norm. Once she fulfilled her two-year production quota in six months. For her feats of labour she was conferred the title of Labour Hero and elected in 2014 as a Deputy to the 13^th Supreme People’s Assembly.

In the agricultural sector, too, many women are working as senior officials in the units that are standing in the vanguard of grain production.

It is said that not a few women scientists were involved in the launching of four artificial satellites, which drew the attention of the world.

In recent years hundreds of People’s and Merited scientists, doctors and professors have been produced from among women working at the scientific research and educational sectors, more than a hundred women athletes, including Kye Sun Hui, quadruple world judo champion, and women football players, who emerged as world football stars, were conferred the titles of Labour Hero, People’s Athlete and Merited Athlete.

Last year women pilots of supersonic jet fighters were born for the first time, demonstrating the mettle and pride of the Korean women.