DPRK: Major Events in 2017

In 2017, several events took place successively in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, drawing the world’s attention.

These events are seen here in monthly order.

1. Test-firing of ground-to-ground IRBM Pukguksong 2

On February 12 the country conducted a successful test-firing of ground-to-ground IRBM Pukguksong 2. In the wake of the success in underwater launch test of ballistic missiles of Pukguksong series from a strategic submarine, it presented for the first time the IRBM equipped with indigenous high-thrust solid-propellant motor and a self-propelled caterpillar, demonstrating its capability for striking both under the water and above the ground. This event highlighted the fact that the country’s rocket industry developed its liquid-fuelled system to solid-fuelled one and it turned from the way of sample imitation to the way of creative invention.

2. Static firing test of a new-type high-thrust motor

On March 18, scientists and technicians of the defence industry succeeded in static firing test of a new-type high-thrust motor, designed and manufactured by their own efforts and technology in their own way. The test demonstrated that the rocket industry of the DPRK had definitely developed into an industry of creative invention.

3. Military parade and mass rally of Pyongyang citizens

On April 15, marking the 105^th birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung, eternal President of the DPRK, a military parade and mass rally of Pyongyang citizens were held in Pyongyang, the capital city, with the Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un on the platform. What drew special attention of the world during the military parade was the column of rockets of the Strategic Force of the Korean People’s Army. By presenting indigenous rockets designed and manufactured by itself and more powerful than those of previous generations, the DPRK demonstrated to the world its capability for countering the US.

And the mass rally demonstrated once again the Korean people’s ardent admiration for their leader, their single-hearted unity with their leader, which is more powerful than nuclear weapons.

4. Test-firing of ground-to-ground IRBM Hwasong 12

On May 14, the DPRK succeeded in the test-firing of ground-to-ground IRBM Hwasong 12 capable of being loaded with extra-large, heavy nuclear warhead. The rocket, fired on the basis of vertical launch technology, hit the targeted waters in the open sea after flying the set flight path. This success was an event of great significance in maintaining peace and security on the Korean peninsula and its surrounding areas.

5. Test-firing of ICBM Hwasong 14

On July 4, the DPRK test-fired the self-developed ICBM Hwasong 14 with success. This event showed that the overall national strength and strategic position of the DPRK had attained a new high as it possessed A-bomb, H-bomb and even ICBM.

6. Second test-firing of ICBM Hwasong 14

On July 28, about 20 days after the test-firing of ICBM Hwasong 14, the DPRK test-fired another Hwasong 14. The event re-affirmed the reliability of the country’s ICBM system, demonstrated its ability to conduct a surprise launch of ICBM in any place and at any time, and fully proved that the whole of the US mainland is within the range of the DPRK’s ICBM.

7. H-bomb test

On September 3 the DPRK conducted an H-bomb test, capable of being loaded in ICBM, in the northern nuclear test site. The successful test confirmed that the indigenous nuclear warhead is highly precise, that the bus is reliable, and that the nuclear weapon designing and manufacturing technology had attained a high level capable of regulating the power of nuclear bomb according to the target and purpose.

8. Statement of Chairman of State Affairs Commission of the DPRK

With regard to the US president’s speech of openly expressing on the UN arena the unethical will to “totally destroy” the DPRK, Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, made a statement on September 21. In his statement, he said: His remarks which described the US option through straightforward expression of his will have convinced me, rather than frightening or stopping me, that the path I chose is correct and that it is the one I have to follow to the last. As a man representing the DPRK and upon the dignity and honour of my state and people and upon all my own, I will make the man holding the prerogative of supreme command of the US pay dearly for his rude nonsense calling for totally destroying the DPRK.

9. IRBM Hwasong 12 firing drill

In mid-September IRBM Hwasong 12 firing drill was conducted.

The missile hit the targeted waters in the Pacific Ocean after flying the sky over Hokkaido, Japan, through the set flight path. The drill was a clear demonstration to the US and its vassal forces that the country had achieved its goal for perfecting its national nuclear forces even under their extreme blockade.

10. Second Plenary Meeting of the Seventh Central Committee of the WPK

On October 7, under the guidance of Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the Second Plenary Meeting of the Seventh Central Committee of the WPK was held in Pyongyang.

Stressing that the WPK will put an end to the confrontation with the US which continued from one century into the next and hasten the victory of the socialist cause by displaying the Party’s correct leadership ability to the full, Kim Jong Un clarified the orientation and tasks for the struggle aimed at bringing about a new surge in the revolution. He said that the might of the single-hearted unity between the WPK and the masses of the people should be consolidated further, and that the historic cause of building up the country’s nuclear forces be accomplished brilliantly by firmly implementing the Party’s line of simultaneously promoting economic construction and the upbuilding of the nuclear forces.

He continued: We should bring about a new upsurge in building a socialist economic power with the great spirit of self-reliance and self-development as the dynamic force and on the strength of science and technology; our cause is invincible as we have solid foundations for a self-supporting economy provided by Kim Il Sung, eternal President of the DPRK, and     Kim Jong Il, eternal Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, a large contingent of scientists educated under the care of the WPK, the service personnel and other people equipped with the revolutionary spirit of the WPK, and the revolutionary tradition of self-reliance; we should all advance vigorously towards the final victory of the revolution, firmly rallied behind the Central Committee of the WPK.

11. Test-firing of new-type ICBM Hwasong 15

The DPRK succeeded in its test-firing of ICBM Hwasong 15 at 02:48 on November 29, 2017 in a suburb of the capital city of Pyongyang. New-type ICBM system capable of carrying an extra-large, heavy nuclear warhead for striking the whole mainland of the US is much superior to Hwasong 14, which was test-fired in July, in the technical specifications and characteristics.

Hwasong 15, the most powerful ICBM, is the final stage of ICBM system, which the DPRK aimed at.

DPRK: A Country Full of Mystery

Megaevents taking place recently in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and its hardline policy towards the US have thrust the country into the limelight in the international arena.

Many people of the world are studying the country with special interest.

To study the country from various angles, it is a country full of mystery.

What is mysterious first is the unique relationship between its national leader and the people.

Kim Jong Un, Supreme Leader of the DPRK, administers the policy of loving, respecting and prioritizing the people. He makes great efforts and spares nothing in promoting people’s happiness and improving the standard of living of the service personnel. This is why the service personnel and other people trust and follow him not only as the leader of the nation and the Supreme Commander, but also as their own parent.

All the people are desirous of meeting him even once in their lifetime, and when they see him, they are moved to tears. It was an inspiring sight that soldiers of an island post threw themselves into cold seawater to see off their Supreme Commander returning from field guidance of their post; this scene that cannot be found elsewhere in the world cannot be produced with having recourse to the power of authority or by enforcement.

It is quite mysterious for the West that the Korean people follow and admire their leader so ardently.

Second, the DPRK is building itself into a powerful nation in the face of super-intensity sanctions by the US and its vassal forces.

The US, with extreme enmity against the DPRK, has imposed unprecedentedly tough sanctions upon the country uninterruptedly.

Other countries may have collapsed or yielded under these sanctions.

But, far from yielding to such difficulties or collapsing, the DPRK has risen up more valiantly and is advancing straightforward along the road of its own choice.

It has built one majestic street after another, and set up model factories across the country to revitalize its economy.

The Korean people say: The US’s sanctions are unjust and cut no ice with us; the tougher the sanctions are, the stronger we become.

That the small country remains unperturbed even in the face of tenacious and extreme sanctions by the US and its vassal forces is another mystery for the world.

Third, the DPRK is standing face to face with the US, “superpower” of the world, and holding fast to its cause.

The DPRK is incomparable with the US in terms of its territory, population and economic strength, but it has never deviated from its stand, striving to carry it out.

What is more interesting is that it has always taken the initiative in its confrontation with the US.

The Supreme Leader of the country demonstrated his self-confidence by giving field guidance at the Ryuwon Footwear Factory and Pyongyang Cosmetics Factory with composure when the US was running amuck, crying “complete destruction” of the DPRK and deploying strategic nuclear assets in the waters around the Korean peninsula.

The people, in disregard of the threat and blackmail by the US, are now enjoying the performance national art troupes stage while travelling across the country.

These mysteries are attributable, in short, to the leadership ability of the Supreme Leader and the spiritual strength of the Korean people.

The US should get a clear understanding of the DPRK and find a reasonable way to resolving the conflict with it.

Other countries would be well advised not to toe the US’s line blindly, but to discern what is right and what is wrong during the discussion of the problems related with the DPRK on the international stage.

Legendary Woman General of Korea

An outstanding revolutionary born of the Korean nation, Kim Jong Suk gained fame on account of her distinguished contribution to the long-drawn-out guerrilla struggle against the Japanese imperialists.

Unusual Tactics and Accurate Marksmanship

Kim Jong Suk learned guerrilla tactics when she was serving in the unit led by Commander Kim Il Sung.

Her remarkable stratagem was demonstrated in the January 1936 battle of Neidaoshan, China. The Japanese army enlisted over 800 troops, including a mortar battery and a special unit that was allegedly capable of coping with guerrilla warfare, to seize the guerrilla base. Prior to the battle, she suggested a campfire tactic–building campfires on some heights of Neidaoshan to let the enemy know the whereabouts of the guerrilla unit and lying in ambush to make a sudden attack from a favourable position. The battle went as she expected. Hit hard by the guerrillas, the enemy suffered heavy casualties and turned tail.

Her ever-changing and adroit tactics proved highly effective in subsequent battles.

She was also renowned as a fine shooter.

There are a number of episodes that illustrate her remarkable marksmanship: One night, each time she saw an enemy soldier’s gun muzzle flashing in the dark, she fired back and killed many; in a shooting practice her bullets hit the necks of transparent glass bottles hundreds of metres away; during the battle of Donggang she fired a bullet to cut a telephone wire hanging on a pole under the dim moonlight.

At the time of the formation of the International Allied Forces the Chinese and Soviet Union service personnel would say that Kim Jong Suk’s bullets “have eyes.” 

Matchless Courage and Warm Humanity

The following anecdote shows what a courageous woman Kim Jong Suk was.

In 1933, according to Commander Kim Il Sung’s strategy, forming an alliance with a Chinese anti-Japanese unit called “Pingyi” presented itself as a pressing task. This was somewhat dangerous because the Chinese indiscriminately killed Koreans, deceived by the Japanese imperialists’ national alienation plot.

However, she proposed a negotiation with the head of the Chinese unit and went to see him. Despite the obstructions by armed guards, she came to the headquarters and sat face to face with him. The Chinese man looked overbearing and scornful; by contrast, the young, daring girl looked composed and self-confident as she kindly and logically explained how the Japanese imperialists were scheming to alienate the Chinese from Koreans. Admired by her uncommon character, he agreed to join hands with the Korean guerrillas. 

Kim Jong Suk was possessed of warm humanity. 

She devoted herself heart and soul for the sake of her comrades and fellow people. When she was engaged in underground activities, she happened to know that the village landlord ordered a fevered kitchen maid to be carried away to a hut in a mountain. She immediately rushed to the hut and shared bed and meal with her. Other members of her organization dissuaded her from living with the sick girl, for fear of infection, but she continued to nurse the poor maid. At last, the girl was saved from the jaws of death thanks to Kim Jong Suk’s self-sacrificing care.

Kim Jong Suk’s warm humanity went beyond the differences in nationality, ideas and political views. One day, after Japan’s defeat, a few Japanese girls who had served as nurses of the Japanese army came to her house for begging. The hostess took good care of the wretched girls without prejudice. And when they were returning home, she helped them with their procedures and gave them some new clothes, food and money. Twenty-five years later, one of them sent a letter of thanks via the governor of Tokyo who was visiting the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Kim Il Sung’s Bodyguard

Kim Jong Suk devoted her all to defending the ever-victorious brilliant Commander     Kim Il Sung.

The June 1940 battle of Dashahe is a typical example.

During the height of the battle the Commander was standing on a hillside rock. Hiding herself nearby, Kim Jong Suk kept a sharp watch on the surroundings. Suddenly, she noticed that several enemy soldiers were worming their way through a reed field. A few steps away from where the Commander was, they were levelling their rifles at him. At this critical moment she shielded him and opened fire, killing them all. Thus she saved the Commander, which was a notable contribution to the Korean revolution.

Later on, even in the years of nation-building after Korea’s liberation, she remained faithful as the leader’s bodyguard.

This year the Korean people will mark the centenary of her birth. They will always remember the brilliant career of the anti-Japanese war heroine as an ennobling example of loyalty.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Warns U.S. and Its Followers against Sea Blockade on DPRK

Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA on Thursday as regards the fact that the U.S. is now talking about a naval blockade against the DPRK:

The gang of Trump, being terrified by our accomplishment of the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force, is driving the situation on the Korean peninsula more and more close to the brink of war, acting recklessly without any sense of reason. Recently, speaking at a gathering in Florida, Trump cried out for the harshest sanctions on our country.

Soon after his remarks, Haley, U.S. permanent representative to the UN who is scorned by the world as an evil woman, dared to wag her tongue about further tightening the sanctions against north Korea and utterly destroying it without realizing the meaning of words coming out of her mouth. Besides, high-ranking officials of the U.S. administration like Tillerson, U.S. secretary of State, and McMaster, national security advisor at the White House, are crying out for sea blockade against our country.

The U.S. is trying to arrange a ministerial-level meeting at the United Nations Security Council on the 15th to cook up another extremely harsh "sanctions resolution" against the DPRK such as enforcing the naval blockade under the excuse of "non-proliferation". The naval blockade the gang of Trump is trying to pursue is something that was already tried and ended in vain during the collective sanctions campaign against us undertaken by the Bush administration under the signboard of "Proliferation Security Initiative" in the early 2000s.

A naval blockade is an act of wanton violation of the sovereignty and dignity of an independent state and an act of war of aggression which cannot be tolerated. The gang of Trump is taking extremely dangerous and big step towards the nuclear war by recklessly seeking the naval blockade against our country, neglecting the strategic prestige of our country that has achieved the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force. Should the U.S. and its followers try to enforce the naval blockade against our country, we will see it as an act of war and respond with merciless self-defensive counter-measures as we have warned repeatedly.

The international society should increase its vigilance on the reckless moves of the U.S. trying to ignite a nuclear war on the Korean peninsula, and if the UNSC does not wish to see the Korean peninsula and the whole world plunging into a nuclear war, it should act properly in accordance with its original mission which is to preserve peace and security of the world. 

Press Statement of DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pyongyang,

December 14 (KCNA) -- A spokesperson of the DPRK Foreign Ministry issued a press statement on Thursday, which said:

Japan, holding the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during December this year and instigated by the United States, is now trying to make an evil use of its opportunity to convene a ministerial-level meeting of UNSC on "non-proliferation" issue of the DPRK. The said meeting is none other than a desperate measure plotted by the U.S. being terrified by the incredible might of our Republic that has successfully achieved the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force, the cause of building a rocket power, through the "great November event".

If "non-proliferation" issue is to be discussed, the first countries to be brought before the court of justice are the U.S. who is the kingpin of vertical and horizontal proliferation, pouring astronomical amount of funds into the modernization of nuclear weapons and hindering in every way the denuclearization of the Middle East, and Japan who keeps more than necessary stockpile of plutonium and seeks every opportunity to produce nuclear weapons.

Our possession of nuclear weapons was an inevitable self-defensive measure to defend our sovereignty and rights to existence and development from the U.S. nuclear threat and blackmail and if anyone is to blame for it, the U.S. is the very one who must be held accountable. It is also disturbing to see the UN acting like a puppet of the U.S. and dancing to its tunes instead of keeping impartiality as the lifeline in its activities, true to its mission to preserve international peace and security.

It is UN of today that, while ignoring our repeated complaints to take up the issue of the provocative and aggressive joint military exercises, the most graphic manifestation of nuclear threat and blackmail of the U.S., keeps itself busy kowtowing to the U.S. that asserts sanctions and pressure against us by condemning our self-defensive measures.

As we have clarified in the government statement, the development and advancement of the strategic weapon of the DPRK are entirely to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country from the U.S. imperialists' nuclear blackmail policy and nuclear threat and to ensure the peaceful life of the people and therefore, they would not pose any threat to any country and region as long as the interests of the DPRK are not infringed upon.

The DPRK, as a responsible nuclear power and a peace-loving state, will sincerely fulfil its non-proliferation obligation assumed before the international society and put in every effort to achieve the noble cause of safeguarding world peace and stability. 

Kim Jong Un’s Declaration

Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, seeing the successful test-firing of ICBM Hwasong 15 at 02:48 on November 29, 2017 in a suburb of the capital city of Pyongyang, declared with dignity: The great historic cause of perfecting the national nuclear forces, the cause of building a rocket power, has been realized today.

In his report delivered at the March 2013 Plenary Meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, he said: The peace and prosperity of the country and people’s happy life are guaranteed by powerful nuclear forces; if we possess the capability to deal a precision strike with nuclear weapons, no aggressive forces will dare attack us; the bigger and more powerful the capability is, the more powerful the deterrent to aggression is; especially in our case, the enemy is the US, the largest nuclear power in the world; as the US poses a constant nuclear threat to our country, we must firmly consolidate our nuclear forces in terms of quality and quantity.

Over the past four years, he has made devoted efforts for the building up of the country’s nuclear forces; under his personal guidance, the DPRK has achieved great successes in the launch tests of SLBM, ground-to-ground IRBMs Hwasong 10 and 12 and ICBM Hwasong 14.

As it now has possessed new-type ICBM system capable of carrying an extra-large, heavy nuclear warhead for striking the whole mainland of the US, the DPRK is capable of defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as the peaceful life of its people.

The great cause of building a rocket power has also been achieved. In the past liquid-propellant rocket motor and sample imitation played the major role in its rocket industry. In February this year it experimented its newly-developed high-thrust solid-propellant motor through the test-firing of the ground-to-ground IRBM Pukguksong 2, demonstrating to the whole world the might of its rocket industry, that the liquid-propellant motor is developed to the solid-propellant motor and the way of sample imitation to the way of creative invention.

Noteworthy was the caterpillar-type launch pad. The 9-axle self-propelled vehicle which was first used in the recent test-firing of ICBM Hwasong 15 is an indigenous product of the DPRK.

The US would be well advised to accept Kim Jong Un’s meaningful declaration, give up its hostile policy towards the DPRK, and take the road of improving its relations with the country.

Fatal Blow to the Overbearing Superpower

At 02:48 a.m. (Pyongyang time) on November 29, 2017, Hwasong 15 blasted off in the capital city of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

With regard to the development of this new type of ICBM the government of the DPRK stated that it has a longer range than Hwasong 14, which was launched in July the same year, boasting its superior technical specifications and characteristics. It called this a momentous event signifying that the country has accomplished the historic cause of perfecting its nuclear forces, the cause of building a powerful rocket nation.

The news attracted massive media coverage around the world.

What is the meaning of this test-firing of the ICBM?

First, it can be construed as the DPRK’s explicit answer to the preposterous actions taken by the US.

Most recently, the bilateral relations went to extremes but the tension subsided for a certain period, obviously thanks to the DPRK’s patience.

US politicians must have judged that their rival lost its nerve or was retreating from its tough stand. During his recent trip to south Korea Trump hurled abuses at the DPRK and threatened to use force against it. Several grandees of the US pressurized other countries into severing all relations with the DPRK. Worse still, the US re-listed it as a state that sponsors terrorism; in 2008 it had removed the country from the “list of state sponsors of terrorism.” In doing so, the US might be calculating that the DPRK would back off out of fear. Rather, the latter built up its own strength while watching the situation with composure.

By launching the new type of ICBM, the DPRK demonstrated that it will continue to follow the path of its own choice, it is growing stronger in its anti-US feelings and it will counter the US by force of arms. To the US, this must be an unexpected deadly blow.

Second, the launch of Hwasong 15 is a warning message to the US.

The incumbent US president, though pitiably ignorant of both political and military affairs, takes every opportunity to trumpet about America’s “mightiness” and threaten to “totally destroy north Korea.” To the DPRK, this invective is no more than a mad dog’s barking.

The DPRK has strived with perseverance to be on an equal footing with the US in the balance of power, and it is now fully resolved, and seems ready, to confront the military superpower with what it already has. The country’s self-defensive military capability has grown strong enough to strike American citizens with unease, but the US government has persisted in wielding the stick.

The recent ICBM launch proves once again that all the parts of the US mainland are within the range of the DPRK’s missiles.

Actions speak louder than words, as the saying goes.

For the Trump administration, it will be worth making a correct judgement of how strong its rival is and having a clear understanding of the latter’s warning message. It is absurd to assume that UN resolutions and escalating sanctions can be a “master key.” Such acts of hostility will lead to the destruction of the US itself. 

Kim Jong Un Has Photo Session with Participants in 8th Conference of Munitions Industry

Pyongyang, December 13 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, had a photo session with the participants in the 8th Conference of Munitions Industry on Tuesday. When respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un appeared at the venue of the photo session, the participants enthusiastically welcomed him, extending the greatest glory and thanks to him. He waved back to them. He warmly congratulated once again the scientists, technologists, workers and officials in the fields of the national defense scientific research and munitions industry who made great contributions to bolstering the national defense capability such as members who brought about a great success in test-firing ICBM Hwasong-15, and had a photo session with them. He expressed conviction that the participants in the conference would bring about a great leap forward and innovation in developing the Juche-based national defense industry and building a socialist powerful nation. Attending the photo session were Thae Jong Su, No Kwang Chol, Jang Chang Ha, Jon Il Ho, Hong Sung Mu and Hong Yong Chil.

Commendations Awarded to Contributors to Hwasong-15 Test-fire in Presence of Kim Jong Un

Pyongyang, December 13 (KCNA) -- Respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un invited to the conference of the victory and glory those in the field of defense science who most faithfully and perfectly carried out the Party's plan for building strategic nuclear force, successfully test-fired ICBM Hwasong-15 and thus demonstrated the dignity and might of our powerful state all over the world once again, and showed warm loving care and benevolence for them.

Party and state commendations were awarded to those contributors to the successful test-fire of ICBM Hwasong-15 with due ceremony at the April 25 House of Culture on Tuesday. Kim Jong Un attended the ceremony. He personally conferred on the contributors to the successful ICBM test-fire Order of Kim Il Sung and Order of Kim Jong Il, the highest orders of the DPRK, the Title of DPRK Hero and Gold Star Medal and Order of National Flag First Class, the Title of DPRK Labor Hero and Gold Medal (Hammer and Sickle) and Order of National  Flag First Class, the highest honor of DPRK citizens, Kim Jong Il Prize, watches bearing the august names of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il, citation of Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea Kim Jong Un and citation of Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Un. All the participants broke into stormy cheers and applause for the Supreme Leader, excited by his boundless gratitude.

8th Conference of Munitions Industry Closes Pyongyang, December 13

 (KCNA) -- The 8th Conference of Munitions Industry closed on Tuesday. Speakers at the conference referred to the devotion and tireless efforts made by respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un who steered the drive for completing the state nuclear force. They told about the successes and experience gained in the course of developing and manufacturing Korean-style powerful weapons and bombs of Juche, and expressed their resolutions to demonstrate the dignity and strong spirit of Juche Korea. Kim Jong Un made a conclusion at the conference.

He said the 8th Conference of Munitions Industry was being held with the greatest splendour amid the deep attention and expectation of the whole Party and all the people and warm congratulations from across the country to the admirable heroes of Juche Korea who successfully carried out the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force. He warmly congratulated the participants of the conference on their devoted efforts for the development of the Juche-based defence industry on behalf of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and all the people of the country.

He extended the salute of congratulations to the soldiers of defence science, highly appreciating the great exploits of them who participated in the conference at the special invitation of the Party Central Committee after succeeding in the test-fire of ICBM Hwasong-15, a great victory to be specially recorded in the history of the country. He also extended warm congratulations and thanks to all the members working in the field of defence industry including all scientists, technicians, workers and service personnel of munitions industrial establishments, institutes and universities, officials and other working people in charge of munitions production and supply, who are reliably defending the arsenal of the Juche revolution with boundless loyalty to the Party and the revolution and noblest patriotism.

Warmly recollecting the life-long devotion and tireless efforts of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il who established the self-supporting defence industry from scratch, he highly appreciated the revolutionary forerunners in munitions industry who remained unfailingly loyal to the order of the Party and the leader in the course of the stern struggle for achieving today's great victory. He said our defence industry with long history and proud traditions has developed into the self-supporting and modern defence industry capable of manufacturing any weaponry with our own efforts.

He solemnly declared that the development of new strategic weapon systems including A-bomb, H-bomb and ICBM Hwasong-15 with indigenous efforts and technology and the realization of the great cause of completing the state nuclear force serve as a great historic victory of our Party and people of the country achieved by the death-defying struggle at the cost of high price.

Noting that to regard the bolstering of defence capabilities as the greatest state affairs and put primary efforts into the development of defence industry is a strategic line consistently adhered to by the Party, he said it is the greatest exploits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il for the country and the revolution that they advanced the idea and line of building the Juche-oriented defence industry and built the robust defence industry capable of firmly defending the sovereignty of the country, security of the people and gains of the revolution from the imperialists' aggression through their devoted efforts.

He said the Workers' Party of Korea set forth the line of simultaneously pushing forward economic construction and the building of nuclear force as required by the prevailing situation and the developing revolution and has correctly steered the struggle for carrying out the line. The country's strategic position has been put on a new high level on the basis of the powerful Juche-based defence industry, he said, noting with pride that such a proud reality clearly proves the validity of the decision and option of the Party which advanced and has implemented the line.

Saying that our powerful Juche-based defence industry is the valuable fruition brought by the indomitable revolutionary spirit of the scientists, technicians, workers and officials in the field of munitions industry who have faithfully upheld the Party with their blood and sweat and by their fighting spirit of devotedly implementing the Party's policies, he highly praised them as the creditable death-defying corps of the Party who showed in practice with what attitude and stand one should uphold and implement the Party's idea and line.

He once again extended deep thanks to the scientists, technicians, workers and officials in munitions industry who heroically struggled to implement the line of simultaneously developing the two fronts and completing the building of the state nuclear force, sharing their destiny with the Party and to all the people who absolutely supported the Party's policy of attaching importance to the defence industry and materially and morally aided the field of defence industry while tightening their belts.

He, indicating the orientation of further glorifying the country as the world's strongest nuclear power and military power, set forth long-term objectives, primary objectives, strategic tasks and important tasks to be fulfilled to develop the defence industry of the country into the ultra-modern self-supporting defence industry in the 21st century, true to the line of Juche, and made clear the ways to do so. He said it is the important mission of our defence industry to consolidate the national defence capability as firm as a rock and thus defend the Party and the revolution, the country and its people, guarantee the successful advance of the revolutionary cause of Juche and steer and accelerate the building of a socialist powerful nation.

The Juche-based national defense industry will continue to develop and we will win victory in the showdown with the imperialists and the U.S. and certainly achieve the cause of socialism and the revolutionary cause of Juche thanks to the banner of the line of simultaneously developing the two fronts advanced by the WPK, heroic workers in the munitions field and talented scientists and technicians in the national defense industry faithful to the Party, he said. He expressed belief that the scientists of the national defense industry and workers of munitions would bolster up the nuclear force in quality and quantity, manufacture more latest weapons and equipment of Korean style and thus fulfill their honorable mission and duty in fully displaying the dignity and might of the socialist military power and hastening the final victory of the Juche revolution.

Thanks to the great guidance of the WPK, our defense industry and self-reliant defence capability will be rapidly strengthened and the DPRK will victoriously advance and leap as the strongest nuclear power and military power in the world, he said, calling for dynamically working for the Party and revolution and development of the Juche-based defense industry with the single-minded unity. When he finished the speech, the participants enthusiastically cheered him.

8th Conference of Munitions Industry Opens in Presence of Kim Jong Un

Pyongyang, December 12 (KCNA) -- The 8th Conference of Munitions Industry opened here with splendour on Monday. The conference is set to review the achievements and experience gained in the work to implement the Party's policy on the munitions industry and discuss the measures for ushering in a heyday of development of the Juche-based defense industry under the banner of simultaneously developing the two fronts and giving full play to the invincible might of socialist Korea.

Attending it were Thae Jong Su, No Kwang Chol, Jang Chang Ha, Jon Il Ho, Hong Sung Mu and Hong Yong Chil and chairpersons of provincial party committees, contributors to the successful test-fire of ICBM Hwasong-15 and other scientists, technicians, labor innovators and officials in the field of defense science and the munitions industry who have made significant contributions to increasing the country's defense capability, and officials and workers of relevant units.

When respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un appeared in the platform of the conference, all its participants enthusiastically welcomed him. Thae Jong Su, Politburo member and vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, stressed in a report at the conference that the DPRK's history of defense industry is a revolutionary history of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il and the WPK.

The reporter said: Kim Il Sung created the precious tradition of building the Juche-based national defense industry in the flames of the anti-Japanese revolution in his early years. After the liberation of the country he advanced a policy of founding the independent defense industry without delay and had wisely led the struggle for its realization, making field guidance to the arsenal in Phyongchon before visiting the Kangson Steel Plant under the complicated situation of building a new country.

Kim Jong Il kept up the project for bolstering up the arms as the most important matter of the Party and the revolution and lifeline of building a socialist power and brought about a radical turn in developing the Juche-based national defense industry with his distinguished idea and energetic leadership.

The Juche-based national defense industry has now entered the fresh heyday of its development thanks to respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, the reporter said, and went on: Kim Jong Un set forth the strategic line of simultaneously pushing forward the economic construction and the building of nuclear force and provided a legal foundation for bolstering up the nuclear force. This became a historic turning point in putting the DPRK on the position of a matchless nuclear weapons state and hastening the final victory in the showdown with the U.S. and the cause of building a powerful socialist nation.

Under his strategic decision, the DPRK carried out two successful H-bomb tests, "March 18 revolution" and "July 4 revolution" and won the miraculous July 28 victory and the great November 29 victory. These are extra-large auspicious events in the history of the nation as they opened up the era of radical changes and fully realized the long-cherished desire of our people for powerful national defense capability. The period from the 7th Conference of Munitions Industry up to now was years of victory and glory during which world-startling rapid progress has been made to clearly prove validity and vitality of our Party's policy on strengthening the self-reliant national defense capability in every way with the nuclear force as a pivot.

Noting that the DPRK's defense industry has advanced along the road only indicated by the Party, regarding the leadership of its Central Committee as lifeline, the reporter said: In particular, the great success in the test-fire of Hwasong-15, a new type ICBM capable of hitting the whole mainland of the U.S and carrying super-heavy warhead, conducted under the political decision and strategic resolution of the Workers' Party of Korea, is the great victory of the nation, a great event to be specially recorded in the history of the country, won by our people in the efforts to carry out the historic cause of completing the state nuclear force, the cause of building a rocket power.

The reporter mentioned the prospect of the defense industry and the tasks for carrying forward the heyday of development of the Juche-based defense industry and increasing the self-reliant defense capability in every way. Speeches were made at the conference. Through speeches, exchanged were achievements and good experience gained in the defense science research and the work to bolster the national defense capability over the past years, true to the Party's policy on the munitions industry. And, on this basis, discussed were the ways for making leaping progress in the development of the Juche-based defense industry. They analyzed and reviewed intrinsic faults and lessons in the fields of defense science and munitions industry. The conference goes on.

S. Korean Authorities' Anti-Reunification Act Will Face Curse and Censure: GFTUK Spokesman

Pyongyang, December 7 (KCNA) -- The Confederation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Trade Unions of south Korea were going to send a message to the General Federation of Trade Inions of Korea (GFTUK) in congratulation of its 72nd founding anniversary, but it was not realized due to the anti-reunification act of the puppet authorities. 

The puppet Unification Ministry threatened the Confederation and the Federation to delete expressions like "national meeting for peace and reunification of the country and the improvement of the north-south relations", charging that "national meeting" means "a political event". 

A spokesman for the GFTUK in a statement Thursday denounced this as an unpardonable challenge to the desire and wish of the workers of south Korea and all other Koreans for national reconciliation, unity, peace and reunification and a traitorous act aimed to sever the fraternal ties between the fellow countrymen. 

The puppet authorities even found fault with the title of the national meeting and hindered the dispatch of the congratulatory message. This can not but be considered as an attempt to make the north-south relations the monopoly of the authorities and to stand against the nation's movement for reunification, the statement said, and went on: 

The situation clearly proves that nothing has changed from the days of fascist dictatorship by the group of conservative traitors even though there has been a regime change in south Korea, and the new regime has nothing different from the preceding regimes in using despicable and crafty methods as it trumpets about "exchanges" outwardly but hampers the solidarity activities of organizations of people of various social standings in the north and the south behind the scene. 

Greater crime will cause more miserable end. The puppet authorities keen on despicable submission toward outsiders and confrontation with the fellow countrymen can never evade curse and censure by the whole nation determined to open up the heyday of nationwide reunification movement.

U.S. Racket for Stifling DPRK Will Bring It International Isolation and Ruin:

KCNA Commentary Pyongyang, December 11 (KCNA) -- The U.S. is getting keen on sanctions and pressure racket against the DPRK while terming its measure for self-defence the "threat to the world". The U.S. government authorities including Trump, the state secretary, defence secretary and the U.S. representative at the UN are spitting out military outbursts against the DPRK and are pressurizing other countries to sever all relations with the DPRK including diplomatic, economic and trade activities.

It is even threatening the capture of the DPRK flagged ships in the seas. This is the vivid expression of Trump's "lunatic strategy" aimed to exterminate the Korean nation as it is the last-ditch effort of those dumbfounded by the might of the state nuclear force of the DPRK which has the whole U.S. territory within its strike range.

The brigandish sophism that the DPRK poses "threat to the whole world" does not hold any water. The world clearly sees who is the chieftain escalating tension and harassing world peace and stability through the situation of the Korean peninsula. The massive strategic arms build-up in and around the peninsula, the moves for modernizing nuclear weapons and the arms sale pressed for by the U.S. prove that the story about "threat from North Korea" is just a pretext for realizing the aggression of the DPRK and the ambition for world domination.

Recently the American newspaper USA Today reported that the U.S. together Canada will convene a "16-nation meeting" of ally countries which took part in the Korean War in the past for the discussion of counteraction to tackle "threat from the north". Clear is the aim sought by the U.S. in getting vocal about "threat" and calling on the whole world to counter the DPRK.

It is to justify its hostile policy toward the DPRK and tighten the siege of international sanctions and pressure on the DPRK. But such lunacy will only reveal the sinister intention of the U.S. The newspaper of Chinese Hong Kong Ta Kung Pao in a commentary titled "Korea's completion of great cause of building nuclear force. Korea slaps U.S. in the face" said that what is beyond doubt is that the U.S. misguided Korea policy is the key cause of aggravating the situation, adding that Korea became to possess a nuclear deterrence as today which is entirely attributable to the U.S., and that the U.S. act boomerangs.

The Western media including those of Britain and Germany reported that Trump is imposing hard-line policy on the DPRK including freeze of diplomatic relations but no country is agreeing to do, adding that the policy of threatening the DPRK pursued by Trump is resulting in the isolation of the U.S. Now is the high time that the U.S. lent an ear to this voice of the international community. The more desperately the U.S. tries to "demonize" the DPRK, the more quickly it will face the responsibility for the aggravating situation on the Korean peninsula, international isolation and destruction.

FM Spokesperson Hits at U.S. Decision on Israel's Capital

Pyongyang, December 9 (KCNA) -- A spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea gave the following answer to a question raised by KCNA Saturday over the U.S.'s decision to recognize Kuds (Jeruselem) as the capital of Israel: The decision by U.S. president Trump to recognize Kuds (Jeruselem)  as the capital of Israel and to move the U.S. embassy there well deserves a global condemnation and rejection as it is an open defiance of and an insult to the international legitimacy and to a unanimous will of the international society.

The status of Kuds (Jeruselem) remains so sensitive that it, for sure, should be solved fairly by means of regaining the national rights of the Palestinian people and striking a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Middle East problem. This decision of the U.S. is not as surprising as it came from a dotard who had cried out for "total destruction" of a sovereign state at a sacred UN forum. But, through it, the world will be able to well discern about who is really a wrecker of the world peace and security and who is a gang of hooligans of the international society.

Some countries, which still count on the U.S., would become conscious of the true colours of the U.S. The U.S. should bear full responsibility for all the consequences of tension and instability that will be entailed in the Middle East region owing to its reckless and highhanded act. We, out of our external ideas of independence, peace and friendship, condemn strongly the U.S. action this time and express our firm support and solidarity with the Palestinians and other Arabian people in their just cause to regain their legitimate rights.

Kim Jong Un Climbs Mt Paektu

Pyongyang, December 9 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, climbed Mt Paektu, the sublime mountain of revolution.

The ancestral mountain Paektu covered with white snow was displaying marvellous scene with glee at the reappearance of its great master. When Kim Jong Un ascended to the top of it, going through thick snow, it showed fine weather unprecedented in the blizzard of December winter, exposing its majestic figure.

As if to give warm welcome to him who brought the "great November event" of the great Korea and show joy at the appearance of the peerlessly illustrious commander who controls the nature, the heart of the ever-changing Lake Chon on the top of Mt Paektu presented charming scenery showing magic peaks and dazzling sunshine on its clear and blue waves.

Imposingly standing on Janggun Peak, the respected Supreme Leader gave a familiar look for a while at the dizzy cliffs and the sea of trees, recalling the emotion charged days when he realized the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force without yielding even a moment and with the indomitable faith and will of Paektu.

He said that he had often climbed Mt Paektu but this is the first time to have in mid-winter such nice weather, rare to be seen even in spring. The weather is so fine that we can see peaks on the shore of Lake Chon more clearly as if they are before our very eyes, he added. His eyes reflected the strong beams of the gifted great person seeing in the majestic spirit of Mt Paektu the appearance of a powerful socialist nation which dynamically advances full of vigour without vacillation at any raving dirty wind on the planet. He set forth the important tasks arising in better sprucing up into a centre for education in the revolutionary traditions the sacred mountain of Paektu which is associated with the immortal revolutionary careers of the great leaders and serves as the mental mainstay of the invincible DPRK and the source of indomitable ideological strength.

He said that the monument to Mt Paektu and education compound should be spruced up suited to the dignity of the holy mountain of revolution and "Mt Paektu, the holy mountain of revolution", an autograph of leader Kim Jong Il, should be displayed better heavily and politely to be seen most clearly anytime and anywhere.

 He stressed the need to build a new hotel well around the Paektu Station for the convenience of those who visit Mt Paektu as well as convenient facilities for making them have photos taken at several places where a bird's-eye view of the mountain can be obtained and have rests. Accompanying him were Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK, vice-chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and vice-chairman of the C.C., WPK, Kim Yong Su, department director of the WPK Central Committee, Jo Yong Won, vice department director of the C.C., WPK, Ri Sang Won, chairman of the Ryanggang Provincial Committee of the WPK, Yang Myong Chol, chairman of the Samjiyon County Committee of the WPK, and Ma Won Chun, department director of the State Affairs Commission. Kim Jong Un Inspects Samjiyon County Pyongyang, December 9 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, gave field guidance to various units in Samjiyon County.

The respected Supreme Leader paid tribute to leader Kim Jong Il before his statue in Samjiyon County. He appreciated the officials, party members and other working people in the county for devoting their loyalty to keeping his statue better. The first leg of his field guidance was the remodelled Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism Study Hall in Samjiyon County.

After going round several parts of the hall, he said it has been built wonderfully as befitting the base for education in the Party's monolithic ideology.

He underscored the need for Samjiyon County to effectively manage and operate the hall renovated wonderfully as befitting a model of the country so as to more firmly prepare the officials, party members and other working people to be those strongest in ideology who cherish the revolutionary idea of the Party and the leader as their firm faith, and the first death-defying corps in carrying out the Party's policies.

The next leg of his field guidance was the remodelled Samjiyon Town Hotel. He acquainted himself in detail with its renovation, going round various parts of it including the room visited by President Kim Il Sung in July 1979. Saying the hotel is like the face of Samjiyon County as the visitors to the sacred place of revolution and other people from across the country use it, he stressed that it is important to make it an iron rule to give top priority to their conveniences in all service work.

The third leg of his guidance was the renovated Samjiyon Town General Store. Going round different parts of the store visited by Kim Il Sung in July 1979, he learned about its renovation. Noting that each counter is full of quality homemade goods diverse in variety, he stressed the need to pay deep attention to steadily improving the method of displaying goods. He went round the newly-built dwelling houses in the town. He said that the dwelling houses have been built well to be clean and cosy to suite the regional features, adding that their owners would like them.

Then he gave field guidance to Samjiyon Youth Railway Station and Lake Samjiyon Shore Railway Station which are nearing completion. Pointing out that the stations have been built in a modern style to suite the mountainous area as befitting the gateway to Samjiyon County, a sacred place of revolution, he said that every element should be built more perfectly, the interior and exterior construction done more carefully and good preparations made to operate the stations the moment the study tour of revolutionary battle sites starts next year.

He stressed that the force and means should be concentrated on stepping up the construction of dwelling houses for evacuees and new dwelling houses around the Hyesan-Samjiyon railway section to finish them as early as possible. Besides, the Supreme Leader made a field survey of the work of various sectors in the county. Looking at the model board showing the general plan for building Samjiyon County, he gave important instructions that would serve as the guidelines in sprucing up the county. He stressed that the thorough preparations should be made to build Samjiyon County, mental native place of our people, into a county impeccable in the world, a peculiar one that others cannot imitate and the best county in the country.

The Hyesan-Samjiyon railway project is near to completion and miraculous successes are being made in construction projects despite the bitter cold of the Paektu area thanks to the dynamic struggle of the builders of the 216 Division, the Supreme Leader said. He instructed to significantly review the first-stage campaign over the successes, experience and lessons that have been gained till now so as to correctly set the future project orientation and launch the second-stage campaign all at once after making perfect preparations.

While inspecting Samjiyon County, he was very deeply impressed to personally see the builders devoting their burning loyalty to the construction of the county after leaving their dear houses and families, he said, adding that he could not repress his feelings to meet all the builders one by one and hold their hands warmly. He earnestly requested the officials to convey the militant greetings to the builders in the name of the Party Central Committee. He expressed expectation and belief that all the builders and people of the county involved in the construction of Samjiyon County would fully discharge their honourable mission and duty in a drive to wonderfully turn the county where the revolution started into an icon and model county of the whole country and the best mountainous city in the world, as intended by the Party.

Accompanying him were Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK, vice-chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and vice-chairman of the C.C., WPK, Kim Yong Su, department director of the C.C., WPK, Jo Yong Won, vice department director of the C.C., WPK, and Ma Won Chun, department director of the State Affairs Commission. 

DPRK FM Spokesman Blasts American High-level Politicians for Making Reckless Remarks about DPRK

Pyongyang, December 6 (KCNA) -- A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK gave the following answer to a question raised by KCNA on Wednesday as regards the fact that high-level politicians of the U.S. are now constantly making reckless remarks about our country.

Recently, as the U.S. is conducting the largest-ever joint aerial drill on the Korean peninsula targeting the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), its high- level politicians are showing alarming signs by making bellicose remarks one after another.

The national security advisor of the White House and a Republican senator said that "the chances of war with north Korea" are increasing every day, a "pre-emptive war" with North Korea is becoming more likely, the families and dependents of the U.S. troops should be moved out of south Korea. These confrontational warmongering remarks cannot be interpreted in any other way but as a warning to us to be prepared for a war on the Korean peninsula.

Worse still, the CIA director has made a provocation against us by impudently criticizing our supreme leadership which is the heart of our people. This is the revelation of the U.S. cunning and heinous intention which is to instigate our strong countermeasures and use them to ignite the fuse for a nuclear war on the Korean peninsula.

The large-scale nuclear war exercises conducted by the U.S. in succession are creating touch-and-go situation on the Korean peninsula and series of violent war remarks coming from the U.S. high-level politicians amid such circumstances have made an outbreak of war on the Korean peninsula an established fact. The remaining question now is: when will the war break out.

The careless remarks of war by the inner circle of Trump and the reckless military moves by the U.S. substantiate that the current U.S. administration has made a decision to provoke a war on the Korean peninsula and is taking a step-by-step approach to get there.

The world should not harbour any prejudice in discerning who the main culprit behind the tense situation on the Korean peninsula is and who the violator of world peace and stability is.

The U.S. is going frantic in advertising the nuclear war on the Korean peninsula every day and this invites our due vigilance.

We do not wish for a war but shall not hide from it, and should the U.S. miscalculate our patience and light the fuse for a nuclear war, we will surely make the U.S. dearly pay the consequences with our mighty nuclear force which we have consistently strengthened.

If the U.S. does not want to be burnt to death by the fire it ignites, it would better behave with prudence and caution.