Another Unilateral Anti-DPRK Sanctions of U.S. under Fire

Pyongyang, January 27 (KCNA) -- A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) gave the following answer to a question raised by KCNA on January 27 as regards the U.S. announcement on another unilateral sanctions against the DPRK:

The U.S. Treasury Department announced on January 24 that it would enforce sanctions on more than ten individuals, several entities and vessels under an allegation that those designated violated its "sanctions laws".

The unilateral sanctions of the U.S. are an extension of its hostile policy to strangle the DPRK at any cost by means of sanctions and pressure accompanied by the military threats and also a manifestation of heinous intention to throw a wet blanket over the inter-Korean exchange and cooperation and to aggravate the situation.

The U.S. pursuit of unilateral sanctions under its so-called "sanctions laws" constitutes wanton violation of the universally recognized international laws which underline that in no case can a sovereign state be an object of jurisdiction of other country, and it is also an obvious infringement upon sovereignty and a grave act of provocation.

It is indescribably stultifying and ludicrous that the U.S. would still resort to sanctions, turning a blind eye to the prevailing reality that the DPRK has now possessed, amid the ever harshest sanctions and pressure, a powerful nuclear deterrent capable of thwarting and countering any nuclear threats of the imperialist aggression forces.

The U.S. would be well advised to awake right away from absurd way of thinking and come to its senses, and give up the anachronistic policy hostile to the DPRK and terminate the provocative acts of aggravating situation on the Korean peninsula.

Japanese Reactionaries Hit for Hindering inter-Korean Relations

Pyongyang, January 26 (KCNA) -- Thae Chol of the Japan-Korea Interchange Association Friday issued a commentary to condemn the Japanese reactionaries for hindering the inter-Korean dialogue and the warming situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Prime Minister Abe, chief Cabinet secretary, foreign minister, defense minister and other heavyweights of the Japanese political circle reeled off the following vituperations:

"It would be a significant dialogue only when north Korea conducts concrete act of complete, verifiable and irretrievable nuclear dismantlement." "We hope that it would be a dialogue for conveying a strong message to north Korea." "The existing policy of pressurizing north Korea based on the international cooperation should be invariably pushed forward irrespective of the north-south dialogue."

Meanwhile, Japanese media have asserted that "south Korea is at the north's back and call after putting the pressure against the north on the shelf, it should not play in the hands of the north and south Korean people are growing increasingly discontent", in a bid to drive a wedge between the north and the south of Korea.

Japan has no qualification and right to meddle in the affairs of the Korean nation, and no one will lend his or her ear to the allegations, the commentary says, and goes on:

Nevertheless, Japan openly and secretly tries to lay hurdle in the way of the inter- Korean dialogue and the warming situation on the Korean Peninsula.

The reason is that the Abe group thinks that its political fate hinges on the inter- Korean relations and the change of the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Historically, cunning Japan has drawn big benefits from the division of the Korean nation and war. So, it thinks that it will lose biggest ones when the north and south of Korea take each other's hand.

The Japanese reactionaries should admit that they are in a poor position. They should stop acting rashly, aware of the consequences to be entailed by their foolish acts.

If Japan runs amuck defying our warning, the Korean people will surely force Japan to pay a very high price for its crimes with their strong fists.

Spokesman for Korea-Asia Association on Deeds of Fanning Tension in Korean Peninsula

Pyongyang, January 25 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Korea-Asia Association on Thursday gave the following answer to a question raised by KCNA over "A Resolution on the Peace of the Korean Peninsula" which was adopted at the 26th meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum in Vietnam:

The 26th meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) held recently in Vietnam adopted the so-called "Resolution on the Peace of the Korean peninsula".

What cannot be overlooked is the fact that the "resolution" denounced the self- defensive measures taken by the DPRK as a serious provocation against the stability of the Korean Peninsula and the peace of Northeast Asia and the world, while insisting on "the abandonment of nuclear weapons" of the DPRK, a full-fledged nuclear power.

The "resolution" intentionally ignored the root cause of nuclear issue of the Korean peninsula, created by the United States, and followed the anti-DPRK hostile policy of the U.S. running amuck to oppose the dignified DPRK to the international community.

An atmosphere for peace and security in the Korean Peninsula and for reconciliation and unity of the whole Korean nation is now created thanks to respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un's noble love for the nation, strong will for the reunification based on devotion to the country and people and great and courageous determination for safeguarding peace.

The "resolution", cooked up against this atmosphere by taking advantage of the anti- DPRK hostile policy of the U.S., is no more than an unreasonable and senseless paperwork devoid of elementary political sense and of ability for situation analysis.

Our country's nuclear forces are capable of thwarting and countering any nuclear threats from the U.S., and they constitute a powerful deterrent that prevents the U.S. from starting an adventurous war.

The DPRK will resolutely counter any acts of wrecking peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.

The participants in the meeting should clearly distinguish between the peace breaker on the Korean Peninsula and the peace defender making sincere efforts for peace and security of the region and the world.

Any countries, if they are truly interested in maintaining the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula, should not be involved in the acts of intentionally instigating the escalation of tension on the Korean Peninsula but think twice before doing something.

The DPRK will, in the future, too, uphold the banner of simultaneously pushing forward the economic construction and the buildup of nuclear force and make positive efforts to build a just and peaceful new world as a responsible, peace-loving nuclear power.

U.S. Urged to Abandon Its Scheme to Prevent Détente on Korean Peninsula

Pyongyang, January 26 (KCNA) -- Choe Song Ho, a researcher of the room for international policy studies at the DPRK Academy of Social Sciences, on Jan. 25 issued a commentary titled "The U.S. should abandon its foolish scheme to prevent detente on the Korean Peninsula".

The commentary condemns the U.S., which once cried out for a peaceful solution to the Korean Peninsula issue, for making every possible effort to stop the present affirmative development of the inter-Korean relations based on concerted efforts.

Typical of such attempts is what the U.S did at the "foreign ministers' meeting on the security and stability on the Korean Peninsula" held in Vancouver of Canada, it says, and goes on:

The meeting was, in fact, for confab on a new war, not on the stability of the peninsula. It was attended by 20 countries and regions, including those which participated in the Korean War against the DPRK in the 1950s. At the meeting, the U.S. wooed them to ratchet up the sanctions and pressure on the DPRK with threatening words and cried out for a military option again.

U.S. Secretary of State Tillerson, in particular, fanned the confrontation with the DPRK by claiming that the efficiency of the U.S.-led maximum pressure strategy, such as sea blockade, should be raised and all the nations should pool their efforts to make the north pay more dearly. U.S. Secretary of Defense Mattis, who appeared before the audience in neckties, made such violent remarks like the boss of gangsters that the scenario for war with north Korea has been ready and unless the meeting goes well, defense ministers' meeting will be held next, which stunned the audience.

Heavyweights of the U.S. political circle and administration made no scruple of hurling a stream of provocative remarks that it is high time the U.S. took the initiative by putting the DPRK on the defensive, it is necessary to stop the present trend in which the U.S. overturned with the DPRK's appeasement policy, and the Trump administration is very seriously examining the military option against the DPRK.

What merits a more serious attention is that the U.S. is further aggravating the tension by deliberately revealing that the extremely dangerous military action targeting the Korean Peninsula is not hot air.

It has been recently disclosed that an electronic warfare plane and a formation of special operation planes were secretly deployed in south Korea for ultra-precision surveillance on the DPRK. Those planes were said to have proved their combat effectiveness in theatres of wars such as former Yugoslavia, Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Such ill-boding movements of the U.S., timed to coincide with the creation of a new climate for the detente and peace, go to prove that what the U.S. wants awake or asleep is not peace and stability on the peninsula but instability and the exacerbation of military tension and start of war for aggression on the DPRK.

The south Korean authorities have earnestly and repeatedly requested their American master to help them successfully hold the Winter Olympics they managed to have held in south Korea, but the answer was such disturbing movements and the aggravation of tension. Therefore, they have to know what a foolish thing they have expected.

The reality requires all Koreans to get awakened lest the U.S. meddle in the Korean Peninsula issue any longer and decisively reject such intervention by their concerted efforts in order to successfully hold the forthcoming great national event and bring about a turning point in the north-south relations development.

The U.S. is advised to understand that it would be seriously mistaken if it thinks that the situation of the peninsula would change as intended by it and would be controlled by it as it used to do.

The U.S. should be well aware of the Korean nation's fixed will for independent reunification and its powerful strength for peace, stop the reckless provocative adventures and make a reasonable and rational choice, though belatedly.

Kim Jong Un Inspects Pyongyang Pharmaceutical Factory

Pyongyang, January 25 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, together with Ri Sol Ju, gave field guidance to the Pyongyang Pharmaceutical Factory.

He went round the rooms dedicated to education in the revolutionary history and to the history of the factory.

He said that the factory, which was built in June 1946 as the nation's first pharmaceutical industrial base on the personal initiative of President Kim Il Sung, is associated with the warm love of Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il for the people.

He stressed that its officials and employees should add lustre to the undying feats of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il forever by dedicating their passion for creation and devoted efforts to the production of medicines with pride of holding the honourable post for the protection of the lives of the people and the promotion of their health.

He learned in detail about the production of medicines, going round packing materials workshop, western and Koryo (traditional) medicine workshops and other parts of the factory.

Stressing the need for the factory to put on a normal basis the production of various medicines for the promotion of the people's health and the medical treatment and prevention of diseases, he urged the relevant sectors to supply in time the raw and other materials and technical means needed for the medicine production.

Sustained big efforts should be directed to grasping the global trend of pharmaceutical industrial development and introducing the advanced technology in order to study and develop new highly efficacious medicines of good quality and widely use them in the treatment and prevention of diseases, he said.

The respected Supreme Leader set forth the tasks to remodel the Pyongyang Pharmaceutical Factory on a more modern basis.

He said it is his plan to turn the factory into a standard one in the country's pharmaceutical industry and renovate on a modern basis all other pharmaceutical factories throughout the country with it as a model. The upgrading of the Pyongyang Pharmaceutical Factory and the Hungnam Pharmaceutical Factory should be pushed forward in a bold way to make this an important occasion in laying a springboard for rapid progress in the pharmaceutical industrial sector, he added, taking measures of warm affection to do so.

He had a picture taken with the factory's officials and employees.

Accompanying him were Vice-Chairman Pak Thae Song, Department Director Choe Tong Myong and Vice Department Director Jo Yong Won of the WPK Central Committee. 

DPRK Joint Conference Calls for Making This Year Noteworthy in History of Nation

Pyongyang, January 24 (KCNA) -- An appeal to all Koreans at home and abroad was adopted at the joint conference of the government, political parties and organizations of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea held on Wednesday.

They called upon all Koreans with the strong will to make this auspicious year an eventful year noteworthy in the history of the nation by pooling the efforts of our nation as follows:

Let us turn out as one in the nationwide drive to improve the north-south relations and make a breakthrough for independent reunification, true to the noble patriotic intention of the peerlessly great man!

It is the steadfast will of all Koreans who have turned out for implementing the noble intention of the peerlessly great man to bring great changes to the north- south relations as early as possible and make a new history of independent reunification.

Let us rapidly improve the north-south relations and pave a wide avenue to rosy future of the nation which will be reunified, strong and prosperous!

Let us make the whole land of Korea seethe with hot wind for independent reunification and courageously advance the north-south relations along the way indicated by the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration!

Let us decisively smash all sophisms and attempts to slander the nuclear treasured sword of the nation and justice and brand it as a hurdle in the way for the improvement of the north-south relations!

Let us wage an energetic drive to defuse the acute military tension and create a peaceful climate on the Korean Peninsula!

Let all Koreans at home and abroad turn out to decisively oppose and reject all hostile acts and war moves aggravating the situation and wrecking peace!

Let all Koreans become shields and strong castle walls in the struggle to defend security of the nation and peace on this land!

Let all Koreans rise up in the peace-keeping struggle against war to baffle the reckless nuclear war moves of the U.S. which brings disaster to this land, setting dangerous flames!

3. Let us promote contact, travel, cooperation and exchange between the north and the south on a wide scale and actively create a climate for national reconciliation and reunification!

Let us promote contact, travel, cooperation and exchange between the north and the south on a wide scale to remove mutual misunderstanding and distrust and make all the fellow countrymen fulfil their responsibility and role as the driving force of national reunification!

Let the people of all strata in the north and the south bring down the barrier of national division and share kindred feelings by freely traveling by air and sea and overland and actively promote the trend of reconciliation and unity.

Let's reenergize inter-political party, inter-strata and inter-sector contacts and dialogues and activate cooperation and exchange at home and abroad to stir up the climate of reunification.

Let all compatriots wage a more vigorous struggle to get rid of anachronistic legal and institutional mechanisms harassing the fresh tide of national reconciliation and unity and prevent hostile actions!

We will courageously smash all challenges going against the nation's desire for reunification, hold with splendour joint events of the nation involving political

parties and organizations and personages at home and abroad on the anniversaries of north-south declarations, the 73rd anniversary of national liberation and other occasions this year and thus demonstrate the nation's will for independent reunification to the world.

4. Let us smash the moves of the separatist forces at home and abroad and dynamically usher in a fresh phase of national reunification, holding aloft the banner of national independence and By Our Nation Itself!

Let all the fellow countrymen at home and abroad subordinate and aspire everything to the great objective of national reunification, pan-national cause, from the stand of prioritizing the nation and attaching importance to it and achieving national unity!

Let us maintain the firm stand and viewpoint to solve all the issues arising between the north and the south on the principle of By Our Nation Itself!

Let all the fellow countrymen more dynamically promote the grand march for independent reunification to bring earlier a new morning of the 3 000-ri land of Korea, reunified and prosperous, by pooling their efforts!

The appeal called upon all Koreans to firmly believe in the bright future of the nation and turn out as one in the sacred struggle for glorifying this significant year as a year of great changes and great events to eternally shine in the history of national reunification. 

U.S. Accused of Convening FMs' Meeting of Countries Participated in Korean War

Pyongyang, January 18 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Institute for American Studies of the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave the following answer to a question raised by KCNA on January 18 as regards the foreign ministers' meeting of the countries that participated in the Korean War, recently convened by the U.S. together with Canada: The U.S., in collusion with Canada created the scene of war simulation by summoning the foreign ministers' meeting of the countries that participated in the Korean War in Vancouver, Canada from January 15 to 16. Participated in this meeting were 20 countries including the ones that had followed the U.S. to the aggressive war against our country from 1950 to 1953.

At the meeting, the U.S. Secretary of State openly trumpeted that they should intensify the pressure campaign against us until we stop nuclear program by way of limiting the export of oil and industrial products, strengthening naval control, expelling our workers abroad, etc. and he went so far as to insist on the military option.

Now the whole world warmly welcomes the dramatic change in the frozen inter-Korean relations and the visible sign of easing tension on the Korean peninsula, which are being brought about by our generous and magnanimous proposal. However, the U.S., while throwing a wet blanket over this atmosphere, have brought together its vassal forces including the countries that had followed the former to participate in the aggressive war against our country and openly hatched a plot to further intensify the barbarous sanctions and pressure against our country and provoke a new war on the Korean peninsula.

It is no accident that many countries including our neighbouring countries unanimously criticize the meeting, arguing that the nature and the agenda of the meeting are not conducive to easing the tension on the Korean peninsula and that it would rather bring an adverse effect. As we have already clarified several times, the tightening of sanctions against our country like the naval blockade, which have been discussed behind the screen at the meeting, is tantamount to an act of war.

The meeting speaks to the fact that the U.S. is willing to spark a new war in the Korean peninsula at any cost although it talks about dialogue. We take the U.S. convocation of the meeting simply as the ridiculous floundering of the Trump group which was frightened by the might of our Republic that has achieved great historic cause of perfecting the state nuclear force and made a dignified rise to a position of the strategic state recognized by the world.

The move of the U.S. trying to solve the issue of the Korean peninsula by force further solidifies our conviction that the road we chose was absolutely right and we should ever follow this road without any slightest vacillation. We scrutinize even at this moment every move of the U.S. that is making highly disturbing military acts by continuously bringing the strategic nuclear weapons in and around the Korean peninsula and we constantly maintain high alert. We take this opportunity to warn those unprincipled countries that kowtowed to the U.S. and participated in the meeting unlawful and ambiguous in nature and advise them to contemplate the consequences to ensue thereafter.

Abe Group Accused of Further Clinging to Sanctions and Pressure Campaign against DPRK

Pyongyang, January 18 (KCNA) -- A spokesperson for the Institute for Studies of Japan of the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave the following answer to a question raised by the KCNA on January 18 regarding the fact that the Abe group is further clinging to the sanctions and pressure campaign against the DPRK: During his recent tour of some European countries, Japanese prime minister Abe mentioned the DPRK's "nuclear and missile development" and abduction issue every time he discussed bilateral relations with these countries and heinously manoeuvred to drag them into cooperation for pressure against the DPRK.

Abe cried out that the DPRK launched a ballistic missile that can hit Vilnius and Belgrade and it is a serious threat to the entire Europe and that they should make the DPRK change its policy through maximum pressure. While touring the United Arab Emirates and Canada, Japanese Foreign Minister Kono also uttered that the DPRK is earning time to continue its nuclear and missile development and that they should not be misled by the DPRK's "smiling diplomacy" and he called for pres

The Abe group is creating an atmosphere of pressure against the DPRK, taking issue with our self-defensive nuclear deterrence while driving the whole of Japan into an atmosphere of terror by fabricating a national crisis. Their purpose is to make Japan a country that can be able to wage a war by revising the present constitution through all means.

The fact that Abe doggedly preached about putting pressure on the DPRK during his latest tour of European countries clearly proves how desperate they are to realize their dangerous purpose. It is really a childish and foolish way of thinking for a prime minister of a country to think that we would change our policy if they intensify pressure on us.

As for the abduction issue which Abe group is chanting like monk's chanting prayers, it is well known to the whole world that this issue has already been resolved by our sincerity and efforts. Nevertheless, continuing to take up the abduction issue here and there is merely a deceptive farce aimed at achieving a long-term power.

The Abe group will surely have to be responsible for its consequence. Japan abducted millions of Korean people by force and inflicted mental and physical suffering upon them. It should keep in mind that our punishment will become harsher as it adds more sins to those crimes against humanity without settling them. The Abe group had better have a proper eye on the elevated strategic position of our Republic and revise its policy towards the DPRK, instead of keeping to the foolish act of spitting against heaven which will fall in his face.

Standard Bearer for the Cause of Global Independence

H. E. Generalissimo Kim Jong Il was born as the son of guerrillas in a secret camp on Paektu, the highest mountain in Korea, when the arduous armed struggle was being waged by the Korean revolutionaries under the leadership of H. E. President Kim Il Sung to liberate their country from the military occupation by Japan. At that time the guerrillas wrote many slogans on trees in the forests declaring that the Shining Star of Paektu was born to add brilliance to Korea in the future. True to the predictions of the guerrillas, H. E. Generalissimo Kim Jong Il became the lodestar of the era, taking charge of not only the future of socialist Korea but also the destiny and prospect of the cause of independence of mankind by succeeding the ideas and cause of H. E. President Kim Il Sung, President of the DPRK.

 He elucidated the road ahead for the cause of global independence. Through outstanding and energetic ideological and theoretical activities he published many works including On the Juche Idea, in which he synthesized and systematized in a comprehensive way the Juche idea created by H. E. President Kim Il Sung, and scientifically resolved various theoretical and practical problems arising in implementing the cause of independence of mankind. This provided the progressive peoples of the world with a powerful ideological and theoretical weapon for building a new, independent and peaceful world free of aggression and war.

In late 20th century, when the imperialists were clamouring about the end of socialism availing themselves of the successive failure of socialism in various countries, H. E. Generalissimo Kim Jong Il made public many works such as The Historical Lesson in Building Socialism and the General Line of Our Party (January 1992), Abuses of Socialism Are Intolerable (March 1993) and Socialism Is a Science (November 1994), proving in a scientific way the validity, truthfulness and inevitability of the triumph of the cause of socialism and dealing resolute blows to all the anti-socialists who were manoeuvring to block the accomplishing of the socialist cause in Korea and the cause of global independence.

H.E. Generalissimo Kim Jong Il led the efforts to carry out the cause of global independence. He ensured that the DPRK, through its practical examples in the anti-imperialist struggle, instilled strength and courage in the countries and nations aspiring after independence.

In January 1968 a US armed spy ship Pueblo was captured in the territorial waters of the DPRK. The US threatened that it would take a retaliatory action and would not hesitate to ignite an all-out war unless the DPRK returned the captured crew and ship. H. E. President Kim Jong Il declared a stand of principle, that he would not release the crew unless the Americans submitted a letter of apology and that, since the ship was spoils of his country, he would not return it in any case though they signed the letter of apology.

The US could not but yield. The results of the incident of the US spy plane EC-121 in April 1969 and the Panmunjom incident in August 1976 were the same. In his lifetime H. E. Generalissimo Kim Jong Il energetically conducted external activities; he met many political, social and other prominent figures of the world, including heads of state and party of Russia, China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia and other countries, top-level delegation of the EU and even figures from hostile countries including ex-President Clinton and Secretary of State Albright of the United States and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Everyone who met him, regardless of their nationality, religious belief, idea or political view, sympathized with his principled and fair view on global independence.

Defender of International Peace

The greatest of the exploits performed by H. E. Generalissimo Kim Jong Il for the cause of global independence is that, by administering the unique Songun politics, he made a breakthrough in the US-led imperialists’ attempt to establish a uni-polar world and maintain the outdated international political landscape centred on powers, and firmly defended the peace and security on the Korean peninsula, northeast Asia and the rest of the world.

Proceeding from the iron truth that one can defend the independence and dignity of one’s country and nation and the durable peace and security of the world only by dint of self-defensive arms, the invincible military might, in the present era when the sovereignty of several countries and justice of the world are being ruthlessly trampled upon by the outrageous high-handedness and arbitrariness of the imperialists based on military strength, Kim Jong Il enforced the Songun politics unprecedented in the history of world politics.

The Songun politics raised the overall defence capabilities of the DPRK, including that of the Korean People’s Army, onto the level of world powers, and made a breakthrough in the international order of the US led imperialist powers, whereby the law of jungle prevails. His steadfast Songun line, Songun leadership, turned the DPRK into an impregnable fortress, an invincible military power, possessed even with powerful nuclear deterrent and, by dint of Songun, it resolutely crushed the extreme military threats and provocations by the US.

If the DPRK was weak in terms of military power, the Korean peninsula would be unable to avoid the holocaust of war that befell Iraq and Afghanistan. Military commentators predicted that a war in the Korean peninsula would entail four major catastrophes economic loss of USD 20 trillion, destruction of over 500 metropolises, death of over one billion persons and global desertification.

Had the DPRK not been turned into a country with a great military capability and had the US unleashed a war on the Korean peninsula, the three gigantic transformations material prosperity, technological leap and spiritual civilization which many countries have achieved over half a century at the highest level in their thousands of years of history would have been unthinkable on this planet.

Indeed, H. E. Generalissimo Kim Jong Il was a great saint who, by victoriously leading the DPRK-US showdown, secured peace for billions of people.

As Vishwanath, a prominent social figure in India, wrote, H. E. Generalissimo Kim Jong Il was a heaven sent man for the good of mankind; such a great man is born once in ten centuries.

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.

Pueblo Incident: Lesson for the US

Half a century ago, on January 23, 1968, the US armed spy ship Pueblo was captured by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The reason why this incident still draws international attention is that the US, oblivious of the lesson from the Pueblo incident, persists in its unchanged policy hostile towards the DPRK.

The First Captured US Ship

The US had long been seeking to invade the DPRK and occupy the whole of the Korean peninsula. It had the armed spy ship Pueblo, equipped with the latest spying facilities at that time, intrude into the territorial waters of the DPRK: While spying on major military secrets like various military installations, deployment of armed forces and the movements of the naval vessels of the Korean People’s Army the Pueblo and its 80-odd crew members were captured by the KPA naval force that was on regular guard duty in the territorial waters off Wonsan. It was a noteworthy event that the Pueblo, which had been committing undisguised acts of espionage in the waters of other countries including the Soviet Union without being captured, was captured by the DPRK. Americans cried out that the Pueblo was the first US ship to be captured on the sea after the Civil War. It shook the whole world.

The One and Only Letter of Apology in the History of America

When the Pueblo was captured, America went crazy. Saying that it would “retaliate” and “take it back by means of force if necessary,” it dispatched a battle group led by aircraft carrier Enterprise to the waters near the East Sea of Korea, bringing the situation on the Korean peninsula to the brink of war. It brought pressure to bear upon the country through some socialist countries friendly with the DPRK. It even threatened to use nuclear weapons. It thought that the DPRK would yield if it threatened the country with military means as it had done with the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis. But the response of the DPRK was an unexpected one–retaliation for “retaliation” and all-out war for all-out war.

Overawed by the harder line of the DPRK filled with its will to defend its independence, the US submitted a letter of apology to the DPRK government at the end of that year. In the letter, the US government acknowledged that the Pueblo had illegally intruded into the territorial waters of the DPRK and committed acts of espionage and hostility and gave firm assurance that no US ships would intrude again into the territorial waters of the DPRK.

It is said that after going over the document, the then US President Johnson lamented, saying that it was the only letter of apology in the history of America after its birth.

Pueblo Incident Is Not Simply an Event of the Past

The American newspaper Pueblo Chieftain, dated January 22, 2008, carried a commentary on the occasion of the 40^th year after the capture of Pueblo, in which it wrote that Pueblo was the first vessel to be captured in the history of the US Navy, and that the damage done was equivalent to that by an H-bomb.

The US should have learnt a due lesson from this incident. But over the past half a century after this incident it has continuously destroyed peace on the Korean peninsula and the stability in the region. Recently, the situation has spun out of control owing to the US president’s remarks that called for total destruction of the DPRK. And denouncing the DPRK’s nuclear deterrent as a “threat to the US and the world,” it is intensifying nuclear threat and blackmail against the country.

But all these efforts prove futile.

The US moves to unleash a war and extreme sanctions have only made the country grow stronger and justified its possession of nuclear weapons.

If the US forgets the lesson from the Pueblo incident and persists in its hostile policy towards the DPRK and war manoeuvres, it will only hasten its own final downfall.

The US would be well advised never to forget the lesson from the Pueblo incident.

Kim Jong Un Visits Newly-Remodeled Pyongyang Teacher Training College

Pyongyang, January 17 (KCNA) -- Respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un visited the newly-remodeled Pyongyang Teacher Training College.

In February Last year he gave instructions to turn the college into a model put on a scientific, IT and modern basis at a high level and generalize it across the country and solved all problems arising in its reconstruction.

Officials, party members and working people of Pyongyang City completed the project for updating the college with a total floor space of more than 24 100 square meters in a short period, true to his intention.

The Supreme Leader highly appreciated them for having successfully turned the college into a world-level exemplary one.

Going round a room dedicated to the history of the college, an education science exhibition hall, an education control room, a multi-function class room, a library, a gymnasium, a dormitory and other parts of the college, he learned in detail about its modernization and educational work.

The college, founded in September 1968, could cover a proud course of development under the wise guidance and                                                             meticulous              care of

President Kim II Sung and leader Kim Jong II over the past years, he said, urging its officials and teaching staff to devote their wisdom and passion to the educational work, well aware of their important duty, and thus add shine to the immortal exploits of the great leaders.

Saying that he was very glad to see the college equipped with ultra-modern education facilities, school things and operation facilities, he expressed his great satisfaction over them.

Education is a patriotic work of lasting significance for the country's future and the teacher training colleges have an important role to play in glorifying the DPRK as a country of education and a talent power by bringing about a radical improvement in education in the new century, he said.

He added that the Party remodeled Pyongyang Teacher Training College with much care as it attaches importance to the teacher training colleges, a pedigree establishment for training teachers in charge of the education of children and that every province should spruce up colleges of education with it as a model.

He stressed that the teaching staff of the country, including teachers of the college, should dedicate their ardent patriotism and pure conscience to the educational work, well conscious of being the master of education and the work for improvement in education in the new century.

Expressing belief that the officials, teachers and students of the college would fulfill their duty in the work to put the preschool and primary school education on a fresh scientific basis, he had a photo session with them.

Accompanying him were Pak Thae Song, vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, and Jo Yong Won, vice department director of the C.C., WPK.

Kim Jong Un Inspects State Academy of Sciences

Respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un gave field guidance to the State Academy of Sciences.

The Supreme Leader, accompanied by officials, made a bow before the statues of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il at the academy.

He went round the newly remodelled revolutionary museum there.

Watching with keen interest the valuable historic data and relics, he said that the academy, founded in December 1952 on the initiative of Kim Il Sung, could advance along the road of glorious development under the care of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

He underscored the need to do well the ideological education through the revolutionary museum so as to let all scientists bear in mind the unshakable faith that science knows no frontiers but they have the base of science and the precious socialist country which they should serve with science and that they will engage themselves in science only under the red flag of the Workers' Party of Korea and thus make them glorify the noble ideas of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il with great successes in scientific researches.

He looked round the Exhibition of Scientific Research Successes.

Noting that the exhibition was remodelled well and a great deal of scientific research achievements and exhibits are on display, he said that fruits of our scientists' brains are very admirable and this place is a treasure house of self-reliance and self-development and the academy is the birthplace of self-reliance and self- development.

Though they are hard pressed for everything under the difficult conditions, our scientists do a great work in the struggle for developing the national economy and improving the people's standard of living, he said. He sent his warm greetings to all the scientists and technicians across the country and bestowed great favours on the academy with special bonus.

He said the one of the secrets that the Korean revolution could make great strides despite stern ordeals and difficulties and the strategic position of our Republic could be strengthened considerably was that we have staked the sovereignty and prestige of the country and nation and the destiny of socialism on science and technology and directed primary efforts to the sci-tech development. Thanks to the foundation of self-supporting national economy, scientific and technical forces trained with our own efforts and their clear heads, there are no difficulties insurmountable for us despite the enemies' sanctions of 10 years or 100 years, he added.

We should channel big efforts into the work with talents of science and technology, respect them, solve in good time knotty problems so that they may not feel inconvenience in their researches and life and, at the same time, continue to increase investment in scientific researches, he said. He discussed the measures to better the State Academy of Sciences and Wisong Scientists Residential District.

He expressed expectations and belief that the officials and scientists of the academy would make a tangible contribution to building a prosperous and powerful country with scientific research successes before having a photo session with them.

Accompanying him were Pak Thae Song, vice-chairman of the C.C., WPK, Choe Tong Myong, department director of the C.C., WPK, and Jo Yong Won, vice department director of the C.C., WPK.

Inter-Korean High-Level Talks Held

Panmunjom, January 9 (KCNA) -- Inter-Korean high-level talks were held on Tuesday at the "house of peace" in the south side portion of Panmunjom amid great expectations and interests of all the fellow countrymen and people at home and abroad.

Present there were a delegation of the north side led by Ri Son Gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country of the DPRK, and a delegation of south side with Minister of Unification Jo Myong Gyun as chief delegate.

At the talks the north and south authorities discussed in earnest the principled issues arising in successfully holding the 23rd Winter Olympics in south Korea and improving the inter-Korean relations, and adopted the following joint press release.

Joint press release of inter-Korean high-level talks Inter-Korean high-level talks were held at Panmunjom on Jan. 9.

At the talks both sides had sincere discussions of the participation of a delegation of the north side in the 23rd Winter Olympics and Paralympics and the improvement of the inter-Korean relations in conformity with the desire and expectations of all the Koreans and agreed as follows:

The north and the south agreed to proactively cooperate in ensuring that the 23rd Winter Olympics and Paralympics in the south side area would be successfully held, providing an occasion for enhancing the prestige of the nation.

In this regard the north side agreed to send a delegation of the National Olympic Committee, sports teams, a cheer group, an art troupe, a Taekwon-do demonstration group and a press corps along with a high-level delegation to the Olympics, and the south side agreed to provide conveniences needed for them.

Both sides agreed to open working-level talks with regard to the north's dispatching of an advance party for a field tour beforehand and participation in the Winter Olympics, and agreed to discuss a schedule in the way of exchange of documents hereafter.

The north and the south agreed to make concerted efforts to ease the military tension, create a peaceful environment on the Korean peninsula and promote national reconciliation and unity.

They shared the viewpoint that the present military tension should be ironed out and for this agreed to have talks between the military authorities.

They agreed to promote national reconciliation and unity by invigorating contacts and travels, and exchange and cooperation in various fields.

The north and the south agreed to respect the north-south declarations and solve all problems arising in inter-Korean relations through dialogue and negotiations on the principle of By Our Nation Itself.

For doing this, both sides agreed to have talks of every field along with high-level talks between the north and the south aimed at improving the inter-Korean relations.