Nurse reveals the top 5 regrets people make on their deathbed

Bronnie Ware says; for many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives. People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality.

I learnt never to underestimate someone’s capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal. Each experienced a variety of emotions, as expected, denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance. Every single patient found their peace before they departed though, every one of them.

When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five:

See what they said >> Read Article

A Spanish Aristocrat to North Korea - Alejandro Cao de Benos

[News Article Translated] North Korea launches a challenge in the United States? You laugh or what? It would be rather than our nation responds to the continual assault of American imperialism.

"Our nuclear arsenal, we cannot give it up, it is our way of protecting us. If the war breaks out soon, will not our responsibility, trust me!"

His voice remains posed, the flow is fluid, without invective and access of wrath.

The man who confides on the phone to release from his native Catalonia is preparing his suitcases: the next morning, he will fly to Pyongyang and join "his brothers", and this country which granted him nationality and to which he devoted his life.

"First and foremost, I am a soldier in the service of the Chief of staff of the people's army."

In his trunks, he has folded his decorated military uniform of five decorations carefully: "my favorite, this is the smallest, the Red Star, the order of the seventh regiment."

Alejandro Cao Benos, 37 years old, is a character out of standards. An offshoot of Castilian aristocratic lineages whose roots plunge into the val d'Aran Pyrenean, born in a small village near Tarragona - where he resides-, and which performs a function without none: "Special delegate of North Korean foreign relations", explains. That is, the voice of Pyongyang out of its borders. A kind of honorary consul with any latitude to spread the propaganda of the Communist dynasty, defend it tooth and nail against the "media attacks on our people's Republic", and attempt to unite entrepreneurs, journalists and personalities to the cause.

The "special delegate" organizes trips to Pyongyang, which includes the delicate management of visas; that day, he took the head of a delegation of Algerian and Lithuanians.

"I am the only Westerner to enter and exit at will" of North Korea."

In addition to his salary of computer scientist, these trips provide an income. "As for the rest, everything is at my expense, including flights."

Monk-soldier.This is a decade already, that Cao de Benos has been working as single origin non-Korean Ambassador. With the Pyongyang authorities, communications would be daily, by mail, in English.

"For me, it is the reward of a passion, a commitment and a total loyalty."

At the age of 16, this rather lonely Catalan feels caught by Communist ideology, the books of Marx or Lenin and, by chance, thoughts of Kim Il-Sung, the founder of the dynasty, died in 1994.

"This was a shot at my heart. At the same time, I met a North Korean family in Madrid, full of wisdom. Between ideology and Eastern fascination, my life was going to take the sense."

It then multiplies the trips to Pyongyang, creates a Korean Friendship Association - which he is still president. By dint of dedication, the regime allows in 2000 this computer engineer to create a website it supplies at its option. Cao de Benos behaves as a monk-soldier of an indefensible case, travel across Europe to bring the good word of the "Great Leader" (he wears a red pin bearing his effigy) and deal with some talent, speaking to the most embarrassing questions. "In general, we wonder not, it attacks us. Me, I defend."

Whenever North Korea upsets news - these days, for example-, number of media him serve as tribune, between benevolence and perplexity. And it is wasting its time to discuss with him the famines, a fierce dictatorship, the cult of personality, the Gulag or ideological brainwashing. "The imperialist propaganda", retorts invariably, everywhere where he is invited to give a lecture. Gagged democracy?

"We are a popular democracy, the production belongs to the people, it is better than false capitalist democracies. During the official funeral of Kim Jong-Il, winter 2011, he said having sobbed. He would have received a gift of his own day a tea service: pride."

And then, still on the tone of confidence: "La Korea, it's a big family. Our leader, today Kim Jong-Un, is a father to the people. There, it's like another planet, where money is not the purpose of existence. Businesses are managed through popular assemblies. The values are collective; respect, education, honor. The principles inherited from Confucius and Buddha."

Exotic character. Cao de Benos is inexhaustible on his adopted country, but little verbose on his grandfathers aristocrats, his catalan entourage, his daily life, his friendships - 'I lost not bad, because my beliefs'. He is often traveling. By mid-March, invited to Bilbao, he is questioned by separatists on the basque issue: 'Start by nationalizing the means of production', he says them.

In Korea - he said to spend six months a year. Cao de Benos would be like a fish in water. There, it is no longer Alejandro, but 'Cho Sun', and his visits are fully supported by the regime. It is seen as an exotic character, bald and double chin, still dressed in the khaki uniform lapel pin. On television, people can see it address the crowd by reading a revolutionary pamphlet or user of his tenor voice to sing songs to the glory of the 'Great Leader'. "My Korean may be rudimentary, this makes the effect, you know. I am rather known, there."

Member of the party of labour of Korea (KWP), hidalgo 'Cho Sun' ensures have contacts at the highest level, including with the president of the people's Assembly, Kim Yong nam. Is this safe? ' I doubt it a bit, it is not always because of the events, told a Spanish journalist based in Asia. '' Anyway, it's good to take for the regime. Cao de Benos would be almost sympathetic if its activities were not on behalf of a terrible dictatorship. There is something detestable in there."

Mid-April, "Cho Sun" will attend without fail in the commemorations of the birth of Kim Il-sung. "I am before a soldier of the people's Republic", he recalls. It to believe, he would recruit successfully among of young communists - especially Spanish - European international swelled to 'defend the Korea'. And concluded: "As for me, if the United States we are war, I do not know when and if I got."

Special Thanks to Liberation.Fr


By FRANÇOIS MUSSEAU | Original Article

Traditional Kiteflying in the DPRK

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Kiteflying is one of the folk games enjoyed by Korean children from olden times. Flying paper kite high up into the sky on the current of wind is a folk game with a long history. The history book "The Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms" writes that kite was used in battlefield to destroy the enemy and another book "History of Koryo Dynasty" also has a record on kite. Kite is diverse in kind and playing method and tricks.

Ordinary traditional kite is somewhat rectangular or ray-shaped. It is said that kites were made as large as gate at seaside villages with strong wind, and smaller in the inlands with comparatively light wind. The kites have two to three tails. The children play various kiteflying games including high flying, kite tricks and kite fighting.

High flying is the most ordinary game. The children compete to send the kite higher than others, taking advantage of the current of wind. The kite fighting is a game to decide whose string is strongest by crossing and cutting the string of other´s kite. In the kite tricks the competitors pull or let loose the strings of kites to send the kites suddenly up and down or to the left or to the right.

Usually kiteflying is played in winter. Especially so many children fly kites on the Lunar New Year´s Day that it can be called a kiteflying holiday. Kiteflying is a very good game to develop the talents and wisdom of children and build up their bodies. Today, too, kiteflying is active amid great interest of the children in keeping with the aesthetic sense and emotion of the times.

Kim Jong Un Enjoys Sports Contest of Military Academies

On Monday in celebration of the birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung, a sports contest of teachers and cadets of military academies took place.

Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, appeared on the grandstand.

Among the spectators were Choe Ryong Hae, Jang Song Thaek, Hyon Yong Chol, Kim Kyok Sik, Kim Kyong Hui, Kim Kyong Ok, Hwang Pyong So, and generals and officers of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces, and teachers and cadets of military academies, and officials, journalists, editors, creators and artistes in the fields of media and literature and arts of the KPA.

There took place a volleyball game between Kim Il Sung Military University and Kim Il Sung University of Politics.

Both teams lost no time to grasp their rivals' tactical ideas and modes of playing and dexterously applied counter-tactics to gain points through surprise attacks and strong smashes.

The military university won the game.

Then followed a basketball game between the two universities.

The players of both teams applyed combined tactics with main emphasis on rapid attack. They also applied closed up shot and middle and long distance shots to gain points.

The players of the two teams skillfully applied a variety of tactics to break their rivals' defense through agile and rapid playing. They penetrated into the rivals' courts, increasing the rate of closed up shot.

He clapped his hands to encourage the players whenever they displayed good skills.

Kim Il Sung Military University won the hot basketball match.

Korean chess contest and tug of war also took place that day.

Kim Il Sung Military University emerged a winner in the Korean chess and Kim Il Sung University of Politics in the tug of war.

He was greatly satisfied with the successful sports contest of teachers and cadets of military academies and sent a warm salute to the players who showed the spirit of collectivism and played fair matches.

Life of President Kim Il Sung

The life of the great leader of the Korean people Kim Il Sung was a life brilliant with field guidance. He called on the people, walking rugged roads rain or snow. Since he left his home village Mangyongdae and set out on the road of revolution President Kim Il Sung always found himself among the people and, relying on them, waged an arduous revolutionary struggle against the Japanese imperialists and liberated the country.

After he returned home in triumph after liberation, he called on the workers of the then Kangson Steel Works, passing by his longed-for native home within a hailing distance. He made a long, ceaseless journey of field guidance from the beginning of the building of a new society to the last days of his life.



Here is a touching story. On the way back from his field guidance to several local areas in the early autumn of Juche 36 or 1947 President Kim Il Sung called at a remote mountain hamlet in Yangdok. When he visited his simple house, the old host, showing him a notebook in which he had jotted down his excitement of the day, said: "I wrote in this notebook that General Kim Il Sung visited my home. I will hand it down to my children." With a smile on his face President Kim Il Sung warmly said to him that he should write that golds should be picked from all mountains and hand it down to the children.

The life of his field guidance is decorated with such legend-like stories. In the last days of his life, too, President Kim Il Sung made all efforts for the people´s happiness on the road of his field guidance.

The footprints of his field guidance are found in all parts of the country ranging from the northern border of the country to a rural village near the demarcation line, from a small fishing port on the east coast to a far-off island on the West Sea. The course of the field guidance he made for the people all his life is as long as 14 rounds of the globe and a half. Indeed, the life of the great President Kim Il Sung was a life of field guidance he made for the happiness of the people and for the prosperity of the country.



 

Eternal Leader Kim Il Sung: The sun shines forever

Name of the Sun: Kim Il Sung was the sun. History hasn't ever known an instance that a man was praised as the sun. The great leader President Kim Il Sung was praised by the people as the sun already in his teens. When Korea was reduced to a colony of the Japanese imperialists, young people of new generation gathered around him with a will to fight against the occupational forces.

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Kim Kyong Hui, lecturer of the Korean Revolution Museum, has this to say:

 

"It was the young vanguards of the first generation of the Korean revolution who named President Kim Il Sung after the sun before others and announced it. The young people of new generation who had wandered about with the sorrow over the occupied nation, set out on the road of revolution led by President Kim Il Sung, singing the song of revolution, the song of struggle, and could enjoy a life as revolutionaries. How great he is! Completely fascinated by the idea, humanity and personality of the young leader, the young people maintained in unison that the great leader Kim Il Sung should be the ´bright sun of Korea´."

Sun of Korea! It was a desire and hope of the 20 million Korean people in those days. People respected him as the sun. President Kim Il Sung lived up to the people´s expectation and trust with his devotion and immortal achievements all his life. He defeated the most ferocious US and Japanese imperialists and liberated the country, defended the country from the imperialist aggression and built socialist system on this land to prosper forever.

 

Kim Il Sung created the man-centred Juche idea, the great guiding idea, and opened the road of historic march for global independence. The sun is the source of life bringing all things back to life. Thanks to President Kim Il Sung, the Korean people could be freed from the status of stateless slaves and enjoy a life of independent man and this country could demonstrate its dignity to the world as a proud independent, sovereign state. The name of President Kim Il Sung praised as the sun will shine forever along with the fatherland.

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Sunflower Follows Only the Sun: All the Korean people remember an unforgettable story. This happened during the great Fatherland Liberation War in the early 1950s. During the temporary strategic retreat President Kim Il Sung met a farmer driving a cart on a pass. Here is a dialogue between President Kim Il Sung and the ordinary farmer who is said to have come a long way from Popdong, Kangwon Province, which still touches the heartstrings of the people.

 

•   Well, where are you going deep at night, old man?


•   To the north. There is no place to go, but to the north, now.


•   No way to go, but to the north? Why are you going to the north?


•   Why? I am going to General Kim Il Sung together with the armymen.


•   What are you going to him for during the war?


•   What for? ... When we go to him, there will be a way out and we can win the war.

These were the answers given by the simple farmer to President Kim Il Sung at the most difficult time. More than 40 years later in Juche 83 or 1994, after the demise of President Kim Il Sung, the people saw his portrait smiling as bright as the sun as in his lifetime in the street of bidding last farewell to him. In the world only President Kim Il Sung remains immortal, smiling so brightly even after his demise. The people realized it from the bottom of their hearts.

 

The following happened when a slogan of leader´s immortality was being engraved on a tower in the Kwangbok Street. An old man who had come to the construction site asked the builders time and again. "What letters are you engraving? Will you tell me once again?" "We are engraving on the tower ´The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung will always be with us´." Later, looking up at the slogan clear under the morning sunshine, the old man quietly said to himself. "Right. Our leader remains alive. He is the sun in the sky!" People found the old man cleaning the pedestal of the tower from the day. People´s minds were and are invariable like the sunflower following the sun.

 

The Sun Is Eternal:During their visit to the International Friendship Exhibition House people learned that President
Kim Il Sung was receiving gifts from foreign friends even after his demise. It was unprecedented in the history of great persons.

World friends said with admiration:

"President Kim Il Sung is the greatest of great men who was great in his lifetime, but became greater after his demise."

W. A. Duminduwardane, Secretary General of the Sri Lanka-People´s Korea Friendship Association, said:

"In 1982 I met the great leader President Kim Il Sung greeting his birthday and had a picture taken with him and was invited to a luncheon given by him. The great President Kim Il Sung is with us today, too. We will make efforts to inform the people of the Juche idea better in the future, too. Warmly recalling the undying achievements of the great President Kim Il Sung and the respect of the Korean people for him, all of us are more convinced that he will always be with us."

In more than 100 countries of the world there are streets, institutions and organizations named after President Kim Il Sung, such as Kim Il Sung Class, Kim Il Sung Street, Kim Il Sung Kindergarten and Kim Il Sung Institute. Foreigners awarded him supreme orders of their countries and hold him in high esteem as honorary citizen. Kimilsungia is in bloom in all parts of the earth. It is a manifestation of the boundless reverence of humanity for the great man of the century.

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Jon Ha Chol, Director of an Institute of the Academy of Social Sciences, has this to say:

"President Kim Il Sung, the great leader of our people and the sun of humanity recognized by the whole world, was a great leader, great revolutionary, great military strategist and great artist of leadership with gifted wisdom, unusual leadership ability and noble virtues."

For his extraordinary great personality and feats the great leader President Kim Il Sung will always be immortal in the minds of the Korean people and the progressive humanity of the world. The sun shines forever.

National Meeting Marks Birth Anniversary of Kim Il Sung

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A national meeting took place at the April 25 House of Culture Sunday to celebrate the 101st birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung.

Present there were Kim Yong Nam, Pak Pong Ju, Choe Ryong Hae and other senor party, state and army officials, the chairpersons of friendly parties, officials of party, armed forces and power organs, public organizations, ministries and national institutions, service personnel of the Korean People's Army and the Korean People's Internal Security Forces, officials in the fields of science, education, literature and arts, public health and media, bereaved families of revolutionary martyrs, merited persons, Pyongyangites, delegations of overseas Koreans, overseas compatriots and the chief of the Pyongyang mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front.

Present there on invitation were diplomats of different countries and representatives of international bodies and members of the military attaches corps here.

President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly Kim Yong Nam, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, made a report.

The reporter said that the birth of Kim Il Sung was a great fortune that greeted the sun of Juche, the first of its kind in national history spanning five thousand years and a grandiose event which brought about the dawn in the era of independence for the Korean people and the progressive mankind.

In the first period when he embarked on the road of revolution the President clarified the new truth that independence serves as a lifeline of people, country and nation and that the revolution should be made independently and creatively according to one's own faith, the reporter noted, and continued:

The President expounded in a unique manner the Juche-based revolutionary outlook on the world, basic principles of revolutionary movement and its methodological issues, properly reflecting the independent desire and desire of the popular masses. This revolutionary idea served as encyclopedic guidelines in the struggle for independence and socialism and a powerful militant banner.

He steadily developed the struggle for the country's reunification and relations with other parties and states on the principle of independence, laying a solid foundation for bringing earlier the independent reunification of the country. This fully displayed the external authority and dignity of the Workers' Party of Korea and the state, making tangible contribution to the cause of independence against imperialism and human cause of independence.

The President defeated the formidable U.S. and Japanese imperialist enemies in one generation to save the destiny of the country and nation and create a history and tradition of great victory in the war. These undying feats will shine forever along with the triumphant advance of Songun revolution.

He is the genius of creation and construction and father of socialist Korea as he built socialist society centered on the popular masses regarding socialism as the basic political idea of the Korean revolution.

The revolutionary cause of Juche, Songun revolutionary cause started by Kim Il Sung and glorified by leader Kim Jong Il is making steady progress on a new high stage thanks to the dear respected Kim Jong Un.

We will invariably keep to the road of independence, Songun and socialism which the great Generalissimos followed their whole lives no matter how much water may flow under the bridge and whatever difficulties we may face, thus fulfill our mission and obligation as descendants of Kim Il Sung and soldiers and disciplines of Kim Jong Il.

We should develop the People's Army into an invincible and matchless army strong in idea, bolster both in quality and quantity the nuclear force, life of the nation and national treasure of reunified Korea that can never be bartered for anything, and wage a stronger all-out action with the U.S. to cope with the prevailing wartime situation, true to the Songun leadership of Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un.

All party members, service personnel and people should burn their hearts with Kim Jong Il's patriotism, do more good things conducive to the building of a thriving nation, greet the 65th anniversary of the DPRK and the 60th anniversary of the victory in the Fatherland Liberation War with high political enthusiasm and brilliant labor feats and thus demonstrate to the world the invincible spirit of Songun Korea by carrying forward the ever-victorious history and tradition.

The DPRK will develop external relations with other countries in the idea of independence, peace and friendship and make active contribution to defending the peace and stability in Asia and the rest of the world and the cause of global independence as a responsible nuclear weapons state.

Such celebration meetings also took place on Sunday in all provinces, cities (districts), counties and industrial complexes.

Meanwhile, similar meetings took place in provinces, cities (districts) and counties and at complexes. -0-

National Calligraphic Festival - Fine Art Exhibition Open

Pyongyang, April 10 (KCNA) -- A national calligraphic festival was opened to celebrate the birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung.

It brought together calligraphers, fans, school youth and students and children across the country. On display there are more than 300 pieces of calligraphic works reflecting aphorisms of the peerlessly great persons of Mt. Paektu and the fighting spirit and firm resolution of the service personnel and people of the DPRK who are bringing about an epochal phase in building a thriving nation under the leadership of the dear respected Marshal Kim Jong Un.

On display there are works "Immortality", "Bloodline of Mangyongdae", "Blessing of Sun" depicting the boundless reverence of the army and people of the DPRK for Generalissimo Kim Il Sung who devoted his whole life to the prosperity of the country and its people's happiness all his life.

"Sun of Songun", "Padded Clothes", "Kim Jong Il's Patriotism" and other works deal with the undying feats the great Generalissimo Kim Jong Il performed by putting the DPRK on the status of a nuclear weapons state, satellite manufacturer and launcher while making a long journey of patriotic devotion under the uplifted banner of Songun.

Words and slogans carrying with revolutionary and profound intention and calligraphic works done in a dynamic and vibrant writing style reflect the faith and will of the service personnel and people of the DPRK to energetically push forward the building of a thriving nation, rallied close around Marshal Kim Jong Un.

An opening ceremony took place at the Pyongyang International House of Culture Wednesday. Present there were Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the C.C., the Workers' Party of Korea, officials concerned, creators, fine art lovers, Pyongyangites, school youth and students and children.

Hong Kwang Sun, Minister of Culture made an opening address, meanwhile the Songhwa Fine Art Exhibition opened that day.

 

USA (New York) Red Youth Demands Peace with North Korea!

What a great show of peace and education, along with a non-violent protest by the Red Youth of New York. Watch this video and see USA civilians trying to educate and protest the latest developments between the United States, ROK and the DPRK. All we can hope and pray for is peace and it is great to see some brave Americans talking with other New Yorkers about the DPRK and their position. Great job Red Youth! What are you thoughts?

Great Songun Commander Demonstrated Dignity of Korea

On April 9, Juche 82 or 1993, the Korean people elected the great Kim Jong Il Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People´s Republic of Korea. Upon the exciting news, the people across the country exclaimed with delight:

"It is a pride and greatest fortune of the nation to have General Kim Jong Il. Thanks to him, the future of Korea is bright and rosy."

It was an expression of absolute support and trust of the army and people for Kim Jong Il with prominent political and military ability.

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During the anti-Japanese war Kim Jong Il was born and grew up, hearing the gun report as lullaby. In his teens he fostered the wisdom and stratagem of brilliant commander at the operation table of the Supreme Command. And he guided the People´s Army from Juche 49 or 1960. In the late 20th century the world situation was complex, because some socialist countries collapsed.

The Korean people also faced grim trials. Unprecedentedly arduous days continued in Korea due to repeated natural disasters and the isolation and suffocation moves of the imperialists after the great national misfortune of demise of the great President Kim Il Sung, founder of socialist Korea, in Juche 83 or 1994. Concerning the then situation, foreign publications wrote that "the existence of north Korea itself is a miracle".

Kim Jong Il held higher the banner of Songun or military-first policy, saying Songun is the life, independence and dignity of Korea. He called on service persons of the People´s Army on the forefront ranging from the post in young pine woods to forefront units, secluded island posts, Chol Pass, Mt. Osong and Heights 351 and 1211, crossing rugged passes and ploughing raging waves.

Under the great banner of Songun Korea has become an invincible military power and the Korean People´s Army grown stronger as the formidable revolutionary army of Mt. Paektu, demonstrating their dignity and might. Korea has become a man-made earth satellite manufacturer and launcher, nuclear state and power of knowledge-based economy dynamically advancing towards the world. Indeed, the exploits performed by the great Kim Jong Il for the prosperity of socialist Korea were extraordinary.

Witnessing the reality of Korea, the world spoke highly of the strategy and courage of Kim Jong Il who brought a great victory without yielding to any threat and blackmail of the US imperialists.

"It is an unimaginable reality that the solemn prelude to the building of a prosperous nation sounded in Korea where the defence of the country in confrontation with the United States is regarded as a mysterious thing and maintenance of status quo without falling down as a miracle."

A great leap was brought about in Korea under the banner of Songun.    A lot of Juche iron, Juche fibre and Juche fertilizer were produced and a drive to surpass the cutting edge was brisk across the country. Large, medium and minor power stations have been built and many factories reconstructed in all parts of the country and hundreds of thousand hectares of land rezoned. Not only that. The Taedonggang Combined Fruit Farm and other fruit producers and unique houses have been newly built, face-lifting the country.

Jang Kyong Nyom, Director of a Department of the Ministry of Light Industry, has this to say:

"The bygone days are significant days reminding all our people of what a great Songun commander they had. As the great Kim Jong Il consolidated the military might of the country as firmly as today, the National Meeting of Light Industrial Workers could be held some time ago even in the touch-and-go sitation where a war may break out at any time due to the repeated ´resolutions on sanctions´ and nuclear war moves of the US imperialists and their followers, I think. At that time our hearts swelled with a pride and honour of victor. Greatness of a country and nation depends on what a great leader they have. Historical experience shows that a country led by wrong leader will be weak though it has a large territory and large population."

The immortal exploits of the great Kim Jong Il for the times and history, for the country and people will shine for all ages.

Military Attaches Corps Visits Mangyongdae Revolutionary School

The military attaches corps here visited Mangyongdae Revolutionary School on Monday on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK. The members of the corps laid a floral basket before the statues of the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at the school before paying tribute to them.

They looked round the room devoted to the education in the revolutionary history and various lecture rooms, being briefed on the undying exploits of the peerlessly great persons of Mt. Paektu who worked heart and soul to the work for bringing up the children of revolutionary martyrs as successors to the revolutionary cause of Juche.

At the end of the visit Hassan Reza Husseini, military attache of the Iranian embassy who is leading the attaches corps, made an entry at the visitors' book.

Farming preparations make headway in the DPRK

Wheat and barley sowing begins on the Jangchon Vegetable Farm in Sadong District, Pyongyang. Farmers across the country are now stepping up farming preparations eager to hit the target of grain production for this year.

Statistics say the collection and transportation of manure to the field and other farming preparations are going full steam ahead in the final stage throughout the country and the spring sowing of wheat and barley seeds are at its height.

The farmers in North Hwanghae and Phyongan Provinces registered good results in the collection and transport of manure.

The Jongbang Cooperative Farm in Sariwon City and other farms in Unpha and Suan Counties in North Hwanghae Province collected a large amount of manure in townships while producing as much hukposan fertilizer as possible, exceeding the planned compost production targets.

The farmers on the Osan Cooperative Farm in Jongju City and the Unha Cooperative Farm in Unjon County, North Phyongan Province, positively applied productive methods of compost-making and finished the transportation of the produced compost to rice paddies and dry fields.

Many farms including the Oguk Cooperative Farm in Anak County and the Samjigang Cooperative Farm in Jaeryong County in South Hwanghae Province and the Sinsong Cooperative Farm in Kumya County and the Phungyang Cooperative Farm in Jongphyong County in South Hamgyong Province set the right places for digging fertile soil and increased the operation of transportation means, thereby finishing the carpeting of paddy and dry fields with new fertile soil in a short time.

The farmers in many counties in the west coastal areas including Chongdan and Unnyul counties in South Hwanghae Province have set themselves a goal of finishing spring sowing in a short time and are carrying out farming processes of seed sprouting and rice-seedling bed laying as scheduled.

On the basis of thorough preparation for the farming of earlier crops, they are now sowing seeds of spring wheat and barley as required by the technical specifications.

The farmers in North Hamgyong and Kangwon Provinces and Nampho City have also secured proper amount of materials for making rice seedling beds and seeds of high-yield crop species that suit their specific climate and soil conditions. Efforts have continuously been directed to improving acid soil and cold and humid land.

The DPRK’s first Paralympic delegation

Did you know that the first paralympic delegation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea participated in the 2012 international Paralympics was held in London from August 29, 2012?

The activities of disabled athletes in the country took a new shape and began to develop vivaciously when the DPRK Athletic Association of the Disabled Persons was organized under official approval of the government.

It started to cause great public interest with two rounds of table tennis games of disabled persons and their benefactors in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Thanks to the positive efforts of the central committee of the Korean Federation for Care of the Disabled and the DPRK Athletic Association of the Disabled Persons the public understanding of the people with disabilities improved considerably, and the government gave an endorsement to the National Paralympic Committee in August 2011 in an effort to keep the sports activities of the disabled people in step with the international trend.

 

Thus the DPRK National Paralympic Committee was organized in November 2011 and sent a delegation to the 15th general assembly of the International Paralympic Committee and a relevant conference held in Beijing in December the same year.

The general assembly gave a unanimous vote for the semi-membership of the Korean National Paralympic Committee and the semi-membership took effect officially on March 8, 2012.

Archery Comes under Public Attention in the DPRK

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Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, though busy with his ceaseless inspection of military frontline units, recently watched an archery match between the April 25 Defense Sports Team and the Amnokgang Defense Sports Team and had a picture taken with players.

From the ancient times archery has been regarded in Korea as a symbol of resourcefulness and bravery. It was one of the martial arts in the medieval age, along with horse riding, fencing and spearing.

Archery developed onto a higher level particularly in the period of Koguryo Kingdom (B.C. 277-A.D. 668). King Tongmyong, founder of Koguryo, was called Ju Mong in Korean which means a master hand at archery.

Archery has been one of the sporting events in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea since the 1960s. The DPRK proved successful in the event in some international tournaments.

Ri Chol Hyon, senior coach of the Amnokgang Defense Sports Team, told KCNA:

"It is my plan to develop the nation's archery technique onto a higher level than that in the 1970s-1980s. I am sure that it is one of feasible events for the DPRK.

The team has paid big efforts to putting the archery training on a scientific basis."

Inspired by Kim Jong Un's call for winning the world championship in the archery event, the coaches and players of the team are now intensifying training in high spirits.

Kang Hui Ryon, 19, an archer, said:

"I was honored to have a picture taken with Marshal Kim Jong Un.

I will pay up to his expectation with good results in international games." -0-

 

The Hakdanggol Revolutionary Site

The Hakdanggol Revolutionary Site is in the heart of Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic People´s Republic of Korea. A monument is standing there with an inscription engraved against sculpture of the green pine tree.

Lecturer Ko Un Ha explained about the history of Hakdanggol.

"Hakdang Valley is a wide space between the Pyongyang Students and Children´s Palace, the Mansudae Assembly Hall, the Pothong Gate, the Mansudae Art Theatre and the Grand People´s Study House. In the past the place was called Hakdang or School or Hakdang-dong. Because there were many schools such as the Sungsil Secondary School and the Sungui Girls´ School, private schools and village schools."

The lecturer impressively explained about the historical facts a century ago. In the 1910s Korea was completely reduced to a colony of the Japanese imperialists. The outstanding leader of the anti-Japanese national liberation movement of Korea Kim Hyong Jik, father of the great leader Kim Il Sung, embarked on the road of revolutionary struggle to smash the armed enemy with the strength of the Korean nation, keeping the idea of "aim high" that national independence must be achieved through a struggle generation after generation. The lecturer said Kim Hyong Jik made efforts to bring up reliable pivots of a revolutionary organization to be formed in the future while studying at the Pyongyang Sungsil Secondary School in Hakdang Valley from the Spring of 1911.

The lecturer said.

"As his comrades increased one by one, Kim Hyong Jik became a professional revolutionary without finishing the course of the Sungsil Secondary School in order to expand the theatre of the revolutionary activities extensively. He conducted revolutionary activities at the Sunhwa School in Mangyongdae and Myongsin School in Ponghwa-ri using them as centres of his activities as a teacher favourable to the revolutionary activities and powerfully accelerated preparations to form a revolutionary organization in the future."

While listening to the lecturer, I saw in my mind´s eyes the Sunhwa School in Mangyongdae I visit every year. The bell of the Myongsin School in Ponghwa-ri rung by Kim Hyong Jik seemed to be sounding in my ears.

Kim Hyong Jik walked the untrodden path of history for national independence and people´s emancipation. Thanks to his strenuous efforts, the inaugural meeitng of the "Korean National Association" was held in Hakdang Valley on March 23, Juche 6 or 1917. Present there were core champions of independence movement, anti-Japanese movement champions at home and abroad and the patriotic youth and students.

The lecturer said the aim of the "Korean National Association" was to achieve national independence and build a true civilized state with the strength of the Koreans through their unity. The "Korean National Association" expanded its organizations to the wide areas at home and abroad less than half a year after its foundation and included people from all walks of life, soldiers of the Independence Army and even religionists.

Pointing to the inscription, the lecturer said:

"The inscription reads:

´Oh, his high aim for liberation
Shone on the silk-embroidered land of 3,000 ri,
Struck roots deep among the people
Breaking through forest of bayonets
Under the banner of anti-Japanese struggle,
Korea breathed with his intention
Even in far-off foreign land.´

Indeed, the ´Korean National Association´ formed by Kim Hyong Jik was a revolutionary organization for national independence to realize his idea of ´aim high´ and the first anti-Japanese underground revolutionary organization in Korea around the March First Popular Uprising."

The "Korean National Association" was recorded in the history of the Korean revolution.

I left the Hakdanggol Revolutionary Site, firmly believing that the idea of "aim high" of

Kim Hyong Jik is shining brighter thanks to respected Kim Jong Un.

Kim Jong Un Speaks at Light Workers National Meeting

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DPRK state media reported on March 18th 2013 that a national meeting of light industry workers was held in Pyongyang. Attending the meeting from the central leadership were Kim Jong Un, Choe Yong Rim (DPRK Cabinet Premier), Kim Kyong Hui (Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Secretary and Department Director), Kim Ki Nam [KWP Secretary], Mun Kyong Dok (Chief Secretary of the Pyongyang City [municipal] KWP Committee), Ro Tu Chol (DPRK Cabinet Vice Premier and Chairman of the State Planning Commission) and Tae Jong Su (Chief Secretary of the South Hamgyo’ng KWP Provincial Committee) along with “officials of the units taking the lead in carrying out the Party’s policy of light industry and labor innovators, leading officials here and in local areas, officials of economic guidance organs, affiliated fields and working people.”

Choe Yong Rim delivered the national meeting’s report. According to KCNA Choe said in his report “that the history of the development of light industry in the DPRK is a history associated with President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il’s Juche-oriented idea on building light industry, their outstanding leadership and tireless devotion and efforts. Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il regarded it as the supreme principle of the party and state activities to improve the standard of people’s living, regarding it as their maxim to believe in people as in Heaven. The great Generalissimos’ idea of building the Juche-based light industry and their undying leadership feats are being successfully carried forward by Marshal Kim Jong Un.” Choe also “referred to the successes achieved in the light industrial field under the leadership of the WPK in the past” and “called for making great innovations and leap forward in producing consumer goods, steadily pushing forward the modernization of equipment and production processes and producing consumer goods as an all-people movement.”

Choe was followed by other speakers from the party, government and the country’s light industrial sector. Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un then delivered his speech in which he said:

"It is necessary to make the most effective use of the existing production potential to radically increase the production of consumer goods and push forward the modernization and scientification of light industry and thus put it on the world’s advanced level.

The light industry should keep production going at a high rate to massively produce varieties of quality consumer goods.

The industrial establishments in the field of light industry should wage a widespread campaign to improve the quality of consumer goods in order to produce daily necessities favored by people and ones symbolic of their units and impeccable on foreign markets.

In order to solve the issue of raw and other materials for light industry the units tasked to provide funds for the people’s living should increase their roles for the present.

A basic way of solving the issue is to locally produce raw and other materials.

The chemical industry has a big role to play for locally producing those materials.

It is very important to develop the local industry for boosting the production of consumer goods.

The field of light industry should regard it as important task to put light industry on a modern and scientific basis and dynamically push forward it at a high level.

The industrial establishments should have scientists and technicians positively involved in production as required by the trend of developing modern light industry so that they may scientifically analyze all the issues arising in producing goods, improving quality, managing equipment and conducting business activities and solve them by dint of science and technology.

It is important to wage the drive for radically increasing the production of consumer goods through a movement involving all masses and the whole society.

It is necessary to boost the production of varieties of quality consumer goods by waging a widespread August 3 Consumer Goods Production Movement as it was done in the 1980s.

If the field of light industry makes rapid progress ahead of other fields, displaying its vitality, and the whole country intensifies the drive for the production of consumer goods, keeping pace with it, the Party’s plan to radically improve the people’s living standard in near future will be translated into a reality.

Great efforts should be channeled into improving public service while increasing the production of consumer goods.

In order to quickly improve the people’s living standard by bringing about a new turn in the development of light industry

the officials in the field of light industry should increase their responsibility and role.

Officials of the ministries and national institutions in the field of light industry should learn about and grasp in detail the overall situation of light industry and actual conditions of the units under them. On this basis they should command in a responsible manner the operations for solving knotty problems and bringing about a new turn in the development of light industry.

The officials in the field of light industry should reject stiffness, schema, stagnation and depression, work in a unique and resilient manner and shape reasonable management and business strategies to ensure expanded reproduction and reenergize production by their own efforts.

The officials should have ardent patriotism, value their own things and make positive efforts to develop them to be better than others’.

Scientists and technicians should solve scientific and technological issues arising in the on-going production in good time and, at the same time, study and round off innovative plans for producing raw materials for light industry locally and putting machines and equipment and production processes on a CNC and automation basis and develop more new varieties of light industrial products and functional goods.

The whole state should attach importance to light industry and channel great efforts into its development.

Various sectors and units of national economy should render positive help to the field of light industry, bearing in mind the Party’s intention to effect a turn in the people’s living in the shortest possible span of time.

The Party organizations should increase their roles in order to rapidly develop light industry.

We have not a few difficulties and bottlenecks at present but light industry has a bright prospect of its development.

As long as there are a solid foundation of light industry provided by President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il through all their lives’ dedication and the people intensely loyal to the Party’s leadership, a turn is sure to be effected in the development of the light industry and our people will fully enjoy wealth and glory under socialism without fail.

The Party Central Committee firmly believes that the officials and workers in the field of light industry will turn out with confidence of victory and bring about a new turn in its development."

DPRK Central Zoo

Pyongyang, March 11 (KCNA) -- Citizens of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, including school youth and children, spend a pleasant time at the Central Zoo in Taesong District, Pyongyang.

1,000-ri Journey for Learning

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Today is the 90th anniversary of the 1,000-ri or 400-kilometre journey for learning made by the great President Kim Il Sung.

I visited the Mangyongdae Revolution Museum in Pyongyang on the occasion. Mangyongdae is in spring when buds began to shoot and spring breeze is warm. I expressed great admiration at the beautiful scenery of Mangyongdae, when a lecturer told me that the name of "Mangyongdae" means a place with a multitude of beautiful views.

And she guided me into the Mangyongdae Revolution Museum. Attentively looking round the historical materials and remains displayed in every room together with other visitors, I entered the 4th Room. Displayed there were materials concerning President Kim Il Sung´s "1,000-ri journey for learning".

In front of a large-size electronic jewel picture depicting the route of the "1,000-ri journey for learning" lecturer Ho Un Jong said:.

"The great leader President Kim Il Sung graduated the Badaogou Primary School with straight A´s in early Juche 12 or 1923. In those days, Kim Hyong Jik thought of the future of his son Kim Il Sung and said: ´You had better study in Korea from now on. A man of Korea must have a good knowledge of Korea. While studying in the home village, you must experience the miserable life of the Korean people. Then you will know what you should do.´

President Kim Il Sung set out on the ´1,000-ri journey for learning´ on March 16th, Juche 12 or 1923, amid the send-off of his parents and friends. More than half of the 400 kilometres he had to walk was steep mountains with beasts of prey prowling about even in broad daylight."

As I was solemnly looking at the oil painting "Great leader Kim Il Sung arriving at the native home in Mangyongdae after the ´1000-ri journey for learning´", the lecturer said:

"President Kim Il Sung entered the courtyard of his native home in Mangyongdae around sunset on March 29, 1923, fourteen days after his departure from Badaogou. Spinning in the room next to the kitchen, his grandma was so surprised that she ran out into the courtyard barefoot. She said: ´Your father is crueller than the tiger. A few years later you may try to sit on Mt. Paektu and wash your feet in the East Sea.´ And she admired her grandson."

During his journey from Badaogou to Mangyongdae, President Kim Il Sung experienced the miserable life of the Korean people groaning under the boots of the Japanese imperialists and hardened his resolve to liberate the country.

The lecturer said to me that, later, President Kim Il Sung looked back with deep emotion upon the journey, saying, to him the 400-kilometre journey was a great school that let him know his homeland and his fellow countrymen.

Feeling again that Korea today is possible thanks to the 1,000-ri journey for learning made by President Kim Il Sung in his teens, I left the Mangyongdae Revolution Museum.

DPRK Saying: "A-Match-for-a-Hundred"

This year Juche 102 or 2013 is the 50th year after the slogan "A-Match-for-a-Hundred" was presented in Korea.

The Korean people, seeing the heroic spirit of the Korean People´s Army, an invincible army capable of defeating any aggressors at a blow, look back with deep emotion upon the historic day when the slogan was presented.

The great President Kim Il Sung visited the army post on Mt. Taedok on the forefront on February 6th, Juche 52 or 1963. He met the soldiers and officers who were firmly defending the country and looked round different places of the post together with them.

He taught that all soldiers shoud be trained as "a-match-for-a-hundred" warriors so as to strengthen the People´s Army and increase its fighting capacity. He said, from olden times, a general good at battle was called "a-match-for-a-hundred" warrior, which means one man defeats a hundred foes. He stressed the need to firmly arm the entire servicemen with the indomitable revolutionary spirit so that they could defeat a hundred foes each.

This is how the slogan "A-Match-for-a-Hundred" came into being.

The great Kim Jong Il accompanied President Kim Il Sung visiting the post on Mt. Taedok that day and said the slogan "A-Match-for-a-Hundred" represents a high demand for the servicemen to be competent fighters each of whom can defeat one hundred foes in defensive and offensive battles.

He taught in detail that to prepare the soldiers to be a-match-for-a-hundred, they must arm themselves firmly with the revolutionary idea of President Kim Il Sung, master their arms, impregnably consolidate the positions and become familiar with the tactics of smashing the enemy relying on the positions.

During his Songun-based revolutionary leadership, Kim Jong Il visited the post on Mt. Taedok and called on the soldiers to fully demonstrate the invincible spirit of the heroic KPA by further strengthening military and political trainings under the slogan "A-Match-for-a-Hundred".

Today, too, the post on Mt. Taedok is standing firmly as a symbol of "a-match-for-a-hundred", telling forever about the immortal exploits performed under the Songun-based leadership of the great

Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in the history of army building.

Kim Jong Un Gives Field Guidance to Fish Farm

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The dear respected Marshal Kim Jong Un gave field guidance to the Ryongjong Fish Farm. He said the Ryongjong Fish Farm is a typical fish farm of the Songun era built at the initiative of leader Kim Jong Il and under his energetic guidance.

He recollected the long and tiresome journeys made by Kim Jong Il, exerting devoted efforts to bring about a fresh turn in fish breeding as required by the new century, saying he could not forget November 21, 2010 when he visited there, accompanying the leader.

At the general control room he watched the real-time measurement of the quantity, temperature, pH and oxygen content of water in indoor and outdoor fish ponds with the help of computers and underwater cameras' monitoring of the physiology of fishes.

What is important in fish breeding is to put fish farming on a scientific basis, he noted, adding this would make it possible to keep fish production going at a high rate. He went round the fish ponds built along the water way of the Ryongjong spring.

He was pleased to watch sturgeons and fishes of various other species in the ponds. Watching the Ryongjong spring from which water was flowing into the fish ponds in an endless stream, he recalled that when water stopped gushing out from the spring, service persons and employees of the fish farm turned out to restore it into its original state. Water supply is of particular importance for fish farming, he added.

Feasting his eyes at the food factory and protein food factory standing near the outdoor ponds, he said with deep emotion that they were visited by Kim Jong Il.

He said people cannot substantially benefit from fish farms if the supply of food for fishes is not put on a par with fish production no matter how many modern ones are built.

Seeing the letters displayed in the compound of the fish farm "Sturgeons go to sea while the DPRK advances into the world", he told the officials to add the letters "Satellites enter space". World-startling miracles are being worked in various parts of the country through a dynamic drive for breaking through the cutting edge under the wise leadership of our party, he added.

Noting that the Ryongjong Fish Farm is crystal of Kim Jong Il's love for people, he proposed erecting a monument to the undying leadership feats of Kim Jong Il and displaying his portrait in the compound of the farm to convey his loving care to posterity.

He told the officials and employees of the fish farm to play a pioneer's role in translating the desire of Kim Jong Il to provide the people with more fish into reality. He was accompanied by Choe Ryong Hae, Kim Kyok Sik, Kim Yong Chol, Pak Jong Chon, Rim Kwang Il and An Ji Yong.

Historic Wangjaesan Meeting

Mt. Wangjae is in Onsong County, North Hamgyong Province in the northern border area of the Democratic People´s Republic of Korea.

The Wangjaesan Revolutionary Site is in the mountain. 80 years ago in March Juche 22 or 1933 the great leader President Kim Il Sung called a meeting of the heads of the underground revolutionary organizations and political operatives in the area of Onsong against the Japanese imperialists on Mt. Wangjae.

In those days the Japanese imperialists made desperate efforts to prevent the growth of the Anti-Japanese People´s Guerrilla Army and keep the revolutionary influence of the anti-Japanese armed struggle from reaching the people in the homeland.

The Anti-Japanese People´s Guerrilla Army was faced with a task to further spread and develop the armed struggle deep into the homeland to promote the Korean revolution as a whole.

Deeply seeing through the prevailing situation and the demand of the developing revolution, President Kim Il Sung led a unit of the guerrilla army to the Onsong area.

The meeting of the heads of the underground revolutionary organizations and political operatives in the area of Onsong was held on Mt. Wangjae on March 11, Juche 22 or 1933.

At the meeting President Kim Il Sung delivered a historic speech under the title "To Spread and Develop the Armed Struggle into the Homeland".

Jang Hye Ryon, lecturer of the Korean Revolution Museum, has this to say:

"That day the great leader President Kim Il Sung made a specific analysis of the successes achieved after the founding of the Anti-Japanese People´s Guerrilla Army and the then situation of the revolution and put forward a strategic and tactical policy on spreading and developing the armed struggle into the homeland. His speech convinced the participants of the victory of the anti-Japanese revolution and gave them revolutionary zeal. They unanimously and actively supported the policies put forward by President Kim Il Sung and made a firm resolve to resolutely defend and implement them. Indeed, the Wangjaesan meeting was a significant meeting of historic importance in the development of the Korean revolution."

After the historic meeting, the general Korean revolution centred on the anti-Japanese armed struggle rapidly spread deep into the homeland. It was a historic occasion to make a new heyday of the Korean revolution.

General Secretary of the KFA (USA) on Russia Today (RT)

General Secretary of the Korean Friendship Association (USA) Martin Droll speaks to  Russia Today (RT) about the current developments on the Korean Peninsula.



About the KFA:
The Korean Friendship Association (KFA) was founded on November of the year 2000 with the purpose of building international ties with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It has members from 120 countries. The KFA has full recognition from the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and is the world-wide leading organization of its supporters. It has offices in DPR Korea, Spain, Norway and Thailand.

Kim Jong Un Visits Sports Village in Chongchun Street, DPRK

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Marshal Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, first chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, went round the sports village in Chongchun Street.

The village was built on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK under the wise leadership of the WPK. It is a comprehensive sports and cultural centre having gymnasiums, sports persons' restaurant, hotels and welfare service facilities. They can host various sports competitions of dozens of events including basketball, volleyball, table tennis, weightlifting and swimming events.

He toured the sports village with a plan to face-lift it as required by the new era because it has positively contributed to the country's development of sports and sports exchange with different countries.

He specified tasks and ways for remodeling the village, going round different gymnasiums, restaurants and hotels.

He recollected with deep emotion the immortal feats President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il performed by developing the Juche-oriented sports, saying that they took part in the ceremony for the completion of the sports village on Sept. 3, 1988.

The first leg of his tour was the Basketball Gymnasium.

Carefully seeing the floor and auditorium of the gymnasium, he gave instructions for remodeling it.

Seeing the sporting hall and player-waiting room, he stressed the need to take proper measures for improving sound-arresting and heating devices and remodel all the facilities to meet the need of gymnasium.

The next leg of his tour was the Table-Tennis Gymnasium.

He learned in detail about the quality of tables in the gymnasium, stressing the need to provide players with better sports apparatuses.

Saying that the luminous intensity is low, he stressed the need to reinforce lighting to suit games and watching.

He said that the gymnasium should have sufficient facilities for indoor broadcasting.

He dropped in at the Weightlifting Gymnasium.

Going round the sporting hall, auditorium and player-waiting room, he stressed the need to remodel well the gymnasium so as to make weightlifting one of the successful events in the future, too.

It is important to make a good design for updating the gymnasium, he said, talking about the need to consult a lot of worldwide data on sports facilities before working it out.

He looked round the sports persons' restaurant.

Going round eating rooms and kitchen, he learnt in detail about what kind of service players receive there, what kind of food they like best and the issues to be settled to improve the service at the restaurant.

There is nothing to spare for sports persons as they glorify the honor of the country at international games and bring national pride and self-confidence to the people, he noted, indicating ways to improve service to sports persons and took specific measures to do so.

He visited Sosan Hotel.

Looking round a restaurant and several rooms, he underscored the need to remodel the hotel as a modern one capable of providing good service to sports persons and spectators.

He specified tasks to officials concerned.

He said it is an important work for bringing about a radical change in sports of the country to successfully remodel the sports village as required by the era of Songun.

Saying that everything should be calculated carefully to update the village, he listened to views of sports officials.

He called for remodeling and face-lifting the inside and outside of the gymnasiums and providing them with modern sporting apparatuses and thereby glorifying the leadership feats performed by Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il for the sports village.

He specified one by one issues arising in establishing a good system for managing sports facilities after remodeling the sports village and in ensuring the regular operation and management of the gymnasiums and their regular repair.

It is the firm resolution of the WPK to turn the country into a sports power and it is a sacred work for realizing the noble desire of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, he said, expressing belief that the Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports and the relevant fields would successfully remodel the sports village into a comprehensive sports and cultural centre impeccable in any aspect in a short period.

Accompanying him were Choe Ryong Hae, Jang Song Thaek, Hyon Yong Chol, Kim Kyok Sik, Ri Yong Su, Kim Yong Hun, Ryang Chong Song, Ma Won Chun and Ri Jong Mu. -0-

Tourism

U.S. Ex-NBA Star Tours Pyongyang

 

Pyongyang, March 1 (KCNA) -- Dennis Rodman, ex-player of the NBA of the U.S., and his party toured the Rungna Dolphinarium on Friday.

 

The guests expressed deep impressions as they were briefed on the Dolphinarium on picturesque Rungna Islet.

 

Tourists to DPRK Are Expected to Rise This Year

DPRK Draws Increasing Number of Tourists

Ryugyong Health Complex, People's Open-air Ice Rink, Skate Park Introduced by Chinese Paper

 

Folk Art Show Opens in Pyongyang

 

 

Overseas Koreans

Statement of Spokesman for KPA Supreme Command Favored by Koreans in China

 

Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- The Federation of Korean National Economic Workers in China on March 6 issued a statement in support of the statement of a spokesman for the Supreme Command of the Korean People's Army.

Key Resolve, Foal Eagle Censured by Korean in China

Japan's Discrimination against Korean Schools Protested

Key Resolve, Foal Eagle Assailed by Korean in Japan

Japan Accused of Suppressing Chongryon

Koreans in Russia Protest against U.S.-S. Korea War Exercises

Koreans in China Blast U.S.-S. Korea War Exercises against DPRK

Halt to Key Resolve, Foal Eagle Demanded by Organizations of Koreans in Europe

Organization of Koreans in Russia Urges Japan Not to Crack down on Chongryon

U.S. Imperialists and S. Korean Warmongers Warned Not to Act Rashly

No War Drill in Korean Peninsula: Koreans in Germany

 

 

North-South Relations

Minju Joson Blasts S. Korean War Maniac's Drumbeats

 

Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Hon, director of the Operation Department of the south Korean puppet Joint Chief of Staff, at a press conference on March 6 threatened that the south "would mete out a strong and resolute punishment even to commanding forces in case of provocation", describing the statement of a spokesman for the Supreme Command of the Korean People's

Rodong Sinmun Slams S. Korean Warmongers' Extreme War Hysteria

Rodong Sinmun Warns Enemy Not to Repeat History of Disgraceful Fiasco

U.S.-S. Korea Joint War Drills Condemned

DPRK-Targeted War Rehearsals Denounced by S. Korean Organization

Minju Joson Hails Statement Issued by Spokesman for KPA Supreme Command

Rodong Sinmun Calls for Decisively Frustrating U.S. Hostile Actions against DPRK

CPRK Spokesman Slams S. Korean Military for Making Rhetoric Hurting Social System and Dignity of DPRK

Aggressors Will Meet Destruction: CPRK Secretariat

Important Measures to Defend Nation's Sovereignty, Dignity and Country's Supreme Interests: CPRK

KCNA Commentary Warns U.S., S. Korean Warmongers Not to Wage War Drills Targeting DPRK's Headquarters and Social System

 

 

 

 

Korean women´s fruitful life under the care of great men

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The Korean women are significantly greeting the International Women´s Day March 8. The Korean women greeting the international holiday of the working women of the world express infinite thanks to the peerlessly great men who led them to enjoy a fruitful life.

It was the great leader President Kim Il Sung who brought about a radical turn in the destiny of the Korean women. Busy as he was right after liberation, he, with a deep understanding of the women´s role in the development of society and revolution, had the historic Law on Sex Equality promulgated to realize the long-cherished desire of the Korean women.

As a result, the Korean women who had been withering due to the feudal bondage, absence of rights and colonial rule of the Japanese imperialists, greeted the spring of women´s emancipation in the liberated country.

Under the care of the great men, the social status and role of the Korean women have increased generation after generation. The great Kim Jong Il regarded women as a powerful force promoting the revolution and construction and paid deep concern for them to devote all their strength and wisdom to the prosperity of the country. Whenever he met women soldiers during his inspection of the front, he showed all his love and trust to them, saying they are the women revolutionaries who are doing their duty in the defense of the country. When he met women officials and innovators during his field guidance, he encouraged them, saying they were doing their jobs well.

Thanks to his trust, songs of women including "Love Your Wives" and "Wemen Are Flowers" are resounding and the women are enjoying fruitful life in the Songun era.

Ri Chu Ok, Department Director of the Pyongyang City People´s Committee, says:

"Great social benefits were shown to the women in our country thanks to the deep trust and love of the great Kim Jong Il. A wonderful maternity hospital was built and precious stone pieces were set in the floor of the central entrance hall of the hospital. So the Korean women call it palace of love. And honey, different kinds of tonics and nutritive foods are supplied to the women in childbed every year.

Nurseries and kindergartens are run in different parts of the country at state expense and so the wemen are devoting themselves without any worry to the society and collective and to the building of a prosperous nation. Last year the Breast Cancer Research Centre was built at the Pyongyang Maternity Hospital which is now rendering great services to the promotion of women´s health."

Under the love and benevolence, the Korean women are performing feats in national defense and socialist construction.

The Korean women are leading an honourable life as revolutionaries devoting their all to the country and people. Among them are deputies to assemblies of different levels, heroines, professors, doctors, and officials of party and government institutions. As they were led by the great men generation after generation, the Korean women could enjoy and are now enjoying an honourable life.

Juche-based Socialism Is Life and Soul of Koreans

We significantly observed the 20th anniversary of the publication of the famous work of the great leader Kim Jong Il "Abuses of Socialism Are Intolerable" when the mettle of socialist Korea with nuke and satellite is being demonstrated all over the world.

The work published on March 1, 1993 is an important document, which has implanted the superiority and invincibility of the Korean-style socialism centering on the popular masses deep in the minds of the entire army and people.

The Korean-style socialism is the cradle of life and the source of happiness, which has brought the ideal and desire of the people into full bloom.

Kim Jong Il, in the work, exposed the reactionary nature of the imperialists' sophism abusing socialism and clearly expounded what is the essential superiority of the Korean-style socialism centering on the popular masses and the source of invincible strength. The Juche-based socialism ensuring the dignity and rights of the people on the highest level is everlasting. This is the basic idea of the work.

To abandon socialism is precisely death and to defend it is victory; this is the unswerving creed of our people.

The Juche-based socialism is a true society for the people where they are the masters of everything. The essence of the socialist politics is a politics that the popular masses are enforcing as the masters. All the policies of our country are fully approved and supported by the people; they are thoroughly serving the popular masses.

Our socialism is a genuine society for the people where everything serves the people.

Today under our socialist society, everything is directed to promoting the public welfare. The standard in the production of each consumer good is the taste and favor of the people and preference is given to the convenience for them in the construction of every monumental edifice.

Our socialism is the most superior society in which the entire people form a big family and are marching forward towards rosy morrow, helping and pulling each other along.

Collectivism is the lifeline of our socialism. In our country, all the members of the society are firmly united ideologically, intentionally and with warm comradely love. Today the might of our people’s unity is displayed more convincingly in the efforts for building a thriving nation.

Our socialism is a science and truth. Invincible is the Juche-based socialism that has deeply rooted in the minds of the people as their life and soul.

Kim Song Ryong

Kim Jong Un Enjoys Basketball Game of DPRK with American Players

[nggallery id=127] A mixed basketball game of the visiting American basketball players of Harlem Globetrotters and Korean players belonging to the Hwaebul basketball team of Korean University of Physical Education took place at Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium on Thursday.

Among the American players was ex-player of NBA Dennis Rodman.

Sports fans and other Pyongyang citizens packed the gymnasium to watch the game with great interest. Among the audience were foreign diplomatic envoys, representatives of international bodies, military attaches and other foreign guests here with their families.

The dear respected Marshal Kim Jong Un, together with his wife Ri Sol Ju, came to the gymnasium to watch the game.

The players and audience broke into thunderous cheers, greatly excited to see the game together with Kim Jong Un.

Dennis Rodman went up to the auditorium to bow to Kim Jong Un.

Warmly welcoming him, Kim Jong Un let him sit next to him.

Brett Dennis Meister and Jeffrey Raymond Munn also sat near him.

American basketball players first played a demonstration game amid great attention of the audience.

They showed a variety of special basketball skills to be highly acclaimed.

Then a mixed game of DPRK and American players took place amid elated atmosphere.

Divided into red and white teams, the players carried out fierce seesaw battle.

In the first and second rounds, the red team players won 60:47 with long-distance shooting, dunk shot and other skills.

The audience enthusiastically cheered the players as they showed amazing skills.

During breaks, women's brass band presented glamorous rhythmic formations.

National dances by Korean women artistes and a demonstration performance of Taekwon-Do players added to the cheerful mood.

Korean basketball players played the game well with American players of their teams in a coordinated way by fully displaying their techniques. American players made a good job of the game to give good impressions to the audience.

The white team combined man-to-man defence and fast break. The game ended in a draw 110:110.

Kim Jong Un applauded both teams for their nice game.

Dennis Rodman expressed thanks to Kim Jong Un, saying over the mike with excitement that his impressive Pyongyang visit is quite satisfactory and it is a great privilege for him.

He said he was very pleased to mix with Pyongyang citizens, adding that it is regrettable that the relations between the U.S. and the DPRK are not good, but Korean people are his friends and in particular, he considers Marshal Kim Jong Un a close friend.

Kim Jong Un was presented with a uniform of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team as a gift by the American guests.

This evening Kim Jong Un was invited to a dinner hosted by the DPRK Olympic Committee in honour of Rodman and his party.

He met and conversed with them in an amicable atmosphere.

He was pleased they visited Pyongyang to provide young people of the DPRK who are fond of basketball with an opportunity of enjoying the nice game, he said.

He expressed his expectation that such sports exchange would be activated, contributing to promoting mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

He welcomed their visit to the DPRK, hoping that through the visit they would become familiar with the DPRK people, especially with basketball fans.

Rodman said that it was the greatest pleasure for him to meet with Kim Jong Un and his wife for the first time for Americans.

The American basketball star hoped the sports exchange would continue between the two countries.

He wished Kim Jong Un good health, heartily thanking him for warm hospitality.

The dinner proceeded in an amicable atmosphere.

Ex-Chicago Bull / NBA Superstar "Dennis Rodman" arrives in DPRK

Ex-player of the NBA and Chicago Bulls Superstar "Dennis Rodman" and several members of the Harlem Globetrotters landed in Pyongyang, DPRK today, where they will film for a forthcoming Vice/HBO program and promote some “basketball diplomacy,” including pick-up games in Pyongyang.

They were greeted at the airport by Son Kwang Ho, vice-chairman of the DPRK Olympic Committee, and other officials. Dennis Rodman even tweeted out his arrival.

Kim Jong Un Inspects Artillery Firing Drill of KPA

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The dear respected Marshal Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, issued an order to conduct an artillery firing drill in order to examine the capability of artillery units to fight an actual war and guided it on the spot.

He learned about the training program and the deployment of firepower units from the commander of the exercise before ordering its start.

At that moment, an endless barrage of shells were fired by artillery pieces on the "enemy's positions," their roar rocking heaven and earth, and all of them were enveloped in flames.

Feasting his eyes at the "enemy positions" in flames, he was satisfied with the shells accurately hitting the targets.

He noted that if the drill leads to an actual battle, the enemies will be hit so hard by the retaliatory strikes of the infuriated powerful revolutionary army of Mt. Paektu that they would not be able to raise their heads again.

He highly praised the artillerymen for their successful drill.

He said that he was examining the preparedness of units for an actual battle after issuing an order all of a sudden, adding that the drill once again convinced him that all the officers and men of the army are waiting for an order of the supreme commander for a final attack, keeping themselves in maximum alert.

He set forth important tasks to be carried out by the army to make thorough preparations to go into action.

He also clarified in detail issues of further modernizing the artillery force to cope with the escalating reckless maneuvers of the enemies for a war of aggression.

He emphasized that the artillerymen should always be ready to open fire to hit the targets anytime an order is issued and deal merciless blows at the enemies when they preempt firing.

He saw the military hardware newly developed by the army.

He had a photo session with the service personnel of the units.

He was accompanied by Choe Ryong Hae, Hyon Yong Chol, Kim Kyok Sik, Kim Yong Chun, Ri Yong Gil, Son Chol Ju, Ryom Chol Song, Jo Kyong Chol, Yun Tong Hyon, Kim Yong Chol, Pak Jong Chon, Yun Tong Hui, Kim Thaek Gu, Pak Tong Hak, Rim Kwang Il, Choe Pu Il, O Il Jong, Kim Kyong Ok, Ri Jae Il, Ra Chong Il and Hong Yong Chil.

Guidance to Flight and Skydiving Exercises of Airborne Troops

Marshal Kim Jong Un, First Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, First Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army, guided the flight and skydiving exercises of airborne troops of the Air and Anti-Aircraft Force and Large Combined Unit 630 of the KPA.

After being briefed on the plan of the exercises from an officer in charge of the exercises in an observation platform and examining in detail the preparations for the exercises and the climatic condition affecting them, he issued an order to start them.

He expressed great satisfaction, repeatedly praising the heroic flying corps and stalwart combatants whenever they performed their tasks with credit.

Noting that the exercises were quite successful and that the pilots and combatants creditably fulfilled their hard tasks in spite of very unfavouarble climatic conditions, he said that this was the outcome of their effective training at ordinary times.

He stressed that the service personnel should add fresh fuel to perfecting combat preparedness, always maintaining the highest vigilance, and that if the enemies dare make any provocations, they should deal staggering blows at them without giving them a moment’s breathing spell and blow up the strongholds of aggression by giving full play to the inexhaustible combat capabilities they have built up.

That evening he invited to Pyongyang the officers and men of the units who took part in the exercises and had a photograph taken with them.

DPRK People Enjoy Full Moon Day

Full Moon Day, which falls on February 24 this year, is one of the traditional holidays for the Koreans. People in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea enjoyed the day pleasantly. Restaurants throughout the country, including Okryu and Chongryu restaurants in Pyongyang and Sinhung Restaurant in Hamhung, served varieties of special national dishes. People took noodles and dishes made of nine kinds of dried edible herbs, while playing such folklore amusement games as Korean chess and yut-game with family members, relatives and neighbors. As it is getting dark, citizens are seen enjoying the first full moon on Moran Hill and banks of the River Taedong in Pyongyang, Inphung Pavilion in Kanggye, Yaksandongdae in Nyongbyon and other scenic spots of the country.

The Beautiful Sangwon Ravine - DPRK

The Sangwon Ravine is on the southern slopes of Popwang and Oson peaks in Mt. Myohyang. It was named after the old Sangwon Hermitage situated on a slope of the ravine.

Up the ravine from its mouth there is the Kumgang Falls. The stream flowing down the ravine falls over a narrow cliff to form the waterfall. It was named so because it is fascinatingly beautiful. On a high rock on the left of the falls stands the Kumgang Pavilion that commands a fine view of the surrounding scenery. Farther up from the Kumgang Falls you come to the Taeha Falls. Its name means that it lies at the base of Inho Rock. Water coming down from the Ryongyon Falls and the Sanju Falls joins to flow down over a precipice looking like steps to form the Taeha Falls.

Farther up, cliffs rise high in front of you, and on the left of the cliffs is the Ryongyon Falls, one of the largest waterfalls of the mountain. It is 84 metres high. On the rock overhanging the waterfall is the mysterious Ryong (dragon) Pool, which gave the waterfall its name. Water flowing down the ravine of Popwang Peak slides over a rock into the pool to fall over a cliff to form the Ryongyon Falls that looks like unrolled white silks hanging from the sky. Its water again falls down a high sloping cliff with a roaring sound. As a typically sloping waterfall, it falls sending silvery sprays up into the air. Up the water course of the waterfall there is a broad bedrock on which are inscribed the words Ryongyon and the letters sinsongulthaek unhadongchon that means “Is this a fairyland? Sprays are sent up into the air,” a line of poem written by Yang Sa On, a 16th century writer.

Fifty metres away from the Ryongyon Falls there is the Sanju Falls. The two waterfalls flank the Sangwon Hermitage, so they are also called twin falls. Unlike the Ryongyon Falls, the Sanju Falls is an upright waterfall. The name of the waterfall means that it seems to throw up tens of thousands of beads into the air.

A little way up the water course from the Ryongyon Falls, towards Popwang Peak, there is the Chonsin Falls. Seen from Ryongju Peak on the east of the Sangwon Ravine, the waterfall looks like an unworldly man descending from the heaven. Hence the name Chonsin Falls. At a close range you can see the stream flowing over tiered cliffs.

By the Ryongyon Falls opposite the Sangwon Hermitage there rises a high and large rock called Inho Rock. The name of the rock derived from the tale about a tiger that showed a traveler the way up to the hermitage from below the Ryongyon Falls. The rock looking like a long ship singularly protrudes from the southwest edge of the precipitous cliff of the Ryongyon Falls. Grand and singular and topping a 200-metre-high cliff, the rock is famous as a splendid look-out platform. On the rock stands a pavilion that commands a fine view of the ravine. From the pavilion one can see three waterfalls of different forms at the same time. It is a sight rarely to be seen elsewhere. From olden times it has been noted as one of the eight fine sceneries of Myohyang Mountain. The surrounding scenery is as beautiful as a landscape picture with the Sangwon Hermitage in thick foliage and large waterfalls cascading down with roaring sounds over steep cliffs before and behind the hermitage.

The view of the moon from the Pulyong Cell is also noted as another of the eight scenic beauties of the mountain. The Pulyong Cell is an old building situated beyond two low ridges east of the hermitage. Beside the Sangwon Hermitage, there is the Nungin Hermitage in the Sangwon Ravine. Of all hermitages on the mountain, it is placed highest, backed by famous Popwang Peak that consists of precipices without a single tree. Flanked by Oson Peak to the east and Kwanum Peak to the west, Popwang Peak is a mass of rocks of myriad shapes.

A little way up to the east of the Sangwon Hermitage there is a long rock called Ryonggak Rock because it looks like a dragon’s horn. Several pine trees growing on the curiously shaped rock add to its attraction. Go round the rock and you will come to the Chuksong Temple on an elevation. The temple has the best mural paintings in the Mt. Myohyang area.

With a crystal-clear stream running down over clean stones between large fantastic rocks in thick forests to form waterfalls and blue pools, soaring peaks with fine views, and old buildings on scenic spots, the Sangwon Ravine is noted for its beautiful scenery in the mountain. So, the ravine with its wonderful scenic beauty is well-known in the world.

Pyongyang Ophthalmic Hospital

Pyongyang Ophthalmic Hospital, donated by the International Association of Lions Clubs, was inaugurated in June Juche 94 (2005). It is in Thongil Street of Pyongyang, with the main building—one storey under and three storeys above the ground—and several auxiliary buildings.

It is fully provided with material and technological foundations for treating and studying eye diseases, and staffed with competent personnel, most of whom completed the postgraduate courses at the then Pyongyang University of Medicine and have now had plenty of ability and experience.

The hospital has recently established a base of producing artificial crystalline lenses.

It is making strenuous efforts to keep up with the developing trend of ophthalmology by setting up specialized sections and becoming well versed in advanced technologies and skills.

To this end it frequently holds study sessions for technical knowledge, medical consultations and meetings for sharing experience, so as to solve clinical and technological bottlenecks by the collective efforts.

The ophthalmic research room has developed a new kind of lenses for iris defects, which improved the treatment of myopic patients.

The cataract section cured many patients by treating them with newly-acquired surgical manuals.

Doctors from the vitreous and retinal treatment section, including its chief Kim Man Sok and doctor Kim Kyong Ae, have mastery of microsurgical procedures and can perform operations to correct retinal detachment, the opacity of and hemorrhage in the vitreous body, and other related diseases on a high level.

The laser treatment section is also gaining success in treating eye diseases with argon and YAG laser, while the pediatric section can perform surgery on congenital cataracts and special squint for babies less than one month old.

Its medical workers are also conducting treatment at local hospitals.

The hospital is thus famous among the people for excellent skills of the doctors in medical practice and their deep sincerity devoted to the patients.