Kim Jong Il Greets Vietnam Communist Party Leader
Pyongyang, February 1 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il sent a congratulatory message to Nong Duc Manh, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Sunday on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the DPRK and Vietnam.
B. Lynn Pascoe
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs
B. Lynn Pascoe of the United States assumed the post of Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs on 1 March 2007. He was appointed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Before joining the United Nations, Mr. Pascoe was most recently the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, from October 2004 to February 2007. He previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at the State Department in Washington, D.C., following postings as U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia and U.S. Special Negotiator for Regional Conflicts in the former Soviet Union.
[UNUS]
N.Korea Tasked with Building African Liberty Monument
The African Renaissance Monument, a large bronze statue, is being made in the Senegalese capital of Dakar by a North Korean design company. The Mansudae Overseas Project Group of Companies is due to complete the monument by April to mark the 50th anniversary of Senegal's independence from French colonial rule.
Standing at 50 m tall, the piece will tower over the 46-m Statue of Liberty in New York. The Wall Street Journal reported the reason why a project that symbolizes Africa's march to freedom and independence was commissioned to one of the most dictatorial regime on the planet is that North Korean monumental sculptures "are big, simple and cheap."
2 UN envoys to visit North to begin talks
Tensions on peninsula ease as shells fall silent, Kaesong parley to resume
February 01, 2010
NEW YORK - Two United Nations special envoys will make a visit to North Korea this month to discuss restoring stalled dialogue between the UN and North Korea, according to a senior-ranking UN official yesterday.
Kim Won-soo, a special advisor to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, told the JoongAng Ilbo that Lynn Pascoe, under secretary general for UN political affairs, and himself will visit the North from Feb. 9 to 12.
The official added that the delegation visit aims to resume high-level talks that have been stalled since 2005 after UN envoy to North Korea Maurice Strong, under then-UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, stepped down during a controversy over his ties to the Oil-for-Food Program.
Kim said, the UN delegation will meet high-raking North Korean officials and discuss various issues concerning mostly humanitarian aid projects for the North.
U.N. political chief to visit North Korea next month
By Patrick Worsnip
Reuters
Sunday, January 31, 2010; 1:47 PM
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is sending his top political aide to North Korea next month for wide-ranging discussions with the reclusive communist state, the United Nations announced on Sunday.
In a statement, the world body said that Lynn Pascoe, under-secretary-general for political affairs, would visit North Korea February 9-12 to discuss "all issues of mutual interest and concern in a comprehensive manner."
Pascoe, who will travel as Ban's special envoy, is a former U.S. ambassador to Indonesia and is the most senior U.N. official in years to visit North Korea. He will also visit China, Japan and South Korea, the statement said.
10 years of DPRK-Italy Diplomatic Ties Marked
Pyongyang, January 26 (KCNA) -- A friendly meeting took place at the DPRK embassy in Rome on Jan. 20 on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the DPRK and Italy.
Present on invitation were figures of the Commission for Foreign Affairs of the Senate, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Institute for Asia of Italy. The DPRK ambassador and staff members of his embassy in Rome were on hand.
Kim Yong Nam Conveys Sympathy to Haiti President
Pyongyang, January 15 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Thursday sent a message of sympathy to Rene Preval, President of Haiti, in connection with strong earthquake that hit the country recently, claiming huge human and material losses.
Expressing deep sympathy and consolation to the president and the inhabitants of the afflicted region, Kim in the message hoped that the president and government of Haiti would eradicate the aftermath of the disaster as early as possible and bring the life of the victims to normal.
DPRK Contributes to Peace, Security, Development of Asia
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- The DPRK will make a positive contribution to peace, security, independent development and prosperity of Asia in firm unity with its other peoples in the future, too, said the head of the delegation of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, addressing the plenary meeting of the Fourth Asian Parliamentary Assembly held in Indonesia on Dec. 8.
Extending thanks to peoples of different countries in Asia for having voiced support and solidarity with the Korean people in their efforts to preserve peace on the Korean Peninsula and achieve its reunification and build a great prosperous and powerful nation, the speaker continued:
Iran 'Bought Masses (sic) of N.Korean Arms'
Iran has imported piles of North Korean-made conventional weapons, the Washington Post reported Thursday, even though both countries are under UN sanctions over their nuclear programs. Weapons also went to two Palestinian militant organizations, the Iran-backed Hezbollah and the Islamist Hamas, the paper said.
[Arms sales] [Imperialism] [UNUS] [Double standards] [Sanctions] [Legality] [Spin]
The United Nations' Role in Peace and War.
"The UN of the arms dealers - the most disreputable and yet profitable business on earth."
By Denis Halliday
Global Research, December 4, 2009
Global Research Public Lecture, Montreal, December 1, 2009
Some times the New York Times does the right thing. This morning the Editorial (December 1,
2009) condemned the Swiss referendum vote to prohibit the construction of minarets on
Mosques throughout the country. And on the Op. Ed. Page Bob Herbert quoted Eisenhower I
hate war, as only a soldier who has lived it can, as one who has seen its brutality, it
futility, its stupidity. He added, and :every gun that is made, every warship launched,
every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not
fed, those who are cold and not clothed.
[UNUS] [Arms sales] [Double standards]
Malaysian Embassies Help Korean Farmers
Pyongyang, November 11 (KCNA) -- Rahimi Bin Harun, Malaysian ambassador to the DPRK, and staff members of his embassy did a friendship work at the DPRK-Malaysia Friendship Ponghwa Co-op Farm in Kangdong County, Pyongyang, Wednesday.
Being briefed on the immortal leadership feats performed by the peerlessly great men for the farm, they looked round the board bearing on-spot teachings given by President Kim Il Sung and the room devoted to the education in the revolutionary history, etc.
They helped farmers in threshing bean.
During break, they enjoyed an art performance at the farm and talked to its officials, deepening the friendship.
They handed aid materials to the farm.
Kim Yong Nam Congratulates Afghan President
Pyongyang, November 4 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Tuesday sent a congratulatory message to Hamid Karzai upon his reelection as President of Afghanistan.
Extending congratulations to Karzai upon his reelection as President of Afghanistan, Kim in the message wished him success in his work.
Seoul Backs UN Resolution on N.Korean Human Rights
The South Korean government is co-sponsoring a UN resolution condemning human rights abuses in North Korea for the second year running. The Foreign Ministry on Sunday said the EU and Japan submitted a draft resolution on the North Korean human rights situation to the UN Secretariat last Friday co-sponsored by 49 nations including South Korea and the U.S.
[Human rights] [Manipulation] [UNUS]
UN Day Observed
Pyongyang, October 30 (KCNA) -- Torben Due, acting UN resident coordinator in the DPRK, arranged a reception Thursday on the occasion of the UN Day.
Present there on invitation were Pak Kil Yon, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, officials concerned and diplomatic envoys of various countries here.
Representatives of international organizations here were present there.
Speeches were made there.
Myanmar, North Korea Feature at Asian Summit
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: October 24, 2009
Filed at 3:49 a.m. ET
CHA-AM, Thailand (AP) -- Southeast Asian leaders, having launched the region's first human rights watchdog, called Saturday on military-ruled Myanmar to conduct free and fair elections next year but refrained from criticizing one of the world's worst human rights offenders.
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, however, delivered a strong condemnation of North Korea, delegation spokesman Kazuo Kodama said.
''Japan cannot tolerate nuclear and ballistic missile development by North Korea,'' Kodama quoted the prime minister as saying. ''In order to insure peace and stability in the region, we must have comprehensive agreement. I urge you to close ranks with me.''
[Hatoyama]
Good Moon Rising?
Ian Williams | October 14, 2009
This year's General Assembly attracted more media attention than the United Nations usually attracts, at least since the feeding frenzy over the "oil for food" controversy. It was not just the recent stand-up routines of Libya's Qaddafi, Iran's Ahmadinejad, and Venezuela's Chavez that won the attention of the large press contingent. This time the organization really was dealing with substantive issues of global importance, and dealing with them rather than evading them with the traditional parade of orotundity. Disarmament and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, climate change, and a fair deal for the poor in the economic crisis were all on the agenda. It may not be coincidental that these issues are hardly calculated to warm a neocon heart.
[Ban Ki-moon] [Continuity]
U.N. chief portrayed as 'good moon rising'
A renowned online publisher of analyses on U.S. foreign policy ran a commentary on the diplomatic achievements of U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, whose effectiveness was recently questioned by several Western media.
Journalist and author Ian Williams wrote in a Foreign Policy in Focus commentary titled "Good Moon Rising?" on Wednesday that Ban deserves more credit for last month's U.N. General Assembly.
The FPIF senior analyst was also optimistic about Ban's prospects of winning a second term.
"As a nominee of John Bolton, Bush's U.N. representative, Ban might be expected to face an Obama administration veto of a second term," he said.
"But this is doubtful, however, since Ban's and Obama's agendas generally seem to be in close harmony. Above all, they subscribe to the Churchillian principle that jaw-jaw is better than war-war."
[Continuity] [Ban Ki-moon]
DPRK's Will to Contribute to Attaining UN Millennium Goal Reiterated
Pyongyang, October 14 (KCNA) -- The DPRK government will boost the friendly and cooperative relations with UNESCO and all its member states and make a positive contribution to the international efforts to attain the UN millennium goal of development in the future, too, said the head of a DPRK delegation when addressing the plenary meeting of the 35th General Conference of UNESCO on October 9.
DPRK's Stand on World Peace and Security Clarified
Pyongyang, October 1 (KCNA) -- Pak Kil Yon, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK who is leading the DPRK delegation, said at the plenary session of the 64th UN General Assembly on Sept. 28 that the DPRK government would fulfil all its responsibilities for defending peace and security in the Korean Peninsula and the rest of the world.
The DPRK has done all it could to achieve the peaceful reunification of the country, remove the nuclear threat and the source of war from the Korean Peninsula and bring about peace and stability, he noted, and went on to say:
Its efforts, however, have not met a response from the United States.
The U.S. has dealt with the Korean issue only from the view of its Asia strategy and does not want to see the whole Korean Peninsula denuclearized.
[NK US policy] [US NK policy] [China confrontation]
DPRK Calls for Developing South-South Cooperation
Pyongyang, October 1 (KCNA) -- It is the consistent stand of the DPRK to expand and develop the South-South cooperation. Pak Kil Yon, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK who is heading its delegation, said this when addressing the foreign ministerial meeting of the group of 77 held at the UN Headquarters on Sept. 25 while the 64th UN General Assembly is in session.
He recalled that the DPRK government has paid deep attention to boosting the South-South cooperation and taken an active part in the activities of the non-aligned movement, the group of 77 and the UN system, rendering disinterested support and exerting devoted efforts.
He referred to the fact that the DPRK initiated cooperation projects in various fields including agriculture, bio-science, standardization and measurement for different developing countries in Asia and Africa, and has made governmental efforts to implement them, gaining good experience and successes in this course.
The DPRK government will as always creditably fulfil its responsibility and duty in establishing a new international economic order based on justice, equality and impartiality and further expanding and developing the South-South cooperation based on collective self-reliance, he declared.
N. Korean Delegation Heads for UN
A team of North Korean delegates are on their way to New York to attend the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, a plenum for the world's largest inter-state body, amid renewed hope for the often-stalled nuclear negotiation, prompted by the latest overtures from Kim Jong-il.
The North Korean delegation led by Vice Foreign Minister Pak Kil-yon left Pyongyang on Friday to attend the 64th U.N. General Assembly, Yonhap News Agency said, citing the North's Korean Central News Agency.
In talks with a visiting Chinese envoy on Friday, Kim said his country is willing to resolve the nuclear dispute through "bilateral or multilateral talks." His remarks, reported by China's government-run Xinhua News Agency, hinted that North Korea may possibly rejoin six-party denuclearization talks it quit earlier this year.
Washington welcomed Kim's reported remarks. Kurt Campbell, assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific affairs, said he understands Kim's remarks were in line with the U.S. position that any bilateral contact between the two countries should be held within the six-party framework. The multilateral forum aimed at ending the North's nuclear drive also involves South Korea, China, Japan and Russia.
"It sounds as if North Korea is underscoring that it will accept those conditions," Campbell told reporters in Tokyo, where he visited to meet with officials of the new Yukio Hatoyama government launched earlier this week.
"If we have any initial bilateral interaction with North Korea, it will be as a means to get back to the six-party talks," he said.
Washington has said it will decide after the U.N. session whether and when to hold bilateral talks with Pyongyang. The U.S. special envoy for North Korea policy, Stephen Bosworth, has a North Korean invitation to visit Pyongyang.
[Bilateral]
Ban Ki Moon and R2P
Ian Williams | August 3, 2009
Kofi Annan's greatest achievement as UN secretary general was his deft steering of the UN General Assembly to accept the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine at the 2005 World Summit.
Rather than attempting the impossible task of rewriting the UN Charter, Annan got the assembled delegates to reinterpret it. The assembled government leaders declared that the threats to international peace and security that came under the organization's remit included crimes against humanity, even when committed by a sovereign state within its borders.
Annan's successor Ban Ki Moon is a staunch supporter of the concept of R2P.
[Ban Ki-moon] [UNUS] [Humanitarian interventionism] [Camouflage]
Kim Yong Nam Back Home
Pyongyang, July 20 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, came back home Monday after participating in the 15th NAM Summit held in Egypt.
He was greeted at the airport by Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the SPA, Kim Hyong Jun, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, the Egyptian ambassador to the DPRK and the Chinese charge d'affaires ad interim to the DPRK.
NAM Summit Supports DPRK's Efforts for Peace and Security
Pyongyang, July 20 (KCNA) -- The 15th NAM Summit, held in Egypt, expressed full support and solidarity with the DPRK striving for peace and security in the Korean Peninsula.
Especially, the member nations of the Non-Aligned Movement recognized that the "six-party talks" are needed no longer, and decided not to reflect this matter in the final document of the summit.
In this connection, the DPRK delegation expressed the conviction that the NAM would as ever extend invariable support to the just cause of the DPRK. And it reclarified the steadfast stand of the DPRK government to remain faithful to the idea of the NAM and make positive contribution to its strengthening and development in the future, too.
[NAM]
Kim Yong Nam Meets Foreign Heads of State and Governments
Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly who is attending the 15th NAM summit, Thursday met and had a talk with Muhammad Hosni Mubarak, president of Egypt.
Present there were Pak Kil Yon, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and the DPRK ambassador to Egypt from the DPRK side and the secretary of Information of the Presidency of Egypt from the Egyptian side.
On the same day, Kim separately met and had talks with Madav Kumar Nepal, prime minister of Nepal, and George Yong-Boon Yeo, foreign minister of Singapore.
Kim separately met and had talks with Omar Hassan Ahmed Al-Bashir, president of Sudan, Datuk Seri Mohamad Najib Bin Tun Haji Abudul Razak, prime minister of Malaysia, and Kasit Piromya, foreign minister of Thailand, Wednesday.
Financial police in Lucca became suspicious and, in cooperation with the Austrian government, tracked the relevant bank accounts back to Kim. Libero-News said investigations are now focused on how Kim is getting supplies of luxury goods from Italy and other European regions. The confiscated yachts will be put up for auction and the money already paid for them has been frozen.
Kim Yong Nam Meets Presidents of Cuba and Viet Nam
Pyongyang, July 16 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly who is attending the 15th NAM summit, Tuesday separately met and had talks with Raul Castro Ruz, President of the Council of State of Cuba, and Nguyen Minh Triet, President of Viet Nam.
The talks were held in a friendly atmosphere.
Non-Aligned States Unlikely to Take N.Korea's Side
UN condemnation of North Korea is apparently being heeded at the 15th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Egypt.
Diplomatic sources in Washington D.C. say North Korea's protests are finding little sympathy from other members of the movement, and this was due to the U.S. government using its diplomatic weight behind the scenes.
The North is a full member of the movement. The U.S. and South Korea are not, but have been seeking support from NAM member states for UN Security Council Resolution 1874, which was passed after the North's recent nuclear test.
Cuba, Egypt and other key members of the movement, have been seeking to improve ties with the U.S. since President Barack Obama came to power. As a result, the final statement at the end of the summit on Thursday is not expected to register North Korea's protests against six-party talks on its nuclear program nor any clauses regarding the Korean Peninsula, which the Stalinist country had insisted on during previous summits.
Formed more than five decades ago during the Cold War, the NAM was designed to be a group of countries that do not consider themselves aligned with any particular superpower or bloc. North Korea joined in 1975 and has been attending each year as a regular member. South Korea has been attending since 1997 as an observer.
[Softwar] [US dominance][NAM] [UNUS]
Kim Yong Nam Arrives in Egypt
Pyongyang, July 14 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, arrived in Sharm El Sheikh, a local city of Egypt, Monday to attend the 15th summit of non-aligned countries.
[NAM]
Kim Yong Nam Leaves for Egypt
Pyongyang, July 11 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Saturday left here to attend in the 15th summit of non-aligned countries to be held in Egypt.
He was seen off at the airport by Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the SPA, Kim Hyong Jun, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, the Egyptian ambassador to the DPRK and the charge d'affaires ad interim of China. [NAM
South Korea in a new Asia initiative
By Zhiqun Zhu
Speaking Freely is an Asia Times Online feature that allows guest writers to have their say. Please click here if you are interested in contributing.
While North Korea has grabbed the world's attention again in recent months, few people have noticed a new diplomatic initiative launched by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak earlier this year. If fully implemented as envisioned, the new policy, dubbed "New Asia Initiative", will not only enhance South Korea's international standing but promote peace and prosperity throughout Asia.
DPRK Delegate Reiterates Its Stand on Terrorism
Pyongyang, July 6 (KCNA) -- It is the consistent stand of the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to resolutely oppose all forms of terrorism and any support to it, declared a delegate of the DPRK addressing the meeting of the Special Committee on International Terrorism held on June 29.
Terrorism is now steadily escalating in different parts of the world despite the international efforts to combat it, seriously threatening the lives of people, stability of societies and world peace and security and, furthermore, infringement upon sovereign states and extreme human rights abuses are being justified under the pretext of "war on terrorism", he noted, and continued: The United States invaded Afghanistan and Iraq and is escalating the "anti-terror war" not only in those countries but into their neighboring countries, massacring civilians. This is typical of state-sponsored terrorism and hideous human rights abuses.
If such state-sponsored terrorism is allowed to go on, international efforts to put an end to it will never prove successful.
DPRK Delegate Calls for New International Financial and Economic Order
Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- The DPRK government will positively join in the world efforts to establish a new international financial and economic order, in the future, too, declared a delegate of the DPRK addressing the UN meeting on the international financial and economic crisis and its impact on development held on June 29.
Recalling that the worldwide financial and economic crisis that originated from the U.S. last year is adversely affecting political, economic, cultural and all other fields of many countries, he said, adding that this hardest hit developing countries and is throwing serious difficulties in the way of attaining the internationally agreed targets of development including the millennium goals for development.
It is absolutely intolerable that the aftermath of the economic slowdown spawned by the burst of the bubble of the capitalist monetary market is more directly and seriously affecting the peoples of developing countries than those of the developed countries, he said.
He expressed a positive view on the fact that the UN analyzed the worldwide financial and economic crisis and its cause and addressed in good time the important issues including the reform of the international financial system for the first time in its history.
He held that the only way of weathering the present worldwide financial and economic crisis is to do away with the outdated international economic order and establish a new international economic order whereby the sovereignty and interests of all countries are guaranteed on an equal basis.
[Independent states]
UN's Ban Ki-moon under fire for praising Burma leaders
Julian Borger, diplomatic editor guardian.co.uk, Friday 3 July 2009 19.24 BST Article history
The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, faced a barrage of criticism tonight for apparently praising the Burmese junta without winning any concessions over human rights or a move towards democracy.
Ban was under pressure to produce concrete results from his two-day mission to Burma, which was criticised as providing an endorsement to the Burmese leadership just as it is staging a trial of the opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.
The high-stakes visit to Burma comes at a critical time for Ban, whose low-key approach to his job has been criticised as ineffectual. He came under further fire on arrival in Naypyidaw, the regime's headquarters, when he told the head of the junta, General Than Shwe: "I appreciate your commitment to moving your country forward."
"That is absolute nonsense," said Brad Adams, a Burma specialist at Human Rights Watch. "It's just what we implored him not to say, to make these diplomatic gaffes. Than Shwe has steadily moved his country backwards."
[UNUS]
Nowhere Man
Why Ban Ki-moon is the world's most dangerous Korean.
By Jacob Heilbrunn | JUNE 22, 2009
Ban Ki-moon, a general nonentity as secretary-general
For such a seemingly crucial position, the secretary-generalship of the United Nations has historically had a rather low bar for success. Kurt Waldheim? In his memoir, A Dangerous Place, Daniel Patrick Moynihan recounted that Waldheim functioned as "a post office, a somewhat antique but reasonably efficient public service run along Austro-Hungarian lines. As one sat down with him, he would be mentally sorting the mail while making small conversation." Boutros Boutros-Ghali? His arrogance and fecklessness as the Serbs laid waste to Bosnia prompted the Clinton administration to veto a second term. Kofi Annan? Brought low by his son Kojo's financial peculation in the Iraq oil-for-food scandal.
Even in this unimpressive company, though, Ban Ki-moon appears to have set the standard for failure. It's not that Ban has committed any particularly egregious mistakes in his 2 years on the job. But at a time when global leadership is urgently needed, when climate change and international terrorism and the biggest financial crisis in 60 years might seem to require someany!response, the former South Korean foreign minister has instead been trotting the globe collecting honorary degrees, issuing utterly forgettable statements, and generally frittering away any influence he might command. He has become a kind of accidental tourist, a dilettante on the international stage.
Ban's flaws were obvious dating back to his decades toiling in the South Korean foreign ministry, where he earned a telling nickname, "The Bureaucrat." Luckily for Ban, if not for the rest of the world, The Bureaucrat was exactly what the Bush administration was looking for after years of tussling with the assertively anti-American Annan. When it became Asia's turn to nominate a secretary-general, Bush's secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, made Ban's election her pet project.
[UNUS] [Ban Ki-moon]
Unique Exhibition of North Korean Paintings at the Nha Trang Sea Festival in Vietnam
Nha Trang, Vietnam, June 05, 2009 --(PR.com)-- For the first time ever North Korean paintings will be shown in Vietnam at an art exhibition during the Nha Trang Sea Festival. The festival is expected to attract large numbers of visitors from Vietnam and other Asian as well as Western countries and will be held from June 6 - 12. With more than 130 paintings it is probably the largest collection of paintings from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea) ever shown in Southeast Asia.
Pyongyang Painters.com
Exclusively introducing renowned painters as well as new talents from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)
Art collectors, investors, experts and everybody else interested in discovering North Korean fine arts
Independence, Basis for Strengthening Internationalism
Pyongyang, June 4 (KCNA) -- Political independence is linked with internationalism and is the basis for strengthening it.
Political independence is manifested in exercising full-fledged sovereignty and equality in external relations.
There are in the world parties and countries, big and small, and economically developed and underdeveloped nations. But, they are all equal and independent. Therefore, one should not infringe on other's sovereignty and one's sovereignty should not be disturbed by others.
Political independence is linked with internationalism and there can not be internationalism apart from independence.
Internationalism is not an abstract concept divorced from the revolution of each country but closely related with it.
Only when one makes revolution successfully in one's country, can one fully support other's revolution with experience and substantial strength and fulfill the international duty.
Political independence is also the basis for consolidating internationalism.
Internationalist unity should be voluntary and equal by nature. For this purpose, political independence should be fully ensured between countries.
There can be neither friendship nor solidarity among the nations when someone orders other countries to act this or that way, threatening their sovereignty without respecting it or meddling in their internal affairs.
The Workers' Party of Korea and the government of the DPRK have exercised full-fledged political sovereignty and equality and successfully combined political independence with internationalism in the external relations by uniting with the socialist countries, non-aligned countries and other developing countries and strengthening solidarity with the countries which are friendly with them on the principle of territorial integrity, respect of sovereignty, nonaggression, noninterference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefits.
As seen above, independence in politics is linked with true patriotism and genuine internationalism, not "nationalism" or "isolationism".
[Independent states] [NK China]
Cambodian PM offers condolences at Roh's death
By Lee Chi-dong
PHNOM PENH, May 23 (Yonhap) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Saturday offered his condolences following the death of former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, who he said made large contributions to the improvement of ties between Korea and Southeast Asia.
"I don't know how to express my sadness. I express sincere, deep condolences," the prime minister told a group of South Korean reporters visiting here. "I didn't hear yet about the exact reason for his death, but I can't contain my sadness over the news."
Talks between Parliamentary Delegations of DPRK and Indonesia Held
Pyongyang, May 20 (KCNA) -- Talks between the delegation of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK and the delegation of the Parliament of Indonesia were held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Wednesday.
Present there from the DPRK side were the members of the delegation of the SPA of the DPRK headed by Chairman Choe Thae Bok and from the opposite side were the members of the delegation of the Parliament of Indonesia headed by Speaker Agung Laksono and Indonesian Ambassador to the DPRK Daulat Hotma Audison Passaribu.
At the talks both sides exchanged views on the issue of boosting the relations between the parliaments of the two countries and issues of mutual concern.
North, U.S. both will be present at upcoming forum
May 20, 2009
BANGKOK - North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun and his American counterpart, Hillary Clinton, will attend the Asean Regional Forum to be held in Thailand in July, a Thai official said yesterday.
North Korea recently confirmed that its foreign minister will attend the [forum] slated for July 17 through 23, Arthayudh Srisamoot, deputy director-general of the Thai foreign ministrys Asean bureau, told a group of South Korean reporters on a trip here.
[ARF]
Banquet Hosted by Zimbabwean VP in Honor of Kim Yong Nam
Pyongyang, May 13 (KCNA) -- Vice-President of Zimbabwe Joyce Teurai Ropa Mujuru hosted a banquet on May 12 in honor of Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, on a visit to Zimbabwe.
Present there on invitation were Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hyong Jun, DPRK Ambassador to Zimbabwe An Hui Jong and other suite members.
Present there were ministers including Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, commanders of the army, the mayor of Harare and officials concerned.
The banquet proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.
Talks between Kim Yong Nam and Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma Held
Pyongyang, May 11 (KCNA) -- Talks were held between Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, and Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, President of South Africa, at the presidential palace in Pretoria on May 10.
At the talks both sides discussed the matter of further developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two counties in various domains and exchanged views on matters of mutual concern.
The talks proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.
Present there were Kim Hyong Jun, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK, and Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, foreign minister of South Africa.
Kim Yong Nam Meets Foreign State Leaders
Pyongyang, May 11 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, on a visit to South Africa met and had a talk with Zambian President Rupiah Bwezani Banda who paid a courtesy call on him on May 10.
The Zambian President said that he was well aware of the DPRK's support and encouragement rendered to the African people in the struggle for independence, freedom, national liberation and economic development.
Noting that the DPRK has long and fully supported the just cause of the Zambian people, he expressed the steadfast stand to steadily boost the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.
Kim Yong Nam also met and had a talk with Esteban Lazo Hernandez, vice-president of the Council of State of Cuba who paid a courtesy call on him on the same day.
The vice-president referred to the bilateral relations continuously developing on good terms despite the complicate international situation, adding that Cuba positively supports the principled strong stand taken by the DPRK and its efforts to achieve the peaceful reunification of the country without foreign forces' interference.
Noting that the DPRK's satellite launch is the just exercise of the right of a sovereign state, he declared that Cuba decisively rejects any sanctions against the DPRK and resolutely opposes high-handed and arbitrary practices in the international arena.
During his visit to South Africa Kim Yong Nam met with the Presidents of Namibia, Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea and Kenya, the chairman of the African Union Committee, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and the vice-president of Gabon who attended the swearing in ceremony of the South African President.
Stand on Int'l Information Activities Expressed
Pyongyang, May 11 (KCNA) -- At the 31st meeting of the UN Committee on Information on May 5, the head of the DPRK delegation expressed the stand on the matter of providing practical measures to make the international information activities contribute to peace and security, sound social progress and promotion of sustained development.
He said that priority should be attached to the discussion on the ways for establishing a new and fair international information and communications order.
[Media]
Kim Yong Nam Arrives in Singapore
Pyongyang, May 7 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, and his party arrived in Singapore on Wednesday.
Kim Yong Nam Leaves
Pyongyang, May 6 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, left here on Wednesday to visit South Africa and Zimbabwe.
He was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hyong Jun and other suite members.
Talks between FMs of DPRK and Cuba Held
Pyongyang, May 6 (KCNA) -- Talks between Pak Ui Chun, foreign minister of the DPRK who is leading the government delegation on a visit to Cuba, and Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Cuban foreign minister, were held in Havana on May 4.
Present there from the DPRK side were members of the delegation and the DPRK ambassador to Cuba and from the opposite side a vice-minister of Foreign Affairs and officials concerned.
At the talks both sides discussed the matter of further developing the relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and exchanged views on the international issues of mutual concern.
UN chief rejects further inquiry in Gaza
Julian Borger, diplomatic editor guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 5 May 2009 20.54 BST Article historyOne of the more striking features of today's UN inquiry into the Gaza war is the secretary general's prompt rejection of one of its key findings.
In its 11th and final recommendation, the board of inquiry said the killings and injuries that happened beyond its narrow remit, outside the walls of the UN compound in Gaza, "should be investigated as part of an impartial inquiry mandated, and adequately resourced, to investigate allegations of violations of international humanitarian law". In his covering letter, however, Ban Ki-moon, said he did not "plan any further inquiry", opting not to use the secretary general's prerogative to order his own inquiries into allegations of serious human rights abuses.
[UNUS]
DPRK FM Spokesman on Adoption of Final Document at Ministerial Meeting of Coordinating Committee of NAM
Pyongyang, May 1 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave the follow answer to a question put by KCNA Friday in connection with the adoption of the final document at the ministerial meeting of the Coordinating Committee of the Non-Aligned Movement:
The ministerial meeting of the Coordinating Committee of the NAM was held in Havana, Cuba on April 29 and 30 and the final document was adopted there.
The meeting decided not to include a Korea-related article dealing with the "six-party talks" in the final document, taking into consideration the recent situation prevailing in the Korean Peninsula.
The said article which had so far been included in the final documents of the NAM meetings was excluded this time. This fully reflects the present situation in which the "six-party talks" disappeared due to the vicious moves of the forces hostile toward the DPRK.
Kim Yong Nam to Visit South Africa and Zimbabwe
Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, will soon visit South Africa to attend the inaugural ceremony of the President of the country.
He will also visit Zimbabwe.
Iranian Ambassador to DPRK Hosts Reception
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- Morteza Moradian, Iranian ambassador to the DPRK, gave a reception at his embassy on April 21 on the occasions of the birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il's reelection as chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK.
Kim Jong Il Sends Greetings to Syrian President
Pyongyang, April 16 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il Thursday sent a message of greetings to Bashar Al-Assad, regional secretary of Syria's Baath Arab Socialist Party and President of Syria, on the occasion of the 63rd anniversary of the independence of Syria.
The Disunited Nations
Amy L. S. Staples. The Birth of Development: How the World Bank, Food and Agriculture
Organization, and World Health Organization Have Changed the World 19451965 (New
Studies in U.S. Foreign Relations). Kent, OH: Kent State University Press, 2006. xvi
+ 368 pp. Notes, bibliography, index. $55.00.
When most people think of the United Nations, the first images that come to
mind are of hands raised around the Security Council and the blue helmets and
white jeeps of the peacekeepers. For many, the United Nations is, above all, a
moral force, issuing an authoritative imprimatur to all manner of ideas, whether
upholding human rights and collective security or fighting genocide and global
warming. Whereas detractors deride the General Assembly as a debating society
for dictators, for supporters it bears the potential to make real Tennysons old
dream of a Parliament of Man, the federation of the world. Still others
imagine the United Nations is already part of some sinister plan, in which the
secretary general commands squadrons of black helicopters that will one day
swoop down and impose world government.
[UNUS]
U.N. Council May Rebuke North Korea
NEIL MacFARQUHAR
Published: April 11, 2009
UNITED NATIONS The major players on the United Nations Security Council reached a compromise Saturday to chastise North Korea for launching a rocket while avoiding tough new punishments that Russia and China had feared would drive the North away from negotiations over dismantling its nuclear program.
Text of U.N. Security Council Draft Statement on North Korea (April 11, 2009) The Council may vote as soon as Monday on the American draft of a presidential statement, a step less forceful than a resolution, that would tighten existing sanctions by singling out specific North Korean organizations and expanding the list of banned goods related to its nuclear and missile programs.
[Satellite] [Sanctions] [Double standards]
Key U.N. Powers Agree on N. Korea Statement
By Colum Lynch
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, April 12, 2009; Page A12
UNITED NATIONS, April 11 -- The U.N. Security Council's five permanent powers and Japan reached agreement Saturday on a statement condemning North Korea's April 5 rocket launch over Japan. The text would revive a 2 1/2 -year-old threat of financial and travel sanctions against individuals and entities linked to Pyongyang's missile program.
[Satellite] [Sanctions] [Double standards]
Spokesman for DPRK Foreign Ministry Rejects Anti-DPRK "Resolution"
Pyongyang, March 30 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave the following answer to the question raised by KCNA on Monday as regards the adoption of an anti-DPRK "resolution" at a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council:
Another anti-DPRK "resolution" peppered with lies and fabrications was adopted at the 10th meeting of the UN Human Rights Council as what happened last year.
This is a product of the plot being hatched by the EU and Japan each year to achieve a sinister political aim.
[Manipulation] [Human rights]
UN adopts resolution on the North
Grave concerns about systematic human rights abuses
March 28, 2009
The United Nations has adopted a resolution, co-sponsored by South Korea, denouncing human rights abuses in North Korea. The UNs human rights council has reappointed an investigator on the North to continue reporting on abuses there for another year.
[Manipulation]
Indonesian navy chief in S. Korea for weapons, training cooperation
Indonesia's top naval officer visited South Korea Wednesday on a three-day trip aimed at boosting weapons trade and personnel exchanges, the Navy here said Wednesday, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno, Indonesia's Navy Chief of Staff, arrived here on invitation by his South Korean counterpart Jung Ok-keun, who visited Jakarta in May last year, the Navy said in a statement.
The two met at the Jinhae naval base in southern South Korea to discuss mutual security issues and ways to boost cooperation in weapons systems, the statement said, adding Tedjo Edhy will also tour South Korean manufacturers of naval weapons during the trip.
"The visit is part of routine exchanges between the countries, who have increased their cooperation in naval training over the years," a Navy officer said.
South Korea has been pushing to export submarines to Indonesia, which could in turn provide transport aircraft.
[Arms sales] [Proliferation]
Helen Clark lands top UN job
Mitchell Hall | Wednesday March 25 2009 - 10:35am
In a few hours former Labour prime minister from 1999-2008 Helen Clark will be named the new UN Development Program chief.
Highly placed sources have told The Trans-Tasman Political Letter that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon is confirming the appointment today.
The UNDP administrator job is the third highest ranking member of the United Nations after the United Nations Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General.
It will be the highest international post held by a New Zealander since former Labour prime minister Mike Moore was director-general of the World Trade Organisation.
[UNDP]
UN to Discuss Sanctions on N. Korea
By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
The U.N. Security Council will discuss possible sanctions on North Korea if the communist country test-fires a missile or launches a communications satellite, the U.N. chief and South Korea's top diplomat indicated, Friday.
``That's what Security Council members will discuss when and after anything happens,'' U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told a news conference at the U.N. headquarters in New York in response to a question about whether the United Nations will move to impose sanctions on Pyongyang.
``I'm concerned about North Korea's recent move to launch a satellite or long-range missile. This will threaten the peace and stability in the region,'' he said, adding the launch violates a U.N. resolution in October 2006 that prohibits North Korea from test-firing a ballistic missile or conducting nuclear experiments
[UNUS] [Double standards]
DPRK Delegate on UN Peace-keeping Operations
Pyongyang, March 3 (KCNA) -- A DPRK delegate made a speech at the session of the UN Special Committee on Peace-keeping Operations on Feb. 24.
He said:
The UN peace-keeping operation has increased in number and size as never before but regrettably, dispute and conflict are getting steadily escalated in different parts of the world, instead of being reduced. Even such practices are taking place frequently as that the peace-keeping forces and UN officials became the targets of attack.
The facts show that there are still many problems to be settled in UN peace-keeping operations.
Primary efforts should be exerted to remove the source of all frictions and conflicts, the delegate urged, saying that the root cause is just the Cold-War way of thinking and confrontation policy.
It is important to strictly adhere to the objective and principle of the UN Charter and all the principles related to the peace-keeping operation in every UN peace-keeping operation, he stressed, adding: If any peace-keeping operation is decided on in the interests of some countries and used as a lever for interference in other countries' internal affairs, such operation may, on the contrary, aggravate any dispute.
He went on to say:
It is abnormal that the "UN Command," unhampered by the UN, remains in Korea, without getting any orders or financial support from the UN, still now though over half a century has passed since the ceasefire there.
[UNUS]
Photo of Kim Il Sung Taken Together with Seyed Ali Khamenei Displayed at Iranian Embassy
Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- A function was held at the Iranian embassy in Pyongyang on Thursday to display a photograph President Kim Il Sung had taken with leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran Seyed Ali Khamenei on the occasions of the 20th anniversary of their meeting and the 30th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran.
Friendly Meeting with Members of Missions of International Organizations Here Held
Pyongyang, February 5 (KCNA) -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs arranged a friendly gathering with members of the missions of international organizations here on Feb. 5 on the occasion of the birthday of General Secertary Kim Jong Il.
Present there on invitation were Torben Due, an acting UN resident coordinator to the DPRK, and other members of the missions of international organizations here.
On hand were officials of the Foreign Ministry including Vice-Minister Pak Kil Yon.
Speeches were made at the meeting.
Anniversary of Victory of Islamic Revolution in Iran Marked
Pyongyang, February 2 (KCNA) -- A meeting and film show took place at the Chollima Hall of Culture on Feb. 2 to mark the 30th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic revolution in Iran.
Present there on invitation were Morteza Moradian, Iranian ambassador to the DPRK, and staff members of his embassy.
Jong Yong Su, minister of Labour, who is chairman of the DPRK-Iran Friendship Association, addressing the meeting, said that the Iranian people have registered many successes in the efforts to develop economy and improve the standard of the people's living since the victory of revolution, smashing the U.S. hostile moves against Iran.
S. Korea Seeks Ties With Syria
By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
South Korea is pushing ahead with establishing diplomatic ties with Syria, known as one of North Korea's staunchest allies, diplomatic sources here said Monday.
The Seoul government proposed the formalization of diplomatic relations with the Middle Eastern nation in 2005, but Syria rejected the offer, citing its relationship with North Korea, which remains technically at war with South Korea.
In 2006, the then Roh Moo-hyun administration proposed establishing a consular office to which Syria was positive.
What Is Massacre Aimed at
Pyongyang, January 7 (KCNA) -- Israel is steadily escalating its brutal military attacks on Gaza Strip of Palestine, turning a deaf ear to the strong protest and condemnation of the international community.
The operation started on December 27 last year with an air raid involving more than 60 fighters and armed helicopters and it entered a ground operation on January 3.
DPRK-Singapore Inter-Governmental Agreement Inked
Pyongyang, December 3 (KCNA) -- An agreement on promoting and protecting investment between the governments of the DPRK and Singapore was signed in Singapore on Nov. 2.
Present at the signing ceremony from the DPRK side were members of the DPRK government economic delegation headed by Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam on a visit to Singapore and the DPRK ambassador to that country and from the Singaporean side Minister of Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang and officials concerned.
The agreement was inked by Ri and Lim.
That day an agreement on the bilateral cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce of the DPRK and the Singaporean Business Federation was signed.
Disbandment of "UN Command" Demanded
Pyongyang, November 3 (KCNA) -- A DPRK delegate, addressing the meeting of the Fourth Committee of the 63rd UN General Assembly on Oct. 27, demanded the disbandment of the "UN Command" in south Korea.
He referred to the fact that the abuse of the sacred name of the UN is going on due to the "UN Command" in south Korea.
He held that the "UN Command" is nothing but the U.S. forces command as it is a product of the Cold War.
It is generally recognized fact that the "UN Command" has no relations with the UN as far as its administration and budget, etc. are concerned, he noted, and went on:
It cannot but be an abnormal thing that the "UN Command" is still present in south Korea beyond the control of the UN though 55 years have passed since the truce in Korea.
Nevertheless, the U.S. has persistently insisted on the continued existence of the above-said command. This is aimed to justify and perpetuate the U.S. forces' presence in south Korea and bring multinational forces to the Korean Peninsula with ease in any time in case of emergency.
Ever since its appearance the command has brought unspeakable misfortune to the Korean people and thrown hurdles in the way of reunification of Korea, hamstringing the implementation of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration which clarified the idea of "By our nation itself" and the October 4 declaration, a programme for implementing it.
The "UN Command" should be dissolved without delay as required by the resolution of the 30th UN General Assembly, he urged.
[UNUS] [Military presence]
DPRK Delegate on Reforms of UNSC
Pyongyang, November 25 (KCNA) -- The DPRK delegate, in a speech made at the plenary meeting of the 63rd UN General Assembly on November 19 which discussed the issue of reforming the UNSC, said that the UNSC's arrogation has reached a serious phase as evidenced by the fact that it is used for meeting the interests of some specified countries in many cases and issues beyond its mandate are frequently dealt with.
The UNSC should become a body responsible for substantially ensuring the international peace and security and not act a tool for justifying specified countries' moves to meet their strategic interests, he stressed.
Saying that the principle of impartiality should be thoroughly observed in the activities of the UNSC, he held that disputes should be settled mainly by parties concerned through peaceful dialogues and negotiations.
[Independent states]
What's Your First Thought About Korea?
When foreign opinion-makers think about Korea, often the first image that springs to mind is that of a divided country.
According to a survey conducted by Corea Image Communication Institute, 39.3 percent of the 117 foreign opinion leaders surveyed -- including CEOs of foreign firms, bank managers, diplomats, and professors who either reside in Korea or have visited -- said their first image of Korea was of a divided country, followed by Kimchi (18 percent), Samsung (12 percent), and North Koreas nuclear issues (6 percent).
[Image]
UN Commission Passes N.Korea Resolution
The UN Commission on Human Rights last Friday passed a resolution urging North Korea to improve its human rights record. The resolution will now likely be adopted by a full session of the UN General Assembly next month. AP reported the resolution was passed by a vote of 95 to 24 with 62 abstentions.
The resolution expressed "very serious concern" at conditions in North Korea, citing North Korea's harsh treatment of recaptured refugees, restrictions on freedom of religion and thought, and its violations of workers' rights.
It was initiated by 51 nations, including the EU and Japan. South Korea jointed them as a co-sponsor for the first time after abstaining or absenting itself in previous years with the exception of 2006.
North Korea immediately rejected the UN resolution. AP quoted deputy chief of North Korea's mission to the UN Pak Dok-hun as saying, "The resolution is a product of a political plot to forcibly change North Korea's system and ideology." He warned South Korea will pay dearly for sponsoring the resolution.
[Manipulation] [UNUS] [Decline]
Greetings to Lebanese President
Pyongyang, November 21 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Friday sent a message of greetings to Michel Suleiman, President of the Republic of Lebanon, on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of its independence.
The message wished the President and people of Lebanon successes in their efforts to ensure the peace and stability of the country and national unity and achieve progress and prosperity of the country.
Kim Yong Nam Meets Palestinian Ambassador
Pyongyang, November 21 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a talk with Mohammad Shahta Zarab, Palestinian ambassador to the DPRK, on Friday when the latter paid a farewell call on him at the Mansudae Assembly Hall.
Present on the occasion was Kim Hyong Jun, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs.
Agreement on Cooperation Signed between DPRK and Kuwait
Pyongyang, November 19 (KCNA) -- An agreement on cooperation between the Ministry of City Management of the DPRK and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development was signed here Wednesday.
Present at the signing ceremony from the DPRK side were Vice-Minister of City Management Ri Kang Hui and officials concerned and from the opposite side the delegation of the Kuwait fund led by Deputy Director General Hesham Al-Waqayan.
Kim Yong Nam Greets Cambodian King
Pyongyang, November 8 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, on Nov. 8 on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of its independence.
DPRK Clarifies Its Will to Contribute to Int'l Efforts for Protection and Improvement of Human Rights
Pyongyang, November 5 (KCNA) -- The government of the DPRK will as ever further strengthen and develop the Korean-style socialist system and positively contribute to the international efforts for the protection and improvement of human rights.
A delegate of the DPRK declared this when discussing the item "protection and improvement of human rights" at the meeting of the 3rd Committee of the 63rd UN General Assembly on Oct. 29.
The human rights issue is not a privileged monopoly granted to any specified country or to forces and there can be neither "judge" nor "defendant" as far as international human rights issues are concerned, he noted, and continued:
Day of United Nations Observed
Pyongyang, October 30 (KCNA) -- Jean Pierre De Margerie, acting resident coordinator of the UN to the DPRK, hosted a reception on Wednesday on the occasion of the Day of the United Nations.
Present there on invitation were Pak Kil Yon, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, officials concerned and diplomatic envoys of various countries here.
Representatives of international organizations here were on hand.
Speeches were made at the reception.
Kim Yong Nam Meets Syrian Delegation
Pyongyang, October 27 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a friendly talk with a delegation of the Syrian Trade Unions Federation headed by its President Mohammed Shaban Azzooz who is president of the World Federation of Trade Unions, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Monday.
Kim Yong Nam Meets Vietnam Delegation
Pyongyang, October 7 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a friendly talk with the delegation of the Vietnam Ministry of Public Security headed by its Minister Le Hong Anh, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the Communist Party of Vietnam, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
Nuclear bond for North Korea and Myanmar
By Norman Robespierre
YANGON - A recent flurry of high-level contacts between North Korea and Myanmar raises new nuclear proliferation concerns between the two pariah states, one of which already possesses nuclear-weapon capabilities and the other possibly aspiring.
At least three delegations led by flag-level officers from Myanmar's army have traveled to Pyongyang in the past three months, hot on the heels of the two sides' re-establishment last year of formal diplomatic relations. According to a source familiar with the travel itineraries of Myanmar officials, Brigadier General Aung Thein Lin visited North Korea in mid-September.
Message of Sympathy to Syrian President
Pyongyang, September 30 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of sympathy to Syrian President Bashar Al?Assad on Sept. 29 in connection with the terrorist bomb blast that occurred in Damascus recently, killing or wounding many innocent people.
Kim in the message expressed deep sympathy and condolences to the president, the government and people of Syria and the victims and the bereaved families of the dead.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea government, which opposes all forms of terrorism and any support to it, vehemently denounces the bomb blast as a hateful terrorist act to disturb the security and stability of Syria, the message said.
Diplomatic Relations Established between DPRK and Kenya
Pyongyang, September 28 (KCNA) -- A joint communique on establishing diplomatic relations between the governments of the DPRK and the Republic of Kenya was published in New York on September 26.
According to it, the governments of the DPRK and the Republic of Kenya decided to establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level from the day of signing the joint communique, in conformity with the principle and goal of the U.N. Charter, international law, the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations signed in 1961 and the Vienna convention on consular relations signed in 1963, proceeding from the desire to promote and strengthen the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries on the principles of mutual respect for equality, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs of states.
Authorized by the governments of their countries Pak Kil Yon, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, from the DPRK side and Moses M. Wetangula, minister of Foreign Affairs, from the Kenyan side signed the joint communique.
Protocols Signed between Governments of DPRK and Cuba
Pyongyang, September 26 (KCNA) -- A protocol on the 27th meeting of the Inter-Governmental Economic and Scientific and Technological Consultative Committee and a protocol on the exchange of goods for 2009 were signed between the DPRK and Cuba with due ceremony here on Sept. 26.
Present there from the DPRK side were Ri Ryong Nam, minister of Foreign Trade, and officials concerned and from the Cuban side members of the Cuban government economic delegation headed by Jose Manuel Galego Montano, Cuban ambassador to the DPRK.
They were signed by the minister and the ambassador.
Kim Il Chol Meets Delegation of VPA
Pyongyang, September 24 (KCNA) -- Kim Il Chol, minister of the People's Armed Forces, Wednesday met and had a friendly talk with the delegation of senior political officers of the Vietnam People's Army led by Le Van Dung, secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and head of the VPA General Political Department.
Present there were Col. General of the Korean People's Army Sim Sang Dae and Le Van Cu, Vietnamese ambassador to the DPRK, and Dau Xuan Long, military attache of the embassy.
Kim Yong Nam Meets UNESCO Director-General and His Party
Pyongyang, September 12 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a friendly talk with Koitsiro Matsuura, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and his party at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Friday.
On hand was Pak Kil Yon, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs.
Non-Aligned Movement gives North and South equal attention
August 01, 2008
Member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement that convened in Iran for an annual conference chose a closing statement that buttressed concerns of both Seoul and Pyongyang. Seoul diplomats have been working hard to have their position equally reflected in the statement along with that of Pyongyang, after diplomatic embarrassments at the Asean Regional Forum in Singapore last week.
NAM, a group of 118 countries that seeks to look out for the interests of developing countries, had an annual conference in Tehran last week and released the statement on Wednesday night.
It said that NAM member countries support all inter-Korean joint declarations as well as other agreements signed in the six-party talks seeking to denuclearize the North.
Iranian President on Relations with DPRK
Pyongyang, July 31 (KCNA) -- Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iranian President, met and had a friendly talk in Tehran on July 29 with the DPRK delegation headed by Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun to the conference of foreign ministers of non-aligned countries.
Saying that Iran and the DPRK are countries fighting against the U.S. imperialists, the Iranian president sincerely hoped that the Korean people would achieve greater success in the anti-U.S. struggle.
He expressed the belief that the relations between the two countries would grow stronger in the future, too.
Talks Held between DPRK and Iranian Foreign Ministers
Pyongyang, July 30 (KCNA) -- Talks between Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun who is heading the DPRK delegation to the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Non-Aligned Countries and Manouchehr Mottaki, foreign minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, were held in Tehran on July 28.
Present there from the DPRK side were members of the delegation and the DPRK ambassador to Iran and from the Iranian side officials concerned of the Foreign Ministry.
At the talks both sides exchanged views on the issue of boosting the relations between the two countries and a series of matters of common concern.
North seeking diplomatic support
July 30, 2008
Pyongyang is poised to take its months-long demand that Seoul respect the principles of last Octobers inter-Korean joint declaration to the international community.
North Korea, which managed to present its position during the Asean Regional Forum in Singapore last week, is now pushing the agenda at the annual meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement being held this week in Iran. NAM, with 118 member countries, is an international organization of nations considering themselves not formally aligned with or against a major power bloc.
Pyongyangs move is likely to put Seoul in a politically delicate position; it has to prove it supports the inter-Korean declaration and that the North, not the South, does not.
{NAM]
Korea's Reunification Supported
Pyongyang, July 29 (KCNA) -- Nong Duc Manh, general secretary of the C.C., the Communist Party of Vietnam, met and had a friendly talk with a DPRK delegation led by Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun on a visit to Vietnam at the building of the Party Central Committee on July 26.
The general secretary stated that it is the steadfast stand of the Vietnamese party and government to value and further develop the friendly relations between the two countries provided by President Kim Il Sung and President Ho Chi Minh.
Koreas in Diplomatic Showdown in Tehran
By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
South and North Korea are in for another bout of diplomatic maneuvering at this week's international conference in Teheran, following a showdown at a regional security forum in Singapore last week.
At issue is the Oct. 4 Summit Declaration signed under the previous, liberal South Korean government, which the conservative Lee Myung-bak administration is reluctant to inherit. North Korea has urged the Lee government to ``honor'' the agreements made at the summit between former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang last year.
outh Korea is a guest to the NAM, a group of states considering themselves not formally aligned with any major power bloc, while North Korea is a full member.
[NAM]
Lees N. Korea policy criticized at ASEAN Regional Forum
Foreign ministers support continuation of inter-Korean dialogue and implementation of summit agreement
Foreign affairs and security experts who are working on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum in Singapore, a stage for multilateral diplomacy, have pointed out that the administration of President Lee Myung-bak needs to reshape its policy on North Korea by clarifying that it will implement two summit accords with the North, the June 15 Joint Declaration and the October 4 Summit Declaration.
Providing evidence that the international community has raised the issue of the North Korean policy by the South Korean government, the experts cited a statement issued by foreign ministers of 27 nations participating in the regional security forum that expressed strong support for continued development of inter-Korean dialogue based on the October 4 Summit Declaration.
[SN NK policy]
South, North Korea tie ARF in a diplomatic knot
July 26, 2008
A bizarre diplomatic twist took place yesterday that mirrors the turbulent nature of inter-Korean relations.
It began Thursday when Singaporean Foreign Minister George Yeo, who is also chairman of the Asean Regional Forum, released a statement in Singapore.
In a diplomatic blow to South Korea, Yeo said the Souths recent dealings with the North leave room for improvement.
ARF members expressed strong support for continued development of inter-Korean dialogue based on the [Oct. 4] declaration, Yeo said in a statement.
The North has long argued that the Lee Myung-bak administration has ignored the declaration, which was reached by President Roh Moo-hyun, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il last year.
South Korea, meanwhile, tried to convince the nations represented at ARF to press Pyongyang to answer questions surrounding the recent killing of a South Korean tourist in the North.
During the annual forum, foreign ministers from 10 Asean member nations and 17 other countries expressed concern over the recent shooting, saying they hope the incident would be resolved expeditiously.
And then came the twist.
Unhappy Seoul officials yesterday asked Singapore to delete the part of the statement that called on the South to honor the Oct. 4 declaration.
Seoul agreed, in turn, that the sentence that mentions the shooting at Mount Kumgang should also be deleted.
The ARF host country has the right to revise the chairmans statement.
[KR_summit07]
Singaporean President on Relations with DPRK
Pyongyang, July 25 (KCNA) -- Singaporean President S. R. Nathan met and had a friendly talk with the visiting DPRK delegation headed by Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun at the presidential palace on Wednesday.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a heritage of President Kim Il Sung, the Singaporean President said, hoping that the Korean people would brilliantly celebrate its 60th birthday.
Expressing his pleasure over the favorably developing relations between Singapore and the DPRK, he declared that he would do his best to develop the bilateral relations.
North Korea signs on to peace pact
Every step we take to encourage North Korea to abide by international norms is a step in the right direction.
July 25, 2008
SINGAPORE ? North Korea signed a non-aggression pact with Southeast Asia yesterday in what officials and analysts said was a sign it wants to be seen as a more responsible international player.
Congratulations to First President of Nepal
Pyongyang, July 24 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, today sent a congratulatory message to Ram Baran Yadav upon his election as the first President of the Republic of Nepal.
In the message Kim expressed the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Nepal would continue to develop on good terms and sincerely wished him great success in his noble work for the political stability and prosperity of the country.
Talks between DPRK and Singaporean Foreign Ministers Held
Pyongyang, July 23 (KCNA) -- Talks were held between Pak Ui Chun, foreign minister who is heading the DPRK delegation on a visit to Singapore, and George Yong|Boon Yeo, foreign minister of Singapore, in Singapore on July 22.
Present there from the DPRK side were members of the delegation and the DPRK ambassador to Singapore and from the Singaporean side the second permanent secretary of the Foreign Ministry and officials concerned of Singapore.
At the talks, both sides exchanged views on boosting the relations between the two countries and a series of matters of mutual concern.
Kim Yong Nam Receives Credentials from Egyptian Ambassador to DPRK
Pyongyang, July 21 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, received credentials from Ismail Abdelrahman Ghoneim Hussein, Egyptian ambassador to the DPRK, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
On hand were Kim Hyong Jun, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and staff members of the Egyptian embassy here.
After receiving the credentials, Kim had a talk with the ambassador.
Ban Urges NK to Improve Human Rights
President Lee Myung-bak, right, shakes hands with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon before their meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, Friday. Ban Arrived in South Korea, Thursday for a five day visit. / Yonhap
By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged North Korea Friday to address its human rights situation, calling it ``unacceptable.''
``I think that North Korea should also take necessary steps to improve their human rights situation,'' Ban, who is on a visit to his homeland for the first time since taking office at the United Nations 18 months ago, said in a press conference in Seoul.
``There are still many areas where human rights are not properly protected, and even abused,'' said Ban, who served as South Korean foreign minister between 2004 and 2006. ``This is an unacceptable situation.''
Choe Thae Bok Meets Vietnamese Delegation
Pyongyang, June 27 (KCNA) -- Choe Thae Bok, chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, met and had a friendly talk with the delegation of the Vietnam-Korea Friendship Parliamentary Group led by its Chairman Ksor Phuoc who is also chairman of the National Council of the Vietnamese National Assembly, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Friday.
Present there were Kim Wan Su, chairman of the Korea-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group, and Le Van Cu, Vietnamese ambassador to the DPRK.
Message of Greetings to 11th Ordinary Session of Assembly of Heads of State and Government of AU
Pyongyang, June 30 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Monday sent a message of greetings to the 11th ordinary session of the assembly of heads of state and government of the AU in connection with its opening in Egypt.
Kim in the message extended on behalf of the DPRK government warm congratulations and salute to all heads of state and government and delegates participating in the session, noting that the AU has achieved great successes in its work to achieve peace, stability and socio-economic development of the continent and boost the unity and cooperation among its member states while rapidly raising its position and role.
The message extended full support and solidarity to the efforts of the African governments and people to build an independent, peaceful and prosperous continent, reiterating the will of the DPRK government and people to steadily boost the traditional friendly and cooperative relations with the AU and its member states.
Expressing belief that this session will mark an important occasion in achieving lasting peace and security in Africa and promoting the politico- economic integration of the continent, the message sincerely hoped that the African people would make shining success in line with their desire and wishes.
Talks between DPRK and Vietnamese Delegations
Pyongyang, June 24 (KCNA) -- Talks were held between the delegations of the Korea-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group and the Vietnam-Korea Friendship Parliamentary Group at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
Present there from the DPRK side were members of the Korea-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group led by its Chairman Kim Wan Su and from the opposite side members of the Vietnam-Korea Friendship Parliamentary Group led by its Chairman Ksor Phuoc who is also chairman of the National Council of the Vietnamese National Assembly and Vietnamese Ambassador Le Van Cu to the DPRK.
At the talks both sides exchanged views on further developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two parliaments and a series of matters of mutual concern.
Agreement Signed between DPRK and Laos
Pyongyang, June 20 (KCNA) -- An agreement on the formation of the joint information committee between the Information Committee of the DPRK and the Ministry of Information and Culture of Laos was signed in Vientiane on Wednesday.
Attending at the signing ceremony were the members of the delegation of the Information Committee of the DPRK headed by its Chairman Kang Nung Su who is minister of Culture and the DPRK ambassador to Laos from the DPRK side and Mounkeo Oraboun, minister of Information and Culture, and officials concerned from the Lao side.
The agreement was inked by Kang Nung Su and Mounkeo Oraboun
Greetings to President of Philippines
Pyongyang, June 11 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on June 3 on the occasion of the 110th independence anniversary of the country.
Kim in the message sincerely wished the president greater success in her work for political stability and economic progress of the country.
Saying that it is the consistent stand of the DPRK government to give importance and positively develop the relations with Philippines and other Asian countries which are geographically close to the DPRK, he expressed belief that the DPRK-Philippine friendly and cooperative relations developing on good terms at present would grow stronger by their joint efforts.
North Korea says it's opposed to terrorism
The Associated Press
Tuesday, June 10, 2008; 2:58 AM
SEOUL, South Korea -- North Korea has reiterated its opposition to terrorism and nuclear proliferation in an apparent attempt to bolster its bid for removal from a U.S. blacklist.
The North's Foreign Ministry says in a statement released Tuesday that the country "will firmly maintain its consistent stand of opposing all forms of terrorism."
The ministry also says the North will take part in international efforts to prevent weapons of mass destruction from falling into terrorists' hands.
Greetings to Swedish King
Pyongyang, June 6 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Friday sent a message of greetings to Carl Gustaf, King of Sweden, on the occasion of its national day.
Kim in the message sincerely wished the king good health and happiness and the Swedish people prosperity.
Kim Jong Il Sends Congratulatory Message to Raul Castro Ruz
Pyongyang, June 3 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il Tuesday sent together with Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, a congratulatory message to Raul Castro Ruz, second secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba on the latter's 77th birthday.
The message says:
We extend warm congratulations and comradely salute to you on your 77th birthday.
Availing ourselves of this opportunity, we express the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the peoples of the two countries based on the revolutionary principle will continue to grow stronger and sincerely wish you good health and happiness as well as greater success in your responsible work for protecting the socialist gains and promoting the well-being of the people.
S. Koreas role in a balanced foreign policy
[Editorial]
President Lee Myung-bak goes to China for a summit meeting with Chinese leader Hu Jintao today. It is part of his plan to get the framework for relations with the "four powers" (the United States, Russia, Japan and China) up and running early in his government.
According to Blue House officials, the two countries plan to agree on elevating bilateral relations to a "strategic partnership." The official explanation is that a strategic partnership with China means that Seoul and Beijing are going to cooperate closely on peninsular, regional and global issues. If so, that means that relations are rising to a level of "global management" that excludes only military affairs. There is no reason this in itself should be considered something negative. The question, though, is whether that can be harmonized with the "strategic alliance" Seoul and Washington have declared. At a time when it would be hard for the national interests of the United States and China to always be in agreement, tilting excessively to one side would mean cooperation with the other could easily hurt the cooperation. If there is going to be a higher-level of relations with China, see, there needs to be a sustained desire to achieve balance in diplomacy. Countries like China and Russia suspect that since Lees inauguration, Korea is leaning towards the old triangular Cold War-style alliance starring Korea, Japan and the United States. This summit meeting needs to be a time for washing away those concerns.
Korea, 22 Arab States Look to Enhanced Ties
[Special]
Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, fourth from left, poses with dignitaries from Arabian countries during the Korea-Arab Societys inaugural conference at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul, Monday. They include Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, third from left, and President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, fifth from left. / Yonhap
By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
About 200 high-profile figures from the political, business and cultural circles of 22 Arab states gathered in Seoul, Monday, to attend a conference to prepare for the landmark establishment of the Korea-Arab Society (KAS).
KAS aims to enhance public understanding of Islamic culture and foster human networks, as well as to explore joint business and investment opportunities in South Korea and the Middle East, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT), which hosted the conference. The society is a non-profit organization that is to be officially launched on June 30.
[Islam]
DPRK Foreign Ministry Hails Agreement to Settle Political Crisis in Lebanon
Pyongyang, May 25 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs Saturday gave the following answer to the question put by KCNA in connection with the agreement reached to settle the dispute in Lebanon:
Some days before, an agreement was reached to settle the dispute among various forces in Lebanon through the mediation of the League of Arab States and Qatar, thus making it possible to defuse the political crisis in Lebanon.
The DPRK hails the important agreement reached to settle the political crisis in Lebanon thanks to the positive efforts of the Arab League and various Arab countries.
This agreement proves that the Arab people are quite capable of settling their problems by themselves.
The DPRK government will as ever positively support the just measures and efforts of the Arab countries and people to settle the Mideast issue.
Plan on Cultural Exchange between DPRK and Ethiopia Inked
Pyongyang, May 22 (KCNA) -- A 2008-2010 plan on cultural exchange between the DPRK government and the Ethiopian government was signed in Addis Ababa on May 16.
The plan was inked by DPRK Ambassador to Ethiopia Ri Song Mok and the minister of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia authorized by the governments of the two countries.
Rodong Sinmun Calls for Heightened Vigilance against "Liberty" and "Democracy" Touted by Imperialists
Pyongyang, May 22 (KCNA) -- The world progressive people should not be taken in by "liberty and democracy" of aggressive nature much publicized by the imperialists but wage a dynamic struggle for genuine freedom and democracy.
Rodong Sinmun today urges this in a signed article.
It is sheer hypocrisy for the imperialists to claim that a capitalist society is a "free world" allegedly giving people all sorts of freedom, the article notes, and goes on:
This is nothing but a foolish attempt to keep mankind from longing for socialism and create illusion about capitalism among people in a bid to westernize the world.
The imperialists' loudmouthed "liberty and democracy" is a slogan for aggression and interference to realize their ambition for world domination.
Kim Yong Nam Greets Eritrean President
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Issaias Afewerki, President of Eritrea, on May 23 on the occasion of its independence day.
Kim in the message expressed the belief that the bilateral ties of friendship and cooperation would grow stronger in the common interests of the two peoples and sincerely wished the president and people of Eritrea greater success in their future work.
Taking the First Footsteps on the 21st Century Silk Road
There is something I always stress when meeting people from the Middle East as a diplomat -- the fact that exchange has been taking place between the Korean peninsula and the Middle East via the Silk Road since a thousand years ago. Considering the knowledge of geography and the means of transportation back then, this sort of exchange is simply amazing.
This trade lasted until the early Chosun Dynasty, then
The launch of the Korea-Arab Society is both a move toward the formation of a new partnership between Korea and the Middle East, as well as a move to instill a proper awareness of the region in our society. Now, Korea and the Arab world have embarked on a long journey on the 21st Century Silk Road to meet an old friend. Through this opportunity, it is our hope that a new interest will take off in Korea in getting to know the Arab world properly.
The column was contributed by Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan
[Islam]
Reception Given by Singaporean FM
Pyongyang, May 14 (KCNA) -- Singaporean Foreign Minister George Yong-Boon Yeo on a visit to the DPRK hosted a reception at Yanggakdo International Hotel on Tuesday.
Present on invitation were Minister Pak Ui Chun and Vice-Minister Kim Yong Il of Foreign Affairs and officials concerned of the DPRK.
Speeches were made there.
Week of DPRK-Iran Friendship Observed
Pyongyang, May 13 (KCNA) -- A meeting and a film show were held at the Chollima House of Culture on Tuesday on the occasion of the week of the DPRK-Iran friendship.
Present there on invitation were Morteza Moradian, Iranian ambassador to the DPRK, and his embassy officials.
Morteza Moradian said that the friendly relations between the two countries are further developing under the deep care of the leaders of the two countries with each passing day.
Iran and the DPRK always stand together on the anti-imperialist front, he said, adding that his country extends full support to the Korean people in the efforts to build a great prosperous powerful nation and achieve the reunification of the country.
DPRK, Singapore Cooperate
Pyongyang, May 12 (KCNA) -- An agreement on the cooperation between the foreign ministries of the DPRK and Singapore was signed at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Monday.
Present there from the DPRK side were Minister Pak Ui Chun and Vice-Minister Kim Yong Il and other officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and from the opposite side Foreign Minister George Yong-Boon Yeo and his party.
The agreement was inked by Pak Ui Chun and George Yong-Boon Yeo.
Firm Adherence to Stand of National Independence Called for
Pyongyang, May 12 (KCNA) -- The present era calls for settling all issues from an independent and patriotic stand while giving overriding importance to the country and the nation.
Rodong Sinmun Monday says this in a signed article.
Such practices as putting foreign forces above the nation and regarding cooperation with foreign forces more important than that with fellow countrymen are being reported from south Korea quite contrary to the trend of the times, the article notes, and goes on:
The Koreans have not yet established national sovereignty throughout Korea due to the U.S. colonial enslavement policy toward south Korea and its moves to keep south Korea as its military base and the sycophantic and traitorous politics and the policy of depending on outside forces pursued by the successive south Korean ruling forces, its lackeys.
In order to establish national sovereignty throughout Korea and fully exalt the dignity and honor of the nation it is necessary for it to hold high the banner of national independence.
[Independent states]
DPRK FM Meets Singaporean FM
Pyongyang, May 10 (KCNA) -- Pak Ui Chun, minister of Foreign Affairs, met and had a talk with George Yong-Boon Yeo, Singaporean foreign minister, and his party who paid a courtesy call on him at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Saturday.
Message of Sympathy to Chairman of Myanmar State Peace and Development Council
Pyongyang, May 7 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Tuesday sent a message of sympathy to General Than Shwe, chairman of the Myanmar State Peace and Development Council, in connection with tropical storm that hit the country, claiming big casualties and material losses.
Kim in the message expressed deep consolation and sympathy to him and, through him, to the victims, hoping that he and the Myanmar government would eradicate the aftermath of the natural disaster as early as possible.
DPRK's Will to Boost Regional Cooperation Expressed
Pyongyang, May 5 (KCNA) -- The DPRK government will further boost cooperation with regional countries in achieving the millennium development objective through its efforts for the development of the national economy and the improvement of the standard of people's living in the future, too.
The head of the DPRK delegation declared this stand when addressing the 64th general meeting of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific held in Thailand from April 23 to 30.
Referring to the achievements made by the commission last year, he said that if the Asia-Pacific region is to steadily maintain its position as a region propelling the world economic development in conformity with the present changed circumstances, it is necessary to decide on more concrete strategy and plan and take practical measures for promoting the sustained economic and social development.
DPRK's Determination to Build Great Prosperous Powerful Nation Manifested
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea will frustrate any enemy provocations and surely build a great prosperous powerful nation, in which the people will lead a happy life with nothing to desire more in the world, as all its people are single-mindedly united around General Secretary Kim Jong Il and it has powerful defence capability provided by dint of the Songun politics.
Choe Thae Bok, chairman of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly who is leading its delegation, said this when addressing the plenary session of the 118th Conference of the IPU held in South Africa on April 14.
He went on:
The DPRK is waging a dynamic drive after singling it out as its main tasks to build an economic power and bring about a substantial turn in improving the people's standard of living in hearty response to the people's living-first policy this year marking its 60th birthday.
Syrian Party School Delegation Here
Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the school of Syria's Baath Arab Socialist Party led by Riad Youness, deputy of the director of the school, arrived here on Monday.
SPA Delegation Leaves to Participate in IPU Conference
Pyongyang, April 10 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK headed by its Chairman Choe Thae Bok left here today to participate in the 118th Conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union to be held in South Africa.
It was seen off at the airport by Choe Yong Rim, secretary general of the Presidium of the SPA, and Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK.
DPRK Delegation Leaves for 12th Meeting of UNCTAD
Pyongyang, April 17 (KCNA) -- A DPRK delegation led by Ri Myong San, vice-minister of Foreign Trade, left here today to participate in the 12th meeting of the UN Conference on Trade and Development to be held in Accra, Ghana.
Agreement Signed between DPRK and Mexico
Pyongyang, April 19 (KCNA) -- An agreement on educational and cultural cooperation between the governments of the DPRK and Mexico was inked in Mexico on April 14.
Present at the signing ceremony were a delegation of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries led by its Acting Chairman Mun Jae Chol and DPRK Ambassador to Mexico So Jae Myong from the DPRK side and Alberto Fierro Garza, general director for Culture of the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other officials concerned from the Mexican side.
DPRK Permanent Representative at UN Appointed
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- Sin Son Ho was appointed as the DPRK permanent representative at the United Nations, according to a decree of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly.
Kim Yong Nam Flies back
Pyongyang, April 1 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, returned home on Tuesday by special plane after wrapping up his official goodwill visit to Namibia, Angola, Democratic Congo and Uganda.
Pak Ui Chun, minister of Foreign Affairs, Choe Chang Sik, minister of Public Health, and other suite members flew back together with him.
They were greeted at the airport by Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the SPA of the DPRK, Kim Hyong Jun, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Ri Myong San, vice-minister of Foreign Trade, Ri Pong Hun, vice-minister of Public Health, and Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK.
Kim Yong Nam Arrives in Kampala
Kampala, March 27 (KCNA Correspondent) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, arrived in Kampala on March 27 to pay an official goodwill visit to Uganda.
NKorea Rejects UN Rights Resolution
The Associated Press
Saturday, March 29, 2008; 6:54 AM
SEOUL, South Korea -- North Korea on Saturday rejected a recent U.N. resolution condemning its human rights abuses as a U.S.-led political plot, warning the U.S., the European Union and Japan of "unpredictable consequences" for leading the move.
The North's Foreign Ministry issued the harsh warning, labeling the resolution _ passed at the U.N. Human Rights Council on Thursday _ as a "politically motivated document" that is "full of sheer lies and fabrications."
[Manipulation]
U.N. Renews North Korea Rights Investigator's Mandate
By REUTERS
Published: March 27, 2008
Filed at 2:05 p.m. ET
GENEVA (Reuters) - The U.N. Human Rights Council on Thursday renewed the one-year mandate of its investigator for North Korea, overcoming objections from countries including China and Russia which wanted the post abolished.
The 47 member-state body adopted a resolution presented by Japan and the European Union in a vote of 22 countries in favor and seven against, with 18 abstentions. South Korea, which had abstained in previous years, voted in favor.
[Manipulation] [Double standards] [USUN]
Kim Yong Nam Arrives in Kinshasa
Kinshasa, March 26 (KCNA Correspondent) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, arrived here on Wednesday to pay an official goodwill visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Pak Ui Chun, Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam, Minister of Public Health Choe Chang Sik and others.
Kim Yong Nam and his party were greeted at the airport by Godefroid Mayobo Mpwene Ngantien, minister in charge of the prime minister's Office, Marcelin Chisambo, special advisor to the president on political and foreign affairs, and officials concerned.
Kim Yong Nam was presented with a bunch of flowers by a child.
He announced an arrival statement.
Joint Document on Kim Yong Nam's Angolan Visit Signed
Luanda, March 25 (KCNA Correspondent) -- Joint document on official good-will visit to Angola by Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, were signed in Luanda on Tuesday.
Present there from the DPRK side were Minister of Foreign Affairs Pak Ui Chun, Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam, Minister of Public Health Choe Chang Sik and DPRK Ambassador to Angola Ri Won Son and from the Angolan side were Foreign Minister Joao Bernardo De Miranda, Minister of Foreign Trade Joaquim Icuma Muafumba, Minister of Health Anastacio Ruben Sicatu, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Pedro Canga, Minister of Science and Technology Joao Baptista Ngandagina and Angolan Ambassador to the DPRK Joao Manuel Bernardo.
Pak Ui Chun and Joao Bernardo De Miranda signed the joint document.
Yang Hyong Sop Meets Brazilian Delegation
Pyongyang, March 26 (KCNA) -- Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a friendly talk with a delegation of the Brazilian Foreign Ministry headed by Undersecretary General Roberto Jaguaribe at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Wednesday.
Talks between President of DPRK SPA Presidium and President of Angola
Luanda, March 24 (KCNA Correspondent) -- Talks were held between Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, and Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, President of the Republic of Angola, at the presidential palace on Monday.
At the talks both sides exchanged views on the issue of boosting the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries as required by the new century and matters of mutual concern.
The talks proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.
Present there were Pak Ui Chun, minister of Foreign Affairs, Ri Ryong Nam, minister of Foreign Trade, Choe Chang Sik, minister of Public Health, and Ri Won Son, DPRK ambassador to Angola.
On hand were Joao Bernardo De Miranda, foreign minister, Carlos@Fonseca, diplomatic advisor to the president, and Joao Manuel Bernardo, Angolan ambassador to the DPRK.
DPRK-Namibia Joint Communique Released
Windhoek, March 23 (KCNA Correspondent) -- A joint communique on the official goodwill visit to Namibia paid by Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, was issued in Windhoek on March 23.
According to it, Kim Yong Nam paid an official goodwill visit to Namibia from March 20 to 23 at the invitation of Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba.
During the visit, Kim Yong Nam had talks with the Namibian president and met and had a conversation with the first Namibian president Sam Nujoma.
Yong Nam Arrives in Luanda
Luanda, March 23 (KCNA Correspondent) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, arrived in Luanda on March 23 to pay an official goodwill visit to the Republic of Angola.
He was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Pak Ui Chun, Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam, Minister of Public Health Choe Chang Sik and others.
Kim Yong Nam and his party were greeted at the airport by Angola's Foreign Minister Joao Bernardo De Miranda, Minister of Foreign Trade Joaquim Icuma Muafumba, Minister of Health Anastacio Ruben Sicatu, officials concerned and DPRK Ambassador to Angola Ri Won Son.
Kim Yong Nam Meets Former President of Namibia
Windhoek, March 22 (KCNA Correspondent) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met Sam Nujoma, former president of Namibia, who paid a courtesy call on him on Saturday.
Sam Nujoma said that he was grateful for the positive support and encouragement given by the Workers' Party of Korea and the DPRK government to the struggle of the Namibian people for national liberation and the building of a new society, true to the high intention of President Kim Il Sung.
NK Ties With Africa
Pyongyang Seeks to Export More Arms, Workers
South Korean officials are paying attention to North Korea's move to intensify diplomatic activities in Africa. Kim Yong-nam, the second-highest ranking official in the North, is now on an 11-day visit to four African countries, leading a 24-member delegation. Press reports said that Kim originally planned to visit three countries ? Namibia, Angola and Uganda. But he added the Democratic Republic of Congo to his itinerary.
N. Korea, Namibia reach deals
North Korea agreed Friday to cooperate in health and medicine with Namibia while reaching a preliminary deal on "diplomatic negotiations" with the world's fifth-largest uranium producer, Pyongyang's official media reported.
[Media]
Kim Yong Nam Arrives in Windhoek
Windhoek, March 20 (KCNA Correspondent) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, arrived in Windhoek on Thursday to pay an official goodwill visit to Namibia.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Pak Ui Chun, Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam, Minister of Public Health Choe Chang Sik and other suite members arrived there together with Kim.
Kim and his party were greeted at the airport by Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of Namibia, Nahas Angula, prime minister, Libertina Amasila, deputy prime minister, Marco Hausiku, foreign minister, Immanuel Ngatjizeko, minister of Trade and Industry, Richad Kamwi, minister of Health and Social Service, and other members of the government, Leonard Nambahu, Namibian ambassador to the DPRK, the commander of armed forces, the inspector general of police, figures from all walks of life, diplomatic envoys of different countries and representatives of international organizations in Namibia.
A welcome function took place at the airport.
Citizens of Windhoek welcomed Kim and his entourage at the airport, waving flags of the two countries and dancing to the tunes of folk songs.
Agreement and MOU Signed between DPRK and Namibia
Windhoek, March 20 (KCNA Correspondent) -- An inter-governmental agreement on cooperation in the fields of public health and traditional medicine between the DPRK and Namibia and a MOU on diplomatic negotiations between the two foreign ministries were signed here on Thursday.
Present at the signing ceremony from the DPRK side were Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Pak Ui Chun, foreign minister, Ri Ryong Nam, minister of Foreign Trade, Choe Chang Sik, minister of Public Health, and An Hui Jong, DPRK ambassador to Namibia.
Present from the Namibian side were Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of Namibia, Marco Hausiku, foreign minister, Charles D. N. P. Namoloh, minister of Defence, Immanuel Ngatjizeko, minister of Trade and Industry, Richad Kamwi, minister of Health and Social Service, Joel Kaapanda, minister of Construction, Transport and Tele-Communications, Nangolo Mbumba, minister of Education, John Mutorwa, minister of Youth, National Service, Sports and Culture, and Leonard Nambahu, Namibian ambassador to the DPRK.
Choe Chang Sik and Richad Kamwi signed the agreement and Pak Ui Chun and Marco Hausiku inked the MOU.
WPK Delegation to Visit India and Iran
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Workers' Party of Korea led by Vice Department Director of its Central Committee Ri Yong Su left here today to participate in the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of India and the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
The delegation will also visit Iran.
North Korea's No. 2 on African Tour
By REUTERS
Published: March 20, 2008
Filed at 4:39 p.m. ET
Skip to next paragraph WINDHOEK (Reuters) - North Korea's number two leader on Thursday started a three-country African tour in Namibia, a leading uranium producer with longstanding ties to the reclusive communist state.
Kim Yong-nam, president of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, will officially open Namibia's new North Korean-built presidential residence and discuss trade and political relations, Namibian officials said
[Media]
N.Korean Envoy to UN Recalled
North Koreas Ambassador to the UN Pak Gil-yon will be replaced in April, it emerged on Wednesday. A South Korean government official said, "I understand that Ambassador Pak will return to North Korea soon. It doesn't seem likely that he is leaving his post for health reasons."
Pak (65) has worked in the international arena for 12 years, serving two terms, from 1991 to 1996 and from 2001 until this year. He spoke for North Korea at the UN during the first North Korean nuclear crisis in 1993, during the second nuclear crisis in 2002, and in 2006 when North Korean conducted a nuclear test. He was also deeply involved in talks with the U.S.
One of the people mentioned as his possible replacement is Shin Seon-ho, former deputy chief of the North Korean mission to the UN.
DPRK Delegate Calls on UNSC to Give Developing Countries Representation
Pyongyang, March 7 (KCNA) -- The United Nations Security Council should be reformed in such a way as to give full representation to the developing countries which make up a majority of the UN member states and ensure the impartiality of its activities.
A DPRK delegate said this in his speech at the meeting of the Special Committee on the UN Charter and on Increasing the Role of the Organization opened in New York on Feb. 27.
The principles of respect for sovereignty, equality and non-interference in internal affairs laid down in the UN Charter are still wantonly violated in the international relations and the UNSC's breach of the authority of the UN General Assembly, in particular, is arousing concern among the member states, he noted, referring to a series of issues related to this.
[Imperialism]
DPRK Delegate Calls for Substantial Measures against Terrorism
Pyongyang, March 4 (KCNA) -- The DPRK delegate, addressing the meeting of the special committee on international terrorism that opened in New York on Feb. 25, noted that it is impossible to guarantee not only the peace and security of the world but elementary rights of the human beings unless the state-sponsored terrorism is eradicated, calling on the UN to take substantial measures to combat terrorism.
He said:
The U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq and the Israeli occupation of Arab territories have caused a vicious cycle of terrorism and horrible bloodshed as they are typical state-sponsored terrorism. These actions are spawning serious issues as they are designed to overthrow legitimate governments, but what is graver is that they are most hideous human rights abuses as they cause mass killings of civilians and a sharp increase in the number of refugees.
He expressed the expectation that the UN-sponsored high-level meeting on terrorism would have a package discussion on the issue of terrorism and contribute to seeking more effective ways of combating it.
Noting that the DPRK has maintained its avowed stand of opposing all forms of terrorist actions and any form of supporting it, he said that the government of the DPRK would positively contribute to the efforts of the international community to root out terrorism and build a peaceful and stable world in the future, too.
Kim Jong Il Sends Congratulatory Message to Raul Castro Ruz
Pyongyang, February 26 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il Monday sent a congratulatory message to Raul Castro Ruz, second secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, president of the Council of State and president of the Council of Ministers of Cuba.
The message said:
We extend warm congratulations to you in the name of the Workers' Party of Korea, the government and people of the DPRK on your election as president of the Council of State and president of the Council of Ministers of Cuba at the first session of the 7th National Assembly of People's Power.
The above-said heavy responsibilities entrusted to you are an expression of the deep trust and high expectation of respected Fidel Castro and the Cuban party and people for you.
Believing that the comradely and militant friendly and cooperative relations between the peoples of the two countries provided by President Kim Il Sung and Fidel Castro would steadily grow stronger in the course of carrying out the common cause of socialism, the message sincerely wished him success in his responsible work.
FM Spokesman Interviewed
Pyongyang, February 23 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave the following answer to the question put by KCNA Saturday as regards the intention expressed by Fidel Castro Ruz, supreme Leader of the Cuban revolution, to resign from some of his duties:
Fidel Castro has recently expressed his intention to resign from such duties as president of the Council of State and supreme commander of the armed forces of Cuba. He was operated and treated for acute intestinal bleeding in July 2006 but he has not been fully recovered.
He forged particularly comradely relations with President Kim Il Sung, the great leader of the Korean people, and has since made many contributions to the development of the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Cuba in the past period.
Korea Denies Entry to Thais Most
By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
Korea denied entry to the country to Thai nationals the most last year. Of 86,358 Thais who sought to come to Korea last year, 6,767 were refused entry, according to the Korea Immigration Service.
Following Thais were Chinese with 3,481, Mongolians, 1,667 and Bangladeshis, 834.
Immigration officials said that most of the entries were refused due to concerns about illegal residency.
Rodong Sinmun on DPRK's Avowed Foreign Policy Tenet
Pyongyang, January 18 (KCNA) -- It is the consistent stand and foreign policy of the DPRK to establish and develop relations of friendship, cooperation and good neighborliness with all countries that respect the sovereignty of the DPRK and are friendly towards it, says Rodong Sinmun Friday in a signed article.
Independence, peace and friendship are the idea of the consistent foreign policy of the Workers' Party of Korea and the government of the DPRK, the article says, and goes on:
The present times are the era of independence. What people want is independence, not subjugation, peace, not war, and friendship, not confrontation.
Each country has the right to defend its independence and, at the same time, an obligation to respect the independence of other countries. Only when countries support and unite with each other on the principle of full independence, equality, mutual respect and non-interference in other's internal affairs can the relations of friendship and cooperation be genuine and strong.
[Independent states]
Rodong Sinmun on Foreign Policy of DPRK
Pyongyang, January 7 (KCNA) -- It is the invariable stand of the Workers' Party of Korea and the government of the DPRK to consistently embody the idea of the foreign policy -- independence, peace and friendship, observes Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article.
Independence, peace and friendship represent the basic idea of the foreign policy of the WPK and the government of the DPRK, the article notes, and goes on:
The idea of their independent foreign policy most fully meets the intrinsic wishes of the human beings to live and develop independently.
Without an independent stand, people cannot properly advance the revolution and construction and achieve final victory.
The DPRK never allows anyone to infringe upon its sovereignty, meddle in its internal affairs, dominate and control it. It is opposed to any act of violating the sovereignty of any other country.
It estimates and handles anything arising in the relations with other countries and all other issues with independence as a yardstick and resolutely struggles against the infringement upon independence.
The above-said idea of the peace-loving foreign policy represents the desire of the people to live in a peaceful world free from war.
People can successfully promote national prosperity and the building of an independent new society only in a peaceful environment.
Peace cannot be achieved by the effort of an individual country and people alone.
Mankind's desire for peace can come true only when the peace-loving progressive people get united and wage a dynamic struggle for defending peace from war.
The above-mentioned idea of the foreign policy presupposes boosting the friendly and cooperative ties with all countries and people of the world.
It is the avowed foreign policy of the DPRK to develop the friendly and cooperative relations with all the countries of the world advocating independence.
The DPRK will make every effort to establish sound international relations and order as a member of the international community.
[Independent states]
Rodong Sinmun on Trend of Times toward Global Independence
Pyongyang, December 27 (KCNA) -- There may be turns and twists in the way of the advance of history but the main direction of the development of history can never change and no force on earth can stem the trend of the world toward independence.
Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article.
It goes on:
This year the world progressive countries and people have waged a worldwide vigorous struggle against the imperialists' military intervention and war, domination and subjugation and for global independence under the banner of independence against imperialism.
What drew public attention in the international arena this year was that the movement of the developing countries has been noticeably intensified to resolutely counter the unilateral high-handed and arbitrary practices of the imperialists contrary to the trend of the times by their concerted efforts.
[Independent States]
Kim Yong Nam Sends Message of Condolences to Pakistani President
Pyongyang, December 29 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of condolences to Pervez Musharraf, president of Pakistan, on Friday over the sudden demise of Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan.
In the message Kim expressed deep condolences to the Pakistani president and, through him, to the bereaved family members.
Rodong Sinmun on Idea of Foreign Policy of WPK and DPRK Government
Pyongyang, November 26 (KCNA) -- Independence, peace and friendship are the idea of the foreign policy of the Workers' Party of Korea and the DPRK government. It is the most just idea as it helps strengthen the international solidarity and make a positive contribution to the cause of global independence. Rodong Sinmun Monday says this in a signed article.
The WPK and the DPRK government have firmly upheld and consistently adhered to the idea of independence, peace and friendship, thus dealing a heavy blow at the imperialist forces keen to maintain their outdated international order, the article says, and goes on:
Maritime Security and Protection of Sea Environment Called for
Pyongyang, November 25 (KCNA) -- The head of the DPRK delegation, addressing the 25th general assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on November 20, called for ensuring the maritime security and protecting the sea environment.
He recalled that the IMO adopted new favorable conventions and regulations and amended the existing ones in the field of overall maritime work including maritime security and protection of sea environment and has taken proper measures to implement them, thus consistently pursuing its goal to ensure safe navigation in clean oceans and boost its efficiency.
Kim Jong-il 'Accepts Invitation to Vietnam'
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il told the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nong Duc Manh, who was on a visit to Pyongyang in mid-October, that he wants to visit Hanoi next year, Japans Kyodo news agency reported Saturday.
Kyodo quoted a senior Vietnamese official who was in the meeting as saying Kim "is seriously considering a visit to Vietnam." The official said Kim, who has an aversion to flying, will go via the trans-Chinese railway. "North Korean officials asked us to keep everything, including Chairman Kim's itinerary, secret if his visit to Vietnam materializes at all, and to announce his visit only after his departure for Vietnam," he added.
MOU Signed between Pyongyang and Jakarta
Pyongyang, November 10 (KCNA) -- A memorandum of understanding on establishing the sister city relations between Pyongyang of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Jakarta of the Republic of Indonesia was signed in Jakarta on Thursday.
The MOU was inked by Vice-Chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee Kim Jong Sik and the mayor of Jakarta.
Inter-Sector Talks Held between DPRK and Vietnam
Hanoi, October 27 (KCNA-Correspondent) -- Inter-sector talks between the DPRK and Vietnam took place in Hanoi on Oct. 27.
The talks were separately held between Minister of Agriculture Ri Kyong Sik and Cao Duc Phat, minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and between Acting Chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Mun Jae Chol and Hoang Tuan Anh, minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
At the talks both sides exchanged views on boosting the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries in different fields as desired by the two peoples and issues of mutual concern.
The talks proceeded in a friendship atmosphere.
Premier of DPRK Cabinet Returns
Pyongyang, November 7 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Il, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, Wednesday returned home by special plane after winding up his official goodwill visit to Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia and Laos.
Rim Kyong Man, minister of Foreign Trade, Ri Kyong Sik, minister of Agriculture, Mun Jae Chol, acting chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, and Kim Yong Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, also flew back home.
They were greeted at the airport by Ro Tu Chol, vice-premier, Kang Nung Su, minister of Culture, Choe Su Hon, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Ku Pon Thae, vice-minister of Foreign Trade, and diplomatic envoys of Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia and Laos here.
DPRK to Make Positive Contribution to Worldwide Protection and Promotion of Human Rights
Pyongyang, November 7 (KCNA) -- The DPRK will more firmly defend the advantageous socialist system of Korean style which legally and practically guarantees the people's enjoyment of human rights on the basis of the man-centered Juche idea and make a positive contribution to protecting and promoting human rights worldwide. A DPRK delegate said this when addressing the meeting of the Third Committee handling social, human rights and humanitarian issues of the 62nd UN General Assembly on October 31.
There go on the international arena at present unceasing acts of taking the lives of innocent people and violating the rights and basic freedom of people quite contrary to the trend of the times towards peace and stability, he noted, and continued:
In order to protect and promote human rights it is necessary to put an end to aggression against sovereign states and interference in their internal affairs and the application of the double standards and selectivity in dealing with human rights issues and eradicate national chauvinism prevalent in the developed countries.
Two Koreas seeking UN approval on deal
October 19, 2007 North and South Korea are seeking an endorsement and support from the United Nations for the outcome of their inter-Korean summit held earlier this month, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said yesterday.
The two Koreas have submitted to the United Nations a joint resolution calling for international support for the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula and also for the agreements South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il reached at their summit held Oct. 2-4, according to ministry officials.
Kim Jong Il Sees Nong Duc Manh Off
Pyongyang, October 18 (KCNA) -- Nong Duc Manh, Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, left here Thursday by a special plane after successfully winding up his official goodwill visit to the DPRK at the invitation of Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission.
Kim Jong Il saw Nong Duc Manh off at the airport.
Tete-a-Tete Talks Held between Kim Jong Il and Nong Duc Manh
Pyongyang, October 17 (KCNA) -- Tete-a-tete talks were held between Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, and Nong Duc Manh, Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, in Pyongyang Wednesday.
The talks proceeded in a comradely, sincere and friendly atmosphere.
Kim Yong Nam Meets Foreign Delegation
Pyongyang, October 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met with a delegation of the International Kim Il Sung Foundation headed by Chairman Johnny Hon, who is chairman of the Global Group of Britain, and had a friendly talk with it at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Wednesday.
Present there were Kwak Pom Gi, vice-premier of the Cabinet, Kim Yong Jin, minister of Education, Rim Hoe Song, vice-chairman of the Korean Social Scientists Society, and officials concerned.
International Kim Il Sung Foundation Established
Pyongyang, October 17 (KCNA) -- The International Kim Il Sung Foundation was established with due ceremony at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Wednesday.
Present there were Vice-President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly Yang Hyong Sop, Vice-Premier of the DPRK Cabinet Kwak Pom Gi, Minister of Education Kim Yong Jin, Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam, President of Koryo Bank Pak Yong Chil, Vice-Chairman of the Korean Social Scientists Society Rim Hoe Song and officials concerned.
Also present were members of the delegation of the International Kim Il Sung Foundation headed by Chairman Johnny Hon, who is chairman of the Global Group of Britain.
Kim Jong Il Greets Nong Duc Manh
Pyongyang, October 16 (KCNA) -- Nong Duc Manh, Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, arrived in Pyongyang by a special plane on Oct. 16 to pay an official goodwill visit to the DPRK at the invitation of Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission.
Kim Jong Il greeted Nong Duc Manh at the Pyongyang Airport.
Thousands of Pyongyangites turned out to the airport with flags of the two countries and flowers in their hands to greet the envoys of Vietnam.
Present at the airport were Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Kim Yong Il, premier of the Cabinet, Kim Il Chol, minister of the People's Armed Forces, Kim Jong Gak, first vice director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army, Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the SPA Presidium, Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the WPK Central Committee, Kang Sok Ju, first vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, leading officials of the party and power organs, ministries and national institutions and Ma Chol Su, DPRK ambassador to Vietnam.
North Korean PM to Visit Cambodia In November
By REUTERS
Published: October 16, 2007
Filed at 7:46 a.m. ET
Skip to next paragraph
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia said on Tuesday that North Korean Prime Minister Kim Jong Il [sic; should be Kim Yong Il's] would pay an official visit at the start of next month, cementing Pyongyang's relationship with a rare friend in southeast Asia.
During his November 1 to November 4 trip, Kim will meet Prime Minister Hun Sen and former king Norodom Sihanouk, who formed a close personal relationship with North Korean founding father Kim Il-sung at the height of the Cold War.
Sihanouk, whose playboy reputation and royal credentials did not appear to clash with Kim's austere and rigidly communist outlook, still has a palace in Pyongyang and his personal bodyguards are all North Korean agents.
A Cambodian government statement gave few other details of Kim Yong Il's visit.
Vietnam said earlier this month he would visit Hanoi, but did not say when or why. In March, Hanoi hosted talks aimed at normalizing relations between communist North Korea and Japan.
Rodong Sinmun on Basic Idea of DPRK's Foreign Policy
Pyongyang, October 13 (KCNA) -- The DPRK will carry on the revolution and construction in Korean style under the uplifted banner of independence and make a positive contribution to accelerating the global cause of independence, boosting solidarity and cooperation with the world progressives advocating independence. Rodong Sinmun today declares this in a signed article.
It goes on:
Independence is the avowed basic idea of the foreign policy of the DPRK.
[Independent states]
Chairman of SPA Leaves for Italy and Syria
Pyongyang, October 13 (KCNA) -- Chairman of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly Choe Thae Bok and his party left here on Saturday to visit Italy and Syria.
FM of DPRK Meets New Thai Ambassador
Pyongyang, October 11 (KCNA) -- Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun met and had a talk with new Thai Ambassador e.p. to the DPRK Rathakit Manathat who paid a courtesy call on him on Thursday.
On hand were officials concerned and Thai embassy officials.
General Secretary of C.C., CPV to Pay Official Goodwill Visit to DPRK
Pyongyang, October 9 (KCNA) -- At the invitation of Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, Nong Duc Manh, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, will pay an official goodwill visit to the DPRK in the near future.
DPRK Calls for Building Just and Equal World
Pyongyang, October 6 (KCNA) -- The DPRK will make positive efforts to build a just and equal world in the idea of independence, peace and friendship in the future, too.
Choe Su Hon, head of the DPRK delegation who is vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, declared this in his speech made at the plenary meeting of the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly on Oct. 2.
Referring to the principled and just and fair stance of the DPRK toward the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula and its sincere endeavor to settle the nuclear issue, he noted that the DPRK has no other option but to boost capability for self-defense in every way by enforcing the Songun policy in order to defend the sovereignty and the dignity of the nation from the threat of the preemptive nuclear attack and the harsh economic sanctions of the U.S.
DPRK Delegation Leaves for Denmark
Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the State Maritime Supervision Bureau of the DPRK led by Its Vice-Director Jon Ki Chol left here today to participate in the 83rd meeting of the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization to be held in Denmark.
Diplomatic Ties Established between DPRK and Dominica
Pyongyang, September 27 (KCNA) -- A joint communique on establishing diplomatic ties between the governments of the DPRK and the Dominican Republic was made public in New York on Sept. 24.
Kim Yong Nam Meets Officials of Syrian Political Party
Pyongyang, September 22 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a friendly talk with Saaeed Eleia Dawood, director of the Organizational Department of the Syria's Baath Arab Socialist Party, and his party at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
On hand were officials concerned and the Syrian charge d'affaires ad interim here.
Saaeed Eleia Dawood said that the friendly and cooperative ties between Syria and the DPRK provided by President Hafez Al-Assad and President Kim Il Sung, who are always remembered, are growing stronger under the deep care of President Bashar Al-Assad and Kim Jong Il.
U.N. Chief's Dealings With U.S. Draw Fire
Ban Sees Himself as a Pragmatist, but Some Critics Say He Is Too Pro-American
By Colum Lynch
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, September 24, 2007; Page A14
UNITED NATIONS -- When U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon first approached President Bush at the White House in January to muster support for a U.N. climate-change initiative, the president's response was cool: An impatient Bush reminded Ban that he did not want to restrain U.S. industries, and that past accords unfairly exempted major polluters such as China and India. "He was not that favorably inclined," Ban conceded in an interview last week.
But Ban kept at it, cajoling Bush in phone calls and meetings, urging him to at least attend a dinner with other world leaders to discuss the issue. Finally, Bush relented. "I'll be there, I'll be there," he reassured Ban in a phone conversation earlier this month. The dinner will be held Monday. [Ban Ki-moon] [UNUS]
Talks Held between WPK and Syrian Political Party
Pyongyang, September 21 (KCNA) -- Talks were held between Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the C.C., the Workers' Party of Korea, and Saaeed Eleia Dawood, director of the Organizational Department of Syria's Baath Arab Socialist Party, on September 21.
Present at the talks were officials concerned from the DPRK side and the director's party and the Syrian charge d'affaires ad interim here from the Syrian side.
At the talks both sides informed each other of activities of their parties and exchanged views on the issue of boosting the friendly and cooperative ties between the two parties and a series of issues of bilateral interest.
The talks proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.
Diplomatic Ties at Ambassadorial Level Established between DPRK and United Arab Emirates
Pyongyang, September 20 (KCNA) -- A joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic ties between the governments of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United Arab Emirates was made public in New York on September 17.
According to it, the governments of the two countries decided to establish diplomatic ties at ambassadorial level effective from the date of signing the joint communique, out of their desire to promote the mutual interests of their peoples and strengthen friendship and cooperation, on the basis of the principles and purpose of the United Nations Charter, especially the international law and treaties on the promotion of international peace and security, equality among nations, national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and noninterference in the internal affairs of other countries and in conformity with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations dated April 18, 1961.
Visits
Pyongyang, September 20 (KCNA) -- A DPRK delegation led by Choe Su Hon, vice-foreign minister, left here today to participate in the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly.
Saaeed Eleia Dawood, director of the Organizational Department of of the Syria's Baath Arab Socialist Party, and his party arrived here on the same day.
Kim Yong Nam Meets Delegation of Myanmar
Pyongyang, September 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a friendly talk with the delegation of the Foreign Ministry of Myanmar led by Vice-Minister U Kyaw Thu at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Monday.
Kim Jong Il Congratulates Syrian President
Pyongyang, September 10 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il Monday sent a congratulatory message to Bashar Al-Assad, regional secretary of the Baath Arab Socialist Party and President of Syria, on his 42nd birthday.
The message said: Today the Syrian people under your leadership are striving hard to defend the sovereignty and dignity of the country and build a modern society, meeting all challenges and overcoming difficulties, and making a positive contribution to the fair and comprehensive settlement of the Mideast issue.
Pleased to note that the excellent friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries are steadily growing stronger even under the complicated international situation, the message wished him good health and happiness and greater success in his responsible work.
Message of Sympathy to Algerian President
Pyongyang, September 8 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Saturday sent a message of sympathy to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in connection with the suicide bombing attack in Algeria that claimed dozens of casualties.
In the message Kim extended deep sympathy and condolences to the Algerian president and, through him, to the victims and the bereaved families and reiterated the firm support and solidarity of the DPRK with the national reconciliation policy of the Algerian president and government for stability and unity of the country.
Foreign Delegations Arrive
Pyongyang, September 8 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the China Association for International Friendly Contact led by Vice-President Shen Weiping arrived here today by air to mark the 59th anniversary of the DPRK.
On the same day a Qatar delegation of Al-Jazeera Satellite Television led by its Director General Wadah Khanfar came here.
Kim Yong Nam Meets Vietnamese Delegation
Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a friendly talk with the delegation of the Central Committee of the Fatherland Front of Vietnam led by its President Pham The Duyet at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
Present there were Kim Wan Su, director of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland, officials concerned and the Vietnamese charge d'affaires ad interim here.
Promotion of Human Rights and Diversity of Culture Called for
Teheran, September 4 (KCNA) -- The DPRK government and people will fulfill their responsibility and obligation to promote human rights and diversity of culture in the future, too and thus make a positive contribution to advancing the noble cause of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun, head of the DPRK delegation, said this when addressing the ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement on human rights and diversity of culture on September 3.
Noting that the reality requires the member states of the NAM to get awakened and unite to reject the Western-style view on value detrimental to the independent development in the field of social culture including human rights and positively encourage and develop the diversity of culture, tradition and custom peculiar to each nation and state, he referred to the issues which require special attention.
He said:
Member states of the NAM should get united to stand firm against the politicization and selectivity of human rights and the application of double standards in dealing with them and disallow any attempt to use the "human rights protection" as a political lever for interfering in other country's internal affairs and trifling with the destiny of other nations. [Independent states]
Iranian President on Need to Develop Relations with DPRK
Pyongyang, September 5 (KCNA) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had talks with the DPRK delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Pak Ui Chun participating in the ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement on human rights and cultural diversity at the Tehran International Conference Center on Monday.
He said that it is the steadfast stand of the Iranian government to develop the relations with the DPRK.
Greetings to Turkish President
Pyongyang, September 2 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Abdullah Gul on his election as President of Turkey on August 31.
Expressing the belief that the bilateral friendly relations would further develop on good terms, Kim in the message wished him success in his work for progress and prosperity of the country.
Visits
Pyongyang, September 1 (KCNA) -- A DPRK delegation led by Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun left Pyongyang Saturday to participate in the ministerial meeting of the non-aligned movement on human rights and cultural diversity to be held in Tehran and to visit Iran. A friendship delegation of North Hwanghae Province led by Chairman of North Hwanghae Provincial People's Committee Ri Sang Gwan also left Pyongyang today to visit Mongolia.
Arriving here on the same day was a delegation of the International Cultural and Educational Foundation of Nepal led by President Ek Nath Dhakal and a delegation of Loxley Pacific Company Limited of Thailand led by Jingjai Hanchanlash, executive vice-president of the Loxley Public Company Limited of Thailand, to participate in the 22nd meeting of the North|East Asia Telephone and Telecommunications Co. LTD Directors' Board.
[ICT]
Greetings to Malaysian King
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Friday sent a message of greetings to Malaysian King A1|Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni A1|Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al|Muktafi Billah Shah on the occasion of the 50th national day of Malaysia.
Kim in his message expressed his belief that the good relations of friendship and cooperation between the DPRK and Malaysia would grow stronger in the future.
Rodong Sinmun Observes 47th Anniversary of Opening of Diplomatic Ties between DPRK and Cuba
Pyongyang, August 29 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article carried on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and Cuba says that the people of the DPRK send friendly greetings to the fraternal Cuban people and wish them greater success in their drive for building socialism.
Pak Ui Chun Meets Foreign Ambassadors
Pyongyang, August 27 (KCNA) -- DPRK Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun Monday separately met and conversed with new German Ambassador to the DPRK Thomas Schafer who paid a courtesy call on him and Vietnamese Ambassador to the DPRK Phan Trong Thai who paid a farewell call on him.
Seoul names new chief of mission to U.N
Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chon was named Tuesday as the chief of South Korea's mission to the United Nations in New York, the Foreign Ministry said.
A graduate of the Columbia University in New York, the 48-year-old Kim led the country's negotiations with the United States for a free trade agreement that were concluded earlier in the year.
Ban Meets N.Korea Envoy Over Summit
United nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon invited North Korea's Ambassador to the UN Pak Gil-yon to his office in New York on Tuesday, two weeks ahead of the second inter-Korean summit. The two discussed the summit and international aid to North Korea, which is suffering from recent flood damage.
[Ban Ki-moon]
Iranian First Vice-President on Friendly Ties with DPRK
Teheran, August 9 (KCNA) -- The traditional friendly relations between Iran and the DPRK are developing under the deep care of the leaders of the two countries. The Iranian people remember the Korean people who sincerely helped them in the hard period after the victory of the Islamic Revolution.
Iranian First Vice-President Parviz Davudi said this Thursday when meeting and having a talk with the government economic delegation of the DPRK led by Minister of Foreign Trade Rim Kyong Man on a visit to Iran.
The Iranian government attaches great importance to boosting the friendly ties based on justice with such anti-imperialist, anti-U.S. and revolutionary countries as the DPRK, he noted, adding that Iran hopes that the cooperation in various fields including economy would further expand and develop in the future, too, to be commensurate with a high level of political relations that exist between the two countries.
DPRK Government Will Strive for Peace
Pyongyang, August 5 (KCNA) -- Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun, who is leading a DPRK delegation to the ministerial meeting of the 14th ASEAN regional forum, said at the meeting that the DPRK government will continue to closely cooperate with the member states of the forum including ASEAN countries for the peace on the Korean Peninsula and the rest of the region in the idea of its external policy for independence, peace and friendship in the future, too. It is indispensable for the ASEAN regional forum to thoroughly keep the essential principles of respect of sovereignty, non-interference in other's internal affairs, peaceful co-existence and ban on the use of force in order to fulfill its mission as a unique forum for political dialogue in the region, Pak said, and continued:
One of the main instable factors present in Asia is none other than Japan.
The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is, in essence, the issue directly connected with the end of the U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK and removal of nuclear threat to it.
Recalling the adoption of the Feb. 13 agreement, Pak reaffirmed the DPRK government's firm will to honor its commitments under the agreement.
Visits
Pyongyang, August 4 (KCNA) -- A government economic delegation of the DPRK led by Minister of Foreign Trade Rim Kyong Man left here today to visit Iran and Syria. A delegation of the Workers' Party of Korea led by Cha Yong Myong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the WPK, also left here today to visit Laos, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Half Centenary of Meeting between Kim Il Sung and Ho Chi Minh Observed
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- A photo exhibition and film show took place at the People's Palace of Culture Thursday to commemorate the half centenary of the meeting between President Kim Il Sung and Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh.
Speeches were made there.
The participants in the functions looked round the photos showing Kim Il Sung meeting Vietnamese leaders including Ho Chi Minh and conducting external activities and photos dealing with the life and activities of Ho Chi Minh.
Then they watched the Korean documentary film "The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung meets heads of state and prominent figures of foreign countries" Part 1.
Present there were Acting Chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Mun Jae Chol
Talks Held between Kim Yong Nam and Singaporean President
Singapore, August 1 (KCNA Correspondent) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, had talks with Singaporean President S. R. Nathan at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday.
Recalling that the DPRK was one of the first countries to recognize the Republic of Singapore, the Singaporean president said his country was grateful for this.
He stated that Singapore was deeply interested in boosting the relations with the DPRK, stressing that the two countries should maintain independence and tighten the bilateral ties as non-aligned countries.
The two sides at the talks exchanged views on the issue of boosting the friendly relations between the two countries and matters of mutual concern.
Present there were Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hyong Jun, DPRK Ambassador to Singapore Ji Jae Suk, Second Permanent Secretary of the Singaporean Foreign Ministry Bilahari Kausikan and other officials concerned.
Kim Yong Nam arrived in Singapore that day.
Kim Yong Nam Meets Goh Chok Tong
Singapore, August 1 (KCNA Correspondent) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a warm conversation with Goh Chok Tong, senior minister of Singapore, who paid a courtesy call on him on August 1.
Present there were Kim Hyong Jun, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ji Jae Suk, DPRK ambassador to Singapore.
Also present there were Bilahari Kausikan, second permanent secretary of the Singaporean foreign ministry, and officials concerned.
Kim Yong Nam Returns Home
Pyongyang, August 2 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, returned home Thursday after winding up his official goodwill visits to Mongolia, Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia and Singapore.
Also coming back home with him were Choe Chang Sik, minister of Public Health, Kim Hyong Jun, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ri Myong San, vice-minister of Foreign Trade.
They were greeted at the airport by Vice-President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly Yang Hyong Sop, Minister of Foreign Trade Rim Kyong Man, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Choe Su Hon, and diplomatic envoys of Egypt, Russia, Mongolia and China here.
They left Singapore Thursday.
North Korea's new foreign minister debuts in regional security forum
The Associated Press
Published: July 31, 2007
MANILA, Philippines: North Korean diplomats have a well-earned reputation as glum technocrats who spout the reclusive communist country's official line and little else.
Its new face to the world isn't any more likely to stray from policy and hasn't been any more forthcoming about North Korea's inner workings. But in his first appearance on an international stage, new Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun is showing that he knows how to smile and even recognizes a good photo opportunity.
The 74-year-old Pak, making his first overseas trip since becoming North Korea's top diplomat in May, is in Manila to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum, Asia's largest security grouping. His visit comes amid renewed optimism that his country will eventually abandon its nuclear weapons program in return for economic aid and other political concessions.
Foreign Minister George Yeo to visit North Korea next year
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 01 August 2007 2117 hrs
MANILA: Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo has accepted an invitation to visit North Korea next year when Singapore chairs ASEAN and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
North Korea, a participant of the ARF, has extended the invitation during a bilateral meeting between Mr Yeo and his North Korean counterpart, Pak Ui-Chun, on the sidelines of the 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Manila.
Talks between Kim Yong Nam and Ethiopian PM Held
Addis Ababa, July 30 (KCNA Correspondent) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, held talks with Meles Zenawi, prime minister of Ethiopia, in Addis Ababa on July 30.
At the talks both sides exchanged views on the issue of boosting the friendly relations between the two countries and issues of mutual concern.
Talks between DPRK Foreign Minister and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Held
Pyongyang, July 31 (KCNA) -- Talks between DPRK Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Gatmaitan Romulo were held at the International Conference Center in Manila on July 29.
Present there from the DPRK side were members of the DPRK delegation and from the Philippine side the deputy-secretary of Foreign Affairs and other officials concerned and the Philippine ambassador to the DPRK.
On the same day the DPRK foreign minister paid a courtesy call on Speaker of the House of Representatives Jose de Venecia and was feted by the Philippine secretary of Foreign Affairs.
Kim Yong Nam Arrives in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa, July 27 (KCNA Correspondent) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, arrived in Addis Ababa on July 27 to pay an official goodwill visit to Ethiopia.
Arriving here together with him were Choe Chang Sik, minister of Public Health, Kim Hyong Jun, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Ri Myong San, vice-minister of Foreign Trade, and other suite members.
He published a statement upon his arrival.
Kim Yong Nam and his party were greeted at the airport by Asfaw Dingamo, minister of Water Resources, and others, DPRK Ambassador to Ethiopia O Ul Rok and his embassy officials.
Prior to it, he and his party left Cairo by plane.
Kim Yong Nam Meets Ethiopian President
Addis Ababa, July 27 (KCNA Correspondent) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, paid a courtesy call on Girma Wolde-Giorgis, President of Ethiopia, on July 27.
Present there were Minister of Public Health Choe Chang Sik, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hyong Jun, Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Myong San and DPRK Ambassador to Ethiopia O Ul Rok.
Also present there were Minister of Water Resources Asfaw Dingamo, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nega Tsegaye and other officials concerned.
Kim had a friendly talk with the Ethiopian president.
NK Minister Attends ASEAN Forum
Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, left, raises hand with North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chin during their bilateral meeting in Manila, Philippines, on Sunday, July 29, 2007. Pak is in the country to attend the 14th ASEAN regional forum, Asia's largest security forum, on Aug. 2. / AP-Yonhap
SEOUL _ North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun left for Manila Saturday to attend an Asian regional forum, the country's media reported, amid international efforts to dismantle the communist country's nuclear weapons program.
Foreign ministers and other top diplomats from 27 countries are scheduled to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Asia's largest security forum, that opens in the Philippine capital on August 2.
Talks between Kim Yong Nam and Algerian President Held
Algiers, July 25 (KCNA Correspondent) -- Talks between Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, and Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of Algeria, were held at the Presidential Palace on July 25.
At the talks both sides informed each other of their countries' situation and exchanged views on the issue of boosting the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries in various fields and issues of mutual concern.
The talks proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.
Kim Yong Nam Arrives in Algiers
Algiers, July 24 (KCNA Correspondent) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, arrived in Algiers on July 24 to pay an official goodwill visit to Algeria.
The president and his party were greeted at the airport by the president of the Council of the Nation of Algeria, others and officials concerned and the DPRK ambassador to Algeria and staff members of the DPRK embassy.
Kim Yong Nam Leaves for Foreign Countries
Pyongyang, July 20 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, today left Pyongyang by a special plane to pay official good-will visits to Mongolia, Algeria and Ethiopia.
Leaving together with him were Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun, Minister of Public Health Choe Chang Sik and other suite members.
UN's Ban Meets with Bush
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon held talks with U.S. President George W. Bush at the White House Tuesday.
In a joint news conference after the meeting, Ban said he appreciated the U.S. government's "initiative and flexibility in promoting development" of the North Korean nuclear issue.
"I'm encouraged and I welcome the recent development of the situation," Ban said. "I hope that the parties concerned, including (North Korea), will take necessary measures to implement this joint statement to realize the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as soon as possible."
[Ban Ki-moon] [UNUS]
Diplomatic Relations between DPRK and Montenegro Established
Pyongyang, July 18 (KCNA) -- The DPRK and the Republic of Montenegro agreed to establish diplomatic ties at ambassadorial level on July 16 on the basis of the UN Charter and the principles of the universally recognized international law.
The report on establishing diplomatic ties between the two countries was made public here on July 17.
The opening of diplomatic ties will provide favorable conditions for boosting the bilateral ties in political, economic, cultural and various other fields on the principles of respecting each other's independence, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and equality.
It is time for Ban Ki-moon to speak up and speak out
After six months in the job, the UN secretary general should be taking the lead, but his record so far is underwhelming
Jonathan Steele
Friday July 13, 2007
The Guardian
The United Nations has long had a public relations problem. Its detractors are loud and passionate, its supporters low-key and reasonable. Around the world the numbers of people who wish the organisation well far exceed those who see it as a nuisance, yet they barely make their voices heard. As a result, the UN is always on the defensive.
Never more than now, six months after Ban Ki-moon's installation as the eighth secretary general. Foreign minister in the South Korean government which sent troops to Iraq after the US invasion, he was the Bush administration's favourite among the five contestants for the job. His country is totally dependent on the US for its defence. He had little experience of the UN or large parts of the world. He was described as a cautious, even faceless bureaucrat, and a man of little vision.
[Ban Ki-moon]
Kim Yong Nam to Visit Mongolia, Algeria and Ethiopia
Pyongyang, July 12 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, will soon pay an official good-will visit to Mongolia at the invitation of its President Nambariin Enkhbayar.
He will also make similar visits to Algeria and Ethiopia.
Great King of Cambodia Sends Big Floral Basket to DPRK Embassy
Pyongyang, July 10 (KCNA) -- Norodom Sihanouk, Great King of Cambodia, sent a big floral basket to the DPRK embassy in Phnom Penh on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of demise of President Kim Il Sung.
Written on the ribbon of the floral basket were letters "Highest tribute to HE Generalissimo Kim Il Sung, president of the DPRK. Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia".
A delegation of the Ministry of the Royal Palace of the Cambodian government led by Kong Sam Ol, deputy prime minister in charge of the Royal Palace, on July 6 visited the DPRK embassy and laid the floral basket before the portrait of Kim Il Sung and paid homage, authorized by the great king.
Ban Ki-Moon's Role of UN Secretary General
[Part 2] Impact of press on actions of the UN head
Ronda Hauben (netizen2)
Published 2007-07-04 12:26 (KST)
June 30, 2007 marks the first six months that Ban Ki-moon has held the position as Secretary-General of the United Nations. The following two-part article is an effort to look at the role of Secretary General and some of the challenges he faces.
You can find part 1 of this article here.
How has the role of the press affected the actions of the new Secretary General? There is an important example that has developed which helps to demonstrate the impact that the press has had on Ban Ki-moon.
In the interview with Hankyoreh before he took office,(1) Ban described how he would act to support a solution to the problem of relations between North Korea and the Northeast Asia region, and the disarmament of the Korean peninsula.
On January 19, 2007, just a few weeks after Ban became Secretary General, there were news reports of a breakthrough in negotiations between the Christopher Hill for the U.S. and Kim Kye-gwan for North Korea.(2) The International Herald Tribune reported (3):
"The movement toward a possible breakthrough came during the talks in Berlin between Hill and Kim, Chosun Ilbo reported, citing unidentified officials in Seoul and Beijing."
Timed, it appeared, to coincide with the breakthrough, however, was the publication in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) of an article "United Nations Dictator's Program" by Melanie Kirkpatrick. A similar article was published by Fox News. These articles alleged that North Korea was manipulating funds from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in North Korea. These press accounts reported that UNDP funds were being used by Kim Jong-il, for whatever he wanted, including "his weapons program." (4) No proof was provided for this accusation. The articles included other unsupported allegations.
While most of the press reports in the U.S. just repeated or exaggerated the original allegations, a few Korean publications provided a different perspective. The Korean newspaper Voice of the People pointed out that the allegations of UNDP mismanagement appeared just as the North Korean and U.S. representatives had had productive negotiations in Berlin.(5) The Voice of the People asked why the U.S. Mission to the U.N. was raising these issues "at this time."
"Despite the totally unfounded allegation by the hawks," the editors write, "it has a political effect for freezing (the) bilateral relationship between Washington and Pyongyang."(6)
Ban Ki-moon's response to the WSJ and Fox news articles was to call immediately for an audit of all UN programs. The audit was to start with an audit of all programs in North Korea. A few days later the call for an audit of all UN programs was dropped. The audit was to be of North Korea's UNDP program.(7)
[UNDP] [Toolkit] [Ban Ki-moon]
Ban Ki-Moon's Role of UN Secretary General
[Part 1] Ronda Hauben asks if there is a guiding vision in the organization
Ronda Hauben (netizen2)
Published 2007-06-30 16:43 (KST)
June 30, 2007 marks the first six months that Ban Ki-moon has held the position as Secretary-General of the United Nations. The following two-part article is an effort to look at the role of Secretary General and some of the challenges he faces.
Introduction
Ban Ki-moon's nomination by the Security Council to be the 8th Secretary General of the United Nations was sent to the General Assembly on Oct. 13, 2006. Ban succeeded in winning the nomination after a difficult and contested campaign.(1) But his trial by fire was only just beginning. Ban had succeeded in winning the votes of China and of the U.S. His achievement winning the votes of these two nations, who are permanent members of the Security Council, was seen by a number of commentators as the critical step needed to win the nomination for Secretary General.(2)
[Ban Ki-moon] [UN]
Philippine FM Feted
Pyongyang, June 20 (KCNA) -- The government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea hosted a reception for the visiting Philippine secretary of Foreign Affairs and his entourage at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Tuesday.
Rodong Sinmun Calls for Boosting South-South Cooperation
Pyongyang, June 22 (KCNA) -- South-South cooperation provides a sure guarantee for achieving national prosperity and economic progress.
Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article.
If the developing countries pool their efforts to stand on their own feet without depending on the developed countries, they can certainly achieve national prosperity and economic progress, the article notes, and goes on:
It is the most correct way of solving any problem to develop the South-South cooperation on the principle of collective self-reliance. [Juche] [Globalisation]
Top NKorea official holds talks in Tehran
Thu May 10, 1:20 PM ET
TEHRAN (AFP) -
Iran's Vice President Parviz Davoudi said there was "no limit" to expanding ties with Pyongyang after holding talks with North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Kim Yong Il.
"Tehran sees no limit in expanding ties and cooperation with Pyongyang," Davoudi was quoted as saying by the student ISNA news agency.
N.Korea Slams U.S., Japan, S.Korea
By JIM GOMEZ
The Associated Press
Thursday, May 24, 2007; 6:29 AM
MANILA, Philippines -- Reclusive North Korea accused the U.S., Japan and South Korea of being Asia's biggest security threats and pledged to give up its nuclear weapons if they dismantle missiles aimed at it, according to a North Korean document seen Thursday.
North Korea painted a bleak picture of Asia's security in the defense paper it presented to the ASEAN Regional Forum in a closed meeting, but welcomed six-way talks aimed at denuclearizing the Korean peninsula as a crucial first step toward peace.
"The denuclearization of the Korean peninsula is in essence not the question of unilateral disbandment of the (North Korean) nuclear program only," said the report, seen by The Associated Press.
It said the denuclearization also depended on the removal "of more than one thousand nuclear weapons deployed in and around North Korea under the U.S. nuclear umbrella and termination of the U.S. hostile policy toward (North Korea) and its nuclear threat as well."
[Denuclearisation] [NK US policy]
Nicaragua Re-Establishes N. Korea Ties
The Associated Press
Thursday, May 17, 2007; 8:45 PM
MANAGUA, Nicaragua -- The leftist administration of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has re-established formal diplomatic relations with North Korea and rejected criticism of the Asian country's nuclear weapons program, the government said Thursday.
Relations between the two countries had been suspended since 1990, when Violeta Barrios de Chamorro defeated Ortega in presidential elections and ended 11 years of rule by Ortega's Sandinista Front. As a former Marxist revolutionary and socialist president, Ortega fought a 10-year war with the U.S.-backed Contra rebels.
But Ortega returned to office in January, and on Wednesday he revived relations when he received the credentials of North Korean Ambassador Jae Myong So, the Ministry of Communication said.
"It isn't right, it isn't fair" that some countries "that arm themselves then want to prohibit others from arming themselves in self-defense," Ortega said in an apparent reference to the United States.
[Double standards]
N.Korea and Burma Resume Diplomatic Ties
North Korea and Burma agreed Thursday to restore diplomatic relations after a break of 24 years. Burma severed ties with North Korea in 1983, accusing Pyongyang of a deadly bomb attack at Aung San Cemetery in a failed assassination attempt on South Korea's then President Chun Doo-hwan.
Following a meeting with North Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Yong-il on Thursday, Burma's Deputy Foreign Minister Kyaw Thu said, "This morning we signed an agreement to restore diplomatic ties," AP and other foreign news services reported. No further details of the agreement were given.
A North Korean delegation led by Kim has been on a three-day visit to Burma since Wednesday. The delegation is also expected to meet with Burma's military leaders.
The two nations have over the past few years worked to restore diplomatic relations through routine talks at regional meetings, and Burma has reportedly been purchasing weapons from North Korea, AP said. Both countries have been branded "outposts of tyranny" by the U.S.
Quoting diplomatic experts, AFP said, "The two nations may have felt drawn together in recent years due to a shared perception they have a common foe in the U.S. and the West more broadly. There is an arms embargo on the Burmese military, so maybe the Burmese military is looking for (North Korean) arms systems using Burmese resources - like rice."
Joint Communique on Reestablishment of Diplomatic Relations between DPRK and Union of Myanmar Released
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- A Joint communique on the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and the Union of Myanmar was released in Yangon on April 26.
According to the joint communique, the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the government of the Union of Myanmar, desirous of developing friendly relations and bilateral cooperation between the two countries and peoples, based on the principles of respect for each other's sovereignty, non-interference in their internal affairs, and equality and mutual benefit, as well as the norms of international law and the objectives and principles of the United Nations Charter, have agreed to reestablish the diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 18th April 1961.
Myanmar, North Korea Re-Establish Ties
The Associated Press
Thursday, April 26, 2007; 4:26 AM
YANGON, Myanmar -- Myanmar and North Korea, two of Asia's most repressive regimes, signed an agreement Thursday to resume diplomatic ties during a visit to Myanmar by the North Korean vice foreign minister, an official said.
Myanmar severed diplomatic relations with North Korea in 1983, following a fatal bombing blamed on North Korean commandos during a visit to Yangon by former South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan.
The two countries have been quietly working to normalize relations for the past few years. The two governments routinely meet at regional meetings, and Myanmar has reportedly bought weapons from North Korea.
Myanmar's deputy foreign minister, Kyaw Thu, told reporters the agreement to restore ties was signed Thursday morning on the second day of the three-day visit by North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Yong Il, whose trip had been cloaked in secrecy.
It is now up to Pyongyang whether it will open diplomatic offices in Myanmar, Kyan Thu said. [Terrorism]
DPRK Foreign Ministry Delegation Leaves
Pyongyang, April 19 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the DPRK Foreign Ministry led by Vice-Minister Kim Yong Il left here on April 19 to visit Asian countries.
It was seen off at the airport by officials concerned and diplomatic envoys of Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Iran.
North Korea, Myanmar Mull Resuming Ties: Report
By REUTERS
Published: April 8, 2007
Filed at 0:22 a.m. ET
Skip to next paragraph
TOKYO (Reuters) - A senior North Korean Foreign Ministry official is expected to visit Myanmar late this month to discuss resumption of diplomatic ties, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported, citing diplomatic sources in Yangon.
The sources said the official would visit Myanmar's new administrative capital, Nay Pyi Taw, around April 24.
The official was believed to be Vice Foreign Minister Kim Yong Il, who has been involved in normalization talks with Myanmar, Kyodo said.
The two reclusive governments have been at odds since North Korean agents said to have direct links with current leader Kim Jong-il carried out a bomb attack on a South Korean government delegation to Yangon in 1983.
More than 20 people were killed and at least twice that number wounded in the attack. The agents were said to have been targeting then South Korean President Chun Doo Hwan during an official visit to Yangon. [Terrorism]
Congratulations to Regional Secretary of Syria's Baath Arab Socialist Party
Pyongyang, April 6 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il Friday sent a congratulatory message to Bashar al|Assad, regional secretary of Syria's Baath Arab Socialist Party, on the occasion of its 60th anniversary.
The message says:
I extend warm congratulations to you and, through you, to the leadership and all the members of the Baath Arab Socialist Party on the occasion of its 60th anniversary.
DPRK Women's Delegation Leaves for Venezuela
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Korean Democratic Women's Union led by Vice-chairperson of its central committee Kim Kyong Ok left here today to participate in the 14th Congress of the Women's International Democratic Federation to be held in Venezuela.
It was seen off at Pyongyang Railway Station by officials concerned and the staff members of the Cuban embassy here.
DPRK Foreign Ministry Hails Establishment of Unified National Government of Palestine
Pyongyang, March 22 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave the following answer to the question put by KCNA on Mar. 22 as regards the establishment of the unified national government in Palestine.
Some days ago, the unified national government was set up according to an agreement between the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement and the Palestine National Liberation Movement.
UN Secretary-General Ban "Bound to Fail" - Report
Although UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is aggressively trying to resolve international disputes and reform the United Nations, he is likely to fail, according to the March 5 edition of U.S. magazine Newsweek.
The analytic article "Bound to Fail" by Sebastian Mallaby, a director with a U.S. think-tank, says that Ban's efforts are "mission impossible" and that "everything about the United Nations conspires against him."
Newsweek attributes Ban's likely failure to the election process and his career. Although Ban ascended to the top position of the UN after 36 years of diplomacy work, "his selection was the result of backroom deals rather than a merit-based contest."
As a diplomat of South Korea caught between superpower nations, Ban was "consensual" and "a listener" rather than a "charismatic statesman," Newsweek says. The article adds that "no U.N. chief executive would be likely to succeed at the United Nations as it is today, for the secretary-general is less the leader of the international system than its prisoner."
[Ban Ki-moon] [UNUS]
Bound to Fail
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has taken on 'mission impossible.' Everything about The United Nations conspires against him.
By Sebastian Mallaby
Newsweek International
March 5, 2007 issue - On a celebrated Thursday in April 1953, the first secretary-general of the United Nations greeted his successor as he arrived at New York's Idlewild airport, now JFK. You are about to inherit "the most impossible job in the world," he told him. Half a century on, that warning still overshadows the heirs to the U.N. throne. Ban Ki-moon, the South Korean diplomat who stepped into the job in January, jokes that he has taken on "Mission: Impossible." This is the humor of the gallows.
When he suggested that, lacking Security Council authorization, the U.S. invasion of Iraq was "illegal," he unleashed a firestorm of recriminations from the Bush administration. And yet, by the end of his tenure, developing countries tended to view Annan as the stooge of Washington.
The U.N. secretary-general, no matter how skilled, is caught between big powers that refuse to make the institution fair and small powers that refuse to make it more efficient.
Challenges and Proposals for U.N. Reformer
Ban Ki-moon and basic methods to handle the G77 and the U.S.
[Analysis]
Jae Young Lee (ohmyjoshua)
Published 2007-02-20 16:16 (KST)
In the face of the long-held criticism of the U.N.'s ineffectiveness and lack of capability as the world guardian, Ban Ki-moon, as the new Secretary General of the U.N., stepped into the position on Jan. 1, 2007 on which great political pressure is imposed to reform the U.N. Could he successfully deal with obstacles ahead in undertaking the U.N. reform from now on?
As for the reform, there is wide concern about his leadership, as he seems to have fallen short of aggressively fulfilling the expected reform. He was described as "the kind of a person, more secretary than general" and "pretty faceless and no much charisma"(1) The greatest challenges facing Ban are: the volatile conflict between the developing countries and the western developed countries and the United States' unilateralist behaviors that placed its own interest above those of the U.N. They have had a tendency of leading the U.N. operation into disruption. [Ban Ki-moon]
N. Korea Official Meets Iran Delegation
The Associated Press
Friday, January 19, 2007; 5:37 AM
SEOUL, South Korea -- North Korea's No. 2 leader met with a high-level Iranian delegation Friday, highlighting the good relations between the two countries, both facing international outcries regarding their nuclear programs.
Kim Yong Nam had a "friendly talk" with Iran's Vice Foreign Minister Mahdi Safari, the North's official Korean Central News Agency reported, without giving any details of their discussions. The two countries also signed a three-year agreement on unspecified cultural and scientific exchanges at a separate ceremony, KCNA said.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Delegation Arrives
Pyongyang, January 18 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Iranian foreign ministry headed by its Vice-Minister Mahdi Safari arrived here Thursday by air.
Rodong Sinmun on WPK's Foreign Policy Idea
Pyongyang, January 17 (KCNA) -- The stand and will of the Workers' Party of Korea and the Government of the DPRK to consistently adhere to the foreign policy idea of independence, peace and friendship are invariable and unshakable as declared in the joint New Year editorial, says Rodong Sinmun Wednesday in a signed article. Stating that the idea of independence, peace and friendship is the steadfast foreign policy idea of the WPK and the DPRK Government, the author of the article says:
The WPK firmly maintains independence in external relations. The DPRK never allows anyone to encroach upon its sovereignty or interfere in its internal affairs and to rule and control it, but strongly opposes the violation of the sovereignty of other countries.
UN Chief Pledges to Work Together With Bush on Global Issues
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and U.S. President George W. Bush said Tuesday that they have agreed to work together to address conflicts and other global issues, including North Korea, the Middle East and Somalia.
In his first meeting with Bush at the White House since taking the helm of the United Nations, Ban said that he had a ``very good, very useful meeting with the president, in which he stressed the value of a strong partnership between the world body and the U.S.
Ban said he hopes to work very closely with the U.S. government, including Bush, to achieve the common objectives of achieving peace, security, freedom and democracy.
[Collusion]
U.N. KNOWN QUANTITY
Don't Ban Your Instincts, Ban Ki-moon
By John R. Bolton
Sunday, January 14, 2007; Page B01
Ban Ki-moon, the new U.N. secretary general, has done some unusual things to kick off his tenure. At the recent annual dinner of the U.N. Correspondents Association in New York, for instance, he entertained the guests briefly by singing, to the tune originally written for Santa Claus, his own arrangement: "Ban Ki-moon is coming to town."
On Tuesday, Ban is coming to this town, his first visit since assuming office on Jan. 1. The former South Korean foreign minister has already made it clear that he intends to be a different kind of "SG" from his predecessor. The United States backed Ban for his new post, largely with such a change in mind. Nonetheless, his first few days in office have already raised some questions. The struggle is underway to determine what sort of leader Ban will be: Will the status quo of the U.N. system overwhelm him, or will he follow his instincts and those of his supporters, including Washington?
John R. Bolton, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, served as U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations from August 2005 to December 2006.
Invariable Foreign Policy of DPRK
Pyongyang, January 12 (KCNA) -- The joint New Year editorial of Rodong Sinmun, Joson Inmingun and Chongnyon Jonwi clarified that the Workers' Party of Korea and the DPRK government will hold fast to the idea of independence, peace and friendship. Over the last years the DPRK, with independence as its life and soul, has viewed and decided all issues in an independent way and formulated and implemented its policies on its own way in accordance with its faith and discretion no matter what others say.
The Korean-style socialist system established by the popular masses, under which they are shaping policies in accordance with their will and interests is the fruit of the independent politics, the Songun-based politics.
It is the key principle of the DPRK government in its external activities to develop the friendly and cooperative relations with the world people who love peace and advocate independence.
Indonesian Presidents Greeting to Kim Jong-il
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has sent a New Year's greeting to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, wishing him good health and better ties between the two countries, the North's media said over the weekend.
``I sincerely hope the governments and peoples of the two countries will maintain a closer friendly relationship, the (North) Korean News Agency (KNCA) quoted a New Year greeting from the Indonesian president to Kim as saying.
President Yudhoyono also wished Kim good health in the New Year, the KCNA quoted the message as saying.
Yudhoyono indefinitely postponed his planned visit to Pyongyang in mid-July, following the test-firing of multiple missiles by the Kims regime a week earlier that generated strong international condemnation.
The U.N. under new Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Scholars discuss reform, peacekeeping, future of organization under new helm
Choi Young-jin, Permanent Representative of South Korea to the U.N (right) and Edward Luck, professor in the School of International and Public Affairs of Columbia University.
The first-ever Korean U.N. secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, started his five-year tenure on January 1. In late December, the Hankyoreh arranged a discussion between Choi Young-jin, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations, and Edward Luck, professor in the School of International and Public Affairs of Columbia University. The two discussed the changing face of the U.N. under Ban Ki-moon's leadership.
Luck: Well, I think there is a strategic problem now in the world generally, in that there is an enormous imbalance of power. And when you have one superpower, one dominant power, that makes it very hard to design multilateral decision making to work right, and so many countries have worried that the U.S. is somehow controlling everything
Envoy to Attend Inauguration in Nicaragua
President Roh Moo-hyun plans to dispatch a special envoy to Nicaragua to attend the inauguration of new Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega next week.
Korea and Nicaragua established diplomatic ties in 1962, but relations were nearly severed following a 1979 revolution by the Sandinistas.
The two countries normalized the ties after a coalition of anti-Sandinista parties, led by Violeta Chamorro, won the 1990 presidential election.
U.N. chief reaffirms priority agendas, says Hussein execution was Iraq's choice to make
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon began his first work day on Tuesday with a reaffirmed commitment to address the Sudan crisis and North Korea and a call to respect the rule of law in the wake of Saddam Hussein's execution
He said Hussein's execution was a choice for Iraq to make. "The issue of capital punishment is for each and every member state to decide," he said when asked if the deposed leader should have been executed.
Ex-South Korean Foreign Minister Takes Helm of UN
New UN Chief Names Chief of Staff, Spokesperson
Korean Career diplomat Ban Ki-moon took the helm of the United Nations on New Year's Day as the world body's eighth secretary-general. He appointed a new chief aide and spokesperson in one of several personnel changes expected in the coming days.
Yang Hyong Sop Meets Indonesian Ambassador
Pyongyang, December 19 (KCNA) -- Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, had a talk with Daulat Hotma Audison Passaribu, new Indonesian ambassador to the DPRK, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Tuesday when the latter paid a courtesy call on him.
Talks between Security Organs of DPRK and Syria Held
Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- Talks between a delegation of the Ministry of People's Security of the DPRK and a delegation of the Ministry of Interior of Syria were held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Thursday. Present there from the DPRK side were members of the delegation of the Ministry of People's Security headed by Vice-Minister Sin Il Nam and from the Syrian side members of the delegation of the Ministry of Interior headed by Vice-Minister Ibrahim Faiz Mousli and Syrian Charge d'Affaires a.i. here Muhammad Adib Al Hani.
At the talks the two sides exchanged views on the issue of boosting the exchange and cooperation between the security organs of the two countries and a series of matters of mutual concern.
Ban Takes Oath as UN Secretary-General
The new UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon took the oath of office at the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday, swearing to conduct himself solely in the interests of the global body. In the oath administered by UN General Assembly President Sheikha Haya Al Khalifa, the new UN chief vowed to take no instructions from any government or other authority. I, Ban Ki-moon, solemnly swear, to exercise in all loyalty, discretion and conscience, the functions entrusted to me as secretary-general of the United Nations," he said in the oath.
Incoming U.N. Chief Ban Pledges to Restore Trust
By Colum Lynch
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, December 15, 2006; Page A27
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 14 -- South Korean diplomat Ban Ki Moon was sworn in Thursday as the United Nations' eighth secretary general in a ritualistic General Assembly ceremony as the United States and other countries praised Kofi Annan's 10-year stewardship of the world's premier political institution.
Ban's remarks constituted an implicit rebuke of Annan, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate whose legacy was tarnished by his mismanagement of the agency's $64 billion oil-for-food program in Iraq. But Annan, who sat expressionless through much of the ceremony, received a rousing standing ovation and eulogistic tributes from representatives of Asian, African, European and Latin American countries.
Ban sought to counter speculation that he is too discreet and cautious to confront the world's tyrants or stand up to the big powers [US dominance]
DPRK's Greatest Jubilees to Be Commemorated in Oceanian Region
Pyongyang, November 24 (KCNA) -- An Oceanian regional preparatory committee for commemorating the Day of the Sun and February holiday in 2007 was inaugurated with due ceremony in Australia on Nov. 17. Present at the ceremony were personages of the Oceanian Solidarity Committee for Peace and Reunification of Korea, the Australia-DPRK Association for Friendship and Cultural Exchange and the New Zealand-DPRK Society.
Rodong Sinmun on Irresistible Trend of Global Independence
Pyongyang, November 21 (KCNA) -- The trend of the times towards global independence can never be stemmed no matter how frantically the reactionaries of history may challenge, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article. The imperialists have made desperate efforts in the international arena this year to hold in check the onward movement of history but they could not arrest the struggle of the people for independence and peace and their moves to divert the trend of history have met only failure and frustration, the article notes, and goes on:
The dynamic struggle of the people for independence, progress and peace against the imperialists' military intervention and war moves has been under way worldwide.
[Independent states]
DPRK Stand to Contribute to Peace and Security in Asia Clarified
Tehran, November 15 (KCNA) -- The parliamentarians representing the voices of the Asian people, aware of the sense of responsibility as the master of the continent, should thoroughly reject the moves of the hegemonic forces to stamp out the history, culture and tradition of Asia, place the common denominators above their differences and demonstrate the united strength of the region in one voice in the international arena under the slogan of solidarity, peace and justice of Asia. Choe Thae Bok, chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, who is leading the delegation of the DPRK to the 7th Assembly of the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace held in Iran, declared this in a speech at its plenary meeting on Nov. 13. He said:
The struggle of the Korean people to achieve the reunification and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is now facing a grave challenge.
The Bush administration, in particular, openly listed the DPRK as part of an "axis of evil" and a target of preemptive nuclear attack and has since escalated the threat and pressure upon the DPRK such as staging nuclear war exercises and imposing financial sanctions against it, bringing to light an attempt to bring down its social system.
Under the extremely tense situation where the supreme interests and security of the DPRK were seriously threatened it successfully conducted on Oct. 9 an underground nuclear test under secure conditions as an exercise of its sovereign right to self-defence to cope with the U.S. nuclear threat, sanctions and pressure.
The DPRK will surely force the Bush administration to own its historic responsibility for having torpedoed the process of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.
It remains unchanged in its stand to peacefully realize the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and negotiation though it was compelled to conduct the nuclear test by the U.S.
As the DPRK has already clarified, its nuclear weapons are war deterrent for self-defence to cope with the U.S. nuclear threat and sanctions which have reached an extreme phase and it will feel no need to keep even a single nuke if the U.S. ceases its nuclear threat and sanctions against the DPRK in a verifiable and trustworthy manner.
[Denuclearisation]
Adoption of Anti-DPRK "Human Rights Resolution" at UN Assailed
Pyongyang, November 20 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA Monday as regards the adoption of a "human rights resolution" against the DPRK at the third committee of the UN General Assembly: The anti-DPRK "human rights resolution," a product of the collusion and tie-up among hostile forces including the U.S. and the EU was railroaded through a meeting of the third committee of the 61st UN General Assembly on Nov. 17.
The resolution fabricated by hostile forces, toeing the U.S. line, is full of sheer lies that can convince no one as was the case with the similar one adopted last year.
Apec 'concern' at N Korea threat
President Bush is keen to win China's support over North Korea
Asia-Pacific leaders have expressed "strong concern" over North Korea's nuclear weapons test, calling it a clear threat to regional security.
In a statement read out at the end of the Vietnam summit, the leaders urged Pyongyang to honour commitments not to pursue the development of atomic bombs.
US President George W Bush has been seeking support at the summit for UN sanctions against North Korea.
He is trying to persuade Chinese and Russian leaders to take a tougher line.
N.K. reacts to U.N. resolution
From news reports
North Korea on Saturday criticized South Korea for supporting a U.N. draft resolution on its human rights record, saying Seoul's decision was "a criminal act that creates another obstacle to inter-Korean relations."
APEC Leaders Call for N. Koreas Denuclearization
By Ryu Jin
Korea Times Correspondent
APEC leaders wrapping up summit: Leaders of 21 Asia-Pacific economies pose for a photograph wearing traditional Vietnamese ao dai clothes at the end of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, Sunday (Nov. 19). South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, left in the back row, and other leaders called for the dismantlement of North Koreas nuclear program.
HANOI, Vietnam _ Leaders from 21 Asian and Pacific Rim countries called for an early dismantlement of North Koreas nuclear program at an international forum here on Sunday.
Economic Forum Urges N. Korea to Act
Asia Summit Concludes With Verbal Agreement to Push Pyongyang on Vows to End Nuclear Ambitions
By Michael A. Fletcher
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, November 19, 2006; 11:42 AM
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Nov. 19 -- President Bush arrived in this bustling business center Sunday after achieving only mixed results in convincing nations attending a summit of Pacific Rim nations to intensify pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons.
The countries meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Hanoi concluded their two-day conference by agreeing to an oral statement urging North Korea to follow through on its previous pledges to dismantle its weapons and nuclear program.
UN Committee Passes N.Korea Rights Resolution
Seoul Unlikely to Get Tough on N.Korea Human Rights
A United Nations General Assembly committee on Friday passed a resolution calling on North Korea to respect human rights, a day later than originally expected. That leaves the way clear for ratification in the General Assembly next month, but a UN official said it is customary to accept resolutions passed in committee. North Korean Deputy UN Ambassador Kim Chang-guk was at the committee meeting on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Nobel Peace Prize winner and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, former Czech president Vaclav Havel and former Norwegian prime minister Kjell Magne Bondevik held a press conference at UN headquarters urging the Security Council to intervene in the North Korean human rights situation. They recently released a report on the issue.
UN Resolution Demanding Lift of Anti-Cuba Sanctions Hailed
Pyongyang, November 15 (KCNA) -- A resolution demanding the U.S. lift economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba was adopted by an overwhelming majority approval of 183 member nations at the recent 61st session of the UN General Assembly. This is an expression of the international solidarity with Cuba. The U.S. anti-Cuba sanctions deserve such severe punishment by the world for its injustice and brigandish nature, says Rodong Sinmun Wednesday in a signed commentary.
The commentary goes on:
A pro-U.S. Batista dictatorial regime collapsed and a revolution triumphed in Cuba in January 1959. The U.S. has gone so mean as to pursue the vicious anti-Cuba policy of economic blockade since 1962.
Extraterritorial, unilateral and unjust measures are intolerable in the international relations. [Sanctions]
Congratulations to President-Designate of Nicaragua
Pyongyang, November 11 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Friday sent a congratulatory message to Daniel Ortega Saavedra who was elected president of Nicaragua. Expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow strong in line with the desire and interests of the two peoples, the message wished the president-designate success in his responsible work for the country's stability and prosperity.
Indonesian President on Ties with DPRK
Pyongyang, November 10 (KCNA) -- Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono referred to the ties with the DPRK when receiving credentials from the DPRK ambassador to Indonesia on Nov. 7. Noting that the relations between the two countries are traditional and solid ones and steadily developing on good terms as desired by the two peoples, the President expressed belief that these ties would grow stronger in the future, too.
Delegation of DPRK Supreme People's Assembly Leaves for Iran
Pyongyang, November 9 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK led by its Chairman Choe Thae Bok left here on Thursday to participate in the 7th meeting of the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace to be held in Iran. After participating in the meeting, the delegation will pay an official visit to Iran.
It was seen off at the airport by Kang Nung Su, vice-chairman of the SPA, and Jalaleddin Namini Mianji, Iranian ambassador e. p. to the DPRK.
'Young Ban Chose Burgers Over Rice'
US House Mother Shares 'Happy Moments' With Ban
By Jane Han
Staff Reporter
Ban Ki-moon poses with his wife Yoo Soon-taek, left, Ban's homestay mother Libba Patterson, second from right, and Libba's daughter Maribeth Marionaccio at the Patterson house in Novato, Calif., last September./ Yonhap
The pale-faced, reserved boy gazed through the car window on a warm July afternoon in San Francisco. He uttered few words and flashed shy smiles, but when asked what he wanted for dinner, it was a sure thing _ he wanted hamburger, not rice.
Eighteen-year-old Ban Kimoon, the next secretary-general of the United Nations, was already developing an international appetite suitable for a world-traveling diplomat.
[Ban Ki-moon]
Respect for Sovereignty Called for
Pyongyang, October 29 (KCNA) -- What is most important for establishing a fair international order is to respect the sovereignty of every country and establish equal relations among countries. It is a fundamental requirement for building a new fair international order to abide by the principle of respect for sovereignty. Rodong Sinmun Sunday says this in a by-lined article.
It goes on:
Without having sovereignty guaranteed, it is impossible to ensure the independent development of a country and nation nor is it possible to preserve and consolidate world peace and security. Nobody has the right to infringe upon the sovereignty of other country and nation. For this reason, the principle of respect for sovereignty constitutes a universally accepted norm governing the international relations to be observed by all countries.
[Independent states] [Imperialism]
DPRK's Readiness to Boost Ties of Cooperation with International Community Reiterated
Pyongyang, October 10 (KCNA) -- It is essential to create necessary international environment and conditions and take substantial measures as early as possible in order to eradicate poverty and promote development, the main task for attaining the millennium goal of development. A representative of the DPRK said this on October 3 when addressing the meeting of the Second Committee of the 61st Session of the UN General Assembly.
He said:
The developed countries should, to begin with, honor their promises officially made to help the developing countries in their development and set a specific timetable to fulfill them in conformity with their actual conditions. It is also necessary for them to take practical steps to settle the issue of foreign debts of the developing and less developed countries. [NK policy]
Security Council Approves South Korean as U.N. Chief
By WARREN HOGE and CHOE SANG-HUN
Published: October 10, 2006
UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 9 - The Security Council on Monday officially nominated Ban Ki-moon, the foreign minister of South Korea, to become the next secretary general of the United Nations, essentially assuring him the post.
While Mr. Ban said it was an honor for him and his country, he noted that North Korea's announcement of a nuclear test cast a shadow on his nomination.
"This should be a moment of joy, but instead I stand here with a very heavy heart," Mr. Ban said in a news conference in Seoul. "Despite the concerted warning from the international community, North Korea has gone ahead with a nuclear test."
Kenzo Oshima, the ambassador of Japan, the Council president, announced that Mr. Ban had been approved by all 15 members by acclamation. His nomination had been assured after he won four informal polls of the Council's members over the summer, leading to the withdrawal last week of the six other candidates.
South Korean Won't Need to Wait Long, or Look Far, for First Crisis as U.N. Chief
By CHOE SANG-HUN and MARTIN FACKLER
Published: October 9, 2006
SEOUL, South Korea, Monday, Oct. 9 - Ban Ki-moon, the soft-spoken South Korean foreign minister, has spent much of his 35-year career steering his country between its biggest ally, the United States, and its biggest threat, North Korea.
Now, with his formal selection as United Nations secretary general by the Security Council expected Monday in New York, North Korea says it has conducted a nuclear test, ensuring that Mr. Ban will face an early and difficult challenge in his new job.
[Ban Ki-moon]
New and Fair International Financial and Monetary System Called for
Pyongyang, October 6 (KCNA) -- To establish a new and fair international financial and monetary system is one of the essential requirements for the non-aligned and other developing countries to get rid of the imperialists' domination and subjugation, says Rodong Sinmun Friday in a signed article. The establishment of the new system is also important for those non-aligned and other developing countries to achieve self-supporting in economy, the article says, calling on the countries to work hard to establish the new and fair international financial and monetary system to successfully build self-supporting national economy.
The article goes on:
The new system is also necessary to check the imperialists' arbitrary practice in the financial and monetary field. It is impossible for the non-aligned and other developing countries to check the imperialists' arbitrary practice in the field as long as the unfair and old system remains in force.
There may be big and small countries, more developed and less developed countries and countries with longer history and shorter history in the world. But there can never be a country of higher and lower position and a nation dominating others and a nation dominated by it. It is the common task of all countries and nations aspiring after independence to bring down the unfair and old financial and monetary system and establish a new fair international system in the field.
[Finance] [NK Strategy]
Despair at UN over selection of 'faceless' Ban Ki-moon as general secretary
Officials 'glum' over choice to succeed Kofi Annan
Staff believe US pushed for weakest candidate
Ewen MacAskill and Ed Pilkington in New York, and Jon Watts in Beijing
Saturday October 7, 2006
The Guardian
Senior officials at the United Nations expressed despair yesterday at the prospect of Kofi Annan being succeeded as secretary general by Ban Ki-moon, the South Korean foreign minister.
"The mood among staff is glum," one of the officials said. "We are not very excited about the outcome." With morale low at the UN after five years dominated by divisions, deadlock and corruption, they are sceptical about Mr Ban's ability to turn the organisation round or provide the strong, inspirational leadership they had been hoping for.
Another official, who has met Mr Ban several times, said: "He is pretty faceless and does not have much charisma. Kofi, for all his problems, is a man of considerable dignity, political insight and wide international experience."
Officials, who requested anonymity on the grounds that they would be working for Mr Ban, portray him as more secretary than general, happier with the minutiae of administrative detail than broad strategy, and a man given to platitudes.
Prof Kennedy believes Mr Ban has the benefit in his new job of enjoying the backing of both the US, with its tendency to push for intervention, and China, which is reluctant to interfere in the internal affairs of member states. "If anyone is going to try to bridge the gap between them then it would be somebody like this guy whom they both trust partly because he is not dramatic."
The Times reported last week that South Korea, as part of a campaign to help Mr Ban, had pledged millions of dollars in aid to countries with seats on the security council, from an $18m (9.6m) education grant to Tanzania to the gift of a grand piano to Peru.
Mr Park described the accusations as unfounded and claimed it was based on a misunderstanding: South Korea has been gradually increasing its aid programme.
But one UN official said sarcastically that it had just been "an accident of history" that South Korea's largesse to Africa coincided with the secretary general's selection.
He added that two Asian ministers had been sufficiently concerned about it to have raised the issue with him earlier this year. [Ban Ki-moon]
FM Hints at More Aggressive Take on N.Korean Rights
Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday he will have to make a decision what stance to take on North Korea's human rights abuses if he is elected as UN secretary-general, as seems likely. [Manipulation] {Ban Ki-moon]
Ban's Improving UN Chances Bring Out Detractors
Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon remains the front-runner for the next UN secretary-general after three straw polls in the Security Council, but a leading British newspaper alleges that may not be because he is the best man for the job.
The Times said Friday the Korean government "has pledged millions of dollars in aid and offered other incentives to members of the United Nations Security Council to secure its candidate as the next UN secretary-general." Under the sardonic headline, "Millions of dollars and a piano may put Korean in UN's top job" and the subtitle "Aid campaign is crucial in race to succeed Kofi Annan," the day's top story in the paper's online edition broadly hints that the Korean government may be using means other than Ban's impeccable credentials to ensure he gets the job.
As examples of "aid diplomacy," the newspaper cites Korea's tripling of its aid budget for African countries to US$100 million in February, the tens of thousands of pounds it contributed to sponsoring this year's African Union summit in the Gambia in July, and its donation of $180 million for an education program in Tanzania, a temporary member of the UN Security Council.
[Aid weapon] [Ban Ki-moon]
Talks between DPRK SPA and Parliamentary Delegation of Indonesia
Talks between the delegation of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly and the parliamentary delegation of Indonesia were held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on September 12.
Both sides exchanged views on the issue of boosting the relations between the two parliaments at a time when the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Indonesia are favorably developing in different domains and on a series of issues of mutual concern.
Present from the DPRK side were Kim Wan Su, chairman
Protocol on Cooperation between DPRK and Mongolian Foreign Ministries
A protocol on cooperation between the foreign ministries of the DPRK and Mongolia was signed in Pyongyang on September 12.
Present at the signing ceremony from the DPRK side were Kim Yong Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and officials concerned and from the Mongolian side were members of the delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headed by S. Khurelbaatar and Mongolian ambassador to the DPRK Janchivdorjyn Lomvo.
South Korean Favored to Win Top Job at U.N.
By WARREN HOGE
Published: September 29, 2006
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 28 - Ban Ki-moon, the South Korean foreign minister, moved significantly closer on Thursday to becoming the successor to Kofi Annan as United Nations secretary general by maintaining a wide lead over six other candidates in the Security Council's third informal poll.
A fourth and more definitive informal poll is scheduled for Monday, and Mr. Ban, with 13 favorable votes from the 15 Council members, goes into that poll as the only candidate with the 9 votes required for approval.
On Monday, the ballots of the five permanent members, Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, will be colored different than the others, a way of determining whether any nation with veto power has exercised it. Barring a veto, Mr. Ban's election in a subsequent formal vote appears assured.
Mr. Ban has a master's degree from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, was assigned twice to the South Korean Embassy in Washington and is a former director general of American affairs for South Korea's Foreign Ministry.
He has the firm backing of the Bush administration and is known as an ally of Washington. If he gets the job, that part of his political makeup will be closely monitored at the United Nations, where tensions between the United States and the developing world have been on the rise.
N. Korea's Deputy Envoy to UN to Be Replaced
North Korea's deputy envoy to the United Nations is expected to be replaced soon by an expert on arms reduction, the Yonhap News Agency reported yesterday.
In a New York dispatch, Yonhap said Han Song-ryol, deputy head of North Korea's U.N. mission, is expected to step down next month.
Kim Myong-kil, a researcher from an institute of the North's Foreign Ministry on arms reduction and peace, was expected to take the post, it said, quoting diplomatic sources in New York.
Is Regional Integration Impossible Dream?
By Ryu Jin
Staff Reporter
[Issue Today]
President Roh Moo-hyun delivers a speech at the opening session of the 6th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Helsinki, Finland, on Sept. 10. Roh presented his vision for an EUlike regional integration of Northeast Asia in international forums, including the ASEM summit. At right are Chinese President Hu Jin-tao, top, and Shintaro Abe, bottom, who is expected to become Japan's next prime minister.
/ Korea Times
When President Roh Moo-hyun met President George W. Bush in a summit on Sept. 14 in Washington, many eyes were on the bilateral issues between South Korea and the United States, including ways to deal with the North Korean nuclear program.
Officials, however, said the two leaders also spent a considerable portion of their two-hour meeting on another significant issue: the future of Northeast Asia.
Since his inauguration in early 2003, Roh has given priority to peace and prosperity in the Northeast Asian region, including the Korean Peninsula, as well as to his reform campaign at home.
He has often set forth his ideas for regional integration during such multilateral forums as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the ASEAN+3, attended by Southeast Asian nations and China, Japan and South Korea.
However, as not a few experts pointed out, regional integration in Northeast Asia seems to be an all but impossible dream, at least at the moment.
``South Korea does not want to play an independent role of balancer between China and Japan but rather tries to play a constructive role supported by the United States. That's what Roh tried to reassure Bush of,'' he added.
Peaceful Solution to Nuclear Issue on Korean Peninsula Supported by NAM Summit
Pyongyang, September 19 (KCNA) -- The 14th NAM summit held in Havana on Sept. 15 and 16 expressed full support to the Korean people in their just cause of achieving the independent and peaceful reunification of the country and their efforts to seek a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. The final document adopted at the summit said:
Noting the importance of guaranteeing a durable peace and security in the Korean Peninsula for the sake of the common prosperity of the Korean people as well as the peace and security of Northeast Asia and the rest of the world, heads of state and government expressed the hope that the Korean Peninsula would be reunified through the genuine aspirations and concerted efforts of the Korean peoples themselves in a way as is stated in the North-South Joint Declaration issued at historic North-South summit talks held in Pyongyang on 15th June 2000.
Kim Yong Nam Calls for NAM's Increased Role
Havana, September 16 (KCNA) -- The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) should put up collective actions against the arbitrary and high-handed practices of a specified country and take more practical measures to establish a new and fair international order. Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, said this on Sept. 16 at the 14th NAM summit now under way in Havana.
New ideas' failing to stir North Korea
September 18, 2006 ? The latest call from the U.S. and South Korean presidents for North Korea to return to the six-nation nuclear disarmament talks was speedily rejected by the communist nation's head of state over the weekend.
Kim Yong-nam, the second-ranking man in Pyongyang's official hierarchy, told the Non-Aligned Movement summit meeting in Havana on Saturday that North Korea would not return to the talks until Washington removes its sanctions against his country.
Mr. Kim said sternly, "There is absolutely no justification to urge North Korea to go back to negotiations unconditionally. Our country will never return to negotiations under U.S. sanctions."
He also reiterated the North's long-time argument that it needed nuclear weapons for self-defense. "We had no choice but to possess nuclear arms to deter [the United States]," he said. [Media] [NAM]
N.Korea Insists no Deal Until U.S. Lifts Sanctions
The head of North Korea's parliament has repeated Pyongyang will not return to six-party talks on its nuclear program unless the U.S. lifts sanctions against it. The remarks were made by Kim Yong-nam, the president of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly, on Friday during the Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, which brought together Washington's bitterest critics in Havana, Cuba. Kim also blasted the U.S. as a threat to world peace. [NAM]
Seoul, Jakarta to Promote Ties in Arms Industry
By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
Military procurement officials from South Korea and Indonesia will discuss in Jakarta today ways of expanding cooperation in the weapons industry, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said Monday.
During the three-day talks, the 13th of their kind since 1991, the two sides will focus on South Korea's participation in the Southeast Asian country's arms buildup project for a new submarine fleet, basic trainer aircraft and armored vehicles, the agency said in a press release.
[Proliferation] [Military balance]
North Koreas No. 2 leader rips U.S.
Kim cites high-handed acts and unilateralism at Havana summit
Updated: 8:05 p.m. ET Sept. 16, 2006
HAVANA - North Koreas No. 2 leader blamed the lack of world peace on the United States at the Nonaligned Summit on Saturday, saying its failure to respect the sovereignty of other nations has destroyed the international order.
Parliament leader Kim Yong Nam said desires for peace by the 118 countries in the Nonaligned Movement were confronted with grave challenges owing to the high-handed acts and unilateralism of the superpower, which denies countries and nations the independent choice of development.
The resulting imbalance in global politics constitutes grave threats to world peace and security, he said.
[NAM]
Talks between DPRK SPA and Parliamentary Delegation of Indonesia
Talks between the delegation of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly and the parliamentary delegation of Indonesia were held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on September 12.
Both sides exchanged views on the issue of boosting the relations between the two parliaments at a time when the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Indonesia are favorably developing in different domains and on a series of issues of mutual concern.
Kim Yong Nam Leaves for Cuba
Pyongyang, September 13 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Wednesday left here to participate in the 14th summit of non-aligned countries slated to be held in Cuba. He was seen off at the airport by Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the SPA, Kung Sok Ung, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and Andrei Karlov, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and Enrique Montoto Cruz, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Cuban embassy here.
[NAM]
Developing Nations Summit Gathers U.S. Foes in Cuba
By REUTERS
Published: September 10, 2006
Filed at 2:01 a.m. ET
Skip to next paragraph
HAVANA (Reuters) - Leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement of 116 developing nations will meet in Cuba this week for a summit that will gather some of the United States' fiercest critics just 90 miles offshore.
The presidents of Iran and Syria, countries the Bush administration sees as members of an ``axis of evil,'' are expected in Havana, as well as a high-ranking delegation from another, North Korea.
Cuba, which takes over chairmanship from Malaysia for the next three years, hopes to revive the movement by rallying nations critical of the U.S. role as a world policeman in the wake of the Afghanistan and Iraq invasions.
But moderates like India want no such finger-pointing at the meeting, diplomats say.
The summit serves as a bully pulpit for small countries, but ``this isn't the way the winds are blowing in the world,'' a diplomat from a major South American nation said. Larger emerging nations are looking to other forums to further their interests in trade and investment, the diplomat said.
Cuba expects heads of state and governments from 50 nations to attend.
bully pulpit is a public office of sufficiently high rank that it provides the holder with an opportunity to speak out and be listened to on any matter. The bully pulpit can bring issues to the fore that were not initially in debate, due to the office's stature and publicity.
This term was coined by President Theodore Roosevelt, who referred to the American presidency as a "bully pulpit," by which he meant a terrific platform from which to persuasively advocate an agenda. Roosevelt often used the word bully as an adjective meaning "superb" or "wonderful" (a more common expression in his time than it is today). A pulpit is the elevated platform used by a preacher. The term has no relationship to the word bully in the sense of a "harasser". (Wikipedia)
[Media] [NAM]
Asian Politicians Call for Easing Tension on Peninsula
By Lee Jin-woo, Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporters
Asian political leaders were yesterday called upon to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula by inviting North Korea to the next International Conference for Asian Political Parties (ICAPP). The call came from Jose de Venecia, speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines.
``Political parties in Northeast Asia should undertake their own efforts, through the auspices of the ICAPP, to ease tensions on the the peninsula,'' Venecia said during the opening ceremony of the fourth ICAPP in Seoul. ``The obvious first step is to invite the North Koreans to join our conference.''
Swell of North Korean refugees could strain Thailand's tolerance
Police held 175 refugees after a recent raid in Bangkok. The volume this year has topped 400.
By Simon Montlake | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
BANGKOK, THAILAND Nearly two months after fleeing his impoverished homeland, Lee Dong-soo could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Guided by Christian activists, he had traveled thousands of miles overland across China to a rented house in Bangkok. There he waited for a safe passage to South Korea and the promise of a new citizenship.
But on Aug. 22, Thai police, tipped off by neighbors, raided the house and arrested 175 North Koreans living there. Two days later, a Thai court sentenced 136 of the detainees, including Mr. Lee - a pseudonym - to 30 days in jail for illegal entry into Thailand.
Fidel Hails Revolutionary Korean Efficiency
The ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro had high praise for Koreans in a meeting with staffers from Hyundai Heavy Industries, who are building packaged power stations in the Caribbean nation, the company said Monday.
Right before falling ill with intestinal bleeding, Castro and a group of aides made a surprise visit to the construction site on July 11. The elderly revolutionary was dressed in military uniform and limped a little, witnesses said. After looking around the site, he told Korean workers it was extraordinary that such a small number of workers can build a power station. A mere 11 Korean workers are involved in the construction. The Cuban leader was quoted as urging his people to learn from the diligence and aggressive working style of Koreans.
In May, Castro met with management of the Korean company to sign the contract for the station. At the time, he said Koreans were even more reliable than Japanese people since they work fast and push toward the goal. Hyundai Heavy Industries quoted Castro as saying South Koreans were also "better than North Koreans and Chinese."
Hyundai Heavy Industries won the US$720 million contract to produce and install 544 packaged power facilities across the nation. Once completed by the end of next year, they will likely supply one-third of the total power generation in Cuba, the company said.
DPRK Ambassador to Indonesia Appointed
Pyongyang, August 11 (KCNA) -- Jong Chun Gun was appointed as DPRK ambassador to Indonesia, according to a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly.
Greetings to President of Singapore
Pyongyang, August 8 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to S. R. Nathan, president of Singapore, on Tuesday on the occasion of its 41st national day. The message wished the president and government of Singapore greater success in their work for the prosperity and development of the country, expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger in various fields.
Roh Sends Letter to Vietnamese President on Ruling of Dissident
President Roh Moo-hyun has recently sent a personal letter to Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet to seek his understanding of a Seoul court's ruling against Hanoi's request for extradition of a Vietnamese dissident, government officials said Monday.
In the ruling on July 27, the Seoul High Court turned down the Vietnamese government's request to hand over Chanh Huu Nguyen.
The 57-year-old dissident was arrested by the Korean police while traveling in Seoul last April.
[Terrorism] [Human rights] [Double standards]
Israel's Aggression and U.S. Undisguised Support for It under Fire
Pyongyang, August 5 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary terms Israel's brigandish aggression of Palestine and Lebanon and its mass killings of civilians there an intolerable challenge to the Middle East countries and the international community desirous of the Mideast peace. The commentary blasts the U.S. wrong stance of openly supporting and patronizing Israel and the UNSC's incompetent behavior. Israel does not hesitate to invade other countries and commit mass killings, blatantly challenging the demands of the Middle East countries and the international community because the U.S. is unilaterally supporting and patronizing it from a biased stand, the commentary says, and goes on:
Kim Jong Il Sends Message of Sympathy to Fidel Castro Ruz
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il on Wednesday sent a message of sympathy to Fidel Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, president of the Council of State and president of the Council of Ministers of Cuba. The message said:
Shocked to learn that you underwent an operation for unexpected sudden illness, I express profound sympathy and consolation to you. I wholeheartedly hope that you will recover your health as early as possible so that you may continue successfully fulfilling the heavy responsibility entrusted to you by the Cuban revolution and people.
Talks Held between Foreign Ministers of DPRK and Singapore
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- Talks between Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun who is heading the DPRK delegation on an official visit to Singapore and Singaporean Foreign Minister George Yong-Boon Yeo were held in Singapore on Tuesday. Present at the talks from the DPRK side were members of the delegation and the DPRK ambassador to Singapore and from the Singaporean side were the second permanent secretary of the Foreign Ministry and officials concerned.
Solidarity Message to Lebanese President
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a solidarity message to Emile Lahoud, president of Lebanon, on August 2. The message said:
Upon hearing the shocking news that many civilians including at least 30 children in Qana village in the southern part of your country were brutally killed by a barbaric air strike of Israel on July 30, the Korean people bitterly denounce Israel for its indiscriminate man-killings.
At this difficult time the DPRK government and people, sharing sorrow with you, vehemently demand an immediate stop to Israel's aggression, mass-killings and destruction being committed under the undisguised patronage of the United States, strongly call for prompt practical measures for preserving lasting and durable peace and stability in the Mideast and express firm solidarity and support to the Lebanese people in their struggle to defend their national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Asean forum expresses 'concern' over missiles
August 02, 2006 ? The Asean Regional Forum adopted a chairman's statement yesterday expressing concern over North Korea's missile launches last month while urging Pyongyang to put a moratorium on missile testing.
Posted on the regional organization's official Web site, the statement said, "Most Ministers expressed concern over the test-firing of missiles by the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] on 5 July 2006 and believed that such tests could have adverse repercussions on peace, stability and security in the region."
North Korea has not made an official response to the statement. [ARF]
The Two Koreas in Splendid Isolation
The ASEAN Regional Forum in Kuala Lumpur on Friday adopted a chairman's statement saying North Korea's missile tests will have a negative impact on regional peace, stability and security. In a separate meeting, the foreign ministers of 10 member countries urged an early resumption of the six-party talks on the North's nuclear programs and implementation of the UN Security Council resolution on the July 5 missile tests. The 10 were the five parties in the six-way talks minus the North -- South Korea, the U.S., Japan, China and Russia -- plus Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Indonesia and New Zealand. [ARF]
Kim Yong Nam Meets Iranian Delegation
Pyongyang, July 28 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a friendly conversation with the Iranian parliamentary delegation led by Anoushiravan Mohseni Bandpei, chairman of the Iran-Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Friday. Present there were Chairman of the DPRK-Iran Parliamentary Friendship Group Kim Wan Su, officials concerned and Iranian Ambassador to the DPRK Jalaleddin Namini Mianji and an embassy official.
Meeting grows to 10 countries, but North Korea still sits it out
July 29, 2006 ? KUALA LUMPUR ? China made a last-ditch effort to try to get North Korea to show up at a meeting of the foreign ministers of 10 nations, which was held on the sidelines of the Asean regional forum. Still, North Korea did not show.
At the meeting, the foreign ministers urged North Korea to return to six-party talks, while agreeing that its recent missile launch posed a security threat to the region.
The participants also pledged to follow through with a UN resolution devised in response to the missile launch.
Originally scheduled to be an eight-way consultation, China suggested yesterday including New Zealand and Indonesia in the meeting, along with Australia, Canada and Malaysia and the other five countries involved in the six party talks: South Korea, China, Russia, Japan and the United States.
Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing joined the meeting late, after talking to his North Korean counterpart Paek Nam-sun.
Sources said yesterday that Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon asked Mr. Paek, after a morning session of the Asean Regional Forum, to have a bilateral meeting. That, too, was turned down.
At that morning session, Mr. Paek defended the North Korean missile launches and reaffirmed that Pyongyang will not return to nuclear talks as long as the financial sanctions are in place.
Diplomatic sources said yesterday the minister also threatened to withdraw from the regional forum if a statement was adopted that criticized the North's missile launches.
[Sanctions]
10-Nation Coalition Urges N.Korea's Return to Talks
The 10-party talks at the ASEAN Regional Forum in Kuala Lumpur included two more countries than originally envisaged. The chief diplomats expressed their misgivings about the missile tests and urged implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution on the matter.
There was near unanimity that the international community needs to speak in one voice on the issue and that six-nation talks on the renegade nation's nuclear program should urgently resume so a statement of principles at the last round in September can be implemented, a government official said. In the statement, North Korea agreed to abandon its nuclear program for security guarantees and aid. South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon called for a "balanced two-way approach" of international unanimity and simultaneous efforts to restore a framework of dialogue.
Multilateral talks held without N.K.
From news reports
The United States was set to lead talks among 10 nations at a regional forum, including Japan and China, to discuss North Korea's nuclear weapons program on the sidelines of the Asian regional forum yesterday.
Indonesia and New Zealand were among the countries taking part in the meeting, which excluded North Korea, Christopher Hill, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific, told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.
North Korea should end this "dirty nuclear business," he said.
North Korea said yesterday that it does not care about the United States' move to impose additional sanctions against Pyongyang.
"The U.S. says it's difficult to lift the financial sanctions, but there is nothing difficult. If the U.S. wants to, it can do it easily," North Korean spokesman Chong Song-il said in Kuala Lumpur. "We believe if the U.S. earnestly wants dialogue, it can do this."
[Sanctions] [Chutzpah] [Double standards]
At Southeast Asian gathering, bid to engage North Korea
ASEAN's annual regional meeting starts Friday. The North is spurning pleas for 'informal' six-party talks.
By Donald Kirk | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA The crisis over North Korea's missile shots - and fears of an underground nuclear test - appear to be deepening even as foreign ministers of the powers with a stake in the region gather for crucial talks Friday in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.
It's conceivable that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, arriving after bruising sessions on the Middle East, will shake hands with North Korea's foreign minister, Paek Nam Sun. But the North is spurning pleas to join in "informal" six-party talks on everything from nuclear weapons to missiles to counterfeiting.
Hopes end for a revival of six-party nuclear talks
July 28, 2006 ? KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia ? Pyongyang reaffirmed yesterday that it would not return to six-party talks unless financial sanctions imposed by Washington are lifted, erasing hopes of a revival of the North Korean nuclear discussions at a regional forum here attended by the foreign ministers of all six nations.
Jong Song-il, the spokesman for the North Korean delegation participating at the Asean Regional Forum, made the remarks to reporters after arriving yesterday.
[Sanctions] [Six Party Talks] [ARF]
Korean UN Secretary-General
Foreign Minister Ban Comes First in Straw Poll
People's expectations of having the first Korean U.N. Secretary-General flew high as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-moon finished first in a close-door straw poll held at the U.N. headquarters in New York Monday on who is to become the next head of the U.N. Secretariat. But, it is too early to be optimistic based on the result because the race for the post has just started with the probability of having more candidates before the final vote.
Eight-Party Talks Friday to Proceed Without Protagonist
A multilateral meeting of countries in talks on North Korea's nuclear program plus Canada, Australia and Malaysia will take place in Malaysia on Friday to discuss Pyongyang's missile tests. But the reclusive country will not be taking part.
Rice Does Not Expect 6-Party N. Korea Talks
Thursday July 27, 2006 3:01 AM
AP Photo ALT130
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Thursday she does not anticipate that the six parties seeking a solution to the North Korean nuclear issue will meet when Asian leaders gather later this week at a security forum in Malaysia. [ARF]
N Korea defiant over Asean talks
North Korea raised regional tension with missile tests on 5 July
Hopes appeared to be fading for talks with North Korea on the sidelines of a regional security forum in Malaysia.
Officials from five countries involved in stalled talks with Pyongyang are at an Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) forum in Kuala Lumpur.
But a North Korean spokesman said the US had first to lift financial sanctions before talks could go ahead.
[Sanctions]
Waiting for Pyongyang, Asean urges 6-way talks
July 27, 2006 ? KUALA LUMPUR - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has set the table, and its guests are waiting to see if Pyongyang will agree to meet here with other participants in the six-nation nuclear talks.
After the Asean foreign ministers' annual meeting, the Asean Regional Forum will be held here tomorrow at Asia's only regional security forum. The foreign ministers of all the participants in the six-party talks on North Korean nuclear programs will be at the forum, including Paek Nam-sun from Pyongyang. [ARF]
DPRK Delegation Leaves for Malaysia
Pyongyang, July 25 (KCNA) -- A DPRK delegation led by Paek Nam Sun, minister of Foreign Affairs, left here Tuesday to attend the 13th ministerial meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum to be held in Kuala Lumpur. The delegation will visit Malaysia and Singapore.
It was sent off at the airport by Choe Su Hon, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Wu Donghe, Chinese ambassador to the DPRK, and Sarizam Bin Abu Bakar, charge d' affaires a.i. of Malaysia.
[ARF]
Israel Urged to Stop Barbaric Man-Killing in Lebanon
Pyongyang, July 26 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave the following answer to a question raised by KCNA Tuesday in connection with Israel's military aggression against Lebanon that drove the Mideast situation to the brink of war: As already reported, Israel is escalating its military actions while carrying out air-raids on different parts of Lebanon almost every day and hurling even its ground force into southern Lebanon.
Israel's military aggression on Lebanon rendered hundreds of people dead or wounded and more than 500,000 people displaced in just a few days. The daily aggravating situation in this region is arousing serious apprehension among the international community.
N Korea talks 'unlikely' at Asean
Last Updated: Wednesday, 26 July 2006, 06:09 GMT 07:09 UK
Ban Ki-Moon wants to use the meeting to talk about N Korea
Hopes are fading that an Asean summit in Malaysia can kick-start negotiations on the North Korean nuclear stand-off.
Ministers from all six nations involved in talks on the North's nuclear aims will be at the meeting later this week, but officials say progress is unlikely.
Another issue dominating the meeting is Burma. Critics say a statement by delegates voicing concern over the situation is not strong enough.
The US and EU want Asean to pressure Burma into improving its democracy.
Since North Korea test-fired a number of missiles earlier this month, the need to address its nuclear ambitions has taken on an added urgency.
Asean ministers are meeting in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur
Both American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun are expected in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
[ARF]
North Korea Focusing On Technological Development To Revive Economy
by the Institute for Far Eastern Studies
July 25th, 2006
This report, published by the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University, notes, "North Korea has chosen technology as a national priority and refocused its budget through the principle of 'focus and choice.' Furthermore, it seems to be pursuing technological development by simultaneously renewing its existing industries and establishing a foundation for high technology."
Joint Communique of the 39th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM)
Kuala Lumpur, 25 July 2006
FORGING A UNITED, RESILIENT AND INTEGRATED ASEAN
INTRODUCTION
1.We, the Foreign Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), met at the 39th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on 24-25 July 2006 in Kuala Lumpur. His Excellency Dato Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia and Chairman of the 39th ASEAN Standing Committee, chaired the Meeting.
The Honourable Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia, delivered an Opening Address at the Opening Ceremony of the 39th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting.
The Honourable Prime Minister also highlighted the latest developments in the Middle East which was gravely threatening international peace and security. Being responsible members of the international community, ASEAN countries should not appear indifferent to the plight of the Palestinians. He stated that we should condemn Israels latest use of disproportionate force in Gaza and in the West Bank. We should not tolerate Israels excessive military reprisals against Lebanon. ASEAN must make its voices heard, loudly and clearly and that ASEAN should not continue tolerating the subjugation and repression of the Palestinian people by Israel.
Korean Peninsula
92.We expressed our concern over the latest developments in the Korean Peninsula including the test-firing by DPRK of its Taepodong-2 missiles on 5 July 2006 which could affect peace and stability in the region. We noted the unanimous adoption of the UNSC resolution 1695. We also expressed our desire for the realisation of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and our continued support for the early resumption of the Six Party Talks. We also expressed our hope that the on-going inter-Korean exchanges would continue to provide conditions which would be conducive to peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula. We also believed that the ARF can contribute to promoting peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and expressed the hope that members of the Six Party Talks can utilise their presence during the ARF to promote the resumption of the Talks.
Asean concerned at N Korea test
Asean ministers are meeting in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur
South East Asian nations have expressed concern over North Korea's missile tests and urged a return to talks on its nuclear programme.
The appeal came in a joint statement issued after a meeting of Asean foreign ministers in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.
The tests could affect regional peace and stability, the statement said.
The grouping has also criticised Israel's action in Lebanon and called for a tough stance on the issue.
Foreign ministers from the 10 countries which make up Asean (the Association of South East Asian Nations) are holding talks in Malaysia until the weekend.
They will be joined later in the week by participants from other Asian nations for the Asean Regional Forum.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is expected to attend the conference on Thursday, after her trip to the Middle East. Officials say North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun will also take part.
Vietnam Seeks Dissident's Return
By Park Chung-a
Staff Reporter
This week, a South Korean court is to decide the fate of a Vietnamese anti-communist, branded a terrorist by the Vietnamese government.
Depending on whether it decides he is a democratic activist or a terrorist, a domestic court will decide whether to extradite Chanh Huu Nguyen to his home country at a hearing this week.
Nguyen, 55, who spearheads Government of Free Vietnam (GFVN), has been detained in Seoul since April.
He is being held at the request of the Vietnamese government, which wants him extradited so that he can be tried for terrorist acts. The Vietnamese government claims that he attempted to bomb Vietnamese embassies in the Philippines and Thailand.
Since 1990s, after setting a pact over extradition of criminals, South Korea has asked Vietnam to extradite 10 South Koreans from that country. The Vietnamese government turned down none of them.
It is the first time that Vietnam has requested a criminal extradition from South Korea and Nguyen's case is likely to have significant influence over future bilateral cooperation over criminals. Also, if South Korea fails to fulfill Vietnam's request, trade relations between the two countries could suffer. [Terrorism]
N.Korea to take centre-stage at meeting
Jul 23, 2006 By Mark Bendeich Reuters
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - North Korea will take centre-stage at a meeting of Asian and Western powers in Malaysia this week, but there is little optimism for a breakthrough in their standoff over the reclusive state's nuclear program.
Preparations for the ASEAN Regional Forum, where southeast Asian nations host talks with the world's major powers, have already revealed discord over the issue, with Japan pushing for a sternly worded communique.
[ARF]
Ban will soon send a letter to UN saying he's a candidate for top job
July 13, 2006 ? Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon plans to send a letter soon to the UN Security Council saying that he is a candidate to lead the United Nations, a government source said yesterday. The council is expected to hold a straw poll later this month in order to get a rough idea of where each secretary general candidate stands with the other nations.
South Korea announced Mr. Ban's candidacy for the job in February.
North Korean Minister to Attend ASEAN Meet
SEOUL (Yonhap) - North Korea's Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun is expected to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur later this month, according to Malaysia's Bernama News Agency Sunday.
The agency said Paek is expected to hold informal talks with other foreign ministers at the gathering, raising the possibility of a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
The fiveday ARF meeting will kick off on July 24 in the Malaysian c a p i t a l along with the 39th ministerial meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Syria's Exercise of Legitimate Right to Self-Defence Hailed
Pyongyang, July 6 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun Thursday in a signed commentary hails the strong military retaliation made by the air defence force of Syria against Israel's fighters as an exercise of its legitimate right to self-defence. Recalling that the Syrian government condemned the Israeli fighters' intrusion of its territorial air space as a reckless aggressive provocation, the commentary says that the above-said Israeli intrusion is not only a grave violation of the sovereignty of Syria but an internationally unpardonable attempt at terrorism against the Syrian state leadership
[Independent states]
Special Envoy of Indonesian President Arrives Here
Pyongyang, July 6 (KCNA) -- Councilor to President Nana Sutresna, special envoy of the Indonesian president, and his party arrived here on July 6. The special envoy was greeted at the airport by Kim Yong Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and Bambang Irawan K., Indonesian charge d'affaires a. i. to the DPRK, and embassy officials.
Special Envoy of Indonesian President Feted
Pyongyang, July 7 (KCNA) -- The DPRK government hosted a reception at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Thursday in honor of the special envoy of the Indonesian president on a visit to the DPRK. Present on invitation were Councilor to the President Nana Sutresna, special envoy of the Indonesian president, and his entourage and Charge d'Affaires Bambang Irawan K. and officials of the Indonesian embassy here. On hand were Paek Nam Sun, minister of Foreign Affairs, and other officials concerned.
The special envoy said he cherished deep reverence for President Kim Il Sung, highly praising the undying feats performed by the President for the building of the DPRK.
Saying he was visiting the DPRK again as a special envoy of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, he noted that his president was showing special concern for the building of deeper relations between Indonesia and the DPRK.
Indonesian President to Visit Seoul July 19-22
By Ryu Jin
Staff Reporter
President Roh Moo-hyun will hold a summit meeting with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Seoul on July 20 to discuss ways to promote bilateral ties and enhance cooperation in the international arena, Chongwadae announced Monday.
After visiting Pyongyang from July 17 to 19, Yudhoyono will arrive in Seoul on July 19 for a four-day state visit at the invitation of Roh, Chongwadae spokesman Jung Tae-ho said in a press briefing.
Yudhoyono's visit to both Koreas is relevant to the latest situation as Indonesia has kept relatively close relations with the Stalinist North since the 1960s.
Venezuela's Chavez to visit North Korea, Iran
Reuters
Monday, June 12, 2006; 2:24 AM
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced on Sunday that he will visit Iran and North Korea, two nations at odds with Washington over nuclear development, at a time when Chavez is seeking to distance Venezuela from the United States. Chavez, who has promised a socialist revolution to end poverty in the world's fifth-largest oil exporter, has drawn fire from the State Department for building alliances with U.S. foes like Cuba and Iran.
Ban Ki-moon Perfect Bridge Builder for UN'
The Korea Times exclusively covered a round-table discussion, participated in by five U.N. experts at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul Thursday, before the official opening of a two-day international seminar on measures to make the United Nations fit to the 21st century. _ ED.
By Park Song-wu, Christopher Carpenter
Staff Reporters
They also talked about who should become the next U.N. secretary-general and what qualifications he or she needed to be able to successfully reform the 191-member global body. They mentioned Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-moon as one of the leading candidates for the top job in the United Nations.
North Korean Defectors Arrested in Laos
SEOUL (Yonhap) -- Several North Korean defectors and two South Korean missionaries helping them are in police custody in Laos, an activist claimed Thursday.
Tim Peters of Helping Hands Korea, a Seoul-based organization that helps defectors, said Laotian police arrested the defectors and the missionaries on charges of illegal activities. He did not identify them.
[Refugee encouragement]
Rodong Sinmun on Principle of National Independence
Pyongyang, June 5 (KCNA) -- The principle of national independence is a basic cornerstone that enables the Korean nation to remove the obstacles and difficulties lying ahead of the reunification movement by its united strength and reunify the country in a peaceful way. Rodong Sinmun Monday says this in a signed article.
The principle of national independence is the basic principle of resolving the issue of national reunification proceeding from its essence and character, the article points out, and goes on:
[Independent states]
Final Document of Ministerial Meeting of NAM Coordinating Bureau Refers to Issue of Korea
Pyongyang, June 3 (KCNA) -- A final document was adopted at the ministerial meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the NAM held in Malaysia on May 29 and 30. The document also referred to the issue of Korea.
According to it, the ministers expressed support to the Korean people in their efforts to reunify the country by the united efforts in accordance with the joint declaration adopted at the historic North-South Summit held in Pyongyang in June 2000, recognizing that ensuring durable peace and security on the Korean Peninsula is important for the common prosperity of the Korean people and peace and security in Northeast Asia and the rest of the world.
Head of DPRK Delegation on Tasks before NAM
Pyongyang, June 2 (KCNA) -- The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is required to intensify its activities to actively meet fresh challenges and cope with new changes. Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Choe Su Hon who is heading the DPRK delegation said this, clarifying the DPRK's stand on the matter at the ministerial meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the NAM on May 30.
The DPRK government has consistently maintained the unshakable stand to remain true to the fundamental principle and idea of the NAM, he noted, and continued:
The DPRK delegation is of the view that the current meeting should pay particular attention to the following issues that should be solved to define the orientation of the movement for meeting new challenges and boost its capability for actions:
First, the movement should further strengthen unity and solidarity in the struggle to protect the sovereignty of its member states.
[Independent states]
Week Event of Iran-Korea Friendship in Teheran
Teheran, May 23 (KCNA) -- A week event of Iran-Korea Friendship was held in Teheran from May 14 to 20. An opening ceremony was held on May 14.
On display at the venue of the opening ceremony were photos of President Kim Il Sung meeting and having talks with leader Seyed Ali Khamenei, photos of leader Kim Jong Il giving on-the-spot guidance to different fields, their famous works, books and photos showing proud achievements made by the Korean people.
Fidel Castro Ruz on Boosting Cuba-Korea Relations
Havana, May 23 (KCNA) -- Fidel Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, president of the Council of State and president of the Council of Ministers of Cuba, stressed the need to boost the friendly and cooperative relations between the two parties and two countries of Cuba and the DPRK in the joint struggle for socialism against the U.S., noting that the two countries have supported and cooperated with each other as the countries standing in confrontation with it. He met with the delegation of the Workers' Party of Korea led by Kim Ki Nam, secretary of its Central Committee, on a visit to Cuba and had a talk with it in a friendly atmosphere at the Revolutionary Palace on May 22.
Reactionary Nature of Economic Globalization Disclosed
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- The reactionary nature of economic globalization lies in that it bars each state from playing the role as the master of its national economy, hamstrings the independent development of economy in the developing countries, in particular, accelerates the pauperization of those countries and increases their economic dependence upon the West. Rodong Sinmun Tuesday observes this in a signed article in connection with the fact that the imperialists' evermore undisguised moves for economic globalization are rebuffed and condemned by the world public.
[Globalisation] [Independent states]
Seoul to Participate in Hanoi Project
By Kim Tong-hyung
Staff Reporter
Seoul City Tuesday reached agreement with Hanoi to participate in an urban development project in the Vietnamese capital, officials said on Tuesday.
The agreement, signed by Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak and Hanoi Vice-Mayor Do Hoang An, follows the signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last September to help develop industrial belts, residential areas and tourist attractions along Hanoi's Red River.
Vice-Mayor Do Hoang An is currently visiting Korea.
Under the accord, the Seoul city government will hire urban planners to design a framework plan for development projects along the Red River, including flood control, resident resettlement, land-use strategies.
The plan is expected to cost around $5 million including expenses for on-site inspections, 90 percent of which will be financed by Seoul. The city will select a local company to take on the project by July.
DPRK Student Emerges Winner at International Concours
Pyongyang, May 21 (KCNA) -- Korean student Hwang Un Mi studying at Santachechilia Conservatory in Rome, Italy emerged a winner at the 13th Giuseppe di Stefano International Vocal Concours. The concours held in Trapani, Italy from May 3 to 7 drew more than 80 men and women singers from 15 countries and regions including Italy, Russia, China, the U.S. and Japan.
Indonesian President to Visit Koreas
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will make a state visit to South Korea from June 7 to 9, the presidential office said on Friday.
Prior to his arrival here, the Indonesian leader is to visit North Korea from June 5 to 7.
Malaysian FM Winds Up His Korea Visit
Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar and his party Friday flew back after winding up their three-day visit to the DPRK. They were seen off at the airport by Kim Yong Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and officials of the DPRK Foreign Ministry and Jamal Sharifuddin Bin Johan, Malaysian charge d'affaires ad interim and officials of the Malaysian embassy here.
During their stay here the guests visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace to pay homage to President Kim Il Sung.
They also visited the E-library of Kim Chaek University of Technology, the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace and the Pyongyang Metro [ICT]
Malaysian Foreign Minister Feted
Pyongyang, May 18 (KCNA) -- The DPRK government gave a reception in honor of the visiting Malaysian foreign minister at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Wednesday. Present on invitation were Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar and his party, and Charge d'Affaires ad Interim Jamal Sharifuddin Bin Johan and staff members of the Malaysian embassy here.
On hand were Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Yong Il and officials concerned.
Cambodian King Visits DPRK
Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni visited the e-library and gymnasium at Kim Chaek University of Technology on April 19.
Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni had an official visit to the DPRK from April 17 to 28 at the invitation of Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly(SPA).
Papers in editorials on April 17 welcomed the visit of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni to the DPRK.
Asian Regional Seminar on Juche Idea Held in India
An Asian regional seminar on the Juche idea was held in India on April 8. It was attended by Director General of the International Institute of the Juche Idea Vishwanath, Honorary President of the World Peace Council Romesh Chandra, Director General of the Asian Regional Institute of the Juche Idea Reggie Ranatunge, and delegations from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Mongolia and Japan, and leading officials and members of Juche idea study groups and people from different walks of life in India.
UN's Annan endorses Seoul's North policies
May 16, 2006 ? Settling the North Korean nuclear issue is the key to stability and peace on the Korean Peninsula, Kofi Annan told reporters yesterday. The secretary-general of the United Nations was in Seoul as part of a regional swing.
With Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon, an announced candidate to succeed him, at his side, Mr. Annan endorsed Seoul's undivided focus on eliminating nuclear weapons in North Korea, saying it should have a "separate category and priority" than human rights and other issues.
The remarks were an indirect criticism of Washington's policies on North Korean human rights issues and illicit trade by the communist regime.
[Friction] [Camouflage]
Yang Hyong Sop Visits Norodom Sihanouk
Pyongyang, May 10 (KCNA) -- Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, Wednesday visited Norodom Sihanouk, the great king of Cambodia, at the state guest house. He had a friendly conversation with the great king. .
Present there were the great queen, the entourage of the great king and Cambodian Ambassador to the DPRK Chhorn Hay. .
On hand were Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Yong Il and others.
Congratulations to Nepalese Prime Minister
Pyongyang, May 5 (KCNA) -- Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, sent a congratulatory message to Girija Prasad Koirala on his appointment as prime minister of the government of the Kingdom of Nepal. It expressed the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would continue to favorably develop in the future, too.
N.K. Plan for Joint Vatican Visit Baffles Seoul Catholics
The Catholic Association of North Korea has made a mysterious proposal to the Seoul Archdiocese's National Reconciliation Committee for a joint visit to the Vatican and an audience with the pope. Mgr. Thomas Aquinas Choi Chang-hwa, who led a 61-member group from the committee in a landmark visit to the North last month, said Wednesday the association made the proposal during a dinner on April 28. "But the North never made clear what the objective of such a visit would be," Choi added.
The visit from the committee, which has provided aid to the North over the last 11 years, was the first to visit North Korea by an official body of the Catholic Church in the South. The North last year made its wish to visit the Vatican known to the Seoul Archdiocese and the Vatican's legation in Korea, also without clarifying the purpose.
"I said, 'You'll have to show at least one priest living in North Korea and demonstrate that there is religious freedom and freedom to spread God's message for such a visit to be possible,'" Choi recalled. "But the North responded that that would be 'difficult.'" He said the North Koreans asked him to pass on their congratulations on the recent investiture of Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk, the archbishop of Seoul. "When I asked if they were going to invite the cardinal they said, 'We'll discuss it,'" he said.
Agreement Signed between Governments of DPRK and India
New Delhi, April 26 (KCNA) -- An agreement on cooperation in the field of information between the governments of the DPRK and India was signed here on Apr. 26. Present at a signing ceremony from the DPRK side were the information delegation headed by the vice-chairman of the DPRK Information Committee and the DPRK ambassador to India, and from the Indian side the assistant secretary of the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and officials concerned. The agreement was inked by the vice-chairman of the DPRK Information Committee and the assistant secretary of the Indian Ministry.
Message of Sympathy to Egyptian President
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly Kim Yong Nam sent a message of sympathy to Egyptian President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak on Thursday. Upon hearing the news that a recent bomb explosion in Egypt caused considerable human casualties, Kim Yong Nam in the message expressed deep sympathy to the president and, through him, to the Egyptian government and the bereaved families.
Kim Yong Nam Receives Credentials from Venezuelan Ambassador
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, received credentials from Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the DPRK Rocio Maneiro Gonzalez at the Mansudae Assembly Hall Wednesday. On hand were Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hyong Jun and staff members of the Venezuelan embassy here.
After receiving the credentials, Kim Yong Nam had a conversation with the ambassador.
Iran Gets First North Korean-Made Missiles
By ARON HELLERThe Associated Press
Thursday, April 27, 2006; 8:20 AM
JERUSALEM -- Iran has received its first batch of North Korean-made surface-to-surface missiles that put European countries within firing range, Israel's military intelligence chief said in an interview published Thursday.
The BM-25 missiles have a range of 1,550 miles and are capable of carrying nuclear warheads, the Haaretz daily reported.
Korean diplomat wins disarmament UN post
March 30, 2006 ? A senior South Korean diplomat has been elected chairman of the the United Nations Disarmament Commission, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.
Oh Joon, Seoul's deputy ambassador to the UN, will lead the commission, a deliberative body under the UN General Assembly, for the next year.
Ban goes more public in UN post campaign
March 28, 2006 ? Seoul seems to have changed its tactics, shifting away from its "quiet diplomacy" to bolster Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon's candidacy for United Nations secretary general. Mr. Ban himself openly asked for support at a summit meeting of the League of Arab States being held in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.
Seoul announced Mr. Ban's candidacy for the post last month.
Greetings to Iranian President
Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the occasion of the New Year in Iran. Kim Yong Nam in the message expressed conviction that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would develop on good terms, in the future, too and wholeheartedly wished him good health and happiness and great success in his responsible work to build independent and prosperous Islamic society.
KCNA Accuses U.S. of Inciting Civil War in Iraq
Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- Bloodshed and violence among factions have never ceased in Iraq since the U.S. invasion of the country. They have now gone to extremes. The recent attack on a Shiite mosque has escalated tension among factions and increased social unrest.
Armed men strut about the streets and the number of victims of clashes between Shiites and Sunnites reaches 30 on a daily average, reminiscent of a civil war. The unceasing clashes among nationalities and factions have created the imminent danger of a civil war that would engulf Iraq, to say nothing of Baghdad. Violence among factions in Iraq is an inevitable product of the war of aggression launched by the U.S. and its interference in the internal affairs of the country.
The U.S. invaded a sovereign state in March 2003 under an absurd pretext invented by it to meet its political and economic purposes defying the United Nations and in gross violation of international law. It was an unpardonable crime.
NK Diplomat Calls for Disbanding UNC in Seoul
NEW YORK (Yonhap) _ A senior North Korean diplomat has urged the United Nations to disband its command headquarters in Seoul, accusing the post of being a U.S. attempt to prolong its regional hegemony, South Korean officials said Saturday.
Amb. Park Gil-yon, chief of the North's mission to the United Nations, made the request in a letter to U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan on Monday, said officials at South Korea's mission to the world body.
Washington has insisted on the continued deployment of the U.N. Command (UNC) in Seoul "under the name of the U.N. to maintain its military superiority in Northeast Asia and on the Korean Peninsula," the officials quoted Park as saying in the letter.
Great King of Cambodia Arrives
Pyongyang, February 28 (KCNA) -- Norodom Sihanouk, great king of Cambodia, arrived here today by a special plane. He was greeted at the airport by Vice-President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly Yang Hyong Sop, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Yong Il, Cambodian Ambassador to the DPRK Chhorn Hay and embassy officials and Chinese Charge d'Affaires ad Interim in Pyongyang Guan Huabing.
Working women presented bouquets to the great king and the great queen.
Message of Sympathy to Polish President
Pyongyang, February 1 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, today sent a message of sympathy to Polish President Lech Aleksander Kaczynski over the casualties caused by a tragic accident that took place in Katowice. In the message Kim expressed deep condolences to the president and, through him, to the victims and their bereaved families and hoped that the wounded would recover as quickly as possible.
Congratulations to PM of Mongolia
Pyongyang, January 30 (KCNA) -- Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, sent a congratulatory message to Miyegombiin Enkhbold on the latter's appointment as prime minister of Mongolia. Expressing the conviction that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would continue to develop on good terms in the interests of the two peoples, the message wished him success in his responsible work for the stability and prosperity of the country.
Foreign Minister Eyes Top UN Post
DAVOS, SWITZERLAND (Yonhap) _ Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-moon said South Korea should increase its financial aid to underdeveloped and disaster-stricken countries, indicating again his intention to run for the top U.N. post.
``A U.N. secretary general is required to draw international attention to humanitarian assistance and muster member states' political wills. Anyone who takes the U.N. secretary general post is anticipated to perform such a role,'' Ban said in a recent interview in Davos, where he attended the World Economic Forum.
The interview was conducted a day after he held a panel debate Thursday with two other potential candidates _ Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Sri Lankan diplomat Jayantha Dhanapala _ to succeed current U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, whose term ends on Dec. 31.
If elected, Ban, a career diplomat who has called for sweeping reforms of the world body, would be the first Asian to head the world body.
Kim Yong Nam Meets Malaysian Ambassador
Pyongyang, January 27 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, met and had a talk with Malaysian Ambassador to the DPRK MD.Yusoff Bin MD.Zain who paid a farewell call on him at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Friday. On hand was Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Yong Il.
Paek Nam Sun Meets Malaysian Ambassador
Pyongyang, January 26 (KCNA) -- Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun today met and conversed with outgoing Malaysian Ambassador MD.Yusoff Bin MD.Zain.
Korea Offers to Sell Subs to Indonesia
By Lee Jin-woo
Staff Reporter
Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung proposed selling South Korean-built submarines to Indonesia when he met with his Indonesian counterpart in Jakarta earlier this week, a government source said on Friday.
Yoon offered to sell 1,300-ton Type 209 submarines, to be built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME), to the Southeast Asian country during a meeting with Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono on Monday, the sourrce said.
[Proliferation]
Greetings to President of India
Pyongyang, January 25 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, today sent a message of greetings to A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, president of India, on the occasion of the 56th day of the Republic of India. The message expressed the conviction that the good friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would continue to expand and develop in the common interests of the two peoples and sincerely wished him greater success in his responsible work for the prosperity and development of the country.
Indian President to Visit Seoul
By Ryu Jin
Staff Reporter
Indian President Abdul Kalam will visit Seoul from Feb. 2 to Feb. 9 for talks with President Roh Moo-hyun on ways to increase cooperation between the two countries, Chong Wa Dae officials announced on Tuesday.
Ambassador slaps UN for politicizing rights issues
January 21, 2006 ? South Korea's ambassador-at-large for human rights, Park Kyung-seo, caused controversy at a religious forum Thursday by saying the North Korean human rights issue was being used politically at the United Nations.
Mr. Park was speaking about remarks made at the UN Human Rights Commission held in April last year in Geneva, Switzerland, where he was South Korea's representative.
"I witnessed member countries [Japan and the European Union] taking an offensive attitude, while ignoring the core issue on how they can serve constructive roles to promote human rights issues [in North Korea]," he said.
"The human rights issue must not be used as a political means to attack a certain individual, group or a country," said Mr. Park. "Peace on the Korean Peninsula, which must take a higher priority than the human rights issue, must be achieved first," he added.
Critics questioned whether it is proper for Mr. Park, a human rights ambassador, to make such remarks.
This is not the first controversy brought about by Mr. Park, who was also a senior member of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea under the current administration.
Last November at a seminar, he said the human rights issue should not be an item for discussion until the North and South Korea sign a non-aggression pact ? a remark he repeated earlier this month.
by Seo Seung-wook
[human rights [camouflage]
Korea to Field Candidate for Top UN Post This Year
By Park Song-wu
Staff Reporter
South Korea is ``seriously'' thinking of fielding a candidate to succeed U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-moon told reporters in New York on Wednesday.
He stopped by the American city on his way to Washington, D.C. where he was to attend the inaugural ``strategic consultations'' between South Korea and the United States at the State Department on Thursday.
``It is true that the (South) Korean government has been seriously considering the idea of presenting a Korean national as a candidate to succeed Kofi Annan,'' he said after a 45-minute meeting with the U.N.'s top diplomat from Ghana.
House Speaker Visits Vietnam
HANOI (Yonhap) _ National Assembly Speaker Kim One-ki arrived Saturday in Hanoi for talks with Vietnamese leaders on improving relations between the two Asian countries.
Plan for Cooperation in Field of Standardization, Measuring and Quality Control Signed between DPRK and Vietnam
Pyongyang, January 11 (KCNA) -- A plan for cooperation in the field of standardization, measuring and quality control for 2006 was signed in Hanoi on Jan. 10 between the DPRK State Bureau for Quality Control and the Council for Standardization and Quality of Vietnam. The signing ceremony was attended by members of a delegation of the bureau from the DPRK side and officials concerned of the council from the Vietnamese side.
Labor Party Leader Visits HK to Observe Trial of Farmers
SEOUL (Yonhap) _ The acting chairman of South Korea's minor opposition Democratic Labor Party, Kwon Young-ghil, left for Hong Kong Sunday to observe a court hearing of 11 South Korean farmers arrested last month for illegal street demonstrations, party officials said. [WTO]
Building of Independent, Peaceful and Friendly New World Called for
Pyongyang, January 3 (KCNA) -- The stand of our Party and government to make a positive contribution to the building of an independent, peaceful and friendly new world remains unchanged. Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article. It is the unanimous aspiration and desire of humankind to live in an independent, peaceful and friendly new world, the article notes, and goes on:
An independent, peaceful and friendly new world means a world where people are free from all sorts of domination, high-handed and arbitrary practices, the sovereignty and interests of all sovereign states are respected on an equal basis and the justice and impartiality are ensured in the international relations and peaceful international affair makes progress.
The above-said world can be built only through a struggle for independence against imperialism. This kind of world free from domination, subjugation, aggression and war is unthinkable without a struggle for independence against imperialism. Invasion and war are the means for imperialism to exist. It can not live even a single day without them. Because of this intrinsic nature imperialism is indulged in aggression and plunder of other countries and nations. It is the foe of peace and the principal target of the people's struggle for independence.
There should be nothing but a struggle against imperialism.
[Independent States] [Imperialism]
Rodong Sinmun on WPK's Idea of Its Foreign Policy
Pyongyang, January 4 (KCNA) -- Independence, peace and friendship are the avowed idea of the foreign policy of the Workers' Party of Korea. Rodong Sinmun today says this in a signed article.
It goes on:
It is the main principle governing the activities of the WPK and the DPRK government to take an independent view and judgment of all problems, act according to its own faith and solve all issues independently. The political and military potentials the WPK and the people of the DPRK have consolidated as firm as a rock by implementing the independent revolutionary line serve as a sure guarantee for protecting the sovereignty of the country and the gains of the revolution, successfully advancing the revolution and construction and checking and frustrating the imperialists' aggression and interference. It is an urgent task common to humankind to avert a war and defend peace. Doing so is prerequisite to building a new independent world. Peace can be won only when the people of all the countries in the world who love independence and peace turn out as one in the stubborn struggle against the imperialists' aggression and their war policy.
It is the consistent stand of the WPK to develop the friendly and cooperative relations with the world people who advocate independence.
Kim Jong Il Receives Former President of Indonesia
Kim Jong Il, the General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and the chairman of the National Defense Commission of the DPRK, on October 14 received Former President of Indonesia Megawati Soekarnoputri, the General Chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, and her party on a visit to congratulate the WPK on its 60th foundation anniversary.
Present there were Kang Sok Ju, the first vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and Bambang Irawan Kromodimuljo, charge d' affairs ad interim of the Indonesian embassy in the DPRK.
11 South Koreans Indicted for Violent Protests in Hong Kong
By Park Song-wu
Staff Reporter
South Korean protesters shout slogans at a rally in front of the Chinese embassy in Seoul, Monday, demanding the release of South Korean demonstrators who were arrested during the anti-WTO rally in Hong Kong.
Eleven South Korean farmers were indicted for allegedly staging violent anti-globalization street demonstrations during a World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting over the weekend here, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry said on Monday.
The farmers were charged with destruction of public property and assaulting police officers.
Earlier on Monday, Hong Kong police freed an additional 838 South Koreans detained for taking part in the street protests following the release of 150 South Korean women and a child on the same day.
Seoul Trying to Bring 600 Detainees Home From HK
By Ryu Jin
Staff Reporter
South Korea will dispatch Vice Foreign Minister Lee Kyu-hyung to Hong Kong today in an attempt to amiably settle the issue of freeing some 600 hundred of its citizens arrested in anti-globalization protests there, government officials in Seoul said on Sunday.
``We are working for a smooth settlement of the case,'' an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a press briefing. ``We expect close cooperation with the authorities of Hong Kong for an early release of the arrested demonstrators and their return.''
The official, however, expressed regret at the same time over the arrest of such a large number of people on charges of violent acts in a foreign country, saying it could tarnish Korea's image in the international community.
Asia Summit Augurs Power Struggle
By Ryu Jin
Korea Times Correspondent
President Roh Moo-hyun, second from left, sits around the table with other leaders at the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Wednesday. At left is Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. /Yonhap
KUALA LUMPUR _ A total of 16 nations in East Asia and its adjacent regions held their first summit here Wednesday, a primary step to build an EU-style community. But the inaugural meeting revealed the rocky path ahead as some have already begun struggling for leadership.
Leaders of the 16 nations, including South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, gathered for the East Asia Summit (EAS), designed for informal discussions on international political and economic issues, and ways to promote cooperation in the region.
The dispute, international relations experts say, reflects the behind-the-scenes mechanisms of world politics, which have become increasingly acute in East Asia due to, along with other minor causes, the invisible competition between China and the United States.
China, which often speaks of its ``peaceful rise,'' seems to be favoring a regional cooperation in East Asia excluding the U.S., while Japan and some other countries want to invite the U.S. and other distant actors such as the European Union to check the rising China.
[China confrontation]
In Malaysia, Roh gets support for stance on
Japan and North
December 10, 2005 ? KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia ? At
the start of his tour of Southeast Asia,
President Roh Moo-hyun met with Malaysia's prime
minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, yesterday to
promote more economic cooperation between the
two nations. Malaysia is Korea's largest trading
partner in the region. The two men also
reportedly agreed to increase their ties in
fields such as defense industries, information
technology and biotechnology.
Mr. Badawi also endorsed Seoul's calls for a
peaceful settlement of the North Korean nuclear
issue through the six-party talks
Syria's Tough Stand toward U.S. Supported
Pyongyang, December 3 (KCNA) -- As already reported, the United States and some
other western forces have escalated their pressure offensive against Syria
blaming it for the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister without
any objective and scientific evidence after the incident. This was prompted by
their sinister political aim to label Syria a "kingpin of terrorism" and
isolate it internationally, observes Rodong Sinmun Saturday in a signed
commentary. The Syrian government and people have strongly reacted to the
U.S.-led international pressure offensive with high vigilance, the commentary
says, and goes on:
Syria repeatedly expressed its willingness to render sincere cooperation in the
investigation into the assassination of the Lebanese prime minister,
reiterating that it has no linkage to the incident.
As a matter of fact, the U.S. took the above-said assassination case as a
golden opportunity of isolating, blockading and containing Syria politically
and diplomatically.
DPRK Violinist Proves Successful at 3rd Moscow
International Paganini Concours
Pyongyang, November 30 (KCNA) -- A DPRK
violinist Mun Kyong Jin proved successful at the
3rd Moscow International Paganini Concours. The
concours brought together promising young
musicians in the world. The participants who had
proved successful in the first and second phases
of the contest competed in the finals.
12 violinists including those from the DPRK,
Russia, Vietnam, Germany, Ukraine and Japan
competed in the second phase of the contest held
on Nov. 25 in the wake of its first phase.
Mun was qualified to compete in the finals by
successfully playing music pieces for violin
requiring a high artistic skill.
He came second in the finals held on Nov. 28
amid the keen interest of members of the jury
and violin lovers.
DPRK Foreign Ministry Refutes Anti-DPRK
"Resolution on Human Rights Issue"
Pyongyang, November 21 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for
the DPRK Foreign Ministry issued a statement
Monday in connection with the fact that a
"resolution on human rights performance" in the
DPRK was adopted in a coercive manner at the
third committee of the UN General Assembly on
Nov. 17. The statement says:
The resolution is peppered with sheer lies aimed
to negate the advantages of the man-centered
Korean style socialist system, tarnish its
international image and attain the ridiculous
purpose of "regime change" in it.
Korea, Israel Discuss AWACS
By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
South Korean officials are now on a trip to
Israel to discuss military cooperation with
their Israeli counterparts, including
cooperation in aviation technology, the Defense
Ministry said Tuesday.
The visit came amid rumors that Seoul is likely
to select Israeli early aircraft warning systems
for its $2 billion weapons procurement project.
[Military balance] [Proliferation]
UNSC Urged to Ensure Impartiality in Its
Activities
Pyongyang, November 16 (KCNA) -- It is the most
urgent task for the UN Security Council to
ensure impartiality in its activities if it is
to fulfill its responsibility for international
peace and security. A DPRK delegate said this
during the discussion "on the UNSC report and
the issue of its reform," an agenda item of the
plenary session of the 60th UN General Assembly,
held on Nov. 11. He recalled that 60 years have
passed since the UNSC was established with its
basic mission for ensuring international peace
and security when the United Nations was founded
after the Second World War. Regretfully, the
world has never been in peace, he said, and went
on: The UNSC has not successfully fulfilled its
responsibility for international peace and
security as required by the UN Charter. This has
always been chiefly attributable to its lack of
impartiality in its activities.
The "UN forces command", a typical example of
partiality in the UNSC activities, has existed
in the south of the Korean Peninsula for more
than half a century. The "UN forces command" is,
in fact, the U.S. forces command under the UN
helmet and this proves that the sacred name of
the UN is being abused by the U.S. for
implementing its strategy for dominating Asia.
[Camouflage] [Imperialism]
DPRK Calls for Boosting South-South Cooperation
Pyongyang, November 15 (KCNA) -- It is the
consistent stand of the DPRK government to boost
the south-south cooperation. Its government will
as ever creditably fulfil its responsibility and
duty in this respect. A DPRK delegate clarified
this during the discussion on "south-south
cooperation, economic and technological
cooperation among developing countries," an
agenda item of the meeting of the second
committee of the 60th UN General Assembly held
on Nov. 9. He reiterated support to the
resolutions adopted at the 14th meeting of the
UN High Level Committee on South-South
Cooperation which laid down a new strategic
orientation and framework for accelerating south-
south cooperation.
It is important among other things to strengthen
the role of the special unit of the UNDP for
south-south cooperation as a leading body for
south-south cooperation under the UN system at
present, he said, and went on:
Vietnam Square for Busan
By Choi Kyong-ae
Staff Reporter
Busan, a sister city of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, will have a ``Vietnam
Square'' at a local university for the first time in the country and in Asia,
with the southeastern country's president and first lady participating in the
event Thursday.
Vietnam President Tran Duc Luong and First Lady Pham Tien Van will pay a visit
to the naming ceremony to be held on Thursday at the Busan campus of Young San
University in Haeundae, Busan.
Message of Sympathy to Jordanian King
Pyongyang, November 11 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, Thursday sent a message of
sympathy to Abdullah II, king of the Hashemite
Kingdom of Jordan, as regards casualties caused
by suicide bombings in Amman. The message
expressed deep consolation to the king and
through him to the Jordanian government and the
bereaved families of the victims.
N Korea 'kidnapped Thai woman'
Thailand's government is investigating claims that a Thai woman missing since 1978 was kidnapped by North Korean agents and is now living there.
Relatives of the woman, Anocha Panjoy, were alerted to her possible fate by an article written by a US man who recently left North Korea.
Pyongyang has already "informally denied" abducting the woman, said Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkon.
[Media] [Abductions]
Reception Given on "Day of UN"
Pyongyang, October 25 (KCNA) -- Timo Pakkala, UN
resident coordinator and resident representative
of the UNDP, and representatives of the
international organizations here hosted a
reception on Monday evening on the occasion of
the "Day of the UN". Present there on invitation
were Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Choe Su
Hon and officials concerned and diplomatic
envoys of different countries here. Speeches
were made at the reception.
Deputy Foreign Minister to Visit Tehran on
Imports Ban
By Park Song-wu
Staff Reporter
South Korea will dispatch its deputy foreign
minister to Iran early next week to solve what
looks like a bid by Teheran to punish Seoul for
voting for a U.N. resolution on its nuclear
program.
Iran rejected imports from South Korea since
Oct. 17. At least five cases of such a
retaliatory measure have been confirmed, the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Seoul
said on Thursday.
[Sanctions] [IAEA] [Nuclear weapons]
Kim Jong Il Receives Former President of
Indonesia
Pyongyang, October 14 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il,
general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea
and chairman of the National Defence Commission
of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea,
today received Former President of Indonesia
Megawati Soekarnoputri, general chairwoman of
the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, and
her party on a visit to the DPRK to congratulate
the WPK on its 60th foundation anniversary.
Present there were Kang Sok Ju, first vice-
minister of Foreign Affairs, and Bambang Irawan
Kromodimuljo, charge d' affaires ad interim of
the Indonesian embassy here.
On the occasion Megawati congratulated Kim Jong
Il on the 60th anniversary of the WPK and
presented him with a gift prepared by her. @Kim
Jong Il expressed thanks for this, warmly
welcomed her visit to the DPRK and had a cordial
and friendly talk with her.
Liquidation of Poverty and Promotion of
Development Called for
Pyongyang, October 16 (KCNA) -- The DPRK
delegate, addressing the meeting of the Second
Committee of the 60th UN General Assembly
Session on Oct. 5, said that in order to achieve
the UN millennium development target, it is
necessary to rapidly provide international
conditions and environment to liquidate poverty
and promote development. If the unfair
international economic order remains intact, it
is impossible to provide international
environment for the liquidation of poverty and
narrow the gap between the North and the South,
he said, and went on:
The developed countries should increase the
amount of official development and cooperation
and the amount of foreign direct investment in
the developing countries with no political
strings attached and show resolute willingness
in settling foreign debts.
The multilateral trade system and international
financial structure should be reformed in the
direction of expanding the equal and complete
participation of developing countries and
preferential treatment and development financing
for them.
The DPRK delegation holds that unilateral,
extraterritorial and coercive economic measures
contrary to international law and the principle
and purpose of the UN Charter should neither be
allowed nor be justified in any case.
The DPRK government is steadily improving and
completing economic structures to suit its
specific conditions despite the military tension
and economic difficulties caused by the outside
forces and directing big efforts to the work to
stabilize the people's living and renovate the
economy. It is also taking new economic steps
and, at the same time, measures to strengthen
the independent foundations of the national
economy including large-scale land realignment,
waterway projects and the construction of minor
hydro-power stations to settle the urgent energy
problem as part of sustained development.
The DPRK government will steadily strengthen
cooperative relations with the international
community in the work to implement the
millennium development target in the future,
too.
[Economic reforms] [Opening]
Kim Yong Nam Meets Former Indonesian President
and Her Party
Pyongyang, October 13 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, met and had a friendly
conversation with former Indonesian President
Megawati Soekarnoputri, general chairwoman of
the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, and
her party who paid a courtesy call on him at the
Mansudae Assembly Hall on Oct. 13. On hand were
Kim Yong Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs,
and other officials concerned, Indonesian Charge
d' Affaires Bambang Irawan Kromodimuljo and
staff members of the Indonesian embassy here.
Kim Il-sung a Hero to Africa's Downtrodden: Academic
Amid furious debate over Prof. Kang Jeong-koo's right or otherwise to exalt North Korea and disparage the U.S. with impunity, a colleague at Dongguk University, English Literature Prof. Jang Shi-ki, has rushed where angels fear to tread with a column titled "Kim Il-sung, a Great Modern Leader." It appears on the website of the National Association of Professors for Democratic Society.
"Ranked among the likes of India's Gandhi, Fidel Castro of Cuba, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Eygpt and Mao Zedong of China, Kim Il-sung stands out as a great leader, revered by the people of the Third World," Jang writes. "Therefore, the people of Africa feel more affinity with North Korea than with South Korea."
Dongguk University says Prof. Jang has been on sabbatical since last July and is in South Africa. From there, he writes, "Most of the fighting against dictatorships in Africa was actually directed against the outside power of the U.S., so for them Kim Il-sung, the leader of a Far Eastern country who was brave enough to stand up to the U.S. even before they did, makes him as worthy of honor as their own leaders. Whenever I am given preferential treatment just because I come from the same country as Kim Il-sung, I feel a little embarrassed."
[Human rights] [National Security Law]
Singapore's head of state is no example of
nepotism
In an article under the title, "Make the Economy
our Priority" (JoongAng Daily Oct. 7), Lee Chang-
kyu alleged that Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew
had "handed down the position of premier to his
son," and that "his daughter-in-law and son-in-
law have also taken important positions." He
also compared Minister Mentor Lee to North
Korean leader Kim Jong-il and former Indonesian
President Suharto.
These criticisms are baseless. Prime Minister
Lee Hsien Loong was not appointed by his father.
He was first elected a member of parliament in
1984, and since then has been re-elected four
times. Last year, he was unanimously supported
by the members of parliament from his party to
succeed Mr. Goh Chok Tong as Prime Minister.
Also, Minister Mentor Lee does not have a son-in-
law.
Singapore operates a clean and open system of
government. It is ranked internationally as one
of the least corrupt countries in the world, and
certainly in Asia. If Minister Mentor Lee were
really like Kim Jong-il, his party would not
have enjoyed the trust and support of the people
for 40 years, the country would not be enjoying
"over 8-percent economic growth," and Mr. Lee
would not have cited Singapore as an example for
Korea to emulate.
by Calvin Eu
Letter to editor
[Double standards]
Message of Sympathy to Indian President
Pyongyang, October 10 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, Sunday sent a message of
sympathy to Indian President A. P. J. Abdul
Kalam in connection with the big human
casualties and material losses caused by a
recent earthquake in the northern region of
India. The message expressed profound sympathy
and condolences to the president, government and
people of India, and evinced the belief that the
Indian government would remove the aftermath of
the natural disasters and stabilize the living
of residents in the afflicted area at an early
date.
Message of Sympathy to Pakistani President
Pyongyang, October 10 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, Sunday sent a message of
sympathy to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf
in connection with the big human casualties and
material losses caused by a strong earthquake in
Kashmir of Pakistan. The message expressed deep
sympathy and condolences to the president,
government and afflicted people of Pakistan and
the conviction that the president and government
of Pakistan would remove the aftermath of the
disasters at an early date and stabilize the
living of the people in the afflicted area.
Talks between DPRK and Venezuelan Delegations
Held
Pyongyang, October 4 (KCNA) -- Talks were held
between the DPRK delegation headed by Yang Hyong
Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the
Supreme People's Assembly, on a visit to the
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the
Venezuelan delegation headed by Vice-President
Jose Rangel at the vice-presidential office on
Sept. 29. At the talks both sides informed each
other of the situation of their countries and
exchanged views on strengthening the friendly
relations between the two countries and a series
of issues of mutual concern.
DPRK Delegation Back from UN General Assembly
Pyongyang, October 1 (KCNA) -- The DPRK
delegation led by Vice-Minister of Foreign
Affairs Choe Su Hon returned Saturday after
participating in the 60th UN general assembly.
8 Koreans Wounded in Explosions
By Moon Gwang-lip
Staff Reporter
Eight Koreans were confirmed to be wounded in
Saturday's terrorist bombing on the Indonesian
resort island of Bali, Korean government
officials said on Sunday.
UN Secretary General Meets Head of DPRK
Delegation
Pyongyang, September 23 (KCNA) -- UN Secretary
General Kofi Annan on Sept. 21 met Vice-Minister
of Foreign Affairs Choe Su Hon who is leading
the DPRK delegation to the 60th Session of the
UN General Assembly. The adoption of a joint
statement at the recent six-party talks has been
very encouraging, he said, adding that this
provided a breakthrough in the settlement of the
nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula.
On hand were some members of the DPRK
delegation, the permanent representative of the
DPRK in the UN, the UN under-secretary general
for humanitarian affairs and the political
director of the Executive Office of the
secretary general.
Minister Ban Tapped as Candidate for UN Chief
South Korea considers fielding its top diplomat,
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-
moon, as the candidate for the next year's
election to select the new secretary general of
the United Nations, according to sources
Thursday.
The government had originally considered Hong
Seok-hyun, the outgoing ambassador to the United
States, as a viable candidate.
But the media mogul fell from grace a couple
months ago when he was found to have been
involved in illicit election campaign activities
in 1997.
Solidarity conference in Pyongyang
The World Conference in Support of the Independent and Peaceful Reunification took place in Pyongyang between August 13 and 14, 2005.
We have been asked by OctaviXirivella Sabat, whose name appears in this bulletin to note that his name should not be there because first of all Im not member of the korean frienship association,and then Im not from Spain but from Catalunya, a free independent country for 900 hundred years,now a colony of France and Spain.
Korea's Reunification Supported Worldwide
"World Conference for Supporting Independent and
Peaceful Reunification of Korea" Held in
Pyongyang
"The World Conference for Supporting the
Independent and Peaceful Reunification of Korea"
was held in Pyongyang on August 13 and 14 under
the co-sponsorship of the International Liaison
Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea
(CILRECO) and the Korean Committee for
Solidarity with World's Peoples and
Organizations for Friendship and Solidarity with
the Korean people in various countries.
Participants marching for independence and
peaceful reunification of Korea.
The conference called for further strengthening
their activities for solidarity with Korean
people for the peace and reunification of the
Korean Peninsula, stressing the significance and
urgency of Korea's reunification. [in denial]
'Imperial tendencies' still linger, Roh tells UN
September 16, 2005 ? NEW YORK ? President Roh
Moo-hyun warned against "major-power centrism"
and called for reform of the United Nations
Security Council to recover the body's "moral
authority."
"The world must completely divest itself of
mindsets and vestiges reminiscent of
imperialistic tendencies that appear to linger
in various forms," Mr. Roh told the General
Assembly yesterday, according to the Blue House
translation of his text. That passage, said an
aide involved in drafting the speech, was
included at Mr. Roh's order.
"Vigilance against a resurgence of major-power
centrism in certain circles is also in order,"
Mr. Roh added, calling for "leading nations" to
"exercise greater self-restraint."
Mr. Roh's spokesman, Kim Man-soo, insisted to
reporters that Mr. Roh was aiming those remarks
at no specific nation.
Although Mr. Roh was no more specific than that
call for harmony and warning about great-power
politics, a Blue House official was more
detailed. "The speech aimed at reminding the
world of Japan's tendencies now to turn to the
right, as seen in the continued visits to the
Yasukuni Shrine."
President Roh Warns of Big Power Centrism
By Ryu Jin
Korea Times Correspondent
President Roh Moo-hyun speaks during the high-
level plenary meeting of the 60th U.N. General
Assembly at the U.N.'s headquarters in New York,
Wednesday.
/ Reuter-Newsis
NEW YORK _ President Roh Moo-hyun Wednesday
called on the world to keep a ``sharp lookout
for the tendencies of major power-centrism.''
Referring to the reform of the United Nations, Roh called for the coexistence
of great, small and middle powers under shared interests as modeled by the
European Union (EU).
In a keynote speech at the high-level plenary meeting of the 60th U.N. General
Assembly here, Roh stressed that the world must completely divest itself of
mindsets and vestiges of ``imperialistic tendencies'' that appear to linger in
various forms.
DPRK Delegation Leaves for New York
Pyongyang, September 14 (KCNA) -- The DPRK
delegation headed by Vice- Minister of Foreign
Affairs Choe Su Hon left here Wednesday to
attend the 60th UN General Assembly. It was seen
off at the airport by officials concerned
President Calls for Coexistence of Great, Small
Powers
The following is the full text of a keynote
speech President Roh Moo-hyun delivered at the
high-level plenary meeting of the 60th session
of the United Nations General Assembly,
Wednesday. _ ED.
Six decades ago, in the very same year that
farsighted leaders from around the world were
preparing to establish the United Nations, the
Republic of Korea was set free from the shackles
of imperialist colonial rule. Since then the
United Nations has been our trusted friend.
I'm privileged to stand at the podium of such a
special friend on this auspicious occasion.
[Independent states]
Congratulations to Saudi Arabian King
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, today sent a message of
congratulations to Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz upon
his accession to the throne of Saudi Arabia. The
message sincerely wished the king great success
in his responsible work and good health and
happiness
Message of Sympathy to Sudanese President
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, Tuesday sent a message of
sympathy to Omar Hassan Ahmed Al Bashir,
president of Sudan, over the death of John
Garang, first vice-president of Sudan, by an
unexpected accident. The message expressed the
belief that the friendly Sudanese people would
overcome the sorrow and make successes in the
work for unity and prosperity of the country.
Talks Held between DPRK and Thai Foreign
Ministers
Pyongyang, July 26 (KCNA) -- Talks between DPRK
Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun and his Thai
counterpart Kantathi Suphamongkhon were held in
Bangkok on July 24.
Message of Consolation to Egyptian President
Pyongyang, July 25 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, Sunday sent a message of
consolation to Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, president
of Egypt, as regards the great human losses
caused by near-simultaneous bombings in the
country. Kim in the message expressed deep
consolation for Mubarak and, through him, the
Egyptian government and bereaved families of the
victims. [Terrorism]
FM to Attend Security Forum
Ban Ki-moon
Foreign minister
SEOUL(Yonhap)-Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Trade Ban K i - m o o n will leave for Laos
Tuesday to take part i n a n a n n u a l
regional security forum, officials said.
The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), slated for
Friday, brings together top diplomats from 10
members of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations and 14 other Asia-Pacific countries.
Ban is scheduled to meet his North Korean
counterpart Paek Nam-sun on the sidelines of the
security conference, said officials at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Rodong Sinmun on Unity for Independent New World
Pyongyang, July 16 (KCNA) -- The present
international situation calls upon all the anti-
imperialist independent forces of the world to
unite firm and wage a more dynamical struggle to
oppose the imperialists' moves for aggression
and war and build an independent new world.
Rodong Sinmun says this in a signed article
Saturday.
Unity of the anti-imperialist independent forces
provides an important guarantee for the building
of an independent new world, the article
observes, and goes on:
In order to win victory in the struggle against
imperialism and successfully advance the cause
of global independence, all the progressive
forces around the world defending independence
should unite firm.
Invariable Idea of WPK's Foreign Policy
Reclarified
Pyongyang, July 4 (KCNA) -- The Central
Committee and the Central Military Commission of
the Workers' Party of Korea in their joint
slogans published on the occasion of the 60th
anniversary of the WPK foundation reiterated
that the independence, peace and friendship are
the invariable idea of the WPK's foreign policy
and called for boosting the friendly and
cooperative relations with all the countries
that respect the sovereignty of the DPRK and
building an independent, peaceful and friendly
new world. Rodong Sinmun Monday in a signed
article carried in this regard says that this
serves as a banner giving impetus to the efforts
of the WPK and the DPRK government to develop
their external relations and realize the noble
idea of independence, peace and friendship,
common to humankind.
Greetings to Venezuelan President
Pyongyang, July 4 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, Monday sent a message of
greetings to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
Frias on the occasion of its independence day.
Expressing the belief that the good friendly and
cooperative relations between the two countries
would continue to develop on good terms in the
future, too, the message sincerely wished the
president greater success in his responsible
work for the stability and prosperity of the
country.
Congratulations to Iranian President
Pyongyang, June 27 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, today sent a congratulatory
message to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad upon his election
as Iranian president. Expressing the belief that
the friendly and cooperative relations forged
between the two countries in the joint struggle
for independence against imperialism would
continue to grow stronger in the future, too,
the message wished the president success in his
responsible work to protect the gains of the
Islamic revolution and achieve the independent
development and prosperity of the country
Korea, Palestine to Exchange Diplomatic
Representatives
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Yonhap) _ South Korea and
Palestine agreed Friday to establish diplomatic
representation in each other's country,
officials said.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-
moon reached the agreement in a meeting with his
Palestinian counterpart Nasser Al Kidwa. The two
sides agreed to work out details through
diplomatic channels.
``The agreement to exchange diplomatic
representatives is aimed at preparing for an
independent Palestinian state,'' Ban said.
President of Philippine Senate to Visit DPRK
Pyongyang, June 22 (KCNA) -- Franklin M.
Drillon, president of the Senate of the
Philippines, will soon visit the DPRK at the
invitation of the DPRK Supreme People's
Assembly.
Communist Parties Support Socialism and Anti-U.S. Movement of DPRK
A meeting of the world communist and labor parties for solidarity with the DPRK
was held in Brussels, Belgium from May 2 to 4.
The meeting, named "the 14th international seminar of communists on experience
of communists and their internationalist tasks in the struggle against
imperialism" was sponsored by the Belgian Labor Party.
Greetings to Cambodian King
Pyongyang, May 13 (KCNA) -- President Kim Yong
Nam of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly today sent a message of
greetings to Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on
the occasion of his 52nd birthday. In the belief
that the good bilateral ties of friendship and
cooperation provided by President Kim Il Sung
and Great King Norodom Sihanouk would grow
stronger in the future, the message sincerely
wished him good health And happiness.
Agreement Signed between DPRK and Laos
Pyongyang, May 11 (KCNA) -- An agreement for
establishing the DPRK-Laos Youth Friendship
Centre was signed in Vientiane. It was inked by
Jang Yong Chol, secretary of the Central
Committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth
League who is head of the delegation of the
league, and a vice-chairman of the Central
Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary
Youth Union.
DPRK Sends Condolence on Death of Pope John Paul
II
Samuel Jang Jae On, chairman of the Central
Committee of the Korean Catholics Association,
on April 5 sent a message of condolences to the
Department of State of the Vatican on the demise
of Pope John Paul II.
The message said as follows.
Upon hearing the sudden sad news that His
Holiness Pope John Paul II passed away, I
express deep condolences. All the Catholic
believers of our country are also offering
memorial services in deep grief at the Jangchung
Cathedral in Pyongyang and family warship places
across the country.
The feats of His Holiness John Paul II, who
devoted himself to the development of the
Catholic faith community as the proxy of Jesus
Christ on earth and the supreme minister of the
Church, will remain long together with the
history of the Catholic Church amid the
blessings of the Lord.
I pray for his eternal happiness.
DPRK Calls for Stronger South-South Cooperation
Kim Yong Nam Attends A-A Summit in Jakarta
A delegation of the DPRK led by Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, attended the Asia-Africa
summit in Indonesia held from April 22 to 23 and
the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the
Bandung Conference on April 24.
Kim Yong Nam separately met and had
conversations with the Nepalese king, the
Cambodian prime minister, the Mongolian
president, the Vietnamese president, the sultan
of Brunei Darussalam, the sultan of the
Sultanate of Oman, the Zimbabwean president, the
Malaysian prime minister, the Thai prime
minister and the Algerian president on April 22.
DPRK Delegation Leaves for Syria
Pyongyang, May 7 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the
Ministry of Land and Marine Transport of the
DPRK led by its Minister Kim Yong Il left here
Saturday to visit Syria. The delegation was seen
off at the airport by Ra Tong Hui, chief of
Staff of the Ministry, and Syrian Charge d'
Affaires a.i. Muhammad Adib Alhani.
Anniversary of DPRK-Thai Diplomatic Ties Marked
Pyongyang, May 6 (KCNA) -- A meeting was held at
the Chollima House of Culture Thursday to mark
the 30th anniversary of the opening of
diplomatic relations between the DPRK and
Thailand. Present were Chairman Kang Chol Su and
members of the Korea-Thailand Friendship
Association and working people in the city.
The chairman made a speech there.
After the meeting participants went round
photographs introducing Thailand.
Brazilian leader set to make official visit
May 07, 2005 ? President Luiz Inacio Lula da
Silva of Brazil will visit South Korea for three
days from May 23, the Blue House said yesterday.
Presidential spokesman Kim Man-soo said that Mr.
da Silva is coming to Seoul to discuss detailed
economic and technological cooperation measures
between the two countries.
President Roh Moo-hyun made a visit to Brazil
last November to sign a number of cooperation
agreements in the sectors, and at the time, Mr.
Silva promised to visit South Korea.
In addition to meeting with Mr. Roh, Mr. Silva
will make a keynote speech at the sixth
Governmental Innovation Forum taking place in
Seoul on May 24 and visit Samsung Electronics
among other Korean businesses.
Around 150 Brazilian businessmen will accompany
Mr. Silva and his entourage. [ROK]
Friendly Gathering Held at Vietnamese Embassy
Pyongyang, April 29 (KCNA) -- A friendly
gathering was arranged at the Vietnamese embassy
here on April 28 on the occasion of the 30th
anniversary of the complete liberation of South
Vietnam and the unification of the country.
Present on invitation were Vice-Minister of
Foreign Affairs Kim Hyong Jun, officials
concerned and representatives and staff members
of foreign embassies here.
Vietnamese Ambassador Phan Trong Thai and
embassy officials were on hand.
Speakers at the gathering noted that the
Vietnamese people waged a heroic struggle under
the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam
and triumphantly concluded their anti-U.S.
resistance for national salvation 30 years ago.
Despite war, Vietnamese look favorably on Korea
April 30, 2005 ? HAMYTRUNG, Vietnam ? Thirty
years ago, this village 20 kilometers (12 miles)
outside the city of Danang suffered at the hands
of South Korean troops during the Vietnam War.
Today, though, there are few traces of the past;
the villagers view Korea as a friendly country.
"To me, Korea is the friendliest nation in the
world," says Luu Cuc, 50, headmaster of a school
that was built in 2001 with funds from the South
Korean government.
Observance of Principles in Information
Activities Urged
Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Now information,
divorced from its original mission, is used as a
means of ideological and cultural infiltration
into other countries and, worse still, as a
means of infringement upon sovereignty and
interests and some countries do not hesitate to
employ latest information technology in their
espionage for military invasion of other
countries, abusing their "technical advantage"
and "monopolistic position" in the field of
information. The DPRK delegate said this at the
27th meeting of the UN Information Committee on
April 19. [Independent states]
War Hero Stresses Future-Oriented Ties
By Lee Tae-gyu
Hankook Ilbo
A Vietnamese former top military general
expressed his hope that Seoul-Hanoi relations
would develop a forward-looking approach, and
move beyond the troubled past.
In an exclusive interview with The Hankook Ilbo,
sister paper of The Korea Times, retired general
Vo Nguyen Giap, 94, who led the defeat of French
and American forces during the Vietnam War, said
relations between South Korea and Vietnam are
now much better than before, and should be
further developed into future-oriented
direction.
This interview was conducted on April 19 at
Giap's residence in Hanoi to commemorate the
30th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War
and the liberation of southern Vietnam from
foreign occupation on April 30.
However, Giap stressed South Koreans should not
forget what he described as the wrongdoings
South Korean troops during the conflict.
``The past cannot be erased, but both countries
can work together to make relations better for
the future,'' he said.
As for inter-Korean relations, Giap emphasized
dialogue is the key to achieving a peaceful
reunification of the two Koreas. ``As long as
the people of the two Koreas want a unified
Korean Peninsula, the day of reunification is
sure to come,'' he said.
) And about South Korea's participation in the
war?
A) As we know, the U.S. led the war and South
Korea joined it as an ally after then South
Korean President Park Chung-hee accepted
Washington's demands. It was an unfortunate
thing both for Vietnam and South Korea. I know
some Koreans visited our country after the war
and apologized for their wrongdoings. The two
countries share the experience of being occupied
by a foreign power. Now we have good feelings
toward South Koreans.
Kim Yong Nam Meets Foreign Heads of State and
Government
Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the Supreme
People's Assembly of the DPRK, who was attending
the Asia-Africa Summit, separately met and had
conversations with the Nepalese king, the
Cambodian prime minister, the Mongolian
president, the Vietnamese president, the sultan
of Brunei Darussalam, the sultan of the
Sultanate of Oman, the Zimbabwean president, the
Malaysian prime minister, the Thai prime
minister and the Algerian president on April 22.
Kim Yong Nam Clarifies DPRK Stand at Asia-Africa
Summit
Pyongyang, April 23 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, who is leading the DPRK
delegation, made a speech at the Asia-Africa
Summit in Indonesia on April 22. He said that
the Korean people commemorating the golden
jubilee of the Bandung Conference recall with
deep emotion the historic days when President
Kim Il Sung, the father of the nation, and
leader Kim Jong Il attended the commemorations
of the 10th anniversary of the conference,
conducting indefatigable external activities to
develop the friendly and cooperative relations
with the non-aligned countries.
Oceanic Preparatory Committee Inaugurated
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- An inaugural
ceremony of the Oceanic preparatory committee
for the "Meeting Praising the Great Persons of
Mt. Paektu" was held at the building of a coal
miners union of Australia on April 11. The
chairman of the Australia-DPRK Association for
Friendship and Cultural Exchange and Don Borrie,
chairman of the New Zealand-DPRK Society, were
elected co-chairmen of the committee at the
ceremony.
Congratulations to Vatican
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- Samuel Jang Jae
On, chairman of the Central Committee of the
Korean Catholics Association, sent a
congratulatory message to the Vatican on April
22. Extending congratulations to His Eminence
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger for having been
elected to the 265th Pope by the grace of the
Lord and the firm confidence of the Catholic
Church, he in the message prayed His Holiness
Pope Benedict XVI as the Supreme Minister of the
church to realize love, peace and justice.
Crucial Kapyong Battle Remembered 54 Years Later
By Mike Weisbart
Korea Times Columnist
KAPYONG, Kyonggi Province - More than half a
century after one of the most important battles
of the Korean War, veterans from four countries
returned here on Friday to celebrate their
victory and remember fallen comrades.
Joined by dignitaries and local citizens, the
nearly 200 veterans from Australia, Canada, New
Zealand, and the United Kingdom, marched, laid
wreathes, and prayed in remembrance at the great
stone memorial, erected by the United Nations
Korean War Allies Association (UNKWAA) in 1967,
at the center of the town.
"Resolution" of Meeting of UN Commission on
Human Rights Rejected
Pyongyang, April 20 (KCNA) -- A "resolution"
malignantly slandering the DPRK was adopted at
the 61st meeting of the UN Commission on Human
Rights held in Geneva recently. In this regard,
a spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry
released a statement today declaring that human
rights precisely mean national sovereignty and
the DPRK will take a decisive measure against
the continued misuse of the human rights issue
as leverage for anti-DPRK hostile campaign.
Asian nations now fight over territory in space
April 19, 2005 ? While a heated territorial
dispute is under way on the ground, Korea will
begin negotiations with Japan among other
neighbors to stake out space in the sky.
According to a government report obtained by the
JoongAng Ilbo, Korean and Chinese officials will
meet Monday, and with Japanese and Russian
officials later this year, to secure spots for
geostationary satellites.
DPRK Delegate Clarifies Its Stand on Disarmament
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) -- It is necessary to
put a definite end to the negative political
stand in order to revive the disarmament
conference that has remained paralyzed for
almost ten years, declared a delegate of the
DPRK, addressing the plenary session of the UN
Disarmament Conference held in Geneva on March
10. Holding that the issue of putting the
conference on a normal track is not a matter
related to procedures or modalities, he noted
that a great political obstacle is lying in the
way of the conference and it is the political
will to block the progress in the work of the
conference at any cost.
The disarmament conference is not a platform to
allow one party to pursue its policy, he said,
and continued:
If all of us seek an effective way of advancing
the work of the conference and saving its fate,
it is imperative to put a definite end to the
negative political stand. This will be the only
way out. Our delegation is of the view that one
may say there is a genuine political groundwork
for reaching a consensus of views on the working
plan of the disarmament conference only when all
its member states show their political will to
advance the work of the conference in the
interests of the whole mankind.
In the absence of this political groundwork, the
conference would prove fruitless and it would be
hard for it to agree on any proposal no matter
how frequently it has discussions.
Our delegation sincerely wishes to see a
breakthrough made in the work of the conference
this year. In this context we call upon each
member state of the conference to strive to find
a solution.
Greetings to President of Ireland
Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings
to Mary Mcaleese , president of Ireland, on Mar.
17 on the occasion of its national day. In the
belief that the friendly and cooperative ties
between the two countries would grow stronger,
he wished the Irish people well-being and
prosperity.
DPRK Youth League Delegation Leaves for Syria
Pyongyang, March 12 (KCNA) -- A delegation of
the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League headed by
Kim Kyong Ho, first secretary of the Central
Committee of the youth league, left Pyongyang
Saturday to visit Syria. It was seen off at the
airport by Kil Chol Hyok, secretary of the C.C.,
the youth league, and Muhammad Adib Alhani,
charge d'affaires ad interim of Syrian embassy
in Pyongyang.
Envoys Tried to Shun Birthday Party
By Park Song-wu
Staff Reporter
Diplomats in Pyongyang reportedly tried to
boycott the birthday party of North Korea's
leader Kim Jong-il to express their discontent
with the North's declaration that it has nuclear
weapons.
However, those diplomats, mostly from Europe,
attended the party on Feb. 14 after Pyongyang
officials explained that it was hosted by
Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun, according to
diplomatic sources in Seoul Friday.
``I heard they arrived at the party about 30
minutes late,'' an official said, on condition
of anonymity. ``It was an indirect protest
against the North's declaration.''
Feb. Fete Celebrated in at Least 100 countries
Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- The world
progressives significantly celebrated the
birthday of leader Kim Jong Il as the greatest
auspicious event and a holiday common to all
people. Among the keen interest of heads of
states, governments, political parties, various
public figures and people national preparatory
committees for celebrating his birthday and
those of different organizations were
inaugurated in various parts of the world as
part of brisk preparations for marking the day
from the middle of December last year
Kim Jong Il Greets Syrian President
Pyongyang, March 8 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il,
general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea
and chairman of the National Defence Commission
of the DPRK, Monday sent a message of greetings
to Bashar al''Assad, general secretary of the
Central Committee of the Syrian Baath Arab
Socialist Party and president of the Syrian Arab
Republic. The message reads:
I extend warm felicitations to you and the
friendly government of the Syrian Arab Republic
and people on the 42nd anniversary of the March
8 Revolution in Syria.
Respect for Sovereignty Essential for World
Peace Order
Pyongyang, March 3 (KCNA) -- The basic condition
for the establishment of a world peace order is
respect for the sovereignty of the countries and
nations. Respect for sovereignty is the
foundation of peace and stability and
fundamental guarantee of harmony and unity among
countries and peoples. Rodong Sinmun says this
in a signed article Thursday.
Greetings to Libyan Leader
Pyongyang, March 2 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, Tuesday sent a message of
greetings to Colonel Moammer el Gaddafi, leader
of the Great September First Revolution of the
Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,
on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of the
proclamation of Jamahiriya in Libya. Expressing
the belief that the friendly relations between
the two countries would continue to develop on
good terms, the message wished the Libyan people
progress and prosperity.
Iranian News Agency Chief Visit NK
SEOUL (Yonhap) - North Korea said Monday that a
high-level official met with the head of Iran's
official news agency to discuss relations
between the two countries.
Yang Hyong-sop, vice chairman of the Presidium
of the Supreme People's Assembly, met with
Abdollah Nasseri Taheri, managing director of
the Tehran-based Islamic Republic News Agency
(IRNA), in Pyongyang, the North's Korean Central
News Agency (KCNA) said.
The IRNA and the KCNA play an important role in
further developing the long-standing friendly
relations between the two countries, Taheri was
quoted as saying.
NK Diplomacy Focuses on ASEAN
North Korea has concentrated on forging diplomatic relations with the 10-member
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) since the Cold War, a North
Korean quarterly said.
``The international environment since the Cold War raises the issue of further
developing ties with ASEAN countries,'' the latest edition of History Science
said.
The quarterly also said ASEAN was important for the North to forge a sense of
self-reliance in Asia and around the world and to make the North a powerful
socialist country.
ASEAN members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. ASEAN was founded in 1967.
Message of Sympathy to Lebanese President
Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, Wednesday sent a message of
sympathy to Lebanese President Emile Lahoud in
connection with a recent bomb explosion in
Beirut that claimed the life of former Prime
Minister Rafik Hariri and big casualties. The
message condemned the brutal terrorism in Beirut
and hoped that the Lebanese government and
people would overcome sorrow and achieve success
in the work to eradicate the aftermath of the
incident as early as possible and protect the
stability and sovereignty of the country.
Oceanian Regional Preparatory Committee Formed
Pyongyang, February 13 (KCNA) -- The Oceanian
regional preparatory committee for a joint event
of Koreans in the north and south and overseas
for implementing the June 15 joint declaration
was inaugurated on February 4. The committee
consists of Koreans in Australia and New
Zealand.
Vice-Chairman of the General Association of
Koreans in Australia Jang Jin Min was elected
chairman of the preparatory committee,
Chairwoman of the General Association of Koreans
in Australia Kim Un Sil honorary chairwoman and
13 public figures vice-chairmen.
Greetings to Iranian President
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings
to Iranian President Seyed Mohammad Khatami on
Feb. 10 on the occasion of the 26th anniversary
of victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran.
The message noted that the Iranian government
and people have gained a great success in their
work for defending the gains of the Islamic
Revolution and building independent and
prosperous Iran, bravely shattering all sorts of
trials and challenges in the past 26 years.
Pak Pong Ju Greets Iranian First Vice-President
Pyongyang, February 10 (KCNA) -- Pak Pong Ju,
premier of the DPRK Cabinet, sent a message of
greetings to Iranian First Vice-President
Mohammad Reza Aref on the occasion of the 26th
anniversary of the victory of the Islamic
Revolution in Iran
Mongolian President Visits DPRK
Kim Yong Nam (center of right side) and Mongolian President talk about series
of matters of common concern at the Mansudae Assembly Hall.
Mongolian President Natsagyn Bagabandi visited the DPRK from December 21 to 23.
His official visit to the DPRK was at the invitation of Kim Yong Nam, president
of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly.
Talks were held between Kim Yong Nam and Natsagyn Bagabandi on Dec. 21 at the
Mansudae Assembly Hall.
At the talks both sides exchanged views on the issue of boosting the bilateral
friendly relations and a series of matters of common concern.
Floral Basket to Kim Jong Il from Abbas
Pyongyang, February 7 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong
Il received a floral basket from Mahmoud Abbas,
chief of the Palestinian National Authority who
is chairman of the Executive Committee of the
Palestine Liberation Organization, on the
occasion of his birthday. It was conveyed to
DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun by
Palestinian Ambassador e. p. to the DPRK Shaher
Mohammed Abdlah on Feb. 7.
Mongolia rules out camps for refugees
December 30, 2004 ? President Natsagiin
Bagabandi of Mongolia ruled out the
establishment of resettlement camps for North
Korean refugees in his country during a visit to
Pyeongyang last week, said Mongolia's ambassador
to the United States, Ravdan Bold. In an
interview with Radio Free Asia on Tuesday, Mr.
Bold said Mr. Bagabandi was concerned that such
camps might complicate relations with North
Korea.
Mongolia Will Not Build Refugee Camp for NK
Defectors
By Park Song-wu
Staff Reporter
Mongolian President Natsagiyn Bagabandi recently
promised the Pyongyang government that his
country would not build a refugee camp for North
Korean defectors in its territory, Radio Free
Asia (RFA) reported in its website on Wednesday.
Kim Yong Nam Sends Message of Sympathy to Thai
King
Pyongyang, December 29 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, Monday sent a message of
sympathy to Bhumibol Adulyadej, king of
Thailand, in connection with the quake and tidal
waves that occurred recently in the Indian
Ocean, claiming huge casualties and an enormous
loss of properties in Thailand. The message
expressed the belief that the Thai king and
royal government would eradicate the aftermath
of the natural disaster and bring the living of
the people in the afflicted areas to normal as
early as possible.
(similar messages sent to Maldives, Malaysia,
India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia)
DPRK and Cuba Talk About Strengthening Mutual Military Cooperation
A military delegation of the DPRK visited the Republic of Cuba from November 23
to 27 and had talks with its Cuban counterpart on the development of their
mutual military cooperation.
Talks were held between military delegations of the DPRK and Cuba on November
24 in Havana. Both sides informed each other on the situations of internal
affairs and exchanged opinions on the issues of strengthening their mutual
cooperation in military affairs and of developing mutual friendship between
their armed forces and peoples.
Message of Greetings to Kim Jong Il from
Cambodian King
Pyongyang, December 22 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong
Il received a message of greetings from
Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on Dec. 15 on
the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic ties between the
DPRK and Cambodia. The Kingdom of Cambodia and
the DPRK have maintained the exemplary great
friendly relations in all fields over the last
40 years, the message said, and went on:
I will make every possible effort for the steady
efflorescence and development of such beautiful
unbreakable relations of friendship which will
always link the two countries and their leaders
and peoples.
Noting that Kim Jong Il has achieved signal
successes in the economic and social fields by
carrying forward the cause of President Kim Il
Sung, thus turning the DPRK into a developed and
proud country, the message pointed out that Kim
Jong Il has devoted himself to the work to bring
earlier the peaceful reunification of Korea. The
Kingdom of Cambodia will always stand on the
side of the DPRK, it added.
Talks Held between Presidents of DPRK and
Mongolia
Pyongyang, December 21 (KCNA) -- Talks were held
between Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium
of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, and
Natsagyn Bagabandi, president of Mongolia, at
the Mansudae Assembly Hall today. At the talks
both sides exchanged views on the issue of
boosting the bilateral friendly relations and a
series of matters of common concern. The talks
proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.
Present there from the DPRK side were Foreign
Minister Paek Nam Sun, Vice-Minister of Foreign
Trade Ri Ryong Nam, Vice-Minister of Agriculture
Mun Ung Jo, Deputy to the Supreme People's
Assembly Rim Kyong Suk, DPRK Ambassador to
Mongolia Pak Jong Do and officials concerned.
Present from the Mongolian side were Foreign
Minister Tsend Munkh-orgil, Ambassador to the
DPRK J. Lomvo,
Mongolian President Arrives in Pyongyang
By Park Song-wu
Staff Reporter
Mongolian President Natsagyn Bagabandi arrived in Pyongyang Tuesday on what
appeared to be a mission to enhance bilateral relations, which may have been
strained due to Mongolia's stance to accept North Korean defectors.
Mongolia's role as a ``processing center'' for defectors seeking to come to
Seoul has apparently become a source of concern for the North since Mongolian
Foreign Minister Tsend Munh-Orgil said in a November interview that his
government would continue its policy of receiving North Korean refugees at
border crossings.
The Mongolian president was greeted at the airport in Pyongyang by Kim
Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of the North's Supreme People's Assembly,
the North's official mouthpiece Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
In August, Pyongyang's deputy foreign minister Kim Yong-il visited Mongolia and
suggested building a joint collective farm to which North Koreans, including
defectors, would provide the manpower, according to a report by Radio Free Asia.
Friendly ties between North Korea and Mongolia have been expanding in recent
years with the North Korean Embassy in Mongolia reopening in August after being
closed for five years.
Day of UN South-South Cooperation Observed
Pyongyang, December 19 (KCNA) -- Papers here
Sunday observe the day of "UN south-south
cooperation." It is the consistent stand of the
DPRK government to strengthen and develop the
south-south cooperation. The DPRK has steadily
boosted the friendly and cooperative relations
with other developing countries through this
cooperation
Mongolian President to Visit Pyongyang to Discuss Defectors
By Park Song-wu
Staff Reporter
Mongolian President Natsagiin Bagabandi will try to address a thorny diplomatic
issue involving North Korean defectors who consider Mongolia a stopover before
Seoul during his visit to Pyongyang, a North Korea expert said Thursday.
Without giving the timing and purpose of the visit, the North's Korea Central
News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim Yong-nam, chairman of the Presidium of the
Supreme People's Assembly, had invited Bagabandi to Pyongyang.
But a local newspaper in Mongolia recently reported that he will go to
Pyongyang on Dec. 21 on a three-day schedule.
Major agenda for the discussion between the two leaders is expected to include
measures to build a collective farm in Mongolia for North Korean defectors.
``The collective farm is a possible item they (Bagabandi and Kim) will discuss,
but the feasibility of it is in question because China holds the key to the
defector issue,'' Koo Kab-woo, professor at the Graduate School of North Korean
Studies in Seoul, told The Korea Times.
Kim Yong-il, Pyongyang's deputy foreign minister, visited Mongolia in August
this year to float a trial balloon for the building of a joint collective farm
to which North Koreans, including defectors, will provide the manpower,
according to a report by Radio Free Asia.
[refugee reception]
Mongolian President to Visit DPRK Soon
Pyongyang, December 16 (KCNA) - Natsagyn
Bagabandi, president of Mongolia, will soon pay
an official visit to the DPRK upon the
invitation of Kim Yong Nam, president of the
Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly.
[refugee reception]
40th Anniv. of DPRK, Cambodia Diplomatic
Relations Celebrated in Cambodia
Pyongyang, December 12 (KCNA) -- An evening of
friendship was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on
December 6, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of
the establishment of diplomatic ties between the
DPRK and Cambodia. Cambodian Vice-Premier Hor
Nam Hong, who is also minister of Foreign
Affairs and International Cooperation, in a
speech said that over the last 40 years the two
countries have creditably developed the
traditional relations of friendship provided by
great King Norodom Sihanouk and President Kim Il
Sung.
President of UN General Assembly Pays Official
Visit to DPRK
President of the UN General Assembly Jean Ping
paid an official visit to the DPRK from November
16 to 18.
During his three-day stay in Pyongyang, he had
talks with senior officials of the DPRK
including Kim Yong Nam, president of the
Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, and
Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun, respectively on
November 16 and 18 in the Mansudae Assembly
Hall.
The DPRK government hosted a reception for the
President of the UNGA and his party.
In an interview in Beijing on November 21 after
the Pyongyang visit, Jean Ping said that the
DPRK remained committed to the process of the
six-party talks.
"Pyongyang thinks that the climate of hostility
against it should be reversed," he said.
With regard to the resumption of the six-party
talks, a spokesman of the DPRK Foreign Ministry
said on November 13 that if the U.S. dropped its
hostile policy, it would be quite possible to
settle the nuclear issue, adding that the U.S.'s
policy switchover was a key to a solution to the
issue.
Jean Ping also said in a meeting with South
Korean Unification Minister that he received "a
very positive message" from Pyongyang. "He said
during the meeting he received a very positive
message from North Korea about reopening the six-
party talks," the Unification Ministry quoted
Jean Ping as saying.
Head of DPRK Delegation Refer to Peace and Security of Korean Peninsula in ARF
Meeting
The security policy meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum was held in Beijing,
China, on November 5. A delegation of the DPRK headed by Vice-Minister of the
People? Armed Forces Kim Sang Ik participated in the meeting and clarified its
view on the issue of preserving regional peace and security centering on the
Koran Peninsula in his speech at the meeting.
The basic factor of disturbing peace and stability in the Asian-Pacific region
at present is a military threat based on unilateralism and high-handed acts, he
said, adding that it is the Korean Peninsula where it is most strongly felt and
it is, therefore, a most pressing issue in preserving regional security and
ensuring peace on the peninsula.
DPRK Delegate to UN Stresses Human Rights
PYONGYANG, October 31 (KCNA)- The main obstacle in the efforts of the
international community to improve the effective enjoyment of human rights and
basic freedom is actions to infringe on sovereignty, change system and
interfere in the internal affairs of other countries committed under the
signboard of "democracy" and "protection of human rights," said the DPRK
delegate during the discussion of the human rights issue at the 3rd Committee
of the 59th UN General Assembly on October 26. He referred to the more
undisguised practices of using the human rights issue to attain a strategic
goal, distorting or turning away from realities to serve a political purpose.
He vehemently denounced the U.S. military occupation of Iraq and brutal murder
of civilians under the cloak of "democracy" and actions of the U.S. allies
keeping silent about it and branded this as an inhumane act of placing politics
above humankind and an insult upon human rights.
Respect for Sovereignty, Basic Requisite to
Building New World
Pyongyang, November 25 (KCNA) - Rodong Sinmun
Thursday in a signed article says respect for
sovereignty is a basic requisite to the building
of a peaceful new world and the foundation of
social development, adding: With their
sovereignty trampled upon, a people cannot
develop the national economy and culture, to say
nothing of their political freedom and exercise
of democratic rights. Respect for ideology,
system, national tradition and culture is one of
the most important matters in defending
sovereignty and establishing a peaceful order in
the world
The size of countries and the level of their
development may show their geographical
conception and degree of civilization, but
cannot be a yardstick of grading them in their
relations or defining their master-servant
relationship. Only when all the countries and
nations develop the state relations on the
principle of equality and mutual benefit can the
relations between them be closer, democratic and
friendly and the world be peaceful.
Today the world peace order is gravely disturbed
because the imperialist power disregard and
violate the publicly recognized principles and
norms which the countries should observe in
their relations.
The United States is trying to behave as it
pleases in the international arena, relying on
its economic potentials and military power. It
categorically brands the countries which refuse
to accept its demand or resist it as bad ones
and attempts to get rid of them with strength,
pressurizing and threatening them. Its
unilateral policy is linked to military
aggression and state terrorism against other
countries to disturb and destroy peace and
stability and drive the world to confusion and
instability.
It is impossible to achieve world peace and
stability and let people live in a peaceful
world without a fight against the U.S. moves to
violate and obliterate others' sovereignty.
[Independent states]
Congratulations to Afghanistan President
Pyongyang, November 12 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, Wednesday sent a
congratulatory message to Hamid Karzai upon his
election as president of the Caretaker Islamic
State of Afghanistan. The message wished him
success in his work.
North Korea orders mourning for Arafat
November 13, 2004 ? North Korea has declared
three days of national mourning for Palestinian
leader Yasser Arafat, who died Thursday in Paris.
The state-run Korea Central News Agency said
yesterday that the government of the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea decided to formally
honor Mr. Arafat between Nov.15 and 17 by flying
flags at half-mast
Message of Condolences to Speaker of Palestinian
Legislative Council
Pyongyang, November 11 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the Supreme
People's Assembly of the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea, Thursday sent a message of
condolences to Rawhi Fatouh, speaker of the
Legislative Council of the Palestinian National
Authority, over the death of Yasser Arafat,
president of the State of Palestine, chairman of
the Executive Committee of the Palestine
Liberation Organization and head of the
Palestinian National Authority
DPRK Government Decides to Mourn Death of Yasser
Arafat
Pyongyang, November 11 (KCNA)- In connection
with the death of Yasser Arafat, president of
the State of Palestine, chairman of the
Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation
Organisation and head of the Palestine National
Authority, due to illness on November 11 the
Government of the Democratic People's Republic
of Korea decided to set the period from Nov.15
to 17 as a mourning period and fly flags at half
mast at some institutions in this period. A
close friend of the Korean people, President
Yasser Arafat visited the DPRK six times from
October 1981 to June 1993. He was awarded the
title of Hero of the DPRK during his first
Korean visit
Head of DPRK Delegation on Peace and Security on
Korean Peninsula
Pyongyang, November 9 (KCNA) -- Vice-Minister of
the People's Armed Forces Kim Sang Ik who is
heading a delegation of the DPRK clarified its
view on the issue of preserving the regional
peace and security centering around the Korean
Peninsula in his speech made at the security
policy meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum on
November 5. The basic factor of disturbing peace
and stability in the Asian-Pacific region at
present is a military threat based on
unilateralism and high-handed acts, he said,
adding that it is the Korean Peninsula where it
is most strongly felt and it is, therefore, a
most pressing issue in preserving the regional
security to ensure peace on the peninsula.
Speeches of DPRK Delegation to 59th UN General Assembly
On Permanent Peace on Korean Peninsula
The delegate of the DPRK to the United Nations declared on October 12 that the
DPRK will in the future, too, bend all efforts available to remove the threat
of foreign forces and ensure a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula.
He was addressing the first committee of the 59th UN general assembly.
North Korea Ready to Establish Embassy in Brazil
- Also serving as intermediary in trade between Brazil and other countries -
[Sao Paulo, KOTRA]
The establishment of a North Korean embassy in Brazil seems imminent. After North Korean officials visited Brazil in early September to make preparations for opening the embassy, another group of relevant officials from Pyongyang will make a trip to the South American country sooner or later, it has recently been learned. This development has prompted diplomatic analysts to conclude that North Korea's opening an embassy in Brazil is just a matter of time.
North Korea entered into diplomatic relations with Brazil in 2001, and North Korean Ambassador to Peru You Chang-eun has concurrently served as ambassador to Brazil since early 2002. With the political and economic exchanges between the two countries increasing, North Korea has sought to set up a separate embassy in Brazil. North Korea's ambassador to Peru will continue to serve as ambassador to Brazil even after the establishment of the separate embassy.
Since North Korea is also known to be considering setting up its trade representative office in Sao Paulo, the largest commercial and industrial city in Brazil, the country's trade exchange with Brazil is prospected to be more active than ever in the near future.
Cambodia's Next King: Apparently the Least Apparent Heir
By SETH MYDANS
Published: October 12, 2004
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Oct. 11 - Playing one final hand in a lifelong game of
chance, King Norodom Sihanouk has engineered the succession of his most
self-effacing son, Prince Norodom Sihamoni, to the throne his father has held
for more than 60 years.
On Monday, the government took the final steps to prepare a nine-member Throne
Council that is charged, under the Constitution, with selecting a new king. In
this case, its action, expected this week, will probably be a formality.
In a series of maneuvers over recent days, the king announced his surprise
resignation and secured the backing for his choice of the country's most
powerful man, Prime Minister Hun Sen, as well as the most ambitious of his
sons, Prince Norodom Ranariddh.
Born May 14, 1953, in Phnom Penh, Prince Sihamoni studied classical Cambodian
dance with his sister, Buppha Devi, who became a leading performer here. He
graduated in 1975 from the Academy of Music and Art in Prague, and then studied
cinematography in Pyongyang, North Korea's capital.
ASEM to Call for Peaceful End to NK Nuclear
Standoff
By Shim Jae-yun
Korea Times Correspondent
HANOI - Leaders of the 39 member states of the
5th Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) are poised to
urge a peaceful resolution of the North Korean
nuclear crisis, lending support for the six-
party talks aimed at ending the North's nuclear
arms programs.
Congratulations to Indonesian President
Pyongyang, October 6 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, on Tuesday sent a message to
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono congratulating him on
his election as president of the Republic of
Indonesia. Expressing belief that the
traditional relations of friendship and
cooperation between the DPRK and Indonesia would
steadily grow strong, Kim in the message
sincerely wished the Indonesian president great
success in his responsible work.
Seoul Seeks to Address NK Issue at ASEM
By Shim Jae-yun
Korea Times Correspondent
HANOI - South Korea is petitioning nations
participating in the 5th Asia Europe Meeting
(ASEM) starting here Oct. 8 to voice their
support for resolving the continuing standoff
over North Korea's nuclear weapons programs
Memos. of Understanding on Negotiations between
For. Ministries of DPRK and South Africa
Pyongyang, September 24 (KCNA) -- A memorandum
of understanding on negotiations between the
Foreign Ministries of the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea and the Republic of South
Africa was signed in Pyongyang today. The
document was inked by Kung Sok Ung, vice-
minister of Foreign Affairs from our side, and
by Anil Sooklal, deputy director general of the
Department for Asia and the Middle East of the
Foreign Ministry of South Africa from the
opposite side.
South African Government Delegation Arrives
Pyongyang, September 21 (KCNA) -- The government
delegation of South Africa led by East Anil
Sooklal, deputy director general of the
Department for Asia and the Middle East of the
Foreign Ministry, arrived here Tuesday by air.
DPRK Delegations Leave Pyongyang
Pyongyang, September 21 (KCNA) -- Leaving here
Tuesday by air were a DPRK delegation led by Kim
Hyong Chol, director of the State Bureau for
Quality Control, to participate in the 40th
general assembly of the World Intellectual
Property Organization in Geneva, a DPRK Maritime
Bureau delegation led by Jong Yun Min, director
of the State Maritime Control Bureau, to visit
Singapore, Pakistan, Thailand and Cyprus and a
delegation of the Korean Democratic Women's
Union led by Pak Sun Hui, chairperson of its
Central Committee, to visit Syria. A delegation
of the Korean Central News Agency headed by Kim
Pyong Ho, its deputy director general, left here
on the same day by air to participate in the
World Conference of News Agencies to be held in
Moscow.
DPRK's Stand to Work Hard for Growth of NAM
Clarified
Pyongyang, August 25 (KCNA) -- The DPRK
government will fulfill its responsibility and
mission for global independence and the
strengthening and development of the Non-Aligned
Movement (NAM), said the head of the DPRK
delegation in his speech at the 14th Non-Aligned
Foreign Ministers' Conference in Durban, South
Africa, on August 19. He said:
The DPRK government considers it an avowed
principle of its foreign policy to consistently
maintain the fundamental principle and idea of
the NAM.
Oil diplomacy a gusher
ASTANA, Kazakhstan ? President Roh Moo-hyun and
Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev
yesterday signed agreements that could
eventually allow Korea access to as much as 850
million barrels of crude oil from Kazakh fields.
In return, Korea promised to provide Kazakhstan
with nuclear power plant technology.
DPRK Delegation Leaves to Attend U.N. General
Assembly Session
Pyongyang, September 15 (KCNA) -- A delegation
of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea led
by Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Choe Su Hon
left Pyongyang today to attend the 59th Session
of the U.N. General Assembly.
Korean Missionary Killed in Kazakhstan
By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter
A South Korean missionary was found dead on
Monday in Kazakhstan, Yonhap news agency
reported Tuesday.
Kim Jin-hee, 34, who worked as a missionary in
Karaganda, central Kazakhstan, was struck with a
blunt instrument. There are two murder suspects.
The incident raises concerns over security as
President Roh Moo-hyun is scheduled to visit the
nation next Monday, embarrassing the Kazakhstan
government at it prepares for the summit talks.
They flatly denied speculation that the murder
may be related to terrorism aimed at Koreans.
Karaganda is located in the middle of
Kazakhstan, 200 kilometers south of its capital
Astana and 1,000 kilometers from Almaty, where
most Koreans in Kazakhstan reside. [Diaspora] [Christianity]
Pyongyang bustles with foreign visitors
North Korean capital busy with political, arts and sports events,/b>
North Korea's capital Pyongyang has been playing host to a number of foreign diplomats and guests for a film festival and book fair, seemingly oblivious of a huge explosion in a northern province bordering China and speculation it was a nuclear weapons test, reports here said.
The secretive country's foreign affairs officials have been busy holding discussions with senior diplomats and officials from Britain and major North Korean ally China.
Message of Sympathy to Indonesian President
Pyongyang, September 11 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, sent a message of sympathy to
Megawati Soekarnoputri, president of Indonesia,
today. Upon hearing the sad news that loss of
many lives were caused a recent bomb explosion
in Jakarta claimed huge casualties, I express
deep sympathy and consolation to the Indonesian
government and people, the message said.
Strongly condemning brutal terrorism, the
message expressed the belief that the Indonesian
president and government would eradicate the
aftermath of the terror and bring the living of
the bereaved families of the victims to normal
as early as possible. [Terrorism]
Foreign Delegates Rush to Pyongyang
By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
With Seoul in a hustle and bustle to confirm the character of the latest huge
blast in the northern part of North Korea, Pyongyang has also been busy with a
flurry of senior foreign envoys in a bid to strengthen diplomatic ties with
major powers.
Kim Jong Il met Sihanouk
Cambodian King Left for His Country after 115
Days Stay in DPRK
Sihanouk stayed in the DPRK from April 10 to
August 3. He visited the DPRK on the occasion of
the 92nd birthday of the late President Kim Il
Sung.
DPRK Public Health Delegation Leaves for China
and Maldives
Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- A DPRK public
health delegation led by Kim Su Hak, minister of
Public Health, left here Tuesday to visit China
and participate in the 22nd meeting of health
ministers of the Southeast Asian Region of the
World Health Organization and the 57th Southeast
Asian Regional Conference of the WHO to be held
in the Republic of Maldives.
Letter to International Committee of Red Cross
Pyongyang, September 6 (KCNA) -- The Central
Committee of the DPRK Red Cross Society and the
DPRK Society for Human Rights Studies on August
27 sent a letter to the International Committee
of Red Cross denouncing the United States and
the south Korean authorities for committing such
inhumane acts as abducting 468 DPRK citizens and
taking them away to south Korea in two batches
on July 27 and 28 under the mask of "defectors
from the north". The letter said:
This is not the first time that the south Korean
authorities allured and abducted northerners but
they have long systematically committed such
crimes, the letter said, and went on: Taking
advantage of the U.S. policy to stifle the DPRK,
they perpetrated such acts after setting up many
bodies and organizations and sending personages
that specialize in alluring and abducting
"defectors from the north" in other countries
and regions close to Korea.
Letter to Office of UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights
Pyongyang, September 6 (KCNA) -- The DPRK
Society for Human Rights Studies and the Central
Committee of the DPRK Red Cross Society on
August 28 sent a letter to the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights complaining to it about the criminal
actions taken by the U.S. and south Korean
authorities to abduct DPRK citizens and take
them to south Korea under the mask of
"defectors." The south Korean authorities
perpetrated such terrorism as alluring and
abducting 468 DPRK citizens in broad daylight
and taking them to south Korea under the mask of
"defectors from the north" in two batches on
July 27 and 28, the letter said, and continued:
DPRK's Stand to Work Hard for Growth of NAM
Clarified
Pyongyang, August 25 (KCNA) -- The DPRK
government will fulfill its responsibility and
mission for global independence and the
strengthening and development of the Non-Aligned
Movement (NAM), said the head of the DPRK
delegation in his speech at the 14th Non-Aligned
Foreign Ministers' Conference in Durban, South
Africa, on August 19. He said:
The DPRK government considers it an avowed
principle of its foreign policy to consistently
maintain the fundamental principle and idea of
the NAM.
North Korea-Mexico Formed a Friendship Association
[Mexico City, KOTRA]
The North Korean and Mexican parliaments held their inaugural ceremony for their bilateral friendship association on August 4, 2004.
Joining Lee Gang-se, the North Korean Ambassador to Mexico, as well as, the Mexican Rep. Hosse Louise Narangho Ichintana as the members, the two sides agreed to prepare a communication channel for improving mutual cooperation/understanding, as well as, a continuous relationship. Plus, both parties promised to exchange opinions on common interests.
While officially announcing a joint declaration, the North Korea-Mexico Friendship Association expressed its plan to discuss various subjects including culture, sports, food, laws, politics, economics as well as the finance field.
The second round meeting is slated for the upcoming September, 2004.
NK Strongly Criticizes Vietnam Over Defectors
By Seo Dong-shin
Staff Reporter
North Korea has strongly criticized Vietnam for
letting hundreds of its citizens go to South
Korea last month, according to lawmakers who
recently visited the Southeast Asian nation.
Art Performances Given in Indonesia
Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- The Pyongyang
Schoolchildren's Art Troupe of the DPRK
performed in Djakarta. After appreciating the
performance, public figures of Indonesia were
unsparing in their praises, describing it as a
fascinating and splendid performance and a
children's performance at the world highest
level.
Congratulatory Message to Singaporean Prime
Minister
Pyongyang, August 14 (KCNA) -- Premier of the
DPRK Cabinet Pak Pong Ju sent a congratulatory
message to Lee Hsien Loong upon his appointment
as prime minister of the Republic of Singapore.
The message wished him success in his work for
the prosperity and development of the country.
Tough Road Ahead for First U.N. Rights Envoy
Marwaan Macan-Markar
BANGKOK, Aug 11 (IPS) - A respected Thai human rights scholar faces a mammoth challenge in trying to open doors in North Korea - deemed as one of the world's most secretive and oppressive countries in the world.
Vitit Muntarbhorn, a 51-year-old international law professor at the prestigious Chulalongkorn University has little illusions about the task ahead, following his appointment as the first United Nations human rights envoy to investigate and report about the human rights climate in the East Asian nation.
Iran Denies Providing Missile Test Site
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: August 7, 2004
Filed at 4:26 p.m. ET
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran on Saturday dismissed allegations it was providing
test sites for North Korean long-range missiles
designed to deliver nuclear warheads, the
official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.
A Bush administration official claimed earlier
that North Korea was getting around a self-
imposed missile test ban by sharing technology
information with Iran, which is allegedly
carrying out missile tests on Pyongyang's behalf.
Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani rejected
the claim, saying, ``Iran does not cooperate
with North Korea in missile technology and it
does not need to.''
11th Ministerial Meeting of ARF Held
Peaceful Solution of Nuclear Issue of Korean Peninsula Discussed
The 11th ministerial meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was held in
Jakarta, Indonesia. Paek Nam Sun, Foreign Minister of the DPRK, participated in
it.
Paek Nam Sun met representatives of many countries during the meeting.
He met with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powel on July 2 and exchanged
opinions about the relationship between the DPRK and the U.S. and the nuclear
problem.
ASEAN Vows Role as Diplomatic Deterrent in NK
Nuke Issue
By Seo Dong-shin
Staff Reporter
A top official of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) vowed the member nations
will increase its efforts to serve as a
"diplomatic deterrent" in the process of
resolving the lingering impasse over North
Korea's nuclear weapons program.
KCNA: DPRK Brands Vietnam as Sullying Her Name
by Conspiring with US, SK in Abducting Its
Citizens
In an extraordinary move the DPRK Foreign
Ministry August 3 singled out Vietnam for harsh
criticism and branded her as sullying her
national honor by conspiring the United States
and South Korea in kidnapping North Korean
citizens. This behavior, the DPRK Foreign
Ministry spokesman charged, establishes Vietnam
as readily "stooping to any perfidious action,
discarding elementary
sense of obligation and morality between the
states in her selfish interests." [photos]
U.S. and S. Korean Authorities Hit for Their
Allurement and Abduction of North Koreans Abroad
Pyongyang, August 3 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for
the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea gave the following answer to a
question put by KCNA Tuesday as regards the
recent allurement and abduction of many
northerners abroad to south Korea:
.
The DPRK has information enough to prove that
Vietnam was involved in the plot of the U.S. and
the south Korean authorities to allure and
abduct citizens of the DPRK.
Through its involvement in the case Vietnam self-
exposed that it can stoop to any perfidious
action, discarding elementary sense of
obligation and morality between the states, in
order to meet its own interests.
Kim Jong Il Meets with Cambodian King
Pyongyang, July 31 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il,
general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea
and chairman of the DPRK National Defence
Commission, Saturday visited the Jangsuwon State
Guest House where His Majesty the King of
Cambodia Norodom Sihanouk stays and met with him
Cambodian King in NK
: North
Korean leader Kim Jong-il, center, poses with
visiting Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk and his
wife after receiving state medals from the king
in Pyongyang on July 31.
Cambodian King Reappoints Prime Minister
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: July 14, 2004
Filed at 3:49 a.m. ET
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) -- Cambodia's king reappointed Hun Sen as prime
minister on Wednesday, a major step toward restoring normal government and
legislative operations after an 11-month political deadlock.
The appointment, made in an official letter signed by King Norodom Sihanouk,
gives Hun Sen his third elected term at the country's helm. It should clear the
way for a new government to be formed Thursday.
The letter from Sihanouk, currently on an extended stay in Pyongyang, North
Korea, was distributed to reporters by the Information Ministry, which is
controlled by Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party
DPRK Foreign Minister Meets Special Envoy of UN
Secretary General
Pyongyang, May 21 (KCNA) -- DPRK Foreign
Minister Paek Nam Sun met and conversed with
Maurice Strong, special envoy of the UN
secretary general, and his party Friday. Present
there were an official concerned and the acting
UN resident coordinator and representative of
the WHO here.
Kim Yong Nam Calls on Cambodian King
Pyongyang, May 21 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme
People's Assembly, Friday visited the state
guest house where Norodom Sihanouk, king of
Cambodia, is staying in the DPRK. He was
accompanied by Kim Yong Il, vice-minister of
Foreign Affairs, and other officials concerned.
He talked with the king in a friendly
atmosphere.
Top envoy from UN visiting Pyeongyang
Maurice Strong, a special adviser of the UN
Secretary General Kofi Annan, arrived in
Pyeongyang yesterday, according to the North
Korea's state-run news agency. The agency
reported that officials met Mr. Strong and his
party at the airport, but did not elaborate.
Mr. Annan said in March that Mr. Strong would be
sent to North Korea to discuss economic
development issues later that month, but trip
was postponed.
Special Envoy of UN Secretary General Arrives
Pyongyang, May 18 (KCNA) -- Maurice Strong,
special envoy of the secretary general of the
United Nations, and his party arrived here
Tuesday. The special envoy was greeted at the
airport by an official concerned and the UN
resident coordinator in the DPRK who is also
acting resident representative of the UNDP.
NK Likely to Take Part in ARF Meeting in July:
Indonesian FM
By Ryu Jin
Staff Reporter
Visiting Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan
Wirayuda said on Tuesday that he thought that it
is highly likely that North Korea will
participate in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
this year.
Kim Yong Nam and Megawati Soekarnoputri Exchange
Greetings
Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- President of the
Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly
Kim Yong Nam and Indonesian President Megawati
Soekarnoputri exchanged messages of greetings on
April 16 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary
of the establishment of diplomatic relations
between the two countries.
Sister City Ties Established between DPRK and
Mexico
Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- An agreement on
opening the sister city ties between Sariwon,
the DPRK, and Rafael Lara Grajales, Puebla
State, Mexico, was signed in Rafael Lara
Grajales on April 13. It was inked by DPRK
Ambassador to Mexico Ri Kang Se and Mayor of
Rafael Lara Grajales Antonio Esperon Mora.
Banquet Given in Honor of Norodom Sihanouk
Pyongyang, April 10 (KCNA) -- The Presidium of
the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK gave a
banquet in honor of His Majesty King Norodom
Sihanouk of the Kingdom of Cambodia on a
goodwill visit to the DPRK at the People's
Palace of Culture this evening.
Plan Signed between DPRK and Egypt
Pyongyang, April 19 (KCNA) -- A plan for
implementing the Juche 93-95, (2004-2006) inter-
governmental agreement on cultural cooperation
was signed between the DPRK and Egypt here
today. The plan was signed by Jon Yong Jin, vice-
chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural
Relations with Foreign Countries, from the
Korean side
A Better View Of Our Neighbor To the South
By Courtland Milloy
Sunday, April 18, 2004; Page C01
HAVANA
It took a few days being here, but I started
loosening up. You really can walk down dark,
narrow streets in this city and discover there
is nothing to fear but fear itself.
I was still carrying a lot of that spooky old
Cuban commie baggage when I arrived last week.
The Cold War shadow was tailing me. I feared my
room was bugged. Would they try to brainwash me,
or just ply me with rum and make me talk?
In the end, all it took was a little tropical
sunshine, and I was toast. Yeah, I'm down with
the revolution, Fidel, and would you mind
passing me a cigar?
I was here as part of a research project,
sponsored by the Institute for Advanced
Journalism Studies based at Delaware State
University, to examine the influence of Africans
in the Americas. In 1886, a rebellion of blacks
and whites against Spanish colonial rule of this
island helped end slavery in Cuba and put the
nation on its way to becoming a truly integrated
society.
Then, at the turn of the 20th century, the United States became a force in
Cuban life, installing a series of puppet leaders who would institutionalize a
Jim Crow style of racial segregation.
I knew nothing of this history for many years. In fact, the first Cuban I ever
saw was Ricky Ricardo on the television show "I Love Lucy." What could be so
bad about a place where people learned to sing "Babalu"? But that was before
Fidel Castro replaced that silly, sweet music with songs about what people here
simply call "the revolution."
Through it all, that African influence has remained -- most obviously in music,
art and food but also more subtly in the cuddly, communal way that people
relate to each other.
I loved moving around this city. I traveled most of the time with a group of
three other African American journalists. Surprisingly, despite nearly 45 years
of U.S.-backed attempts to assassinate Castro and sabotage his government, the
Cuban people welcomed us with open arms.
We enjoyed dinner at the home of a large, interracial family of working-class
Cubans who didn't really have a lot but graciously provided us a tasty meal of
fried chicken, red snapper and roasted potatoes.
There were other families who lived in hot and overcrowded conditions -- in
everything from dilapidated old mansions to
homemade, rooftop shacks. But there were no
homeless people.
Everybody we interviewed wanted relations
between Cuba and the United States normalized,
and no one could understand the logic behind a
four-decade U.S. embargo or a foreign policy
that seeks to "destroy a village in order to
save it."
During a visit to a school for visually and
hearing-impaired students, we heard two junior
high school-aged girls play classic American
music on piano and a trio of girls sing of their
love for Cuba.
What impressed me most, however, was that the
school is free -- as is all education in Cuba.
Castro, it turns out, has been saying "leave no
child behind" since 1959, when his rebel army
overthrew the brutal, U.S.-backed dictatorship
of Fulgencio Batista.
Before the revolution, it was mostly whites who
received quality educations and health care.
Since then, the standard of living among blacks
and mulattoes, groups that make up roughly 60
percent of the population, has dramatically
improved -- despite the embargo and loss of
billions of dollars in aid that resulted from
the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Coincidently, on my last day in Havana, the U.N.
Human Rights Commission in Geneva passed
resolutions criticizing conditions in North
Korea, Belarus, Turkmenistan -- and Cuba.
I was struck by a certain incongruity, because
Cuba has a near 100 percent literacy rate and
free health care, and no hospital in the country
has ever closed its doors. Even in some of the
wealthiest of nations, public schools are dismal
failures and a hospital's financial bottom line
often gets more attention than a patient's flat
line.
The U.N. resolutions struck me as another
example of the world's big kettles calling a
bunch of small pots black. Make no mistake about
it: The United States has much to teach. But
from what I saw in Cuba, we also have much to
learn.
[Tourism] [Cuba]
E-mail: milloyc@washpost.com
Cambodian King to Visit DPRK
Pyongyang, April 3 (KCNA) -- His Majesty
Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk will shortly pay
a goodwill visit to the DPRK on the occasion of
the birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung.
Iranian President on Independent Policy of DPRK
Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- Iran highly
appreciates the principled and independent
policy maintained by the DPRK. Iranian President
Seyed Mohammad Khatami said this when he
received new DPRK Ambassador E.P. to Iran Kim
Chang Ryong on Mar. 25. Noting that the
relations between the two countries have
favorably developed since the victory of the
Islamic revolution, he said that the Iranian
people would never forget the government and
people of the DPRK for the invariable support
and encouragement extended by them to the cause
of the Iranian people.
He went on:
The United States is putting pressure upon Iran,
the DPRK and other independent states in a bid
to create the atmosphere of increasing pressure
under this or that pretext.
Greetings to Malaysian Prime Minister
Pyongyang, March 25 (KCNA) -- Premier of the
DPRK Cabinet Pak Pong Ju sent a message of
greetings to Datuk Sri Abdullah Ahmad@Badawi on
his assumption of office as prime minister of
Malaysia. The message expressed the belief that
the good friendly and cooperative relations
between the two countries would continue
to@develop on good terms.
Greetings to Iranian President
Pyongyang, March 22 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the
Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of
greetings to Seyed Mohammad Khatami, president of the Islamic
Republic of Iran, on March 19 on the occasion of the New Year of the
country. The message said: _
I take this opportunity to extend warm congratulations to you, the
Iranian government and people friendly to the DPRK. I am convinced
that the good friendly and cooperative relations between our two
countries will further develop and wish you great success in your
responsible work to defend the sovereignty and dignity of the country
and build an independent and prosperous Islamic society.
Greetings to Pakistani President
Pyongyang, March 22 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the
Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, today sent a
message of greetings to Pervez Musharraf, president of Pakistan, on the
occasion of the day of Pakistan, the national holiday of its people.
Expressing belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the
two countries would grow stronger, the message wished the president
and the people of Pakistan greater success in their work for the
democratic development and economic progress of the country.
KCNA on Lesson Drawn from Situation in Iraq
Pyongyang, March 18 (KCNA) -- One year has passed since the United States provoked a war of aggression against Iraq. On March 20 last year the U.S. started invasion against Iraq, a member state of the United Nations and a sovereign state, under the pretext of "eliminating weapons of mass destruction (WMD)" and committed mass destruction and genocide, toppling its legitimate government.
The UNSC whose basic mission is to preserve international peace and security not only failed to check the U.S. aggression but allowed itself to be used in justifying the U.S.-pursued aim to completely disarm Iraq through inspection.
The UNSC is thus known to be incapable of doing anything against the arbitrary practice of the world's only superpower
What happened in Iraq teaches a serious lesson that if the UN and the international community allow the U.S. high-handed and arbitrary practices, the UN Charter, the foundation of international law, will become invalid and global peace and security are bound to be seriously disturbed and accepting unreasonable inspection aimed at disarmament will not help avert a war but lead to it.
It is necessary for the UN member states to seriously look back from an objective viewpoint on how the UNSC handled the Iraqi issue over the last 10-odd years.
Democratic Congo
Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- The chairman of
the Group for the Study of the Exploits of the
Three Generals of Mt. Paektu in Democratic Congo
in a press statement on March 3 stressed that
the six-way talks have proved ineffective owing
to the insincere attitude of the U.S.