KCNA News excerpts-27 April 2000 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Korean Central News Agency DPRK News Excerpts 27 April 2000 -U.S. preparations for biological and chemical war assailed -Daewoo motor trade union goes on strike again -Three-point charter of Korea's reunification supported in Congo -Madagascar Socialists' Letter to UN Secretary General -Reunification: 8th meeting of Pomminryon north headquarters held -Much ado about "issue of kidnapping" in Japan -Japanese television: Racism on the air -DPRK closely watches Japan's attitude -Japan urged to own up to its role in looting of cultural treasures -Brisk restoration and preservation of cultural relics in Korea U.S. preparations for biological and chemical war assailed Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- The U.S.'s preparations for a biological and chemical war have recently entered a dangerous phase, observes Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary. It goes on: The U.S. is getting frantic in their preparations for a biological and chemical war against the DPRK over its non-existent "threat of biological and chemical attack." They organized four chemical units of the U.S. Army under the 2nd division of the U.S. forces and their 19th theatre supporting command stationed in South Korea, inoculated their soldiers in South Korea with anti-anthrax vaccine and distributed gas masks to the U.S. Troops and families of the U.S. embassy officials. This has touched off a high degree of vigilance among the people at home and abroad as this was something unprecedented in the history of the U.S. Forces present overseas. These reckless moves are intended to ignite a new war in Korea and inflict not only nuclear disaster but biological and chemical disasters upon the Korean people, the commentary notes, and goes on: The U.S. Is the world's biggest possessor of biological and chemical weapons. Its forces are armed with chemical bombs of about 90 types. It has stockpiled at least three million chemical shells. Yet, it is so clamorous about the DPRK's non-existent "development of biological and chemical weapons" and "threat" from it. This is a height of folly. It is quite clear that its row is nothing but a trick to justify and escalate their preparations for a biological and chemical war under this absurd pretext. These frantic moves of the U.S. only heighten the hatred of the people's army and people of Korea and their determination to take revenge upon the enemy and compel them to make every preparation for counterattack. The U.S. is well advised to stop the reckless moves for a biological and chemical war at once. Daewoo motor trade union goes on strike again Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- The Daewoo Motor Co. Ltd., trade union called an overall strike again on April 25, a Seoul-based radio reported. At least 1,000 unionists, enraged at the authorities' arrest of trade union cadres, held a rally inside the factory in Puphyong district, Inchon city, and demanded their release, protesting against the authorities' suppression. At the dawn of the day the authorities sent police to mount a surprise attack on the office of the trade union and walk away at least 20 unionists, including union leaders. Three-point charter of Korea's reunification supported in Congo Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- Meetings were held by the Congolese Socialist Party and the Congolese Committee for Supporting the Proposal for Founding the Democratic Confederal Republic of Koryo to support the three-point charter of Korea's reunification on the occasion of Sun's Day. Referring to the contents and justness of the three-point charter of national reunification set forth by the President Kim Il Sung and formulated by General Secretary Kim Jong Il, speakers expressed the belief that the reunification of Korea will surely be achieved according to the charter. A letter to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting held by the Congolese socialist party. Madagascar Socialists' Letter to UN Secretary General Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- Rakotomandimby Selestine, national chairperson of the Socialist Progressive Party of Madagascar, sent a letter to the UN Secretary General on April 14 as regards the situation prevailing on the Korean peninsula. The letter said that the progressive forces of the world should extend full support and solidarity to the Korean people in their struggle for socialism and national reunification. The UN should take substantial measures for guaranteeing peace and security on the Korean peninsula, the letter said. It held that the reunification of Korea should be achieved on the basis of the three-point charter of national reunification. The letter confirmed unconditional support to the proposal for the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea and demanded that the UN settle its disgraceful past related to the Korean war and take a measure substantially helpful to the reunification of Korea. Reunification: 8th meeting of Pomminryon north headquarters held Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- The 8th meeting of the central committee of the north headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon) was held in Pyongyang on April 26. Present at the meeting were presidium and central committee members of the Pomminryon north headquarters. The agenda items of the meeting were "on thoroughly carrying out the three-point charter of national reunification in the pro-reunification movement of Pomminryon this year", "on forming the north side's preparatory committee for the 11th pan-national rally, the grand pro-reunification festival in the year 2000" and "on electing presidium and central committee members of the north headquarters of Pomminryon to fill the vacancy". The meeting reviewed the achievements made in the activities of the Pomminryon north headquarters during the last one year and discussed the issues related to the 11th PNR. The north side's preparatory committee for the 11th PNR, the grand pro-reunification festival in 2000, was inaugurated at the meeting. The committee consists of five members with vice-chairman An Kyong Ho as its chairman. The meeting elected presidium and central committee members of the Pomminryon north headquarters to fill the vacancy. Much ado about "issue of kidnapping" in Japan Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary assails some political figures and media of Japan for making much fuss about the issue of "kidnapping." The commentary dismisses the Japanese reactionary circles' loudmouthed "issue of kidnapping" in the DPRK as a sort of provocation and challenge to it. The commentary goes on: There can never be even a word of "kidnapping" under the Korean socialist system that respects and treasures independence of human beings and human rights more than anything else. Recalling that Japan, in collusion with the "Intelligence Service" of South Korea, completely twisted the career of the head of the DPRK delegation, its partner at the DPRK-Japan talks, to serve its propaganda purpose, the commentary notes: The issue of "kidnapping" is, in essence, a product of "cooperation" between the Japanese and South Korean authorities. The ulterior intention of Japan's row over issue of "kidnapping" is to seek its own profit through the DPRK-Japan talks. If Japan goes on like this, the DPRK will be left with no option but to reconsider its position concerning its relations with Japan. Japan's double-dealing tactics is harmful to it and will bring it to nowhere. Japan should clarify its real position. Japanese television: Racism on the air Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- Tokyo metropolitan governor Ishihara was recently interviewed by Soichiro Tahara of the Japanese Asahi TV. In this program emcee Tahara chimed in with Ishihara's reckless remark about Sangokujin in Japanese (nationals of a third country) and let loose an endless string of rubbish that Sangokujin is not "a phraseology of racial discrimination," absurdly asserting that the Koreans have badly behaved in the Japanese society since the end of the war. Tahara's outbursts are intolerable and can never escape from condemnation from the Korean and other peoples of Asia as they came at a time when the domestic and foreign public is becoming more critical of Ishihara's reckless remarks. Tahara can never be called a mediamen representing justice. He is nothing but a devoted dog and agent tricked into the scheme of Ishihara, an ultra-nationalist and a national chauvinist. These outbursts let loose by Tahara in the TV program go to prove that the ultra right-wing reactionary forces do not remain simply potential but remain overtly active and control even some media and ultra-nationalist tendency prevails in the society. Tahara, an ultra-nationalist under the guise of "mediamen," is nothing but a remnant of the right-wing forces keen to benumb people's awareness of history and call back the departed soul of the militarists. It is by no means fortuitous that Ishihara and Tahara are openly inciting hostility against the DPRK at a time when the DPRK-Japan intergovernmental full-dress talks are under way. This deliberate anti-DPRK diatribe kicked up by the Japanese ultra right reactionary forces cannot be construed otherwise than an undesirable action to put a brake on the intergovernmental talks. We can never remain a passive onlooker to an endless string of reckless remarks going against the trend of the history let loose by Tokyo. Tahara should make a formal apology for his outbursts. Otherwise, he is bound to face a stern judgement by the unbiased public. DPRK closely watches Japan's attitude Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- Minju Joson today in a signed commentary urges the Japanese authorities to bar right-wing reactionaries including Ishihara from making an outright challenge to the process to improve its relations with the DPRK and ensure peace and security. The commentary says: The Tokyo metropolitan governor asserted that his remarks on "Sangokujin" (nationals of a third country) were misrepresented by Japanese media in a bid to get out of the predicament into which he was thrown by his recent outbursts. It is nothing but a trite trick to calm down the world's daily mounting protest and condemnation of him and shirk the responsibility for the evil consequences entailed by them. It is a sheer lie that Ishihara's "intention" was misrepresented by media. His view and intention can never be misinterpreted by Japanese media in view of both his career and present attitude. To tell the truth, Ishihara's idea and feelings as an ultra-nationalist and chauvinist were accurately represented and brought to light as they were. The Japanese authorities should own due responsibility for the challenge made by such an imbecile as Ishihara to the process to improve its relations with the DPRK and ensure peace and security, and take measures to prevent such ultra right reactionaries from raising their heads again. The DPRK will closely watch the Japanese authorities' attitude towards the ultra right reactionaries. Japan urged to own up to its role in looting of cultural treasures Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- The DPRK side proposed for the first time the issue of compensation for Korean cultural treasures as one of main agenda items at the 9th intergovernmental talks between the DPRK and Japan held here in early April. As regards the issue of cultural treasures, the DPRK side held that Japan should formally apologize for destroying and looting cultural treasures in the past, make adequate material compensation for the destroyed cultural treasures and return all the looted cultural relics. The Japanese vandalized and took away precious Korean national and cultural treasures in a bid to tamper with and stamp out the 5,000-year-long history and culture of Korea during their illegal occupation of Korea that lasted for over 40 years. In the early period of its occupation, they cooked up "rules" and "ordinances," etc. for the "preservation" of historical monuments and relics which provided for their open and legal looting of Korean cultural relics. Tombs of Korean kings listed as world treasures were indiscriminately dug out by them. In a few years from 1904, they dug out about 2,000 ancient tombs, including the tomb of a king of Koryo in Kaesong, on Kanghwa Islet and in Haeju and other areas to rob them of famous Koryo celadons and gilt bronze crowns, necklaces, earrings and other treasures. At least 1,400 ancient tombs along the river taedong were dug out to loot their treasures in 10 years. They took away under the name of "study" some 42,020 cultural relics to be displayed in the "competitive exhibition to mark the fifth anniversary of administration" in 1915. The looted treasures such as gold crown, various personal ornaments Koryo inlaid celadon, bronze mirror, Buddhist figures, etc. were exhibited in the Ueno museum in Tokyo and Japan advertised them before the world as "Japan's national treasures." The Japanese burnt at least 200,000 volumes of ancient books and took away the true records of the ri dynasty, which comprise some 1,800 books, and tens of thousands of other books listed as national treasure. Terauchi, the first governor-general of Korea, completely destroyed "Kyungbok-goong Palace" with 4,000 odd rooms, cultural treasure belonging to the period of the Ri dynasty, under the pretext of building premises of the "government-general." He looted more than 600 cultural relics to put them on display in his house. A Japanese antique dealer named Nakada rose to a millionaire by specializing in the collection of Koryo celadons from Korea and sale of them to Japan for over 40 years. Komiya, former senior official of the royal government of the Ri dynasty, was one of those who became millionaires by dealing in antiques of Korea. A lot of Korean historical relics fell into the hands of individuals as special "gifts" and "private treasures." The Japanese destruction and plunder of Korean cultural relics were robberies unprecedented in the history in view of the period and methods of pillage and the quantity of those looted and the manner in which they were kept and handled. The Japanese government should fulfil its state responsibility for its obliteration of Korean culture as it was perpetrated by imperial Japan as its state policy. Brisk restoration and preservation of cultural relics in Korea Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- April is a "month of protection of cultural relics" every year in Korea. This month working people in different parts of the country are actively pushing ahead with the work to restore and reconstruct or preserve cultural relics in their original state. According to information available at the bureau for management and preservation of cultural relics under the Ministry of Culture, many buildings, hanging boards, monuments, tombstones, forts and graves at historical sites such as Ulmil pavilion and Chilsong gate in Pyongyang, Paeksang pavilion in Anju, Onmu pavilion in Nyongbyon and walled town of Jongju were painted, repaired and renovated in a way best suited to seasonal features. In South Hwanghae Province, the restoration of Samsong temple on Mt. Kuwol is nearing completion. Samsong temple is an ancient temple where people held memorial services for the three saints, that is Tangun and his grandfather and father. The temple consists of 6 buildings. They boast of peculiar Korean national architecture. Restoration is also under way on the principle of historicism at Ryongthong temple in Kaesong. This temple is directly associated with renowned Korean Buddhist Uichon (1055-1101). The temple is divided into a main temple, graves in the northeastern portion and the northwestern building area. Scores of buildings are now under construction there in ancient temple style architecture. A lot of historical relics such as King Tangun's mausoleum, King Tongmyong's mausoleum, King Wang Kon's mausoleum, Pohyon Temple on Mt. Myohyang, Kwangbop Temple on Mt. Taesong, Songbul temple on Mt. Jongbang, Inphung pavilion in Kanggye and Thonggun pavilion of Uiju took on their original appearance thanks to the policy of the Worker's Party of Korea on preserving national cultural heritages. The Korean Central History Museum, history museums in all provinces of the country and the Korean Folklore Museum, etc. were built splendidly to convey the resourcefulness and patriotic soul of the nation to generations to come. ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytas-04.28.00-01:48:49-32296