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*North Korean Studies*Moscow, June 25 (KCNA) -- The Paleya-Mishin Publishing House of Russia released books "Victor's Memory" and "Stars Shine with Sun" on the occasion of the first Sun's Day in the new century. The book "Victor's Memory" was authored by Irina Pirogova, former political commentator of the newspaper patriot, after reading President Kim Il Sung's reminiscences "With the Century". It deals with the author's impressions and the main contents of the reminiscences. The reminiscences, which will be of weighty significance in distant future, too, is a very precious, ideological, mental and moral pabulum for the revolutionaries and those who are ready to set out on the road of revolution, the book says. The book "Stars Shine with Sun" was also written by Irina Pirogova in praise of leader Kim Jong Il's greatness, attracted by his personality as a great man. Elaborating on his wise leadership, enduring feats and noble personality, the author in the book says: "Comrade Kim Jong Il is the sun which brightens the whole world. He will represent the history of the whole universe as he has made immortal contributions to the history of the 20th and 21st centuries."
Pyongyang, June 19 (KCNA) -- Minister-counsellor Oleg Dabydov and officials of the Russian embassy here yesterday helped members of the Korea-Russia Friendship Kochang Cooperative Farm in Chollima district, Nampho, in weeding on a maize field. During a break they talked to each other and sang songs, deepening friendly feelings. The Russian guests delivered aid materials to the farm.
Pyongyang, June 16 (KCNA) -- A Korean film delegation led by Jo Chan Gu, vice-minister of culture, left here today to participate in the 23rd Moscow International Film Festival, a KCNA delegation led by its deputy director general Han Song Bok to participate in the world congress for information cooperation to be held in Russia
Pyongyang, June 13 (KCNA) -- Russian ambassador to the DPRK Valery Denisov gave a party at the embassy on June 12 on the occasion of its National Day. Invited to the party were Ri Kwang Gun, minister of foreign trade, Ryo Chun Sok, vice-minister of the People's Armed Forces, and officials concerned. Speeches were made at the party.
Moscow, June 10 (KCNA) -- The national salvation front of Russia issued a statement on June 5 in support of the resolution of a joint meeting of the DPRK political parties and organizations which was held to pave the way for reunification with the concerted efforts of the Korean nation. The statement said that though a joint declaration squarely reflecting the will of all the Korean people to reunify the country independently was made public at the end of the Pyongyang meeting, its implementation is being delayed by the anti-reunification elements of the south side. It noted that the U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises simulating attack on the DPRK show the south side's attitude towards the joint declaration. The statement fully supported the resolution made at the joint meeting of the DPRK political parties and organizations calling for conducting a nationwide movement for promotion of national reunification from June 15, the anniversary of the publication of the historic Pyongyang declaration, to August 15. It extended solidarity to the participants in the nationwide movement for promotion of Korea's reunification and expressed expectation that their struggle would make a substantial contribution to the cause of national reunification.
Pyongyang, June 11 (KCNA) -- President Kim Yong Nam of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK on Sunday sent a message of greetings to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation, on the occasion of its National Day. The message extended warm congratulations to the president, the government and the people of Russia on this occasion. It expressed the belief that the long-standing friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would comprehensively develop in conformity with the requirements of the new century and in the spirit of the DPRK-Russia joint declaration and the treaty of friendship, good neighbourliness and cooperation. It wished the russian president and people success in their work.
Pyongyang, June 11 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il yesterday sent a message of greetings to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation, on the occasion of its national day. The message extended warm congratulations to the President, the government and people of Russia on the day. The message expressed the belief that the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would further expand and develop in conformity with the DPRK-Russia joint declaration adopted last year and the desire of the two peoples. It sincerely wished the President success in his responsible work and the russian people peace and prosperity.
Pyongyang, June 4 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, premier of the DPRK cabinet, sent a message of greetings to Anatoly Kinakh, on his appointment as prime minister of Ukraine. The message expressed the belief that the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries will continue to develop on good terms and wished the prime minister a success in his work for the prosperity of the country.
Pyongyang, May 28 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, premier of the DPRK cabinet, sent a message of condolence to Mikhail Mikhailovich Kasyanov, prime minister of the Russian Federation. The message expressed deep condolences to him and the people in the afflicted area of the Republic of Sakha, Russia, where dwelling houses were damaged and great material losses caused by recent flood. The message expressed the conviction that the Russian Federal government would heal the flood damage at an early date and stabilize the living of the afflicted people.
Pyongyang, May 23 (KCNA) -- Choe Thae Bok, alternate politburo member and secretary of the central committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, met the delegation of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation headed by Nikolai Pinchukov, who is secretary of the central committee of the party and a deputy to the State Duma of the Russian Federation, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today. The head of the delegation said that the DPRK is progressing under the uplifted banner of socialism though socialism collapsed in several East European countries. Saying that Korea's reunification should be achieved independently free from any foreign interference, he stressed that the Communist Party of the Russian Federation extends full support and solidarity to the Korean people in their struggle for national reunification.
After more than a decade of isolation, the North Korean government is reaching out. Pyongyang is increasingly bidding for sponsorship - limited military assistance from Moscow and economic help from Beijing. Washington will find it increasingly difficult to manage relations between North and South Korea as the Chinese and Russian governments once again make their influence felt on the peninsula. Russia agreed to sell North Korea SU-27 interceptors and MiG-29 fighters among others.
The Washington Times reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin is continuing to strengthen its ties with its Asian allies, despite strong US objections. This was demonstrated in Russia's welcoming of PRC Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan over the weekend and the signing of a new weapons deal with the DPRK last week. PRC diplomats in Russia told the Itar-Tass news agency that expanded military cooperation was a key agenda item for Tang during his visit. Russian sources said that the DPRK deal, announced on April 28 during a Moscow visit by PRC Foreign Minister Kim Il-chol, would allow the DPRK to repair and modernize Soviet-era tanks, fighter planes and submarines. Alexander Lukin, an instructor at the Institute for International Affairs in Moscow and now a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution, said, "For Russia, the military-industrial complex supports a lot of workers and their families at a very difficult time for the economy. This should really be seen as a social issue, something I don't think is really understood in the United States." Lukin said that one force driving closer Russia-PRC ties was clearly a shared concern about US foreign policy moves. He said, "I don't see it as a purely anti-American alliance, but that doesn't mean that U.S. policy did not contribute to developments here." (David R. Sands, "RUSSIA STRENGTHENS ASIAN TIES," 5/1/01)
The Korea Herald reported that the defense agreements signed by Russia and the DPRK Friday will not compromise ties between Russia and the ROK, as the accords are based solely on upgrading the DPRK's aging military equipment, ROK officials said. They also said that the agreements are seen as part of Russia's broader diplomatic maneuver aimed at having more say in Korea issues by strengthening its ties with both Koreas. Defense chiefs from Russia and the DPRK signed agreements on the defense industry, including equipment and broader military cooperation. DPRK Defense Minister Kim Il-chol and his Russian counterpart Sergei Ivanov and Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov signed the deals. The agreements are aimed largely at modernizing the DPRK's military equipment that Russia provided during the Soviet era. Details were not disclosed. "We don't see that the agreements will damage our ties with Russia," an ROK Foreign Ministry official said. (Hwang Jang-jin, "RUSSIA'S DEFENSE DEAL WITH N. KOREA NOT VIEWED AS THREAT TO TIES WITH S. KOREA," Seoul, 04/30/01) and Chosun Ilbo ("NK, RUSSIA INK ACCORDS ON DEFENSE INDUSTRY COOPERATION," Seoul, 04/29/01)
Nezavisimaya gazeta reported that RF Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Losyukov had a meeting with DPRK Ambassador in Moscow Park Y Chung talking about "international issues," in particular a European Union visit to Pyongyang. A journalist on duty at the RF Foreign Ministry noticed that the DPRK Ambassador entered the building several minutes before RF-US talks started there on missile defense issues. RF diplomatic sources said, though, that was "a pure coincidence." ("A MEETING WITH D.P.R.K. AMBASSADOR WAS HELD IN THE FOREIGN MINISTRY," Moscow, 1, 05/12/01)
Joongang Ilbo reported that DPRK top leader Kim Jong-il inspected troops on Saturday, according to the DPRK's state run news agency KCNA. "Leader Kim Jong-il ... inspected a battalion ... on May 19," the Korea Central News Agency said. "He acquainted himself with the performance of the battalion's duties and saw soldiers' military training," it said. The ROK's Chosun Ilbo newspaper, citing unidentified diplomatic sources, reported on Saturday that Kim was rumoured to be visiting the northeastern PRC, possibly en route to a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Siberia. ("KIM JONG-IL INSPECTS ARMY," Seoul, 05/21/01)
Pyongyang, May 17 (KCNA) -- The Russian Association for Friendship and Cultural Cooperation with the DPRK proposed to erect a big monument in the area of the secret camp on Mt. Paektu, the venue of a "meeting to congratulate the sun of the 21st century," to convey to posterity the exploits of leader Kim Jong Il whom the world people praise as the great sun of the century. The organization clarified this stand in a statement issued after discussing a proposal of the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification to celebrate Kim Jong Il's birthday next year with splendour. The statement extended full support to the committee's proposal to inaugurate national preparatory committees to grandly celebrate February 16, 2002, organize multifarious functions and hold the "meeting to congratulate the sun of the 21st century" in the area of the secret camp on Mt. Paektu as a grand international political and cultural festival. "Kim Jong Il is a brilliant leader and the great sun of the 21st century who has made an immortal contribution to the Korean people's struggle for socialism and national reunification", the statement said, adding: "The association will make every possible effort to significantly greet February 16 next year".
The Korea Herald reported that ROK officials said Tuesday that the DPRK has sent a ranking official to Moscow to negotiate a contract to buy weapons in a follow-up to their defence agreement signed in late April. "The two sides are engaged in talks over terms of a possible arms deal, including the terms of the North's payment," a high-ranking Seoul official said. The official noted that the DPRK is interested in buying advanced weapons from Russia to modernize its Soviet-era military equipment. Details of the accords were not disclosed, but a report said that the DPRK expressed willingness to acquire fighters, an intelligence gathering system and other advanced weapons, the combined value of which is estimated to be 700 billion won. (Hwang Jang-jin, "N.KOREAN OFFICIAL IN RUSSIA TO NEGOTIATE WEAPONS DEAL," Seoul, 05/16/01)
The Korea Herald reported that ROK National Assembly Speaker Lee Man-sup has proposed parliamentary talks involving Russia and both Koreas to promote economic cooperation among the three nations, aides said Wednesday. Lee made the proposal for the tripartite parliamentary talks in a meeting with Russian parliamentary leaders in Moscow Tuesday, a spokesman for the speaker said. Lee was also quoted as saying that such pending economic projects as the natural gas development in the central Siberian region of Irkutsk, and the related gas pipeline construction linking the ROK to Russia through the DPRK, would benefit all the three countries. The ROK and Russia are also pushing for a project to connect the inter-Korean railroad with the Trans-Siberian Railroad (TSR). Lee invited Guennadi Seleznev, the speaker of the Duma, to Seoul, asking him to serve as a mediator between two Koreas by visiting Pyongyang before or after his Seoul visit, the spokesman said. A spokesman said Seleznev responded positively to Lee's proposal by saying, "I will try my hardest to make the three-party parliamentary meeting a reality this fall by contacting the North Korean side." (Kang Seok-jae, "SPEAKER LEE PROPOSES PARLIAMENTARY TALKS INVOLVING TWO KOREAS, RUSSIA," Seoul, 05/17/01)
Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- A press conference was held at the russian embassy in the DPRK yesterday on the occasion of the 56th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet people in the great patriotic war. Present there were mediapersons in Pyongyang, foreign diplomatic envoys, military attaches and correspondents here. Russian ambassador Valery Denisov and staff members of the embassy were present. Vladimir Dombrovski, military attache of the russian embassy, addressing the press conference, said that the soviet people defeated fascism to win victory in the great patriotic war and that the soviet army and people turned out as one in the sacred war for defending the motherland and displayed mass heroism.
Pyongyang, May 9 (KCNA) -- Pyongyang-based newspapers today observe the 56th anniversary of the Soviet people's victory in the great patriotic war. Rodong Sinmun describes this victory as a great event signifying victory of justice over injustice and victory of peace over war. It made a great contribution to the cause of human emancipation, the paper says, and goes on: The second world war ended in a great victory of the anti-fascist forces thanks to the major role played by the soviet army and people. Over a half century has passed since then, but the outdated imperialist forces still remain and the danger of aggression and war continues on this planet. the arrogant and brigandish nature of modern imperialism has reached its height. The prevailing situation requires the world people to wage a vigorous anti- imperialist struggle in unity under the banner of independence against imperialism. this struggle will weaken the imperialists and advance the popular masses' cause of independence, the cause of socialism. Minju Joson says: the great victory of the soviet union and the anti-fascist united forces of the world has taught the truth of history that the reactionaries of the times challenging independence and peace are bound to go to ruin and justice is sure to win.
Pyongyang, May 2 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, premier of the DPRK cabinet, sent a message of greetings to Vasily Tarlev on his appointment as Prime Minister of Moldova. Expressing the belief that the relations between the two countries would further develop favourably, the message wished him great success in his work for the development of his country's national economy and the people's wellbeing. Foreign minister Paek Nam Sun sent a message of greetings to his Moldovan counterpart Nicolae Cernomaz on his reappointment.
*Read more about life in Moldova. Lenin Lives: Moldovan residents donate money to reinstall an old monument to the Soviet leader.
Chosun Ilbo reported that Russia plans to sell fighter jets, intelligence-gathering systems and other high-technology equipment to the DPRK in a US$50 million deal. Military sources said that the sales,
intended to reassert Russian influence in the region, are backed by President Vladimir Putin, who appears to have a rapport with Kim Jong-il. Sources familiar with the DPRK deal said that Russia is ready to sell short-range anti-aircraft systems, SU-27 and MiG-29 fighter planes, unmanned Pchela-1 spy planes and radar that could monitor US and ROK military movements, plus some small naval patrol vessels. The Kremlin has agreed to send military engineers to help the DPRK modernize its tank and armament assembly lines. The Russians insist that the equipment is only defensive, and not state-of-the-art. (Lee Ha-won, "PUTIN AGREES ARMS SALES TO NORTH KOREA,"
Seoul, 05/01/01)
People's Daily carried news story reporting that Russian Defense Minister Igor Ivanov held talks with the visiting DPRK Defense Minister on April 27. The two sides signed two agreements on bilateral military cooperation, military industry, and military technology. The Russian Defense Minister also said that the two sides discussed the issue of Russian training of DPRK military officers. They did not discuss the DPRK's missile planning issue. The DPRK delegation visited Moscow for three days starting April 26. This is the highest-level visit from the DPRK since the disintegration of the former Soviet Union. (Xinhua News Agency, Wei Zhengqiang, "RUSSIA AND DPRK SIGNED MILITARY COOPERATION AGREEMENT," Moscow, 04/30/01, P3)
Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- A protocol on the 4th meeting of the forestry sub-committee of
the inter-governmental committee for cooperation in trade, economy and science and technology between the DPRK and the Russian Federation was signed here on April 27. The protocol was signed by vice-minister of forestry of the DPRK Jon Myong Guk and vice-minister of industry, science and technology of the Russian Federation Vitaly Usov.
Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Talks were held between vice-marshal of the Korean People's
Army Kim Il Chol, vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and minister of the People's Armed Forces, who is leading the DPRK high-ranking military delegation and I.I. Mlevanov, deputy prime minister of the government of the Russian Federation, in Moscow on April 27. At the talks both sides informed each other of successes made in their countries and discussed the issue of further developing cooperation in various fields between the two countries. The head of the DPRK delegation and the deputy prime minister of the government of the Russian Federation signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of military technology between the two countries. Present at the talks from the DPRK side were the members of the delegation and DPRK ambassador to Russia Pak Ui Chun and from the Russian side
Mikhail Dmitriyev, vice-minister of national defence of the Russian Federation, and officials concerned.
Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Talks were held between Kim Il Chol, minister of the People's Armed Forces of the DPRK, and Sergei Ivanov, minister of National Defence of the Russian Federation, in Moscow on April 27. At the talks the DPRK side praised the recent achievements made in Russia. The Russian side noted that the relations between Russia and the DPRK have entered a phase of fresh development in the wake of the Pyongyang meeting of the heads of the two countries. Saying that the U.S. policy including the Bush administration's establishment of the "National Missile Defense" system throws a stumbling block in the way of ensuring global peace and security, it noted that Russia shares the same stand with the DPRK in opposing the U.S. efforts to build a unipolar world. Kim Il Chol and Sergei Ivanov signed an agreement on cooperation between the armed forces organs of the two countries. Present at the talks from the DPRK side were the members of the high-ranking military delegation of the DPRK, DPRK ambassador to Russia Pak Ui Chun and military attache of the embassy and from the Russian side col. general Yuri Zalogin, vice chief of the general staff of the armed forces of the Russian Federation and general director for communications, and officials concerned.
Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- The Russian newspaper Patriot no. 15 dedicated a full page to President Kim Il Sung's portrait-accompanied special write-up entitled "The sun will shine forever" on the occasion of Sun's Day, his birth anniversary. The article says: The Korean nation could bring out the most important turn in its history as it held Kim Il Sung in high esteem as the great leader in the 20th century. At his early age he embarked on the road of revolution, founded the down-with-imperialism union and fathered the immortal Juche idea and waged the anti-Japanese armed struggle which culminated in the liberation of Korea. He was a genius possessed of noble virtue and creative ability whom the Korean nation acclaimed for the first time in its history spanning five thousand years and a great man who personified the time-honored tradition and unique creative ingenuity of the nation.
He always emerged victorious, for he was guided by the Juche idea in the whole course of the revolution and construction. For his brilliant wisdom, fervent zeal for work, revolutionary sweep, boundless trust in his people and the most progressive Juche idea, he could enjoy an absolute authority in the world and was publicly recognized as the greatest veteran statesman of the international community, it notes, and stresses that the enduring heritage left by him is not only a precious treasure of the Korean people but wealth common to the defenders of socialism and a most effective powerful weapon.
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- A high-ranking military delegation headed by Kim Il Chol, vice-chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and minister of the People's Armed Forces (PAF), left here today for Russia. The delegation was seen off at the airport by vice-minister of the PAF Jong Chang Ryol, vice-minister of foreign affairs Pak Kil Yon, generals and officers of the Korean People's Army, Russian ambassador to the DPRK Valery Denisov and military attaché of the Russian embassy Vladimir Dombrovski.
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- Paek Nam Sun, DPRK foreign minister, met and conversed with Ihor A. Lytvyn, new Ukrainian ambassador to the DPRK, when he paid courtesy visits to him today. Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, also received credentials from Ambassador Lytvyn, new Ukrainian ambassador to the DPRK at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today. Present at the presentation ceremony were Pak Kil Yon, vice-minister of foreign affairs, and others. After receiving the credentials, Kim had talks with him.
Reuters reported that Russian Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov signed an agreement with DPRK Defense Minister Kim Il-chol on Friday to upgrade weapons supplied during the Soviet era. Klebanov said that he did not expect the agreement to harm Russian relations with the ROK, adding, "Russia's main aim is successful negotiations between North and South Korea." The deal was officially called a "framework agreement" on cooperation in the defense industry and military equipment. Kim arrived in Moscow on Thursday, but no details of his visit have been disclosed.("RUSSIA SIGNS DEAL TO UPGRADE NORTH KOREA'S WEAPONS," Moscow, 04/27/01)
Joongang Ilbo reported that AVN, Russia's military news agency on April 24, said Kim Il-chol, DPRK's vice chairman of the National Defense Commission and Minister of the People's Armed
Forces will visit Russia on Thursday to negotiate a strengthening of DPRK-Russia military ties. The visit came amid the certain conflicts rising between the two countries that include DPRK's latest request for weaponry aid and its unilateral postponement of the summit meeting initially scheduled to take place last week on April 17. Kim, during his stay in Russia, is expected to hold consecutive meetings with top brass Russian officials including President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov. ("N.K. VICE CHAIRMAN TO HOLD TALKS WITH PUTIN ON THURSDAY," Seoul, 04/26/01)
Segodnya reported that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il's visit to the RF, planned for May 17-18, was probably postponed, according to diplomatic sources in Moscow. Yet, the arrangements for the visit stay valid and the preparations continue. ("D.P.R.K. LEADER'S VISIT TO RUSSIA IS PROBABLY POSTPONED," Moscow, 4, 04/12/01)
По сообщению южнокорейского агентства Ёнхап со ссылкой на дипломатического источника в Сеуле, визит Ким Чен Ира в Россию, который должен был состояться с 17 по 18 апреля, был отложен якобы из-за ряда предварительных условий, выдвинутых Пхеньяном. В числе этих условий были, в частности, требования о предоставлении Москвой Пхеньяну военного снаряжения, включая танки и истребители МИГ-29 и сырой нефти, а также о выделении нового займа. С другой стороны находящийся сейчас в Исламабаде заместитель министра иностранных дел РФ Александр Лосюков заявил, что визит Ким Чен Ира был отложен по просьбе Пхеньяна и новая дата пока не определена. При этом он добавил, что этот визит тем не менее может состояться в течение нынешнего года, сообщает RKI. 22.04.2001|(in Russian)
Pyongyang, April 22 (KCNA) -- On Sunday, Kim Jong Il received leading members and artistes of the state academy ensemble of the Ministry of Interior of Russia headed by V. P. Yelseev, which had participated in the 19th April Spring Friendship Art Festival. Kim Jong Il warmly welcomed their visit to the DPRK and conversed with them in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The head of the ensemble expressed his heartfelt thanks to Kim Jong Il for giving the ensemble the special privilege by seeing its performance.
On Monday, April 23, Kim Jong Il saw an art performance given by the state academy ensemble of the Ministry of Interior of Russia at the Mansudae Art Theatre on Sunday. The ensemble had participated in the 19th April Spring Friendship Art Festival. Among the audience were secretaries of the WPK Central Committee Kim Kuk Thae, Kye Ung Thae, Han Song Ryong and Kim Jung Rin, department director of the c.c., the WPK Jong Ha Chol, chairman of the c.c., the general federation of the Unions of Literature and the Arts of Korea Jang Chol, first vice-minister of foreign affairs Kang Sok Ju, first vice department directors of the c.c., the WPK Ri Yong Chol and Jang Song Thaek, and other leading officials of the WPK central committee, generals of the Korean People's Army Hyon Chol Hae and Pak Jae Gyong and servicemen, editor-in-chief of the Rodong Sinmun Choe Chil Nam, director general of the Korean Central News Agency Kim Ki Ryong, chairman of the Radio and TV Broadcasting Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Cha Sung Su and other leading officials of media organizations. The performance began with "Song of General Kim Il Sung." Its repertoire included colorful numbers such as choruses "Just War" and "Sortie" and dance "Victorious Soldiers". The performance ended with "Song of General Kim Jong Il". It was highly acclaimed by the audience as it was replete with warm DPRK-Russia friendship. A floral basket from leader Kim Jong Il was conveyed to the artistes in congratulation of their successful performance.
Pyongyang, April 20 (KCNA) -- A friendly gathering with members of the delegation of the Russian Women's Union led by co-president Galina Galkina was held here yesterday. Present there was Choe Chang Suk, vice-chairwoman of the central committee of the Korean Democratic Women's Union. Participants in the gathering conversed with each other about activities, achievements and experience of the women's unions in the two countries.
Pyongyang, April 19 (KCNA) -- A friendly meeting with members of the delegation of the Russian newspaper Nahodkinski Rabochi was held at DPRK-Russia Friendship Moranbong Senior Middle School no. 1 yesterday. Invited there were members of the delegation led by its editor-in-chief Anatoli Tabachkov. Present at the meeting were the vice-chairman of the DPRK-Russia Friendship Association, officials concerned and teachers and pupils of the school. After looking round various experiment and practice rooms of the school, the guests saw an art performance given by schoolchildren. The participants talked to each other about strengthening and developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the peoples of the two countries in a friendly atmosphere.
The Korea Herald reported that Russia is reportedly seeking to make contracts on the reprocessing of nuclear waste with the DPRK and other countries to finance its long-term plan for the construction of nuclear reactors. A report recently posted on a web site of the ROK National Intelligence Service (NIS) said that other countries that Russia intended to make deals with included Japan, the PRC, India, Iran, Taiwan and Switzerland. "The Russian plan aims to get US$1.9 billion for construction of five nuclear reactors," the report added. "Russia seems to have drawn up the plan to secure a stable system of electricity supply for its recently recovering economy." ("RUSSIA SEEKING CONTRACT WITH N.K. ON NUCLEAR WASTE," Seoul, 04/17/01)
Pyongyang, April 15 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received a message from President of the Russian Federation V. Putin today on the occasion of Sun's Day, the birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung. The message reads: Esteemed your excellency Kim Jong Il, I extend congratulations to you on Sun's Day, the national holiday of the DPRK. I am convinced that the friendly relations between the two countries, whose tradition was provided by President Kim Il Sung, will develop in all fields on the basis of the treaty of friendship, good-neighbourliness and cooperation and in the spirit of the Russia-DPRK joint declaration. I wish you a long life in good health and success and the Korean people peace and prosperity.
Chosun Ilbo reported that a high ranking source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on Wednesday that the DPRK had informed Russia that Kim Jong-il's Moscow visit, scheduled for April 17, would have to be postponed. The source noted that Russia has been trying to get the visit to go ahead as planned, citing that all preparations had been made and there was still time before the agreed arrival date. In May 1995, when ROK President Kim Dae-jung visited Russia, he was asked to put off a summit with then-Russian President Boris Yeltsin, due to the latter's health problems. However the ROK side insisted on going ahead because of the potential negative international repercussions. (Hwang Seong-joon, "NK ASKS FOR DELAY IN KIM JONG IL'S MOSCOW VISIT," Moscow, 04/11/01)
by Vladimir Orlov
North Korean nuclear crisis demonstrated Russia's limited role in Northeast Asia in contrast to the role of the former Soviet Union played by Moscow during and after the Korean war. Russia's inability to affect the Korean nuclear program resulted in a situation when Russian leadership and governmental experts put up with the loss of Russia's role in solving North Korean nuclear problem, accepted their helplessness and blessed the USA for negotiations with Pyongyang.
Moscow made an attempt to improve relations and clarify the situation with North Korean missile intentions during President Putin's visit to Pyongyang in July. The visit was supposed to have "external effect" - to show the West that Russia was returning to its traditional spheres of influence to get some economic and political dividends. After his return from Pyongyang, President Putin admitted, "We hope that the results of my visit will serve all parties concerned. We do not want to monopolize these results." However, with the new, Republican, administration in Washington in office, the situation is likely to change. Top U.S. politicians have no plans to go to Pyongyang. Instead, they talk more in "stick" terms rather than in "carrot" ones. In this new context, Russia's increasing contacts with Pyongyang may play a positive and important role...
Pyongyang, April 10, 2001 (KCNA) -- The state academy ensemble of the Ministry of Interior of Russia which came here to participate in the 19th April Spring Friendship Art Festival gave a performance at the Ponghwa Art Theatre on Monday before the opening of the festival. The ensemble is made up of talented artistes including people's artistes and merited artistes. It raised the curtain with "Song of General Kim Il Sung." Performers put on the stage choruses and dances and Korean songs full of dynamism and emotion. They were enthusiastically applauded by the audience for singing well "Song of General Kim Jong Il." Seeing the performance were Kim Yong Sin, vice-chairman of the festival organizing committee, officials concerned, working people in the city, Russian charge d'affaires ad interim Oleg Dabydov, embassy officials and diplomatic envoys and embassy officials of different countries here.
Pyongyang, April 10 (KCNA) -- Delegations, delegates and artistes from different countries and overseas Korean artistes arrived here to participate in the 19th April Spring Friendship Art Festival. Among them is the government cultural delegation from Tajikistan. Also arriving were the state academy ensemble of the Ministry of Interior of Russia, a Russian acrobatic troupe, a troupe of Russian famous actors and actresses, a Kazakh art troupe, a Kazakh acrobat, a Moldovan musical company, a Belarussian art troupe, an Armenian musical company, an Azerbaijani musical company, an Uzbek art troupe, an Ukrainian art troupe, a Tajik musical company. Delegations from Yanbian of China, Moldova and the International United Confederation of Koreans and a Russian delegate arrived here to participate in the fourth aesthetic symposium on the present times and national art.
Pyongyang, April 9 (KCNA) -- A Russian public meeting was held in Moscow on April 4 to commemorate Sun's Day, the birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung. Vladimir Tolstikov, chairman of the Russian Association for Friendship and Cultural Cooperation with the DPRK, said that Kim Il Sung wisely led the Korean people to victory at the head of the Workers' Party of Korea and the DPRK for a long time. He went on: Thanks to his wise steermanship, the Korean people who were in a plight of a ruined nation, a colony, have become a talented and dignified people and they could build a socialist power that the world people envy.
Yuri Vanin, chief of the section for Korea of the oriental institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said that Kim Il Sung was a prominent leader of the international communist movement and the greatest man as well as an outstanding political activist. He noted they cannot forget him along with his immortal feats and his thought and last instructions are important to Russia, too. Soviet hero and retired major General Kramarenko, referring to Kim Il Sung's outstanding military talent, said that his talent as an outstanding militarist and statesman was fully demonstrated during the Korean War ignited by the U.S. imperialists. Thanks to the outstanding army-first revolutionary guidance of leader Kim Jong Il the Korean People's Army has grown to be strong armed forces capable of reliably defending the fatherland and the people and the sovereignty of the country in face of the U.S., he said. A letter to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, sent a message of greetings to Vladimir Voronin on April 6 on his election as President of the Republic of Moldova. Expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would develop on good terms in conformity with the interests of the two peoples, the message wished him great success in his responsible work for independent development of the country, economic stability and well-being of the people.
4 апреля 2001 г., 13:24 ИА "Делин-Пресс" (in Russian)
Приморская делегация возглавляемая вице-губернатором края Владимиром Стегнием, вернулась из рабочей поездки в КНДР. В ходе визита приморцы побывали на крупнейшем в Северной Корее металлургический комбинате имени Ким Чака, построенном при содействии СССР, а также посетили торговые порты в городах Чондин и Раджин, судоремонтный и перерабатывающий завод в Раджине, Генеральное консульство России. Представители администрации края провели переговоры с руководством провинции Хамген и главами предприятий лесной, рыбной, сельскохозяйственной отраслей и представителями торговых организаций.
По словам Владимира Стегния, в ходе встреч и переговоров обсуждались наиболее перспективные пути сотрудничества Приморья и КНДР. Так, например, рассматривалась возможность поставок в Северную Корею российского оборудования и запчастей, грузовых автомобилей, рыбопродукции, спецодежды, топлива, масел, химических удобрений. Возможно совместное производство марикультуры, добыча и обработка мрамора, пошив одежды. Приморскую делегацию заинтересовали проекты поставок в край корейской стали, овощей, грибов, кружева, а также предложение проводить ремонт наших судов и переработку рыбопродукции на территории КНДР. Провинция Северный Хамген заинтересована в развитии железнодорожных перевозок с нашим краем, организации вертолетного сообщения, так как иностранцы могут добраться в Росон только через Китай.
Приморские предприятия уже имеют опыт совместной работы с корейскими партнерами. В Раджине действует представительство ОАО "Дальморепродукт" по заготовке морской капусты, добыче рыбы, краба и других морепродуктов и их переработке. Также ОАО "Дальморепродукт" приступил к ремонту моста "Дружбы" через реку Туманную, связывающего Россию и КНДР. Дальневосточное морское пароходство возобновило работы своего представительства в Раджине, которое будет выполнять и функции Представительства администрации Приморского края. Возможность открытия своего представительства в этом северокорейском городе рассматривает "Торговый Дом – ГУМ". Делегация Приморского края пригласила руководство провинции Северный Хамген и свободной торговой зоны Росон посетить с официальным визитом Приморский край в июле этого года.
Pyongyang, April 2 (KCNA) -- Radio Voice of Russia March 30 commented on the DPRK policy of the Bush administration intended to worsen the relations with the DPRK and north-south relations. The United States continues making insulting remarks, asserting that the DPRK is posing a "threat to peace" in the Korean peninsula, and does not want the development of peace-oriented relations between the north and south, the commentator said, and went on: The Bush administration is maintaining the policy of freezing relations with Pyongyang. At a recent meeting of U.S., South Korean and Japanese representatives, the U.S. side expressed distrust in the DPRK. The U.S. agreed with the DPRK in 1994 to build light water reactors for it by 2003, provided Pyongyang discontinues its nuclear program, but is not putting the agreement into practice.