BomMinRyon Activities
11th anniversary of north headquarters of BomMinRyon observed
Pyongyang, January 25 (KCNA) -- Papers here today dedicate articles to the eleventh anniversary of the formation of the north headquarters of the Pan-Korean Alliance for Reunification (BomMinRyon).
BomMinRyon is a patriotic pro-reunification movement organisation whose mission is to reunify the country on the three principles of independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity. It speaks for the common will of Koreans in the north and south of Korea and abroad.

Over the last ten odd years from its formation the BomMinRyon north headquarters has fully discharged its duty and responsibility in encouraging the fellow countrymen in the movement for the independent reunification of the nation and achieving solidarity with broad segments of pro-reunification movement organisations at home and abroad, true to the three charters for national reunification.
In particular, it devotedly worked for the successful holding of the pan-national rally and various forms of pro-reunification festivals with august 15 as an occasion to greatly help strengthen solidarity among the Koreans in the north and south of Korea and abroad, give a strong impetus to the desire and will of the fellow countrymen for the reunification of the country and develop the movement for the reunification of the country into a nationwide one.
Rodong Sinmun in a signed article says today the movement of the Korean people for national reunification is confidently advancing along the orbit of independent reunification under the banner of the historic June 15 North-South Joint Declaration. It goes on:

BomMinRyon should hold higher the banner of national independence, decisively smash all the attempts to ditch the joint declaration and encourage all the Koreans to the struggle to this end.
It should work hard to carry out the three tasks to implement the joint declaration, improve the inter-Korean relations, give momentum to the pro-reunification movement and remove a threat to peace and obstacles to reunification in hearty response to the three appeals and three proposals made at the recent joint meeting of the DPRK government, political parties and organisations. By doing so, it should make great contributions to glorifying this year as a "year of promoting the unity and reunification of the Korean nation by itself."
Just is the patriotic pro-reunification movement of BomMinRyon that is working hard to achieve national independence and great unity, guided by the joint declaration.

Minju Joson expresses the expectation that the north headquarters of BomMinRyon will creditably discharge its mission and duty in opening a decisive phase for national reunification under the banner of national independence.

OBITUARY: Oversseas Leader-Dr. Hong Dong Kuen
A man of religion and a leader in the One Korea movement, Dr. Hong Dong Keun died of a brain hemorrhage on November 11, 2001 while travelling in Pyongyang. He was 75.

Rev. Hong is survived by his wife, Jung Ja, his daughter, Hae Ryun, and his two sons, Dae Woo and Dae Eun. He is also survived by two younger brothers, Chang Kuen and Taek Kuen, and one younger sister, Kyung Kuen, all three of whom live in North Korea. In recognition of Rev. Hong's contributions to the One Korea movement, he was buried on November 19 in an exclusive patriotic cemetery called "Ae-kuk Yulsahneung", where his wife, daughter and son-in-law were in attendance along with government officials and religious figures.

Dr. Hong was in Pyongyang as a visiting professor at Kim Il Sung University to deliver lectures, which he has done every year since 1990. This year he had departed from Los Angeles on October 31, arriving in Pyongyang on November 3 to begin a lecture series lasting 16 days, after which he would return to the US on the 18th.

Upon receiving the sad news of Dr. Hong's death, representatives of the Los Angeles area national pro-democracy movement organizations have scheduled a memorial service to be held on November 26 at the Hyang-rin Church in Seoul, Korea. A service will follow on December 2 at the Hyang-rin Church in Glendale, CA (in the Los Angeles area). Dr. Harold Sunwoo has been elected the chairperson of the US memorial service committee; and the selected presider is Rev. Rhee Seung Man.

Rev. Hong was born in 1926 at Pihyun, North Korea. Graduating from the Pyongyang Theological School in N Korea and the Presbyterian Theological School in Seoul, South Korea, Hong continued his studies in the US at the New York Theological School. Upon graduation, he attended the Fuller Mission Institute Graduate School in California and received a doctorate in theological studies. In South Korea, Hong was a professor at Kwangju Theological School, and Second Minister of the Youngnak Church. He then served as a minister in the Dongshin Church in S Korea and the Kyoto Church in Japan until 1973, when he immigrated to America and started the Good Samaritan Church in Los Angeles and served as its chief minister.

While he immigrated to America as a man of religion in the early 70s, Hong was also active in many political arenas from the 70s onward. In 1974, he and the now deceased former mayor of Metropolitan Seoul Kim Sang Don co-founded a democratization movement organization(Chokukjayusuho Dongjihoe) in order to build the movement to resist the military dictatorship of Park Chung Hee. Subsequently he was a member of the Southern California Democratic Conference for the Recovery of S Korea Democracy. He also served as chair of the Chang Jun Ha Memorial Service Committee and of the One Korea Theological Studies Caucus. He also held various offices in the Pan-Korean Alliance For Reunification in USA and the Korean American National Coordinating Council. Since 1990, he had been playing an active role in Pyongyang Theological University's History Department and Theological Studies Department as an Invitational Professor.

In recognition for his contributions to the Korean pro-democracy movement and for human rights, Hong received the University of California Asia Coalition Human Rights Award in 1984. He also received an award of One Korea Movement Activity from N Korea Government. Last year, Hong was awarded a doctorate degree by Kim Il Sung University.

Hong's writing career began with The Church in Revolutionary Times and continued with Diary of an Unfinished Home Journey, Liberation Theology, and Juche Ideology and Christianity (co-authored). His most recent work was 'Songs from Mount Paek Du', a book for which he completed extensive research in Kim Il Sung's commentaries on his life, revolution, international relations, and morality. As a translator he also completed 'Martin Luther King's History of Struggle', 'Breaking Down Barriers', 'Where Are We Going From Here:chaos or Community'.

Hong will be remembered for his devotion towards the One Korea movement in the Korean Peninsula and as an intellectual within the religious community.
For any inquiries regarding the deceased, contact 213-383-6361 E-mail: tongil21@hotmail.com
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Minjok-tongshin Dan Kim, Staff Writer (11-23-2001)

2001 meeting for independent reunification of Korean nation held
Korean nation was held here today.
It discussed the issue of opening up a turning phase of the independent and peaceful reunification of the country through the implemention of the north-south joint declaration, a landmark of national reunification, by the concerted efforts of the Korean nation.

Present there were president Kim Yong Nam of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, secretary Choe Thae Bok of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, vice-president Yang Hyong Sop of the spa presidium of the DPRK, secretary Kim Yong Sun of the Central Committee of the WPK, chairman Kim Yong Dae of the central committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party, chairwoman Ryu Mi Yong of the central committee of the Korean Chondoist Chongu Party, officials of party and power bodies and public organizations, members of the north headquarters of the national alliance for the country's reunification and the national alliance of youth and students for the country's reunification, former unconverted long-term prisoners who are pro-reunification patriotic fighters and working people in the city, at least 3,000 in all.

Yang Hyong Sop made a report at the meeting.
The Korean nation saw out the 20th century marked with distress of national division and sees in the first year of the 21st century in which a bright prospect for reunification and prosperity is promised, he said, touching on the momentous events made in the history of national reunification last year.
This year is a year for the independent reunification of the country, he said. He stressed the need to glorify this year as a significant year to open up a turning phase of the independent reunification of the nation.

He said:
The key to an epochal turn in national reunification this year is to implement the north-south joint declaration to the letter. The authorities and politicians in the north and the south should discharge their responsibility so as to get rid of the old conception of confrontation, build confidence and pool their efforts through visits, contacts and dialogues.
If the whole nation turns out in a nationwide march to implement the declaration under its banner, it will surely open up an epochal phase of the independent reunification of the nation within this year.

Then followed speeches.
An appeal to the 70 million fellow countrymen was adopted at the meeting.
It called for making this year a "year of the independent reunification of the Korean nation", setting the period from June 15, the first anniversary of the publication of the historic declaration, to August 15 Liberation Day as a "June 15-August 15 period of the movement for the promotion of national reunification" and decorating the first liberation day in the 21st century as a nationwide pro-reunification festival.

It called upon the whole nation to implement the declaration to the letter, holding it high as the banner common to the nation.
It underscored the need to reject cooperation with outside forces, settle the reunification issue in reliance on the efforts of the nation and reunify the country in a peaceful way by realizing the federal formula at an early date.
It called for sending unconverted long-term prisoners supposed to be repatriated back to the north, conveying whereabouts of separated families and relatives and resuming the suspended red cross talks as soon as possible.

It called for activating multi-faceted cooperation and exchange between the north and the south on the principle of co-prosperity and common interests and positively putting into practice the already agreed timetables of cooperation and exchange.
The meeting stressed the need for all the people to bring earlier a bright future of a reunified country by implementing the declaration to the letter.

Rodong Sinmun on 20th century
Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) --Rodong Sinmun today in an article reviewing the 20th century says that the century proved the truth that the world cannot be peaceful as long as there is imperialism and peace can be achieved only through a resolute struggle against imperialism.
In the 20th century the imperialists ignited two world wars for world domination and many other wars, bringing untold calamities to humankind, the article says, and goes on:

The United States, which emerged as the boss of world imperialism at the end of the second world war, has persistently pursued the policy of confrontation accompanied with a fierce political offensive and a military threat in a bid to make the 20th century a "century for the U.S." due to the Cold War the world had to experience the confrontation of strength between the east and the west for a long time.
The collapse of the Soviet Union gave the U.S., whose end was near, a chance to raise its head again and a momentous opportunity of reviving its ambition to dominate the world.
Styling itself the world's "only superpower" after the end of the Cold War, the U.S. has resorted to strong-arm and arbitrary practices to establish a "new world order." The history of the 20th century showed that imperialism is neither mythological nor ever-lasting. Imperialism suffered irretrievable setbacks in its bid for world domination.

The U.S. imperialists will be the next to be punished by history for their most hideous crimes in human history.

Rodong Sinmun calls for achieving reunification in new century
Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article says that the Korean people once again solemnly declared that it is their fixed will to reunify the country, recalling that the historic Pyongyang meeting and inter-Korean summit were held and the north-south joint declaration was published here in June.
Noting that the path of the struggle for national reunification has by no means been smooth, the article says that the new century calls for waging a nation-wide struggle for national reunification. The article continues:

The entire nation should hold ever higher the three-point charter of national reunification= the three principles of national reunification -- independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity -- the ten-point programme of great unity of the whole nation and the proposal for founding the Democratic Federal Republic of Koryo, and thoroughly implement them and always remain true to the north-south joint declaration.
The Korean nation should continue to vigorously struggle under the banner of national independence and national reunification to see the country reunified in the new century.

10th anniversary of BomMinRyon marked
Pyongyang, November 20 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today dedicates a signed article to the 10th anniversary of the Pan-Korean Alliance for Reunification (BomMinRyon), an umbrella organization of the pro-reunification patriotic forces in the north, south and abroad.
BomMinRyon was founded on November 20, Juche 79 (1990). Its mission is to achieve national reunification on the three principles -- independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity -- and it is a patriotic organization of the movement for reunification which speaks for the common will of Koreans in the north, south and abroad.
The formation of the organization enabled all the pro-reunification patriotic forces at home and abroad to unite close under the banner of national reunification and the reunification movement, which had been dispersedly conducted in the north, south and abroad, to develop into a nationwide movement of solidarity on an organized basis, the article says, and goes on:

Over the last 10 years BomMinRyon conducted various movements for national reconciliation, unity and reunification and other pro-reunification patriotic activities of various forms and methods among Koreans at home and abroad and made a great contribution to expanding and developing the movement for national reunification into a nationwide movement.
BomMinRyon should continue waging a dynamic drive to carry through the three-point charter of national reunification and the five-point policy of great national unity, regarding them as its guideline and life-line. This is a historical review of BomMinRyon activities and its valuable experience.

It is an important task of BomMinRyon at present to wage a positive struggle to support and implement the historic June 15 north-south joint declaration.

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National meeting held to mark 10th anniversary of BomMinRyon
Pyongyang, November 20 (KCNA) -- Today marks the 10th anniversary of the Pan-Korean Alliance for Reunification (BomMinRyon), an umbrella organization of the pro-reunification patriotic forces in the north, south and abroad.
It was founded on November 20, Juche 79 (1990). Its mission is to achieve national reunification on the three principles -- independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity. It is a patriotic organization of the movement for reunification which represents the common interests of Koreans in the north, south and abroad.
It has grown and developed into a pan-national body of the reunification movement for three-party solidarity having such a well-regulated system as regional headquarters and branches everywhere Koreans reside and a mass organization of the reunification movement grouping Koreans from all walks of life.

It successfully organized August 15 pan-national rallies every year and achieved firm solidarity and unity among different pro-reunification patriotic organizations and played a leading role in the movement for the reunification of the country and thus made a great contribution to creating a favourable atmosphere for it.

A meeting of the north headquarters of BomMinRyon to mark the 10th anniversary of Pomminryon was held here today.
Present there were presidium members of the north headquarters of BomMinRyon, members of the central committee of BomMinRyon, officials of the north headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification and other officials concerned. Overseas Koreans staying in the homeland were invited to the meeting.

An Kyong Ho, chairman of the north headquarters of BomMinRyon, said in a report delivered there that the President Kim Il Sung set forth the three principles for national reunification and the proposal for founding the Democratic Federal Republic of Koryo, thus setting out a clear idea of achieving reunification, the target of its movement for BomMinRyon and a guideline whereby to unite broad strata of Koreans at home and abroad close under the banner of reunification and patriotism.
The respected leader Kim Jong Il worked hard to arrange the historic Pyongyang meeting and publish the north-south joint declaration, thus opening a bright prospect of national reconciliation, unity and reunification, he said, and went on:
One's viewpoint and attitude towards the declaration serve as a touchstone distinguishing patriotism from treachery.

Different organizations of the reunification movement should achieve solidarity and unity and conduct a joint movement for reunification despite differences in ideology, political view, religious belief and methods of action to implement the declaration.
Pomminryon's sacred and patriotic cause of reunification is sure to win thanks to the three-point charter of national reunification advanced and formulated by Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

BomMinRyon Secretary General helps builders

Pyongyang, November 14 (KCNA) -- Rim Min Sik, secretary general of the joint secretariat of the Pan-Korean Alliance for Reunification (BomMinRyon), visited the site of construction of the monument to the three-point charter of national reunification yesterday. He gave pep-talks to the builders while working with them.

He said that the Korean nation would hand down the immortal exploits of the respected President Kim Il Sung who had conducted energetic activities for national reunification until the last moments of his great life, from generation to generation.

Noting that the gate of reunification is now being opened wide under the wise leadership of the great Kim Jong Il, he said that BomMinRyon would conduct more vigorous activities for the reunification under the banner of the three-point charter of national reunification.
He conveyed to an official concerned a stone of high quality and aid materials presented by the Japan regional headquarters of BomMinRyon.

Press release - Nobel Peace Prize 2000/ Congratulation Kim Dae-Jung!

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2000 to Kim Dae Jung for his work for democracy and human rights in South Korea and in East Asia in general, and for peace and reconciliation with North Korea in particular.

In the course of South Korea's decades of authoritarian rule, despite repeated threats on his life and long periods in exile, Kim Dae Jung gradually emerged as his country's leading spokesman for democracy. His election in 1997 as the republic's president marked South Korea's definitive entry among the world's democracies. As president, Kim Dae Jung has sought to consolidate democratic government and to promote internal reconciliation within South Korea.

With great moral strength, Kim Dae Jung has stood out in East Asia as a leading defender of universal human rights against attempts to limit the relevance of those rights in Asia. His commitment in favour of democracy in Burma and against repression in East Timor has been considerable.

Through his "sunshine policy", Kim Dae Jung has attempted to overcome more than fifty years of war and hostility between North and South Korea. His visit to North Korea gave impetus to a process which has reduced tension between the two countries. There may now be hope that the cold war will also come to an end in Korea. Kim Dae Jung has worked for South Korea's reconciliation with other neighbouring countries, especially Japan.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to express its recognition of the contributions made by North Korea's and other countries' leaders to advance reconciliation and possible reunification on the Korean peninsula.
Oslo, 13 October 2000

Unconverted long-term prisoners, men of strong faith and will, to come to DPRK
Pyongyang, August 25 (KCNA) -- Unconverted long-term prisoners in South Korea are due to come into the care of the DPRK soon in accordance with the historic north-south joint declaration.
The unconverted long-term prisoners have waged courageous struggles, devoting their youth and happiness to the sacred cause for the party and the revolution, the country and the people. That is why their coming into the care of the mother party and that of the socialist fatherland, which they have wished even in their dreams, is a great revolutionary event as it alleviates the misfortune and pain of the fellow countrymen and brings great joy and hope to them.
The whole country is greatly excited by the forthcoming event of welcoming the unconverted long-term prisoners, the praiseworthy sons of the motherland who courageously overcame scores of years of ordeals in prison with their transparent revolutionary views on the leader and inflexible will and emerged as victors by remaining true to the revolutionary principles and constancy to the last.
The 63 unconverted long-term prisoners to come into the care of the DPRK in the first batch early in September amid the blessings of all people are as follows:
Kang Tong Gun, 84. 37 years in prison
       Kim Tong Gi, 68. 34 years in prison
       Kim Myong Su, 78. 37 years in prison
       Kim Sok Hyong, 86. 30 years in prison
       Kim Son Myong, 75. 45 years in prison
       Kim Yong Dal, 66. 30 years in prison
       Kim Yong Man, 76. 30 years in prison
       Kim Yong Thae, 69. 35 years in prison
       Kim Yong Gyu, 77. 34 years in prison
       Kim Yong Su, 69. 27 years in prison
       Kim U Thaek, 81. 40 years in prison
       Kim Yn Hwan, 70. 31 years in prison
       Kim Ik Jin (Kim Il Jin), 68. 31 years in prison
Kim In So (Kim Kuk Hong), 74. 34 years in prison
Kim In Su, 76. 36 years in prison
       Kim Jong Ho, 84. 31 years in prison
       Kim Jung Jong (Kim thak), 74. 29 years in prison
Kim Chang Won, 66. 31 years in prison
       Ko Kwang In, 65. 34 years in prison
       Ryu Un Hyong, 76. 34 years in prison
       Ryu Yon Chol, 88. 27 years in prison
       Ryu Han Uk, 89. 37 years in prison
       Ri Kyong Gu, 70. 38 years in prison
       Ri Kyong Chan, 65. 35 years in prison
       Ri Kong Dun, 66. 33 years in prison
       Ri Tu Gyun, 74. 31 years in prison
       Ri Se Gyun, 78. 30 years in prison
       Ri Jae Ryong, 55. 30 years in prison
       Ri Jong, 89. 25 years in prison
       Ri Jong Hwan, 78. 43 years in prison
       Pak Mun Jae, 78. 28 years in prison
       Pak Wang Gyu (Pak Wan Gyu), 71. 33 years in prison
Pang Jae Sun, 83. 38 years in prison
       Sok Yong Hwa, 75. 20 years in prison
       Son Song Mo, 70. 19 years in prison
       Song Sang Jun, 73. 36 years in prison
       Sin Kwang Su, 71. 15 years in prison
       Sin In Su, 82. 30 years in prison
       Sin In Yong, 71. 32 years in prison
       An Yong Gi, 71. 38 years in prison
       Yang Jong Ho, 69. 31 years in prison
       O Hyong Sik, 68. 31 years in prison
       U Yong Gak, 71. 42 years in prison
       Yun Yong Gi, 74. 40 years in prison
       Yun Hui Bo, 83. 25 years in prison
       Im Pyong Ho, 84. 32 years in prison
       Jang Pyong Rak, 66. 38 years in prison
       Jang Ho, 80. 32 years in prison
       Jon Jin, 77. 38 years in prison
       Jon Chang Gi, 82. 23 years in prison
       Jo Chang Son, 71. 30 years in prison
       Choe Son Muk, 72. 38 years in prison
       Choe Su Il, 61. 35 years in prison
       Choe Ha Jong, 73. 36 years in prison
       Han Paek Ryol, 80. 23 years in prison
       Han Jang Ho, 77. 39 years in prison
       Han Jong ho, 82. 13 years in prison
       Han Chun Ik, 75. 29 years in prison
       Ham Se Hwan, 68. 34 years in prison
       Hong Kyong Son, 75. 33 years in prison
       Hong myong Gi, 71. 38 years in prison
       Hong Mun go, 79. 37 years in prison
       Hwang Yong Gap, 76. 35 years in prison

N-S Korea Hold 1st Summit Talks

Kim DJ, Kim JI Hold First Summit Talks at Baekhwawon Guest House
Pyongyang - South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il on Tuesday held the first round of their historic summit talks here, the president's spokesman Park Joon-young said.

Held between 11:45 a.m. and 12:12 p.m. at the Baekhwawon State Guest House, the meeting was also attended by Kim Yong-nam, chairman of the Standing Committee of the North Korean Supreme People's Assembly, and President Kim's official entourage.
"Prior to sitting for the talks, Chairman Kim Jong-il explained the pictures in the rooms to President Kim Dae-jung," Park said.
Kim Jong-il told Culture and Tourism Minister Park Jie-won, "You are the culture and tourism minister. I saw you when you announced (the agreement on the summit)."

The spokesman said President Kim was scheduled to meet Kim Yong-nam in the afternoon and view a performance by a North Korean circus troupe before attending a welcoming dinner hosted by the North in the evening.

In another press release, Chongwadae deputy spokeswoman Park Sun-wook announced at the Pyongyang Press Center at the Koryo Hotel that the two leaders left Sunan Airport in a limousine together and arrived at Baekhwawon Guesthouse at 11:45 a.m."

"The two received an enthusiastic welcome by Pyongyang citizens who lined the route from Yonmot-dong, the entrance to the city, to the guesthouse," she said.

Upon arrival at Baekhwawon, President Kim also took pictures with Kim Jong-il and other North Korean officials.

North, South Korean leaders embark on landmark summit

'Highly symbolic' handshake surprises onlookers
A portait of the late North Korean leader Kim II Sung hangs above current North Korean leader Kim Jong II (right) and South Korean President Kim Dae-jung (left) at the Sunan International Airport in Pyongyang on Tuesday

PYONGYANG, North Korea (CNN) -- In a landmark summit offering the best chance for peace in one of the last remnants of the Cold War, North and South Korean leaders have begun formal talks.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, leaders on the Korean peninsula that was divided in the 1950s, wasted little time Tuesday as they opened discussions almost immediately after the South Korean leader arrived in the North Korean capital.

The historic summit, which had been delayed by one day, began with an unprecedented gesture when Kim Jong Il appeared from the large crowd at Pyongyang's Sunan Airport to greet his counterpart with a highly symbolic handshake -- he used both hands.
The leaders then climbed into a black limousine and drove past the thousands of cheering onlookers lining the route to North Korea's state guesthouse. There, they posed for photos, standing in front of mural of crashing waves.

The leaders then sat in armchairs and talked casually. Kim Dae-jung reportedly said he hoped the Koreas could end hostilities and begin an era of cooperation on the Korean peninsula, still technically at war. Reunification and reunion of family members separated during the Korean War were among the issues expected to be discussed.

The Koreas have been divided in a Cold War standoff for decades. The 1950-53 Korean War, in which U.S.-led forces fought Chinese- and Soviet-backed North Korean troops, ended in an armed truce and unwavering political tension. Thousands of troops guard each side of the border.

Leaders get to know each other
Seoul Bureau Chief Sohn Jie-ae said the leaders seemed cordial, they smiled to each other and shared a pleasant conversation. She said the footage, shown on South Korean television, left many South Koreans feeling optimistic about the talks.
However, she said the leaders, meeting for the first time, needed some time to get to know each other. Kim Dae-jung is the first South Korean leader to visit the Communist North Korea.

The two countries had agreed to a summit in 1994. But then North Korean leader Kim Il Sung died at age 82 only weeks before he was to meet with South Korean counterpart, Kim Young-sam.
Sohn said a two-handed handshake is a sign of friendship and respect in Korea. In another symbolic gesture, Kim Dae-jung allowed North Korea to provide his security during the summit, she added.

Korean analyst Stephen Linton told CNN that the double-handed handshake was comparable to a hug in the West. He said nobody could have imagined the North Korean leader doing that in the recent past.

CNN's Mike Chinoy said that the handshake's symbolism could not be overstated, and that the political symbolism was an indication that Kim Jong Il was serious about easing tensions between the Koreas.
"What this means is mutual recognition," Chinoy said. "That is something neither side has been willing to do (in the past)."

Cheering crowd greets South Korean leader
Kim Dae-jung, accompanied by 130 officials and businessmen and 50 South Korean reporters, departed from Seoul at 9:18 a.m (0018 GMT) for the 180-kilometer (110-mile) flight to Pyongyang.
Kim Dae-jung applauded his host as he exited the aircraft to a red carpet welcome. He was expected to be taken to a meeting with Kim Jong Il shortly after the historic handshake.
The crowd cheered wildly and waved pink and red flowers as the leaders walked side-by-side past dozens of officials. Two girls presented bouquets to Kim Dae-jung and his wife. Women wore traditional North Korean costumes, and a band played martial music.

Chinoy said there had been a lot of anticipation leading up to the summit -- as many Koreans on both sides of the border had hoped for a dramatic, overnight change in relations.
Before leaving Seoul, Kim Dae-jung downplayed expectations his visit would produce a miracle. However, he said he hoped there could be agreements in the future on some of the problems facing the Koreas.
"I hope that it will be an opportunity to remove threats of war and terminate the Cold War on the Korean peninsula, so that all 70 million Korean people in the South and North can live in peace," Kim said.

Several issues on summit agenda
Talks during the summit were expected to focus on security, reunion of family members separated during the 1950-53 war, and reunification of the Koreas.
The South wants the North to agree to family reunions, a summit sequel in Seoul and other conciliatory gestures in exchange for resources to rebuild the communist nation's dilapidated economy. North Korea, which suffered a deadly famine in the late 1990s, relies on food aid from its traditional foes, South Korea, Japan and the United States.
However, reunification, a stated goal of both nations, is likely to be a lengthy process. The first summit between leaders of East Germany and West Germany was held in 1970, two decades before the dismantling of the Berlin Wall.

There are several other touchy issues between the Koreas -- including North Korea's missile and nuclear programs and the U.S. military presence in South Korea.
Chinoy said Kim Jong Il is facing a dilemma -- he has to build up his nation's collapsed economy, but fears North Korea's power structure could crumble if the nation is opened too fast to the outside.
"He's got a very difficult balancing act," Chinoy said, noting Kim Jong Il wants to prevent what he considers to be the "ideological contamination" of North Korea that could follow the nation's opening to the world. North Korea recently forged diplomatic relations with Italy and Australia, and has been talking with U.S. and Japanese officials about forming diplomatic links with those nations.

North seeks assistance
The fortunes of the Koreas -- one communist and one pro- Western -- have changed as the years have passed. Previously disdainful of its southern neighbor, an impoverished North Korea now hopes for food and other aid from prosperous South Korea.
James Laney, former U.S. ambassador to South Korea, said North Korea remains in a precarious situation. The nation suffered a drought earlier this year and a series of natural disasters since the 1980s. In addition, the North's economy has virtually collapsed.
"If the North is going to maintain its identity and the government its power, they've got to reach out and get help to shore (up the economy)," Laney said.
"The North needs what the South has ... Kim Jong Il is coming to the table finally because he realizes that that's the only game in town," Laney added.

The summit was being held in the same mysterious style Pyongyang has often employed over the years: No schedule was revealed ahead of the talks.
Seoul officials were quick to downplay North Korea's request over the weekend that the summit be delayed by one day, until Tuesday. They said minor technical problems held up the schedule.
The North's failure to clearly explain the delay prompted a flurry of speculation in South Korean media. The Chosun Ilbo, South Korea's biggest newspaper, said North Koreans might have been checking the safety Kim Dae-jung's flight path.
There is no direct air travel between the Korean capitals, and hundreds of thousands of troops and heavy weapons are massed on both sides of the Demilitarized Zone between the Koreas. Some media have reported that Kim planned to fly off the western coast before heading inland to Pyongyang.

South Korean media also suggested that North Korean officials were upset over southern reports speculating on the schedule of the three-day summit. The two leaders are expected to attend state dinners together, but the North has not released the itinerary.
Pyongyang is said to be extremely nervous about any negative media coverage. The regime's aversion to publicity was seen in last month's trip by Kim Jong Il to Beijing, which wasn't announced by either government until his return home.

Tete-a-tete talks held between Kim Jong Il and Kim Dae Jung(June.15.2000)
Pyongyang, June 15 (KCNA) -- Tete-a-tete talks between General Secretary Kim Jong Il and President Kim Dae Jung were held here on June 14.
The Pyongyang meeting, the first of its kind in more than half a century of territorial partition, marked an important occasion of opening a bright prospect of removing distrust and confrontation between the north and the south, promoting trust and reconciliation between them and bringing earlier the great unity of the fellow countrymen and reunification on the principle of national independence.

North-south joint declaration signed(June.15.2000)
Pyongyang, June 15 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il together with President Kim Dae Jung, signed a north-south joint declaration on June 14.
Present on the occasion were secretary Kim Yong Sun and first vice department director Rim Tong Ok of the WPK Central Committee.
Also on hand were Minister of Unification Pak Jae Gyu, Minister of Finance and Economy Ri Hon Jae, Minister of Culture and Tourism Pak Ji Won, special aide to the president Rim Tong Won and other members of the south side's delegation.
Kim Jong Il and Kim Dae Jung singed the texts of the declaration and exchanged them.
They drank toasts to the signing and had a souvenir picture taken.
The north-south joint declaration is a good fruition of the historic Pyongyang meeting reflecting the desire and will of all the fellow countrymen to achieve the sacred cause of reunification and build a prosperous and powerful country by the united efforts of the nation.

North-south joint declaration published(June.15.2000)
Pyongyang, June 15 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il and President Kim Dae Jung signed the north-south joint declaration, which reads in full:

North-South Joint Declaration
True to the noble will of all the fellow countrymen for the peaceful reunification of the country, Chairman Kim Jong Il of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea had a historic meeting and summit in Pyongyang from June 13 to 15, 2000.
The heads of the north and the south, considering that the recent meeting and summit, the first of their kind in history of division, are events of weighty importance in promoting mutual understanding, developing inter-Korean relations and achieving peaceful reunification, declare as follows:

1. The north and the south agreed to solve the question of the country's reunification independently by the concerted efforts of the Korean nation responsible for it.
2. The north and the south, recognizing that a proposal for federation of lower stage advanced by the north side and a proposal for confederation put forth by the south side for the reunification of the country have elements in common, agreed to work for the reunification in this direction in the future.
3. The north and the south agreed to settle humanitarian issues, including exchange of visiting groups of separated families and relatives and the issue of unconverted long-term prisoners, as early as possible on the occasion of August 15 this year.
4. The north and the south agreed to promote the balanced development of the national economy through economic cooperation and build mutual confidence by activating cooperation and exchanges in all fields, social, cultural, sports, public health, environmental and so on.
5. The north and the south agreed to hold dialogues between the authorities as soon as possible to implement the above-mentioned agreed points in the near future.
President Kim Dae Jung cordially invited Chairman Kim Jong Il of the DPRK National Defence Commission to visit Seoul and Chairman Kim Jong Il agreed to visit Seoul at an appropriate time in the future.
June 15, 2000
Kim Jong Il // //// Kim Dae Jung Chairman // //// President National Defence Commission // //// Republic Of Korea DPRK

North and South Korean leaders resumed historic summit talks
PYONGYANG, North Korea-- North and South Korean leaders resumed historic summit talks Wednesday afternoon aimed at easing nearly 50 years of hostilities between the nations that remain technically at war.
The two men reported significant progress on sensitive issues during their face-to-face meeting on Wednesday.
The second direct meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and South Korean President Kim Dae-jung began much like the first -- with a surprise.
A smiling and relaxed Kim Jong Il, long reported to be a recluse, was filmed by television reporters making small talk with Kim Dae-jung prior to their meeting -- and cracking jokes about his being a "hermit."
"The Western media wonder why I am leading a reclusive life, and they say a recluse made his first public appearance" in Pyongyang on Tuesday by greeting Kim Dae-jung at the airport.
"But I have visited China and Indonesia in the past, and also made many unofficial visits overseas. So, I don't understand why I was described as reclusive," he said. "Western news reports say President Kim's visit helped me out of seclusion," he said, causing his counterpart and the other North and South Korean officials sitting at the conference table to explode in laughter.

Reunions are South's priority
During their meeting, which began at 3 p.m. (0600 GMT), Kim Dae-jung was expected to urge the North Korean leader to agree to reunions of families separated during the Korean War. Kim Jong Il, who reporters said appeared knowledgeable, articulate and in charge, said he knew about the issue.
Kim Dae-jung's immediate priority is to give some of the seven million South Koreans, many of them elderly and with relatives or ancestors in the North, the chance to visit family members they have not seen for nearly half a century.
"The president said that he thinks the important thing is to reach agreements on matters that can easily be put into practice, though small, and to implement them one by one," South Korean presidential spokesman Park Joon-young said Wednesday.
Kim Dae-jung was also expected to invite the North Korean leader to visit Seoul for a reciprocal summit, and to emphasize the need for continued dialogue between the nations. "We are entering a new phase," said Lee Jong-suk, senior research fellow at South Korea's Sejong Institute, and a member of Kim Dae-jung's entourage. "The phase of confrontation is over."

North and South Korea remain technically at war decades after the 1950-53 Korean War. The nations exchanged heavy fire in the Yellow Sea almost a year, at which time a North Korean boat was sunk. It was the bloodiest battle between the Koreas since the end of the war. Kim Dae-jung, despite being scorned by his political opponents, refused to the let that incident alter his "sunshine policy" of engagement with the North, which had a history of terrorism, infiltration and provocations against the South.
Representative offices discussed
Earlier in the day, Kim Dae-jung and North Korean legislative leader Kim Young Nam discussed the possibility of opening representative offices in each other's countries.
They also talked about ways of improving economic cooperation -- including road, rail and other social infrastructure projects, to help boost the North's nearly collapsed economy. The South reportedly wants to expand trade with the North, and take advantage of the North's labor force.

South Korea agreed Wednesday to speed up fertilizer deliveries to famine-hit North Korea ahead of rice planting. Seoul's Agriculture Ministry said in a statement it would complete the delivery of 200,000 tons of fertilizer by June 20, about 10 days ahead of schedule.
North Korea, which suffered a deadly famine in the late 1990s, relies on food aid from its traditional foes, South Korea, Japan and the United States.
Investment guarantees and elimination of double taxation to spur South Korean spending in the North was also discussed. Living standards in North Korea are approximately one-tenth of the standards in the South.

Summit creates fervor
The historic, three-day summit began Tuesday amid a near religious fervor in South Korea, where many people hoped for a dramatic breakthrough in the decades of tension. Kim Dae-jung is the first South Korean leader to visit North Korea.
The countries had agreed to a summit in 1994. But then North Korean leader Kim Il Sung died at age 82 only weeks before he was to meet with South Korean counterpart, Kim Young-sam.
Kim Jong Il had helped to create the wave of euphoria and high expectations in South Korea when he greeted Kim Dae-jung at Pyongyang's Sunan Airport- with a two-handed handshake. That gesture- a sign of friendship and respect in Korea- set the encouraging tone for the talks.

Korean analyst Stephen Linton told CNN that the double-handed handshake was comparable to a hug in the West. He said nobody could have imagined Kim Jong Il doing that in the past.
However, some analysts expressed concern about that euphoria.
"South Korean media has portrayed this as such a historic, groundbreaking, unparalleled event that everything from this is a letdown," said Lee Chong-min of Yonsei University.
"And that is the problem," Lee said.

South Korean leader seeks peace
Kim Dae-jung cautioned against unrealistic expectations before he left South Korea. He said his top priorities were to meet Kim Jong Il, and to have a heart-to-heart talk with the North Korean leader.
Kim Dae-jung, however, vowed to lead the effort for peace, cooperation and reunification on the Korean Peninsula. The split between the two countries is one of the last remnants of the Cold War. He told North Koreans that he would search with their leader for ways for all Koreans to live peacefully and to lead better lives.
North Korea also appears interested in forging a new relationship with its long-time enemy, but without changing its political system.
"From Kim Jong Il's perspective, he meets with Kim Dae-jung, he makes some kind of general agreement or principled agreement, and in exchange he gets economic assistance from South Korea without any political conditions," said Lee.

Washington, Moscow applaud summit
Washington and Moscow led the applause for Tuesday's historic meeting, and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan hoped the summit marked "the beginning of a new era of mutual trust and cooperation between the two Koreas."
The Russian Foreign Ministry said it welcomed the summit, which is taking place a few weeks before Russian President Vladimir Putin is to visit North Korea.
Said White House spokesman Joe Lockhart: "You know, it's impossible to predict at this point where these talks will lead, but it's obviously an important step and an important part of the process that they have been brought together in this forum to have discussions directly."

Memorandum Of The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Of The DPR Of Korea

Pyongyang, March 21, 2000

The truth about the U.S. troops' mass killings in South Korea during the Korean War has been recently disclosed in a series of U.S. official documents and testimonies of the GIs involved in them, the Korean victims and eyewitnesses. This has shocked the Korean and other people of the world into a just indignation. The recently disclosed massacres in South Korea are only the tip of the iceberg of the countless crimes committed by the American troops during the Korean War.

The Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has issued this memorandum, considering it necessary to inform the world community once again of the truth about the GIs' killings of people in the northern half of Korea during the Korean War in reflection of the will and call of the world people who value justice, peace and human rights.

I. Mass Killings by Indiscriminate Bombing and Bombardment

The international treaties and war laws and regulations, including The Hague and Geneva Conventions, ban bombing and bombarding non-combatants and urban and rural districts, houses and buildings that are not military targets.

On June 29, 1950, however, the then U.S. president, Truman issued an order to the U.S. air and naval forces to start bombing operations against all parts of the northern half of Korea under the already worked out operational plan. On Truman's command, the U.S. aggressors carried out indiscriminate bombing and naval bombardment against all urban and rural areas in the north. From the early period of the war, they conducted saturation bombings of Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK.

More than 80 U.S. bombers raided Pyongyang from June 29 to July 3, 1950, killing 48 innocent civilians by indiscriminate bombings, rocket and machine-gun firing. On August 7, 1950, 33 B-29s dropped 450bombs on Pyongyang, killing at least 70 civilians, including over 20 women. As they sustained repeated setbacks in the war, the US intensified air raids on Pyongyang.

More than 10,000 U.S. planes made over 250 air raids on Pyongyang from July 11 to August 20, 1951 dropping as many as 4,000 bombs, killing at least 4,000 innocent civilians and wounding 2,500 others.

On March 25, 1952, a total of 63 U.S. planes, including 24 B-29s, carried out 39 air raids on Pyongyang. They dropped 1,370 bombs, taking lives of at least 120 civilians. From the daytime of July 11 to 12, upwards of 400 U.S. military planes dropped more than 6,000 napalm bombs and time bombs, killing at least 8,000 young and old men and women and children.

During the war, the U.S. aggressors made more than 1,400 air raids on Pyongyang dropping over 428,000 bombs, destroying all industrial establishments, educational, health and public service facilities and dwelling houses and killing many innocent civilians.

They also indiscriminately bombed other cities. Between July 2 and August 3, 1950, the U.S. planes bombed and strafed Hamhung and Hungnam areas 200 times, killing 297 civilians and seriously wounding 446 others.

In early August of 1950, U.S. planes dropped 28 bombs on the Hungnam Central Hospital, killing 18 physicians, nurses and 117 patients, including a woman at childbirth, and wounding 108 patients. On the same day, they dropped large bombs over the Hungnam Nursery and strafed it, killing 52 children aged between six months and four years. Among them were a nurse who died with three children in her arms and one or two years old children who breathed their last breath clutching toys in their hands.

On July 6 and 8, 1950, U.S. planes dropped 200 bombs on Nampho and strafed it, slaying as many as 400 civilians. On August 27, 30 and 31 and on September 4, they continued bombing and strafing it daily, killing 304 civilians. On August 31, they dropped bombs on the civilians at work to rehabilitate and rearrange the houses and the city, which had been badly destroyed by their bombing, massacring 197 of them.

On August 19, 1950 alone, Chongjin was raided by upwards of 60 U.S. bombers. They dropped 1,012 bombs, killing 1,034 citizens, including 393 women and wounding 2,347 others.

On November 8, 1950, 100 U.S. bombers indiscriminately dropped bombs and fire bombs over Sinuiju, destroying 9,000 houses and killing at least 5,000 citizens, including over 4,000 women and children and wounding 3,155 others.

From July 2 to 27, 1950, U.S. bombers and fighter planes made 12 air raids on the area of Wonsan. They slew 1,647 people, including 739 women and 325 children and wounded 2,267 others by saturation bombing and strafing.

The U.S. aggressors made air raids not only on rural villages but also on cities, even on a solitary house deep in a mountain, killing innocent civilians. On July 3, 1950, four U.S. military planes strafed peasants at work in paddy and non-paddy fields in Pongsan County, Hwanghae Province, slaying at least 10 of them and wounding 8 others. The next day, four U.S. bombers dropped eight bombs over the peasants at weeding in Pyoksong County, killing 9 of them on the spot.

Between September 26 and October 23, 1952, U.S. planes dropped 5,120 bombs over rural areas of Hongwon County, South Hamgyong Province, and massacring 370 innocent civilians. On September 28, they dropped 50 bombs over Munam-ri, Puk-myon, Huichon County, and killing 115 peaceable civilians.

On the night of January 17, 1953, U.S. bombers dropped at least 220 bombs over Hongwon-myon, Hongwon County, and killing over 100 civilians in cold blood. The U.S. aggressors amassed warships in the East and West Seas of Korea to commit and indiscriminate naval bombardment on the coastal areas almost every day.

In August 1951 alone, U.S. military planes dropped 2,122 bombs over North Hamgyong Province and its naval guns fired 6,089 shells at it, leaving 2,857 peaceable people dead. On January 15, 1953, the U.S. aggressors made concentration bombardment on coastal areas of the Province, killing 367 inhabitants. On January 17 one U.S. cruiser and ten U.S. destroyers sailed to waters off Chongjin and fired 245 shells, killing 189 guiltless citizens.

Practically all the east and west coastal areas of the northern half of Korea including Wonsan, Chongjin and Haeju were not safe from the U.S. naval bombardment and it claimed many lives of people. Not a single day passed by in all parts of the northern half of Korea during the war without seeing bombing and bombardment by the U.S. aggression troops. Town and country were reduced to ashes and several millions of peaceable inhabitants killed.

In the three-year war U.S. air force planes made 800,000 sorties and planes of the U.S. marines and navy 250,000 sorties into the northern half of Korea 85 percent of which was to bomb and strafe civilian targets and people. Napalm and other bombs dropped by U.S. warplanes totaled nearly 600,000 tons, which was 3.7 times the 161,425 tons of bombs they dropped over Japan proper during the Pacific War. This means that so many bombs were dropped over the territory of the northern half of Korea less than one-third of the Japanese territory.

The fact-finding group of the Women's International Democratic Federation in its report on the investigation made into the GIs' atrocities in the northern half of Korea during the war, said: "Every fact proves that this was a war of mass destruction, in which much more houses and food rather than military targets and war supplies were destroyed and more women and aged men than combatants killed. This war was against life itself."

II. The Massacres during the US Temporary Occupation of Northern Half of Korea

During the temporary occupation of the northern half of Korea, the U.S. aggressors mercilessly massacred Korean people by the cruelest methods imaginable everywhere they went. The then U.S. Eighth Army Commander Walker ordered the U.S. army soldiers:

"Soldiers of the U.N. Forces, kill everyone. Don't let your hands tremble even when those who appear before you are children or old people. By doing so, you will save yourselves from destruction and fully discharge your mission as soldiers of the U.N. Forces."

During the temporary occupation of areas of the northern half of Korea, the U.S. aggressors arrested innocent people at random and shot them to death en mass. They shot to death more than 500 guiltless people on Mt. Sudo in Ryongdang-ri, Haeju, and Hwanghae Province on November 7, 1950 and then mercilessly killed over 600 people in the Haugogae valley in Kumsan-myon, Pyoksong County. In Sariwon City on December 5 they arrested and took at least 950 inhabitants to Mt.Mara and then machine-gunned them to death.

In Pyongyang, they arrested over 4,000 innocent citizens and shot them to death in the yard of the Pyongyang Prison. And they threw the corpse into 21 air-raid shelters and three wells and reservoirs.

The U.S. aggressors shot to death guiltless people wherever they went in areas under their occupation irrespective of sex and age. They shot to death over 80 innocent people in Riwon County and 60 in Jinhung-ri, Jinphyong-myon, Yonghung County, and South Hamgyong Province.

They committed monstrous massacres in Sinchon County that baffled human imagination. Harrison, who commanded the U.S. troops occupying Sinchon, ordered his soldiers to commit war crimes: "My order is the law and its violators will be shot to death without condition".

On October 18, 1950, the U.S. aggressors arrested more than 900 innocent civilians and herded them into the air-raid shelter of the Sinchon County Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and set fire after pouring gasoline over them killing every one. Using the same method, they murdered more than 1,550 civilians in the air-raid shelter and its surrounding areas over a period of several days.

In November, they murdered over 580 people in cold blood in Unbong-ri. Onchon-myon, Sinchon County, or 70 percent of its population. Among them were 80 old people, 310 women and 100 children. On December 7 alone, 900 innocent villagers were brutally killed in Wonam-ri, Sinchon County. Among them were 400 mothers and 102 children.

Saying "It is too good for both mothers and babies to be together," they separated babies from their mothers and herded them into different warehouses. They poured gasoline on the crying babies and set them on fire. Not content with this, they threw hand grenades to them, massacring all of them.

In the occupied areas, the U.S. aggressors stooped to all forms of brutality. They buried groups of innocent civilians alive, threw them into river or fire, killing them all. On the Nam Mountain, Yonan town, South Hwanghae Province, they herded more than 1,000 innocent civilians into a trench and buried them alive. At least 20 children were buried alive in a small village in Sangjikjol-ri, Tanchon-myon, Tanchon County, and South Hamgyong Province.

At the Rakyon Mine, the U.S. aggressors roped people, each group made up of 10-12 persons, and threw them into a shaft more than 800 meters deep, killing them. At the Unryul Mine they pushed more than 2,000 innocent civilians into a pit and dumped ores into it to bury them alive. In a valley in Ryongdang-ri, Sinchon County, Hwanghae Province, they buried alive 887 civilians and more than 170 in Pusong-ri and Kosan-ri,Jaeryong County, and at least 150 in Sangam-ri, Rinsan County.

In Kyongji-ri, Sinchon-myon, Sinchon County, Hwanghae Province, the U.S. aggressors arrested a woman for the mere reason that her father was a member of the WPK and buried her body except her head at 6 p.m. on October 19, 1950, causing her to die a horrible death. And in Kanggyo-ri, Jaeryong County, they arrested some members of the WPK and their families and committed such barbarism as burying a young couple and their parents up to their necks to face each other and then clapping and laughing at them.

More than 1,000 innocent civilians were massacred in Sinsang-ri, Anak-myon, Anak County, Hwanghae Province, and over 600 in Anak town. In Pongmyong-ri, Sangjoyang-myon, Hamju County, South Hamgyong Province, the U.S. aggressors herded at least 300 civilians into stacks of millet straw and set fire to them, killing all of them. In Raengjong-ri, Kichon-myon, Pongsan County, Hwanghae Province, they pushed more than 80 innocent civilians into a crater and covered it with millet straw before torching it.

In Soho-myon, Jaeryong County, Hwanghae Province, the U.S. aggressors arrested over 100 innocent civilians and threw them into the Jaeryong River from Soho Bridge, killing all of them. In Haeju City, at least 180 innocent citizens were taken to Haeju Port, where they were put aboard a fishing boat, their hands tied with wire, and thrown into the sea.

As many as 2,093 civilians were thrown into reservoirs and pools in areas around Ryongmun-myon and Nambu-myon to murder them. On October 21, 1950, the U.S. aggressors arrested innocent civilians in Sinchon County and threw them into the Nambu reservoir, each group of 10-20 people tied up with rope and their bodies carrying stones and straw bags of earth, killing all of them.

The U.S. aggressors wielded bayonets and threw civilians into a river from Sokdang Bridge in Sinchon County, Hwanghae Province, and killing over 2,000 innocent people from Uryong-ri, Sokdang-ri and Chongsan-ri. They killed more than 300 people in Phaechon River in Kojan-ri, Jaeryong County, and over 500 in Namdae River using the same method.

The U.S. aggressors killed innocent civilians in such a brutal manner as dismembering them or chopping them with straw-cutter or skinning them alive. On October 17, 1950, the U.S. aggressors drove two ox-carts in opposite directions with each leg of a worker of the Sinchon Rice Mill bound to them, thus tearing him apart. In Jaeryong County, Hwanghae Province they killed a member of the Children's Union by driving 4 horse carts in different directions after binding each of his limbs to a cart.

They arrested the chairman of the Kyongji-ri People's Committee, Sinchon-myon, Sinchon County, and Hwanghae Province and murdered him by driving a 10-cm long nail into his forehead. In Sangam-ri, Yonam-myon, Suan County, Hwanghae Province they killed a 17-year-old student by driving a long nail into his eye socket.

On October 23, 1950, the U.S. aggressors killed over 300 workers and their families at the Unryul Mine by dismembering them with sickles and in Samhwang-ri, Ryongmun-myon, Sinchon County, they disemboweled a pregnant woman and cut off her head with a sickle. The U.S. aggressors arrested a member of the WPK and killed him by disemboweling him and skinning him alive from his forehead to anus in Sariwon City on October 25.

After occupying Kaechon County, South Phyongan Province, the U.S. aggressors committed such barbarism as disemboweling a pregnant woman, wife of a member of the WPK, and trampling on the fetus because she refused to tell them where her husband had gone. In Song-ri, Yodok County, South Hamgyong Province, they disemboweled a pregnant woman and tore off the fetus, threatening that they would kill all descendants of "Reds."

In Onchon-myon, Sinchon County, the U.S. aggressors arrested a woman; gang raped her and killed her by driving a big stick into her genital. In Pongsin-ri, Chonju-myon, Hwangju County, Hwanghae Province, they raped several women and massacred them by burning their genitals and foreheads with soldering guns.

The U.S. aggressors in massacring innocent Korean people employed the most savage methods in history during their temporary occupation of areas of the north.

According to the preliminary results of investigation into GIs' massacres during their temporary occupation of areas of the north, they killed more than a million innocent civilians: over 15,000 in Pyongyang City, 35,838 in Sinchon County, 25,300 in Yangyang County, 19,072 in Anak County, over 13,000 in Unryul County, some 6,000 in Haeju City, 5,998 in Pyoksong County and at least 5,000 in Anju.

The fact-finding group of the Women's International Democratic Federation in its report said that the massacres and tortures committed by the U.S. in the areas under its temporary occupation were more brutal than the atrocities committed by Hitler's Nazis in Europe. Mass killings committed by the U.S. troops during the temporary occupation of areas of the north were a wanton violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention on protecting civilians in war time.

III. Mass Killing by Germ and Chemical Weapons

The international treaties including the "Geneva Protocol of June 17 1925 For the Prohibition of the Use in War of the Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gas and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare" strictly prohibit the use of mass destruction weapons, including poison gas, germ weapons and toxic chemical weapons, in a war and stipulate that any violator shall be punishable as a war criminal.

The U.S. aggressors, however, did not hesitate to massively use germ and chemical weapons in the Korean War in flagrant violation of human morality and international laws.

A. Mass Killings by Germ Weapons

After the U.S. repeated setbacks on the whole front in face of the heroic battle of the Korean People's Army, U.S. President Truman ordered them to use any type of weapon in Korea, including A-bomb. Acting upon this order, the U.S. aggressors buckled down to a germ warfare.

While fleeing from their temporarily occupied areas of the northern half of Korea they spread smallpox and other contagious germs there. As a result, smallpox rapidly spread 7-8 days later in Pyongyang, South Phyongan Province, Kangwon Province and Hwanghae Province, which were liberated from the U.S. temporary occupation from mid-December, 1950 to January 1951. In April 1951 the number of smallpox cases reached as many as 3,500 and 10 percent of them died.

Their germ warfare engulfed the whole of the northern half of Korea in 1952. On Jan. 28, 1952 U.S. planes massively dropped flies, flees, bedbugs and other poisonous insects carrying contagious viruses over Ichon area and again spread lots of flies and fleas the next day. Flies, mosquitoes, spiders and fleas were dropped over Pyongyang and its adjacent areas on Feb. 15, 16 and 17.

Insects carrying germs were massively dropped over Sohung County, Hwanghae Province, Pakchon County, North Phyongan Province, Junghwa County, South Phyongan Province, Kowon County, South Hamgyong Province, and other areas on March 1 and 4. In the period from January to March 1952 when they began an all-out germ war the U.S. aggressors dropped various germ bombs about 804 times over 169 places in alpine, coastal and mountainous areas of the north. One fourth of the planes involved in air raids on the northern half of Korea participated in the germ war. Some days their number reached 480 planes.

The US brutally killed POWs of the KPA by using them as guinea pigs for germ weapon experiment. A warship commanded by Brigadier General James, the then "chief for health and welfare" of the "UN Forces General Command," was secretly at anchor close to the shore of Koje Island to put POWs of the KPA to a germ weapon test in March 1951.

The UP news said on May 18, 1951 that 36 germ experts made at least 3,000 tests using north Korean POWs as guinea pigs in the laboratory aboard a ship every day. 1,400 of those imprisoned on Koje Island were infected with a serious disease and 80 percent of the rest contracted unknown illness, the news added.

B. Mass Killing by Chemical Weapon

It was one of the most serious crimes of the U.S. aggressors during the Korean War that they used a chemical weapon of mass destruction. They heavily bombed Nampho City four times and dropped poison-gas bombs over it, killing 1,379 innocent civilians on May 6, 1951. They dropped lachrymatory and toxic poison-gas bombs over several areas of Wonsan and South Hwanghae Province, poisoning scores of civilians and killing others on July 6 and September 1, 1952.

They used chemical weapon not only against cities but a small number of farmhouses. They dropped five toxic poison-gas bombs over scores of farmhouses in Haksong-ri, Munchon County, Kangwon Province on January 9, 1952,killing or poisoning innocent civilians. They made 33 poison-gas bomb attacks against various areas of the northern half of Korea from Feb. 27, 1952 to April 9. They used at least 15 million Spa napalm-shells, a mass destruction weapon.

Their planes dropped even food, leaflets and fake money containing poisonous substance. 100 won note fake money and leaflets were massively spread over areas of Kanri, South Phyongan Province, and Yonan, South Hwanghae province at night in September 1952 to poison people, and poison-treated shell-fish was dropped over Taedong County, South Phyongan Province, on May 18, 1952.

They also unhesitatingly killed POWs of the KPA by using them as guinea pigs for a poisonous substance test. The chief of the concentration camp on Koje Island took 120 POWs of the KPA belonging to its Fourth Battalion on two separate special trucks where they were detained for four hours under the pretext that they were mobilized for some work on July 7, 1952. They conducted a gas weapon test on them, making it impossible for all of them to open their eyes for two months or rendering them crippled.

On August 13, 1952, the U.S. aggressors herded many POWs of the KPA into a small wire entanglement in the second camp on Ryongcho Island and ordered two platoons to explode at least 1,000 gas shells there, inflicting serious burn upon at least 350 POWs, leaving 44 POWs unconscious and killing four others. On June 10, 1952, 27 tanks and 12 artillery pieces of the U.S. aggressors fired chemical shells at POWs of the KPA in the 76th camp on Koje Island, massacring 227 of them.

IV. Massacre of POWs

The 1949 Geneva Convention on the treatment of POWs and other international laws call for a humanitarian treatment and protection of POWs under detention and ban acts of killing them or endangering their health. And they consider such acts as grave crimes and call for legal actions against them.

The U.S. aggressors, however, massacred POWs of our side as they pleased during the Korean War in gross violation of the publicly recognized international laws and war law and regulations. They killed the POWs of our side by conducting various type weapon tests on them.

They took the POWs who served in KPA artillery units out of the POWs in the seventh camp under the 100th POW camp in Koje-ri, Pusan on November 20, 1950 to a point six kilometers away from southeast of the camp. The tanks, which had been deployed 200 meters from it, machine-gunned them when they were forced to sit or lie down on the ground, killing all of them.

In flagrant violation of the publicly international recognized law they staged such farces as "voluntary repatriation," "private interview and screening" and "petition for release" in a bid to detain POWs of the KPA by force. They mercilessly killed everyone who refused to comply with their demands.

As POWs of our side rejected "private interview and screening" at the 76th camp on June 10, 1952, they mobilized more than 4,000 soldiers, 22 tanks, 20 artillery pieces, 40 heavy machine-guns and light machine-guns in discriminate firing, poison-gas spraying and hand-grenade throwing for four hours, killing 276 POWs and wounding many others.

On May 27, 1952 at least 800 POWs were killed by flamethrowers at the 77th camp on Koje Island for rejecting "voluntary repatriation" and insisting on their repatriation to the northern half of Korea.

Some 1,000 U.S. soldiers encircled the 62nd POW camp on Koje Island on February 18, 1952 and fired 25 heavy machine guns and 63 light machine-guns killing 102 POWs of our side and wounding 260 others, for the mere reason that they refused to sign the application for "civil detainee."

These massacres were committed in all the POW camps and mass killings took place in more than 20 camps from March to April 1952.

According to a survey made at that time, GIs killed at least 33, 600 POWs of the KPA and tens of thousands of POWs were wounded or crippled. Indeed, the massacres committed by the U.S. aggressors during the Korean War were hideous crimes against humanity as they were a wanton violation of the publicly recognized international law and war law and regulations.

V. Our Demands

The Korean people will surely make the U.S. aggressors pay for the blood shed by the Korean nation and for the misfortune imposed by them upon it. The United States can never evade its responsibility for its brutal massacre of millions of innocent Korean people during the Korean War.

It is a commitment of the U.S. as a criminal State to strictly punish those criminals who organized and commanded the mass killings or took part in them during the Korean War and formally apologize to our Government and people and fully compensate for them.

Even today when the truth behind its mass killings has been fully disclosed the U.S. is hatching a despicable plot to conceal its crimes, far from admitting them. This is an intolerable mockery of and challenge to the Korean people as well as to the world conscience.

Keeping huge forces and sophisticated weapons in South Korea, the U.S. is watching for a chance to ignite a war. It should not misjudge us, as the situation today is quite different from that in the 1950s.

Should the U.S. attack the DPRK, our People's Army and people will not only retaliate against it a thousand times but also force it to pay for the bloods shed by the Korean people during the Korean War.

The South Korean authorities should be discreet in dealing with GIs' crimes during the war. They should bear in mind that if they persist in their moves to cover up those atrocities or to get them buried in oblivion in collusion with the U.S., they will be sternly judged by the nation for their thrice-cursed treachery.

As required by the objective and mission of its charter, the United Nations should thoroughly investigate the GIs' atrocities during the Korean War and set up a special tribunal to take an urgent measure for a severe punishment of the criminals under the international law.

If GIs' massacres of civilians during the Korean war are ignored at a time when Nazi Second World War criminals are ferreted out and punished one after another, this will be double standards as regards the "universality of human rights." Given that GIs' massacres during the Korean War were committed under the name of the "UN Forces", the UN cannot evade its responsibility for them.

Of course, all knows it that it was not the U.N. decision to let the U.S. forces go under the name of "UN Forces" but the U.S abused it. However, the UN took no measure to stop GIs from committing atrocities in wanton violation of the international law under its name at that time, thus leaving an indelible blot on its history.

As regards the mass killings committed by GIs during the Korean war in gross breach of the publicly recognized international law and regulations, the government of the DPRK has already presented at least 20 official documents to the UN Secretary General, the president of the UN General Assembly and the president of the UN Security Council informing them of the truth behind these crimes and strongly urged them to take a measure for an immediate halt to them.

The U.N., however, has paid no attention to our repeated demands and ignored them. The

U.S. is still keeping the "U.N. command" in South Korea, which organized and commanded the mass killings on the spot during the Korean War to use it in carrying out its strategy. The U.N. should take an urgent step to dissolve the "Command" in view of its idea and objective or its purpose to liquidate its inglorious past.

The DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its expectation that all the governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and personages, that treasure

peace, justice and human rights, will render positive cooperation in the efforts to thoroughly probe the truth about GIs' mass killings and severely punish the war criminals under the international law.