YONHAP NEWS

NORTH KOREA THIS WEEK NO. 486 (February 14, 2008)

   *** NEWS IN BRIEF (Part 1)

N. Korea plans to hold scores of events for science and technology this year
SEOUL (Yonhap) -- North Korea, which considers science and technology a main part of turning itself into an economic power, plans to hold scores of scientific and technological presentations and exhibitions this year.

   According to the North's news outlet on Jan. 31, those events will be held under the sponsorship of the Central Committee of the (North) Korean General Federation of Science and Technology, one of the North's main academic organizations.
"There will be more than 40 departmental scientific and technological presentations in the fields of electric power, coal and metal industries and railway transport which will contribute to shoring up the basic industries, the vanguard sectors of the national economy," the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

   There will be similar plans in the fields of scientific education and agricultural scientific education on the occasion of the 60th anniversaries of the foundation of Kimchaek University of Technology and Wonsan University of Agriculture, the KCNA added.

   Separately, around ten exhibitions of scientific and technological achievements will be held in the basic cutting-edge sectors including machine design and nano science and technology and in the light industrial and agricultural sectors including essential foodstuffs, breeding and agricultural machinery, the KCNA said.

   Meanwhile, Choson Sinbo, organ of the pro-Pyongyang General Association for Korean Residents in Japan, also said on Jan. 31 that those events are aimed at enabling scientists and engineers to carry out the tasks of the joint New Year editorial, which stressed the importance of science and technology to build economic power.


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Pyongyang warns against ideological and cultural infiltration
SEOUL (Yonhap) -- North Korea again warned citizens against the danger of "the imperialists' moves for ideological and cultural poisoning," while saying that they "avail themselves of the trend of the change and development of the times."
Rodong Sinmun, the organ of the North's ruling Workers' Party, on Jan. 31 said, "The imperialists are now becoming craftier and more vicious in their moves for ideological and cultural poisoning aimed at achieving their hegemonic purpose."
"The imperialists are spreading the reactionary ideology and culture in an undisguised manner under all kinds of specious signboards such as 'cooperation' and 'exchange,'" the newspaper added, while stressing that they are now perpetrating such acts in a craftier manner.

   North Korea has stressed the necessity of strictly guarding against "the imperialists' ideological and cultural poisoning," even during periods of engagement with the United States and South Korea.
"The historical experience and lesson prove that it is impossible to defend the popular masses' cause of independence, the cause of socialism, should a country allow the imperialists to infiltrate their ideology and culture into it without any vigilance against their poisoning," it said again.


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North Korea urges party officials to serve as examples
SEOUL (Yonhap) -- The organ of the North's ruling Workers' Party urged party officials who hold high positions in the communist country's bureaucracy to do their best in their work by serving as examples for the people.

   Rodong Sinmun on Feb. 6 said, "Officials are the core of the party and the leaders of the revolution... they should run and run again for the improvement of the people's daily life," reminding them that this year is the 60th anniversary of the country's foundation.

   It also asked the officials to familiarize themselves with the latest science and technology and boost their knowledge of the economy, literature and arts. "They should have high ability to do whatever they are to undertake," the organ said.

   Notably, the organ told the officials to follow in the footsteps of "General" Kim Jong-il, who showed example by giving on-site inspections of economic facilities from early this year, the paper said.

   "As the General is leading the general march of the people in the front, all the officials should work with the spirit of the General's forced march," it added.


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North Koreans enjoy Lunar New Year's Day with various festivities
SEOUL (Yonhap) -- North Koreans enjoyed Lunar New Year's Day, which fell on Feb. 7, with bright lights in Pyongyang and colorful performances and gatherings nationwide, the North's media said.
According to the (North) Korean Central Broadcasting Station, the main streets of the North's capital Pyongyang were illuminated with diverse lights, creating a nightless city of "ecstasy" on the nation's most celebrated traditional holiday. It came as a change from the usual power shortage in the isolated country.
The (North) Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on the same day that national folk games by schoolchildren took place at Kimilsung Square and at the Pyongyang Schoolchildren's Palace in the capital. Hamhung Square in South Hamgyong Province also was filled with games that drew as many as 20,000 schoolchildren.

   Public catering facilities such as restaurants which specialize in national dishes and souvenir kiosks were busy serving working people and school youth and children, the report said, with Pyongyang citizens enjoying roast chestnuts and baked sweet potatoes from street vendors.

   The North also used the holiday as an opportunity to boost loyalty to its leaders. Floral baskets were laid before the statues of the late President Kim Il-sung, father of current leader Kim Jong-il, on Lunar New Year's Day, the KCNA said.

   A performance titled "We Have Nothing to Desire More in the World" was held to celebrate the holiday at Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace in Pyongyang, according to the agency.

   One day earlier, a music concert celebrating the Lunar New Year's Day was held at Moranbong Theatre in Pyongyang, the KCNA said, adding it was attended by staff of the Kim Jong-il regime such as senior party and state cadres, officials of party organs, working people's organizations, ministries and national institutions as well as creators, artistes and journalists in the fields of culture, art and media.


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North Korea's media introduces N.Y. Philharmonic
SEOUL (Yonhap) -- North Korea's official newspaper introduced the New York Philharmonic as one of the world's top three orchestras ahead of the U.S.'s orchestra's first-ever performance in Pyongyang in late February.

   Rodong Sinmun on Feb. 11 said the New York Philharmonic, which was founded in 1842, is one of the world's top orchestras with an old history and tradition, describing how it developed over the years along with its diverse performances and famous permanent conductors like Leonard Bernstein.

   However, the organ of the North's ruling Workers' Party did not report on the fact that the orchestra will perform at the East Pyongyang Grand Theater on Feb. 26 in an event reminiscent of the ping-pong diplomacy between the U.S. and China in the early 1970s.

   It also mentioned the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, which were set up in 1842 and 1882 respectively.

   Meanwhile, the North is still locking horns with the U.S. over the declaration of its nuclear programs under a six-party denuclearization deal.

  (END)