Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Banquet Given in Celebration of DPRK Birthday

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK via Korea News Service (KNS)

   Pyongyang, September 10 (KCNA) -- The DPRK government arranged a banquet at the People's Palace of Culture on Saturday evening in celebration of the 58th birthday of the DPRK. Present there were senior officials of the party, the army and the state, chairperson of friendly party, Cabinet members, deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly in Pyongyang, leading officials of party, military and power organs, social organizations, ministries and national institutions, anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters, officials in the fields of science, education, culture and art, public health and the press, former unconverted long-term prisoners who are the patriotic champions of reunification, heroes and heroines and persons of distinguished service. Attending it were also players of the DPRK team which won the 3rd FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship.
    On hand were overseas compatriots including a congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan which is staying here to celebrate the DPRK birthday.
    Present on invitation were diplomatic envoys of different countries, members of the military attaches corps and representatives of international organizations here and other foreign guests.
    The banquet was addressed by Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly.
    He said:
    The foundation of the DPRK by President Kim Il Sung was the birth of a genuine sovereign state of the people, the first of its kind in the long history of the Korean nation, and the great historical event which brought about a radical change in carving out the destiny of the Korean people.
    The DPRK is opening a heyday of prosperity, glorifying the dignity and might of Juche Korea century after century under the tested and seasoned leadership of Kim Jong Il, genius of politics and military affairs.
    The DPRK, which has taken the road of victory and glory as it has Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at the head of revolution, will prosper as ever under the uplifted banner of Songun.
    The DPRK government will positively strive to implement the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration, the embodiment of the idea of "By our nation itself," smash the moves of the separatists at home and abroad, surely achieve the historic cause of national reunification and build a free, peaceful new world with no aggression and war.
    The DPRK, which has the might of the single-minded unity of the army and the people around the leader as well as matchless and ever-victorious self-defensive war deterrent, will mercilessly shatter any political, military and economic offensives of the enemies and invariably create an ever-victorious history in accomplishing its just cause.