ID :
75550
Sun, 08/16/2009 - 09:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/75550
The shortlink copeid
Both Koreas hit different cord as they mark Liberation Day anniversary
By Kim Hyun
SEOUL, Aug. 15 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Saturday it is making progress in
building a militarily powerful nation but South Korea warned that nuclear
programs being pursued by its communist neighbor would not guarantee its
survival.
The two Koreas highlighted their policy goals as they marked the 64th anniversary
Saturday of the day when they were liberated from Japanese colonial rule in 1945.
They usually mark the anniversary with new policy initiatives.
"The DPRK led by (leader) Kim Jong Il is an invincible socialist power fully
demonstrating its dignity and might thanks to Songun," the country's main
newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, said in an article.
Songun, or the military-first policy is the backbone of the North Korean
leader's ruling guidelines, under which the impoverished country is pushing to
arm itself with nuclear weapons.
In an apparent reference to the North's nuclear weapons programs,
the paper called the communist country "a world-renowned military powerhouse
equipped with strong war deterrence."
The paper also called on North Koreans to be faithful to their leader, saying
that he is making progress in leading the country to becoming a "powerful,
prosperous" country by 2012, the birth centennial of the country's late founding
president, Kim Il-sung.
"We should move forward to a great leap, a great reform that is unprecedented in
the history of our homeland by further intensifying the all-out march to open the
door into a great prosperous and powerful nation," said the article, carried by
the Korean Central Broadcasting Station.
North Korea, with its sickly economy, is currently in dire condition. it is
currently under strict U.N. sanctions because of a series of rule-violating
actions, including missile and nuclear tests. It subsequently quit multilateral
talks on its nuclear program.
In Seoul, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, in his anniversary speech, said
his government is willing to help North Korea overcome its economic and other
difficulties if it gives up its nuclear ambitions.
"Nuclear weapons do not guarantee North Korea's security. They would only darken
its future," Lee said. "I really hope that North Korea opens its heart and starts
a dialogue with us on how it can give up its nuclear weapons."
Lee repeated his earlier proposal to provide North Korea with massive economic
aid if it abandons its nuclear program. He also proposed talks on conventional
arms reductions as well.
The two Koreas are still technically at war, since the Korean War ended in an
armistice, not in a permanent peace treaty. Both sides keep millions of troops
deployed on both sides of the border.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Aug. 15 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Saturday it is making progress in
building a militarily powerful nation but South Korea warned that nuclear
programs being pursued by its communist neighbor would not guarantee its
survival.
The two Koreas highlighted their policy goals as they marked the 64th anniversary
Saturday of the day when they were liberated from Japanese colonial rule in 1945.
They usually mark the anniversary with new policy initiatives.
"The DPRK led by (leader) Kim Jong Il is an invincible socialist power fully
demonstrating its dignity and might thanks to Songun," the country's main
newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, said in an article.
Songun, or the military-first policy is the backbone of the North Korean
leader's ruling guidelines, under which the impoverished country is pushing to
arm itself with nuclear weapons.
In an apparent reference to the North's nuclear weapons programs,
the paper called the communist country "a world-renowned military powerhouse
equipped with strong war deterrence."
The paper also called on North Koreans to be faithful to their leader, saying
that he is making progress in leading the country to becoming a "powerful,
prosperous" country by 2012, the birth centennial of the country's late founding
president, Kim Il-sung.
"We should move forward to a great leap, a great reform that is unprecedented in
the history of our homeland by further intensifying the all-out march to open the
door into a great prosperous and powerful nation," said the article, carried by
the Korean Central Broadcasting Station.
North Korea, with its sickly economy, is currently in dire condition. it is
currently under strict U.N. sanctions because of a series of rule-violating
actions, including missile and nuclear tests. It subsequently quit multilateral
talks on its nuclear program.
In Seoul, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, in his anniversary speech, said
his government is willing to help North Korea overcome its economic and other
difficulties if it gives up its nuclear ambitions.
"Nuclear weapons do not guarantee North Korea's security. They would only darken
its future," Lee said. "I really hope that North Korea opens its heart and starts
a dialogue with us on how it can give up its nuclear weapons."
Lee repeated his earlier proposal to provide North Korea with massive economic
aid if it abandons its nuclear program. He also proposed talks on conventional
arms reductions as well.
The two Koreas are still technically at war, since the Korean War ended in an
armistice, not in a permanent peace treaty. Both sides keep millions of troops
deployed on both sides of the border.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
