N. Korea celebrates 61st founding anniversary

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, UPDATES paras 7-9, 14, 15 with dancing parties, no
criticism toward South Korea, TRIMS)
By Kim Hyun
SEOUL, Sept. 9 (Yonhap) -- North Korea criticized the United States and rejected
international sanctions over its nuclear program as the communist state marked
its 61st founding anniversary on Wednesday.
But the criticism was relatively mild in tone and was followed with a friendly
gesture as the North seeks bilateral dialogue with the U.S. over the nuclear
stalemate.
"Our enemies such as the United States are growing mad for a new war scheme to
stifle our republic with military force, but we are strong and powerful and thus
have nothing to fear," the Rodong Sinmun, published by the ruling Workers' Party,
said in an editorial.
Its shortened English version left out such criticisms.
"The DPRK (North Korea) will as always firmly adhere to the principle of
independence in foreign relations and make every possible effort to boost the
solidarity with the peace-loving progressive people of the world," it said.
North Korea, or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea by official name, was
founded on Sept. 9, 1948, with the help of the Soviet Union. Months earlier, the
Republic of Korea was established in the South with U.S. support.
Ordinary North Koreans celebrated their nation's birthday with commemorative
visits and dance parties, said the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Public
plazas across the country were "alive" with young students dancing to the tunes
of patriotic songs. Party and military officials and school children placed
floral baskets before statues of the country's late founder, Kim Il-sung, and
graves of patriots, the KCNA said.
Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sent
congratulatory messages to leader Kim Jong-il. Kim watched a joint orchestral
performance by Russian and local musicians in Pyongyang and "expressed deep
thanks," the KCNA said in a morning dispatch that suggests the event was likely
held on Tuesday.
The anniversary came as the impoverished North faced tightening financial and
other sanctions from the U.S. and other countries. The U.S. froze assets of two
more North Korean entities for their alleged involvement in the North's weapons
programs under the authority of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874, which was
adopted after the North's nuclear test in May. Washington has already put several
North Korean firms and individuals on its blacklist.
A North Korean ship carrying weapons to Iran was seized in the United Arab
Emirates last month.
Protesting the U.N. sanctions, North Korea said last week its experimental
uranium enrichment program was entering completion phase and that plutonium it
has extracted from spent fuel rods was "being weaponized."
The editorial said North Korea will "blow away the vicious sanctions and the
blockade schemes with the stormy leap" of the country's economy.
The country will continue to uphold leader Kim Jong-il's "military-first" policy
as a centerpiece to its ongoing economic campaign, the editorial added. The North
seeks to achieve a "great, prosperous and powerful nation" by 2012, the birth
centennial of Kim Il-sung.
Toward South Korea, the editorial refrained from any bitter remarks. Inter-Korean
relations were at risk as anger brewed in the South after a sudden discharge of
North Korean dam water killed six South Koreans who were camping further down the
countries' shared river on Sunday.
In a customary note, the editorial called for the implementation of the two
inter-Korean summit accords.
Seoul's Unification Ministry said it expects no major events, such as a military
parade, during this year's anniversary. North Korea held a large-scale parade on
the 60th anniversary last year, when leader Kim's absence fueled rumors about his
failing health.
After reportedly suffering a stroke in August last year, Kim is believed to now
be back in full command of the country.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)