ID :
45717
Sun, 02/15/2009 - 21:13
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/45717
The shortlink copeid
N. Korean capital gears up for leader`s birthday
PYONGYANG, Feb. 15 Kyodo - Pyongyang geared up Sunday for North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's birthday,
holding commemorative events and adding finishing touches to decorations, some
of which included slogans wishing him good health.
Kim will turn 67 on Monday. While signs for his good health have been spotted
in the North Korean capital in the past, these come after international reports
about his health setback surfaced last year.
''We pray for the great general's good health,'' said a sign written in red
against yellow, put up near a bridge across the Taedong River which runs
through Pyongyang.
''Wishing for health,'' said another sign put up on the wall of a coffee shop
in one of the main hotels in Pyongyang.
Lining the streets were smaller signs which said, ''Celebration 2.16,''
indicating the leader's birthday.
Speculation that Kim suffered a major health problem intensified after he
stayed away from an event in September marking the 60th anniversary of the
country.
South Korean and U.S. officials have said that the leader had suffered a
stroke, but was recovering.
In recent months, North Korea's official media have released pictures of him
visiting factories and military units, and also showing him receiving a visit
by a senior Chinese official.
When asked whether she was aware of international speculation about the
leader's health, a Pyongyang resident in her late 30s said, ''I don't know.''
''The general goes out on field guidance trips in cold weather. We of course
hope that he will take care of himself,'' she said, when asked about the signs
put up wishing the leader good health.
Among the events held to mark the birthday was a national political meeting in
Pyongyang, in which North Korea's No. 2 man attacked the South Korean
authorities, saying they were responsible for pushing ties between the two
Koreas ''to the brink of war.''
''If they challenge the DPRK to the last despite its repeated warnings, it
would punish the group of traitors with decisive actions,'' said Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, North Korea's
parliament.
DPRK is the acronym for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea.
Relations between the two Koreas have deteriorated since South Korean President
Lee Myung Bak's conservative government came into office last year and took a
tough position against North Korea.
A series of sports and cultural events were also held ahead of the birthday, as
is the custom for one of the biggest holidays for the country.
Thousands of ordinary North Koreans were seen visiting an exhibit featuring
''Kimjongilia,'' a red flower of the begonia family named after the leader.
''I will go to my workplace tomorrow to celebrate together with my colleagues
with song and dance events,'' said Kim Eun Hui, a 35-year-old woman who was at
the exhibit, when asked how she plans to spend the public holiday.
''Then I will get together with friends for meals,'' she said.
==Kyodo
holding commemorative events and adding finishing touches to decorations, some
of which included slogans wishing him good health.
Kim will turn 67 on Monday. While signs for his good health have been spotted
in the North Korean capital in the past, these come after international reports
about his health setback surfaced last year.
''We pray for the great general's good health,'' said a sign written in red
against yellow, put up near a bridge across the Taedong River which runs
through Pyongyang.
''Wishing for health,'' said another sign put up on the wall of a coffee shop
in one of the main hotels in Pyongyang.
Lining the streets were smaller signs which said, ''Celebration 2.16,''
indicating the leader's birthday.
Speculation that Kim suffered a major health problem intensified after he
stayed away from an event in September marking the 60th anniversary of the
country.
South Korean and U.S. officials have said that the leader had suffered a
stroke, but was recovering.
In recent months, North Korea's official media have released pictures of him
visiting factories and military units, and also showing him receiving a visit
by a senior Chinese official.
When asked whether she was aware of international speculation about the
leader's health, a Pyongyang resident in her late 30s said, ''I don't know.''
''The general goes out on field guidance trips in cold weather. We of course
hope that he will take care of himself,'' she said, when asked about the signs
put up wishing the leader good health.
Among the events held to mark the birthday was a national political meeting in
Pyongyang, in which North Korea's No. 2 man attacked the South Korean
authorities, saying they were responsible for pushing ties between the two
Koreas ''to the brink of war.''
''If they challenge the DPRK to the last despite its repeated warnings, it
would punish the group of traitors with decisive actions,'' said Kim Yong Nam,
president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, North Korea's
parliament.
DPRK is the acronym for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea.
Relations between the two Koreas have deteriorated since South Korean President
Lee Myung Bak's conservative government came into office last year and took a
tough position against North Korea.
A series of sports and cultural events were also held ahead of the birthday, as
is the custom for one of the biggest holidays for the country.
Thousands of ordinary North Koreans were seen visiting an exhibit featuring
''Kimjongilia,'' a red flower of the begonia family named after the leader.
''I will go to my workplace tomorrow to celebrate together with my colleagues
with song and dance events,'' said Kim Eun Hui, a 35-year-old woman who was at
the exhibit, when asked how she plans to spend the public holiday.
''Then I will get together with friends for meals,'' she said.
==Kyodo
