DPRK`s state officials participate in mass heat

PYONGYANG, January 9 (Itar-Tass) -- The DPRK's capital organised on
Sunday a first in the new year Day of Physical Culture and Sports.
Staff of the leading governmental organisations gathered in the
central square of the city. They represented ministries of light, coal and
metallurgy industries, of energy and others.
As the KCNA /Korean Central News Agency/ reports, the participation in
this important sports event proves that the officials of the governmental
organisations "have confirmed their readiness to make their input in the
implementation of the strategy of Korea's Workers Party to raise the
living standards of the nation."
"Governmental officials must improve their health to gain good results
in their work," deputy minister of coal industry told the agency.
Similar events were organised on Sunday in all provinces, cities and
regions of the country.
The DPRK has announced every second Sunday of a month a Day of
Physical Culture and Sports. On these days competitions in volleyball,
football and tag take place. Officials from various governmental
structures take part in heats in Pyongyang. It's worth mentioning that
workers from plants and factories follow suit.
From 1948, in August-September the country organisers "Months of Total
Physical Grades," where all citizens take sports tests to meet the
requirements adopted.
The public itself controls the competitions. Obligatory sports norms
for the public were worked out by Korea's best experts in medicine,
physical training and sports, the local media reports. The norms are
different depending on the sex, age and profession. The participants in
the competition say that thanks to the care of the government about the
physical state of the nation, the DPRK's citizens do not have problems
with excessive weight or bad sleep.
-0-kar/ast