Very tense situation develops in Korean Peninsula

PYONGYANG, April 24 (Itar-Tass) - The North Korean Armed Forces "are
ready to thwart any time aggressive schemes of the United States and South
Korea", said on Sunday North Korean Minister of People's Armed Forces,
Vice-Marshal Kim Yong Chun.
He spoke at the central festive meeting on the occasion of the 79th
anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army at the
Pyongyang Palace of Culture with a seating capacity of 6,000 people.
According to the minister, "a very tense situation has developed in
the Korean Peninsula" over American-South Korean military exercises. "But
if Washington and Seoul want to unleash a war, the Korean People's Army
will crush the aggressor under the leadership of its supreme
commander-in-chief Kim Jong-Il and will ensure bright future for its
people," Kim warned.
The minister noted that the people's army "has turned into invincible
armed forces, equipped with advanced weapons, suitable for offence and
defence". Determining the army's priority in the state policy, "Kim
Yong-Il could ensure protection of the nation, revolution and socialism",
the vice-marshal said.
He also emphasised that the Korean army grew stronger in battles
against Japanese militarists as well as American imperialists during the
years of the 1950-1953 Patriotic Liberation War, and now "actively
participates along with all people in building a prosperous state".
On behalf of the central committee of the Korean Workers Party and its
leader, Kim congratulated all the servicemen on the holiday and called on
them to stand behind the party leadership, led by Kim Yong-Il, in serried
ranks and to ensure reliable protection of the homeland".
The meeting was attended by the chairman of the presidium of the North
Korean parliament, the prime minister and other statesmen, party
functionaries and military leaders.
Heads of diplomatic missions, representative of international
humanitarian organisations and foreign reporters were invited to the
meeting.