Kim Jong Un Attends Moranbong Band Concert with FLW Anniversary Parade Participants

Kim Jong Un (2nd R) and his wife Ri Sol Ju (3rd R) watch a Moranbong Band concert with participants in the anniversary military parade and demonstration (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

DPRK state media reported on 3 August (Saturday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) attended a concert given for participants in the military parade and demonstration (held on 27 July) to mark the 60th anniversary of the termination of active hostilities of the Fatherland Liberation War (Korean War).  Kim Jong Un was joined by his wife Ri Sol Ju (Ri So’l-chu), along with VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department), Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Col. Gen. Jang Jong Nam (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Col. Gen. Ri Yong Gil (Chief of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau and ex aequo 1st Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff), Mun Kyong Dok (Chief Secretary of the Pyongyang Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Committee), Col. Gen. O Il Jong (Director of the KWP Military Affairs Department), Kim Kyong Ok (Senior Deputy [1st Vice] Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department) and Gen. Kim Yong Chol (Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff and Chief of the Reconnaissance General Bureau).  Kim Jong Un’s last observed appearance was his attendance at a commemorative photo session with war veterans and parade participants.  Ri Sol Ju’s last observed appearance was at her husband’s guidance of the flight drills of KPA Air and anti-Air Force Unit #1017.

Overview of a Moranbong Band concert given for participants in the 27 July 2013 military parade and demonstration marking the 60th anniversary of the termination of the Fatherland Liberation War’s (Korean War) active hostilities (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

The Moranbong Band perform during a concert for participants in the war anniversary military parade and demonstration (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

After entering the concert venue to the audience’s cheers, Kim Jong Un “warmly congratulated the participants in the military parade on fully demonstrating the spirit of Military-First (So’ngun) Korea to surely build a thriving socialist nation on this land shining the undying exploits the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so’ng) and Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il) performed by winning the victory in the war and their feats performed by achieving the victory in the Military-First (So’ngun) revolution.”  The concert began with the national anthem and the program included “Go All Out for Victory in the War,”  “Mungyong Pass,” “Tell, Fireworks of Victory,” “Long Live Generalissimo Kim Il Sung,” “Tribute to Victors in Great Annals,” and “July 27 March.”  According to KCNA the Moranbong Band “impressively showed that the victory in the Fatherland Liberation War was a victory of the Chuch’e-oriented military idea, distinguished strategy and tactics and superb commanding art of President Kim Il Sung and it was a shining victory of the might of the unity and cohesion of the army and people of the DPRK closely united around the party and the leader and their indomitable spirit.”  According to KCNA when images of Kim Il Sung, late DPRK President and founder, appeared on the screen along with footage of him giving a speech the audience “broke into loud applause and was overwhelmed with excitement.”  When the song “The Leader Whom We Entrust to Destiny” was played and an image of Kim Jong Un was projected, the audience “overcome with excitement rose from their seats and enthusiastically clapped their hands and sang in chorus, shaking the theatre.”

After the performance Kim Jong Un waved to the Moranbong Band members and to the audience, “congratulating the artistes on their successful performance.”  According to KCNA Kim Jong Un “expressed great expectation and belief that the participants in the military parade would discharge their sacred missions and duties in the struggle to defend socialism and the drive to build a thriving nation in the same heroic fighting spirit as displayed in the 1950s.”