Kim Jong Un Visits Pyongyang Construction Sites and Amusement Park

Kim Jong Un (3rd L) is briefed while touring Kaeso’n Amusement Park in central Pyongyang. Also seen in attendance are his uncle and Vice Chairman of the National Defense Commission, Jang Song Taek (L), and Director of the KPA General Political Department (bureau) and Vice Chairman of the Party Central Military Commission, Choe Ryong Hae (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 25 May (Friday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited three ongoing construction projects and an amusement park in Pyongyang.  Kim Jong Un’s last reported public appearance was his inspection of Korean People’s Army [KPA] Unit #1501.  At all of his visits, KJU was accompanied by Jang Song Taek.

Kim Jong Un (L) tours the Ryugyong Health Complex in Pyongyang (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

KCNA reports on his visit to the Ryugyong Health Complex and the People’s Outdoor Ice Rink:

After being briefed on the health complex before a large map showing its panoramic view, he went round it.

Making the rounds of the exterior and interior of the complex, he learned in detail about its construction.

Entering a pine tree sauna emitting strong smell of resin, he was pleased with the successful construction of its floor and walls.

Rest halls of bathhouses look spacious and nice, he said, adding visitors will like if TV sets are available there so that they may enjoy an emotional life, having good rest there.

Going up to the last fourth story, he stressed the need to use space effectively and efficiently.

The complex is an object to which leader Kim Jong Il paid special attention, he said, adding that if it is completed, this will amount to implementing another behest of Kim Jong Il.

Noting that the complex is not only fresh and peculiar in its architectural style and contents but also on a high level from designing to building, he underlined the need for soldier-builders to finish its project till the war victory day and provide it to the people.

The next leg of his field guidance was the People’s Outdoor Ice Rink.

Noting that sporting and service facilities such as the ice rink could be built thanks to the heroic struggle of soldier-builders, he highly praised their merits.

There should be good places for providing skates and sharpening skate edges as it is a mass skating ground, he said.

He called for successfully completing the ice rink as a sports center for the country’s ice sports development and physical training of working people, youth and students.

It is also a gift the WPK will present to the people, he noted, adding it should be finished till the war victory day along with the above-said health complex.

He was accompanied by Jang Song Thaek, member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission, and Ryang Chong Song and Ma Won Chun, vice department directors of the WPK Central Committee.

Kim Jong Un tours an ongoing apartment complex construction project in central Pyongyang. Also seen in attendance are Jang Song Taek (2nd L), Ryang Chong Song (L) and Ma Wo’n-ch’un (3rd R, behind KJU) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

KJU was also reported to have visited the construction of apartment buildings, restaurants and other facilities near Mansudae Assembly Hall in central Pyongyang:

There are in Changjon Street 5 to 45-storeyed apartment houses for thousands of families, each of which having several living rooms and tens of buildings for nurseries and kindergartens, secondary school, pharmacies, educational and healthcare institutions, commercial and catering networks and various welfare and service facilities standing in good harmony.

After being briefed on the street in front of a huge map showing the panoramic view of the Mansudae Area, Kim Jong Un went round various restaurants, shops and stalls and parking lot in the basement, etc. to acquaint himself in detail with the construction of the street.

He looked round various parts of Haemaji Restaurant built in a peculiar style and was satisfied with it.

He made the rounds of various other restaurants including the combined restaurant of the Jung District and Unjong Teahouse built in diverse styles to learn in detail about their size, furnishings, decorations, ventilation, etc.

He personally sat on a chair of the restaurant and underscored the need to thoroughly abide by the principle of guaranteeing convenience first and architectural beauty next when designing and manufacturing any furniture so that it may be convenient for use and look nice.

Learning in detail about the quality and colors of the paving blocks on the passages linking the ground and the underground and the greenery outside, he indicated detailed orientation and ways to build the street into a more magnificent and fashionable one.

He also viewed the signboard designs of various catering networks in the street and indicated ways of rounding them off better.

He enjoyed a bird’s-eye view of the street and said the scenery of the street is really fantastic and its appearance has changed beyond recognition.

He said with pride that the successful construction of the modern street by the efforts of Koreans as required by the new century is a demonstration of the validity of the WPK’s idea of architectural aesthetics and the potential of the Juche-based self-supporting economy.

Changjon Street is excellent in designing and high in the level of construction, he appreciated again, stressing the need to enable residents to move to new houses in mid-June.

He indicated important tasks to serve as guidelines for building Pyongyang into a more magnificent city as required by the Songun era.

Pyongyang should be built into a city for people where the revolutionary outlook on the leader is thoroughly embodied both in name and reality, he said, and went on:

As required by the developing reality it is necessary to lay out streets, build roads, distribute various buildings and ensure their styles, interior decorations, etc. in a peculiar manner under a long-term plan.

It is also necessary to distribute well educational, healthcare, sports, cultural and welfare facilities and welfare service bases on the principle of ensuring popular character, national identity and modernity.

The field of construction should steadily and thoroughly implement the WPK’s policy of applying formative art in architecture and pay deep attention to creating cultural environment including the greening of the city, in particular.

He was accompanied by Jang Song Thaek, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK and vice-chairman of the NDC of the DPRK, and Ryang Chong Song, Pak Chun Hong and Ma Won Chun, vice department directors of the C.C., WPK.

Kim Jong Un (R) talks with KPA construction officials during a tour of an apartment complex in central Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un and other members of the DPRK central leadership watch an amusement park ride during a tour of the Kaeso’n Amusement Park (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un (2nd row, 6th L) and Jang Song Taek (2nd row, 5th R) poses for a commemorative photograph with restaurant employees during a tour of Kaeso’n Amusement Park (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un also visited the Kaeso’n Fun Fair.  The amusement park was one of the locales Kim Jong Il visited during the week that he died.

Learning in detail about the operation of the amusement equipment personally watched by leader Kim Jong Il, he noted with appreciation that the funfair is kept neat and tidy and managed regularly.

Before the merry-go-round swing, he said it is most popular, adding when he accompanied Kim Jong Il visiting the funfair last year, he had a chance to ride it.

At the electronic amusement hall he kindly asked which apparatus do visitors like more, underlining the need to set up a merry-go-round swing and electronic amusement hall at the Rungna People’s Recreation Ground now under construction.

Standing before a kiosk where wheat cake stuffed with roast chicken is served, he learned about the quality of mineral water bottle inside it.

Visiting the Kaeson Bread Restaurant in the compound of the funfair, he said he was also told that visitors liked food there and it is serving good food.

He recollected with deep emotion that Kim Jong Il promised to visit it without fail in his lifetime but he could not keep his promise.

He was greatly satisfied with the fact that the workers of the funfair are operating amusement facilities regularly and successfully operating several catering networks.

He set forth the tasks to be fulfilled to manage and operate the funfair.

He underlined the need to improve the management of equipment and technical control of them and operate the funfair in such a way as not to give even the slightest inconvenience to the visitors.

He underscored the need to provide a sufficient quantity of foodstuff to the catering networks in the compound of the funfair so that they may operate more effectively.

He stressed the need to pay deep attention to dresses of operators and service persons of the funfair and make service garments fit for seasons so that they may match the scenic beauty of the funfair.

He asked them to manage and operate the funfair well so as to bring into bloom Kim Jong Il’s love for the people for all ages and always please them.

He had a photo session with the workers of the funfair and the relevant field, expressing expectation and conviction that they would fulfill their honorable mission and duty as the true servants of the people.

He was accompanied by Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA, Jang Song Thaek, member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission, and Hwang Pyong So and Pak Chun Hong, vice department directors of the WPK Central Committee.

Choe Yong Rim Visits University Construction Site

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (4th L) is briefed about construction work at Kim Hyong Jik University of Education in east Pyongyang on 24 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported that DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim visited the ongoing construction work at Kim Hyong Jik University of Education on 24 May (Thursday).  The university’s renovation was previously inspected by Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department (bureau), VMar Choe Ryong Hae, on 24 April 2012.  KCNA reports:

The appearance of the university underwent a radical change thanks to the devoted efforts of the soldier-builders who carried out the huge project in the spirit of “at one go” true to the noble intention of leader Kim Jong Il and the order of Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un.

He went round the mosaic depicting the images of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in the campus, new school buildings and other places of the university.

A consultative meeting held there discussed issues of ensuring formative art in architecture by learning from the militant spirit and creative spirit of soldier-builders and completing the installing of equipment to be used for education and other work qualitatively.

It took measures to facelift the university, a pedigree establishment for training teachers, associated with the leadership provided by the peerlessly great persons of Mt. Paektu, and called on the related units to ensure a satisfactory supply of materials for the project.

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (R) tours construction work at Kim Hyong Jik University of Education on 24 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un Visits Mangyongdae Amusement Park as Land Management Conference Held

Kim Jong Un (2nd L) tours Mangyongdae Fun Fair. Also in attendance is VMar Choe Ryong Hae (L), director of the KPA General Political Department. (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

DPRK state media reported on 9 May (Wednesday) that Kim  Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited Mangyo’ngdae Fun Fair (amusement park).  The amusement park has occasionally been featured in tourist photographs.  Some images have shown DPRK citizens using the park, however other pictures have shown the areas of the park, constructed in the 1980s, shuttered.  In its report on KJU’s visit, KCNA noted that he expressed his displeasure about the condition of the amusement park.  In undated images his visit, KJU is wearing a fedora of similar style to his grandfather, Kim Il Sung.

Kim Jong Un (2nd L) pulls weeds during his tour of Mangyongdae Fun Fair (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un (2nd L) appears to be complaining about cracked pavement during his tour of the Mangyongdae Fun Fair (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA reports :

Covering 70 hectares, the funfair has the first-phase funfair built in Kalmaeji Field and the second-phase one and a wading pool built on an expansion basis in Songsan Field.

The funfair has made positive contribution to the entertainment of people and school youth and children for decades.

He looked round various places of the funfair to acquaint himself in detail with its management and operation.

In front of the swingboat in the second-phase funfair, he, pointing at the seriously broken pavement in the compound of the funfair, asked officials when the road was last re-paved. It is regretful that the road has not been managed well, he said.

Putting his finger on the faulty arrangement of the bases of Oriental arborvitae and Sabina Chinensis, he said it would be good to have gravel stones planted in various shapes around the trees.

Seeing the weeds grown in between pavement blocks in the compound of the funfair, he, with an irritated look, plucked them up one by one. He said in an excited tone that he has never thought that the funfair is under such a bad state and a proverb that the darkest place is under the candlestick fits the funfair. He scolded officials, saying why such things do not come in their sight and querying could the officials of the funfair work like this, had they had the attitude befitting master, affection for their work sites and conscience to serve the people. Plucking up weeds can be done easily with hands as it is different from updating facilities, he added.

Saying that the amusement facilities have been put into operation with the paint scraped off, he noted that the officials and care-takers of the funfair have below-zero spirit of serving the people. This is not just a business issue but an issue concerning ideological viewpoint, he said in a serious tone.

He dropped in at the fountain pool where he stressed the need to tidy up the place even though it may not go operational for this or that reason.

Officials should draw a serious lesson from the tour of Mangyongdae Funfair, he said, adding that this occasion should be taken to issue a serious warning to the officials so that they can have proper spirit of serving the people.

He called for sprucing up the Mangyongdae Funfair as required by the Songun era. This process should be made an occasion of removing outdated ideological point of view from the heads of officials and ending their old work-style, he added.

He set forth the tasks for sprucing up the funfair.

He gave Choe Ryong Hae, director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People’s Army, the task for sprucing up the funfair as required by the new century by dispatching strong construction forces of the KPA.

The officials of the relevant fields including the Pyongyang City Committee of the WPK, ministries and national institutions should fulfill their duties and responsibilities in sprucing up the funfair to implement the WPK’s intention of serving people in practice.

He was accompanied by Choe Ryong Hae and Ma Won Chun, vice- department director of the WPK Central Committee.

Kim Jong Un and members of the DPRK central leadership pose for a commemorative photograph with participants in a meeting on land management (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un was also reported to have attended a photo op with participants in a land management conference held in Pyongyang.  KCNA reports:

He waved back to their enthusiastic cheers, giving a warm encouragement to them.

He expressed expectation and belief that all the service personnel and people including the participants in the meeting would carry out leader Kim Jong Il’s idea of land management and his last instructions without any slight deviation and concession so as to drastically change the appearance of the land to suit the features of a thriving socialist nation.

He was accompanied by leading officials of party, state and military organs Choe Yong Rim, Kim Jong Gak, Jang Song Thaek, Kim Ki Nam, Ri Myong Su, Mun Kyong Dok, Ro Tu Chol, Ri Ryong Ha and chief secretaries of the provincial committees of the WPK.

Photo op at Kumsusan Memorial Palace for participants in a meeting on land management held in Pyongyang on 8 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

View of rostrum at a meeting of land management activists held at the People’s Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on Tuesday, 8 May 2012. During the meeting a speech on land management by Kim Jong Un was publicized. (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK Vice Premier Kim In Sik delivers a report during a meeting of land management activists on 8 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

The land management meeting was held at the People’s Palace of Culture on 8 May (Tuesday).  It is not clear if this was the large “homeland” meeting which was reported by Good Friends to take place in early May.  The meeting included the release of a speech on land management Kim Jong Un delivered on 27 April 2012.  KCNA reports:

The meeting discussed the tasks and practical measures to turn the country into a land of bliss for the people by highly displaying the validity and vitality of the movement initiated and led by leader Kim Jong Il under the guidance of the dear respected Kim Jong Un.

Present there were Choe Yong Rim, Kim Jong Gak, Kim Ki Nam, Ri Myong Su, Mun Kyong Dok and Ro Tu Chol, and officials of party and power organs, working people’s organizations, armed forces, economic institutions and the relevant field in Pyongyang and all provinces, cities and counties and activists of the movement.

The participants of the meeting heard “On Effecting a Drastic Turn in Land Management to Meet the Requirements for Building a Thriving Socialist Nation,” the work of Kim Jong Un published on the occasion of the meeting.

The work, published on April 27, 2012, said that President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il paid deep attention to the land management and worked heart and soul to turn the country beautiful.

It clearly indicates the tasks and ways for the officials and other working people in the field of land management to preserve and glorify the party’s idea and leadership feats performed in the land management and face-lift the appearance of the land to befit the land of a thriving socialist nation.

Kim In Sik, vice-premier of the DPRK Cabinet, in his report referred to the undying feats the peerlessly great persons performed in the work for improving the land construction and management.

He also touched on the successes made in the land construction and management since the policy on general mobilization for land management was put forth.

He underscored the need for all officials, party members and working people to dynamically wage a general offensive to successfully realize the far-reaching plan of the Party for land construction true to the leadership of Kim Jong Un and thus turn the country into a fairyland of socialism.

Speeches were made at the meeting.

The speakers expressed their determination to fully uphold the work of Kim Jong Un as their important guidelines for land management and to dynamically step up the worthwhile effort forturning the country more beautiful in hearty response to the call “Forward for Final Victory!” made by the supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army to all the people of the country.

A view of the venue and participants in a land management meeting in Pyongyang on 8 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un Attends Shop Opening and Photo-Op

Kim Jong Un (2nd R) applauds after members of the central leadership cut a ceremonial ribbon opening the Mansugyo Meat and Fish shop. Also in this image are VMar Ri Yong Ho (2nd L) and Gen. Kim Yong Chol (C) (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un and other members of the DPRK central leadership attended the opening of a butcher-cum-fish monger called the Mansugyo Meat and Fish Shop on Wednesday (25 April).  Also in attendance with Kim Jong Un were Kim Kyong Hui, Jang Song Taek, VMar Choe Ryong Hae, Mun Kyong Dok, Kim Yong Nam,  VMar Kim Jong Gak, Choe Yong Rim, VMar Ri Yong Ho, Kim Yang Gon, Kang Sok Ju, Yang Hyong Sop, Choe Tae Bok, Kim Ki Nam, Gen. Kim Kyong Ok and Gen. Kim Yong Chol.

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (4th L), KWP Secretary Kim Kyong Hui (2nd R) and KWP Secretary Mun Kyong Dok (2nd R) cut a ceremonial ribbon. Kim Jong Un can be seen watching the ceremony in the background (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA reports:

The Mansugyo Meat and Fish Shop built on the bank of picturesque Pothong River in Pyongyang started its business on Wednesday.

The 3-storey shop covers 5 000 plus square meters.

Its ground floor has counters of fresh and frozen fish and processed fish while the first floor counters of meat including beef, pork, goose, turkey and quail and processed foodstuff.

The second floor has a restaurant serving steak.

The opening ceremony was held on Wednesday.

The dear respected Kim Jong Un appeared at the shop to congratulate its opening.

Attended there were Kim Yong Nam, Choe Yong Rim, Choe Ryong Hae, Ri Yong Ho and other senior party, state and army officials and officials concerned.

Looking round the interior of the shop, Kim Jong Un expressed great satisfaction with the solider builders having built the shop to be loved by the people.

He ardently said leader Kim Jong Il would have seen the shop with the highest service level.

He advanced tasks to manage and operate the shop.

He visited the shop construction site in January and indicated the orientation and ways for construction, underlining the need to provide the best convenience to the consumers.

Kim Jong Un inspects a refrigerator case. Also in attendance are VMar Choe Ryong Hae (R) and Gen. Kim Kyong Ok (2nd R), who is a member of the Party Central Military Commission and deputy director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un’s presence at the ribbon cutting and tour of the premises established the shop’s opening as a #1 event.  However, KJU was not observed cutting the ceremonial ribbon in front of the shop’s entrance; instead the ribbon was cut by his aunt, Kim Kyong Hui (party secretary for light industry) and Mun Kyong Dok, Pyongyang KWP Secretary, among others.  This activity (or lack thereof) contrasts with his cutting the ceremonial ribbon to open the KPA Arms and Equipment Exhibition.  This indicates that Kim Jong Un still has a passive public role on economic affairs, while retaining an active role in security and military matters.

Kim Jong Un (2nd L) gestures at a fish tank. Gen. Kim Yong Chol is at the left (Photo: KCNA)

With recent statements by the KPA Supreme Command excoriating and threatening South Korean political leaders, the prominent position of Gen. Kim Yong Chol at KJU’s side may incite queasiness in some Pyongyang watchers.  Gen. Kim heads the Reconnaissance General Bureau, whose mission is anti-ROK military and intelligence operations.

Kim Jong Un was also reported as having attended a commemorative photo session with the personnel involved in the construction of the KPA Arms and Equipment Exhibition.  The photo-op was KJU’s last reported public appearance.  KCNA reports:

Kim Jong Un waved back to the soldier-builders enthusiastically cheering him, overcome with excitement, and extended a warm salute to them.

He warmly congratulated them and had a photo taken with them.

He repeatedly praised them for their laudable exploits, noting that they successfully built the exhibition as a gift to leader Kim Jong Il, greatly contributing to adding shine to the Songun revolutionary exploits performed by the great persons of Mt. Paektu, helping the service personnel of the KPA and people deeply grasp the history of the army of the WPK and thus encouraging them in their efforts to build a thriving socialist nation.

Kim Jong Un expressed belief that the solider-builders would make a positive contribution to the cause of building a thriving nation by fully displaying patriotic devotion and popular heroism in the defence of the country and socialist construction in the future, too.

Present at the photo session were senior officials of party and armed forces organs Choe Ryong Hae, Ri Yong Ho, Kim Jong Gak, Jang Song Thaek, Kim Yong Chun, Kim Ki Nam, Pak To Chun, Hyon Chol Hae, Kim Won Hong, Ri Myong Su, Ju Kyu Chang, Kim Chang Sop, Ri Pyong Sam, Choe Pu Il, Son Chol Ju, Pak Jae Gyong, Kim Yong Chol, Jo Kyong Chol, Yun Tong Hyon, Kim Su Hak and Ri Jae Il.

Choe Ryong Hae Tours University Construction Site

Choe Ryong Hae (4th R) is briefed about ongoing construction at Kim Hyong Jik University of Education (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported that on Tuesday (24 April) VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Choe Ryo’ng-hae), director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Bureau (department), visited the ongoing renovation and construction projects at Kim Hyong Jik University of Education which is located in east Pyongyang.  Choe is the second member of the DPRK central leadership  reported to have made a solo public appearance, after DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim who has visited a number of factories, mines and construction projects during 2011-2012.

KCNA reports:

Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People’s Army, learned about the work at Kim Hyong Jik University of Education under renovation on the spot on Tuesday.

Leader Kim Jong Il assigned the People’s Army the task to successfully renovate the university as required by the new century and settled all issues arising in the project.

The soldier-builders dynamically pushed forward the project despite unfavorable weather conditions in severe winter.

Choe looked round for hours the interior and exterior of building No. 1 nearing completion and encouraged them to achieve achievements in the project so as to complete the project as quickly as possible at the best level as intended by Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un.

He underscored the need to thoroughly ensure the quality in the project in the spirit of working for their own parents and brothers and sisters and sprucing up the yards of their own houses under the motto “Let’s help the people!” put up by Kim Jong Il.

It is the way of upholding the noble intention of Kim Jong Un to creditably discharge the honorable mission of the People’s Army as defender of the country and creator of the people’s happiness, Choe said, calling upon them to renovate the seat for training educational talents in an impeccable manner and make a report on their victory to the supreme commander.

Choe has become Pyongyang watchers’ man of the hour since his promotion to Vice Marshal and appointment to the Political Bureau’s Presidium, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Military Commission and appointment to the National Defense Commission less than two weeks ago.

Choe Ryong Hae (2nd R) visits a classroom at Kim Hyong Jik University of Education during a tour of campus construction projects on 24 April 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un Attends Performance and Visits PY Construction Projects

DPRK media reported on 15 January that Kim Jong Un attended a concert with members of the central leadership.  Yonhap reports:

Kim, who was promoted to Supreme Commander of the North’s all-powerful Korean People’s Army (KPA), attended the performance titled “We Will Hold Our Supreme Commander in High Esteem for All Ages” in a national music hall, the North’s Korean Central News Agency said in a report.

The media did not, however, report when the performance took place.

Accompanying Kim to the show were top-tier military officers including Ri Yong-ho, the chief of the General Staff of the (North) Korean People’s Army; Jang Song-thaek, vice chairman of the powerful National Defense Commission; and Kim Yong-chun, the People’s Armed Forces Minister, as well as other key military figures, according to the state news agency.

The show was composed of solos, a chorus and dance performances dedicated to and extolling Kim Jong-un and his father and late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

The show highly praised the immortal achievement of the general (Kim Jong-il) who led our country to become the world’s military power and a dignified nuclear holder, the report noted.

The media also quoted Kim as saying after watching the show that “It was a performance that powerfully demonstrated the true revolutionary characteristics of the KPA.”

The latest outing is Kim’s second reported public attendance to a musical event after he inherited the country from Kim Jong-il, who the north said died of heart failure on Dec. 17.

The reporting of Kim’s visit to the culture event, designed to extol the leader family, is seen as a key move to highlight the legitimacy of the power transfer.

Kim Jong Un visits a miniaturized replica of Pyongyang, which was reported by DPRK media in January 2012. In the background is a model of the Ryugyong Hotel (Photo: KCNA)

On 11 January it was reported that Kim Jong Un visited several ongoing construction projects.  It was his first reported public appearance since his attendance of a concert by the U’nhasu Orchestra with members of the central leadership on 1 January; it was his third reported public appearance since funeral events for Kim Jong Il were held at the end of December 2011.  KCNA English did not report the names of any of the officials who accompanied him on the visit.  Based on available images of his visit, KJU was accompanied by Gen. Kim Won Hong, chief functionary of the Military Security Command [MSC].

Kim Jong Un (R) talking to KPA service members on a construction project. Seen in the center, facing the camera, is Gen. Kim Won Hong (Photo: KCNA)

Members of the Korean People's Army attending a ceremony at Ku'msusan Memorial Hall on Monday, 9 January 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

KJU’s visit to Pyongyang was reported not long after the Korean People’s Army [KPA] conducted a loyalty oath ceremony at Ku’msusan Memorial Palace.  Speakers at the ceremony included VMar Ri Yong Ho, chief of the KPA General Staff, and Gen. Pak Jae Gyong, deputy director of the KPA General Political Department.  Also among those in attendance were National Defense Commission [NDC] Vice-chairman and Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Kim Yong Chun, NDC Member and KPA General Political Department senior deputy (vice) director, Gen. Kim Jong Gak and commanding officers of the KPA’s service branches.  KCNA reports:

A message of pledge to Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of the WPK and the Korean people, was read out by Ri Yong Ho at the rally.

All the service personnel of the KPA more keenly felt the mission of the arms of Mt. Paektu through the unswerving Songun will of Kim Jong Un who solemnly declared that he would accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche the way Kim Jong Il did with a firm hold on the party and the army during the mourning in December in bitter tears, the message said.

The service personnel of the three services of the KPA see an immensely rosy future of Kim Il Sung’s nation and Kim Jong Il’s Korea and feel firmly convinced of a reunified thriving nation, when watching Kim Jong Un standing at the forefront commanding post of the revolution, shouldering upon himself the destiny of the country and the nation, it noted, and went on:

We will build a ten thousands-fold bulwark for protecting the supreme commander and become rifles and bombs to serve as Kim Jong Un first line lifeguards and Kim Jong Un first line death-defying corps by more dynamically conducting the movement for winning the title of the O Jung Hup-led Seventh Regiment, holding high the slogan “Let Us Defend the Party Central Committee Headed by the dear respected Comrade Kim Jong Un with Our Lives!” despite any storm and stress.

We will lead the whole country and all the people in the general offensive to carry out the tasks laid in the decision of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, the joint calls of the C.C. and the Central Military Commission of the WPK and the joint New Year editorial and bring about uninterrupted innovations in combat training, arms and equipment mobilization preparations, the establishment of steel-like military discipline and noble moral traits and lifestyle and the bolstering of companies.

We will successfully play the role as a standard-bearer and shock brigade in the grand advance for this year to significantly commemorate the centenary of birth of President Kim Il Sung, the 70th birth anniversary of Kim Jong Il and the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the KPA.

The message stressed that the whole army would more sharply whet the bayonets of the revolution so that it may dash ahead like the wind and wipe out the enemies to the last one if they intrude into the inviolable sky, land and seas of the country even 0.001 mm and thus accomplish the historic cause of national reunification without fail.

Loudly shouting “Devoted Defence of Kim Jong Un!” and “National Reunification” in response to the message of pledge, all the participants made a solemn pledge to carry through the behests of Kim Jong Il and remain true to the leadership of Kim Jong Un.

Speeches were made at the rally to evince their resolutions on behalf of service personnel of the three services of the KPA.

Noting that all the officers and men of the KPA are the descendants of the President and soldiers and disciples of Kim Jong Il, who have grown up under the care of the great persons born of Mt. Paektu, the speakers pledged themselves to hold the President and Kim Jong Il in high esteem for all ages and firmly defend and glorify the Songun revolutionary feats of Kim Jong Il for all eternity.

Chief of the KPA General Staff, VMAR Ri Yo'ng-ho (6th R, front row), speaks at a "pledge" ceremony of KPA service members on 9 January 2012 in Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA)

The KPA loyalty oath ceremony was one of several large scale events for which the party has mobilized numerous DPRK citizens.  Since the publication of the New Year’s editorial and the joint calls of the CC KWP and CMC, and the Political Bureau’s assenting to KJU’s appointment as KPA Supreme Commander, similar events have been held by the party in Pyongyang and Hamhu’ng as well as meetings of athletes, industrial workers, the Korean Democratic Women’s Union and agricultural workers.

Members of the DPRK's central leadership attend a concert at 25 April House of Culture in January 2012. Seen in attendance (L-R): Gen. Kim Jong Gak; Jang Song Taek; VMar Kim Yong Chun; VMar Ri Yong Ho; Kim Yong Nam; Choe Yong Rim; and Kim Ki Nam (Photo: KCNA)

On 9 January DPRK media reported that the country’s central political leadership attended a concert at “the wonderfully-renovated” 25 April House of Culture.  KCNA did not report when the performance occurred or what KPA-based troupe gave the concert.  Eight (8) paragraphs review the songs and the intensity of the performances and the item ends with a short paragraph on the songs about KJU:

There were also such songs as “Footstep” and “We Will Safeguard General Kim Jong Un with Our Lives” that reflect the firm pledge of the KPA to surely carry forward to completion the revolutionary cause of juche, the revolutionary cause of songun started in Mt. Paektu, with arms, holding the dear respected Kim Jong Un in high esteem as the supreme commander.

Party Secretary Choe Ryong Hae (2nd row L) is seen posing for a photo with Kim Jong Un (2nd R) at a visit to a KPA unit. (Photo: KCTV-Yonhap)

Kim Jong Un visits an education room in Chagang Province in October 2011. Kim Jong Il was also present, but the Kims' joint appearance does not appear in the film.

On 8 January 2012 DPRK media aired a 50-minute documentary film Succeeding to the Revolutionary Cause of Paektu which merges footage of Kim Jong Un with his father, Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il Sung.  KJU is depicted as “forming a relationship with the gun barrel from early on.”  KJU is show visiting KPA units, being briefed about munitions production.  He is also shown attending KJI’s observation of the launch of the U’nha-2 rocket in April 2009, which DPRK media said was the launch of the Kwangmyo’so’ng-2 satellite.  At a commemorative photo session, KJU shakes hands with party director Ju Kyu Chang, who then formally introduces KJU to Jon Pyong Ho, the former long-time party manager of the ballistic missile program.  The film’s narrator claims that KJU “issued an order to proclaim…the will of military-first Korea to mercilessly crush even the stronghold of enemies should they intercept the missile and ruthlessly crush the enemies’ fleet and intercept system should they attack.”

Kim Jong Un talking during a joint military exercise. Seen in attendance are Col. Gen. Kim Yong Chol (2nd L), Gen. Kim Won Hong (3rd L) and VMar Kim Yong Chun (R)

Jang Song Taek (R) has only a few cameos in the KJU film

Kim Jong Il smokes a cigarette while being briefed on military exercises by Gen. Kim Myo'ng-kuk (center) in 2010 (Photo: KCTV-Yonhap)

Featured members of the leadership appearing in the film include Ri Yong Ho, Kim Jong Gak, Kim Yong Chol, Kim Won Hong, Gen. Ri Myong Su and Gen. Kim Myong Kuk.   Interestingly, Kim Myong Kuk was filmed both with three (sangjang) and four (taejang) stars on his shoulder which may indicate KJU’s role in Gen. Kim’s temporary demotion in early 2010  According to images from KJU’s visit to the 105th Tank Division in January 2012, this may have happened again at the corps-division level.  The image of a general-grade officer who was temporarily reduced in rank allows the leadership to portray itself as powerful, but also forgiving or benevolent.  This temporary purge of “revolutionization” was practiced by Kim Jong Il, particularly within the central party.  Nearly every current member of the central leadership has gone through the process (at least once).

In viewing the film Dong-a Ilbo finds KJU referring to his mother, Ko Yong Hui:

Airing a documentary on Kim called “Inheriting the Great Achievements of the Military-first Revolution of (Mount) Baekdu,” the North`s Korean Central TV contained the leader`s statements in which he mentioned his mother, Koh Young Hee. The mention appeared in a section of the program in which Kim Jong Un emphasizes loyalty to his father.

The program`s narrator quoted Kim Jong Un as saying, “Once on Feb. 16 (Kim Jong Il’s birthday), (Kim Jong Un) spent all night with his mother waiting for the General (Kim Jong Il), who had yet to return from an onsite inspection tour.” Since Kim Jong Un debuted as successor at a Workers` Party convention in September 2009, North Korean media has not mentioned his mother for nearly three years.

Ko Yong Hui “basked in” Kim Jong Il’s “special affections.”  She attended to him while he recuperated from a severe concussion and, later on, after Kim Il Sung died in July 1994.  Her actual political influence on KJI’s calculations remains open to interpretation by Pyongyang watchers.  Ko’s increasing power, or the perception thereof, in the 1990s frightened some members of the Kim Family and other DPRK elites.  The waxing influence of “the button nose” factored into Song Hye Rang’s decision to leave the country in 1996.

Kim Jong Nam

Song’s nephew and KJI’s eldest son, Kim Jong Nam, had a series of exchanges with a Japanese journalist beginning in January 2011.  The content of those exchanges will be released on 20 January (Friday).  Jong Nam told the journalist that “the existing power elite will probably take over my father’s authority, making Jong Un a symbol.”  AFP (via Korea Herald) reports:

The reporter interviewed Kim in Macao and Beijing last year for a total of around seven hours, the agency said.

Jong-Un was propelled to power by the death of his father, Kim Jong-Il, which was announced on December 19.

His half-brother Jong-Nam has lived in virtual exile, mainly in the Chinese territory of Macau, for many years after falling out of favour with his father, who in turn inherited the rule of the impoverished country from his own father.

Two years ago and with his health rapidly deteriorating, Kim Jong-Il moved Jong-Un — believed to be in his late 20s — into the position of designated successor, giving him military posts and raising his profile.

Jong-Nam last year gave an interview to the Tokyo Shimbun in which he said he opposed the idea of a power transfer within North Korea’s first family.

“Hereditary succession did not happen even under Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong,” he said at the time. “(Hereditary succession) does not fit socialism and my father was against it.”

Tokyo Shimbun said Jong-Nam did not directly respond to questions over whether he attended the elaborate funeral and memorial ceremony for his father in North Korea.

Earlier this month, Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported Jong-Nam secretly visited Pyongyang after learning about his father’s death, and before it was publicly announced two days later.

 Kim Jong Nam had spoken to his father in early summer in 2011 and concluded that KJI’s health was deteriorating.

Kwangbok Supermarket Opens

Kwangbok Area Supermarket in Mangyo'ngdae District in west Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA)

The Kwangpok Area Supermarket in west Pyongyang opened on Thursday, 5 January.  One of the largest shopping centers in the DPRK, the Kwangpok market is a joint venture between the DPRK T’aesong General Trading Corporation and the PRC’s Feihaimengxin Trading Company.  A grand opening event was held on 5 January.  One of the participants at the opening ceremony was Jon Il Chun (Chon Il-chun), deputy director of the Korean Workers’ Party’s Finance and Accounting Department and section chief of Office #39.  Mr. Jon accompanied Kim Jong Il on a visit to the Kwangpok store in mid-December 2011, which was KJI’s last reported public appearance before his death.

Jon Il Chun (R) stands with DPRK and Chinese participants at an opening ceremony held in front of the main entrance to Kwangpok Area Supermarket on 5 January (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA reports:

All business service at the supermarket built as a commercial service center has been put on IT and digital basis. Customers can buy varieties of goods according to their taste and requirements in the sales rooms on each floor stacked with household appliances, electronic products, foodstuff, fibre, sundries and others.

Present there were officials concerned, officials of the Korea Taesong General Trading Corporation, officials and employees of the Kwangbok Area Supermarket, members of the Feihaimengxin Trading (Beijing) Co. Ltd. staying in the DPRK and the Chinese embassy here.

O Ryong Il, general president of the Corporation, said in his speech that the work to build the supermarket was successfully completed under the energetic leadership of leader Kim Jong Il and the dear respected Kim Jong Un and the positive efforts of the peoples of the two countries.

He expressed belief that the supermarket would help towards improving the people’s living standard and promoting the well-being of the two peoples through better service and management.

Xue Rifei, executive managing director of the Feihaimengxin Trading (Beijing) Co. Ltd., said in his speech that Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un gave field guidance to the supermarket on December 15, 2011 and named it the Kwangbok Area Supermarket.

He expressed the expectation that an effort will be made to reenergize the supermarket to win high appreciation for its best management, service and credit.

People tour the aisles of the Kwangpok Area Supermarket after an opening ceremony on 5 January (Photo: KCNA)

Xinhua English reported:

The shopping center was the last place the leader paid a public visit to before he died in mid-December. It is jointly run by China and DPRK, with China holding 65 percent of its shares.

At the opening ceremony on Thursday, DPRK business representatives said they will try their best to provide quality service in order to contribute to the livelihood of people from the two countries.

Chinese delegates responded that the shopping center’s opening will give a new boost to DPRK trade and economy.

The shopping center is now selling a complete variety of items, ranging from food to clothes, and from household appliances to electronic products, most of which are imported from neighbouring China.

Ponghwa Clinic Expanded During 2009-2010

The Ponghwa Clinic in Pyongyang in an image from October 2010 (Photo: Google)

Kyodo reports that medical personnel from the DPRK completed training courses at a Singapore hospital in 2010.  Via Chosun Ilbo:

The teams “consisted mostly of women who looked about 30 years old. The Singaporean government accepted the North’s request for their training and let them enter Singapore,” it quoted a source as saying.

The two North Korean medical teams received a month of intensive training at the internal medicine and surgery departments of a Singaporean hospital.

The North chose Singapore because healthcare is considered the best in Southeast Asia, the news agency added. The North has an embassy in Singapore.

Images available on GoogleEarth show that a medical center that treats core DPRK elites, including members of the Kim Family, was expended after an extensive renovation between 2009 and 2010.  The Ponghwa Clinic (also known as Ponghwa Recuperative Center, the Presidential Hospital) is located in Sokom-dong, Pot’onggang-kuyok (Pot’ong River District) in Pyongyang, 1.5 km (or just less than a mile) northwest of Kim Il Sung Square.

Image of construction activity at the Ponghwa Clinic from December 2009 (Photo: Google)

An image taken on December 2009 shows a significant amount of construction activity occurring on the premises of the Ponghwa.  A building attached to the Ponghwa’s main complex was under development and the image shows construction equipment and structures containing building materials.  The labor crews mobilized for the project had made significant progress in a short period of time with the ground floors and frames completed for two buildings attached to the Ponghwa’s main complex and two unattached buildings near the Ponghwa’s northeastern gate.

Another view of construction activity at the Ponghwa during December 2009

The new wing of the Ponghwa and additional buildings in an October 2010 image (Photo: Google)

Imagery from October 2010 shows that all exterior construction was completed.  Attached to the Ponghwa’s main complex were two buildings which form one L-shaped structure.  The new structure brings the Ponghwa’s east entrance approximately 120 m closer to the eastern gate.  The eastern entrance for vehicle traffic is a porte cochere, a common architectural feature in Pyongyang buildings; prior to this recent renovation, the Ponghwa had four entrances in this style.

Image of new building and security gate at Ponghwa in October 2010 (Photo: Google)

The east end of the new structure is highly ornate with two shorter wings on either side.  Two buildings and a parking lot and service area were added to the Ponghwa’s northeastern perimeter, opposite of the new L-shaped structure.  One building is three stories high and extends to a personnel and service vehicle access point.  The other building sits beside the Ponghwa’s north gate and is between six and seven stories.  These buildings may be connected to the main complex via underground corridors.

The Ponghwa’s recent renovation also included several modifications to security facilities for both the new buildings and the complex in general.  The Ponghwa’s eastern gate was upgraded and reinforced and moved approximately 20 m away, toward Ponghwa Street, from the nearest entrance.  An additional guard station and gate were added west of the new structure.  A fence erected during construction was retained and upgraded, or a new fence constructed in its place.  These latter security measures seem intended to discourage curious personnel or visitors from access to the new buildings.  For cosmetic, as well as security reasons, there have been a number of plantings of trees with heavy foliage.

The last major construction at the Ponghwa Clinic, based on available images, occurred during 2003 through 2005.  This construction added a number of support buildings around the perimeter of the main complex.

The Ponghwa Clinic has a number of unknown acute, specialty and support departments (emergency, laboratories, general surgery, etc).  Physicians and nurses are educated at Pyongyang Medical College which is linked to Kim Il Sung University.  Many physicians working at Ponghwa received additional education outside the DPRK.  According to Helen Louise Hunter, patients are given apartment-stye rooms with a sitting area because, unlike most all other medical facilities within the DPRK, patients are permitted to receive visitors.  Patient rooms also have regular heating, air conditioning and running, hot water.  Unlike other hospitals in the DPRK health care system, Ponghwa Clinic does not experience shortages of equipment, supplies, pharmaceuticals, food and electricity.

The Ponghwa Clinic is technically part of the DPRK hospital system which is subordinate to the Ministry of Public Health.  It derived from the implementation of the DPRK’s hospital system and basic medical service policies in the late 1960s.  It was founded in 1971 based on an instruction from Kim Il Sung to his personal physician.  It was modeled after the Central Clinical Hospital in Moscow, which treated senior Soviet officials (i.e. Andropov, Chernenko).  The Ponghwa is not the only hospital available to senior DPRK elites in Pyongyang.  There are also the Namsan Hospital, the MSS Hospital, the MPS Hospital, Kim Man Yu Hospital and the Pyongyang Medical College Hospital, however Ponghwa Clinic is the most exclusive.

There are no accounts of foreigners either visiting or receiving treatment at the Ponghwa Clinic.  Foreign visitors to the DPRK are treated at Pyongyang Medical College Hospital, the IORC Hospital or Pyongyang Friendship Hospital, the latter two located in east Pyongyang.  The Ponghwa is also not included in tours of DPRK medical facilities conducted by the World Health Organization and other NGOs.  The only accounts of foreigners visiting the Ponghwa are unconfirmed reports that a team of Chinese doctors treated KJI there in 2008.   The Ponghwa Clinic has been sanctioned by Japan under UNSC resolutions after the attempted purchase of freeze drying equipment which can be used in the production of biological weapons.

Medical services at Ponghwa are restricted to core members of the DPRK leadership.  Its patients include: members of the extended Kim Family; those who have the title (or equivalent) of Cabinet Minister; members of the Political Bureau, Central Military Commission or Secretariat; department directors and vice directors of the central party.  In some cases DPRK officials have been given a job title which serves as a cover to provide them access to service.  Deceased DPRK elites who have received treatment at Ponghwa include: NDC 1st Vice-Chairman, VMar Jo Myong Rok; CC KWP Secretary Kim Jung Rin; and, CC KWP Vice (Deputy) Department Director, Ri Yong Chol.    In some cases, North Korean elites receiving treatment at Ponghwa are referred to hospitals located outside the DPRK.

In the past, Kim Jong Il received medical treatment at the Ponghwa.  Since the late 1980s, KJI has been attended to by a separate, personal medical service.  Equipment and personnel for KJI’s health has been observed during his trips outside the country, most recently during his August 2011 trip to Russia and China.  KJI also has his own medical clinic (technically part of the Guard Command) located west of his office complex in central Pyongyang.  When he is working in Pyongyang, KJI receives a daily medical examination at this facility.

Additions to the Ponghwa Clinic took place during 2003-2005 (red) and 2009-2010 (green) and the complex as it appeared prior to 2000 (yellow) (Photo: Google)

Inside the Mansudae Apartments

Mansudae Street Apartment Complex

Kim Jong Il on a guidance tour of the Mansudae Street apartments in October 2009. (Photo: KCNA)

One accomplishment used in support of Kim Jong Un’s (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) hereditary succession is the construction of an apartment complex in Mansudae Street.  KJU’s contribution to the project has been implicitly underscored in official propaganda as part of a litany that includes land reclamation projects, CNC technology, vinalon and other economic projects.  In reports from Japanese media and discussions with individuals who’ve traveled to the DPRK and met with DPRK elites, KJU’s management of the project has been used to buttress his open-mindedness and flexible approach to problem solving (i.e. willingness to deliver bad news to the center, purchasing building materials from abroad).  GlobalVoices blogger Lee Yoo Eun links to a ROK citizens’ journalism site that features photographs of the interior of one of these apartments, from which the photos below were taken.  NK Economy Watch has written comprehensively about the Mansudae apartments here.

Stairwell and window in a building of the Mansudae Street apartment complex in central Pyongyang

A hot water heater and tub in the bathroom of a residential unit of the Mansudae Street apartment complex in central Pyongyang

A view of a sitting room in an occupied unit at Mansudae Street apartment complex in central Pyongyang

A view of a room in an occupied unit of Mansudae Street apartment complex. At the right is a calendar depicting Kim Jong Suk (Kim Cho'ng-suk), mother of Kim Jong Il and Kim Kyong Hui