Kim Yong Nam Visits Pyongyang Essential Foodstuff Factory

DPRK head of state Kim Yong Nam and other senior officials tour the Pyongyang Essential Foodstuffs Factory (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap).

DPRK state media reported on 14 June (Friday) that DPRK official head of state Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium President Kim Yong Nam and “officials of the working people’s organizations, ministries and national institutions” visited the Pyongyang Essential Foodstuff Factory in east Pyongyang.  The food factory was recently visited by DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n), reported on 7 June, and DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju, reported on 13 June.  KCNA reported that the factory “has turned into a modern essential foodstuff production base all the production processes of which have been automatized ranging from feeding of raw material to packing, a factory which has established a high level of cultured practice in production and life.”

SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (1), the DPRK’s head of state, is briefed about food production touring a visit by senior DPRK officials. Also seen in attendance is SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop (2) and DPRK Vice Premier Kang Sok Ju (3) (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap).

Kim Yong Nam and the other senior officials began their visit by delivering flowers and bowing to a mosaic of late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung and late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il visiting the factory.  They toured the factory and watched a video “being briefed on the founding of the factory and its development, leadership feats performed by the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and Marshal Kim Jong Un and the history of the development of the factory at the room dedicated to its history,” according to KCNA.  The group toured the factory’s amenities and service centers for employees such as its childcare facility, cultural center, public baths, swimming pool and resource libraries.  Whilst “seeing the production processes whose automation and robotization have been placed on a high level including the general control room, refined table oil, seasoning, refined salt and vitamin E and their packing processes,” Kim Yong Nam and the other senior officials “deeply grasped the patriotic intention of Kim Jong Un on accelerating the modernization of the factory by the DPRK’s efforts and technology,” according to KCNA.

SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam and other senior DPRK government officials tour a childcare classroom at Pyongyang Essential Foodstuffs Factory (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap).

DPRK nominal head of state Kim Yong Nam and other senior DPRK officials view an employees’ swimming pool at Pyongyang Essential Foodstuffs Factory (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap).

 

SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam and other senior DPRK officials tour Pyongyang Essential Foodstuffs Factory (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap).

KJU Visits Health Complex

Kim Jong Un (2nd R) and his wife Ri Sol Ju (R) visit a teppanyaki griddle in the restaurant of the Haedanghwa Health Complex in east Pyongyang (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 27 April (Saturday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited the recently constructed Haedanghwa Health Complex in Pyongyang.  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his attendance at a banquet commemorating the 81st anniversary of the foundation of the Korean People’s Army [KPA].  He was joined by his wife, Ri Sol Ju (Ri So’l-chu).  Madame Ri’s last reported public appearance was in late February, when she watched a basketball game and attended a banquet with Dennis Rodman.

Also attending the visit were DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju,  VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the KPA General Political Department),  Jang Song Taek (Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC]), Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Gen. Kim Kyong Sik (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Kim Kyong Hui (KWP Secretary and KJU’s aunt), Kim Ki Nam (KWP Secretary and Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department), Choe Tae Bok (KWP Secretary and SPA Chairman), Kang Sok Ju (DPRK Cabinet Vice Premier), Kim Yong Il (KWP Secretary and Director of the International Affairs Department),  Kim Yang Gon (KWP Secretary and Director of the United Front Department),  Kim P’yo’ng-hae (KWP Secretary and Director of Cadres’ Affairs), Kwak Pom Gi (KWP Secretary and Director of the Planning and Finance Department), Mun Kyong Dok (Chief Secretary of the Pyongyang City [municipal] KWP Committee), Col. Gen. O Il Jong (Director of the KWP Military Affairs Department), Han Kwang Sang (Deputy Director of the KWP Finance and Accounting Department) Paek Kye Ryong (Director of the KWP Light Industry Department), Kim Kyong Ok (Senior Deputy [first vice] Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department), Gen. Kim Yong Chol (Chief of the Reconnaissance General Bureau and Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff) and Jon Il Chun (Deputy Director of the KWP Finance and Accounting Department), among others.

Kim Jong Un began his visit at Haedanghwa Health Complex’s basement garage.  According to KCNA, KJU “was pleased to see the completed complex, adding that he appreciated its design and construction after examining the information on it presented to him by the relevant field.”  He also visited the store and dining rooms on the complex’s first two levels.  He “highly praised the builders for constructing not only the shop but the dining rooms to suit their nature and meet the requirements of formative art,” according to KCNA.  KJU visited the restaurant where he remarked that “cooking is a science and art, [he urged] the cookers to steadily improve their skills and display creative ingenuity to serve customers with varieties of tasty and highly nutritive dishes” and had a commemorative photograph taken with the chefs.  KJU then went to the second and third levels of the Haedanghwa Health Complex where he visited the public baths, saunas a barber shop, hair salon skin treatment center, workout room, billiard room and other recreational facilities.  KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un “personally checked the temperature of water at the bath and learnt about service provided at a face treatment room” and “was pleased to see the wading pool. He was also pleased to go round various saunas built with peculiar building materials such as halite, agate and yellow earth.”  KJU also “learnt in detail about what kinds of sports apparatuses are there in the fitness hall and table-tennis hall” and whilst “watching the clock in the shape of billiard balls and billiard table on a wall of the billiard room, he praised the builders for having constructed the room in such a perfect manner that everything there is impeccable.”

KJU then visited the health complex’s e-library and, according to KCNA, said “a relevant field should systematically send various data and videos on cooking to the e-reading room” and he “stressed the need to supply a sufficient quantity of foodstuff necessary for cooking practice so that apprentices may acquire workable knowledge, saying that theory is not enough to acquire cooking skill.”  He also visited a coffee shop on the complex’s fifth floor.  According to KCNA Kim Jong Un said that “it is the firm resolution of the WPK to enable the Korean people, the best in the world, to fully enjoy wealth and glory under socialism, without tightening their belts again, he noted, underlining the need to build more modern service centers such as the Haedanghwa Health Complex impeccable in any aspect.”

Kim Jong Un Visits Ku’msusan and Attends Banquet to Mark KPA Anniversary

Kim Jong Un (8th L) and senior members of the DPRK’s national security community pay their respects to statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang on 25 April 2013, the official 81st anniversary of the foundation of the Korean People’s Army.(Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace of the Sun and attended a banquet on 25 April (Thursday), to mark the official 81st anniversary of the foundation Korean People’s Army [KPA].  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his attendance at a rally and military “march-past” on Ku’msusan Plaza.  KJU first visited the preserved remains of his grandfather, late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung, and his father, late leader Kim Jong Il, at the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace.

Floral baskets (C) and honor guards representing (L, R) the KPA’s three conventional service branches at Kumsusan on 25 April 2013 (Photos: KCNA)

He was accompanied by Kim Yong Nam (Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium President), Pak Pong Ju (DPRK Cabinet Premier), VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the KPA General Political Department), Jang Song Taek (Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC]), Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Kim Kyong Hui (KWP Secretary and KJU’s aunt), Pak To Chun (KWP Secretary), VMar Kim Yong Chun (Vice Chairman of the NDC and Director of the KWP Civil Defense Department), VMar Ri Yong Mu (Vice Chairman of the NDC), VMar Hyon Chol Hae (1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces and Director of the KPA General Logistics Department), Gen. Kim Won Hong (Minister of State Security), Gen. O Kuk Ryol (Vice Chairman of the NDC), Col. Gen. Choe Pu Il (Minister of the People’s Security), Ju Kyu Chang (Director of the KWP Machine-Building Industry Department), Col. Gen. Kim Chang Sop (Director of the Ministry of State Security’s Political Bureau), Col. Gen. Ri Pyong Sam (Director of the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces Political Bureau) and “commanding officers of the WPK Central Military Commission, the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and the KPA.”

KJU and the KPA’s high command first visited a room containing statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.  Floral baskets from Kim Jong Un, the Party Central Committee the Party Central Military Commission and the NDC were placed in front of the statues.  KJU then visited the rooms containing the preserved remains of his grandfather and father where he “made bows. . .in the humblest reverence,” according to KCNA.

A banquet hosted by the DPRK National Defense Commission at Mokran House in central Pyongyang on 25 April 2013, to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the foundation of the Korean People’s Army. (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un also attended a banquet hosted by the NDC at Mokran (Moknan) House in central Pyongyang.  Attending the banquet were “senior party, army and state officials, members of the WPK Central Military Commission and the NDC of the DPRK, commanding officers of the KPA, officials of the party and armed forces organs, ministries and national institutions and service personnel of the KPA and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces” and “diplomatic envoys of foreign countries and military attaches of foreign embassies here and their spouses.”  Before the banquet, the Moranbong Band gave a performance.

After the performance, a toast speech was delivered by Jang Song Taek (Chang So’ng-t’aek; Jang Song Thaek), Vice Chairman of the NDC, Director of the KWP Administration Department and Kim Jong Un’s uncle.  According to KCNA, during his speech, Mr. Jang “paid highest tribute to the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il who strengthened the KPA into the matchless revolutionary army and led it to the road of victory and glory, breathing with arms all their lives” and that “upon the authorization of Marshal Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of our party and people and supreme commander of the KPA, he warmly congratulated the service personnel defending the sky, land and seas of the country as firm as a rock and all the people dynamically struggling to build a thriving nation.”  Mr. Jang “noted that the revolutionary armed forces are ushering in the greatest heyday of their development as they are holding Kim Jong Un, who is identical to the Generalissimos, in high esteem as supreme commander” and he “stressed the need to steadily bolster nuclear force for self-defence both in quality and quantity and perform new miracles and feats in building a thriving socialist nation in the spirit of the historic March, 2013 Plenary Meeting of the Central Committee of the WPK.”

Kim Jong Un Attends KPA Event at Kumsusan

Kim Jong Un (2nd R) points to something at an event held at the plaza in front of Ku’msusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang on 25 April 2013 to mark the KPA’s official 81st anniversary. KJU is seen talking to his uncle, Jang Song Taek (R), Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission and Director of the KWP Administration Department. Also in the image are Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (L) and VMar Choe Ryong Hae (2nd L) (Photo: KCTV-Yonhap)

DPRK state media reported on 25 April (Thursday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) attended a rally and “march-past” at Ku’msusan Plaza in Pyongyang to mark the official 81st anniversary of the foundation of the Korean People’s Army [KPA].  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his attendance at a concert by the U’nhasu Orchestra, given on Sun’s Day (Day of the Sun; Kim Il Sung’s birth anniversary).  Joining Kim Jong Un on one platform were VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the KPA General Political Department), Jang Song Taek (Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC]), Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Pak To Chun (Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Secretary), VMar Kim Yong Chun (Vice Chairman of the NDC and Director of the KWP Civil Defense Department),VMar Ri Yong Mu (Vice Chairman of the NDC), Gen. O Kuk Ryol (Vice Chairman of the NDC), VMar Hyon Chol Hae (1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces and Director of the KPA General Logistics Department), Gen. Kim Wo’n-hong (Minister of State Security [MSS]), Ju Kyu Chang (Director of the KWP Machine-Building Industry Department), Col. Gen. Kim Chang Sop (Director of the MSS Political Bureau), Col. Gen. Choe Pu Il (Minister of People’s Security [MPS]), Col Gen. Ri Pyong Sam (Director of the MPS Political Bureau), Gen. Ri Pyong Chol (Commander of the KPA Air and Anti-Air Command), Col. Gen. Kim Myong Sik (Commander of the KPA Navy) and Lt. Gen. Kim Rak Gyom (Commander of the KPA Strategic Rocket Force Command).

Watching the rally and demonstration from another platform were Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium President Kim Yong Nam, DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju, KWP Secretary and Kim Family head Kim Kyong Hui, KWP Secretary and Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department Kim Ki Nam, KWP Secretary and SPA Chairman Choe Tae Bok, SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop, DPRK Cabinet Vice Premier Kang Sok Ju, KWP Secretary and Director of the United Front Department Kim Yang Gon, KWP Secretary and Director of the International Affairs Department Kim Yong Il, KWP Secretary and Director of Cadres’ Affairs Kim P’yo’ng-hae, KWP Secretary and Director of Planning and Finance Kwak Pom Gi, 1st Vice (senior deputy) Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department Jo Yon Jun, along with “vice-premiers of the Cabinet, diplomatic envoys of foreign countries and members of the military attaches corps here.”  Watching the event were “officials of the party central leadership organ in Pyongyang, officials of the party and armed forces organs, working people’s organizations, ministries and national institutions, officers and men of the KPA and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces, people from all walks of life, the chief of the Pyongyang mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front and overseas Koreans.”

The anniversary event began with speakers, led off by VMar Choe Ryong Hae.  According to KCNA, Choe said “the 80 odd year-long history of the KPA is one of glory in which it has steadily grown stronger as the main force for accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Chuch’e under the care of the peerlessly great men of Mt. Paektu and one of victory and feats in which it met every vicious challenge and shattered war provocation moves of the enemies and reliably defended the party, the leader, country and people” and he “expressed the pledge of all the service personnel to carry to completion the revolutionary cause of Juche that was started with arms in the forests of Mt. Paektu by taking the lead in upholding the leadership of the Supreme Commander as instructed by the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.”  KPA Navy Commander Kim Myong Sik said in his speech “even though the U.S. imperialist aggressors try to browbeat the DPRK with super-large carriers and nuclear-powered submarines, they will never evade the fate of the U.S. heavy cruiser Baltimore, which was buried at sea in waters off Jumunjin during the last Korean War, by the revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK equipped ultra-modern strike means” and that “seamen waiting for the time of a dueling battle will send to the bottom of the sea all the pirate ships of aggressors, once ordered, and turn the South Sea of Korea into the burial sea of the enemies.”

KPA Air and Anti-Air Force Commander Ri Pyong Chol said “the men of his force are waiting for a final attack order to put an end to the enemies, with firm determination to devotedly safeguard the Party Central Committee headed by Kim Jong Un and the Ku’msusan Palace of the Sun” and that “the flying corps of a-match-for-a hundred stalwart pilots, once given a sortie order, will load nuclear bombs, instead of fuel for return, and storm enemy strongholds to blow them up.”  Strategic Rocket Force Commander Kim Rak Gyom said “the DPRK’s inter-continental ballistic missiles have already set the dens of the brigandish U.S. imperialists as their first target and officers and men of the Strategic Rocket Force are one click away from pushing the launch button.  If the U.S. imperialists and their followers dare make a preemptive attack, they will be made to keenly realize what a real nuclear war and real retaliatory blows are like and their stooges be made to feel the taste of horrible nuclear holocaust.”

Following the speeches, KPA units marched past Kim Jong Un.  According to KCNA KJU “saluted the columns marching past the tribune of honor in fine array.”  The event also included a fly-over by KPA Air and Anti-Air Forces jets.

 

Floral Wreath Laying Ceremony Held at Martyrs’ Cemeteries for KPA 81st Anniversary

A floral basket from Kim Jong Un sits in front of a monument and memorial stones at the Patriotic Martyrs Cemetery in Pyongyang on 24 April 2013. The floral wreath was delivered to mark the formal anniversary of the foundation of the Korean People’s Army, which is commemorated on 25 April. (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 24 April (Wednesday) that floral wreaths were placed during ceremonies at the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery in Pyongyang to commemorate the official 81st anniversary of the foundation of the Korean People’s Army [KPA].**  Attending the ceremonies were Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium President Kim Yong Nam, DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju, Director of the KPA General Political Department VMar Choe Ryong Hae, Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Secretaries Kim Ki Nam, Pak To Chun and Kim Yang Gon, DPRK Cabinet Vice Premier Kang Sok Ju, Director of the Ministry of State Security’s Political Bureau Col. Gen. Kim Chang Sop, DPRK Cabinet Vice Premier and State Planning Commission Chairman Ro Tu Chol along with “other senior party, state and army officials, officials of the party, armed forces and power bodies, the Cabinet, public organizations, ministries and national institutions, service personnel of the KPA and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces and Pyongyangites.”

Members of the DPRK’s central leadership attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery in Pyongyang on 24 April 2013 to mark the official foundation of the KPA (Photo: KCNA)

Floral wreaths placed in front of a monument and memorial stones at the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery in Pyongyang to mark the official foundation of the country’s military (Photo: KCNA)

Floral wreaths were delivered on behalf of current leader Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n), the KWP Central Committee, the SPA, DPRK Cabinet, the Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces, the Ministry of People’s Security as well as “public organizations, ministries and national institutions, units of the KPA and the KPISF [Korean People's Internal Security Forces], institutions of science, education, literature and arts, public health and media, and party and power organs, farms, etc. in Pyongyang.”  According to KCNA, ceremony “participants observed a moment’s silence in memory of the martyrs who dedicated themselves to the struggle for the liberation of the country, people’s freedom and happiness, the reunification of the country and the accomplishment of the revolutionary cause of Juche under the leadership of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il” and toured the cemeteries.

**Until 1978, the DPRK commemorated the KPA’s foundation on 8 February, when the KPA’s foundation was publicly announced on 8 February 1948.  After 1978, the DPRK revised the KPA’s foundation date to 25 April 1932 when, according to the official chronicles, Kim Il Sung founded the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army.

Wreath Laying Ceremonies Commemorate 121st anniversary of Kang Pan Sok’s Birth

A floral wreath-laying ceremony at the grave Kang Pan Sok (1892-1932) in Mangyo’ngdae, Pyongyang on 21 April 2013. The ceremony marked the 121st anniversary of Kang’s birth in 1892. (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Members of the DPRK’s central leadership attend a wreath-laying ceremony at Kang Pan Sok’s grave in Pyongyang on 22 April 2013 In attendance at the graveside ceremony are Mun Kyong Dok (L), VMar Kim Yong Chun (2nd L), Kim Ki Nam (3rd L), Yang Hyong Sop (4th L) and Ro Ru Chol (5th L) (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

SPA Chairman and KWP Secretary Choe Tae Bok (3rd L) leads a group of senior DPRK officials participating in a floral wreath-laying ceremony at the Chilgol Revolutionary Site in Pyongyang on 21 April 2013 (Photo: KCTV screengrabs)

DPRK state media reported on 21 April (Sunday) that floral wreath laying ceremonies were held at the grave and birthplace of Kang Pan Sok (1892-1932) [Kang Pan-so'k], mother of the late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung.  Attending the wreath-laying ceremony at her grave were Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Secretary Kim Ki Nam, National Defense Commission [NDC] Vice Chairman and Director of the KWP Civil Defense Department VMar Kim Yong Chun, Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop, Chief Secretary of the Pyongyang City [municipal] KWP Committee Mun Kyong Dok and DPRK Cabinet Vice Premier and State Planning Commission Chairman Ro Tu Chol.  Attending the ceremony at Chilgol Revolutionary Site, Kang Pan Sok’s birthplace, were SPA Chairman and KWP Secretary Choe Tae Bok and Lt. Gen. Ri Tong Su.  The wreath-laying ceremonies were also attended by “other senior officials, the chairman of a friendly party, and officials of party and power organs, working people’s organizations, ministries and national institutions, those in the field of education, service personnel and Pyongyangites.”

Participants in a wreath-laying ceremony bow in front of the grave of Kang Pan Sok in Pyongyang on 21 April 2013 (Photo: KCTV screengrab)

Jon Il Chun (annotated), a principal of the Taesong Group, deputy director of the KWP Finance and Accounting Department and chief of Office #39, helps carry a floral wreath to the Kang Pan Sok statue in Chilgol Revolutionary Site in Pyongyang on 21 April 2013 (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Statue of Kang Pan Sok at Chilgol Revolutionary Site, her birthplace, a floral basket from Kim Jong Un and a KPA band play at a 21 April 2013 wreath laying ceremony for Kang on the 121st anniversary of her birth (Photo: KCTV screengrabs)

Wreath laying ceremony at Chilgol Revolutionary Site in Pyongyang on 21 April 2013. (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Floral wreaths from Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n), the KWP Central Committee, the SPA Presidium, the DPRK Cabinet and “working people’s organizations, ministries and national institutions, military academies, educational institutions, revolutionary schools and party and power organs, farms, etc. in Pyongyang” were placed before Kang Pan Sok’s grave in Mangyo’ngdae and in front of a statue of her at the Chilgol Revolutionary Site.  According to KCNA the ceremonies’ “participants paid silent tribute to her, recollecting her noble life and feats for bringing up President Kim Il Sung to be the sun of the nation and dedicating herself to the liberation of the country and people’s freedom and happiness.”

Kim Jong Un Watches Sports Contests and U’nhasu Orchestra Concert on Sun’s Day

Kim Jong Un (seated 2nd L) watches a sports contest between the Kim Il Sung Military University and and Kim Il SungUniversity of Politics in Pyongyang on 15 April 2013. Seated next to him are: VMar Choe Ryong Hae (L), Jang Song Taek (3rd L) and Kim Kyong Ok (4th L) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) watched sports contests by Korean People’s Army [KPA] personnel and a concert by the U’nhasu Orchestra on 15 April (Monday), the 101st anniversary of the birth of DPRK President and founder, Kim Il Sung.  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his visit to Ku’msusan Memorial Palace of the Sun.  KJU first attended sports contests and chess match held between the Kim Il Sung Military University and the Kim Il Sung University of Politics.  He attended the competitions with VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the KPA General Political Department), Jang Song Taek (Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission), Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Kim Kyong Hui (Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Secretary and head of the Kim Family), Kim Kyong Ok (Senior Deputy [vice] Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department), Hwang Pyong So (Deputy [vice] Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department), along with “generals and officers of the Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces [MPAF], and teachers and cadets of military academies, and officials, journalists, editors, creators and artistes in the fields of media and literature and arts of the KPA.”

Overview of spectators at a 15 April 2013 volleyball game between KIS Military University and KIS University of Politics, attended by Kim Jong Un, on the 101st anniversary of the birth of DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

First, Kim Jong Un watched a volleyball game between the faculties and student bodies KIS Military University and the KIS University of Politics.  KCNA reported that “both teams lost no time to grasp their rivals’ tactical ideas and modes of playing and dexterously applied counter-tactics to gain points through surprise attacks and strong smashes” with KIS Military University winning the game.  KJU also watched a basketball game in which “players of both teams applyed combined tactics with main emphasis on rapid attack. They also applied closed up shot and middle and long distance shots to gain points,” and “players of the two teams skillfully applied a variety of tactics to break their rivals’ defense through agile and rapid playing. They penetrated into the rivals’ courts, increasing the rate of closed up shot.”  According to KCNA Kim Jong Un “clapped his hands to encourage the players whenever they displayed good skills.”  KIS Military University also won the basketball game, although DPRK state media did not disclose the score.  After the athletic competition, there was a Korean chess match which was won by KIS Military University, which was followed by a tug-of-war which was won by the KIS University of Politics.  According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un was “was greatly satisfied with the successful sports contest of teachers and cadets of military academies and sent a warm salute to the players who showed the spirit of collectivism and played fair matches.”

Kim Jong Un (3rd R) watches a concert by the U’nhasu Orchestra at the People’s Theater in central Pyongyang on 15 April 2013. Seated with KJU are his aunt Kim Kyong Hui (R), VMar Choe Ryong Hae (2nd R), Jang Song Taek (4th R), Choe Tae Bok (5th R) and Kang Sok Ju (6th R). (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

U’nhasu Orchestra concert at the People’s Theater in central Pyongyang on 15 April 2013. The concert was given to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the birth of Kim Jong Un’s paternal grandfather, late DPRK President and found Kim Il Sung. (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un’s next reported public appearance was his attendance of a concert by the U’nhasu Orchestra at the People’s Theater in central Pyongyang.  The concert was given to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the birth of his paternal grandfather, DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung.  Attending the concert with him were VMar Choe Ryong Hae, Jang Song Taek, Kim Kyong Hui, KWP Secretary and Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Chairman Choe Tae Bok, SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop, DPRK Cabinet Vice Premier and foreign policy heavy Kang Sok Ju, KWP Secretary and Director of Planning and Finance Kwak Pom Gi and Pyongyangites.  KCNA reported of the U’nhasu Orchestra concert:

The concert began with the playing of the National Anthem. Put on the stage were mixed sextet “Let’s Sing of the Day of the Sun”, male solo and pangchang “Long Live Generalissimo Kim Il Sung”, female quintet “We Sing of Our Country Holding the Leader in High Esteem” and other numbers.

The performers sang high praises of the undying feats Kim Il Sung performed by leading to victory the cause of independence against imperialism and the socialist cause with his outstanding idea, rare leadership and noble traits under the uplifted banner of Songun all his life.

Whenever the image of Kim Il Sung was projected on the background of the stage, the audience was overcome with deep emotion.

National music instrument duet “Three Thousand-ri of Vinalon”, mixed chorus “Push back Frontiers of Latest Science and Technology” and other numbers impressively represented the fact that the dignity and spirit of the sun’s nation were demonstrated before the whole world and the solid foundation was laid for the eternal prosperity of Juche Korea thanks to the undying leadership of the great Generalissimo Kim Jong Il who remained loyal to the idea and cause of Kim Il Sung.

The concert reached its climax when female solo and male pangchang “Honor for Human Life,” female solo and pangchang “Let Korea Forge Ahead to Implement the Line on Simultaneously Pushing forward Economic Construction and Building of Nuclear Force” were staged

The concert came to an end with mixed grand chorus “The Man to Whom Both Destiny and Future Are Entrusted.” It made a truthful artistic representation of the will of all the service personnel and people of the DPRK to win a final victory in the all-out action against the U.S. and the drive for building a thriving nation, rallied close around Marshal Kim Jong Un, holding the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in high esteem as the sun of Juche for all ages.

Party Central Committee Convenes Plenary Meeting (updated)

Kim Jong Un speaks at a meeting of the KWP Central Committee, held in Pyongyang on 31 March 2013. Seen sitting behind him (R) is SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop (Photo: KCTV screengrab)

The Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Central Committee held its plenary meeting (plenum) at the KWP Central Committee #1 Office Building on 31 March (Sunday) in Pyongyang**, attended by Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n).  KJU’s last reported public appearance was a visit to the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace of the Sun earlier in the day.  There were several personnel changes made during the meeting.  The entire KWP Central Committee membership and alternates were “recalled” and replaced, along with that of the KWP Central Auditing Commission [CAC].  The KWP Political Bureau was equally “recalled” with one member and three alternates added (see the KCNA report below).

Based on images released by DPRK state media, platform (rostrum) members at the KWP Central Committee were: Kim Yong Nam (SPA Presidium President), Choe Yong Rim (DPRK Cabinet Premier), VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department), Jang Song Taek (Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC]), Kim Kyong Hui (KWP Secretary and Department Director, and sister of late leader Kim Jong Il), Pak To Chun (KWP Secretary), Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Kim Ki Nam (KWP Secretary), Choe Tae Bok (KWP Secretary), VMar Kim Yong Chun (Vice Chairman of the NDC), VMar Ri Yong Mu (Vice Chairman of the NDC), Yang Hyong Sop (Vice President of the SPA Presidium), Kang Sok Ju (DPRK Cabinet Vice Premier) and Gen. Kim Won Hong (Minister of State Security).

Kim Jong Un (C) reads through the meeting documents of the Korean Workers Party Central Committee plenary meeting on 31 March 2013. Also seen in the front row are SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (L) and (highlighted) NDC Vice Chairman and KWP Administration Director Jang Song Taek (R) (Photo: KCTV-Yonhap)

Members of the DPRK central leadership pledge their loyalty at the conclusion of the KWP Central Committee plenary session held in Pyongyang on 31 March 2013. In the first row (L-R): Kim Ki Nam, Kim Kyong Hui, Choe Yong Rim, Kim Yong Nam. In the second row (L-R): Kang Sok Ju, Yang Hyong Sop and Pak To Chun (Photo: KCTV screengrab)

Kim Jong Un delivered a speech (you can read the full speech and report here) at the beginning of the Party Central Committee’s meeting.  According to Kyodo News, Kim Jong Un “vowed to upgrade the nation’s nuclear arsenal “qualitatively and quantitatively,” and said North Korea will conduct more satellite launches, which other countries suspect are covert tests of banned ballistic missile technology” and said “Nuclear armed forces represent the nation’s life, which can never be abandoned as long as the imperialists and nuclear threats exist on earth.”  According to Xinhua English, “Kim Jong Un said on Sunday the country has adopted a new strategy of carrying out economic construction and building nuclear armed forces simultaneously.”  KJU also said that  ”the self-reliant nuclear power industry should be developed and the work for developing a light water reactor be dynamically promoted to actively contribute to easing the strain on the electricity problem of the country.”

According to the Associated Press, the statement issued after the KWP Central Committee meeting “also called for strengthening the moribund economy, which Kim has put an emphasis on in his public statements since taking power after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, in late 2011″  and “called for diversified foreign trade and investment, and a focus on agriculture, light industry and a ‘self-reliant nuclear power industry,’ including a light water reactor. There was also a call for “the development of space science and technology,” including more satellite launches.”

An external view of the KWP Central Committee #1 Office Building in central Pyongyang, and internal views of the venue and members and alternates of the Party Central Committee attending the 31 March 2013 KWP Central Committee plenary session (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Kim Jong Un addresses members and alternates of the KWP Central Committee in Pyongyang on 31 March 2013 (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

A view of the platform (rostrum) of the Party Central Committee meeting on 31 March 2013 (top) Director of the KPA General Political Department and Vice Chairman of the Party Central Military Commission, VMar Choe Ryong Hae addresses the meeting on behalf of the military (bottom) (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Views of the platform (rostrum) at the KWP Central Committee meeting in Pyongyang on 31 March 2013 (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Kim Jong Un and other rostrum members read meeting documents (top) and Party Central Committee members and alternates pledge their loyalty at the end of the 31 March 2013 meeting (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

KCNA reports on the KWP Central Committee’s proceedings, which included the removal and replacement of the entire Central Auditing Commission, the replacement of one member to the KWP Political Bureau by Pak Pong Ju, the replacement of three KWP Political Bureau alternates (candidate members) by Gen. Hyon Yong Chol, Gen. Kim Kyok Sik and Gen. Choe Pu Il, and the replacement of the director of the KWP Light Industry Department and the replacement of the editor of the KWP daily newspaper:

Pyongyang – The historic March, 2013 plenary meeting of the C.C.  of the Workers’ Party of Korea took place at the building of the WPK C.C., supreme staff of the Korean revolution, on Sunday.

First Secretary of the WPK Kim Jong Un guided the meeting.

Present at the meeting were members and alternate members of the WPK C.C. [Central Committee] and members of the Central Auditing Commission of the WPK.

Present there as observers were senior officials of ministries, national institutions, provincial, city and county committees of the WPK, complexes, major munitions factories and enterprises.

The participants paid silent tribute to President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il.

Taken up for discussion at the meeting were the following agenda items “1. On tasks of our Party on bringing about a decisive turn in accomplishing revolutionary cause of juche as required by the present situation and the developing revolution”, “2. On personnel affairs issue to be submitted to the 7th Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly” and “3. On organizational matter”.

Kim Jong Un made a report and concluding speech on the first agenda item.

The plenary meeting set forth a new strategic line on carrying out economic construction and building nuclear armed forces simultaneously under the prevailing situation and to meet the legitimate requirement of the developing revolution.

This line is a brilliant succession and development onto a new higher stage of the original line of simultaneously developing economy and national defence that was set forth and had been fully embodied by the great Generalissimos.

It was stressed at the meeting that the party’s new line is not a temporary countermeasure for coping with the rapidly changing situation but a strategic line to be always held fast to, in the supreme interests of the Korean revolution.

The nuclear weapons of songun [military-first] Korea are not goods for getting U.S. dollars and they are neither a political bargaining chip nor a thing for economic dealings to be presented to the place of dialogue or be put on the table of negotiations aimed at forcing the DPRK to disarm itself.

The DPRK’s nuclear armed forces represent the nation’s life which can never be abandoned as long as the imperialists and nuclear threats exist on earth.

They are a treasure of a reunified country which can never be traded with billions of dollars.

Only when the nuclear shield for self-defence is held fast, will it be possible to shatter the U.S. imperialists’ ambition for annexing the Korean Peninsula by force and making the Korean people modern slaves, firmly defend our ideology, social system and all other socialist treasures won at the cost of blood and safeguard the nation’s right to existence and its time-honored history and brilliant culture.

When the party’s new line is thoroughly carried out, the DPRK will emerge as a great political, military and socialist economic power and a highly-civilized country which steers the era of independence.

The meeting set forth tasks for carrying out the new line and ways for doing so.

All the officials, party members and other people should wage bold offensive and all-people decisive battle with faith in sure victory and strong determination and thus make the flame of miracle and innovation sweep all fields of national economy.

The pilot fields of the national economy, the basic industrial fields should be drastically developed and production be increased to the maximum.

Forces should be directed to agriculture and light industry, key fields in building an economic power to improve and put on a stable basis the people’s l iving standard at the earliest possible date.

The self-reliant nuclear power industry should be developed and the work for developing light water reactor be dynamically promoted to actively contribute to easing the strain on the electricity problem of the country.

Spurs should be given to the development of space science and technology and more advanced satellites including communications satellites be developed and launched.

The country’s economy should be shifted into knowledge-based economy and the foreign trade be made multilateral and diversified and investment be widely introduced.

The economic guidance shall be fundamentally improved as required by the new situation and Korean-style advantageous economic management methods be completed by embodying the juche idea.

The DPRK’s possession of nukes should be fixed by law and the nuclear armed forces should be expanded and beefed up qualitatively and quantitatively until the denuclearization of the world is realized.

The People’s Army should perfect the war method and operation in the direction of raising the pivotal role of the nuclear armed forces in all aspects concerning the war deterrence and the war strategy, and the nuclear armed forces should always round off the combat posture.

As a responsible nuclear weapons state, the DPRK will make positive efforts to prevent the nuclear proliferation, ensure peace and security in Asia and the rest of the world and realize the denuclearization of the world.

Institutions in charge of security and safeguard, judicial and prosecution and people’s security and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces should resolutely foil the vicious moves of the imperialist reactionaries and class enemies, devotedly defend the party, social system and people and surely guarantee the new line of the party with arms and by law.

The party and working people’s organizations and power bodies should increase their militant function and role in every way in the struggle for implementing the party’s line.

The meeting entrusted the Presidium of the SPA and the Cabinet with the matters of taking legal, administrative and technical measures for implementing the tasks.

At the meeting a decision on the first agenda item “On carrying out economic construction and building nuclear armed forces simultaneously and thus bringing earlier the final victory in the cause of building a thriving socialist nation” was adopted with unanimous approval.

The second agenda item, personal affairs issue to be submitted to the 7th Session of the 12th SPA, was discussed and decided at the meeting.

The meeting also dealt with an organizational matter, its third agenda item.

Members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, members and alternate members of the Political Bureau were recalled and new ones were elected to fill vacancies.

Pak Pong Ju was elected to fill a vacancy of a member of the Political Bureau of the WPK C.C..

Hyon Yong Chol, Kim Kyok Sik and Choe Pu Il were elected to fill vacancies of alternate members of the Political Bureau of the WPK C.C..

Members and alternate members of the WPK C.C. were recalled and new ones were elected to fill vacancies.

Upon authorization of Kim Jong Un, Paek Kye Ryong was appointed as director of the Light Industrial Department of the WPK C.C. and Yun U Chol as editor-in-chief of Rodong Sinmun, organ of the WPK C.C..

Members of the Central Auditing Commission of the WPK were also recalled and new ones were elected to fill vacancies.

Central Leadership Visits Light Industry Exhibition

Senior members of the central leadership tour an exhibition of light industry goods in Pyongyang. Among the officials in this image are: Choe Tae Bok (5th R), Kim Yong Nam (4th R) Yang Hyong Sop (3rd R) and Pak To Chun (2nd R) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 22 March (Friday) that members of the DPRK’s central political leadership toured an exhibition of light industry goods being held at the Three Revolutions Exhibition in Pyongyang on 20 and 22 March.  Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium President Kim Yong Nam, DPRK Cabinet Premier Choe Yong Rim, Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Secretary and SPA Chairman Choe Tae Bok, KWP Secretary Pak To Chun and SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop toured the exhibition of what KCNA reported were “142.000 items of consumer goods produced by light industrial establishments in Pyongyang and local areas,” saw “exhibition stands fully stacked with vinalon products, velvet cloth, shoes, seasonal clothes, sportswear, foodstuffs, cosmetics and household utensils” and “popular among visitors were products from provincial combined foodstuff factories and Ch’angso’ng County which made big contributions to producing consumer goods by developing local industry.”  According to KCNA “those consumer goods produced through the creative ingenuity of masses and the tapping of internal reserves clearly proved the validity and vitality of the August 3 Consumer Goods Production Movement. “

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (foreground, R) tours an exhibition of light industry goods at the Three Revolutions Exhibition in Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA)

The 3 August Consumer Goods Production Movement was initiated on 3 August 1984 when the late supreme leader Kim Jong Il inspected the Pyongyang City Light Industrial Goods Exhibition.  According to one of his official biographies, “this movement prvoed very viable because it sharply increased the production of various consumer goods and relied on the masses’ intelligence and creativity.  Comrade Kim Jong Il suggested party organizations push on powerfully with the movement.  In May 1986 he paid a high tribute to P’yo’ngchon District, Pyongyang, as an exemplary unit and its experience generalized across the country.”