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.

 

National Meeting Commemorates Official KPA Anniversary

25 April House of Culture in Pyongyang, the venue for the 24 April 2013 national meeting marking the official foundation of the Korean People’s Army (Photo: Google image)

DPRK state media reported that a national meeting marking the official 81st anniversary (25 April) of the foundation of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] was held at the 25 April House of Culture in Pyongyang on 24 April (Wednesday).  Attending the meeting 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 ,”other senior party, state and army officials, officials of the party and armed forces organs, ministries and national institutions, service personnel of the KPA and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces, officials of institutions, factories and enterprises, those of merits in aiding the army, families of service personnel and people in Pyongyang, the chief of the Pyongyang mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front and overseas Koreans” along with invited “foreign diplomatic envoys and representatives of international bodies and members of the military attaches corps here and foreign guests.”

Gen. Hyon Yong Chol, Chief of the KPA General Staff (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Chief of the KPA General Staff Gen. Hyon Yong Chol delivered the meeting report.  According to a gist provided by KCNA, Gen. Hyon said:

President Kim Il Sung founded the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army, the first revolutionary armed forces of Chuch’e type on April 25, Chuch’e 21 (1932). This made it possible for the Korean people to have their genuine army for the first time in history and since then there started a new history of the Korean revolution which was hewed out with arms and has won victory and advanced with arms.

He trained the KPRA into the powerful main force of the anti-Japanese national liberation struggle in the flames of the anti-Japanese revolution, defeated Japanese imperialism and liberated Korea. In the complicated situation of building a new country he realized the cause of building the regular armed forces without delay, led the Fatherland Liberation War to victory and developed the KPA into a heroic army which shattered to smithereens the myth of the U.S. imperialists’ “mightiness”.

The Chuch’e-based cause of army-building developed in depth onto a new higher stage thanks to the outstanding Military-First (So’ngun) revolutionary leadership and Military-First (So’ngun) politics of leader Kim Jong Il.

He established the Military-First (So’ngun) politics as the basic political mode under socialism as required by the changed reality and developing revolution in the 1990s. He put forward the KPA as the main force for accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Chuch’e on the principle of giving priority to the army over the working class for the first time in history, and put its position and role on the highest level.

The Korean revolutionary armed forces have grown to be the army of the leader, the party and the people under the care of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, demonstrating its invincible might. They are the greatest patriotic legacy left by Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

Today the KPA is ushering in greatest heyday of its development as it is led by Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un.

He set forth the line on simultaneously pushing forward economic construction and building of nuclear force at the historic March, 2013 plenary meeting of the C.C., the Workers’ Party of Korea. This is a special great event which provided the immortal banner for final victory of the Military-First (So’ngun) revolution.

[Let us] conclude the nuclear showdown with the U.S. with the arms of Mt. Paektu (Paektusan), reunifying the country and winning a final victory in building a thriving socialist nation and accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Chuch’e.

The U.S. and the puppet south Korea are bringing the dark clouds of a nuclear war to hang over the Korean Peninsula despite the repeated warnings of the DPRK, he said, stressing that if another undesired war breaks out due to the unpardonable behaviors of the U.S. imperialists and their followers, the army and people of the DPRK will put an end to the long-standing history of confrontation with the U.S. and bring a bright day of national reunification without fail.

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.

National Meeting Commemorates KJU’s Election as Party 1st Secretary and NDC 1st Chairman

Overview of an 11 April 2013 meeting at 25 April House of Culture in Pyongyang. The meeting marked Kim Jong Un’s election as KWP 1st Secretary and 1st Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission (Photos: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 11 April (Thursday) that a national meeting was held to mark Kim Jong Un’s (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) election as the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] 1st Secretary at the 4th Party Conference and election as 1st Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC] at the 5th session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA].  The meeting was held at the 25 April House of Culture and attended by SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam, KWP Secretary and Director of the Propaganda and Agitation [publicity and information] Department Kim Ki Nam along with “other senior party, state and army officials, the chairperson of a friendly party, officials of the army, armed forces and power organs, social organizations, ministries and national institutions, service personnel of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces, officials in the fields of science, education, literature and the arts, public health and media, labor innovators and other people.”

Kim Yong Nam, President of the SPA Presidium and Member of the KWP Political Bureau Presidium, reads the report at an 11 April 2013 national meeting in Pyongyang, marking Kim Jong Un’s election as KWP 1st Secretary and NDC 1st Chairman (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Yong Nam, also a member of the KWP Political Bureau Presidium, read the meeting’s official report.  According to KCNA’s gist of the report:

The reporter said that Kim Jong Un’s election as first secretary of the WPK and first chairman of the National Defence Commission (NDC) of the DPRK by unanimous desire and will of all party members, service personnel and other people was a political event and a national auspicious event to be specially recorded in the history of accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Chuch’e.

Referring to the undying exploits Kim Jong Un performed for the party, revolution, country and nation by leading the drive for accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche on the watershed of history when a new century of Chuch’e began, the reporter continued:

He made sure that the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun was spruced up as the supreme temple of Juche and eternal sacred temple of the sun, and statues and portraits of smiling Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il were displayed in different parts of the country.

Thanks to his noble intention and wise leadership the Law on the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun was adopted and the Socialist Constitution was amended and supplemented at the 7th Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK, legalizing the palace as a grand monument to the immortality of the leader and symbol of the dignity of the Korean nation.

He formulated Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism as the revolutionary idea of the WPK and set it as the supreme programme of the party to model whole society on Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism, thereby providing an eternal banner of victory of the Chuch’e revolution.

He advanced the idea of building the People’s Army into a reliable scout force and mainstay of the Military-First (So’ngun) revolution firmly guaranteeing the party’s cause with arms and successfully embodied it to make an epochal turn in bolstering military capability.

The successful third underground nuclear test which startled the world was a historic event that consolidated the high prestige of the DPRK as a nuclear weapons state and fully demonstrated its tremendous military muscle.

He laid out new strategic line on simultaneously pushing forward the economic construction and the building of nuclear force under the prevailing situation and according to the lawful requirement of the developing Korean revolution, providing a powerful weapon for protecting the independent dignity of Military-First (So’ngun) Korea forever and achieving the final victory of the revolutionary cause of Juche.

At a time when the enemies tightened illegal “sanctions” on the DPRK and openly launched military offensive against the DPRK over its satellite launch for peaceful purposes and third underground nuclear test for self-defence, he inspected island detachments in the biggest hotspots one after another, finally examined and ratified the firepower strike plan of the Strategic Rocket Force, striking terror into the hearts of the U.S. imperialists and their followers and demonstrating the invincible stamina of heroic Korea.

The dynamic advance for building a thriving nation is firmly guaranteed politically and militarily and new structure of strength has taken a shape in Northeast Asia with the DPRK in the center. This is a shining fruition of his outstanding stratagem and invincible Military-First (So’ngun) leadership.

He made sure that Kim Jong Il’s patriotism swept across the country, and the economy was kept afloat through the implementation of the party’s economic policy, Korean-style economic strategy. He also saw to it that all fields and units have made progress in an innovative and robust way by learning from the substantial traits of creation displayed by the Moranbong Band.

The successful launch of the first application satellite Kwangmyo’ngso’ng 3-2 displayed the dignity and honor of the sun’s nation and showed the world the stand of the DPRK that it does whatever it is determined to do.

His steadfast line on national independence and Songun revolutionary leadership guaranteed the steady progress of the struggle for national reunification, enhancement of the international position of the DPRK and increased support and solidarity for its revolutionary cause.

In the course of advancing the revolution and construction by holding Kim Jong Un at the top posts of the party, state and the army, the army and people of the DPRK realized his personality as a great man possessed of qualifications as modern statesman. The world progressives are praising him as the world’s most famous man and expressing respect and trust in him.

The reporter called for glorifying the glorious Kim Jong Un’s era with final victory in building a thriving socialist nation and accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Chuch’e.

20th Anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s Election as NDC Chairman Commemorated

View of the platform (rostrum) and participants at a national meeting commemorating the 20th anniversary of the election of Kim Jong Il to National Defense Chairman at the 25 April House of Culture in Pyongyang on 8 April 2013 (Photos: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 8 April (Monday) that a national meeting was held at the 25 April House of Culture in Pyongyang. to commemorate the 20th anniversary of late leader Kim Jong Il’s election as National Defense Commission [NDC] Chairman.  KJI was elected NDC Chairman on 9 April 1993 at the fifth session of the 9th Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA], and used that position to establish himself as the country’s supreme leader.  Attending the national meeting were SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam, newly appointed DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju, other senior officials and “a chairperson of a friendly party, officials of party, armed forces and power organs, the Cabinet, social bodies, ministries and national institutions, service personnel of the Korean People’s Army and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces, officials in the fields of science, education, literature and arts, public health and media and Pyongyangites.”

Overviews of the national meeting commemorating the 20th anniversary Kim Jong Il’s election as NDC Chairman, held at the 25 April House of Culture on 8 April 2013 (Photos: KCNA)

DPRK Premier Pak Pong Ju delivers a report at a national meeting commemorating the 20th anniversary Kim Jong Il’s election as NDC Chairman held in Pyongyang on 8 April 2013 (Photo: KCNA)

In his first major appearance since his appointment as DPRK Premier, Pak Pong Ju delivered the meeting’s official report.  According to KCNA, Pak said in his report:

It was a historical event of great significance in developing the DPRK and carrying out the Songun revolutionary cause of Chuch’e that Kim Jong Il assumed the responsible post as chairman of the NDC as desired by all the service personnel and people of the DPRK and absolutely trusted by them.

The reporter noted that Kim Jong Il successfully solved all issues arising in the nation-building in the era of Songun with his rare wisdom and sagacious leadership, setting a true example in building a thriving socialist nation in the era of independence.

He built the state machinery with the NDC as a pivot as required by the changed reality and prevailing situation, thus providing the DPRK highly dignified with Military-First (So’ngun) with an ever-lasting bedrock for eternal prosperity, the reporter pointed out, and went on:

Kim Jong Il wisely led the acute nuclear confrontation with the U.S. imperialists with his iron will and rare pluck.

Under his leadership the DPRK succeeded in two underground nuclear tests, proudly ranking itself among nuclear weapons states.

He set forth an original and scientific idea on army building in the era of Military-First (So’ngun) and made endless long journeys for do-or-die Songun leadership, developing the People’s Army into the most powerful revolutionary army in the world, the strong in ideology and faith.

He put the self-reliant defence industry on the firm basis of cutting-edge science and technology and turned the civilian defence forces into invincible ranks and the whole territory into an impregnable fortress.

He energetically led the work for arming the service personnel and people with the Chuch’e idea and the Military-First (So’ngun) idea and bolstering up the driving force of the revolution with the KPA as a main force.

He regarded it as an important requirement for acquiring the status of a thriving nation to have access to satellites and carrier rockets and steered the drive for conquering space.

He unfolded a bright blueprint for building an economic power in the period when the country was undergoing the worst trial and saw to it that astonishing events took place one after another in the all-people advance for a great surge in the efforts to materialize it.

He provided the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and the October 4 declaration, consistently pursuing the policy of national reunification based on the patriotic Songun politics for achieving national independence and thus brought about a radical change in the reunification movement advancing in the idea of “By our nation itself”.

He conducted energetic external activities, always holding fast to the independent stand and revolutionary principle, remarkably raising the international prestige of the DPRK and making an immortal contribution to accomplishing the cause of independence against imperialism and the cause of socialism.

His idea of nation-building in the era of Songun and exploits performed by him in it are being successfully carried forward by the dear respected Kim Jong Un.

The DPRK will eternally grow stronger and prosper despite all sorts of tests of history under the outstanding and tested leadership of Marshal Kim Jong Un.

The service personnel and people should more powerfully demonstrate the spirit and national power of Songun Korea and bring about a turning point in the building of a thriving nation, single-mindedly united around the WPK, the reporter concluded.

A floral basket delivered by foreign military attaches stationed in the DPRK, sent to Kim Jong Un, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his father, Kim Jong Il’s election as chairman of the National Defense Commission. The floral basket was delivered by Iranian military attache Hassan Reza Husseini, dean of foreign military attaches in the DPRK, and accepted by Gen. Kim Kyok Sik, Minister of the People’s Armed Forces, on 8 April 2013. (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media also reported that on 8 April, military attaches stationed in the DPRK delivered a congratulatory letter and flower basket to Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n).  The flowers were accepted by Minister of the People’s Armed Forces, Gen. Kim Kyok Sik, and delivered by Iranian military attache Hassan Reza Husseini and the letter was delivered to one of KJU’s personal aides by the Egyptian military attache.

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.”

SPA to Convene on 1 April 2013

Cover of the 21 March 2013 edition of Rodong Sinmun. The announcement of the 7th session of the 12th SPA is highlighted in red.

DPRK state media reported on 21 March (Wednesday) that the 7th session (plenum; plenary meeting) of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly, the country’s unicameral legislative body, will convene on Monday, 1 April 2013.  According to KCNA, the SPA’s Presidium (standing committee) “Wednesday (19 March) promulgated a decision on convening a session of the SPA.”  The 6th session of the 12th SPA occurred on 25 September 2012 at the Mansudae Assembly Hall.  The 6th session of the 12th SPA passed an education reform law and appointed or replaced members of the SPA Presidium and the Chairman of the SPA Budget Committee.  The 6th session may also have announced economic policy modifications, but did not publicize those.

The Mansudae Assembly Hall, seat of the Supreme People’s Assembly (Photo: Google image)