Army-People Meeting Supporting Masikryo’ng Speed Battle Held at Grazing Land Reclamation

Army-People meeting held at Sep’o Tableland Project on 13 June 2013 in support of the Masikryo’ng Speed Battle (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported that Korean People’s Army [KPA] and civilian construction personnel contributing to the Sep’o grazing land reclamation project in Kangwo’n Province held an army-people solidarity meeting in support of the Masikryo’ng Speed Battle on 13 June (Thursday).  Attending the meeting were DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju, Jang Jong Nam (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Secretary and Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department Kim Ki Nam,  KWP Secretary and Director of the Finance and Planning Department Kwak Pom Gi, DPRK Vice Premier and State Planning Commission Ro Tu Chol, Korean People’s Internal Security Forces Political Bureau Director Col. Gen. Ri Pyong Sam along with “officials of ministries and national institutions, service personnel of the Korean People’s Army and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces, members of shock brigade and officials and other people in Sep’o County.”

At the start of the meeting, Kim Jong Un’s letter of appeal on the Masikryo’ng Speed battle was read.  The meeting’s speakers said that “they would make a breakthrough for the ranks with daring and bold operation and skillful command just like the KPA officers who are taking part in the construction of the Masik Pass Skiing Ground, and make positive contribution to implementing the grand plan of Kim Jong Un ahead of schedule,” according to KCNA.  A letter of appeal from personnel involved in the Sep’o tableland project was also read at the meeting.  The letter was addressed to “working people across the country” and said that “they would turn the tableland not only into the world-wide stockbreeding base but also into a famous tourist resort by building skiing and sliding grounds, race course, ecological park, lodging houses and other facilities for tourists” and it “called for making the army-people grand advance of Songun Korea in the spirit of the “Masikryong Speed” and ushering in a great heyday of Kim Jong Un’s era.”

Minister of People’s Security Reclaims 4th Star

Gen. Choe Pu Il, Minister of the People’s Security (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported that Choe Pu Il, Minister of the People’s Security, was restored to his previous rank of four-star General (taejang) per an order of Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n).  Choe Pu Il was first promoted to General by late leader Kim Jong Il on 28 September 2010.  Choe’s name appeared on a promotions list which also elevated Kim Jong Un, Choe Ryong Hae (current Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department; later elevated to Vice Marshal [ch'asu]) Kim Kyong Ok (Senior Deputy (vice) Director of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Organization Guidance Department), Hyon Yong Chol (then-commander of VIII Army Corps; served as Chief of the KPA General Staff from July 2012 to May 2013 and currently commander of V Army Corps) and Kim Kyong Hui (Kim Jong Un’s aunt and a core member of the DPRK leadership).  Choe was rumored to have been reduced rank to three-star Colonel-General (sangjang) in late 2011, although it is not clear what prompted his demotion.  From about 2012 until February 2013 Choe Pu Il served as the Chief of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau.  In February he was appointed Minister of the People’s Security, where he replaced Gen. Ri Myong Su.  On 31 March 2013, Choe was elected an alternate (candidate) member of the KWP Political Bureau and at the 7th session (plenum) of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] on 1 April 2013 Choe was elected a member of the DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC].

According to KCNA, the Ministry of the People’s Security [MPS] and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces [KPISF] “together with the Korean People’s Army constitute armed groups which play the role of two mainstays of the Korean revolution” and in issuing the promotion order Kim Jong Un “expressed belief that all service persons of the people’s security organ and the KPISF would creditably perform their honorable mission and duty as the first-line soldiers protecting the socialist system, remaining loyal to the leadership of the party.” Rodong Sinmun reported that Choe Pu Il’s rank was restored because “The organ of people’s security and the people’s internal security forces are two leading armed groups that, together with the people’s army, form twin pillars of our revolution.  In the past period, members of the public security corps and the officers and men of the people’s internal security forces performed great feats that will forever shine in the history of the fatherland by highly demonstrating boundless devotion and sacrifice in the sacred struggle to defend the party, system, and the people both in the days of glory and days of ordeals while highly upholding the banner of death-defying defense of the leader” and that “the prevailing situation urgently demands the organ of the people’s security and the people’s internal security forces, which are the revolutionary armed forces of our party, to impregnably guard the gateway of the socialist system and to reliably guarantee, with gun barrels and law, the party’s line on simultaneously pushing forward economic construction and the building of nuclear armed forces.”

Graphic of the key bureaus of the Ministry of the People’s Security (Graphic by Michael Madden/NK Leadership Watch).

Ministry of People’s Security headquarters (Photo: Google image)

Choe Pu Il’s February 2013 appointment as Minister created a superficial gap in the power balance among the DPRK’s internal security agencies.  His counterpart at the Ministry of State Security, Kim Won Hong, was a four-star general.  The formal military rankings of these agencies’ leading officials suggest that the one led by a full-general has a more superior position, and valued more by the leader, than an agency led by a three-star general.  Based on his observed and reported public activities, Kim Jong Un appeared to be favoring the Ministry of State Security over the Ministry of the People’s Security.  Both ministries erected statues of late leader Kim Jong Il on the campuses of their respective headquarters, however Kim Jong Un visited the Ministry of State Security after it unveiled its KJI statue, but not the MPS.  The MPS, however, demonstrated its political clout in 2012 when KPISF commander, Gen. Kim In Sik, was appointed Vice Premier of the DPRK Cabinet and later appointed Chairman of the Capital City (Pyongyang) Construction Commission.  Kim Jong Un visited People’s Security headquarters and inspected a KPISF unit on May Day (1 May; International Labor Day) 2013.

The Ministry of the People’s Security is a large security organization consisting of (ca.) 200,000 employees with diverse missions.  In DPRK vernacular, the MPS is “a dinosaur” indicating the immense size and resources of the organization.  The MPS is the DPRK’s major domestic law enforcement and public safety organization.  It enforces DPRK laws and statutes (i.e. misdemeanors and felonies), discharges a number of public safety functions (fire departments, traffic control, road and railway security), administers prisons and labor detention facilities and is responsible for various registration records (the census, birth and death certificates, marriage licenses).  MPS personnel provide security to DPRK Embassies and missions located abroad, to DPRK Cabinet members and other DPRK government officials and DPRK universities and research institutions.  They also support the missions of the Guard Command, which provides close protection for Kim Jong Un and others core DPRK elites.  The MPS and the KPISF also operate several engineering and construction brigades (which some sources claim construct the tunnels used in nuclear detonations) and own several farms and other production sites, including the Taedonggang Combined Fruit Farm and Factory and the 927 Chicken Farm.  The MPS and KPISF are subordinate to the National Defense Commission, but they report to Jang Song Taek in his capacity as NDC Vice Chairman and Director of the KWP Administration Department.

Ministers of the People’s (Public) Security from 2000 through the present (Graphic by Michael Madden/NK Leadership Watch).

Like some other recent personnel changes at the upper tier of the DPRK’s** national security community, Choe Pu Il’s replacement of Ri Myong Su did not involve an aggressive purge of the incumbent official in favor of a Kim Jong Un loyalist.  Despite being removed from office, Gen. Ri appears to remain a member of the central leadership, albeit operating in a diminished capacity.  Like his two immediate predecessors, Choe has spent part of his career in command positions in the KPA’s conventional forces.  Both Choe Pu Il and Ri Myong Su have held the position of Chief of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau [GSOB].  Choe was head of the operations bureau from 2012 to 2013 and Ri headed the bureau from approximately 1996 to 2007.  Like the Minister of People’s Security, the Chief of the General Staff Operations Bureau leads a diverse security organization with hundred of thousands of personnel, has direct access to the supreme leader and an intimate knowledge of the country’s various power organizations and their activities.  While not a head of the GSOB, Ri Myong Su’s predecessor, Gen. Ju Sang Song, had served as an inspector-general of the Chief KPA General Staff and was the commander of the IV Army Corps.  Since the health-related retirement of Paek Hak Rim in 2003, the MPS had only once been led by a civilian, Choe Ryong Su, who served as Minister for about a year until he was removed from office.  Since Choe’s 2004 dismissal, the DPRK leadership has seemingly earmarked the Minister’s position for the KPA.

**Rumors of purged security officials are greatly exaggerated in the Pyongyang watching community.  Gen. U Tong Chuk stood aside as Minister of State Security in 2012 and vacated his political offices, but was never purged.  Readers can do the math on Gen. U’s status, factoring in that he spent much of his career as an overseas intelligence manager and officer.  VMar Kim Jong Gak was removed as Minister of the People’s Armed Forces in November 2011, but has not lost his Vice Marshal’s rank and was assigned another position.  Hyon Yong Chol, who served as Chief of the KPA General Staff from July 2012 to May 2013, was reduced in rank and assigned command of V Army Corps.  And then there’s Kim Kyok Sik, removed from office as Minister of the People’s Armed Forces in May 2013 after six months in officer.  Gen. Kim, identified as the target of the biggest purge this side of ’56, ended up appointed Chief of the General Staff.

***For fans of James Church’s Inspector O series, “the Minister” in The Corpse in the Koryo and Bamboo and Blood was Paek Hak Rim and “the Minister” in Hidden Moon was Choe Ryong Su***

Avian Flu Outbreak Abated in DPRK

The Pyongyang Tudan Duck Farm in east Pyongyang, where an outbreak of avian flu was discovered in mid-April 2013 (Photos: Google image and KCNA/FLPH file photo)

No additional cases of a new strain of avian influenza (H5N1) have been discovered in the DPRK, according to the first follow-up report submitted [PDF] to the World Organisation for Animal Health [OIE] on 22 May 2013 by Ri Kyong Gun, Director of the Veterinary Anti-Epizootic Department of the DPRK Ministry of Agriculture.  According to the DPRK’s reporting to OIE, the birds in cages infected with the avian flu strain were “humanely culled” and that an “inactivated monovalent vaccine” was being administered on approximately 500,000 livestock and animals in the DPRK’s 12 provinces.  On 19 April 2013, DPRK agricultural workers discovered an avian flu outbreak in a cage of ducks at the Tudan Duck Farm in east Pyongyang.  Additional testing of duck cages from the Tudan Farm were tested by laboratories of the Ministry of Agriculture and State Academy of Science, which showed that 20 additional duck and duckling cages at Tudan Farm tested positive for avian flu.  The DPRK has not been to determine the original source of the infection, however in its follow-up report to the OIE it said it had taken a number of precautions including screening other animals for symptoms, disinfecting farms where the virus has been found, restricting and/or prohibiting the transport of animals within the country, quarantining and administering vaccinations.

Kim Yong Nam Visits Se’po Grazing Land Reclamation Project

SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam is briefed about the development of the Sep’o Tableland in Kangwo’n Province (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

DPRK state media reported on 10 June (Monday) that Supreme People’s Assembly Presidium President and nominal head of state Kim Yong Nam (Kim Yo’ng-nam) toured the Sep’o Tableland project, which is attempting to reclaim grassland for livestock grazing lands in Kangwo’n Province.  Kim’s visit was tied to internal publicity efforts in support of the “Masiknyo’ng Speed” battle, proposed in a written appeal by DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) on 4 June.   Kim visited with the Korean People’s Army [KPA] service members and officers contributing to the project.  Kim “inspired the service personnel and shock brigade members who perform feats day after day in the same spirit as displayed in winding up the sowing of grass seeds in the reclaimed tableland covering thousands of hectares in the right time of spring.”  Kim “met officials concerned to learn about the reclamation of the tableland. He said that the achievements made at the projects are the shining product of patriotism and loyalty displayed by service personnel and people of the DPRK inheriting the fighting spirit of the preceding generations who performed heroic feats in the history of the country in hearty response to the call of the party and the leader.”  According to KCNA, Kim Yong Nam “told officials that nothing is impossible if everybody works hard in the spirit of devotedly carrying out the party’s policies and the spirit of ‘at a go’, bearing deep in mind the noble intention of the dear respected Marshal Kim Jong Un” and he “expressed belief that all the builders of the tableland would bring about a leap forward and innovations in every construction site like the soldier-builders who created the ‘Masiknyo’ng Speed’ and thus live up to the deep trust and expectation of Kim Jong Un.

The Songsan area of Sep’o County, Kangwo’n Province(Photo: Google image).

Ceremony Held to Place KJU Autograph Monument on Taeso’ngsan General Hosptial

View of the entrance to Taeso’ngsan General Hospital containing tablet bearing Kim Jong Un’s autograph (Photo: KCTV screengrab).

VMar Choe Ryong Hae, Director of the KPA General Political Department, delivers a speech dedicating a tablet bear the autograph of DPRK leader Kim Jong Un during a ceremony in Pyongyang on 10 June 2013 (Photo: KCTV screengrab).

DPRK state media reported that a tablet bearing the autograph of DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) was placed at Taeso’ngsan General Hospital during a ceremony held on 10 June (Monday).  KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un sent the tablet “after wisely leading the work to complete its construction at the best level and open it as early as possible as instructed by leader Kim Jong Il.”  According to KCNA “right after the liberation of Korea, Generalissimo Kim Il Sung had a hospital for soldiers built and clearly indicated the way to be followed by it” and that   “true to his noble intention, Kim Jong Il initiated the building of the Taesongsan General Hospital and worked heart and soul for its completion.”  The ceremony placing the tablet at the hospital was presided over by VMar Choe Ryong Hae, Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department.  According to KCNA Choe said “that the medical officers and nurses of the hospital should devotedly save lives of service personnel, bearing deep in mind the autograph of Kim Jong Un.”  After the speeches, ceremony participants examined the tablet and were received briefings about its installation and significance.

Detailed view of a an autograph tablet over the entrance to Taeso’ngsan General Hospital (Photo: KCTV screengrab).

View of KPA service members and officers attending a 10 June 2013 ceremony to dedicate an autograph tablet sent by DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

View of a ceremony held to dedicate an autograph stone at Taeso’ngsan General Hospital in Pyongyang on 10 June 2013 (Photos: KCTV screengrabs).

DPRK Premier Tours Factories in Hamhu’ng

DPRK Premier Pak Pong Ju (3rd L) tours a factory in Hamhu’ng, capital of South Hamgyo’ng Province (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

DPRK state media reported on 9 June (Sunday) that DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju toured six factories in Hamhu’ng, provincial capital of South Hamgyo’ng Province.  Pak toured the 8 February Vinalon Complex, the Hu’ngnam Fertilizer Complex and the Ryo’ngso’ng Machine Complex.  He “in detail about the production of fertilizer and essential chemical goods there” and held meetings with factory officials.  According to KCNA, at the meetings Pak Pong Ju “underscored the need to glorify the proud tradition in which the workers there upheld the Workers’ Party of Korea with successes in boosting production in each grim period of revolution” and he “called on the enterprises to bring about innovations as they play important roles in increasing production in agricultural and light industrial fields, the key fields in economic construction this year, and in improving people’s living standard, in response to the call of the WPK.”  The meetings “discussed issues of ensuring profitability in enterprise management and business activities as required by the new century.”

The Ryongsong Machine Complex in Hamhu’ng, South Hamgyo’ng Province (Photo: Google image)

The Hu’ngnam Fertilizer Complex in the Hu’ngnam district, Hamhu’ng, South Hamgyo’ng Province (Photo: Google image).

The Hamhu’ng Knitwear Factory and Hamhu’ng Woolen Mill in Hamhu’ng, South Hamgyo’ng Province (Photo: Google image).

Pak also toured Hamhu’ng Woolen Mill, Hamhu’ng Knitwear Factory and Hu’ngnam Electrode Factory.  In meetings with factory officials,  Pak discussed upgrades to the factories’ production facilities and the meetings “took measures for solving issues arising in technological updating, including rationally distributing equipment, making up for the missing production processes and improving heat control.”

According to DPRK state media reporting, Pak Pong Ju’s visit to Hamhu’ng was tied to Kim Jong Un’s recent “Maiknyo’ng Speed” campaign appeal, which was announced on 4 June.  The “Masiknyo’ng Speed” refers to the completion of a ski park on the border of Kangwo’n and South Hamgyo’ng Provinces by the end of 2013.  In issuing his appeal Kim Jong Un held the Korean People’s Army [KPA] personnel working on the ski park as examples of model workers and wrote that “All the people, including the working class, agricultural workers, and intellectuals, firmly grasp the party’s simultaneous line on pushing forward economic construction and the building of nuclear armed forces and follow and learn from the Masingnyo’ng soldier-builders’ fighting spirit, thus becoming fighters of death-defying implementation and performers of feats in this meaningful year’s general onward march!” and that “I firmly believe that our soldiers and people, who have always been loyal to the party’s leadership, will complete the construction of the Masik Pass Skiing Ground without fail through mass heroism and bold attack spirit in this meaningful year greeting the 65th founding anniversary of the Republic and the 60th anniversary of the victory in the Fatherland Liberation War and usher in a new heyday on all fronts of powerful state construction.”

Kim Yong Nam Visits Masik Pass Ski Park Construction

Kim Yong Nam (4th L), the DPRK’s official head of state as President of the Supreme People’s Assembly Presidium, tours the construction of the Masik Pass Ski Ground on 9 June 2013 (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

DPRK state media reported that the country’s titular head of state, President of the Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium Kim Yong Nam, visited the ongoing construction of the Masik Pass (Masiknyo’ng) Ski Park on 7 June (Friday).  Kim toured the ski park’s construction and saw the ski trails under development.  According to KCNA, Kim Yong Nam said that “it is the steadfast resolution and fixed will of the Workers’ Party of Korea to build a world-class skiing ground in the Masik Pass area and provide the people and school youth and children with highly civilized and happy living conditions” and that “the skiing ground is a project to which the WPK attaches great importance.”  Kim called “upon the People’s Army to always take the lead in ushering in a great heyday of construction in the new era of the Military-First (So’ngun) revolution, true to the grand plan of the dear respected Marshal Kim Jong Un for building a highly civilized socialist nation.”  He noted that “the project to be undertaken in the future is very vast and there are not a few difficulties and obstacles” and expressed “confidence that all soldier-builders would unconditionally wind up the construction of the skiing ground within this year by giving full play to Kim Jong Il’s patriotism and waging an all-out charge and death-defying drive as intended by the WPK.”

DPRK head of state Kim Yong Nam (2nd R) is briefed about the construction of a ski slope at the construction of Masik Pass Ski Park on 9 June 2013

Kim Yong Nam’s visit to the Masik Pass Ski Park occurred two days after KPA service members and officers gathered at the park’s construction in support of Kim Jong Un’s “Masiknyo’ng” Speed Battle appeal.  Kim Yong Nam has previously made his own public appearances at factories, schools and historical exhibitions outside Pyongyang, usually on national holidays and on many occasions at the head of a group of other senior DPRK officials.  This was one of the first observed occasions upon which Kim Yong Nam conducted a solo on-site visit.  Kim’s appearance was intended to promote the “Masiknyo’ng Speed Battle.”  While the speed battle specifically focuses on the completion of the Masik Pak Ski Park by personnel of the Korean People’s Army [KPA], the speed battle is intended to affect all sectors of the DPRK economy.  On 4 June Kim Jong Un wrote in Rodong Sinmun:

The key to completing the construction of the Masik Pass Skiing Ground ahead of schedule lies in giving the fullest play to the spiritual strength of the masses of soldiers, and Kim Jong Il patriotism is the fundamental core of the spiritual strength to be cherished by the soldier-builders.

Party organizations and political functionaries should dynamically carry out the political work aggressively and in the frontline style to carry the flavor of the fighting army at every construction site and skillfully organize the socialist competition so that all soldier-builders make their blood boil with Kim Jong Il patriotism and fully display the revolutionary soldier merits and one-a-match-for-100 soldier temperament in the Masik Pass Skiing Ground construction battle.

The commanding officers and general staff members of the units mobilized for the construction of the skiing ground should establish the revolutionary traits and strong discipline of unconditionally carrying out the construction tasks for each object and stage through daring and bold operations and skillful command.

The great army-people unity serves as a powerful driving force for the construction of the Masik Pass Skiing Ground.

Every time the people’s army was performing a difficult and important duty, our people assisted it both materially and spiritually and fought with it in the same trench.

It is necessary to dynamically push ahead with the construction of the Masik Pass Skiing Ground by dint of the great army-people unity, which is the greatest foundation of the military- first revolution and the basis of our society.

The soldier-builders participating in the construction of the Masik Pass Skiing Ground are full of high morale and redoubled courage.

Do not worry about the construction, just supply the facilities and materials — this is the unanimous voice of the valiant soldier-builders ringing out everywhere in the construction site.

Keeping in mind that the construction speed depends on the supply of facilities and materials, the cabinet, ministries, and central organs should militantly plan and coordinate the organization and command in the production and transport of steel materials, cement, and other materials, with the same feelings as if they were making and transporting shells and bullets to the front.

The factories and enterprises in charge of producing the building materials and facilities for the Masik Pass Skiing Ground should highly display the revolutionary spirit of self-reliance and perform the tasks assigned to them on time without fail, thereby making an active contribution to moving up the completion date.

By unconditionally buildi ng a world-class skiing ground within this year, we should make the sounds of socialist laughter and the sounds of hurrah for the Workers of Party of Korea  echo throughout the Masik Pass area.

It is our party’s intention and determination to raise a hot wind of great innovations and great leaps throughout the country by following and learning from the indomitable fighting spirit and fighting traits displayed by the soldiers in the construction of the Masik Pass Skiing Ground.

We should achieve a new turnabout in the reinforcement of the people’s army, which is the pillar and main force of the military-first revolution.

Kim Jong Un Attends 7th Korean Children’s Union Congress and Photo-op with Participants

Kim Jong Un (2nd L) applauds during the Korean Children’s Union’s 7th Congress held in Pyongyang on 6 June 2013 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) attended the 7th Congress of the Korean Children’s Union [KCU] and a commemorative photo session with participants in the KCU Congress on 6 June (Thursday).  Attending the KCU congress and photo session with him were VMar Choe Ryong Hae, Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department, Ri Yong Su, Director of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Workers’ Organizations Department, Kim Sung Du, Chairman of the DPRK Education Commission, Jon Yong Nam, Chairman of the Kim Il Sung (Socialist) Youth League, along with KISYL, KWP, KPA and DPRK Government officials.  Kim Jong Un’s last observed public appearance was a visit to the newly constructed Posong Mushroom Farm.

The Korean Children’s Union’s 7th Congress was held at the 25 April House of Culture.  The purpose of the KCU’s 7th Congress was “strengthening the KCU developed under the care of the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il into the Military-First (so’ngun) children’s revolutionary organization of the Workers’ Party of Korea.”  Attending the congress, according to KCNA, were “delegates selected from KCU organizations across the country, officials in charge of children’s life and other officials concerned,” and “as observers were children of servicepersons on Jangjae, Mu and Wolnae islets and other frontline posts and schoolchildren in Pyongyang.”  Kim Jong Un, described as “the benevolent father of the Korean schoolchildren,”  made his way to a VIP seating area and had the KCU’s red neckerchief tied around his neck.  He “congratulated the delegates on their enthusiastic cheers and warmly acknowledged all the participants in the congress.”

Kim Jong Un attends greets a member of the Korean Children’s Union (KCU) during the KCU’s 7th Congress held at 25 April House of Culture in Pyongyang on 6 June 2013 (Photo: KCTV-Yonhap)

Participants in the 7th Congress of the Korean Children’s Union, held at the 25 April House of Culture in Pyongyang on 6 June 2013 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

A member of the Korean Children’s Union ties a red neckerchief around Kim Jong Un’s neck prior to the 7th Congress of the Korean Children’s Union in Pyongyang on 6 June 2013 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un (3rd L) applauds during the Korean Children’s Union’s 7th Congress on 6 June 2013. Also in attendance is Jon Yong Nam (L), Chairman of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

View of the Korean Children’s Union 7th Congress held at the 25 April House of Culture in Pyongyang on 6 June 2013 (Photos: Rodong Sinmun)

The KCU’s 7th Congress had two agenda items: 1.) “On the tasks of the KCU to bring up its members to be young revolutionaries and vanguard of the Military-First (so’ngun) Era always following the dear respected Marshal Kim Jong Un in firm conviction,” and 2.) revising the KCU’s bylaws.  Jon Yong Nam delivers a report on the first item on the agenda. According to KCNA, in his report Jon said “the glorious course of the KCU has been associated with the deep loving care of the Generalissimos who provided deep and firm roots for the Juche-oriented children’s movement and led the KCU step by step in line with the requirements of the developing revolution” and Jon “referred to the great successes of the KCU after the 6th congress under the sagacious leadership and meticulous care of Generalissimo Kim Jong Il and Marshal Kim Jong Un.”  The report “called upon the KCU members to cherish honor and pride of being members of glorious Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il’s KCU and firmly prepare themselves to be reliable successors of the military-first (so’ngun) revolution faithful to Kim Jong Un, true to their pledges before the KCU flags.”

After the meeting report, a series of KCU and KISYL speakers “talked about their honor of taking part in the congress in the presence of Marshal Kim Jong Un and their pride of acquiring ample knowledge, good moral character and good health under the deep care of the peerlessly great persons” and “vowed to carry forward the traditions of Mt. Paektu under the leadership of the Workers’ Party of Korea.”  According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un “heard with keen interest the speeches of delegates, warmly applauding them.”  KCNA reported that the first agenda item was adopted and that the second was “discussed and decided upon.”

Kim Jong Un and senior Kim Il Sung Youth League officials pose for commemorative photographs with participants of the 7th Congress of the Korean Children Union in front of the Mangyo’ngdae Schoolchildren’s Palace in Pyongyang on 6 June 2013 (Photos: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un later attended a commemorative photo session with congress participants.  KCU members presented him with floral bouquets prior to the photo-op.  According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un said that “the congress marked an important occasion in eternally glorifying the undying feats of the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il who dedicated their all to developing the Chuch’e-oriented movement of the Korean children” and  ”congratulated the participants in the congress who demonstrated before the world through the congress the spirit of the KCU members firmly preparing themselves to be dependable builders of the thriving nation.”  He also “expressed expectation and belief that the delegates to the 7th Congress of the KCU would always take the lead in consolidating the KCU organizations to be stronger ranks of the pillars responsible for the future of the great Mt. Paektu (Paektusan) nation.”

DPRK Premier Tours Renovation at Mirim Riding Club and Migok Cooperative Farm

DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju (2nd L) is briefed about the renovation and construction work at Mirim Riding Club in east Pyongyang. Also seen in attendance is DPRK Vice Premier and State Planning Commission Chairman Ro Tu Chol (3rd L)(Photo: KCNA-Yonhap).

DPRK state media reported on 6 June (Thursday) that DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju visited the Migok Cooperative Farm  and toured the renovation work at Mirim Riding Club.  Pak’s first visit was to the Migok Cooperative Farm in Sariwo’n, the provincial capital of North Hwanghae Province.  He toured part of the cooperative farm and held a meeting with farm managers and employees.  According to KCNA, the meeting “discussed issues of conducting agricultural production and business activities on the principle of arousing enthusiasm of farmers to the maximum.”

Pak Pong Ju also toured the renovation and construction work at the Mirim Riding Club (formerly known as the equestrian company of Korean People’s Army [KPA] Unit #534) in east Pyongyang.  The equestrian grounds are under renovation by KPA construction personnel.  Pak “learned in detail about its construction and supply of raw materials” and held a meeting with construction and design personnel which “underlined the need to rapidly finish frame structure to suit seasonable conditions” and “took measures to supply necessary materials and fuel as scheduled and increase production to the maximum at material producing units.”

Migok Cooperative Farm, on the outskirts of Sariwo’n, the provincial capital of North Hwanghae Province (Photo: Google image)

The Mirim Riding Club in east Pyongyang. Formerly the equestrian company of KPA Unit #534, DPRK leader ordered the ownership of the equestrian facility to be transferred from the KPA to the DPRK Cabinet and State Physical Culture and Sports Commission in November 2012. Kim Jong Un later visited the equestrian club’s renovation work in May 2013 and expressed his displeasure with the new design of the place (Photo: Google image)