DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (4th R) visits the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex in Songrim, North Hwanghae Province, on 15 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)
DPRK state media reported on Wednesday (16 May) that DPRK Cabinet Premier Choe Yong Rim inspected the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex on Tuesday (15 May). KCNA reports:
The workers of the complex are making achievements in updating it and producing heavy-duty rails true to the behests of leader Kim Jong Il.
Going round gas generation and high temperature air combustion heating process and various other places, the premier learned in detail about the progress made in updating the complex and held a consultative meeting.
The meeting discussed the issues of implementing the WPK’s policy on modernizing railways and replacing the existing rails with heavy-duty ones, pushing forward the updating of the complex and keeping rail production going at a high rate. It took measures to ensure that relevant units satisfactorily ensure the supply of raw and other materials needed for production.
The premier got familiar with the management and operation of the hostel and supply service.
Stressing the need for the officials to provide the workers with convenience on a priority basis and take good care of their living, by learning from the dear respected Kim Jong Un’s noble outlook on the people. He took measures to complete the construction of dwelling houses as early as possible.
DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (3rd L) talks to a vendor at the 15th Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair, during a 15 May 2012 tour (Photo: KCNA)
Later in the day, Choe visited the the 15th Spring International Trade Fair being held at the Three Revolutions’ Exhibition in Pyongyang.
The premier also visited the 15th Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair on the same day. He underlined the need to positively develop the bilateral and multilateral cooperation among countries and regions in the economic and trade fields.
View of opening ceremony of the 15th Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair. The ceremony was held on 14 May (Monday) (Photo: KCNA)
DPRK Vice Premier and KWP Political Bureau Member, Kang Sok Ju (2nd L) is briefed on products displayed at the spring trade fair on 14 May (Photo: KCNA)
Pyongyang’s 15th Spring International Trade Fair, scheduled from 14 thru 17 May, displays the products of companies from 14 different countries. On Monday (14 May) the trade fair had its opening ceremony. KCNA reports:
Present at the opening ceremony were Kang Sok Ju, vice-premier of the DPRK, Ri Ryong Nam, minister of Foreign Trade, and others, delegations of different countries and regions and diplomatic envoys of various countries and staff members of foreign embassies here.
A congratulatory speech by O Ryong Chol, vice-minister of Foreign Trade, followed an inaugural speech made by Kim Mun Jong, president of the Korean International Exhibition Corporation.
Speakers welcomed delegations of different countries and regions participating in the fair.
They said that the fair is a prestigious international economic gathering which reflects the desire and wish of mankind to establish a new international economic order based on independence and achieve the common prosperity and development.
He hoped that they would make good achievements through broad contacts and positive trade dealings.
They declared the DPRK would in the future, too, further expand and develop bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the fields of economy and trade with all countries and regions on the principle of equality and mutual benefit.
At the end of the ceremony, the participants looked round products from companies of the DPRK, Netherlands, Germany, Bulgaria, Switzerland, the UK, Austria, Italy, Finland, Poland, Australia, Malaysia, Mongolia, China and Taipei of China.
Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with Kim Yong Il, an alternate member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and also head of the international department of the WPK, during a meeting with a visiting WPK delegation headed by Kim in Beijing, capital of China, April 23, 2012. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)
KWP International Secretary Kim Yong Il (Kim Yo’ng-il) met with Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday, 23 April, in Beijing. The meeting took place after a strategic dialogue between the Korean Workers’ Party and the Chinese Communist Party on Saturday (21 April) and it occurred as DPRK state media amped up its attacks on South Korea’s political leadership and ahead of an upcoming US-PRC interaction. Kim’s meeting with Hu most likely included discussions of the DPRK’s launch of the U’nha-3. The Chinese leadership may also have restated its invitation for DPRK supreme leader, Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) to visit China. Xinhua English reports:
Hu said the success of the Fourth WPK Conference and the fifth session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly, at which Kim Jong Un was elected the supreme leader, will be remembered as a major event in the political life of the WPK and the DPRK people. He described it as significant for the future in construction of the DPRK’s ruling party and nation.
The president expressed confidence that, under Kim Jong Un, the WPK and DPRK government will lead its people to blaze new trails and make new achievements in the cause of building a prosperous and strong country.
During the meeting, Hu said China-DPRK friendship was created and fostered by older generations of leaders and has become a common wealth of both countries. China will as always work with DPRK comrades to maintain high-level contact and exchanges between the political parties, promote practical cooperation and good-neighborly friendship and strengthen communication and coordination on major regional and international issues, according to Hu.
He added the two sides will make unremitting efforts to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, realize long-term security of Northeast Asia and promote common development.
According to Kim Yong Il, Kim Jong Un’s election as First Secretary of the WPK and First Chairman of the National Defence Commission laid a solid foundation for the DPRK to carry through the unfulfilled will of late DPRK leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and advance the cause of revolution and construction.
Kim Yong Il said the DPRK is delighted to see China’s achievements under the leadership of the CPC in implementing scientific development and building a harmonious society.
He added the tradition of friendship between the ruling parties and the two countries was cherished by past leaders. The DPRK side is delighted to see strengthening relations between the two countries.
Kim Yong Il said cooperation between the WPK and CPC followed the teachings of late Chairman Kim Il Sung and late General Secretary Kim Jong Il and it will remain the firm stance of the WPK. He said the DPRK will as always work hard to advance relations between the ruling parties and the two countries.
Li Yuanchao, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Organizational Department of the CPC Central Committee, also met with Kim Yong Il Monday afternoon.
Li hailed the friendship between China and the DPRK, pledging to enhance exchanges, cooperation and strategic communication between the two sides so as to further bilateral ties.
Kim Yong Il reaffirmed the DPRK’s will to deepen exchange and cooperation with China in various fields.
Kim’s visit to China and his meetings on Monday with President Hu, Li Yuanchao and his Saturday meeting with Wang Jiarui may have been arranged on short notice. Hankyoreh reports:
While there was no word on whether the two countries discussed North Korea’s recent rocket launch at the talks, sources suggested the discussions focused on the political situation in the wake of that launch.
A diplomatic source in Beijing said, “To the rest of the world, China is clearly stating its opposition to additional sanctions that might destabilize North Korea, but to Pyongyang it gave a clear warning that it should not engage in any further provocations that might make the situation worse, such as a third nuclear test.
“We also believe North Korea briefed Beijing on the appointment of Kim Jong-un to first secretary at the recent WPK representatives’ meeting,” the source added.
The talks between Pyongyang and Beijing came at a chilly time between the countries. China was unusually critical of North Korea after its rocket launch and didn’t stand in the way of a United Nations Security Council president’s statement condemning Pyongyang’s actions.
As the meeting took place on Saturday, typically a day off, and the North Korean delegation arrived via Air China on a day when there were no Beijing flights for the North Korean carrier Air Koryo, observers suggested Pyongyang was troubled by China’s strong response and hurriedly arranged the talks in an effort at appeasement.
Xinhua said these were the second strategic talks between North Korea and China, after a first set in North Korea in June 2011.
Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo (R) shakes hands with Kim Yong Il, alternate member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the central committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), in Beijing, China, April 22, 2012. Dai met with a WPK delegation led by Kim Yong Il here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)
Korean Workers’ Party International Secretary Kim Yong Il (Kim Yo’ng-il) traveled to China during the weekend. On Saturday (21 April) Kim held what DPRK state media called a “strategic dialogue” with senior officials of the Chinese Communist Party led by Wang Jiarui. Kim also met with State Councilor Dai Bingguo. These were the first reported meetings between DPRK and Chinese officials since an early April visit to the DPRK by a PLA delegation led by Maj. Gen. Qian Lihua and the first reported DPRK-PRC interaction since the 12 April launch of the U’nha-3. The DPRK-PRC interactions occurred after military analysts indicated that a transporter erector launcher [TEL] vehicle used during a DPRK military parade on 15 April was either imported from China, or manufactured using Chinese specs. KCNA reports:
A strategic dialogue between the Workers’ Party of Korea and the Communist Party of China took place in Beijing on Saturday.
Present there from the WPK side were members of the WPK delegation led by Kim Yong Il, alternate member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the C.C., the WPK, and Ji Jae Ryong, DPRK ambassador to China, and from the CPC side Wang Jiarui, head of the International Liaison Department of the C.C., the Communist Party of China, and members of the department.
Both sides exchanged views on further developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two parties and two countries and matters of mutual concern.
The dialogue proceeded in a comradely and friendly atmosphere.
Wang Jiarui gave a reception in honor of the WPK delegation in the evening.
Senior officials from North Korea and China held their talks in Beijing and exchanged views about matters of mutual concern, Pyongyang’s state media reported Sunday, in the first high-level meeting since the North’s botched rocket launch.
The “strategic dialogue” between Kim Yong-il, the secretary for international affairs at the North Korean Workers’ Party, and Wang Jiarui, the head of the Chinese Communist Party’s international department, took place on Saturday, the North’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
“Both sides exchanged views on further developing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two parties and two countries, and matters of mutual concern,” the KCNA said in the report.
North Korea defied international warnings and launched a long-range rocket on April 13, but the launch flopped as the rocket crashed after flying for a couple of minutes.
Pyongyang claimed the launch was designed to put a satellite into orbit, but Seoul, Washington and others blasted it as a cover for testing improved ballistic missile technology.
Last week, China joined a statement by the United Nations Security Council that “strongly condemned” the North’s launch and warned it will impose new sanctions if Pyongyang carries out another launch of a long-range rocket or a nuclear test.
Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo met with a Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) delegation from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Beijing on Sunday .
The delegation was headed by Kim Yong Il, alternate member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the central committee of the WPK.
Dai applauded the traditional friendship between the DPRK and the Chinese sides, saying that China is willing to work together with the DPRK to lead the friendship and cooperation between the two nations to new heights.
Dai said that he was sure the DPRK party, government and people will continue to make new achievements in their aim of building a prosperous country.
During their meeting, Kim Yong Il agreed with Dai’s appraisal on the DPRK-China relationship. He said the DPRK attaches great importance to the friendship and cooperation with China. He added that the DPRK will follow the instructions by late general secretary Kim Jong Il and first secretary Kim Jong Un of the WPK to make all-out efforts to advance the traditional DPRK-China friendship in a sustainable way.
Senior ASEAN officials pose for a group photo session prior to the Preparatory Meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials (Prep-SOM) at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh today under the chairmanship of H.E. Ms. Soeung Rathchavy, Secretary of State of Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. (Photo: Kan Sona/AKP)
Southeast Asian nations will discuss North Korea’s planned rocket launch at a summit this week, ASEAN chief Surin Pitsuwan said Sunday, after the Philippines lodged diplomatic protests over the matter.
“The foreign ministers are taking up that issue tomorrow and the day after tomorrow,” he told reporters in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, where officials are preparing for a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“I think we are all very concerned that any instability in the peninsula will lead to further possibility potential for (an) arms race, for nuclearisation of the region, which will not be good for the region as a whole,” Surin told reporters when asked about ASEAN’s position on the launch.
“And it will certainly affect trade confidence, investment in the region, including in ASEAN,” he added.
Pyongyang announced last month it would launch a rocket between April 12-16 to place a satellite in orbit, sparking alarm in the region.
The United States and other nations say the planned launch is a disguised ballistic missile test, and would breach a UN ban on North Korean missile launches.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said earlier on Sunday his country had filed diplomatic protests about the launch to Pyongyang representatives at the UN, in China, and in fellow ASEAN member states.
Del Rosario also said he intends the raise his country’s stance on the launch at the annual ASEAN summit, a two-day meeting which starts in Phnom Penh on Tuesday, though foreign ministers will begin talks early on Monday.
A top US diplomat has previously said that debris from the launch are expected to land off the Philippines, an archipelago made up of thousands of islands.
The U’nhasu Orchestra gave its first performance in Paris on Wednesday, 14 March to a sold-out audience. The concert was divided into two parts with the U’nhasu playing its own set of DPRK chestnuts, followed by a joint performance of Korean and European pieces with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of France. KCNA reports:
The Unhasu Orchestra of the DPRK gave a performance before full house at Pleyel Theater in Paris on Wednesday.
The Pleyel Theatre opened in 1927 is one of the modern theatres for orchestra in France.
Enjoying the performance were Frederic Mitterand, minister of Culture of France, the general director of the Radio Broadcasting of France, the former minister of Culture, personages of various strata, music experts of France, people from all walks of life in France, the chief and staff members of the DPRK mission and staff members of various foreign missions in France and Koreans living in different parts of France.
Prior to the performance, the French minister of Culture and the general director of the Radio Broadcasting of France made speeches.
They welcomed the visit of the Unhasu Orchestra to France and introduced it.
In the first part of the performance, the Unhasu Orchestra gave a separate presentation and its second part was devoted to a joint concert with the French orchestra.
Staged in the first part were numbers like orchestral music “Swinging Girl”, duet of national musical instruments “Vinalon Extending 3 000-ri”, orchestral music “Attraction”, unaccompanied violin solo “Nilliriya” and orchestral music “Sinau”.
Staged in the second part were numbers like “Brahms Concerto No.9″, orchestral music “Arirang” and “Carmen Suite”.
They sent warm applause to the performers, expressing admiration at the Korean musicians’ high level of rendition and conducting skill with deep understanding of the Western music, to say nothing of the national music.
Organizers of the performance expressed thanks to the dear respected Kim Jong Un with broad magnanimity and noble traits who made sure that the excellent orchestra perform in France.
The audience expressed their hope that the Unhasu Orchestra would often come to France to give performances.
A North Korean and a French orchestra held a landmark joint concert in Paris on Wednesday, helping to boost cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Pyongyang’s Unhasu Orchestra performed North Korean songs and French composer Camille Saint-Saens’s Violin Concerto at the packed Salle Pleyel theater before holding a joint concert with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of France.
The joint orchestras performed Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 and Korean folk song called “Arirang” under the baton of renowned South Korean conductor Chung Myung-whun.
Chung, who organized the joint performance, said after the concert that he chose Arirang because it is the most well-known and loved song by Koreans before the division of the Korean Peninsula.
North and South Korea have remained technically at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.
The sold-out performance was broadcast live by a French network.
It marks the first time the Unhasu Orchestra has held a concert in Paris, according to South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs.
On Tuesday, the Unhasu Orchestra paid a courtesy call on the general director of the Radio Broadcasting of France.
The general director expressed hope that the cultural exchanges between the two countries would develop in the future, noting the joint performance would be of significance in showing the development of bilateral cultural relations, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency reported Thursday.
Kwon Hyok-bong, who leads the Unhasu Orchestra, also voiced hope that the joint performance would offer an opportunity to boost cultural exchanges between the two countries and expand their relations in various fields, the KCNA said in a dispatch from Pyongyang. Kwon made the comment in a news conference on Tuesday.
North Korea and France do not have formal diplomatic relations, but France opened an office in Pyongyang last year to foster cultural exchanges.
Chung unsuccessfully pushed for an inter-Korean concert due to lingering political tensions over the North’s two deadly attacks on the South in 2010.
Kwon Hyok Bong (2nd Row, 2nd R) stands behind Kim Jong Un at an U'nhasu Orchestra Concert. Kim Ok, Kim Jong Il's widow, is at the right (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)
Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Central Committee Vice (Deputy) Director Kwon Hyok Bong has given media interviews and conducted other public activities whilst in Paris. During 2011-2012, this has been the second occasion Kwon led a DPRK performing arts group on a tour outside the country. Kwon also ferried the P’ibada Opera Troupe through its tour of China from late October 2011 to January 2012, although he was not present for the entire tour. KCNA reports:
Kwon Hyok Bong, advisor to the Korean Traditional Music Institute who is heading the Unhasu Orchestra on a visit to France, was interviewed by foreign reporters on Mar. 13.
The news conference followed the trial joint performance by the Unhasu Orchestra and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra which was videoed by 41 leading mass media of the world including AFP, various TV channels and radios of France and Reuters, CNN, Yonhap News of South Korea and Asahi Shimbun of Japan.
Answering the reporters, Kwon said he was pleased to hold a joint performance at the invitation of the French government.
The cultural exchange between the two countries had already begun in the 1970s with the Mansudae Art Troupe’s visit to France, he said, adding the bilateral cultural exchange is given continuity by the orchestra’s visit.
The performance will be given, divided into two parts, and in the first part the Unhasu Orchestra will perform Korean music and French traditional music, he said, adding: In the second part the Unhasu Orchestra and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra will jointly perform.
He stressed that this joint performance would mark an important occasion for boosting the bilateral cultural exchange and expanding the bilateral ties in various fields.
On Tuesday [13 March] Kwon met with the director of Radio France:
Kwon Hyok Bong, head of the Unhasu Orchestra on a visit to France, who is advisor to the Korean Traditional Music Institute Tuesday paid a courtesy call on the general director of the Radio Broadcasting of France.
Present there were leading officials of the Unhasu Orchestra, the chief and staff members of the DPRK mission in Paris, those related to the Bureau of the Radio Broadcasting of France and the music director of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of France.
The general director warmly welcomed the Orchestra’s visit to France, saying that a joint performance of the Unhasu Orchestra and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of France would be of great significance in showing the development of cultural relations between the two countries as well as the DPRK’s level of culture and arts.
The general director expressed hope that the cultural exchange between the two countries would develop in all aspects in the future on the basis of the achievements made in the joint performance under the concern of the French government.
Kwon Hyok Bong said that this performance would mark a watershed in boosting the cultural exchange between musicians and, furthermore, expanding the bilateral relations to various fields.
He noted both France and the DPRK have rich potentials to comprehensively promote the development of the cultural relations for the commonness in long-standing cultural tradition and history.
He also expressed expectation that the concert would offer an important occasion in helping the French people understand the musical art of the DPRK and boosting the ties of friendship between the two peoples.
The U’nhasu Orchestra also met with the director of Radio France:
The Unhasu Orchestra led by Kwon Hyok Bong, advisor to the Korean Traditional Music Institute, on a visit to France Tuesday paid a courtesy call on the general director of the Radio Broadcasting of France.
Present there were leading members of the Orchestra, the chief of the mission of the DPRK in Paris and its staff members, officials concerned of the Radio Broadcasting of France and the music director of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of France.
The general director welcomed the Orchestra’s visit to France, saying that a joint performance of the Unhasu Orchestra and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of France would be of significance in showing the development of cultural relations between the two countries as well as the DPRK’s developing culture and arts.
The general director expressed hope that the cultural exchange between the two countries would develop in the future on the basis of the success made in the joint performance to be given under the concern of the French government.
The head of the Unhasu Orchestra had a press conference on the same day.
Attending it were reporters of 41 major media of the world including AFP, various TV channels and radio broadcasting services of France, Reuters, CNN, Asahi Shimbun and Yonhap News of South Korea.
The head of the Orchestra, answering the questions raised by reporters, expressed belief that the joint performance would offer an opportunity of boosting the cultural exchange between the DPRK and France and expanding the relations between the two countries in various fields.
Former Minister of Culture Jack Lang, member of the National Assembly of France, visited the Unhasu Orchestra in the run-up to the performance and asked the head of the delegation to convey sincere thanks to the DPRK government for sending the prestigious or
DPRK Ambassador to Cuba Jon Yong Jin (L) shakes hands with Cuban Vice President Maria Bejerano (R), whilst presenting his credentials on 13 February 2012 (Photo: Granma)
On 13 February 2012, Jon Yong Jin presented his credentials to Cuban Vice President Gladys Bejerano (a.k.a. Gladys Maria Bejerano Portela). For a number of years Jon served as vice chairman of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, with a portfolio for science and technology. According to ROK media Jon is a nephew of National Defense Commission Vice Chairman Jang Song Taek. Jon was appointed DPRK Ambassador to Cuba by the Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium in January 2012. After presenting his letter, Jon met with Bejerano as well as Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodriguez (a.k.a Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla).
Ambassador Jon (R) presents his letter to Maria Bejerano (L), one of Cuba's vice presidents on 13 February 2012 (Photo: Granma)
KCNA reported on 18 February on Jon’s arrival in Cuba:
Gladis Maria Bejerano Portela, vice-president of the Council of State of Cuba accepted credentials from Jon Yong Jin, DPRK ambassador to his country, on Feb. 13.
He said: I, on behalf of the Cuban party, government and people, express once again deep condolences over the demise of leader Kim Jong Il to our regret.
Kim Jong Il was a close friend of the Cuban people. He always paid deep attention to the steady development of the fraternal relations between Cuba and the DPRK.
We hope that the Korean people will register greater successes in the efforts to build a thriving socialist nation under the wise leadership of the dear respected Kim Jong Un.
The Cuban government will in the future, too, develop the friendly and cooperative relations in an overall way in all fields, cherishing deep the comradely obligation with the DPRK as intended by the supreme leaders of the two countries.
On 17 February 2012 Hyon Hak Bong presented his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II (Photo here). A former deputy director-general in the DPRK’s Foreign Ministry, Hyon was appointed DPRK Ambassador to the UK by the SPA Presidium in early December, prior to Kim Jong Il’s death. According to the Court Circular: “His Excellency Mr. Hyon Hak Bong was received in audience by The Queen today and presented the Letters of Recall of his predecessor and his own Letters of Credence as Ambassador from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the Court of St. James’s. Mrs. Choe Jin Ok was also received by Her Majesty.”
KCNA reports:
Hyon Hak Bong, DPRK ambassador to the UK, on Feb. 17 presented his credentials to Elizabeth II, queen of the UK.
She wished the dear respected Kim Jong Un great success in his work to build a thriving nation and improve the standard of people’s living.
She hoped everything will go on well in the DPRK under the leadership of Kim Jong Un.
Noting that the bilateral relations have developed on good terms over the last ten odd years since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries, she hoped that the two governments would positively cooperate with each other in various fields.
A view of the rostrum of a national meeting held for Kim Jong Il's birthday on 15 February 2012 at the 25 April House of Culture in Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA)
Kim Kyong Hui (front row, center) sitting on the rostrum during the meeting
The DPRK’s central leadership gathered at the 25 April House of Culture on Wednesday (15 February) for a national meeting to commemorate the official 70th birthday of the late Kim Jong Il. It was the first reported public appearance of KJI’s sister, Kim Kyong Hui, since early January. KCNA reports:
A national meeting took place here on Wednesday to commemorate the 70th birth anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il.
The dear respected Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the army and the state, was present at the meeting.
Present there were Kim Yong Nam, Choe Yong Rim, Ri Yong Ho and other senior party, state and army officials, officials of the party, armed forces, power bodies, social organizations, ministries and national institutions, servicepersons of the Korean People’s Army and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces, officials in the fields of science, education, culture and arts, public health and media, bereaved families of revolutionary martyrs, persons of distinguished service, working people in the city, delegations of overseas compatriots, compatriots and the chief of the Pyongyang mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front.
All the participants observed a moment’s silence in the humblest reverence in memory ofKim Jong Il, the father of the nation and peerless Songun brilliant commander,
Kim Yong Nam, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People’s Assembly, made a report.
Kim Jong Il’s nearly 70 year-long revolutionary life was the most brilliant life of the peerlessly great man who adorned the protracted course of the Juche revolution, the Songun revolution with shining victory and glory, with boundless loyalty to the idea and cause of PresidentKim Il Sung, the reporter said, adding:
He, who was born as son of guerrillas in Mt. Paektu and grew up to be a great revolutionary, led the Korean revolution and the human cause of independence to victory with his distinguished idea, rare leadership and noble virtues, thus performing immortal feats on behalf of the country and the nation, the times and the history.
He formulated the President’s revolutionary idea as an integral system of ideas and theories and methods of Juche.
He comprehensively developed and enriched the Juche idea, Songun idea with original and profound principles and contents as required by the times and the revolutionary development.
He turned the WPK into an ideologically unblemished organization, organizational integral whole and an entity united in action firmly based on the party’s monolithic ideological system and the monolithic guidance system and successfully laid down the party’s foundation to carry forward the cause of Juche.
He built the WPK into a true mother party which takes care of the destiny of the people in a highly responsible manner, its roots struck among the popular masses.
He clarified from a new angle the philosophy on single-minded unity based on the revolutionary comradeship, built up the revolutionary ranks into invincible ranks united close in ideology and purpose and sense of moral obligation centered on the leader and rallied broad masses around the party with benevolent and all-embracing politics.
While providing the Songun revolutionary leadership, he made sure that the Kim Il SungConstitution was adopted and the state machinery with main emphasis on national defence was set up.
He formulated the three charters for national reunification true to the last instructions of the President for the country’s reunification, and provided the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and the October 4 declaration with his immensely broad magnanimity and attraction, bringing about a landmark phase in the movement for reunification advancing in the idea of “By our nation itself”.
Kim Jong Il’s idea and cause are being steadfastly carried forward by the dear respectedKim Jong Un, the only successor to the revolutionary cause of Juche, the reporter noted, and continued:
All the party members, servicepersons and people should protect Kim Jong Un politically and ideologically with their lives and get united around him, cherishing the spirit of single-minded unity to invariably defend the center of the unity and the center of the leadership no matter how much water may flow under the bridge.
It is necessary to make sustained great efforts to bolster the country’s defence capability to the maximum, true to the unshakable Songun will of Kim Jong Un, supreme commander of the KPA, and thus firmly defend the socialist system and gains of the revolution with the might of arms of Mt. Paektu.
It is imperative to carry out the historic tasks for laying the firm foundation for an economic power so as to open the gate to a thriving nation this significant year without fail and enter into a new high stage of comprehensively building a thriving nation.
It is necessary to make a breakthrough towards independent reunification under the uplifted slogan “Let all the compatriots open the gates of national reunification full of fresh confidence!” and resolutely foil all sorts of anti-reunification moves of the separatist forces at home and abroad and accomplish the historic cause of the country’s reunification, the greatest desire of the nation, without fail.
The DPRK will, in the future, too, hold fast to the idea of independence, friendship and peace and boost the relations of friendship with all the countries that respect its sovereignty.
Similar meetings took place in all provinces, cities, counties and at complexes on the same day.
The video below may not be legal to access in some countries
Recently, ROK media published several stories detailing the family connections among current and past members of the DPRK leadership. The images below illustrate some of the familial connections among the country’s elites.
Kwangbok Area Supermarket in Mangyo'ngdae District in west Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA)
The Kwangpok Area Supermarket in west Pyongyang opened on Thursday, 5 January. One of the largest shopping centers in the DPRK, the Kwangpok market is a joint venture between the DPRK T’aesong General Trading Corporation and the PRC’s Feihaimengxin Trading Company. A grand opening event was held on 5 January. One of the participants at the opening ceremony was Jon Il Chun (Chon Il-chun), deputy director of the Korean Workers’ Party’s Finance and Accounting Department and section chief of Office #39. Mr. Jon accompanied Kim Jong Il on a visit to the Kwangpok store in mid-December 2011, which was KJI’s last reported public appearance before his death.
Jon Il Chun (R) stands with DPRK and Chinese participants at an opening ceremony held in front of the main entrance to Kwangpok Area Supermarket on 5 January (Photo: KCNA)
KCNA reports:
All business service at the supermarket built as a commercial service center has been put on IT and digital basis. Customers can buy varieties of goods according to their taste and requirements in the sales rooms on each floor stacked with household appliances, electronic products, foodstuff, fibre, sundries and others.
Present there were officials concerned, officials of the Korea Taesong General Trading Corporation, officials and employees of the Kwangbok Area Supermarket, members of the Feihaimengxin Trading (Beijing) Co. Ltd. staying in the DPRK and the Chinese embassy here.
O Ryong Il, general president of the Corporation, said in his speech that the work to build the supermarket was successfully completed under the energetic leadership of leader Kim Jong Il and the dear respected Kim Jong Un and the positive efforts of the peoples of the two countries.
He expressed belief that the supermarket would help towards improving the people’s living standard and promoting the well-being of the two peoples through better service and management.
Xue Rifei, executive managing director of the Feihaimengxin Trading (Beijing) Co. Ltd., said in his speech that Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un gave field guidance to the supermarket on December 15, 2011 and named it the Kwangbok Area Supermarket.
He expressed the expectation that an effort will be made to reenergize the supermarket to win high appreciation for its best management, service and credit.
People tour the aisles of the Kwangpok Area Supermarket after an opening ceremony on 5 January (Photo: KCNA)
The shopping center was the last place the leader paid a public visit to before he died in mid-December. It is jointly run by China and DPRK, with China holding 65 percent of its shares.
At the opening ceremony on Thursday, DPRK business representatives said they will try their best to provide quality service in order to contribute to the livelihood of people from the two countries.
Chinese delegates responded that the shopping center’s opening will give a new boost to DPRK trade and economy.
The shopping center is now selling a complete variety of items, ranging from food to clothes, and from household appliances to electronic products, most of which are imported from neighbouring China.
