Kim Jong Un Visits Ch’angso’ng County

Kim Jong Un (R) tours the Ch’angso’ng Revolutionary Site in Ch’angso’ng County, North P’yo’ngan Province (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

DPRK state media reported on 13 June (Thursday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) toured different locales in Ch’angso’ng County, North P’yo’ngan Province and toured Taegwan Glass Factory.  Attending the visits were VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department), Choe Hwi (Senior Deputy [1st vice] Director of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Propaganda and Agitation Department), Pak Tae Song (Deputy KWP Department Director) and Ri Man Gon (Chief Secretary of the North P’yo’ngan KWP Provincial Committee).  Kim Jong Un’s last reported public appearance was his visit to the Pyongyang International Football (soccer) School, the Rungna Sports Park and the offices of the State Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Committee.

Kim Jong Un reviews a product display at Ch’angso’ng Foodstuffs Factory (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un grins whilst touring a section of the Ch’angso’ng Foodstuffs Factory (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un’s first stop in Ch’angso’ng County was to the Ch’angso’ng Foodstuffs Factory.  He toured the factory’s historical exhibition followed by “the milling work-team, liquor production work-team, confectionary production work-team, wild fruit processing work-team and the products show room and other various places of the factory.”  According to KCNA he “praised the employees of the factory and officials in the field concerned not only for building it well as befitting a base specializing in processing wild fruits but achieving a lot of successes in carrying out the instructions given by Kim Jong Il to take the lead in wild fruit processing” and “underscored the need for the factory to more energetically push forward technological updating, not resting content with the successes already achieved, and steadily raise the level of technical skills of the employees and meticulously organize the factory and business management.”  Kim Jong Un also “expressed expectation and belief that the employees of the factory would intensify the drive for increased production, bearing deep in mind the profound loving care shown by the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il for the people.”   He ended his visit by posing for commemorative photographs with factory managers and employees.

View of Ch’angso’ng-u’p, North P’yo’ngan Province (Photo: Google image)

Kim Jong Un (2nd R) is briefed about products of the Ch’angso’ng Foodstuffs Factory (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un inspects a product of the Ch’angso’ng Foodstuffs Factory (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un smokes a cigarettes and reads a menu at the Ch’angso’ng Restaurant (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un holds a cigarette while touring a kitchen in Ch’angso’ng County, North P’yo’ngan Province (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un also visited the Ch’angso’ng Restaurant and Ch’angso’ng Noodle House where he “asked about their accommodation capacity and measures to keep them provided with adequate quantities of foodstuff” and “underlined the need to promote culinary festival in order to further develop cooking culture as required by the new century.”  According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un “expressed expectation and belief that the employees of the restaurant and the noodle house would improve their service in the spirit of dedication to the people” and posed for commemorative photographs with the restaurants’ employees.  He then visited Undok Health Complex where he “called for more splendidly remodeling it, noting there can be no satisfaction in doing anything for the people.”

He later visited Ch’angso’ng-u’p, the county seat.  He “praised the builders for successfully constructing the town to suit the characteristics of the mountainous county” and “noting that the county is playing the role of a base for carrying out the three revolutions, ideological, technical and cultural, and vanguard in the struggle for defending the socialist system” Kim Jong Un “called on it to increase its role as required by the Military-First (So’ngun) era.”  Kim Jong Un toured the Ch’angso’ng Revolutionary Museum and was “briefed on it before the monument to the immortal revolutionary activities conducted by the great Generalissimos and Kim Hyong Jik, an outstanding leader of the anti-Japanese national liberation movement in Korea, in the land of Ch’angso’ng.”

Kim Jong Un tours Undok Health Complex in Ch’angso’ng County, North P’yo’ngan Province (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un grins during a tour of the Ch’angso’ng Revolutionary Museum (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

According to KCNA, he “called for sprucing up Changsong County as a people’s paradise and making hurrah for socialism ring out louder from the county” then attended a photo-op with museum employees.  Kim Jong Un then visited the Ch’angso’ng Revolutionary Historical Site and the the county’s cultural hall.  Of the revolutionary site he called for “preserving it on a permanent basis to educate party members and other people, soldiers and school youth and children in the immortal revolutionary exploits performed by Kim Il Sung in leading the Fatherland Liberation War (Korean War) to victory and his noble personality” and “proposed a task for creating art pieces depicting Kim Il Sung working at the revolutionary site.”  At the cultural hall, he watched a performance by Ch’angso’ng County’s art propaganda squad.  According to KCNA he “highly praised the members of the art group for giving a successful performance with great cognitional and instructive value by truthfully representing their life” then posed for commemorative photographs with the art squad’s members.

Kim Jong Un (C) poses for a commemorative photograph in front of a revolutionary historical marker at Ch’angso’ng Revolutionary Site (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un (R) smokes a cigarette and talks with a subordinate during a performance by the Ch’angso’ng County art propaganda squad at the county’s cultural hall (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

In August 1962, the late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung (paternal grandfather of Kim Jong Un) led the Joint Conference of Local Party and Economic Officials, which convened in Ch’angso’ng County.  The meeting resulted in the publication, under Kim Il Sung’s name, of “Theses on the Socialist Rural Question in Our Country.”  Kim Jong Il conducted multiple visits to sites Ch’angso’ng County and the county was established as a model for developing local economies in the DPRK.  According to one official DPRK text, “experience of Ch’angso’ng County, North P’yo’ngan Province, a county which after Comrade Kim Il Sung’s field guidance there, made good use of its mountains, comprising 90 per cent of its whole territory, and turned itself into a rich and modern county by developing livestock farming and local industry.”  The 50th anniversary of the Ch’angso’ng joint conference was held on 8 August 2012 at which a third generation of Kim treatises on the county, ”Let Us Build All Counties into People’s Paradise Good to Live in by Embodying Historic Spirit of Changsong Joint Conference” by Kim Jong Un, was read.  Ch’angso’ng County is also the location of a residential compound used by members of the Kim Family and other DPRK elites, which sits on the DPRK-China border.

View of the Kanam-ri residential complex of the Kim Family and other DPRK elites (Photo: Google image).

Kim Jong Un tours an assembling shop with CNC machines during a tour of Taegwan Glass Factory in North P’yo’ngan Province (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

DPRK state media reported on 14 June (Friday) that Kim Jong Un visited the Taegwan Glass Factory in Taegwan County, North P’yo’ngan Province.  He inspected “the performance of the optical measuring instruments” and said that “it further improved the performance of the instruments than last year and ensured their safety. . .in order to make the instruments produced at the factory prove effective in reality, it is necessary to further raise their precision.  The inquiry into the performance of the instruments today proved that it is quite possible to succeed if endeavors are made, based on scientific researches and technological updating.”  Kim Jong Un also inspected other assembly and production sectors in the factory.  According to KCNA, he said “the optical measuring instruments being produced at the factory require high technology, stressing that in order to keep the production going at a high rate and improve their quality it is necessary to give full play to the mental power of the producers, intensify scientific researches and steadily raise the level of technical skills of the workers” and “underlined the need to focus efforts on the independent technological development capable of surpassing the world level, put the production processes on a modern and automatic basis and wage a more dynamic drive to raise the rate of locally available equipment and materials.”

Kim Jong Un “underscored the need to raise high demands to the units producing items of cooperative production and successfully conduct cooperative operations” then he inspected computer numerical control machines.  According to KCNA, he “set forth tasks which would serve as guidelines for the management and operation of the factory and production.”  After touring the factory, Kim Jong Un posed for commemorative photographs with factory employees, managers and officials “expressing expectation and belief that they would boost the production of quality and modern glass products and optical instruments by conducting a widespread mass technological innovation movement, true to the WPK’s idea of pushing back the frontiers of the latest science and technology.”

Commemorative Photo Watch

Kim Jong Un poses for a commemorative photograph with managers, officials and employees of Ch’angso’ng Foodstuffs Factory (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un poses for a commemorative photograph with employees of a restaurant in Ch’angso’ng County, North P’yo’ngan Province (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un poses for a commemorative photograph with restaurant employees in Ch’angso’ng County, North P’yo’ngan Province (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un poses for a commemorative photograph with employees and officials of the Ch’angso’ng Revolutionary Museum (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un (C) poses for a commemorative photograph with museum employees in front of a revolutionary historical marker at Ch’angso’ng Revolutionary Site (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un poses for a commemorative photograph with members of the Ch’angso’ng County art propaganda squad in front of the county cultural hall (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un “Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em” Watch

(Photos: Rodong Sinmun)

Chinese Vice President Attends Anniversary Reception at DPRK Embassy in Beijing

DPRK Embassy in Beijing (Photo: Google image)

DPRK state media reported that the DPRK Embassy in Beijing hosted a reception commemorating the 30th anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s “maiden visit” to China in 1983.  Attending the reception from the Chinese government were Vice President Li Yuanchao, Deputy Director of the Communist Party of China’s International Liaison Department Liu Jieyi and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin.  DPRK Ambassador to China Ji Jae Ryong and embassy personnel attended on behalf of the DPRK.  In his anniversary speech, according to KCNA, Ji Jae Ryong remarked “that the maiden visit to China by Kim Jong Il was a historic event which greatly contributed to putting on a new high stage the traditional DPRK-China friendship which was provided and cultivated by President Kim Il Sung together with Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai and other leaders of the elder generation of China and stood all tests of history and to ensuring the peace and security in Northeast Asia and the rest of the world and advancing the human cause of independence against imperialism” and that “Kim Jong Un is paying deep attention to boosting the DPRK-China friendly relations true to the noble intention of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.”  Ji also said “we will as ever make joint efforts with Chinese comrades to steadily boost the traditional DPRK-China friendship.”

Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao (L) and DPRK Ambassador to the PRC Ji Jae Ryong (R) spoke at an anniversary reception commemorating Kim Jong Il’s 1983 visit to China held at the DPRK Embassy to China on 13 June 2013 (Photos: Xinhua and Yonhap)

According to KCNA, Li Yuanchao said in his speech that “Kim Jong Il worked heart and soul to develop the Korean revolution and construction and the traditional Sino-DPRK friendly relations and made important contributions” and “First Secretary Kim Jong Un in his recent personal letter sent to General Secretary Xi Jinping underlined the need to carry forward and develop the traditional Sino-DPRK friendly relations.”  Li also said “the Chinese party and government set great store by the Sino-DPRK friendly relations and the new collective leadership of the Communist Party of China will together with the party and government of the DPRK respect and trust each other and conduct friendly exchange and cooperation in the spirit of inheriting the tradition, facing up to the future, building good-neighborly friendship and strengthening cooperation and thus promote the development of the Sino-DPRK friendly relations and defend the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”

The reception in Beijing followed a similar anniversary event hosted by the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Central Committee at the Koryo Hotel in Pyongyang on 4 June.  The Pyongyang reception commemorating the 30th anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s visit to China was attended by PRC Ambassador to the DPRK Liu Hongcai, PRC Embassy personnel and Chinese nationals and students working in the DPRK.  KWP Secretary and Director of the International Affairs Department [IAD] Kim Yong Il attended the reception on behalf of the DPRK, and was joined by officials from the IAD, the DPRK Foreign Ministry and the National Defense Commission.

Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Liu Hongcai (L) and KWP International Affairs Secretary Kim Yong Il (R) spoke at an anniversary event commemorating Kim Jong Il’s 1983 visit to China, held at the Koryo Hotel in Pyongyang on 4 June 2013 (Photos: PRC Embassy in the DPRK, NKLW file photo).

In his speech Kim Yong Il said “Kim Jong Il’s visit to China in June 1983 marked a historic event of weighty significance in boosting the traditional DPRK-China friendship generation after generation” and “recalled that senior officials of the party and state of China enthusiastically welcomed Kim Jong Il, who paid a maiden visit to their country as most important state guest and accorded him cordial hospitality with all sincerity.”  Kim Yong Il also remarked that “Kim Jong Il, setting greatest store by the DPRK-China friendship provided by President Kim Il Sung, exerted great efforts to make the deeply rooted friendship flourish and develop.  It is the noble duty and obligation of the present generation to steadily boost the precious DPRK-China friendship associated with great efforts of the leaders of the elder generation of the two parties and countries.  The recent visit paid by a special envoy of Comrade Kim Jong Un to China marked an important occasion in steadily boosting the DPRK-China friendly relations, wealth common to the peoples of the two countries, as required by the new times.”  According to KCNA, Kim also said that “tt is the unshakable political stand of the WPK and the government of the DPRK to steadily develop the DPRK-China friendship, he said, stressing that the WPK would in the future, too, to boost with vitality and dynamism the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.”

Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Liu Hongcai, according to KCNA, said “General Secretary Kim Jong Il visited China several times to forge close relations with Chinese party and state leaders and worked heart and soul to boost the Sino-DPRK friendly and cooperative relations” and that “China and the DPRK are the friendly neighbors linked by the same mountain and rivers, he said, stressing that it is the consistent stand of the Chinese party and government to steadily develop the Sino-DPRK friendly relations.”  Liu also said “the Chinese side deems it important to invariably develop the Sino-DPRK friendly relations on a strategic height and from a long-term viewpoint” and Liu “underscored the need to further value the Sino-DPRK friendship, the precious common treasure of the two peoples, and carry forward and develop it generation after generation.”  Liu “recalled that the special envoy of First Secretary of Kim Jong Un visited China and met with General Secretary Xi Jinping and other leading officials of China and had an in-depth and candid exchange of views on issues of common concern” and said “the relations between the two countries at present have entered a new historic phase. . .underlining the need to promote common development on the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit and co-prosperity and thus bring welfare to the two peoples.”

The two events commemorating the anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s visit to China in 1983 appear to be part of a reconciliation process between the DPRK and China.  The Beijing reception was attended by PRC Vice President Li Yuanchao, who visited the DPRK Embassy on a condolence call after Kim Jong Il’s death in December 2011 and who lead a CPC delegation on an official visit to the DPRK in June 2011, during which he met with the late DPRK leader.  Also attending the Beijing anniversary event were Liu Jieyi, who escorted VMar Choe Ryong Hae during his visit to Beijing in May 2013, and Liu Zhenmin, who had previously participated in several senior DPRK-PRC interactions.

DPRK Premier Visits Yanggakdo Stadium and Pyongyang Essential Foodstuffs Factory

DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju (3rd R) inspects a lawn mower during his visit to the renovation of Yanggakdo Stadium in Pyongyang. Also in attendance is DPRK Vice Premier and State Planning Commission Chairman Ro To Chol (2nd R) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

DPRK state media reported on 13 June (Thursday) that DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju visited the Pyongyang Essential Foodstuffs Factory and the renovation of the Yanggakdo Football Stadium.  Pak’s first visit was to the Pyongyang Essential Foodstuffs Factory, following up a visit by DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) which was reported in state media on 7 June.  Pak toured the food factory and “congratulated its officials and employees upon presenting a great pleasure to Kim Jong Un.”  He also convened a meeting with the factory’s managers and officials which “which stressed the need for the factory to activate the production on the basis of production potentiality. It also pressed for the measures for relevant units to substantially provide necessary raw and other materials.”  Pak later visited Yanggakdo Stadium, currently under going renovation work by construction units of the Ministry of Railways.  Pak “encouraged officials and employees of the Ministry of Railways all out in the drive to carry out the on-the-spot instructions given by the dear respected Marshal Kim Jong Un on successfully remodeling the stadium into an exclusive one that can represent football stadium of the DPRK” and “underscored the need for the officials and builders to keep in mind the undying exploits of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il for the development of the Chuch’e-oriented sports and bring about great innovations in remodeling the stadium,” according to KCNA.  Pak held a “consultative meeting” with construction managers and officials and “discussed the matters arising in sprucing up the stadium.”

View of Yanggakdo Stadium and the Pyongyang Essential Foodstuffs Factory (Photo: Google image).

The Pyongyang Essential Foodstuffs Factory in east Pyongyang (Photo: Google image).

The Yanggakdo Stadium in Pyongyang. Construction boats, some of which may be involved in dredging operations in the Taedong River to produce concrete, can be seen at the bottom of the image (Photo: Google image).

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.”

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.

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 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.”

KPA Meeting Begins “Masikryong” Speed Campaign

Meeting of KPA personnel at Masik Pass ski park in Kangwo’n Province on 5 June 2013 in support of an economic construction speed campaign proposed by leader Kim Jong Un (Photo: KCNA screengrab)

DPRK state media reported that Korean People’s Army [KPA] officers and service members assembled at the construction site of the Masik Pas Skiing Grounds in Kangwo’n Province on 5 June (Wednesday) in support of the “Masikryong Speed” a development and construction speed campaign initiated by Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n).  Attending the rally were VMar Choe Ryong Hae, Director of the KPA General Political Department, and Col. Gen. Jang Jong Nam, Minister of the People’s Armed forces, along with officials of the Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces and KPA Personnel.

VMar Choe Ryong Hae, Director of the KPA General Political Department, speaks at a meeting in support of the “Masikryong Speed” battle in Kangwo’n Province on 5 June 2013

Senior officials attend and speak at a KPA meeting in support of the “Masikryong Speed” battle for economic construction on 5 June 2013, including Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Jang Jong Nam (middle image) (Photos: KCNA screengrabs)

Choe Ryong Hae, Jang Jong Nam and KPA construction personnel spoke at the meeting.  According to KCNA, the meeting speakers said “the appeal serves as inspiring banner instilling redoubled energy and courage into the service personnel.  In response to the historic appeal the service personnel will creditably fulfill their responsibility and role they have assumed before the era and history in the on-going sacred struggle to live up to the Supreme Commander’s trust and expectation” and that they “will wind up the construction of the skiing ground in the shortest possible span of time as the first-line unit in creating the “Masikryong Speed” with the same vim and vigor with which they created the Hu’ich’o'n speed. They will fully prove once again before the whole world that the resolution of the Supreme Commander precisely means practice.”

KPA officers and servicemembers attend a 5 June 2013 meeting in Kangwo’n Province in support of the “Masikryong Speed” battle initiated by DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (Photos: KCNA screengrabs).

On 5 June DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un issues an “urgent appeal” under the title “Let Us Create the ‘Masikryong Speed’ and Usher in New Heyday on All Fronts for Socialist Construction.”  While Kim Jong Un’s appeal focused on completing construction of the Masik Pass Skiing Grounds before the end of 2013, the “Masikryong Speed” is model for economic construction throughout the DPRK, a byproduct of the simultaneous line “pushing forward economic construction and the building of nuclear force” adopted at the March 2013 meeting of the Korean Workers’ Party Central Committee.  Speed campaigns and economic battles and publicity campaigns focused on model workers or model complexes.  Modeled on the “Ch’o'llima Speed” in post-Korean War construction, the most recent speed campaign was “Hu’ich’o'n Speed” (2009) which referred to the construction of the  Hu’ich’o'n Power Station and recent model complex/worker campaigns have been “Chuch’e Steel” (2009-2010) and the “torch of Hamnam (South Hamgyo’ng Province)” (2011-present).  According to KCNA Kim Jong Un’s appeal, in part said:

Kim Jong Un said the construction of the Masik Pass Skiing Ground is a gigantic patriotic work initiated by the Workers’ Party of Korea to provide the people with better cultural conditions by translating into reality President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il’s noble idea of loving the people.

The soldier-builders have achieved remarkable successes by cutting off natural rocks and steep mountain ranges and building skiing courses covering hundreds of thousands of square meters with more than a hundred thousand meters in a total length in a matter of less than one year since they had a ground-breaking ceremony, he said, and continued:

The construction of the skiing ground is such a huge project that it is hard for others to complete the project even in ten years. But the WPK remains unchanged in its resolution to build a world-class skiing ground within this year and provide the people and school youth and children with a highly civilized and happy living conditions to enable them enjoy all blessings.

He expressed belief that the soldier-builders would wind up the construction of the skiing ground within this year by creating the “Masikryong Speed” by dint of indomitable mental power and persevering charge and that all the service personnel and people across the country would bring about a great leap forward and signal innovations on all fronts for socialist construction in that spirit.

The secret to completing the construction of the Masik Pass Skiing Ground ahead of schedule lies in giving fullest play to the mental power of the service personnel, he noted, adding Kim Jong Il’s patriotism is the core of the mental power to be cherished by the soldier-builders.

He underscored the need to dynamically push ahead with the construction of the skiing ground by dint of great army-people unity, the mainstay of the Songun revolution and groundwork of society.

It is the intention and resolution of the WPK to raise a hot-wind of great innovations and upswing throughout the country by letting all people learn from the indomitable fighting spirit and work style being displayed by the soldiers in the construction of the skiing ground, he stressed.

He also underlined the need for the People’s Army to make thorough-going preparations for combat and bring about uninterrupted innovations in all major construction projects and in the work for sprucing up the provinces, cities and counties.

He called on all the people including workers, farmers and intellectuals to further reenergize all the economic sectors of the country and positively contribute to implementing national economy plan by fully implementing the WPK’s line on simultaneously pushing forward economic construction and the building of nuclear force.