Choe Yong Rim Visits South Hwanghae Province

Choe Yong Rim visits Samjigang Cooperative Farm on 24 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported that DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim visited agricultural and food production facilities in South Hwanghae Province.  Choe’s public appearances occurred amid reports of a drought in the western part of the country and starvation deaths in South Hwanghae.  On 24 May (Thursday) Choe visited Samjigang Cooperative Farm in Chaeryo’ng County.  KCNA reports:

It is associated with the leadership provided by the President and leader Kim Jong Il. It has completed rice transplanting in the right time while giving priority to harrowing according to the features of soil and thoroughly ensuring the number of rice plants for phyong and the number for rice plants. The agricultural workers of the farm are turning out as one in weeding and preventing drought, not content with their proud achievements.

The premier stressed the need to set a model of the country in farming this year, too, true to the behests of Kim Jong Il and thus remain loyal to the Songun revolutionary leadership of Kim Jong Un with rice.

Choe Yong Rim visits Suwon Cooperative Farm in Paech’o'n County, South Hwanghae Province on 25 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

On 25 May (Friday) Choe visited cooperative farms and water infrastructure in Yo’nan and Paech’o'n counties:

All the agricultural workers of the counties are gaining achievements in the ongoing rice transplanting with ardent patriotism to bring about a decisive turn in settling the food issue as befitting the masters of the country’s granary true to the high intention of the dear respected Kim Jong Un.

The premier went round the Ohyon and Suwon cooperative farms and other places.

He underlined the need for the farms to carry through the behests of President Kim Il Sung and thereby continue glorifying the honor of the units of his on-the-spot guidance. He underscored the need to positively study and introduce high yields of seeds as intended by the WPK so as to set a model in grain production. He stressed the need to readjust tractors and rice transplanting machines well to keep them in full-capacity and for relevant units to provide substantial fertilizers according to periods.

Learning about water storage and provision of Lake Kuam and the Ryeui Reservoir, he underscored the need to provide substantial water to paddy and non-paddy fields as it does not rain at present and thus take concrete measures for preventing drought.

Choe Yong Rim visits Ohyon Cooperative Farm in Yo’nan County, South Hwanghae Province on 25 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Choe visits Ryeui Reservoir (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim visits Lake Kuam on 25 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Choe visits Oguk Cooperative Farm in Anhak County, South Hwanghae Province on 26 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

On 26 May (Saturday) Choe visited farms in Anhak and Sinch’o'n counties, as well as a salt production site:

The farms associated with the leadership exploits of the great persons of Mt. Paektu have made successes in their immediate farming by making full arrangements for finishing the on-going rice-transplantation and other farm work qualitatively in the right time with ardent desire to reap a rich harvest.

The farms have taken measures for speeding up the rice-transplantation and overcoming the drought despite unfavorable weather as required by the Juche-oriented farming methods.

The premier highlighted the importance of settling the food shortage in building a thriving nation and called on all officials and other agricultural workers to play their role as those responsible for the nation’s agricultural production.

He also stressed the need to meet technological requirements for harrowing and winding up the rice-transplanting in right season.

He underlined the need for all officials to take good care of the farmers’ living as their mothers would do by earnestly learning from the dear respected Kim Jong Un’s noble outlook on people.

He called on the relevant units to take steps for supplying farm materials needed for rice-transplantation in good time.

Then the premier visited the construction site of Hwangnam Youth Saltern in the province nearing its completion.

The construction of the saltern, covering hundreds of hectares, made it possible to produce a large quantity of salt for the economic development and improvement of people’s living standard in the province.

Looking round the saltern ensuring economic profitability, the premier called for upholding the party with increased output of salt by conducting an effective work for raising the workers’ technical skill.

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim visits Saenal County in Sinch’o'n County on 26 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim visits the construction of Hwangnam Youth Saltern on 26 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK Premier Visits Power Station and Coal Mine

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim tours the Kumyagang Army-People Power Station on May 5, 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 6 May (Sunday) that Premier Choe Yong Rim and DPRK Cabinet officials visited the Ku’myagang Army-People Power Station and the Ku’mya Youth Coal Mine in South Hamgyo’ng Province on 5 May (Saturday).  KCNA reports:

The first leg of his visit was the Kumyagang Army-People Power Station. He held a consultative meeting after going round various places of the station.

It took measures for boosting the electricity production by operating the generating equipment in full capacity and underscored the need for the related units to supply equipment and materials necessary for the operation of the power station.

The next leg of his visit was the Kumya Youth Coal Mine.

He learned in detail about the coal production there before holding a consultative meeting of the officials concerned on the spot.

The meeting called on the officials to take good care of workers true to the dear respected Kim Jong Un’s noble idea of loving people and took measures for providing a satisfactory supply of coal badly needed by various fields of the national economy.

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim tours Kumya Youth Coal Mine in South Hamgyong Province on 5 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Workers’ Orgs to Hold Conferences in May and June

National headquarters of the Kim Il Sung Youth League (L) and the Korea Democratic Women’s Union (R) in Pyongyang (Photo: Google image)

DPRK state media reported on 4 May (Friday) that the four major Workers’ Organizations will hold membership conferences “from late May to early June.”  KCNA reports:

Conferences of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea and the Democratic Women’s Union of Korea are to be held here from late May to early June.

Discussed there will be the tasks of the working people’s organisations to hold in high esteem President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il as eternal leaders of the Party and revolution, carry through the decision of the Fourth Conference of the Workers’ Party of Korea and build a thriving socialist nation under the guidance of the dear respected Kim Jong Un.

It is not clear if the Workers’ Organizations’ conferences are linked to another large gathering in Pyongyang connected to boosting the country’s food supply.  Good Friends reported on its website on 2 May (Wednesday) that “the new leadership decided to hold a homeland meeting in Pyongyang early in May with the intent of preparing measures to resolve the problem of food shortages.  Three to four functionaries of related fields from each county, and even larger numbers from each city are continuing to gather in Pyongyang. . .the scale is second only to the party representatives’ conference held on 11 April.”  Good Friends also reported that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n), “personally ordered the meeting to be held, saying that good methods of food production should be sought fundamentally.”

AFP reports:

North Korean officials from across the country will meet in Pyongyang this month to discuss ways to boost agriculture in the food-scarce nation, a Seoul aid group said on Thursday.

The ‘Homeland Conference’ will focus on ways to expand farmland in the mountainous nation by cultivating rugged areas and inactive land, Good Friends said on its website.

The meeting will draw hundreds of people including central and local government officials, ruling communist party officials and other state agencies, making it as large as a party meeting last month, the aid group said.

Seoul’s unification ministry could not immediately confirm the reported meeting, for which the aid group gave no date.

The North suffered a famine which killed hundreds of thousands in the 1990s and severe food shortages continue. UN agencies said last November that three million people would need food aid this year and child malnutrition was rising.

Good Friends said the Pyongyang meeting would also consider a chronic workforce shortage in agriculture.

Many collectivised farms suffer high rates of absenteeism as farmers roam in search of roots and wild greens to compensate for grain shortages, it said.

MRLs Sent to South Hamgyo’ng

MLRS vehicles parade through the city of centre of Hamhung on 19 April 2012 during a presentation ceremony (Photo: KCNA)

Multiple launch rocket systems [MLRS] were sent to Korean People’s Army [KPA] units in South Hamgyo’ng on the occasion of the official anniversary of the KPA’s foundation.  DPRK state media reported that a presentation ceremony was held in the provincial capital of Hamhu’ng on 19 April (Thursday).  According to KCNA some assembly of the MRLS was done by members of two Korean Worker’ Party Workers’ Organizations, the Korean Democratic Women’s Union [KDWU] and the Kim Il Sung Youth League.

KCNA reports:

Multiple-launch rocket systems “Sonyon-ho” and “Nyomaeng-ho” manufactured with the assistance of school youth and children and members of the Democratic Women’s Union of Korea (DWUK) across the country were presented to units of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) with due ceremony at Hamhung Square in South Hamgyong Province on Thursday to mark the 80th anniversary of the KPA.

Those rockets are associated with their will to remain true to the Party’s songun [military-first] revolutionary leadership generation after generation and their patriotic desire to make contributions to bolstering the nation’s defence capability.

Present at the ceremony were Jon Yong Nam, first secretary of the C.C., the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League; Ro Song Sil, chairwoman of the C.C., DWUK; and officials concerned, service personnel of the KPA, school youth and children, members of the Women’s Union and people in the province.

Presentation addresses and speeches were made.

At the end of the ceremony the rocket systems left for units of the KPA amid warm send-off of school youth and children, women’s union members and other people in Hamhung City.

Kim Jong Un Attends 2 More Photo Ops

Kim Jong Un waves to managers and employees of the Mansudae Art Studio during a photo op with them, reported by DPRK media on 20 April (Photo: KCNA)

A commemorative photo of Kim Jong Un, other members of the DPRK central leadership and employees of the Mansudae Art Studio (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on Friday (20 April) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) attended two commemorative photo sessions at Ku’msusan Memorial Palace.  His first photo op was with the managers, party officials and personnel of the Mansudae Art Studio.  KJU was accompanied by SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam, DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim, Director of the KPA General Political Bureau Choe Ryong Hae, NDC Vice Chairman Jang Song Taek and KWP Secretary and Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department [PAD] Kim Ki Nam and PAD Senior Deputy (1st Vice) Director Ri Jae Il and PAD Deputy (Vice) Director Kwon Hyok Byong.   KCNA reports:

Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, first chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army, had a picture taken with officials, creators and employees of the Mansudae Art Studio.

Before having a photo session with them, Kim Jong Un warmly congratulated them on their big successes in the creative work to portray the leaders including the erection of the statues of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il on Mansu Hill and in the drive to thoroughly implement the WPK’s Juche-oriented literary and art policy.

He expressed expectation and conviction that they would bring about a fresh turn in the work to portray the leaders and create many more masterpieces fully reflecting the Korean people’s thoughts and feelings and the spirit of the times and thus creditably discharge their mission and duty they have assumed before the party and the revolution.

Managers and employees of the Mansudae Art Studio greet Kim Jong Un during a commemorative photo session at Ku'msusan Memorial Palace (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un (seated, C) poses for a commemorative photograph with participants in the 15 April 2012 military parade held in Pyongyang (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un’s second photo op was with participants of the military parade held in Pyongyang on 15 April, the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung.  Also in attendance were Kim Yong Nam, Choe Yong Rim, Choe Ryong Hae, Jang Song Taek, Kim Ki Nam as well as Chief of the KPA General Staff VMar Ri Yong Ho, Minister of the People’s Armed Forces VMar Kim Jong Gak, NDC Vice Chairman and director of the KWP Civil Defense Department VMar Kim Yong Chun, KWP Secretary of Military Industry Pak To Chun, 1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces and Director of the KPA General Logistics Department VMar Hyon Chol Hae, Director of the KWP Machine-Building Industry Department Ju Kyu Chang, Director of the KWP Military Affairs Department Col. Gen. O Il Jong, Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff Gen. Choe Pu Il, Deputy (Vice) Director of the KPA General Political Bureau Gen. Pak Jae Gyong, Chief of the KPA Reconnaissance General Bureau Gen. Kim Yong Chol, Military Security Commander Col. Gen. Jo Kyong Chol, KPA Foreign Affairs Department official Col. Gen. Sim Sang Dae, Col. Gen. Son Chol Ju, Col. Gen. Yun Tong Hyon and Col. Gen. Pak Jong Chon.

A commemorative photograph of DPRK central leadership with participants in the military parade held on the anniversary of Kim Il Sung's birth (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

KCNA reports:

Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army, had a photo session with the participants in the military parade for celebrating the centenary of the birth of President Kim Il Sung.

After arriving at the square of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, Kim Jong Un waved back to the enthusiastic cheers of the participants, extending a warm salute to them.

He congratulated the service personnel of the three services and the Strategic Rocket Forces of the KPA and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces, members of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards and the Young Red Guards and students of revolutionary schools on demonstrating the spirit of Songun Korea and tremendous national power through their parade.

He expressed expectation that the participants in the parade would fulfill their mission as standard bearers and shock brigades in invariably preserving the revolutionary nature of the KPA just like the character of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and fully demonstrating the fighting method of the powerful revolutionary army of Mt. Paektu holding aloft the red flag of the WPK as its first colors.

This was the first instance that a KCNA news item directly referred to the KPA Strategic Rocket Force Command [SRFC] since Kim Jong Un’s inspection of the SRFC’s complex near Kangdong County during late February 2012.  When Kim Jong Un delivered his speech before last Sunday’s parade, according to KCBS he addressed “heroic officers of the army, the navy, the air force and the strategic rocket unit of the KPA and officers of the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces.”  However, KCNA English reporting on the parade and KJU’s speech omitted any references to the SRFC or “the strategic rocket unit of the KPA.”

Kim Jong Gak Appointed Minister of People’s Armed Forces

Kim Jong Gak (R) has been appointed defense minister and Hyon Chol Hae (3rd R) was promoted to Vice Marshal (Photo: KCNA)

VMar Kim Jong Gak (Kim Cho’ng-gak) has been appointed Minister of the People’s Armed Forces [MPAF].  Kim was promoted from 4-star general (taejang) to Vice Marshal (ch’asu) on 15 February 2012.  Four days after his promotion Kim penned an essay in Rodong Sinmun that praised Kim Jong Il and pledged the “unwavering faith” of KPA personnel to Kim Jong Un.    Kim replaces VMar Kim Yong Chun, who was appointed minister in 2009.

From 2007 to 2012 VMar Kim served as senior deputy (1st vice) director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department  [GPD](bureau), which is responsible for political control and ideological indoctrination of enlisted personnel and officers of the KPA.  Prior to that Kim was a vice minister of the People’s Armed Forces. In 2009 Kim was elected a member of the National Defense Commission [NDC] and in 2010 he was elected an alternate (candidate) member of the Political Bureau and member of the Party Central Military Commission [CMC].  The position of GPD director has been vacant since the November 2010 death of VMar Jo Myong Rok (Cho Myo’ng-rok) and Kim’s February 2012 promotion initially suggested that he would be elevated to that position.    Senior personnel changes at GPD are likely to become clearer as the next 72 hours unfold.

Hyon Chol Hae (L), Kim Jong Gak (2nd L) and Kim Yong Chun (2nd R) attend an April 2010 concert with Kim Jong Il (R) (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

On 7 April (Saturday), the CMC and NDC issued a joint promotion order.  KWP Secretary Choe Ryong Hae (Choe Ryo’ng-hae) and NDC Standing Committee Director Hyon Chol Hae were respectively elevated to Vice Marshal.  Hyon Chol Hae received his fourth star in 1995.  Despite having relatives who migrated to South Korea, neither his patronage network nor standing in the KPA has seemed to wane.  Hyon was last reported and observed in attendance at Kim Jong Un’s inspections at Ryo Island and KPA Navy Unit #155 during 4-5 April 2012.  Choe Ryong Hae was part of the September 2010 promotions list which included Kim Jong Un and Kim Kyong Hui (KJI’s sister/KJU’s aunt).

Choe Ryong Hae leads students in a loyalty oath at an April 2011 rally (Photo: KCNA)

Choe has close ties to Jang Song Taek and during the 1980s to the 1990s was one of Kim Jong Il’s closest subordinates.  Choe is the son of former defense minister Choe Hyon (1907-1982), who served as a platoon leader in the 88th Sniper Brigade (i.e. partisan unit).  Choe Hyon was a key supporter of KJI’s succession in the 1970s, arguing that an eldest son is his father’s successor.  On 10 April (Tuesday), Choe Ryong Hae led members of the central leadership to pay their respects to Choe Hyon’s memorial bust at the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery on Mt. Taesong.  KCNA reports:

Wreaths were laid before the bust of Choe Hyon, a revolutionary martyr, at the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery on Mt. Taesong Tuesday on the occasion of his 30th death anniversary.

Seen before the bust was a wreath sent by the dear respected Kim Jong Un.

Present at the wreath-laying ceremony were Choe Ryong Hae, Ri Yong Ho, Kim Yong Chun, Choe Thae Bok, Yang Hyong Sop and O Kuk Ryol, officials of the party and armed forces bodies, ministries and national institutions, and media persons, servicepersons, bereaved

families and other people in the city.

Laid before the bust were wreaths in the name of the C.C., the Workers’ Party of Korea, the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People’s Assembly, the DPRK Cabinet, the Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces, the Ministry of People’s Security, ministries, national institutions, media organs, units of the Korean People’s Army, the Pyongyang City Committee of the WPK, etc. Bouquets were also placed before the bust.

The participants observed a moment’s silence in memory of the martyr.

KCNA reported on Choe and Hyon’s promotions:

The title of Korean People’s Army Vice Marshal was awarded to Choe Ryong Hae and Hyon Chol Hae

A joint decision on awarding the title was released by the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the National Defence Commission of the DPRK on April 7.

Personnel Changes

Rumors of the DPRK’s first post-KJI purge of senior military officials have surfaced in the South Korean press.  KBS and Chosun Ilbo reported that a deputy chief of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Staff was executed earlier this year for “sexual harassment.”  At about the same time a deputy (vice) minister of the People’s Armed Forces was dismissed and subsequently executed for drinking too much alcohol.  In the latter case, the deputy PAF minister was allegedly rendered into a grease spot on the wall after being hit with an 82 mm mortar round fired at close range.  VMar Kim Jong Gak (Kim Cho’ng-kak), deputy (vice) director of the KPA General Political Department, was identified as having managed the executions and dismissals.

KPA VMar Kim Jong Gak (1st row, L)

These executions were the result of an order from the central leadership to ferret out military and party officials for insufficiently demonstrating grief around Kim Jong Il’s funeral and during the mourning period.  As KJI funeral events unfolded in late December 2011, several party cadres of the Personal Secretariat also seemed to fall by the wayside.  KBS World reports:

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is known to have executed or fired some military officers and government officials for committing immoral acts during the mourning period of his father Kim Jong-il.

Sources familiar with North Korean affairs say a vice chief of North Korea’s General Staff was shot to death for his involvement in a sex scandal during the morning period. He was one of six or seven vice chairmen under North Korea’s Army Chief of the General Staff, Ri Yong-ho.

A vice minister of People’s Armed Forces was apparently shot to death as well for drinking alcohol with a female official.

The source said that the dean of Kim Hyung-jik College of Education was dismissed for arriving late at the funeral for Kim Jong-il. A secretary at the Ministry of Land and Marine Transport was also fired for failing to appropriately make arrangement for condolence flowers.

The source also said that in January Kim Jong-un ordered the dismissal of anyone who failed to observe the mourning period.

Chosun Ilbo reported that several unit commanders were also executed, in addition to the two officials from the high command:

“When Kim Jong-un became North Korean leader following the mourning period for his father in late December, high-ranking military officers started disappearing,” the source said. “From information compiled over the last month, we have concluded that dozens of military officers were purged.” The source added Kim Jong-un ordered loyal officials to “get rid of” anyone caught misbehaving during the mourning period for Kim Jong-il.

But contrary to reports that an assistant chief of the Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces was put in front of a firing squad for being drunk during the mourning period, he was executed using a mortar round in line with Kim’s orders to leave “no trace of him behind, down to his hair.”

The source said the official was placed on the spot where the round would hit, and the grisly execution obliterated him.

Besides the assistant chief and an assistant chief of the General Staff Department, frontline commanders were also executed, the source said.

Kim Jong-il also purged dissenters after the death of his father Kim Il-sung in 1994. Even those caught for minor infractions were executed by a firing squad.

But Kim Jong-un’s methods appear even more brutal. A source familiar with North Korea said, “It appears that the loyalty pledged by the military did not satisfy the young leader, who is sensitive about his age.” Kim junior is 28 or 29.

The source said the drastic measures may have been proposed by Kim’s confidant Kim Jong-gak (62), the first deputy director of the General Political Bureau of the North Korean People’s Army.

Outgoing Kim Il Sung Youth League 1st Secretary Ri Yong Chol (highlighted) applauds during the national report meeting held on Kim Jong Il's birthday on 15 February 2012 (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Meanwhile, Ri Yong Chol (Ri Yo’ng-ch’o'l) has been replaced as the head of the Kim Il Sung Youth League [KISYL].  Ri was replaced by Jon Yong Nam during the KISYL annual meeting which was held on Thursday (22 March).  During the fall of 2011, Ri led a KISYL delegation on an overseas excursion to the UK and Greece and in November 2011 Ri led a large KISYL delegation on a brief visit to China where they met with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping.  KCNA reports:

The 47th plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League was held in Pyongyang on Thursday.

At the meeting former First Secretary Ri Yong Chol was relieved of his post for his age reason and Jon Yong Nam was elected to the post.

KJI Birthday Commemorated

Ku'msusan Memorial Palace was the setting of a meeting of the KPA and renaming ceremony on 16 February 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

On 16 February (Thursday) Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) and other members of the central leadership commemorated what would have been Kim Jong Il’s official 70th birthday at Ku’msusan Memorial Palace.  The main event was a renaming ceremony whereby Ku’msusan was renamed Palace of the Sun, in advance of displaying KJI’s remains once the preservation process is complete.  Speaking at the ceremony were SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam and Chief of the KPA General Staff Ri Yong Ho.  Kim publicized the decision to rename the palace, while Ri spoke about the political loyalty of the Korean People’s Army [KPA].   After the speeches, a cavalcade of MLRS, armored personnel carriers, towed missiles, KPA personnel and members of the Worker-Peasants’ Red Guard processed through Ku’msusan Plaza.

KCNA reports:

Kim Yong Nam, Choe Yong Rim, Ri Yong Ho, Kim Kyong Hui, Kim Yong Chun, Kim Jong Gak, senior party, state and army officials, commanders of the KPA services and arms, officials of the party, armed forces, power bodies, social organizations, ministries and national institutions, men and officers 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, persons of distinguished services and labor innovators also attended.

Present there on invitation were overseas Koreans including the delegation of the Koreans in Japan for commemorating the Day of the Shining Star and the chief of the Pyongyang mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front, diplomatic envoys and representatives of international organizations and members of military attaches corps here.

They observed a moment’s silence for Kim Jong Il.

A joint decision of the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the DPRK National Defence Commission, the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People’s Assembly and the DPRK Cabinet was made public to rename the Kumsusan Memorial Palace the “Kumsusan Palace of the Sun”.

A ceremony of the service persons of the three services of the KPA followed.

All the participants paid highest respects to the portrait of smiling Generalissimo Kim Il Sung and the portrait of smiling Generalissimo Kim Jong Il, the founder and builder of the revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK.

A 21 gun-salute boomed amid the playing of “Song of General Kim Il Sung” and “Song of General Kim Jong Il”.

Chief of KPA General Staff Ri Yong Ho, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK, made an address.

He, reflecting the iron faith and will of the KPA, the army of the President and Kim Jong Il and the army of the Supreme Commander, pledged to share the destiny with the party forever even though the earth might break down, the sky fall and the land collapse.

Then the portrait of smiling Kim Jong Il entered the plaza, escorted by columns of colors.

Columns of the units of the three services of the KPA marched by, carrying flags of the Supreme Commander, the WPK and the military to the tune of music of a brass band.

Kim Jong Un held his hand to salute them.

The columns of multiple launch rocket system, missiles and armored cars passed through the plaza.

At the end of the march, he waved back to the enthusiastic, cheering masses.

A view of the rostrum in front of Ku'msusan Memorial Palace on 16 February 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Political Bureau Presidium Member and Chief of the KPA General Staff, VMar Ri Yong Ho (5th L) delivers a keynote address at a meeting of the KPA service branches on 16 February 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

A BTR rolls through Ku'msusan Plaza at a meeting commemorating Kim Jong Il's birthday on 16 February 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Prior to the KPA meeting and naming ceremony, KJU along with members of the central leadership and a variety of DPRK elites visited a portrait of KJI mounted on marble in one of Ku’msusan’s reception rooms.  Among the elites who queued up were the inaugural recipients of the Order of Kim Jong Il, including his widow Kim Ok.

Kim Jong Un stands in front a portrait of Kim Jong Il inside Ku'msusan Memorial Palace

A woman who resembles Kim Ok (R), KJI's last known wife and a manager at the National Defense Commission, looks at a portrait of KJI after bowing to the image with other DPRK elites on 16 February 2012

KCNA reports:

Accompanying him were Kim Yong Nam, Choe Yong Rim, Ri Yong Ho, Kim Kyong Hui, Kim Yong Chun, Kim Ki Nam, Choe Thae Bok, Yang Hyong Sop, Kang Sok Ju, Jang Song Thaek, Kim Jong Gak, Kim Yang Gon, Kim Yong Il, Pak To Chun, Choe Ryong Hae, Thae Jong Su, Kim Phyong Hae, Mun Kyong Dok, Ju Kyu Chang, U Tong Chuk and Kim Chang Sop, officials of the C.C. and the Central Military Commission of the WPK and the DPRK National Defence Commission, staff members of the KPA Supreme Command, commanding officers of KPA large-combined units, chief secretaries of the provincial committees of the WPK, and leading officials of ministries and national institutions.

The chief of the guards of honor of KPA three services and the Worker-Peasant Red Guards made a salute to the portrait of smiling Generalissimo Kim Jong Il.

Seen before the portrait was a floral basket in the joint name of the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the WPK, the DPRK National Defence Commission, the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly and the Cabinet of the DPRK.

Written on the ribbons of the floral basket were letters reading “The great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il is immortal”.

Kim Jong Un, together with senior party, state and military officials, paid deep respects to Kim Jong Il in humble reverence while looking up to his portrait.

 

An image of Kim Jong Il's office building is projected during this song performance at a concert commemorating his birthday (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un and the central leadership also attended a birthday concert, given by the U’nhasu Orchestra.  Yonhap reports:

The new leader attended an orchestra concert, apparently held on Friday, along with top members of the ruling elite, according to Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency.

“Kim Jong-un waved to the enthusiastically cheering audience. The audience observed a moment’s silence in memory of Kim Jong-il in the humblest reverence,” KCNA said.

“Its performers represented the unbounded yearning and reverence of the service personnel and the people for Kim Jong-il who laid an eternal foundation for the prosperity of the country and its people’s happiness, undergoing for decades all sorts of sufferings which nobody else in this world has ever experienced,” it said.

On Friday (17 February) members of the central leadership congregated at the Mokran House for “a splendid reception.”  Like the unveiling ceremony of the Kim equestrian statuary at Mansudae Art Studio, neither Kim Jong Un nor Kim Kyong Hui were reported to have attended this event.  Among the named banquet attendees were “staff members of the Political Bureau.”  The last known mention of Political Bureau staff was at a similar banquet commemorating the party’s official anniversary on or around 11 October 2011, which was the same time KJI was dictating his “behests.”

Present there were Kim Yong Nam, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK and president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK, Choe Yong Rim, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK and premier, Ri Yong Ho, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK and chief of the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army (KPA), Kim Yong Chun, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK and vice-chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and minister of the People’s Armed Forces, Kim Ki Nam and Choe Thae Bok, members of the Political Bureau and secretaries of the C. C., the WPK, Yang Hyong Sop, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK and vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, Ri Yong Mu, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK and vice-chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, O Kuk Ryol, member of the C.C., WPK and vice-chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, Kang Sok Ju, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK and vice-premier of the Cabinet, Jang Song Thaek, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK and vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission, Kim Jong Gak, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK and first vice-director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA, Kim Yang Gon, Kim Yong Il, Pak To Chun and Choe Ryong Hae, alternate members of the Political Bureau and secretaries of the C.C., the WPK, Kim Rak Hui, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK and vice-premier of the Cabinet, Thae Jong Su and Kim Phyong Hae, alternate members of the Political Bureau and secretaries of the C.C., WPK, Mun Kyong Dok, alternate member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the C.C., the WPK and chief secretary of the Pyongyang City Committee of the WPK, Ju Kyu Chang, alternate member of the Political Bureau and department director of the C.C., the WPK, U Tong Chuk and Kim Chang Sop, alternate members of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK, and staff members of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK, members of the C.C., the WPK, members of the Party Central Military Commission, leading officials of the NDC and armed forces organs, officials of ministries and national institutions, men and officers of the KPA and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces and others.

Ri Yong Ho made a speech there.

He said it was the greatest honor of the service personnel and people of the DPRK and the great fortune of Kim Il Sung’s nation that they have lived and made revolution, holding Generalissimo Kim Jong Il in high esteem as the sun of their destiny and their father.

The army and people of the DPRK will always remember Generalissimo Kim Jong Il who performed the undying feats on behalf of the times and history as a human being, revolutionary and the people’s father, he noted, and continued:

The history of Kim Jong Il’s Songun revolutionary leadership is given steady continuity thanks to the dear respected Kim Jong Un.

The world will clearly see what historic miracles Songun Korea will perform under the leadership of Kim Jong Un after letting Kim Jong Il lie in state.

At the reception a performance was given by artistes of the Wangjaesan Art Troupe.

A large loyalty rally of DPRK students and youths was held at Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang on 14 February 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Meanwhile, earlier this week, the Kim Il Sung Youth League and Korean Children’s Union conducted several events including initiation ceremonies, study tours and regional meetings.  On Tuesday (14 February), the KISYL held a mass loyalty rally for Kim Jong Un at KIS Stadium:

Speeches followed a report by Ri Yong Chol, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League.

The reporter and speakers said Kim Jong Il was born in Mt. Paektu, a holy mountain of revolution, being possessed of all personalities and qualities as befitting a great man. He wisely led the army and people of the DPRK till the last moments of his life, thereby performing undying feats on behalf of the era and history, they added.

They recalled that the fatherly General strengthened the league into the ranks of vanguard going with the August name of President Kim Il Sung and wisely led it so that it can creditably fulfill its mission and role as reliable political reserves of the Party.

They called upon all youths to uphold Kim Jong Il as an eternal sun of Songun Korea for all ages and materialize his lifelong desire.

They vowed to take the lead in the drive for realizing the Workers’ Party of Korea’s strategy for the prosperity of the country upholding the flame of Hamnam, keeping in mind his priceless aphorism that youths are prime-movers who make the whole country alive.

They appealed to hold high the torch of revolution bequeathed by Kim Jong Il and be loyal to Kim Jong Un and accomplish the revolutionary cause of juche, the cause of songun revolution, loudly singing “Korean Youth March”.

Attending the meeting were Choe Thae Bok, Choe Ryong Hae, officials concerned and those of the youth league and youth and students here.

Similar meetings took place in each city and county of the DPRK.

Members of the Kim Il Sung Youth League at loyalty rally on 14 February 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

While senior officials attended the central report meeting for KJI’s birthday on Wednesday, earlier that day the Korean Children’s Union held its own national meeting at the Taekwando Hall in Mangyo’ngdae.  In 2011, some KCU-related events were held outside Ku’msusan Memorial Palace.

Attending the meeting were representatives of the KCU from all provinces, schoolchildren in Pyongyang and pupils joining it.

Present there on invitation were Choe Thae Bok, Yang Hyong Sop, Choe Ryong Hae, Mun Kyong Dok and officials concerned, officials of party organs and the youth league in

Pyongyang, war veterans and persons of merit.

Ri Yong Chol, first secretary of the C.C., the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, in his report said that Kim Jong Il who always paid deep attention to the work for bringing up successors to the revolution led the KCU members to make long journeys for the songun revolution under the leadership of the party.

The reporter called on all KCU members to actively learn from the glorious childhood and youthhood of Kim Jong Il to study hard and sincerely take part in their organizational life and thus establish sense of organization and discipline to prepare themselves as pillars of songun Korea.

Then followed an admission ceremony of the KCU.

Led by Choe Ryong Hae, secretary of the C.C., the Workers’ Party of Korea, pupils admitting the KCU took an oath.

Officials, war veterans and persons of merit put red ties around their necks and pinned KCU badges on their chests.

Congratulatory speeches were made by Pak Chan Su, lecturer at the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum, Pang Sung Son, principal of Pyongyang Secondary School No. 1, and Labor Hero and People’s Sportswoman Jang Kyong Ok.

The speakers told them to hold father Kim Jong Il in high esteem forever and become genuine KCU members intensely loyal to the dear respected Kim Jong Un.

Synchronized swimmers performing a routine at an exhibition titled "Yearning Will Last Forever" at Ch'angkwang Health Complex in central Pyongyang on 15 February 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

KJI Statue Unveiled as Birthday Events Begin

A bronze statue depicting Kim Jong Il (R) on horseback was unveiled during a ceremony at Mansudae Art Studio on 14 February 2012. According to NK Economy Watch, the Kim Il Sung (L) statue is preexisting (Photo: KCNA)

Members of the central leadership attend the unveiling ceremony. In this image (L-R) are: Gen. Kim Jong Gak; Jang Song Taek; Gen. O Kuk Ryol; VMar Ri Yong Mu; VMar Kim Yong Chun; VMar Ri Yong Ho; Kim Yong Nam; Choe Yong Rim; Choe Tae Bok; Yang Hyong Sop; Kang Sok Ju; Kim Yang Gon; Kim Yong Il; Ju Kyu Chang; Choe Ryong Hae; Ju Kyu Chang; Kim Rak Hui (Photo: KCNA)

In a key event marking the birthday of the recently deceased DPRK supreme leader Kim Jong Il, a bronze statue was unveiled on Tuesday (14 February) at Mansudae Art Studio in Pyongyang.

An honor guard representing the three service branches of the Korean People's Army delivers a floral basket to the unveiled statue of Kim Jong Il on 14 February 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam delivers the keynote address at a ceremony unveiling a bronze statue of Kim Jong Il at Mansudae Art Studio on 14 February 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

A variety of events commemorating what is officially Kim Jong Il’s 70th birthday have been held throughout the DPRK.  More events will occur on or around 16 February (Thursday).  According to the official chronicles of the Korean Workers’ Party History Institute, KJI was born on 16 February 1942 in a log cabin near Mt. Paektu on the DPRK-China border while other accounts said that KJI was born in February 1941 at a Russian military base  Khabarovsk where his parents were stationed as members of the 88th Brigade under the Soviet Far East Command.  Since KJI’s death in 2011, the country has commemorated his birthday as the “Day of the Shining Star.”

In 2011 KJI joined central party, security and government leaders at a banquet.  In 2010 KJI attended to the reopening of the 8 February Vinalon Complex in South Hamgyo’ng, signed (or assented to) execution orders and personally informed the then-Cabinet Premier of his eventual dismissal.  A documentary film on KJI’s activities in that month later revealed that during February 2010 he also attended a synchronized swimming exhibition at Ch’angkwang Health Complex in central Pyongyang.  In February 2009, KJI was preoccupied with changing his military leadership and during that month Gen. O Kuk Ryol was appointed Vice Chairman of the National Defense Commission [NDC], Kim Yong Chun was appointed Minister of the People’s Armed Forces and Ri Yong Ho was appointed chief of the General Staff.  Also, according to several sources and accounts, on the sidelines of private family festivities Jang Song Taek asked KJI’s three sons for their views on succession.  

Daily NK, citing the rumor mill of the country’s forex workers, considers the possibility that a complete list of KJI’s “behests” from 8 October 2011 will be publicized.  The only reported KJI behest and bequest the DPRK has released was the appointment of Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) as Korean People’s Army [KPA] Supreme Commander, which occurred during a KWP Political Bureau meeting on 30 December.  DNK analyzes that a public reading of the late center’s behests may solidify the political power of Jang Song Taek and Kim Kyong Hui:

One such person, whom Daily NK met in Shenyang, explained, “They say that the General’s ‘last instructions’ will be publicly released on Gwangmyungsung Day,” adding, “I am sure it will say that ‘the people must be one with comrade Kim Jong Eun and open the doors to the strong and prosperous nation’.”

“The first priority for the ‘last instructions’ will be to gather around comrade Kim Jong Eun with one heart; second, to build a strong and prosperous nation, and last the reunification of the fatherland,” the source went on. “As in the past when the Suryeong passed away, the ‘leadership of the last instructions’ will carry on for some time.”

However, it is the role of Jang Sung Taek that is attracting more attention than whether or not the last instructions are made public, the source claimed.

“If the General’s ‘last instructions’ are revealed this time, Vice Chairman Jan Sung Taek’s position will become much stronger,” he said. “I am sure the main point of the contents of the General’s ‘last instructions’ is, ultimately, to support comrade Kim Jong Eun enthusiastically, but who in the Republic will do that expect Jang?”

The main foreign currency earning lines in China and Malaysia are all stocked with Jang Sung Taek’s people, sources claim. While North Korea has been solidifying Kim Jong Eun’s power domestically, among front line foreign currency earners it is said that the competition is actually over loyalty to Jang.

Such people are very powerful, the source claimed, explaining, “We have to go back to North Korea every six months to a year for ideological education if we leave the country for two years, but those under Jang Sung Taek have the authority to extend the period without return to two or three years.”

“There is even a growing trend among workers (under Jang Sung Taek) to bring their children with them when they go abroad”. It has been long practice for the North Korean regime to keep the children of diplomats and workers in North Korea, to ensure ongoing loyalty.

Coincidentally, it is not only Jang himself who wields great power in North Korea. His late older brother Jang Sung Woo’s second son Jang Yong Chul is the current North Korean Ambassador to Malaysia, a position he has held since 2010, and his first son is working for the Committee for the Promotion of Economic Cooperation. His son-in-law Jeon Young Jin was appointed North Korean Ambassador to Cuba on the 4th of last month.

Opening ceremony of the Paektusan Sports Cup held at the basketball gym on Friday (Photo: KCNA)

The festivities for KJI’s birthday got underway late last week as the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea visited revolutionary historical sites which culminated in a loyalty oath ceremony near KJI’s official birthplace near Mt. Paektu.  KCNA reports:

They laid floral baskets and flowers before the statues of President Kim Il Sung at the Pochonbo Revolutionary Battle Site and on the shore of Lake Samji and the mosaic depicting the three commanders of Mt. Paektu in the Paektusan secret camp and paid high tribute to them.

They went round the then command post of the Pochonbo battle, the police post of the Japanese imperialists, the sub-county office, the Samjiyon grand monument, etc.

They held an oath-taking meeting in front of Kim Jong Il’s old home in the Paektusan secret camp.

They toured the Samjiyon county-seat, which has undergone dramatic change, and conducted various political and cultural activities during the period.

A display of postage stamps depicting KJI and Kim Il Sung over the years, part of an exhibition which opened at the Korea Stamp Exhibition on Friday, 10 February 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

On 9 February (Thursday), Party Secretary of Propaganda (Publicity) and Agitation Kim Ki Nam presided over two exhibition openings.  At Korea Stamp Exhibition, Kim launched a show of past and current commemorative stamps about KJI:

The Korean stamp show for commemorating the 70th birth anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il was opened with due ceremony at the Korean Stamp Exhibition today.

Seen at the exhibition are a stamp of the image of Kim Jong Il published for the first time in 1987 and stamps of the undying revolutionary exploits he performed in leading the Party, army and people along the road of sure victory.

There are also various stamps presented by Korean philatelists.

Present at the ceremony were Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea C.C., Sim Chol Ho, minister of Post and Telecommunications, officials concerned, creators, philatelists and working people.

Present on invitation were officials of foreign embassies here in charge of cultural and friendly relations.

At the end of the ceremony the participants went round the displayed stamps.

Photographs of Kim Jong Il at an exhibition at the People's Palace of Culture (Photo: KCNA)

At the People’s Palace of Culture, Kim launched the opening of an exhibition of photographs of KJI:

A national photo exhibition opened in the DPRK to commemorate the 70th birth anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il.

On display in its venue are at least 300 photos of the revolutionary career of Kim Jong Il.

Among them are pictures titled “The great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il declaring the programme of modeling the whole society on the juche idea”, “The great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il and the dear respected Kim Jong Un guiding the fire striking exercises of large combined unit of the Korean People’s Army” and “Kwangmyongsong-2 soaring up to fully display the national power of Songun Korea”.

“The dear respected Kim Jong Un participating in the farewell-bidding ceremony together with senior officials of party, state and armed forces organs,” “Kim Il Sung Square full of lamentations calling for the great General” and other pictures showing the days the greatest sorrow when people were in tears of blood at an unexpected loss of the father of the nation.

Members of the Democratic Women's Union of Korea attend a ceremony on 10 February 2012 at Oun Revolutionary Site on the outskirts of Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA)

On Friday (10 February) the Democratic Women’s Union of Korea held a loyalty oath event at the Oun Revolutionary Site in suburban Pyongyang.  Back in the city, KWP Secretary Choe Ryo’ng-hae presided over a loyalty oath event held by the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea:

A meeting of agricultural workers took place in the plaza of the Party Founding Memorial Tower on Friday to pledge to accomplish the revolutionary cause of juche under the leadership of the dear respected Kim Jong Un true to the behests of leader Kim Jong Il.

At the meeting a reporter and speakers said Kim Jong Il performed exploits before the country, the people, the era and history by developing and enriching the revolutionary idea of President Kim Il Sung and leading the Korean revolution along the path of victory.

The revolutionary exploits of Kim Jong Il would shine forever as he created the new history of perpetuating the memory of the President and turned the socialist country into a political, ideological and military power with his original songun politics, they stressed.

They vowed to keep on the drive for the great and fresh victory of the Juche revolution. A poem of pledge was read out there.

Also the same day, a declamation contest was held as the People’s Palace of Culture, attended by Choe Tae Bok and Kim Ki Nam:

In an oratory titled “The great motto” Choe Myong Ju, department director of the Ministry of Food Procurement and Administration, impressively told the story that Kim Jong Il autographed a paper on supplying the people with fish on December 16 last year.

Pak Yong Sun, section chief of the Hoeyang County Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Kangwon Province, said in an excited tone that Kim Jong Il glorified his great life as a life that braved snowstorm.

In an oratory titled “Sun” Han Chong Su, vice-minister of Light Industry, praised Kim Jong Il as the great sun of mankind who recorded legends about loving care for the people with rare leadership ability and noble virtue.

Speakers included Jong Myong Ok, manageress of Pyongyang Department Store No. 1, Kim Ju Song, department director of Railways, and Choe Myong Ok, deputy secretary of the Primary Committee of the WPK of Changwang Health Complex. In their oratories made under the respective titled “Promise”, “The General and his journeys to mix with people,” “Road to the front and Changgwang Health Complex” they impressively said there were too many stories to tell about Kim Jong Il’s total dedication to the people.

On Saturday (11 February) SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam and DPRK Cabinet Premier Choe Yong Rim attended a screening of the latest Kim Family documentary film With Desire of the Leader:

The film deals with the facts that leader Kim Jong Il made an endless journey of patriotic devoted service to realize the desire of President Kim Il Sung for building a thriving nation.

It tells about the undying leadership feats of the peerlessly great man, who put the dignity and strength of songun Korea on the highest level with his iron will and superhuman energies while instilling into the mind of the army and people the firm faith that the President is always with us.

Through the film its viewers hardened their belief that Kim Jong Il is the peerlessly illustrious songun commander and patriot and benevolent father who had spent all his life on the train of field guidance for the people’s happiness, enduring his fatigue.

The annual exhibition of Kimjongilia flowers (Photo: KCNA)

On 12 February (Sunday), members of the central leadership converged on KJI’s birthplace for a large loyalty oath rally.  This has typically been a major event during KJI birthday week.  The Mt. Paketu-based event that was held in 2010 was a kind of debut for VMar Ri Yong Ho and, to a lesser extent, Gen. Kim Jong Gak, presiding over a significant national event.  KCNA reports:

A meeting to vow loyalty took place in the secret camp in Mt. Paektu, a holy land of revolution, on Sunday  on the occasion of the birth anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il, the Day of the Shining Star, the greatest holiday of the nation.

Attending the meeting were Ri Yong Ho, Kim Ki Nam, Choe Thae Bok, Kim Jong Gak, Pak To Chun, Choe Ryong Hae and officials of Party and armed forces organs and working people’s organizations, ministries and national institutions, service personnel of the Korean People’s Army and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces and people from all walks of life.

The participants observed a moment’s silence in memory of Kim Jong Il.

Speeches were made there.

Vice Marshal Ri Yong Ho, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the Workers’ Party of Korea and chief of the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army, said that the birth of Kim Jong Il was the great jubilee and fortune of the nation which greeted the peerlessly songun sun and a worldwide event which promised the bright future of progressive mankind aspiring after independence.

Kim Jong Il made tireless efforts for increasing the military capability with the steadfast faith that the army guarantees the prosperity of the country and happiness of its people, he noted.

Kim Ki Nam, member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the C.C., the Workers’ Party of Korea, said that thanks to the wise guidance of Kim Jong Il, the WPK has developed into an invincible party and genuine mother party and guiding force of the songun politics and it is shedding its rays as a dignified and sovereign party of President Kim Il Sung.

He stressed the need to cherish the invariable faith that Kim Jong Il will always be with us and uphold him in high esteem for all ages and fully and unconditionally implement his last instructions.

Ri Yong Chol, first secretary of the C.C., the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, said the youth marking the significant Day of the Shining Star in the sacred land of the revolution where the great sun of songun was born miss Kim Jong Il very much.

He stressed the need for all members of the young vanguard to firmly unite around the dear respected Kim Jong Un and accomplish the cause of the Juche revolution started in Mt. Paektu, true to the last instructions of Kim Jong Il.

Fireworks were displayed in the sky above the secret camp to present fantastic scenery in the deep forest at night. The participants broke into loud shouts of “hurrah!” watching them.