Kim Yong Nam Visits Se’po Grazing Land Reclamation Project

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

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

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

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.

Children’s Union Donates MLRS in Hamhu’ng Ceremony

Sonyonho multiple-launch rocket systems [MLRS] are paraded by the Hamhu’ng Grand Theater for delivery to KPA units, after a 1 June 2013 ceremony at which Korean Children’s Union members donated the MLRS to the KPA (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

DPRK state media reported that the Korean Children’s Union [KCU] donated Sonyonho (children) multiple launch rocket systems [MLRS] during a ceremony held in Hamhu’ng, South Hamgyo’ng Province on 1 June (Saturday).  The ceremony was attended by KCU members, Kim Il Sung (Socialist) Youth League Chairman Jon Yong Nam, officials of the KISYL and the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Workers’ Organizations Department and Korean People’s Army [KPA] officers and service members.   The ceremony and delivery of the MLRS was scheduled to occur before the KCU’s Seventh Congress, which will convene in Pyongyang on 6 June (Thursday).

Kim Il Sung Youth League Chairman Jon Yong Nam delivers a speech at a ceremony held to donate MLRS to KPA units in Hamhu’ng, South Hamgyo’ng Province on 1 June 2013 (Photo: KCTV screengrab)

The plaza in front of the Hamhu’ng Grand Theater in Hamhu’ng, South Hamgyo’ng Province, was the venue for the 1 June KCU ceremony donating MLRS to KPA units (Photo: Google image).

Members of the Korean Children’s Union and the Korean People’s Army attend a ceremony donating multiple-launch rocket systems [MLRS] in Hamhu’ng on 1 June 2013 (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

KPA officers on the platform (dais) for a ceremony donating MLRS to KPA units on 1 June 2013 (Photo: KCTV screengrab)

Before the formal delivery of the Sonyonho MRLS, Jon Yong Nam delivered the ceremony’s keynote speech.  Jon and other speakers at the ceremony said “that they would actively conduct Our School-Our Post movement and diverse do-good-thing campaign and send more combat and technical equipment named Sonyonho to the KPA” and “noted that servicepersons would sweep away the strongholds of the U.S. imperialists and South Korean group of traitors who work hard to stifle socialism in the DPRK by fully charging the multiple launch rocket systems in the spirit of annihilating the enemy.”  After the speaking program, the MLRS paraded through Hamhu’ng’s city centre.

Sonyonho (children) multiple launch rocket systems [MLRS] parade through Hamhu’ng’s city centre on 1 June 2013 for delivery to Korean People’s Army units (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Kim Jong Un Visits Kosan Fruit Farm

Kim Jong Un (1) tours the Kosan Fruit Farm in Kangwo’n Province (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

DPRK state media reported on 3 June (Monday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited the Kosan Fruit Farm in Kosan County, Kangwo’n Province.  Attending the visit were Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (Chief of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Staff), Choe Hwi (Senior Deputy [1st] Director of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Propaganda and Agitation Department) Pak Tae Song (Deputy KWP Director), Col. Gen. Pak Jong Chon (Chief of the KPA Artillery Command) and Maj. Gen. An Ji Yong.  Kim Jong Un’s last observed appearance was his inspection of the KPA base on Mt. Osong and KPA Unit #507.

The Kosan Fruit Farm is reportedly undergoing a major expansion.  The fruit farm was one of two pomiculture sites on the DPRK’s east coat which received technical advice on cultivation and modernization during 2008 to 2010 through a program of Germany’s Ministry of Cooperation [PDF available from the National Committee on North Korea here]. After arriving at the fruit farm, Kim Jong Un was briefed about the farm’s geography and production.  He recalled a June 2011 visit to the fruit farm by late leader Kim Jong Il and said the farm “an important one to which the leader paid special attention as it is directly linked with the people’s living.”  Kim Jong Un was also briefed about the construction activities of KPA Construction Shock Brigade #618 which has contributed to the Kosan Fruit Farm’s expansion.

Overview of Kosan Fruit Farm and Kosan County, Kangwo’n Province with images from the Kosan Fruit Farm (Photos: Google image; Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un (1) tours pomiculture plantings at Kosan Fruit Farm (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un was also briefed about the cultivation of apple trees and according to KCNA said that “he felt as if he were watching trees heavily laden with apples in autumn and expressed satisfaction at the fact that the farm has turned into a young orchard.”  He “stressed the need to mass-produce organic compound fertilizer and thus decisively raise the fertility of soil by applying a ring-shaped rotation production system to the combination of fruit farming and stock-breeding” and “also underscored the need for the farm to make full preparations from now on to solve the issues arising in picking and carrying apples and processing fruits, in particular, in keeping with the increase of fruit production.”  Kim Jong Un instructed that a combined fruit farm be constructed on the premises of the fruit farm.  He also toured an irrigation facility.  According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un “praised the builders and employees of the farm for having introduced a modern irrigation system to put the manuring and cultivation of fruit trees on a highly intensive basis and thus provided a scientific and technological guarantee for boosting the fruit production while safely cultivating the trees.”  He also saw a road recently completed by KPA Construction Shock Brigade #618.

Kim Jong Un remarked that “it is meaningful, indeed, that a large orchard has made its appearance at the foot of Chol Pass symbolic of the Military-First (So’ngun) revolutionary leadership. . . a fresh fairyland called ‘the sea of apples at foot of Chol Pass’ will spring up when the project for expanding the capacity of the farm comes to a finish and a sea of apples is unfolded there.”  Kim Jong Un toured a small construction materials factory and said “the expansion project should be completed unconditionally at the date fixed by Kim Jong Il” and he “expressed expectation and belief that the members of the shock brigade and the employees of the farm would make sustained efforts to step up the project and increase the fruit production.”

Kim Jong Un Visits International Children’s Camp and Outdoor Theater in Wo’nsan

Kim Jong Un (1) tours Songdowon International Children’s Camp in Wo’nsan, Kangwo’n Province (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 30 May (Thursday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited the Songdowon International Children’s Camp and the Songdowon Youth Open-Air Theater in Kangwo’n, capital city of Kangwo’n Province.  His last observed public appearance was his visit to the 25 August Fishery Station of Korean People’s Army [KPA] Unit #313.  Attending Kim Jong Un’s visits to the children’s camp and outdoor theater in Wo’nsan were Senior Deputy [1st vice] Director of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Propaganda and Agitation Department Choe Hwi, Deputy KWP Department Director (for construction and design) Ma Won Chun and Deputy KWP Department Director Pak Tae Song.

Kim Jong Un’s first stop was a tour of the Songdowon International Children’s Camp.  After arriving at the camp, Kim Jong Un examined a statue of his grandfather, late DPRK President and founder, Kim Il Sung.  He said that the camp is “a historic place” and whilst “recollecting that Kim Il Sung personally chose the site of the camp in 1959, the postwar period, and made sure that it was built, he added that in the subsequent period leader Kim Jong Il saw to it that it was reconstructed as the Songdowon International Children’s Camp and visited it in March, 1993 when the country was in a grave situation.”  Kim Jong Un also remarked that “it is the firm determination of the WPK to successfully remodel the camp closely associated with the leadership exploits of the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il as required by the new century,” “proposed erecting statues of the Generalissimos among children while undertaking the project in order to convey their noble love for future and posterity down through generations” and “specified instructions for remodeling the camp, going round the camp building, the International Friendship Children’s Hall and other places of the camp visited by Kim Jong Il on March 30, 1993,” according to KCNA.

Songdowon International Children’s Camp in Wo’nsan, Kangwo’n Province (Photos: Google image, KCNA/FLPH file photo)

Kim Jong Un (1) tours the Songdowon International Children’s Camp (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un (1) issues instructions while touring a beach at Songdowon International Children’s Camp in Wo’nsan, Kangwo’n Province on the DPRK’s east coast (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un toured one of the camp’s dormitories and “told officials to provide them with better furniture and TV sets.” He also “underscored the need to decorate walls of rooms with wallpapers beautiful in color and pattern to suit children’s minds and take thorough measures for heating and electricity so that they may not feel any inconvenience in their camping.”  In a visit to a building lobby he “said that it is 20 years old but it still looks impeccable in architectural beauty as Kim Jong Il led the designing and construction of the camp with loving care.”  He also toured a friendship exhibition and “stressed the need to set up a guide board written in foreign languages so that it may be convenient to children from various countries of the world” and visited a classroom for marine biology lessons and “gave an instruction to provide it with varieties of specimen so that campers may acquire not only knowledge about seas but that about animals and plants.”

According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un said “that the camp should be operated in winter, too, in the future so that children may enjoy skiing at the Masik Pass Skiing Ground now under construction.”  During a tour of the camp’s wading pool, he said “he would send modern wading equipment and told officials to spruce them up as well as they please.”  On a tour of a playground, he “called for building a running track and covering the football field with artificial turf and providing new facilities for sports events such as volleyball and basketball.” Kim Jong Un also asked the camp change its ideological slogan to “We Are the Happiest in the World!” and “General Goes to Front While Children Go to Camp!”  During a tour of the camp’s beach Kim Jong Un “underscored the need to build dressing rooms and diving towers, provide modern shower equipment and take necessary measures for preventing sand from piling up there.”  According to KCNA he also “took measures for building a new ground for education at the camp and paving its sidewalks again, adding that he would send vehicles needed for its management and operation.”

Kim Jong Un (1) tours Songdowon Youth Open Air Theater in Wo’nsan Kangwo’n Province (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Songdowon Youth Open Air Theater in Wo’nsan, Kangwo’n Province (Photos: Google image, Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un’s next visit was to the Songdowon Youth Open-Air Theater.  He first visited an exhibition on the theater’s history and “recalled the words of leader Kim Jong Il that he would watch a performance of the State Merited Chorus with citizens of Wonsan City there if the seating capacity of the theatre would be increased to 5 000, adding that he could not keep the promise.”  He also “underscored the need to manage the theatre better and put its operation on a regular basis so as to eternally glorify their exploits.”  According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un said “as the room dedicated to the history of the theatre is the place for educating visitors, it should be arranged and furnished well so that many working people, youth and students may visit it.”  Kim Jong Un toured the theater.  He “told officials to readjust the chairs in such a way as to make them convenient to the audience” and whilst looking at the renovated stage said “the stage was roofless in the past but it was newly built well as instructed by Kim Jong Il. The stage looks nice after its remodeling.”  He also learned about the performances offered at the theater and ”underlined the need to ensure that songs and dances and exciting agitation are always presented there.” Kim Jong Un also said he “would spare time to watch an art performance at the theatre together with Wo’nsan citizens” and he “instructed the Kangwo’n Provincial Committee of the WPK and working people’s organizations in the province including the provincial committee of the youth league to pay deep attention to the management and operation of the open-air theatre so that it may creditably discharge its mission.”

Kim Jong Un called “for successfully remodeling the open-air theatre as a fashionable one which will well match its environment and remain impeccable in the distant future” and “indicated the tasks and ways to do so.”  After touring the Songdowon Youth Open-Air Theater, Kim Jong Un posed for commemorative photographs with theater employees.

KWP Deputy Department Director Ma Won Chun (annotated) attends a tour by Kim Jong Il in Wo’nsan Province in August 2009 (L) and attends Kim Jong Un’s visit to Songdowon International Children’s Camp in May 2013 (Photos: KCNA-Yonhap, Rodong Sinmun).

Overview of Kim family residential compound in the city of Wo’nsan and two locales in the city was reported on 30 May 2013 as having visited (Photo: Google image)

View of the main residential and recreational area of the Kim Family’s residential compound in Wo’nsan, Kangwo’n Province (Photo: Google image)

The last #1 visit to the Songdowon Youth Open Air Theater was in August 2009 when late leader Kim Jong Il dropped by for a tour of the theater, accompanied by a formidable retinue of close aides and powerholders.  During that visit, KJI said the theater was “a historic place where an art performance celebrating the 20th anniversary of Korea’s liberation was given in August of 1965 in the presence of President Kim Il Sung” and he “recollected with deep emotion those unforgettable historic days.”  KJI also remarked during his visit that “the slogan ‘We Serve the People!’ clearly reflects the unshakable will and determination of the WPK to devote everything to the happiness of the people, placing their interests above all.”

Kim Jong Un has spent the last week in and around Wo’nsan.  It is likely he has been operating out of the Kim Family compound in northern Wo’nsan.  The residential complex is located across a river from the Songdowon International Children’s Camp.

 

Kim Jong Un Visits a KPA Fishery Station

Kim Jong Un (1) talks with senior KPA officials prior to touring a fishing boat during a visit to the 25 August Fishery Station of KPA Unit #313. Also seen in attendance are Chief of the Chief of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau Col. Gen. Ri Yong Gil (2), Chief of the KPA General Staff Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (3) and Director of the KPA General Political Department VMar Choe Ryong Hae (4) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

DPRK state media reported on 28 May (Tuesday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited the 25 August** Fishery Station subordinate to Korean People’s Army [KPA] Unit #313***.  His last observed appearance was his field inspection of KPA Navy Unit #291.  Attending Kim Jong Un’s visit to the fishery station were VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of KPA General Political Department), Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Gen. Jang Jong Nam (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Col. Gen. Ri Yong Gil (Chief of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau), Col. Gen. Son Chol Ju, Col. Gen. Ryom Chol Song, Col. Gen. Jon Chang Bok (1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Col. Gen. Yun Tong Hyon (Senior Deputy Director of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Organization Guidance Department), Col. Gen. Jo Kyong Chol (Chief of the Military Security Command), Maj. Gen. An Ji Yong, Lt. Gen. Kim Su Gil and Hwang Pyong So (Deputy Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department).

Kim Jong Un (1) on the deck of a fishing vessel during a visit to the fishery station of KPA Unit #313 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un (1) poses for a commemorative photograph with managers and employees of the 25 August Fishery Station of KPA Unit #313. Also seen in attendance is Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. Jang Jong Nam (2), Director of the KPA General Political Department VMar Choe Ryong Hae (3) and Chief of the KPA General Staff Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (4) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un began his visit to the fishery station greeting military and civilian personnel who manage the fishery.  According to KCNA, he said “the fishery station should catch a lot of fishes with good fishing boats and supply the soldiers on the forefront with them all the year round so that the fishing boats provided by the Party may pay off profusely.”  He climbed aboard a fishing boat and toured the engine room to learn about the ship’s engine and fuel consumption.  He also toured the cabins utilized by the fishing crew and said that “an experience gained by a fishery base in effectively using spent fuel, underscoring the need to make sure that fishermen can have rest in a warm place as their hands are wet in cold water of rough sea.”  Kim Jong Un also instructed that each fishing boat should catch 1,000 tons of fish per year and that the fishery station managers should “write a letter to the Supreme Commander when they honor their plan.”  Whilst touring the fishing boat, Kim Jong Un mentioned that the KPA is engaged in a campaign to grow soybeans,”calling for successfully conducting both soybean growing and fishing operations to provide the soldiers with soybean and fishes all the year round.”  He also  named the fishing boat he toured “naming it ‘maple,’ symbolic of autumn.”

Kim Jong Un also visited a historical exhibition about the fishery and a monument denoting late leader Kim Jong Il’s visit to the fishery station on 25 August 1973.  He also toured a tackle shop and a refrigeration unit.  According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un “called on the fishery station to undertake aquaculture on a large scale while catching a lot of fishes in order to boost aquatic products, adding that it is necessary to cultivate seaweed, tangle, mussel, etc. in a big way” and he said he “visited the supply base on the east coast under KPA Unit 639 a few days ago where he saw it providing good supply service and catching a lot of fishes by putting fishing operations on a scientific basis, urging them to follow the working style and experience of the officials at that unit.”  Kim Jong Un ended his visit to the 25 August Fishery Station of KPA Unit #313 by posing for commemorative photographs with the fishery station’s military and civilian managers and employees.

Kim Jong Un’s visit to the 25 August Fishery Station was the first public event in which all of the senior KPA officials affected by personnel changes during February to May 2013 were present.  This was the first observed occasion in DPRK state media that gathered Col. Gen. Ri Yong Gil (Chief of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau, appointed February 2013), Gen. Jang Jong Nam (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces, appointed May 2013), Col. Gen. Jon Chang Bok (1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces, appointed May 2013) and Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (Chief of the KPA General Staff, appointed May 2013).

 

 

**The fishery station of KPA Unit #313 is named after the date (25 August) in 1960 when Kim Jong Il inspected the 105th Tank Division.  The DPRK’s official history marks this as the beginning of Military-First (so’ngun) politics.

***In previous mentions in DPRK state media, KPA Unit #313 had been identified as “KPA Large Combined (taeyonhap pudae) #313.”  It is not clear whether DPRK news writers streamlined the nomenclature of the KPA unit or if KPA Unit #313 had been downgraded from a large combined unit (a KPA unit consisting of several combined units) with its assets merged or migrated to other KPA units as part of a force restructuring process in the KPA.

Kim Jong Un Visits Construction of Ski Park

Kim Jong Un stands at the bottom of a ski slope during his visit to the construction of the Masik Pass Skiing Grounds in Kangwo’n Province (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

DPRK state media reported on 26 May (Sunday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited the Masin Pass skiing grounds in Kangwo’n Province and inspected Korean People’s Army [KPA] Navy Unit #291.  Kim Jong Un’s last observed appearance was his visit to the food factory of KPA Unit #534.  Attending his visit to the construction of the ski park and inspection of the navy unit were Col. Gen. Son Chol Ju, Col. Gen. Jon Chang Bok, Lt. Gen. Pak Jong Chon and Lt. Gen. So Hong Chan.

Kim Jong Un’s first stop was the construction of a skiing grounds in Masin Pass in Kangwo’n Province.  The park’s construction is being conducted by officers and service members of the KPA.  Kim Jong Un was reported to be “greatly satisfied to learn that soldier-builders have constructed a skiing area on mountain ranges covering hundreds of thousands of square meters, including primary, intermediate and advanced courses with almost 110 000 meters in total length and 40-120 meters in width” and said “the skiing ground is located in the best place as it ensures a long period of skiing and it is easy to have access to it with the Pyongyang-Wonsan tourist motorway available nearby.” Kim Jong Un was briefed about the construction of the skiing grounds before going up to the park’s highest elevations.  According to KCNA he said “it is nice to see it, but it would be more fantastic to watch the ground covered with snow” then “indicated tasks and ways for hastening the construction of the skiing ground” and “noted that it is the firm determination of the Party to build the skiing ground into a world class one.”  Kim Jong Un instructed that the skiing grounds be completed in time for the start of winter in 2013.

Kim Jong Un (1) tours the construction of the Masik Pass skiing grounds in Kangwo’n Province (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Construction of an area of the Masik Pass Skiing Grounds in Kangwo’n Province (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un (1) talks with senior officials and KPA construction managers on a peak at the construction site of the Masik Pass Skiing Grounds in Kangwo’n Province (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un “gave instructions to properly build a drainage system to prevent the courses from being washed away by rain in the rainy season and plant turf of good species suitable for that area so as to keep the courses in good shape even after thaw.”  Kim Jong Un also said, “it is necessary to build well not only rest places but first- aid stations at starting, middle and final points of the courses and establish an automatic cableway monitoring system for a real time watch so as to take measures to prevent accidents” and “underlined the need to preserve ecological environment and prevent pollution while building the skiing ground.”  According to KCNA, he also “called for properly setting up a unit for operating the ground and scrupulously organizing its management from now while pushing ahead with the construction, and taking measures for the production of skis and other winter sports apparatuses” and “called on the relevant field to supply equipment and materials needed for construction in a responsible manner and pay deep attention to this work.”

 

Kim Jong Un Visits KPA Supply Base and Food Factory

Kim Jong Un (1) looks at fish caught by the “supply base” of KPA Unit #639. Also in attendance is Col. Gen. Son Chol Ju (2) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

DPRK state media reported on 25 May (Saturday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) inspected a Korean People’s Army [KPA] supply base on the country’s east coast and visited the food factory of KPA Unit #534.  Kim Jong Un’s last observed appearance was his inspection of KPA Unit #405.  Attending his visit were Col. Gen. Son Chol Ju, Col. Gen. Jong Chang Bok, Lt. Gen. Pak Jong Chon and Lt. Gen. So Hung Chun.

Kim Jong Un’s first appearance was a field inspection of a commercial fishing and boat repair facility subordinate to KPA Unit #639.  He viewed persimmon trees and listened to a poetry recital, then toured the dining hall, public baths and other facilities for the employees.  He was briefed about the management and operations of the “supply base” and “urged other fishery bases to follow the working style and experience of the officials at that unit.”Kim Jong Un toured a boat repair facility and one of the fishing boats.  According to KCNA he “was very pleased to hear that the base keeps boats operating not by the method of repairing boats when they go wrong but by the method of always keeping a spare engine for replacing any one out of order with it in a short span of time.”  Kim Jong Un also met two factory employees and “appreciated their efforts.”  Kim Jong Un also remarked that “the supply base is a model for the whole army.”  Kim Jong Un ended his visit by presenting the fishing facility of KPA Unit #639 with a pair of binoculars, an automatic rifle and a machine gun, then posing for commemorative photos with service members and employees of the unit.

Kim Jong Un (1) tours a dock at the “supply base” of KPA Unit #639 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un (1) stands for a commemorative photograph with the officers, service members and employees of the fishing and boat repair facility subordinate to KPA Unit #639 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un (1) learns about a product during a visit to the foodstuffs factory under KPA Unit #534 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un’s next appearance was a visit to the food factory subordinate to KPA Unit #534.  He toured the historical exhibition and was briefed about the layout and production of the food factory.  According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un “looked back with deep emotion on the immortal leadership exploits of leader Kim Jong Il, who initiated the reconstruction of the factory in order to increase the production of varieties of processed foodstuffs including essential foodstuffs for the service personnel and visited it several times when its project was at its height, giving precious instructions to it.”  He then visited the control room, the factory’s e-library and research facilities, followed by a tour of the factory’s different production sections.

He said that “to put production processes on an automatic basis at foodstuff factories is an essential requirement for ensuring hygienic safety of foodstuffs” and “gave precious instructions to keep production going at a high rate and improving their quality.”  He also remarked that “supply service means a battle for defending socialism. . .the foodstuff factories including this factory are standing at the outpost of supply service, that of the battle for defending socialism.”  KCNA also reported that Kim Jong Un told factory employees “to bear in mind that they are standing alongside service personnel in the same trench for defending socialism” and ordered the factory to be reconstructed “reconstructing the factory as required by the era of Military-First politics (So’ngun)” and that he “took measures for carrying out the project with loving care.”  After touring the food factory, Kim Jong Un posed for commemorative photographs with factory employees.

Kim Jong Un poses for a commemorative photograph after touring a foodstuffs factory under KPA Unit 534 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

KPA General Staff Says It “Will Take Powerful Practical Military Countermeasures”

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

Graphic of the control channels of the KPA General Staff. Some of what DPRK state media calls “strategic rocket” units reside at the corps level, but are commanded by the KPA Strategic Rocket Force Command. The green line indicates dual command between the NDC and CMC (Graphic by Michael Madden/NK Leadership Watch)

DPRK state media released a statement (tamhwa) on 4 April (Thursday) from a spokesman from the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Staff which said the “”the towering resentment of the DPRK’s army and people has reached an irrepressible phase as they are all out in the all-out action to defend the sovereignty and prevent a nuclear war of the U.S.” and that “no one can say a war will break out in Korea or not and whether it will break out today or tomorrow.”  The KPA General Staff also announced that it is “in charge of all operations will take powerful practical military counteractions in succession as the KPA Supreme Command had already solemnly declared internally and externally.”

According to the KCNA, the KPA General Staff’s spokesman statement said:

A touch-and-go situation is prevailing on the Korean Peninsula.

U.S. formation of B-52s based on Guam flew into the sky above South Korea all of a sudden to stage a drill under the simulated conditions of a nuclear strike at the DPRK and formations of F-22s took off from Japan proper and Okinawa and were deployed in the Osan air force base in south Korea to watch for a chance to make a surprise strike.

B-2s flew into the air over waters of the West Sea of Korea from the U.S. mainland and nuclear- powered guided missile submarines and guided missile destroyers of the U.S. Navy which had been operating in waters of the Western Pacific are busy sailing in the West and East Seas of Korea.

It was reported that super-large nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and its group will enter the waters off the Korean Peninsula soon after leaving waters of the Indian Ocean or the western coast of the U.S. mainland.

South Korea and waters around it are turning into places for display of various types of nuclear strike means of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces and a dangerous hotbed of a nuclear war in the true sense of the word.

The U.S. high-handed hostile policy toward the DPRK aimed to encroach upon its sovereignty and the dignity of its supreme leadership and bring down its social system is being implemented through actual military actions without hesitation.

Days and months have passed on this land amid the constant danger of war but never had the whole Korean Peninsula been exposed to such danger of a nuclear war as today.

Under this situation the towering resentment of the DPRK’s army and people has reached an irrepressible phase as they are all out in the all-out action to defend the sovereignty and prevent a nuclear war of the U.S.

In view of the prevailing situation the world people who love justice and value conscience are unanimously becoming critical of the U.S. and its followers for their disgraceful behavior of prodding the UN Security Council into adopting “resolutions on sanctions” against the DPRK and vocal expressing concern over the situation on the peninsula.

The moment of explosion is approaching fast.

No one can say a war will break out in Korea or not and whether it will break out today or tomorrow.

The responsibility for this grave situation entirely rests with the U.S. Administration and military warmongers keen to encroach upon the DPRK’s sovereignty and bring down its dignified social system with brigandish logic.

In view of this situation, the KPA General Staff in charge of all operations will take powerful practical military counteractions in succession as the KPA Supreme Command had already solemnly declared internally and externally.

We have already sent a strong message to the present puppet authorities and military of South Korea following in the footsteps of traitor Lee Myung Bak so that they may understand our position.

As a matter of fact, puppet military gangsters such as Kim Kwan Jin are human rejects not worth becoming targets of the DPRK’s revolutionary armed forces.

We formally inform the White House and Pentagon that the ever-escalating U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK and its reckless nuclear threat will be smashed by the strong will of all the united service personnel and people and cutting-edge smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear strike means of the DPRK and that the merciless operation of its revolutionary armed forces in this regard has been finally examined and ratified.

The U.S. had better ponder over the prevailing grave situation.