Kim Jong Un Visits Ku’msusan and Attends Banquet to Mark KPA Anniversary

Kim Jong Un (8th L) and senior members of the DPRK’s national security community pay their respects to statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang on 25 April 2013, the official 81st anniversary of the foundation of the Korean People’s Army.(Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace of the Sun and attended a banquet on 25 April (Thursday), to mark the official 81st anniversary of the foundation Korean People’s Army [KPA].  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his attendance at a rally and military “march-past” on Ku’msusan Plaza.  KJU first visited the preserved remains of his grandfather, late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung, and his father, late leader Kim Jong Il, at the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace.

Floral baskets (C) and honor guards representing (L, R) the KPA’s three conventional service branches at Kumsusan on 25 April 2013 (Photos: KCNA)

He was accompanied by Kim Yong Nam (Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium President), Pak Pong Ju (DPRK Cabinet Premier), VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the KPA General Political Department), Jang Song Taek (Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC]), Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Kim Kyong Hui (KWP Secretary and KJU’s aunt), Pak To Chun (KWP Secretary), VMar Kim Yong Chun (Vice Chairman of the NDC and Director of the KWP Civil Defense Department), VMar Ri Yong Mu (Vice Chairman of the NDC), VMar Hyon Chol Hae (1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces and Director of the KPA General Logistics Department), Gen. Kim Won Hong (Minister of State Security), Gen. O Kuk Ryol (Vice Chairman of the NDC), Col. Gen. Choe Pu Il (Minister of the People’s Security), Ju Kyu Chang (Director of the KWP Machine-Building Industry Department), Col. Gen. Kim Chang Sop (Director of the Ministry of State Security’s Political Bureau), Col. Gen. Ri Pyong Sam (Director of the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces Political Bureau) and “commanding officers of the WPK Central Military Commission, the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and the KPA.”

KJU and the KPA’s high command first visited a room containing statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.  Floral baskets from Kim Jong Un, the Party Central Committee the Party Central Military Commission and the NDC were placed in front of the statues.  KJU then visited the rooms containing the preserved remains of his grandfather and father where he “made bows. . .in the humblest reverence,” according to KCNA.

A banquet hosted by the DPRK National Defense Commission at Mokran House in central Pyongyang on 25 April 2013, to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the foundation of the Korean People’s Army. (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un also attended a banquet hosted by the NDC at Mokran (Moknan) House in central Pyongyang.  Attending the banquet were “senior party, army and state officials, members of the WPK Central Military Commission and the NDC of the DPRK, commanding officers of the KPA, officials of the party and armed forces organs, ministries and national institutions and service personnel of the KPA and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces” and “diplomatic envoys of foreign countries and military attaches of foreign embassies here and their spouses.”  Before the banquet, the Moranbong Band gave a performance.

After the performance, a toast speech was delivered by Jang Song Taek (Chang So’ng-t’aek; Jang Song Thaek), Vice Chairman of the NDC, Director of the KWP Administration Department and Kim Jong Un’s uncle.  According to KCNA, during his speech, Mr. Jang “paid highest tribute to the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il who strengthened the KPA into the matchless revolutionary army and led it to the road of victory and glory, breathing with arms all their lives” and that “upon the authorization of Marshal Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of our party and people and supreme commander of the KPA, he warmly congratulated the service personnel defending the sky, land and seas of the country as firm as a rock and all the people dynamically struggling to build a thriving nation.”  Mr. Jang “noted that the revolutionary armed forces are ushering in the greatest heyday of their development as they are holding Kim Jong Un, who is identical to the Generalissimos, in high esteem as supreme commander” and he “stressed the need to steadily bolster nuclear force for self-defence both in quality and quantity and perform new miracles and feats in building a thriving socialist nation in the spirit of the historic March, 2013 Plenary Meeting of the Central Committee of the WPK.”

Kim Jong Un Attends KPA Event at Kumsusan

Kim Jong Un (2nd R) points to something at an event held at the plaza in front of Ku’msusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang on 25 April 2013 to mark the KPA’s official 81st anniversary. KJU is seen talking to his uncle, Jang Song Taek (R), Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission and Director of the KWP Administration Department. Also in the image are Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (L) and VMar Choe Ryong Hae (2nd L) (Photo: KCTV-Yonhap)

DPRK state media reported on 25 April (Thursday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) attended a rally and “march-past” at Ku’msusan Plaza in Pyongyang to mark the official 81st anniversary of the foundation of the Korean People’s Army [KPA].  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his attendance at a concert by the U’nhasu Orchestra, given on Sun’s Day (Day of the Sun; Kim Il Sung’s birth anniversary).  Joining Kim Jong Un on one platform were VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the KPA General Political Department), Jang Song Taek (Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC]), Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Pak To Chun (Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Secretary), VMar Kim Yong Chun (Vice Chairman of the NDC and Director of the KWP Civil Defense Department),VMar Ri Yong Mu (Vice Chairman of the NDC), Gen. O Kuk Ryol (Vice Chairman of the NDC), VMar Hyon Chol Hae (1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces and Director of the KPA General Logistics Department), Gen. Kim Wo’n-hong (Minister of State Security [MSS]), Ju Kyu Chang (Director of the KWP Machine-Building Industry Department), Col. Gen. Kim Chang Sop (Director of the MSS Political Bureau), Col. Gen. Choe Pu Il (Minister of People’s Security [MPS]), Col Gen. Ri Pyong Sam (Director of the MPS Political Bureau), Gen. Ri Pyong Chol (Commander of the KPA Air and Anti-Air Command), Col. Gen. Kim Myong Sik (Commander of the KPA Navy) and Lt. Gen. Kim Rak Gyom (Commander of the KPA Strategic Rocket Force Command).

Watching the rally and demonstration from another platform were Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium President Kim Yong Nam, DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju, KWP Secretary and Kim Family head Kim Kyong Hui, KWP Secretary and Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department Kim Ki Nam, KWP Secretary and SPA Chairman Choe Tae Bok, SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop, DPRK Cabinet Vice Premier Kang Sok Ju, KWP Secretary and Director of the United Front Department Kim Yang Gon, KWP Secretary and Director of the International Affairs Department Kim Yong Il, KWP Secretary and Director of Cadres’ Affairs Kim P’yo’ng-hae, KWP Secretary and Director of Planning and Finance Kwak Pom Gi, 1st Vice (senior deputy) Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department Jo Yon Jun, along with “vice-premiers of the Cabinet, diplomatic envoys of foreign countries and members of the military attaches corps here.”  Watching the event were “officials of the party central leadership organ in Pyongyang, officials of the party and armed forces organs, working people’s organizations, ministries and national institutions, officers and men of the KPA and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces, people from all walks of life, the chief of the Pyongyang mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front and overseas Koreans.”

The anniversary event began with speakers, led off by VMar Choe Ryong Hae.  According to KCNA, Choe said “the 80 odd year-long history of the KPA is one of glory in which it has steadily grown stronger as the main force for accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Chuch’e under the care of the peerlessly great men of Mt. Paektu and one of victory and feats in which it met every vicious challenge and shattered war provocation moves of the enemies and reliably defended the party, the leader, country and people” and he “expressed the pledge of all the service personnel to carry to completion the revolutionary cause of Juche that was started with arms in the forests of Mt. Paektu by taking the lead in upholding the leadership of the Supreme Commander as instructed by the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.”  KPA Navy Commander Kim Myong Sik said in his speech “even though the U.S. imperialist aggressors try to browbeat the DPRK with super-large carriers and nuclear-powered submarines, they will never evade the fate of the U.S. heavy cruiser Baltimore, which was buried at sea in waters off Jumunjin during the last Korean War, by the revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK equipped ultra-modern strike means” and that “seamen waiting for the time of a dueling battle will send to the bottom of the sea all the pirate ships of aggressors, once ordered, and turn the South Sea of Korea into the burial sea of the enemies.”

KPA Air and Anti-Air Force Commander Ri Pyong Chol said “the men of his force are waiting for a final attack order to put an end to the enemies, with firm determination to devotedly safeguard the Party Central Committee headed by Kim Jong Un and the Ku’msusan Palace of the Sun” and that “the flying corps of a-match-for-a hundred stalwart pilots, once given a sortie order, will load nuclear bombs, instead of fuel for return, and storm enemy strongholds to blow them up.”  Strategic Rocket Force Commander Kim Rak Gyom said “the DPRK’s inter-continental ballistic missiles have already set the dens of the brigandish U.S. imperialists as their first target and officers and men of the Strategic Rocket Force are one click away from pushing the launch button.  If the U.S. imperialists and their followers dare make a preemptive attack, they will be made to keenly realize what a real nuclear war and real retaliatory blows are like and their stooges be made to feel the taste of horrible nuclear holocaust.”

Following the speeches, KPA units marched past Kim Jong Un.  According to KCNA KJU “saluted the columns marching past the tribune of honor in fine array.”  The event also included a fly-over by KPA Air and Anti-Air Forces jets.

 

Kim Jong Un Visits Kumsusan Memorial Palace of the Sun

Kim Jong Un (7th L) and members of the Party Central Military Commission and DPRK National Defense Commission visit Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyong at midnight on 15 April 2013 on the 101st anniversary of the birth of his paternal grandfather the late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited the Ku’msusan Palace of the Sun at midnight on 15 April (Monday), the 101st anniversary of the birth of the DPRK President and founder, Kim Il Sung. KJU’s last reported public appearance was at the 7th session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] on 1 April.

Attending KJU’s visit to Ku’msusan were VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department), Jang Song Taek (Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC] and Director of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Administration Department), Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Pak To Chun (KWP Secretary), VMar Kim Yong Chun (Vice Chairman of the NDC and Director of the KWP Civil Defense Department), VMar Hyon Chol Hae (1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces and Director of the KPA General Logistics Department), Gen. Kim Won Hong (Minister of State Security), Col. Gen. Choe Pu Il (Minister of People’s Security), Ju Kyu Chang (Director of the KWP Machine-Building Industry Department), Kim Kyong Ok (Senior Deputy [1st Vice] Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department), Col. Gen. Ri Yong Gil (Chief of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau), Gen. Kim Yong Chol (Chief of the Reconnaissance General Bureau and Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff), Col. Gen. Son Chol Ju (Staff member, KPA Supreme Command), Lt. Gen. Ryom Chol Song, Col. Gen. Jo Kyong Chol (Chief of the Military Security Command), Gen. Yun Tong Hyon (Deputy [vice] Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department), Col. Gen. Kang P’yo Yong (Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Lt. Gen. Pak Jong Chon, Gen. Ri Pyong Chol (Commander of the KPA Air and Anti-Forces), Col. Gen. Kim Myong Sik (Commander of the KPA Navy), Lt. Gen. Kim Rak Gyom (Commander of the KPA Strategic Rocket Forces) and Yun Jong Rin (Chief and Director of the Guard Command).

Kim Jong Un arrived at Ku’msusan’s chamber containing the statues of his paternal grandfather, Kim Il Sung, and his father, late leader Kim Jong Il.  Floral baskets were placed in front of the statues, sent by KJU, the Party Central Military Commission and the DPRK National Defense Commission.  According to KCNA, the floral baskets’ ribbons contained the message “‘The great Comrades Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il will always be with us’.”  Kim Jong Un and the other members of the KPA high command bowed to the KIS and and KJI statues.  They visited the chamber where Kim Il Sung’s preserved remains lie in state and paid their respects, then visited the chamber where the preserved remains of Kim Jong Il lie in state and also paid their respects with the “humblest reverence,” according to KCNA.

National Meeting Commemorates KJU’s Election as Party 1st Secretary and NDC 1st Chairman

Overview of an 11 April 2013 meeting at 25 April House of Culture in Pyongyang. The meeting marked Kim Jong Un’s election as KWP 1st Secretary and 1st Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission (Photos: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 11 April (Thursday) that a national meeting was held to mark Kim Jong Un’s (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) election as the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] 1st Secretary at the 4th Party Conference and election as 1st Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC] at the 5th session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA].  The meeting was held at the 25 April House of Culture and attended by SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam, KWP Secretary and Director of the Propaganda and Agitation [publicity and information] Department Kim Ki Nam along with “other senior party, state and army officials, the chairperson of a friendly party, officials of the army, armed forces and power organs, social organizations, ministries and national institutions, service personnel of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces, officials in the fields of science, education, literature and the arts, public health and media, labor innovators and other people.”

Kim Yong Nam, President of the SPA Presidium and Member of the KWP Political Bureau Presidium, reads the report at an 11 April 2013 national meeting in Pyongyang, marking Kim Jong Un’s election as KWP 1st Secretary and NDC 1st Chairman (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Yong Nam, also a member of the KWP Political Bureau Presidium, read the meeting’s official report.  According to KCNA’s gist of the report:

The reporter said that Kim Jong Un’s election as first secretary of the WPK and first chairman of the National Defence Commission (NDC) of the DPRK by unanimous desire and will of all party members, service personnel and other people was a political event and a national auspicious event to be specially recorded in the history of accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Chuch’e.

Referring to the undying exploits Kim Jong Un performed for the party, revolution, country and nation by leading the drive for accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche on the watershed of history when a new century of Chuch’e began, the reporter continued:

He made sure that the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun was spruced up as the supreme temple of Juche and eternal sacred temple of the sun, and statues and portraits of smiling Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il were displayed in different parts of the country.

Thanks to his noble intention and wise leadership the Law on the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun was adopted and the Socialist Constitution was amended and supplemented at the 7th Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK, legalizing the palace as a grand monument to the immortality of the leader and symbol of the dignity of the Korean nation.

He formulated Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism as the revolutionary idea of the WPK and set it as the supreme programme of the party to model whole society on Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism, thereby providing an eternal banner of victory of the Chuch’e revolution.

He advanced the idea of building the People’s Army into a reliable scout force and mainstay of the Military-First (So’ngun) revolution firmly guaranteeing the party’s cause with arms and successfully embodied it to make an epochal turn in bolstering military capability.

The successful third underground nuclear test which startled the world was a historic event that consolidated the high prestige of the DPRK as a nuclear weapons state and fully demonstrated its tremendous military muscle.

He laid out new strategic line on simultaneously pushing forward the economic construction and the building of nuclear force under the prevailing situation and according to the lawful requirement of the developing Korean revolution, providing a powerful weapon for protecting the independent dignity of Military-First (So’ngun) Korea forever and achieving the final victory of the revolutionary cause of Juche.

At a time when the enemies tightened illegal “sanctions” on the DPRK and openly launched military offensive against the DPRK over its satellite launch for peaceful purposes and third underground nuclear test for self-defence, he inspected island detachments in the biggest hotspots one after another, finally examined and ratified the firepower strike plan of the Strategic Rocket Force, striking terror into the hearts of the U.S. imperialists and their followers and demonstrating the invincible stamina of heroic Korea.

The dynamic advance for building a thriving nation is firmly guaranteed politically and militarily and new structure of strength has taken a shape in Northeast Asia with the DPRK in the center. This is a shining fruition of his outstanding stratagem and invincible Military-First (So’ngun) leadership.

He made sure that Kim Jong Il’s patriotism swept across the country, and the economy was kept afloat through the implementation of the party’s economic policy, Korean-style economic strategy. He also saw to it that all fields and units have made progress in an innovative and robust way by learning from the substantial traits of creation displayed by the Moranbong Band.

The successful launch of the first application satellite Kwangmyo’ngso’ng 3-2 displayed the dignity and honor of the sun’s nation and showed the world the stand of the DPRK that it does whatever it is determined to do.

His steadfast line on national independence and Songun revolutionary leadership guaranteed the steady progress of the struggle for national reunification, enhancement of the international position of the DPRK and increased support and solidarity for its revolutionary cause.

In the course of advancing the revolution and construction by holding Kim Jong Un at the top posts of the party, state and the army, the army and people of the DPRK realized his personality as a great man possessed of qualifications as modern statesman. The world progressives are praising him as the world’s most famous man and expressing respect and trust in him.

The reporter called for glorifying the glorious Kim Jong Un’s era with final victory in building a thriving socialist nation and accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Chuch’e.

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.

 

 

 

Kim Jong Un Convenes Meeting and Orders Strategic Rockets “To be on stand-by”

Kim Jong Un (seated) reviews military operations plans, prior to ordering the DPRK’s missiles and strategic rockets to be “on stand-by.” Behind him (L-R) are Lt. Gen. Kim Rak Gyom (Commander of the KPA Strategic Rocket Force Command), Col. Gen. Ri Yong Gil (Chief of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau), Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff) and Gen. Kim Yong Chol (Chief of the Reconnaissance General Bureau and Vide Chief of the KPA General Staff) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) convened a meeting and signed military operations orders at 00:30 [12:30 am] Korean Standard Time [KST] on 29 March (Friday).  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his attendance on 28 March (Thursday) at a commemorative photo session with participants in a national meeting of Korean People’s Army [KPA] information personnel.  Attending the operations planning meeting were Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Col. Gen. Ri Yong Gil (Chief of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau)**, Gen. Kim Yong Chol (Chief of the Reconnaissance General Bureau and Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff) and Lt. Gen. Kim Rak Gyom (Chief of the KPA Strategic Rocket Force Command).

Kim Jong Un signs military orders on 29 March 2013 (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un participates in an operational planning meeting on 29 March 2013. Briefing KJU in these images is Lt. Gen. Kim Rak Gyom (L), commander of the KPA Strategic Rocket Force Command (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Kim Jong Un participates in an operational planning meeting in central Pyongyang on 29 March 2013 (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

KCNA reported that “not content with letting B-52 make sorties over south Korea in succession despite the repeated warnings, they made B-2A stealth strategic bomber and other strategic strike means fly from Whiteman air force base in Missouri State, the U.S. over south Korea on March 28 for the first time in history to commit such dangerous provocation as openly staging a drill for striking ground targets of the DPRK” and “fully proves that the brigandish ambition of the U.S. imperialists for aggression to stand in confrontation with the DPRK has reached an extreme phase defying the meaningful warning made by its revolutionary armed forces in the March 26 statement of the Supreme Command of the Korean People’s Army.”  Under these circumstances, DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un “convened an urgent operation meeting on the KPA Strategic Rocket Force’s performance of duty for firepower strike at the Supreme Command at 00:30 Friday.”  During the meeting, Gen. Kim Yong Chol briefed KJU “on the information about the nature of action of the nuclear strike means of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces.”  KJU was also briefed by Lt. Gen. Kim Rak Gyom “on the technical conditions of the strategic strike means of the KPA.”  After Lt. Gen. Kim’s brief, according to KCNA, Kim Jong Un “made an important decision.”

KCNA reports:

He said he has judged the time has come to settle accounts with the U.S. imperialists in view of the prevailing situation.

If they make a reckless provocation with huge strategic forces, the KPA should mercilessly strike the U.S. mainland, their stronghold, their military bases in the operational theaters in the Pacific, including Hawaii and Guam, and those in south Korea, he said. He examined and finally ratified the plan of the Strategic Rocket Force for firepower strike.

The U.S. imperialists let B-2A make sorties over south Korea in succession, indicating once again that their hostile acts against the DPRK have entered a reckless phase, going beyond the phase of threat and blackmail, he said.

B-2A’s flight to the sky above south Korea is not a simple demonstration of forces in reaction to the tough stand of the DPRK but an ultimatum that they will ignite a nuclear war at any cost on the Korean Peninsula, he noted, underlining the need to put a definite end to the times when they could threaten and blackmail the DPRK with nukes.

He declared the revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK would react to the U.S. nuclear blackmail with a merciless nuclear attack, and war of aggression with an all-out war of justice.

He finally signed the plan on technical preparations of strategic rockets of the KPA, ordering them to be standby for fire so that they may strike any time the U.S. mainland, its military bases in the operational theaters in the Pacific, including Hawaii and Guam, and those in south Korea.

He said the enemies are bringing dark clouds of a nuclear war testing the DPRK’s self-restraint, adding the DPRK can no longer tolerate this. He ordered the KPA to blow up and reduce everything to ashes at a single strike, if an order is issued.

He said the heroic service personnel of the KPA and all other people, their hearts burning with irrepressible resentment at the reckless war provocation moves of the U.S. imperialists, are now waiting for a final order of the WPK Central Committee, hardening their will to turn out in a do-or-die battle with the enemies.

The KPA will never remain a passive onlooker to the U.S. imperialists’ frantic moves for aggression but do its best to defend the destiny of the country and nation, he said.

It is the truth confirmed by history that no force on earth can hold in check the people all out for the just cause, he noted, stressing if an undesired war breaks out on this land again due to the consequences of the unpardonable action of the U.S. imperialists, it will bring them a shameful ruin and the Korean nation will greet the bright day of national reunification.

The important decision made by him under the grave situation where the Korean Peninsula has been pushed to the brink of a nuclear war by the U.S. imperialists will mark a turning point in putting an end to the history of the long-standing showdown with the U.S. and opening a new phase of history.

** Col.. Gen. Ri Yong Gil has been appointed Chief of the KPA General Staff Operation Bureau and ex aequo 1st Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff.  Previously commander of V Army Corps, Col. Gen. Ri replaces Gen. Kim Myong Guk, a member of the Party Central Military Commission and KJI confidante, who held the position twice.

KPA Supreme Command Issues Statement

DPRK citizens watch a KCTV anchorwoman read a statement of the KPA Supreme Command on a jumbotron outside Pyongyang Central Railway Station on 26 March 2013 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported that the Korean People’s Army [KPA] Supreme Command issued a statement on 26 March 2013 (Tuesday) which said that it “put on the highest alert all the field artillery units including strategic rocket units and long-range artillery units which are assigned to strike bases of the U.S. imperialist aggressor troops in the U.S. mainland and on Hawaii and Guam and other operational zone in the Pacific as well as all the enemy targets in south Korea and its vicinity.”

The message was read by a Korean Central Television [KCTV] anchorwoman, not a general-grade officer of the KPA.  According to KCNA, the English version of the statement said:

The U.S. nuclear war racket has gone beyond the danger line and entered the phase of an actual war, defying the repeated warnings from the army and people of the DPRK.

The U.S. let B-52 formation deployed in Anderson air force base on Guam fly into the sky above south Korea at around 08:00 on March 25. The formation staged a nuclear striking drill with simulated targets in the depth of the DPRK from around 11:50 and revealed it to the public.

The U.S. even let the conservative media of south Korea reveal the process of the 2010 operation against Osama bin Laden. It openly said the operational plan of “south Korea-U.S. combined forces” includes targeting the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK with the use of lethal striking means and methods of the U.S. imperialist aggression forces and the south Korean puppet army.

They blustered that the operation targeting the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK has no problem in terms of military technique, adding that they are closely monitoring all the relevant moves of the DPRK. They even made such bluff that now is the time to unfold “active north Korea policy”, “not passive one”.

The present south Korean puppet authorities tried to link the Ch’o'nan sinking case with the DPRK and shift the blame for the Yo’np’yo’ng Island shelling on to the DPRK just as traitor Lee Myung Bak did. They said they plan mounting precision missile attacks on the statues of great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in different parts of the DPRK including those in Pyongyang if “local provocation” of similar nature reoccurs.

They, unafraid of divine punishment, even said that they drafted the “list of targets” based on detailed analysis of the locations, sizes and specific features of those statues.

All these moves clearly prove that the anti-DPRK hostile acts now under way by the U.S., south Korean puppet forces and all other followers under the pretext of the DPRK’s satellite launch and the underground nuclear test have entered a reckless phase of practical implementation after going beyond the phase of threatening and blackmailing.

The gravity of the situation lies in that such reckless moves are timed to coincide with the U.S.-masterminded resolutions on sanctions against the DPRK being carried into practice intensively through conspiracy and nexus with all hues of hostile forces.

The KPA Supreme Command declares at home and abroad the final decision of the army and people of the DPRK as follows as regards the present prevailing situation:

1. We will demonstrate with the practical military action the firm will of the army and people of the DPRK to take counteraction to defend the sovereignty and dignity of the supreme leadership of the country.

There is a limit to patience.

It is the clear conclusion drawn by us that we can never tolerate the serious situation in which the sovereignty and dignity of the supreme leadership of the country are ruthlessly trampled down and the U.S. nuclear threat and blackmail are turning into a real war.

From this moment the KPA Supreme Command will put on the highest alert all the field artillery units including strategic rocket units and long-range artillery units which are assigned to strike bases of the U.S. imperialist aggressor troops in the U.S. mainland and on Hawaii and Guam and other operational zone in the Pacific as well as all the enemy targets in south Korea and its vicinity.

2. We will show the present puppet authorities of south Korea, which are dancing to the tune of their master, kowtowing to his hostile policy toward the DPRK, the strongest will of the DPRK army with physical action.

The enemies are seriously mistaken if they think they can find an opportunity for striking “basic bases” and attacking “support forces” and “commanding forces”.

They should be mindful that everything will be reduced to ashes and flames the moment the first attack is unleashed.

It is the unshakable stand of the army and people of the DPRK that they can never allow the treacherous acts, the preceding ruler committed by pushing the inter-Korean relations to a catastrophe and blocking the way for peace and prosperity for five years, to be taken over by the present south Korean chief executive.

3. We call upon progressive people of the world opposing war and loving peace to turn out as one in the struggle against the brigandish U.S. highhanded and arbitrary practices.

Injustice can never become justice though it is practiced by big countries with advantageous military muscles.

Even the resolution of the UN Security Council will become unjust one and become an international crime going against the trend of the times if it is devoid of impartiality.

Injustice is temporary one and will die in end.

But justice is like a flame that flares up forever.

The KPA Supreme Command calls upon the conscience of the world to actively join the army and people of the DPRK in defending independence and justice, not blindly following the U.S. high-handed and arbitrary practices and the UNSC’s “resolutions” bereft of impartiality.

Victory is in store for the army and people of the DPRK rising up to defend the sovereignty, and progressive people of the world loving justice and peace.

Kim Jong Un Observes and Commands Live Fire Joint Exercises of KPA Large Combined Units #324 & #287 and KPA Navy Combined Unit #597

Kim Jong Un observes live fire joint exercises by DPRK ground, naval and artillery forces on the country’s east coast on 25 March 2013 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 25 March (Monday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) commanded live fire joint exercises by Korean People’s Army [KPA] Large Combined (taeyonhap pudae) Units #324 and #287 and KPA Navy Combined (yonhap pudae) Unit #597.  The joint exercises simulated defense of the country east coast, naval landings on a beach by DPRK ground forces.  It utilized light infantry, multiple-launch rocket systems [MRLS] and artillery.  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his attendance at a concert rehearsal by the KPA Song and Dance Ensemble, inspection of musical instruments and clothing produced by KPA factories and a review of historical artifacts designated for the reconstructed war museum in Pyongyang.  Among those attending KJU’s observation and command of the live joint exercises was Gen. Hyon Yong Chol, Chief of the KPA General Staff, Lt. Gen. Pak Jong Chon (staff member, KPA Supreme Command) and Lt. Gen. Rim Kwang Il.  According to KCNA this was an impromptu joint exercise  and KJU “issued an order for drills without any notice and finally examined the landing and anti-landing capabilities of the large combined units of the KPA Ground Force and the KPA Navy combined unit situated in the eastern sector of the front and the east coastal area.”

Kim Jong Un reviews an operations plan during joint live exercises on the country’s east coast on 25 March 2013. Also seen in attendance is Chief of the KPA General Staff, Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (L) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Hovercraft (ACVs) of KPA Navy Combined Unit #597 land on the country’s east coast whilst ground forces charge toward simulated targets on the beach (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Women members of the 1st platoon of KPA Large Combined Unit 324 participate in artillery drills (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

The first phase of the joint exercises involved MRLS in coastal defense “striking and wiping out landing enemies in the waters took place”, followed by the landing of air cushion vehicles [ACVs] (hovercraft) which deployed ground troops.  As KJU watched the beach landing, according to KCNA, he said that service members “look highly-spirited and if it were an actual battle, the enemies would have no time to come to their senses.”  The next phase involved a women’s artillery platoon using MRLS.  KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un “personally designated a firepower position beside him and set a target without any notice before giving an order to destroy it” and the platoon “rapidly took the firepower position and accurately hit the target.”  After this phase of the drill KCNA reported that KJU “shook their hands one by one, praising them as great soldiers and crack shots.”  According to KCNA Kim Jong Un said, “They performed their duties well though he had set without any notice a target which was not envisaged in the drill program and assigned to them duty to destroy it.”  He then took a commemorative photograph with the women warriors and remarked “How praiseworthy Korean women are and a-match-for-a-hundred members of the women’s multiple rocket system can never be compared with nukes.”  KCNA reported that KJU was “earnestly telling them to conduct training better and launch a dynamic campaign to become one-beats-a hundred crack shots at ordinary times and hero artillery women by sending enemy warships to the bottom of the sea in the decisive battles.”

Kim Jong Un Observes and Commands Flak Rocket and Drone Drill

Gen. Ri Pyong Chol (R), commander of the KPA Air and Anti-Air Forces, briefs Kim Jong Un (2nd R) about live fire anti-aircraft drills (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 20 March (Wednesday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) observed and commanded a Korean People’s Army [KPA] live fire drill using flak rockets and drones.  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his attendance was in Pyongyang on 19 March (Tuesday) at a commemorative photo session with participants at a national meeting of light industry workers.  At the drills Kim Jong Un was joined by VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the KPA General Political Department), Lt. Gen. Pak Jong Chon (Staff member of the KPA Supreme Command) and Lt. Gen. Son Jong Nam.  Upon his arrival at the drill site, KJU was greeted by Gen. Ri Pyong Chol, commander of the KPA Air and Anti-Air Forces, was briefed about the drills and ordered them to begin.

Kim Jong Un (3rd L) observes anti-aircraft drills on 20 March 2013 through binoculars. Also seen in attendance are VMar Choe Ryong Hae (2nd L) and Gen. Ri Pyong Chol (R) (Photo: KCNA)

The first phase of an anti-aircraft drill utilizing what DPRK state media identified as drones (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

What DPRK state media identified as drones (L) hit their targets (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Kim Jong Un (2nd L) smiles after the first phase of live fire anti-aircraft drills (Photo: KCNA)

The first phase of the drills involved drones which took off toward “enemy positions” which KCNA reported “stormed the targets, destroying them with accuracy.”  According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un said, “that the planes are very fast and have high target discerning ability.  The planes were assigned the flight route and time with the targets in south Korea in mind,” and “that they were was proved to be able to mount super precision attack on any enemy targets.”  DPRK state media has previously shown small unmanned aerial vehicles during military parades and at one of KJU’s inspections in 2012, but it is not clear if the KPA possesses a working drone.

Self-propelled anti-aircraft systems fire flak rockets in a live fire drill (Photos: KCNA)

An anti-aircraft flak rocket hits what DPRK state media described as a “target disguised as a Tomahawk missile” (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

The next phase of the drill involved self-propelled anti-aircraft “flak rockets” aimed at “ a target disguised as Tomahawk cruise missile of the enemy.”  KCNA reported that “ an outburst of fire with roaring blast flew toward the missile, destroying it at a single shot.”  KJU was pleased with the anti-aircraft drill and “called for further raising the performance of drone and rocket which demonstrated their might in the drills and urged the soldiers to get fully ready to mount super precision strike at any target any time,” according to KCNA.  Kim Jong Un also said:

When the drills turn into a battle, the enemies will be made to drink a bitter cup, unable to raise their heads, in the face of retaliatory blows of the strong revolutionary  Mt. Paektu (Paektusan) army.  If the enemies, oblivious of the tremendous might of the KPA, make even the slightest movement, [I] will give an order to destroy not only the military installments and puppet reactionary ruling institutions in the operational theater in south Korea but the relevant facilities of countries following the U.S. war moves for invading the DPRK, and the military bases of the U.S. imperialist aggression forces in the operational theatre of the Pacific.  Time has gone when only words were made, stressing the need to destroy the enemies without mercy so that not a single man can survive to sign a document of surrender when a battle starts.

KCNA reported that KJU “stressed the need to have at command the coordinates of every enemy target in the operational theater of south Korea and input them in precision drone attack means of the Korean style so that they should make point attack on any target any moment” and “ set forth important tasks in making full combat preparations of the KPA as required by the prevailing situation.”  Before participating in a commemorative photograph session with participants in the drill, Kim Jong Un “called on all the service personnel of the KPA to maintain high alert posture and wait for his order for the grand advance for national reunification.”

Kim Jong Un evaluates and issues instructions after live fire anti-aircraft drills (Photo: KCTV screengrab)

Kim Jong Un (2nd L) greets participants in 20 March 2013 live fire anti-aircraft exercises prior whilst arriving at a commemorative photo session with the exercises’ participants (Photo: KCTV screengrab)

KPA officers and service members who participated in live fire exercises on 20 March 2013 greet Kim Jong Un prior to a commemorative photo session (Photo: KCTV screengrab)

Kim Jong Un poses for commemorative photographs with KPa commanders, officers and service members who participated in live fire exercises on 20 March 2013. Seen L of KJU is VMar Choe Ryong Hae and seen R of KJU is Gen. Ri Pyong Chol. (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Kim Jong Un’s inspection and commanding of the anti-air drills occurred after the US B-52 bomber participated in training mission on 8 March and 19 March (Tuesday) as part of the joint US-ROK joint military exercises Foal Eagle.  During Tuesday’s training exercises flight the B-52 flew over South Korea’s [ROK] Kangwo’n Province.  As Kim Jong Un observed the anti-aircraft drills, a spokesman of the DPRK Foreign Ministry protested  the use of the B-52 as “an unpardonable provocation against the DPRK to sound out its strongest will that the U.S. is introducing a strategic nuclear strike means into the Korean Peninsula at a time when its situation is inching close to the brink of war.”  According to the Foreign Ministry’s spokesman:

The U.S. reportedly let its B-52 deployed on Guam make sortie to the Korean Peninsula on Mar. 19 in the wake of its sortie made on Mar. 8.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defence Carter visited south Korea on March 18, where he was closeted with south Korean puppet Minister of Defence Kim Kwan Jin over “south Korea-U.S. joint reaction” to the DPRK’s threat. There Carter said that B-52 would be involved in the U.S.-south Korea joint military drills on Mar. 19 to demonstrate the U.S. will to defend south Korea and that such sorties would continue in the future.

It is an unpardonable provocation against the DPRK to sound out its strongest will that the U.S. is introducing a strategic nuclear strike means into the Korean Peninsula at a time when its situation is inching close to the brink of war.

The DPRK is now closely watching the move of B-52, and the hostile forces will never escape its strong military counteraction, should the strategic bomber make such sortie to the peninsula again.