Kim Jong Un Visits People’s Security Ministry and Watches Workers’ Sports Competition on May Day

Kim Jong Un (1) on the plaza in front of the Ministry of People’s Security headquarters in Pyongyang, prior to commemorative photo-ops on May Day (1 May) in Pyongyang. Also in attendance are Minister of People’s Security, Col. Gen. Choe Pu Il (3) and Director of the KPSIF Political Bureau, Col. Gen. Ri Pyong Sam (2) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 1 May (Wednesday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) inspected the Ministry of People’s Security and watched a sports contest between DPRK public health workers, on International Labor Day (May Day).  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his attendance at the DPRK premier league men’s football (soccer) finals for the Mangyo’ngdae Prize at Kim Il Sung Stadium.  First, Kim Jong Un visited the Ministry of People’s Security [MPS] and inspected Korean People’s Internal Security Forces [KPISF] Unit #2219.  Attending his visit to the MPS was VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department) and Jang Song Taek (Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC] and Director of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Administration Department).

After arriving at MPS headquarters in Pyongyang, Kim Jong Un posed for commemorative photographs with MPS and KPISF personnel.  He also paid his respects to statues of Kim Il Sung, the late DPRK President and founder, and Kim Jong Il, the country’s late leader.  According to KCNA, KJU said “the erection of their statues at the ministry strikingly demonstrates the unshakable will of all people’s security persons and service personnel of KPISF to eternally hold the peerlessly great men in high esteem and devotedly defend the socialist system, a precious legacy bequeathed by the Generalissimos.”  He also “underscored the need for them to eternally hold the Generalissimos in high esteem as the sun of Chuch’e, firmly defend and glorify their undying revolutionary exploits with pure revolutionary conscience and strong sense of obligation.”  Kim Jong Un “gave important instructions to tighten people’s security and bolster up the combat capabilities of KPISF in every way” and remarked that “the Ministry of People’s Security and KPISF play a very important role for defending the socialist system, he said, adding that the people’s security persons and service personnel of KPISF should be deeply aware of their heavy yet honorable combat missions.”  

Kim Jong Un poses for commemorative photographs in front of the Ministry of People’s Security headquarters in Pyongyang on 1 May 2013 (Photos: Rodong Sinmun)

KCNA reported that Kim Jong Un “underlined the need to strengthen the people’s security organ and the internal security forces as units defending the policies of the party, strong guardians of socialism, merciless striking forces and reliable protectors of the lives and properties of the people” and said that “the enemies are now afraid of our single-minded unity around the party more than anything else and running the whole gamut of desperate and base moves to destabilize and bring down our society.”  KJU said “now that the enemies are working hard to bar our people from trusting and following the party with pure conscience and fixed will and alienate the masses from it, it is important to intensify the struggle to frustrate their moves,” “called for devotedly defending the party, social system and people, decisively foiling the ideological and cultural poisoning and psychological warfare of the enemies and mercilessly wiping out the undesirable and hostile elements who have foolish day dreams” and he “underlined the need for the ministry and the internal security forces to make full combat preparations to annihilate the U.S. imperialists and south Korean puppet group keen to stifle the DPRK and to creditably fulfill their missions and duties in the sacred struggle to provide a firm guarantee by dint of arms and law for the implementation of the party’s line on simultaneously pushing forward the economic construction and the building of nuclear force.”  He also noted that “our Chuch’e-oriented socialist country is invincible as the Korean People’s Army and KPISF, the two revolutionary armed forces of the WPK, are firmly defending the security of the country and people.”

Kim Jong Un poses for a commemorative photograph with officers and service members of Korean People’s Internal Security Forces Unit #2219 on 1 May 2013 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un then inspected KPISF Unit #2219.  After his arrival, he presented the unit with a pair of binoculars and an automatic rifle during a short ceremony.  He then posed for commemorative photographs with officers and service members of the unit.  KJU toured the political education facilities, visited a mess hall, a dormitory, a cultural education classroom and a washroom.  KCNA reported that KJU was “satisfied to see good conditions in the bed room, praising the unit for keeping the wash-cum-bath room with a sauna attached neat and clean.”  During a visit to a classroom he “he underscored the need to train the soldiers to be strong in idea and faith by intensifying politico-ideological education among them.”

After his tour, he supervised a drill by the unit.  According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un “highly appreciated their success in the drill and indicated tasks for bolstering up the combat capabilities of the unit” and “expressed belief that just as the service personnel of KPISF have always did, the soldiers of the unit would display a do-or-die will and matchless courage and thus become iron shields and fierce tigers devotedly defending the party, social system and people in their struggle to decisively foil the enemies’ moves to stifle the DPRK.”

Kim Jong Un (1) watches a sports competition of public health workers on 1 May 2013 with his wife Ri Sol Ju (2). Also in attendance are: Jang Song Taek (3), VMar Choe Ryong Hae (4), Pak Pong Ju (5), Kim Kyong Hui (6), Kim Ki Nam (7) and Kim Yang Gon (8). (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un’s next visit was his attendance at a sports contest between public health workers.  He was joined by his wife Ri Sol Ju (Ri So’l-chu) along with Pak Pong Ju (DPRK Cabinet Premier), VMar Choe Ryong Hae, Jang Song Taek, Kim Kyong Hui (KWP Secretary, KJU’s aunt and head of the Kim Family), Kim Ki Nam (KWP Secretary and Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department), Choe Tae Bok (KWP Secretary and Supreme People’s Assembly Chairman), Pak To Chun (KWP Secretary), Kim Yang Gon (KWP Secretary and Director of the United Front Department) along with “other senior officials of the party, the state and the army and workers in the field of public health.”  Also in attendance from the central leadership were: Gen. Kim Won Hong (Minister of State Security) Mun Kyong Dok (Chief Secretary of the Pyongyang City [municipal] KWP Committee), Jo Yon Jun (Senior Deputy [1st Vice] Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department), Col. Gen. Kim Chang Sop (Director of the Ministry of State Security Political Bureau), Col. Gen. Ri Pyong Sam (Director of the KPISF Political Bureau), Kim Kyong Ok (Senior Deputy [1st Vice] Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department), Col. Gen. Jo Kyong Chol (Chief of the Military Security Command), Gen. Yun Jong Rin (Chief of the Guard Command) and Gen. Kim Yong Chol (Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff and Chief of the Reconnaissance General Bureau).

The public health workers were divided into two teams–the Pot’onggang and Taedonggang teams.  KCNA reported of the sports competitions:

Male and female volleyball matches took place first.

The Pothonggang Team defeated its rival in the breath-taking male volleyball match and the Taedonggang Team trounced its rival in the female volleyball match.

Then followed table-tennis matches.

Men’s and women’s singles and doubles and singles of leading officials of the relevant units were played, drawing the attention of the spectators.

The Pothonggang Team won the men’s and women’s singles and men’s doubles while the Taedonggang Team emerged a winner in the women’s doubles.

The Pothonggang Team won the singles of leading officials of the relevant units.

The Pothonggang Team beat its rival 4:1 in the table-tennis matches.

A tug of war took place between the two teams.

The Pothonggang Team won the game.

According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un “clapped his hands whenever the players displayed high technique.”  The results of the competitions were announced and prizes given to the participants.  At the end of the event, KJU “waved back to the enthusiastic cheers of the players and spectators and congratulated them on the successful games.”

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.”

Documentary Film Aired on Moranbong Band Visit to KPA Large Combined Unit #630

On or around 15 April (Monday) DPRK state media broadcast a documentary film about a 11 April 2013 visit by members of the DPRK core elite and a concert by the elite Moranbong Band at a unit of Korean People’s Army Unit Large Combined Unit (taeyonhap pudae) #630.  The visit included an awards and gifts presentation to the unit, visits to the unit’s historical exhibitions, a tour of the unit’s quarters by core elites, performances and a martial arts exhibition by members of the unit and a concert by the Moranbong Band.  Members of the core elite who visited the unit did not attend the concert.

Members of the Moranbong Band are welcomed by the unit’s officers and service members and families.

(Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Soldiers participating in an awards and gifts ceremony, presided over by VMar Choe Ryong Hae, Director of the KPA General Political Department, Member of the Korean Workers’ Party Political Bureau Presidium and Vice Chairman of the Party Central Military Commission.

(Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

(Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

A view of a historical monument commemorating the visits to the unit by and quotations of the late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung, late leader Kim Jong Il and current supreme leader Kim Jong Un.

(Photos: KCTV screengrab)

Members of the DPRK’s core leadership inspects the monument.  Seen in attendance are: KWP Secretary and head of the Kim Family, Kim Kyong Hui (L), KWP Secretary and Director of the United Front Department, Kim Yang Gon (2nd L), DPRK National Defense Commission Vice Chairman and Director of the KWP Administration Department, Jang Song Taek  (3rd L), DPRK Cabinet Premier, Pak Pong Ju (4th L) and Minister of the People’s Armed Forces, Gen. Kim Kyok Sik.

(Photos: KCTV screengrab)

Members of the Moranbong Band and the DPRK core leadership tour the unit’s historical exhibition.

(Photos: KCTV screengrab)

DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Jo (L), NDC Vice Chairman Jang Song Taek (2nd L) and Gen. Kim Kyok Sik examine the unit’s historical exhibition.

(Photos: KCTV screengrab)

Members of the Moranbong Band examine the unit’s historical exhibition.

(Photos: KCTV screengrab)

DPRK core elites (top) and Moranbong Band members tours the unit’s living quarters.

(Photos: KCTV screengrab)

Members of a unit subordinate to KPA Large Combined Unit #630 give a musical presentation for the Moranbong Band and the visit members of the leadership.

(Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Members of the Moranbong Band applaud the performance by service members and officers of the unit.

(Photos: KCTV screengrab)

A view of DPRK leadership members watching the performance.  Annotated is Kim Kyong Hui, aunt of Kim Jong Un and sister of the late leader Kim Jong Un.  Note that Madame Kim is seated in the center among other the members of the leadership, indicative of her preeminent status in the leadership cohort despite other officials in attendance who have more senior positions in the formal hierarchy.  This is the same position that would be taken by Kim Jong Un, had he attended, or his father Kim Jong Il before him.

(Photos: KCTV screengrab)

A martial arts exhibition by members of KPA Large Combined Unit #630m observed by members of the Moranbong Band and visiting members of the DPRK leadership

(Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

(Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

(Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

(Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

(Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

The venue of the Moranbong Band’s concert whilst visit the unit (top) with officers and service members queueing for the event (middle) and seated for the performance (bottom).

(Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Images of the Moranbong Band gig.  Due to technical limitations of the concert venue (particularly lighting) there were very few usable images of the performance.  At the end of the gig, several members of the military unit praised the performers and thanked the leadership.  (On an editorial note, one wished we’d seen more of the drummer, the electric bass player and lead electric guitar player in the documentary)

(Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Members of the Moranbong Band were treated to a grand send-off with a musical performance and flowers given by the family members of service members and officers serving in the unit.

(Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Choe Ryong Hae Tours War Museum and Soldiers’ Cemetery Construction

VMar Choe Ryong Hae (foreground, C) tours the construction of the renovated Victorious Fatherland Liberation Museum in Pyongyang (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 16 April (Tuesday) that VMar Choe Ryong Hae, Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department, toured the ongoing construction of the renovated Victorious Fatherland Liberation War (Korean War) Museum and a cemetery for deceased KPA service members and officers.  The renovation of the war museum and the establishment of a KPA personnel cemetery are, according to KCNA, “key projects for the celebration of the 60th anniversary for the Korean people’s victory in the Fatherland Liberation War.”  The DPRK will commemorate the 60th anniversary of what it calls its “victory” on or around the day of the signing of the armistice agreement which terminated active hostilities on 27 July 2013.

VMar Choe first toured the renovation and expansion of the Pyongyang-based war museum where “servicepersons, officials in the field of the construction in the capital and members of shock brigades have made innovations at construction sites in the spirit of frustrating the U.S. imperialists and their followers’ moves for stifling the DPRK in hearty response to the March, 2013 plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea.”  Choe toured several areas under construction where are, according to KCNA, “replete with the revolutionary army’s offensive spirit of  ’at a go’.”  KCNA reported that Choe Ryong Hae “stressed the need to finish the construction in a brief span of time and green the areas around the construction sites in the spirit of successfully implementing the instructions of Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un” and “called on all the soldier-builders to perform feats in carrying out their duty and become victors in the do-or-die battle with the U.S. imperialists by keeping pace with the Supreme Commander’s patriotic footsteps.”

National Meeting Commemorated 101st Anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s Birth

A view of the platform (rostrum) and participants at a national meeting held in Pyongyang on 14 April 2013 to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, the late DPRK President and founder (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported that on 14 April (Sunday) a national meeting was held to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung’s birth.  The national meeting was held at the 25 April House of Culture in Pyongyang and was attended by Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium President Kim Yong Nam, DPRK Cabinet Premier Choe Yong Rim, Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department VMar Choe Ryong Hae, other senior officials of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP], the KPA and DPRK Government, along with “the chairpersons of friendly parties, officials of party, armed forces and power organs, public organizations, ministries and national institutions, service personnel of the Korean People’s Army and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces, officials in the fields of science, education, literature and arts, public health and media, bereaved families of revolutionary martyrs, merited persons, Pyongyangites, delegations of overseas Koreans, overseas compatriots and the chief of the Pyongyang mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front.”  Also in attendance were foreign diplomats and military attaches stationed in Pyongyang.  Similar meetings were held throughout the DPRK in provinces, cities, countries and industrial complexes.

A national meeting at the 25 April House of Culture in Pyongyang on 14 April 2013 held to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the birth of the late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung (Photos: KCNA)

SPA Presidium President and KWP Political Bureau Presidium Member Kim Yong Nam delivers the report at a 14 April 2013 national meeting to commemorate the 101st anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s birth (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Yong Nam delivered the anniversary meeting’s report.  KCNA provided a gist of Kim’s remarks:

The birth of Kim Il Sung was a great fortune that greeted the sun of Chuch’e, the first of its kind in national history spanning five thousand years and a grandiose event which brought about the dawn in the era of independence for the Korean people and the progressive mankind.

In the first period when he embarked on the road of revolution the President clarified the new truth that independence serves as a lifeline of people, country and nation and that the revolution should be made independently and creatively according to one’s own faith, the reporter noted, and continued:

The President expounded in a unique manner the Juche-based revolutionary outlook on the world, basic principles of revolutionary movement and its methodological issues, properly reflecting the independent desire and desire of the popular masses. This revolutionary idea served as encyclopedic guidelines in the struggle for independence and socialism and a powerful militant banner.

He steadily developed the struggle for the country’s reunification and relations with other parties and states on the principle of independence, laying a solid foundation for bringing earlier the independent reunification of the country. This fully displayed the external authority and dignity of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the state, making tangible contribution to the cause of independence against imperialism and human cause of independence.

The President defeated the formidable U.S. and Japanese imperialist enemies in one generation to save the destiny of the country and nation and create a history and tradition of great victory in the war. These undying feats will shine forever along with the triumphant advance of the Military-First (So’ngun) revolution.

He is the genius of creation and construction and father of socialist Korea as he built socialist society centered on the popular masses regarding socialism as the basic political idea of the Korean revolution.

The revolutionary cause of Chuch’e, Military-First (So’ngun) revolutionary cause started by Kim Il Sung and glorified by leader Kim Jong Il is making steady progress on a new high stage thanks to the dear respected Kim Jong Un.

We will invariably keep to the road of independence, Military-First politics (So’ngun) and socialism which the great Generalissimos followed their whole lives no matter how much water may flow under the bridge and whatever difficulties we may face, thus fulfill our mission and obligation as descendants of Kim Il Sung and soldiers and disciplines of Kim Jong Il.

We should develop the People’s Army into an invincible and matchless army strong in idea, bolster both in quality and quantity the nuclear force, life of the nation and national treasure of reunified Korea that can never be bartered for anything, and wage a stronger all-out action with the U.S. to cope with the prevailing wartime situation, true to the Songun leadership of Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un.

All party members, service personnel and people should burn their hearts with Kim Jong Il’s patriotism, do more good things conducive to the building of a thriving nation, greet the 65th anniversary of the DPRK and the 60th anniversary of the victory in the Fatherland Liberation War with high political enthusiasm and brilliant labor feats and thus demonstrate to the world the invincible spirit of Military-First (So’ngun) Korea by carrying forward the ever-victorious history and tradition.

The DPRK will develop external relations with other countries in the idea of independence, peace and friendship and make active contribution to defending the peace and stability in Asia and the rest of the world and the cause of global independence as a responsible nuclear weapons state.

DPRK Premier Visits Turf Institute, Textile Machine Factory and Cemetery Construction

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (2nd R) is briefed about the construction of the KPA Cemetery of Fallen Fighters (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 21 February (Thursday) that DPRK Cabinet Premier Choe Yong Rim visited the construction of a Korean People’s Army [KPA] cemetery, the State Academy of Sciences [SAS] Turf Institute and the Pyongyang Textile Machine Factory.  Choe visited the Turf Institute to learn about its renovation, and visited the Pyongyang Textile Machine Factory to to learn about “management and operation of equipment.”  At these visits, according to KCNA, Choe “underscored the need to ensure the high quality in the construction and take good care of the equipment.”

Choe Yong Rim also visited an area of Pyongyang that has been designated by Kim Jong Un to serve as “site of the large Cemetery of Fallen Fighters of the Korean People’s Army.”  The allocation of the land and authorization of the cemetery’s construction was ratified during a meeting of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Political Bureau held on 11 February 2013.  The opening of the cemetery will be part of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the end of active hostilities of the Korean War, or what the DPRK has termed “the 60th anniversary of victory in the Fatherland Liberation War.”  During his visit Choe, a veteran of the war, “recalled that the heroic feats of the fighters of the KPA who fought against the U.S. imperialists who boasted of being the strongest in the world by displaying matchless courage and self-sacrificing spirit during the war and thus humbled their arrogance and honorably defended the country under the wise leadership of great Generalissimo Kim Il Sung have shined through generations under the care of the party.”  Choe toured the where the cemetery will be be constructed and, according to KCNA, “discussed issues arising in the construction and took relevant steps.”

Choe last visited the SAS Turf Institute in October 2012.  His Political Bureau Presidium (standing committee) colleague VMar Choe Ryong Hae visited the SAS Turf Institute in January 2013.  Their visits are most likely linked to agricultural policy, particularly the development of grazing lands in Kangwo’n and South Hwanghae Provinces.  Choe Yong Rim last visited the Pyongyang Textile Machine Plant in June 2011.  The Pyongyang Textile Machine Plant is where Kim Jong Il worked for approximately two weeks during April and May 1961, “experiencing a worker’s life,” according one of his official biographies.  The machine on which KJI worked, Lathe #26,  was retained as a historical object and has become a competition and publicity movement among DPRK factory workers to maintain and clean the machines on which they work.

Kim Jong Un Visits Ku’msusan and Attends Statue Unveiling Ceremony at Mangyongdae Revolutionary School

Kim Jong Un (C) pays his respects to statues of his father Kim Jong Il and his grandfather Kim Il Sung at Kumsusan in Pyongyang on 16 February 2013. (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 16 February (Saturday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace of the Sun and attended a statue unveiling ceremony at Mangyo’ngdae Revolutionary School to commemorate Kim Jong Il’s birthday.  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his attendance and participation at a watch presentation ceremony.  KJU’s first visit was to pay his respects to the remains of his father, late leader Kim Jong Il, at Ku’msusan.    He was accompanied by his wife Ri Sol Ju.  Also in attendance were VMar Choe Ryong Hae, Jang Song Taek, Gen. Hyon Yong Chol, Kim Kyong Hui, Pak To Chun, VMar Kim Yong Chun, VMar Hyon Chol Hae and members of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Central Military Commission [CMC], the DPRK National Defense Commission, members of the Korean People’s Army Supreme Command staff and senior KPA commanders Ju Kyu Chang, Gen. Kim Kyong Ok, Gen. Yun Jong Rin, Col. Gen. Choe Pu Il, Col. Gen. Ri Yong Gil, Col. Gen. Son Chol Ju, Lt. Gen. Ryom Chol Song, Col. Gen. Jo Kyong Chol, Gen. Yun Tong Hyon, Gen. Kang Phyo Yong, Gen. Ri Pyong Chol, Lt. Gen. Kim Rak Gyom, Lt. Gen. Pak Jong Chon, Col. Gen. Kim Chun Sam, Col. Gen. Kim Yong Chol and Col. Gen. Jon Chang Bok, among others.

A floral basket from Kim Jong Un in front of statues of his grandfather Kim Il Sung and father Kim Jong Il at Ku’msusan in Pyongyang on 16 February 2013 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un and assembled company visited the statue hall for a ceremony at which an honor guard saluted the statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and a sereis of floral baskets were placed before the statues.  KJU “entered the hall of immortality where Kim Jong Il lies in state” and “together with the participants, made bows to Kim Jong Il in the humblest reverence.”  After paying their respects, Kim Jong Un and members of the central leadership visited the exhibition of KJI’s personal affects and personal vehicles.

Kim Jong Un (4th R) and members of the central leadership stand in front of statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il during an unveiling ceremony on the campus of Mangyo’ngdae School on 16 February 2013. Among those in attendance in this image are: Gen. O Kuk Ryol (L), VMar Ri Yong Mu (2nd L) Kim Kyong Hui (3rd L), Kim Ki Nam (4th L), Choe Yong Rim (6th L), Mangyo’ngdae School principal O Ryong Thaek (7th L), VMar Choe Ryong Hae (2nd R) and Jang Song Taek (R) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

A statue of late DPRK founder and president Kim Il Sung and late leader Kim Jong Il unveiled on the campus of the Mangyo’ngdae Revolutionary School in Pyongyang on 16 February 2013 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Un later visited Mangyo’ngdae Revolutionary School on Saturday where new statues of Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung were unveiled and dedicated.  The statues depict KJI and KIS and embracing Mangyo’ngdae School students.  Attending the ceremony with KJU were DPRK Cabinet Premier Choe Yong Rim, Director of the KPA General Political Department VMar Choe Ryong Hae, NDC Vice Chairman and KWP Administration Department Director Jang Song Taek, Chief of the KPA General Staff Gen. Hyon Yong Chol, Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. Kim Kyok Sik, KWP Secretary and Department Director Kim Kyong Hui, KWP Secretary and Department Director Kim Ki Nam, NDC Vice Chairman and KWP Civil Defense Department Director VMar Kim Yong Chun, NDC Vice Chairman VMar Ri Yong Mu, NDC Vice Chairman Gen. O Kuk Ryol, 1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces and Director of the KPA General Logistics Department VMar Hyon Chol Hae and immediate past Minister of the People’s Armed Forces, Gen. Kim Jong Gak along with “officials of the party and armed forces organs, staff members and students of the school and its graduates, officials of units and military academies at all levels, service personnel of the KPA, military family members and officials and employees of the units who contributed to the erection of the statues and Pyongyangites.”

Ceremony unveiling a new statue of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on Mangyo’ngdae Revolutionary School’s campus in Pyongyang on 16 February 2013 (Photos: Rodong Sinmun)

The new statue (L) replaces an older statue of Kim Il Sung that had been on Mangyo’ndae Revolutionary School campus for a number of years. The old KIS statue can seen in these images from Kim Jong Un’s visit to the school in early 2012 (C) and in the background in a photo from a DPRK publication from the 1960s (R) (Photos: Rodong Sinmun, KCTV screengrab and Foreign Languages Publishing House)

Choe Yong Rim, VMar Choe Ryong Hae, Jang Song Taek, Gen. Hyon Yong Chol, Gen. Kim Kyok Sik, Kim Ki Nam, O Ryong Taek and Kim Song Pong formally unveiled the KJI and KIS statues.  After the ceremonious unveiling of the statues floral baskets from Kim Jong Un, the KWP Central Committee and Central Military Commission and DPRK National Defense Commission (sent jointly), the KPA General Political Department, the KPA General Staff, the Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces, various KPA units and KPA military schools and training center were placed before the statues.  According to KCNA, ceremony participants “paid tribute to the Generalissimos in humblest reverence.”  Choe Ryong Hae delivered the ceremony’s keynote address.  According to a gist in KCNA Choe said:

Kim Jong Il deemed it as an important work for giving steady continuity to the bloodline of revolution to educate the children of revolutionary martyrs from the first day of his revolutionary leadership and paid deep attention to the work of the school in the grim days of leading to victory the confrontation with the U.S. and the struggle for defending socialism under the uplifted banner of Songun.

It was the unanimous desire of all teachers and pupils of the school and service personnel of the KPA to erect the statue of Kim Jong Il at the school where people erected Kim Il Sung’s statue for the first time in Korea at the initiative of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk who took into consideration the ardent desire of the schoolers to see Kim Il Sung every day.

The ardent desire of the teachers and pupils and all service personnel has become a brilliant reality thanks to the intense loyalty and meticulous guidance of Marshal Kim Jong Un.

Rosy is the future of the children of revolutionary martyrs, the speaker said, calling for waging a dynamic struggle to reunify the country and accomplish the Juche-based revolutionary cause of Songun under the leadership ofKim Jong Un, the banner of eternal victory of the great Paektusan nation, as befitting the descendants of Generalissimo Kim Il Sung and the soldiers and disciples of Generalissimo Kim Jong Il.

After the speaking program, according to KCNA, Kim Jong Un “warmly acknowledged the cheers of all the participants.”

Kim Jong Il (L) and his mother Kim Jong Suk on a visit to Mangyo’ngdae Revolutionary School (R) in (ca.) 1947 (Photo: Foreign Languages Publishing House/Party History Institute)

Image of the Kim Family in 1946. In this image are Kim Jong Suk (L, seated), Kim Jong Il (2nd L) Kim Kyong Hui (3rd L), Kim Il Sung (4th L, seated) Kim Pyong Il (4th L) and of the children’s caretakers, possibly Hong Ki-yo’n (5th L)

Leadership Notes

According to the official chronicles Kim Jong Il was born in a small wood house near Mt. Paektu on 16 February 1942.  According to Russian records, Kim Jong Il was born in February 1941 on a military base in Khabarovsk which housed members of the 88th Sniper Brigade under the Soviet Far East Command, of which KJI’s parents Kim Il Sung (1912-1994) and Kim Jong Suk (1917-1949) were members.  KJI grew up among Koreans, Korean-Chinese and Russians stationed on the base and was called by his Russian name Shura (or Yuri)  In his early childhood, KJI saw very little of Kim Il Sung, who traveled to Moscow twice or who was otherwise recovering from injuries and illnesses.  In 1944 Kim Jong Suk gave birth to a second son, Kim Pyong Il (whose Russian name was Alexandre), who died in 1947 after he drowned in a water retention pond at the family’s residence in Pyongyang.  In 1946, in Pyongyang, Kim Jong Suk gave birth to her last surviving child, daughter Kim Kyong Hui, currently a KWP Secretary and Department Director and one of the most powerful members of the DPRK elite.  Kim Jong Suk passed away in September 1949 due to complications from an extra-uterine pregnancy.

In an interesting move to commemorate the official 71st anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s birth, a new statue of KJI and his father was unveiled on the campus of the Mangyo’ngdae Revolutionary School.  There are a number of statues of Kim Il Sung (and as of 2012, KJI) around the DPRK, since the inception of the cult around Kim Il Sung and the Mangyo’ngdae Family (KIS, KJI, KJS and KJU).  However, the construction of the first known KIS statue and its dedication were initiated by Kim Jong Suk with the first KIS statue placed on the campus of the Mangyo’ngdae Revolutionary School in 1947 (“where the statue of the Suryo’ngnim [KIS] was reverently built for the first time in our country by the suggestion of Comrade Kim Jong Suk–an anti-Japanese hero–who kindly took note of the ardent wish of the students of the school who want to see the fatherly leader every day”).

Pyongyang watchers might also note the manner of dress of members of the core leadership at the visit to Ku’msusan and the statue dedication.  On the visit to Ku’msusan, senior male officials were attired in variants of the KPA dress uniform.  At the statue unveiling ceremony, some senior officials were attired in the clothing of senior party officials.  Also note that at Ku’msusan, Jang Song Taek stands at Kim Jong Un’s left in the image (Ri Sol Ju stands at KJU’s right), the same position at which he stood when KJU visited the memorial palace on 24 December 2012.

Jang Song Taek (in a KPA dress uniform) at KJU’s visit to Ku’msusan on 16 Feburary 2013 (L) and on 24 December 2012 (R) (Photos: Rodong Sinmun)

Kim Jong Gak visits Ku’msusan on 16 February 2013 (L) and attends a national report meeting commemorating KJI’s birth anniversary on 15 February 2013 (Photos: Rodong Sinmun and KCTV screengrab)

One of the most notable senior officials attending both events was Gen. Kim Jong Gak.  Gen. Kim (who was seemingly reduced in rank from Vice Marshal) joined KJU on his visit to Ku’msusuan and stood in the front row with KJU and other senior officials.  Kim Jong Gak also attended the national report meeting commemorating KJI’s at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on 15 February (Friday), where he was seated on platform (rostrum) in the front row.  In November Kim Jong Gak was removed from his previous position as Minister of the People’s Armed Forces, and replaced by Gen. Kim Kyonk Sik.

KJU Attends Watch Presentation Ceremony

Overview of a ceremonny at the KWP Central Committee Conference Hall (L) at which gold wristwatches were presented as “state decorations” by Kim Jong Un (R) as part of events commemorating late leader Kim Jong Il’s birthday (Photos: KCNA, KCNA-Yonhap)

DPRK state media reported on 15 February (Friday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) attended a ceremony at which gold wristwatches  were awarded to “service personnel, scientists, technicians and labor innovators who have performed brilliant feats in the defence of the country and in the building of a thriving socialist nation.”  The wristwatches are engraved with the late leader Kim Jong Il’s name, and awarded to commemorate the anniversary of KJI’s birth.  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his chairing and participating in an expanded meeting of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Central Military Commission [CMC].

Kim Jong Un presents a gold watch bearing his late father’s name. Seen in attendance behind KJU are Kim Ki Nam (L), Kim Yong Nam (2nd L) and Kim Phyong Hae (4th) and behind KJU are officials of the KWP Central Committee Gifts Office (Gifts Hall) (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Kim Jong Un presents a gold wristwatch at a February 2013 ceremony (L) and his late father Kim Jong Il presents a Swiss watch to a member of the Guard Command in July 2011 (R) (Photos: KCNA-Yonhap, KCTV screengrab)

Attending the watch presentation ceremony with KJU were Kim Yong Nam (President of the Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium), Choe Yong Rim (DPRK Cabinet Premier), VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department), Jang Song Taek (Vice Chairman of the National Defense Commission [NDC] and Director of the KWP Administration Department), Kim Kyong Hui (KWP Secretary and Department Director),  Kim Ki Nam (KWP Secretary and Director of the KWP Propaganda and Agitation Department), Choe Tae Bok (KWP Secretary of Education and Science), Pak To Chun (KWP Secretary of Machine-Building Industry), VMar Kim Yong Chun (Vice Chairman of the NDC and Director of the KWP Civil Defense Department), Kang Sok Ju (DPRK Cabinet Vice Premier), Ri Yong Mu (Vice Chairman of the NDC), Gen. O Kuk Ryol (Vice Chairman of the NDC), Kim Yang Gon (KWP Secretary and Director of the United Front Department), Kim Yong Il (KWP Secretary and Director of the KWP International Affairs Department), Kim Pyong Hae (KWP Secretary and Director of the KWP Cadres Affairs Department), Kwak Pom Gi (KWP Secretary and Director of the KWP Finance and Planning Department), Mun Kyong Dok (Chief Secretary of the Pyongyang City [municipal] KWP Committee), Ju Kyu Chang (Director of the KWP Machine-Building Industry Department), Jo Yon Jun (Senior Deputy (1st Vice) Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department) and “other officials of the Central Committee of the WPK and armed forces organs.”

According to KCNA the presentation of the watches was “instituted as a state decoration for the first time in the history of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK)” and has “weighty significance in glorifying the immortal exploits of his revolutionary career and immortal feats forever and making all the Party members, service personnel and people live and work as his soldiers and disciples.”  The watch presentation ceremony was held at the KWP Central Committee’s Conference Hall.  Kim Yong Nam delivered a congratulatory speech in which he said, “The recipients of the watches should lead a worthy and brilliant life as backbone of the Korean revolution, always feeling grateful to the party for making them honored with watches bearing the august name of Kim Jong Il before any others.”  After Kim Jong Un presented the watches, the recipients “renewed their resolution to always hold President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in high esteem as the sun of Juche and steadfastly advance along the road of the Songun revolution, true to the leadership of the party.”

Here is a short photo essay [PDF] about an informal watch presentation ceremony in which Kim Jong Il participated in July 2012.

Area of the KWP Central Committee #1 Office Complex in central Pyongyang, showing two possible venues for watch presentation ceremony. The ceremony likely occurred in the structure marked Conference Hall #1. (Photo: Google images; lines and placemarks by Michael Madden/NKLW)

KPA Promotions List Issued for Day of the Shining Star (KJI Birthday) (updated)

DPRK state media reported on 15 February (Friday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n), in his capacity as Korean People’s Army [KPA] Supreme Commander, promoted ten (10) party officials or KPA officers to the rank of Lieutenant General (chungjang) 38 KPA officers and party officials to the rank of Major General (sojang) on 13 February (Wednesday).  In issuing the promotions Kim Jong Un wrote of Kim Jong Il “holding high the banner of chuch’e and the military-first banner and with indomitable faith and limitless energy, the great general had brought the dignity of the country and the nation to the highest stage and laid the eternally permanent groundwork for the eternal prosperity of Kim Il Sung Korea, while ceaselessly walking the path of the ultra-intense forced march of patriotic devotion” and also wrote that “the proud history of our revolutionary armed forces — which have engraved only victories and glories — is pervaded with the unheralded efforts of the commanding officers of the people’s army who have devotedly struggled to put into practice the great general’s plans and wishes.”  KJU promoted the officers having “expressed the belief that the KPA commanding officers will fulfill their duty in the noble struggle to win the final victory of the Chuch’e revolution by remaining loyal to the leadership of the party befitting soldiers and disciples of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in the future, too.”

Promoted to Lieutenant General were Jang Su Gil, Rim Jong Hwan, Yun Pyong Sok, Han Yong Gil. Kang Yong Dok, Han Sok Gyu, Hwang Kang Chol, Kim Tong Hwa, Pang Yon and So Chol Kwang.

Promoted to Major General were Cha Yong Bom, Kim Sok Chan, Ri Won Son, Kim Jong Ju, Gil Kyong Ho, Min Kwang Son, Jon Thae Ho, Yun Hak Son, Ro Yong Mun, Kim Man Ho, Jon Kwang Su, Pak Kwang Ju, Jon Yong Hak, Ri Kun Hyok, Choe Su Gil, Choe Wang Uk, Kim Song Ryol, Jin Won Chol, Pak Chol Guk, Jon Yong Chan, Jin Yong Chol, Om Song Il, Jong Kyong Son, Wi Rin, Pak Song Hak, Kim Kyong Ryong, Ri Sung Il, Ryang Kye Myong, Pae Pong Il, Kwon Chang Sik, Kim Myong Chol, Kim Kwang Chol, Han Song Chun, Choe Chang Bong, Sin Ha Il, Jong Chang Bok, Choe Kum Chol, and Pak In Chol.