Events Commemorating 27 July Begin

Veterans of the Fatherland Liberation War (Korean War) arrive at Pyongyang Central Railway Station on 26 July 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

On 23 July (Monday) DPRK state media reported that “grand celebrations are to be held in Pyongyang, capital of the revolution, amid great expectation and concern of the entire army and all of the people throughout the country to mark the 59th anniversary of the victory in the great Fatherland Liberation War (Korean War) this year, the first year of the new century of the juche era.  The celebrations will be the grand festival of victors to again vigorously demonstrate before the whole world the indomitable spirit and national dignity of heroic Korea which, united around the suryo’ng (great leader) and great party as firmly as a rock, is advancing toward the final victory.”  Some events commemorating the end of active hostilities of the Korean War on 27 July 1953 have begun.  According to KCNA on 26 July (Thursday) “delegates of war veterans arrived here (Pyongyang) Thursday to take part in the celebration.  .  .airports, railway stations and parking lots were crowded with delegates to the celebrations.”  The veterans were greeted by senior Korean Workers’ Party officials who visited their accommodation in Pyongyang.  KCNA reports:

Pak To Chun, Kim Ki Nam, Choe Thae Bok, Kim Phyong Hae, Kwak Pom Gi, Jo Yon Jun and other officials of the party and armed forces bodies, working people’s organizations and the Cabinet Thursday visited the lodgings of delegates to the celebrations of the 59th anniversary of the Korean people’s victory in the great Fatherland Liberation War.

They warmly welcomed the war veteran delegates who came to Pyongyang being granted privileges thanks to the direct initiative and great benevolence by the dear respected Marshal Kim Jong Un.

They requested the veterans to cherish the profound loving care shown by Kim Jong Un, who regards them as very precious, and remain loyal to the Songun revolutionary leadership of the Workers’ Party of Korea in the same heroic fighting spirit and stamina as were displayed by them in the flames of war.

KPA service members gathered at the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Memorial Tower in Pothonggang District, Pyongyang on 26 July 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Meanwhile, across town, the Korean People’s Army [KPA] conducted a loyalty oath meeting at the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Memorial Tower on 26 July.  In attendance from the KPA’s high command were VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the KPA General Political Department [bureau]), VMar Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff), VMar Kim Jong Gak (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces) and VMar Hyon Chol Hae (Senior Deputy [1st Vice] Minister of the People’s Armed Forces and Director of the KPA General Logistics Department).  The “oath-taking meeting of service personnel” was an opportunity for the recently-appointed VMar Hyon Yong Chol to boost his public profile.  KCNA reports:

Hyon Yong Chol made a speech. Then followed speeches.

The speakers said that the Korean people’s victory in the Fatherland Liberation War was attributable to the original military idea and outstanding strategy and tactics of Generalissimo Kim Il Sung and the indomitable fighting spirit of the army and people of the DPRK.

The great Generalissimo Kim Jong Il developed the KPA into a matchless army and provided a firm guarantee for accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche, they noted.

The revolutionary exploits performed by the great Generalissimos are shedding brighter rays thanks to the leadership of Marshal Kim Jong Un, a peerlessly brilliant commander, they said.

They called upon the servicepersons to become human bombs and bullets to defend the WPK Central Committee headed by the great Marshal Kim Jong Un.

They said they would frustrate the anti-DPRK moves of the U.S. imperialists and the Lee Myung Bak group of traitors and achieve the historic cause of national reunification.

Lecturers of the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum and members of KPA art squads sang “To the Road of Decisive Battle,” a song which KPA soldiers used to sing in the frontline during the war.

Servicepersons expressed the will to adhere to their revolutionary nature as they are grown to be army of the leader and the party under the warm care of the Generalissimos.

Then there was a dancing party of service personnel.

A dancing party at the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Memorial Tower in Pyongyang, following a loyalty oath meeting on 26 July 2012 (Photo: KCNA)