Kim Jong Un Visits Ku’msusan on Party’s 67th Anniversary

Kim Jong Un (C) and other core members of the central leadership pays theirs respects to portraits of his father and grandfather at the Ku’msan Memorial Palace of the Sun, on the 67th anniversary of the foundation of the Korean Workers’ Party (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 10 October (Wednesday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n), joined members the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Central Military Commission [CMC], the DPRK National Defense Commission [NDC] and members of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] Supreme Command staff visited the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace of the Sun on midnight of the 67th anniversary of the foundation of the KWP.  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his attendance a national meeting held to commemorate the 15th anniversary of his father Kim Jong Il’s election as KWP General-Secretary.  A floral basket sent by KJU was placed before portraits of the late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so’ng) and KJI.  A floral basket collectively sent by the CMC, NDC , the Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] and the DPRK Cabinet was also placed before the KIS and KJI portraits, as was a floral basket send on behalf of the Ministry of People’s Armed Forces [MPAF].

At Ku’msusan, KJU was joined by VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the KPA General Political Department (bureau), VMar Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Kim Kyong Hui (KWP Secretary and KJU’s aunt), VMar Kim Jong Gak (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Jang Song Taek (Vice Chairman of the NDC and Director of the KWP Administration Department), VMar Ri Yong Mu (Vice Chairman of the NDC), Pak To Chun (KWP Secretary of Machine-building and Military Industries), VMar Hyon Chol Hae (Senior Deputy [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), Gen. Choe Pu Il (Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff and a KPA Corps Commander), Gen. Kim Kyong Ok (Senior Deputy (1st Vice) of the KWP Organization Guidance Department),  Gen. Ri Pyong Chol (Commander of the KPA Air and Anti-air Forces), Lt. Gen. Kim Myong Sik (Commander of the KPA Naval Forces), Gen. Yun Jong Rin (Commander of the Guard Command), Lt. Gen. Pak Jong Chon (KPA Supreme Command staff) and Gen. Kim Yong Chol (Commander of the Reconnaissance General Bureau).

After Kim Jong Un and other members of the central leadership entered the chamber containing the KIS and KJI portraits, KCNA reported that “head of the guard of honor of the ground, naval, air and anti-air forces of the KPA and the Worker-Peasant Red Guards made a salute towards the portraits” and KJU “paid a high tribute to the portraits together with the participants.”  KJU and the assembled DPRK elites then visited KIS’ remains, lying in state.  According to KCNA KJU “paid homage to Kim Il Sung together with the participants in humblest reverence.”

An honor guard of the KPA’s three main service branches and the Worker-Peasant Red Guards stand beside floral baskets placed in front of portraits of Kim Il Sung (L) and Kim Jong Il (R) at Ku’msusan Memorial Palace of the Sun (Photo: KCNA)