Great Contribution to World Culture Order

Home , Mansudae Art Studio, Munsu Water Park, Naenara

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 51 http://www.naenara.com.kp Great Contribution to World Culture Order

Chairman Kim Jong Il received Great Contribution to World Culture Order from the Anna Pavlova Charity Foundation, Russia, in June 2006.

52 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 KOREA TODAY Monthly Journal (702) Printed in English, Russian and Chinese

C O N T E N T S

Three Years of Immortality and Inheritance ··········································································· 3

Catalyst of Construction Boom······························································································ 5

Training Students Into Reliable Pillars ·················································································· 8

Bangladeshis Publish Books in Praise of Korea ······································································· 8

For the People’s Happiness··································································································· 9

Chollima Tiles ···················································································································10

Fortune of Korea················································································································12

Ushering in Anti-Japanese Armed Struggle ···········································································13

Noble Patriotism················································································································15

Socialist Constitution for the People ·····················································································16

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 1

The Sun Shines in Our Hearts and Friendship

Lights up the World··································································17

Mother’s Life ···········································································20

Stepping Stone·········································································22

Marvellous Efficacy of the Nano-Gold Injection·····························23

Researchers of Children’s Nutrition ············································24

Education Making Progress ·······················································25 Front Cover: DPRK women footballers won the 17th Winners of the 17th Asian Games ················································26 Asian Games Son of Ryongnamsan·································································28

Photos by courtesy A Glorious Sight Seen From the Chol Pass ···································29 of the KCNA Visit to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum············30

Sister and Brother Ceramists in Succession to Their Father ···········32

Family of Folk Musicians···························································33

Students’ Art Troupe Leaves Deep Impressions ····························34

The Fleet-steed Girl··································································36

An Elderly Woman’s Recollection················································37

Brisk Activities for Protection of the Disabled·······························38

Short Story

My Subworkteam Members ·······················································39

Spring Beside Kumgang Cave Makes Vision Acute························41

Korean Folklore Museum ··························································42

Back Cover: Puyong Falls Mt. Chilbo Area Registered as World Biosphere Reserve ···············44 (October 2014) The Four Falls in Mt. Kumgang ·················································46 Photo by Choe Kyong Guk Joint Stamp Show Promotes Friendship ······································47

13502 ㄱ-48231 Serious Things in the Asia-Pacific···············································48

2 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 Three Years of Immortality and Inheritance

Kim Jong Il, Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission (January 2011).

T IS THREE YEARS SINCE THE KOREAN places. The towers dedicated to the immortality of I people had the greatest national loss of the de- the President and the Chairman and the mosaic mise of Chairman Kim Jong Il. Nevertheless, their murals depicting the beaming images of the respect for the Chairman has not diminished in the President and the Chairman were put up at many least, but rather has grown still intenser. This is places. They designated the Chairman’s birthday evident from the fact that the Korean people have the Day of the Shining Star and held colourful cele- carried the cause of immortalizing the Chairman brations in honour of his birthday every year. This to culmination while steadily inheriting his idea was an expression of the Korean people’s boundless and work. admiration for the Chairman who had performed In the past three years the Korean people have immortal feats for the motherland and the people, completely realized the cause of immortalizing the and a manifestation of their firm will to safeguard Chairman, yearning for him and firmly believing and glorify his revolutionary exploits. that he will always be with them. They laid the The Korean people have dynamically advanced Chairman in state in the Kumsusan Memorial Pal- along the road of independence, Songun and social- ace where President Kim Il Sung lies in state, ism during the three years as wished by the renamed the memorial palace the Kumsusan Palace Chairman, rising up with strength and vigour from of the Sun and arranged the palace as the sacred the sorrow of losing the Chairman. The 4th Confer- shrine of Juche. They erected the bronze statues of ence of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the 5th Ses- the President and the Chairman on Mansu Hill, sion of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly in April followed by the erection of the bronze statues of the 2012 adopted a decision to designate Kim Jong Il Chairman at Kim Il Sung University and other as the eternal General Secretary of the Workers’ ►

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 3 ► Party of Korea and the eternal Chairman of the ries and enterprises such as the Chonji Lubricant National Defence Commission of the Democratic Factory, a complex of scientific research and produc- People’s Republic of Korea. This was an expression of tion, or renovated the existing factories. Moreover, the unshakable will of the Korean people to inherit they have vigorously carried on the national reunifi- the ideas and lines of the Chairman without any cation movement, true to the idea “By our nation deviation in the future. itself” elucidated by the Chairman. Actually, Kim Jong Il’s unique Songun revolu- All the remarkable changes that have taken tionary leadership has been carried forward invaria- place in these three years in Korea are inconceivable bly over the past three years. As a result, national apart from the wise leadership of the national leader defence capability has augmented remarkably, the Kim Jong Un and the Korean people’s high fidelity security of socialist Korea and peace in Northeast to his leadership and also from their devoted efforts. Asia have been guarded firmly, and the soldier- In December 2011 when the Korean people were builders of the People’s Army have grown into the overwhelmed with grief at the loss of the Chairman, main force making breakthrough on the socialist the world public expressed their deep condolence to construction sites. All the modern structures built them, but they little knew such astonishing changes fast and superbly including the Korean People’s would take place in Korea in the future. Despite the Army January 8 Fishing Station, Masikryong Ski unexpected passing of the leader, Korea remained Resort, Munsu Water Park, Songdowon Interna- unperturbed without any political upheaval or tional Children’s Camp, Unha Scientists Street and change. Rather, the respect of the people for their Wisong Scientists Dwelling District are associated late leader grew still higher, and they closely banded with the selfless work of the soldier-builders of the together round Kim Jong Un, the heir to the KPA. Meanwhile, the Korean people have focused ideology and cause of the Chairman. their efforts on the construction of the economy and The Korean people are now firmly convinced that improvement of the people’s living standards to has- the Chairman’s ideology and cause will be faithfully ten the building of a thriving socialist nation which carried forward because Kim Jong Un is at the was the wish of the Chairman. In this course, they helm. successfully launched the man-made satellite Kwangmyongsong 3-2 and newly built modern facto- Kim Il Bong The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun where President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il lie in state.

4 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 Catalyst of Construction Boom

KOREAN SAYING GOES actively encouraging their exer- cility newly built by a Korean A that “Ten years are enough tions. Last year the WPK brought People’s Army unit and called on to change mountains and rivers.” about the heyday of construction the KPA to take charge of supply- This, however, is no longer a by pooling the creativity of the ing fish to the orphanages, baby proper saying to epitomize things masses in a campaign to make the homes, orphans’ primary and in the country where modern Masikryong Speed, a mass-based middle schools and the elderly’s structures mushroom. Last year, innovation movement. This year homes throughout the country for example, edifices perfect in the WPK has opened a new golden every day all the year around. formative and artistic representa- age of construction by encourag- Then he issued on the spot an tion were built across the country ing the creative zeal of the masses order of the KPA Supreme including the Victorious Father- to the maximum. In his New Year Commander to set up a fishing land Liberation War Museum, Address for 2014 Kim Jong Un, station in the army for the pur- Unha Scientists Street, Munsu first secretary of the WPK, set it pose. Afterwards, the supreme Water Park and Masikryong Ski as one of the important tasks of leader visited the construction Resort, changing the appearance this year to usher in another hey- site of the fishing station two of the country remarkably in a day of construction. He kindled times and gave detailed instruc- year. the flames of creating the Korean tions so that the fishing station The resources of the popular Speed, another mass-based inno- was built as a model of fishing masses are inexhaustible, and it vation movement, and spear- stations in the country. is a traditional method of guiding headed the movement so that it His indication of the direction masses proper to the Workers’ spread all over the country. and ways of construction associ- Party of Korea to hasten the so- On January 6 he provided his ated with his warm human love cialist construction by a mass- first field guidance of this year to and world-level viewpoint became based innovation movement while the marine products freezing fa- the motive force for the solider- ► The Songdowon International Children’s Camp.

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 5 The workers’ hostel of the Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill.

The lecturers’ apartments of Kim Chaek University of Technology.

► builders to build a breakwater, a wharf, production buildings, facilities and dwelling houses for fishermen in a little over two months in the face of severe cold, heavy snowfall and rough sea. In April last Kim Jong Un, visiting the January 8 Fishing Station again, said that the successful completion of the huge construction project and full preparation of operation were truly a miracle and that that was just the Korean Speed. Later, the movement of creating the Korean Speed spread across the country, and a new revolutionary upsurge came in Korea. Thanks to the movement the workers’ hostel of the Pyongy- ang Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill, Songdowon International Chil- dren’s Camp, Kalma Foodstuff Factory and a wire netting fence factory of the Kosan Fruit Farm were inaugurated in succession. And buildings which are perfectly provided with convenience and aesthetic appeal were built rapidly ►

6 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 Apartments in the Wisong Scientists Dwelling District.

► such as the Wisong Scientists tional Children’s Camp. The Over the year the revolution- Dwelling District, Pyongyang campers unanimously said that ary zeal and creativity of the Ko- Baby Home, Pyongyang Orphan- they would keep it a lifelong mem- rean people have increased amaz- age and Yonphung Scientists ory to have enjoyed themselves at ingly, and the mass-based innova- Holiday Camp. In the summer of the Songdowon camp which is tion movement has got much more this year over 300 schoolchildren wonderfully provided with all nec- dynamic. Accordingly, the country from different countries had essary conditions and environment is changing into a civilized social- camping vacation at the newly suited to the psychology of the ist nation at a high speed. facelifted Songdowon Interna- children and camping. Sim Yong Jin

The Korean People’s Army January 8 Fishing Station.

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 7 Training Students Into Reliable Pillars

HE TEACHERS AND undertaken along modern lines Early in last September, the T researchers of the architec- these days. When the construc- teachers and researchers of the tural engineering faculty of the tion of Changjon Street was un- faculty displayed many teaching Pyongyang University of Archi- der way, Kim Myong Hui, dean of aids and devices of their own tecture have not only rendered the faculty, suggested the method make including a cement tester great services to construction of using large-size plywood as at the national exhibition of ex- work by inventing and applying shuttering board to build one perimental apparatuses for edu- practical building methods at the whole floor at a dash. The adop- cation and teaching aids. For major construction sites but also tion of this method brought about their original ideas and practical improved the quality of education the saving of large amounts of significance the exhibits were by using them. In recent years materials while speeding up the highly appreciated. All of them they have designed various struc- construction work and improving were based on the ideas gained tures for the reconstruction of its quality. Meanwhile, the teach- from the reality and experiences. pleasure parks, fun fairs and May ers and researchers devised a The building methods and con- Day Stadium in Pyongyang, and new scaffolding ensuring free trivances created in reality are the construction of power stations work at different heights and the theoretically systematized and in tiers on the Chongchon River, smoothness of the surface of con- reflected in teaching plans and the stock farm in the Sepho area crete walls and increasing the reference books. The teachers and the waterway project in construction speed by far. They and researchers of the faculty are South Hwanghae Province. also worked out a way of lifting combining theory and practice In this course, they have cre- finishing materials including wall more closely in order to train ated new building methods, glass for high-rise buildings. This the students into reliable pillars greatly helping the projects for- raised the speed of construction in building a civilized socialist ward. Their efforts are redoubled three times and saved labour nation. as more construction projects are force by 17 per cent. Ri Sun Nyo

Bangladeshis Publish Books in Praise of Korea

N SEPTEMBER LAST A strates its dignity and might Party Founding Memorial I ceremony took place for the in the international arena as a Tower, the International Friend- publication of Songun Interna- nation possessed of nuclear ship Exhibition House and other tionale (Vol. 2) and Ten Days in arms and capable of making and monumental edifices across the the Oriental Korea in Dhaka, launching satellites; and the last country and scenic spots. He Bangladesh, in the presence of one emphasizes the fact that the gives an accurate description of political and social figures of voices of the world progressive the history of the Workers’ Party Bangladesh. people supporting and praising of Korea, the brilliant culture Songun Internaionale (Vol. 2) Songun politics are growing and tradition of Korea and the was written by M. Jahangir stronger. In the end the writer civilized and noble moral traits Khan, chairman of the Songun stresses the need to loudly sing of the Korean people, and the Politics Study Group of Bangla- Songun Internationale, which appearance of the country devel- desh. On the first pages the book encourages the cause of inde- oping with each passing day in carries three photos of Chairman pendence of humankind, in or- the Songun era. And he points Kim Jong Il showing his revo- der to resolutely frustrate the out the happiness of the Korean lutionary career of Songun-based moves of the US-led imperialist people who have nothing to envy leadership, including the one of powers for supremacy and se- in the world and are enjoying him enjoying the sight of sunrise cure global peace and prosperity. their life to the full thanks to the from Piro Peak in Mt. Kumgang. Ten Days in the Oriental universal free medical care sys- The book consists of four Korea was written by M. Kaisar, tem and the universal free com- chapters; the first one refers to secretary of the above-mentioned pulsory education system under the reason why the DPRK chose group, based on what he experi- the care of their great national the road of Songun and why it enced in the DPRK when he leader and the benevolent Party. was historically inevitable; the visited it in April 2009. In the He touches on the advantages second one tells the essence, book he tells what he saw visit- of the educational and public originality and truthfulness of ing the sacred place of revolution health systems in Korea, and Songun politics; the third one Mangyongdae, the birthplace of gives a good account of his im- describes Korea which demon- President Kim Il Sung, the pression.

8 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 For the People’s Happiness

An Astounding Number of attentively examined the design and found some- Designs Examined thing that all designers had failed to see imperfect. The design did not include a resting place for the NE DAY LAST YEAR WHEN THE INAUGU- people to lie at ease after their playing in water. At O ral ceremony of the Munsu Water Park that time officials didn’t think of this point, because was around the corner, the national leader the project was far away from the sea. Kim Jong Un said to some officials that he had Kim Jong Un said that it was necessary to make examined 109 pieces of suggestion for the construc- a resting place for the people to lie down as they tion of the park until a few days before and that now couldn’t lie down on the tiled floor or pavements that he studied four more that day, the number of beside the pools, and that it was better to make the designs totalled 113. The officials were surprised, for lawn or a sandy beach in the space between the they had not expected it at all. The designers had changing room and the pools. He went on to say that numbered the pieces since they had presented the the lawn would be better than a sandy beach for first one. As they had received his instruction on appearance’s sake but that people would prefer a their suggestions almost everyday they had forgotten sandy beach rather than the lawn as it were, that it the correct number. The experts who had been en- would be advisable to make a beach spread with the gaged in designing all their life had never made so sand from Monggumpho and set up showers in front many designs for a single project. Kim Jong Un of the sandy beach so as to help people wash their examined their ideas at any time of the day—at mid- bodies before jumping into the pools. night, at dawn, even on Sundays and holidays. He And he gave a kindly advice that in the large gave a new idea for each of the models suggested. He space between the changing room and the pools not inspected the construction site at any time, going only a sandy beach but also the lawn should be laid round it for a long time and asking the designers to for good looks. Thanks to his advice the lawn and a draw up a better plan for details of the project. All of sandy beach of the Rungna Wading Pool came into the 113 pieces were associated with such guidance. being. A few days later he came to the Munsu Water Park near the inauguration and gave detailed in- In Spite of the Rainy Day structions for the completion, looking round every nook and corner—the multicoloured zigzag water One rainy day in July last year, the national slides, different sizes of pools, diving boards, an leader Kim Jong Un visited the construction sites of artificial waterfall, a man-made mountain of cliffs the Okryu Children’s Hospital and the Ryugyong that look like those in Myohyang and Kumgang Dental Hospital that were going up in a modern mountains, real-like animal sculptures. On October style. 15 after the celebration of the 68th anniversary of the At that time his clothes was wet with rain and founding of the WPK, the Munsu Water Park was his shoes were smeared with mud from the dirt road opened to the public. People believed that the to the construction sites. But it was no problem to supreme leader who had put his heart and soul in him. the project would attend the inauguration ceremony. His face was beaming with a smile over the joy of But the tape was cut by ordinary people instead of presenting another valuable gift to the people. He him. went round the construction sites for a long time and said that it was the WPK’s firm determination to Newly Laid Lawn and Sandbank build the Okryu Children’s Hospital and the Ryu- gyong Dental Hospital as perfect people’s health One day Kim Jong Un gave field guidance to the centres of the world level. construction site of the Rungna Wading Pool. He Choe Chol Jin

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 9 Chollima Tiles

HE CHOLLIMA TILE inauguration a few years ago, the T Factory in Kangson, the factory has overfulfilled its annual cradleland of Chollima, is a lead- plans for production of exterior ing building-materials factory. and interior wall tiles, marble The panorama of production tiles, decoration and belt tiles, and buildings with their spaces well porcelain roofing tiles. The factory allotted for work and rest is equipped with such processes as impresses one those of baking microlite, large-

with the sense sized glass compound tiles, and of modernity large-sized artificial marble, and and cosiness. the general grinding process and The ceilings of others. The production processes the buildings from the input of raw materials to so contrived as the output of finished products are to prevent pol- arranged in an assembly line, and lution provide a the high-pressure cutter and other clean and cul- equipment are operated on CNC tural working lines. A large new modern produc- environment. tion building was constructed for Since its production capacity expansion a ►

10 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014

► few years ago, and recently an adhesives production process and Street, Okryu Restaurant, Folk- invention. A few of them have a digital colour printing process lore Street in Sariwon, National won the title of Labour Hero. have been set up. Now adhesives, Theatre and Pyongyang Kim Won Chollima tiles vary in size, shape, putty, and waterproof stuffs are Gyun Conservatory. colour and pattern and are water- turned out. Besides, a workshop The factory founded only a proof and heat insulating. They has been established to make short time ago has developed rap- have been authenticated by the plastic sacks for packing adhesive idly in a brief space of time, ISO quality control system for agents. The digital colour printing thanks to its scientific manage- their high permissible plane and process prints patterns on tiles to ment in keeping with the trend of rectangular numerical value, the fancy of customers. development of the tile industry contraction rate, intensity and So, the factory produces vari- and continuous improvement of resistance to cold. Their raw ma- ous encaustic tiles as much as the working environment and the terials like kaoline, silica and needed, and also makes high- living conditions of its employees. silica sand are inexhaustible in grade tiles looking like brick and Laboratories have been set up in Korea and they are baked by the stone. The factory has provided the workshops so that scientific process of anthracite gasification. tiles for the construction and and technological problems aris- Today the factory is bent on renovation of many structures ing in the process of production the development of new tiles of including the buildings in Chang- are solved on the spot. Over 200 varied sizes and colours and jon and Mansudae streets, sci-tech problems have been set- those of different purposes, and is Rungna Dolphinarium, People’s tled in this way and hundreds of doing its best endeavours to use Theatre, Mansugyo Meat and workers received the February 16 domestic raw materials in mak- Fish Shop, Taedonggang Com- Sci-tech Prize, certificates of tech- ing all its products. bined Fruit Processing Factory, nological innovation and contriv- Majon Hotel, Unha Scientists ance, patents and certificates of Kim Yong Ok

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 11 Fortune of Korea

HAIRMAN KIM JONG IL whole country with the spirit of ercises. Worse still, Washington C was appointed Supreme giving priority to military affairs. and its vassal forces railroaded Commander of the Korean From 1995 until the last moment “resolution on sanctions” against People’s Army on December 24, of his life in 2011 he made a forced the DPRK in January and March 1991. This was a great honour to march, inspecting armed forces- of 2013 at the UN Security Coun- the Korean people. Today they related units numbering over cil. To cope with this situation recall with emotion what a great 2 490. By dint of his Songun poli- Pyongyang undertook a third leader they had in their grave tics the Korean people have won nuclear test successfully in Feb- struggle against the US imperial- victory after victory in the fight ruary 2013, and the KPA ists for decades. against the US imperialists, their artillerymen took a significant No sooner had the former So- country has become a nuclear posture to defend their country viet Union collapsed in the early state, and the KPA has developed from the enemy’s aggression. 1990s than the allied imperialist into the main driving force In those days the supreme forces headed by the US imperial- making breakthroughs in social- Korean leader convened the ists applied folds of encirclement ist construction while assuming March 2013 Plenary Meeting of of the DPRK, seeking a chance of the duty of national defence. the Central Committee of the a total nuclear war in Korea. In Later on December 30, 2011 Workers’ Party of Korea and set 1993 the US resumed the US- the Korean people acclaimed their forth the strategic line of carrying south Korea joint military exer- leader Kim Jong Un as Supreme on the economic construction and cises code-named Team Spirit, Commander of the KPA and have the upbuilding of the nuclear which it had agreed to discon- since dynamically pushed forward forces simultaneously. In April tinue, and introduced a huge the building of a thriving socialist that year, at his initiative, the amount of means of nuclear strike nation while resolutely smashing ordinance on consolidating the into and around the Korean the Americans’ intensified moves status of the self-defensive nu- peninsula. At this juncture to stifle their country. In January clear state, and the law on space Kim Jong Il issued an order of 2012 the leader inspected the exploration and the decision on the KPA Supreme Commander to KPA Seoul Ryu Kyong Su Guards setting up the DPRK National the whole country, all the people 105th Tank Division, marking his Aerospace Development Admini- and the entire army to enter into first inspection as the Supreme stration were adopted at the Sev- a state of semi-war on March 8 Commander. This was an indica- enth Session of the 12th Supreme that year when the Team Spirit tion of his will to invariably carry People’s Assembly of the DPRK. was going on a full scale. On on the Chairman’s Songun-based The Korean people are success- March 12 the government of the revolutionary leadership. When fully defending the security of DPRK made public a statement to an acute tension set in the Korean the country and pushing ahead the world declaring that it would peninsula in March 2012 due to with the efforts for economic con- withdraw from the Nuclear Non- the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle struction and the people’s stan- Proliferation Treaty. The tough joint military rehearsals of the US dard of living because they have countermeasure of the DPRK left imperialists and the south Korean Kim Jong Un who takes a the United States no other choice puppets, he inspected the Pan- tougher stand against a tough one than announcing the ending of munjom Post (it directly faces the of the US and other hostile forces. the Team Spirit ahead of schedule enemy), implanting the faith in The small nation of Korea and agreeing to have the DPRK- victory in the KPA soldiers. has safeguarded its sovereignty US negotiation. At the talks the His unusual military sagacity while undauntedly facing the US, US signed a joint statement and matchless courage came into the imperialist ringleader, and which committed the US to a the limelight when there was a confidently followed the road of peaceful solution of the nuclear fierce confrontation caused by the building a thriving socialist na- problem in Korea and the DPRK- US on the absurd pretext of the tion. It is just because the country USA Agreed Framework (October DPRK’s successful launch of arti- is under the leadership of 1994), the core of which prescribes ficial satellite Kwangmyongsong Kim Jong Un, the Supreme the US’s provision of light-water 3-2 in December 2012. The US Commander of the KPA who is reactor and alternative energy to misled the international public precisely the same as Chairman the DPRK. opinion by vilifying the satellite Kim Jong Il in ideology, leader- Later, the DPRK leader ad- launch for a peaceful purpose as ship, courage and grit. And this ministered the unique Songun “threat” and “provocation” and is the greatest fortune of the politics in all fields, thus mobilized large armed forces in Korean people. strengthening the KPA in every south Korea to wage Key Resolve way and leading it to imbue the and Foal Eagle joint military ex- Kim Il Ryong

12 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 Ushering in Anti-Japanese Armed Struggle

essential task of the Korean rea’s liberation on August 15, communists to develop the anti- 1945, writes in the subtitle Japanese national liberation Kim Il Sung’s Free Activities: movement into the stage of armed “Later, what had become of struggle. He stressed the need to Kim Song Ju (Kim Il Sung or make preparations in real earnest Hanbyol), a 19-year-old man who for organization of armed units was enthusiastically engaged in which would launch armed strug- the youth movement and the anti- gle under the revolutionary ban- imperialist struggle while com- ner of “Arms for arms!” manding expectations of his com- Later at the meeting of chiefs rades and the affection of the of the revolutionary organizations general public in the turbulent in the Antu area held in Songji- Manchurian society from his early ang, Jilin Province, China in late years? Having obtained energy in September that year and the the expanse of Liaohe Plain FTER OCCUPYING KOREA meeting of political workers active (Wujiazi) and steeled himself in A militarily with the fabrica- in Korea and leaders of the un- the rough waves of the Songhua tion of the illegal “Ulsa Five-point derground revolutionary organi- River, he returned to the moun- Treaty” in 1905, the Japanese zations held in Kwangmyong Vil- tainous region of Fusong, as had imperialists launched an armed lage, Onsong County (Jongsong been mentioned previously. When invasion against the northeastern County at the time), North the Manchurian Incident broke region of China by fabricating the Hamgyong Province, Korea in out in 1931, he, breaking the long September 18 Incident or Man- mid-October the same year, silence, turned out with a promi- churian Incident in 1931. On the Kim Il Sung suggested tasks for nent banner, like the bright pretext of security in the home pushing preparations for the anti- morning star, for the purpose of front for the sake of the war, they Japanese armed struggle. The radical overthrow of Japanese instigated much more ferocious tasks included training hardcore imperialism and liberation of the oppression on the Korean people. of the armed units, laying a mass weak Oriental nation.” (Short This gave rise to a sharp increase foundation for the struggle, and History of the Korean Revolution- in the Koreans’ struggle against obtaining arms. In the first half of ary Movement Overseas Vol. 2, the repression, which gradually November that year he was stay- Page 66, the Agency of Oriental turned into a violent form. ing in Mingyuegou, Yanji County, Culture, Seoul, 1946) On the basis of a scientific China, supervising the work of Referring to the fact that analysis of the situation, preparation for the armed strug- Kim Il Sung worked out a policy Kim Il Sung, who had been gle as a whole. There he made of organizing an armed struggle spearheading the anti-Japanese efforts to work out the policy of and the relevant strategy and struggle of the nation, made a organizing and waging anti- tactics for it following the Sep- bold and resolute decision to put Japanese armed struggle and tember 18 Incident, the Chinese up an armed struggle against the defining the strategic and tactical newspaper Renmin Ribao (dated aggressors. Then he set out to standards. Alienating himself July 19, 1950) wrote: “General estimate the validity of the policy from dogmatic conceptions and Kim decided that the national on armed struggle and the rele- adopting a creative way of think- liberation movement of the Ko- vant strategy and tactics sug- ing, he decided the guerrilla war- rean people should necessarily gested at the historic Kalun fare as the form of armed struggle switch over to the anti-Japanese Meeting (June 1930) and make an suitable to the actual condition of armed struggle and that this all-round, concrete programme for Korea which was under the mili- armed struggle should character- their implementation. tary occupation of the Japanese istically be a guerrilla warfare. He He called a meeting of Party imperialists. On this basis, he closely combined a strong party, and Young Communist League solved strategic and tactical prob- a broad national united front cadres in Dunhua, Jilin Province, lems pertaining to the armed against the Japanese imperialists China on September 21, 1931, struggle. and the armed struggle, and three days after the Japanese Referring to his revolutionary laid the fundamental conditions imperialists started the war activities in this time, Short His- for victory by establishing firm of aggression of Manchuria. tory of the Korean Revolutionary bases of the anti-Japanese armed Addressing the meeting, Movement Overseas that was struggle. Soon after the rapacious Kim Il Sung said that it was the released immediately after Ko- Japanese imperialists invaded ►

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 13 ► the northeast (of China) most of meeting and had a discussion on terrains. In addition, he gave the local warlords and squires the tasks of revolutionary organi- succinct explanations about the succumbed to the aggressors. But zations in different regions, the problems of laying mass founda- a large number of the people rose matter to be put on the agenda of tions for the armed struggle, in resistance against the Japa- the full-dress meeting, the date, forming anti-Japanese united nese. With the frequent uprisings place, participants and order of front of the Korean and Chinese of the Koreans in different regions the meeting, correspondence for peoples and strengthening the in autumn, the revolutionary the calling of the meeting and work of Party organizations and advance got virile. Taking advan- security problems. the Young Communist League. tage of the upsurge in the anti- Having made such prepara- The meeting was attended by Japanese revolutionary struggle, tions, Kim Il Sung opened a Tong Changrong and several General Kim Il Sung personally meeting of Party and Young other Chinese communists as organized an armed struggle Communist Lague cadres in Min- well. Tong asked Korean com- against the Japanese imperialists gyuegou, Yanji County, on De- rades to make important remarks while expanding the popular or- cember 16, 1931. He delivered a as they had long worked in East ganizations by uniting the revolu- historic speech titled On Organiz- Manchuria, accumulating lots of tionary forces.” ing and Waging Armed Struggle experience. Meanwhile, Kim Il Sung had against Japanese Imperialism. In Dwelling on the keynote of the a good idea of the importance of his speech he expounded an origi- problems discussed at the meet- the matter of cooperation with the nal military strategic idea on ing, Kim Il Sung spoke of his Chinese communists since the waging guerrilla warfare as the idea of the organization of the Korean communists had to form main form of the struggle for na- armed unit and the armed strug- armed forces and launch a war tional liberation in colony. The gle in Chinese and Korean alter- against the Japanese imperialists essence of the idea was that the nately. Tong and other Chinese in Manchuria. So he was deeply struggle for independence in colo- comrades gave full support to concerned about the problem. But nial countries should be done by the idea and agreed with he could not have any counsel means of armed struggle and that Kim Il Sung on all matters he because La Tengxian, secretary of the struggle will emerge victori- mentioned including the form of the Manchurian Provincial Com- ous only when it is done in the the guerrilla warfare, the organi- mittee of the Communist Party of mode of guerrilla warfare. The zation of the guerrilla army and China, and Yang Rin, secretary of suggestion was a scientific and the laying of guerrilla bases. the Provincial Party Military creative choice which was fully The ten-day meeting made a Committee, were in hiding away compliant with the situation of final, total and specific decision on from Shenyang after the Septem- the Korean communists who had the strategic and tactical matters ber 18 Incident and Yang Jingyu to conduct revolutionary struggle relating the anti-Japanese armed was still in prison. Tong Chan- in a foreign country since they struggle, and put forward detailed grong who was appointed secre- were deprived of the national tasks. tary of the East Manchurian Spe- sovereignty, territory and all re- Kim Il Sung stressed the cial Committee of the Communist sources. need for the participants in the Party of China in November 1931 Talking about the matter of meeting to keep in mind the tried to meet Kim Il Sung while building a revolutionary armed honourable revolutionary duty staying in Longjing after his nar- force, Kim Il Sung suggested they assumed before the country row escape from “punitive opera- organizing the Anti-Japanese and the people and fulfil the tions” of the Japanese military. People’s Guerrilla Army, a stand- duty of the communists as revolu- But as he was little informed of ing revolutionary armed force, tionaries by finally accomplishing the local situation, he, going and made detailed explanations the assigned tasks whatever around to find out the where- about the character of the army, ordeals and difficulties stood in abouts of the East Manchurian its mission, the principle to be the way of the revolutionary Special Committee (it had moved observed in organizing the army movement. somewhere earlier), was pinched and how to build it up. He also The Mingyuegou Meeting by enemy spies and put in custody indicated ways to form small called by Kim Il Sung was a in the Longjing Police Station. guerrilla units by regions, equip historic event that marked the Kim Il Sung decided to rescue them with arms and develop them beginning of the anti-Japanese him by all means, and sent a man into large units gradually. He armed struggle in Korea and gave named Ko Po Bae for an arrange- established the method of obtain- a new impetus to the anti- ment for Tong’s release. Ko man- ing weapons. Regarding the mat- Japanese national liberation aged to make a bargain with the ter of laying guerrilla bases, he movement and communist move- police to let Tong go out of custody proposed to establish them in ment of the country. soon. mountainous areas in Jiandao In order to make a success that had got good masses of peo- Dr. Choe Su Nam, of the upcoming meeting, ple, good conditions for the mate- History Faculty, Kim Il Sung called a preliminary rial supply and advantageous Kim Il Sung University

14 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 Noble Patriotism

Better Goods for the People decided to solve this question by arousing the patriotism of NE DAY IN THE the entire people. In the O autumn of 1947 the evening of the day after he anti-Japanese war heroine appealed to the entire people Kim Jong Suk visited a house to make contributions to in Kyongsong County, North the national defence fund, Hamgyong Province. In the Kim Jong Suk set a dinner house she happened to see table for him who was just crude and unpresentable back home and then told him bowls. After that, she went to about the itemized account of the ceramic factory that pro- the things to be contributed duced them. Starting from the from their home to the na- raw materials yard, she looked tional defence fund which she round all the production proc- had drawn up in the daytime. ess, chatting with the workers The items included two silver and helping them in their candlesticks presented by a work. In this course, she got foreign friend, a gifted fancy acquainted with the actual box decorated with alloy, ex- conditions of the factory. She pensive tonics from a former picked up a soup bowl from the anti-Japanese fighter, and sorting table and asked the even the savings from her management officials around domestic table expenses. The her if they could not make their the women who handle your great leader was highly pleased goods whiter, lighter and better bowls of poor quality three or four with the account, and said she did designed. One of them answered times every day? Improving the very well and that the Premier’s that the bowls sold like fun as quality of bowls is not a mere home should take the lead in they were the moment they were businesslike matter but an im- the contribution to the national put on sale at the shops, and told portant affair to inspire the peo- defence fund. So the donation her why it was difficult to imple with patriotism.” from his home was the first to prove their quality. She pointed She told the management arrive at the head office of the out that they did not make an staff that the skilled workers Association of Supporters for effort to improve the quality of should teach the unskilled hands National Defence. their goods because they were not and that the main thing was to One evening some time later, yet free from the old viewpoint on rouse the workers and techni- Kim Il Sung heard again of his the people. “True, your technical cians ideologically, adding that family’s contribution to the na- skills might not be high enough the ideological problem should be tional defence fund. Its items as yet and there could be many solved before other issues. After included a fine dagger, one of difficulties ahead of you,” she her visit, the quality of the fac- young Kim Jong Il’s playthings, went on. “But if you make them tory’s production improved mark- and the Premier’s salary received with the utmost care just as if edly. some time ago. The great leader they were for your own children’s had given his salary to table use, you would be able to The Nation Before the Kim Jong Suk telling her to use it make them fine and handsome. Hearth and Home on a suit of new clothes made, You are responsible for the pro- and not otherwise, for she had duction of rice and soup bowls The defence capacity of a new gone through all sorts of hard- used daily by the people. What is Korea that had brought Japanese ships during the anti-Japanese more, the Korean women re- military occupation to an end and armed struggle without properly garded bowls as important greeted liberation (August 15, dressing. On that day he gladly kitchen ornaments from of old 1945) was not great enough to approved his family’s plan for the and had the way of decorating beat off the enemy’s aggression at second contribution to the na- the kitchen with pretty and a blow. For all that, the state tional defense fund praising the handsome bowls bought with could not purchase weapons from laudable deed of his wife and money they saved. So, what do abroad for lack of funds. son who were devoting their all to you think would be the feelings of The great leader Kim Il Sung the country.

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 15 Socialist Constitution for the People

ratic people’s system in Korea at that the state shall provide all that time but also to accomplish working people with every condi- the socialist revolution success- tion for obtaining food, clothing fully and hasten the socialist con- and housing. struction. In addition, it guarantees the Later, the changes in the freedom and right of the working socialist constriction and the people to the full by stipulating people’s social life demanded that all necessary principles including these successes be legalized and developing the universal 12-year that relevant legal principles be compulsory education in accor- adopted in the fields of politics, dance with the trend of modern REPORTER OF THE the economy, culture and na- science and technology and re- A Korea Today had a talk with tional defence. Accordingly, the quirements of practical socialist Dr. Hong Chol Hwa, head of the Socialist Constitution was construction, improving different Law Research Institute of the adopted on December 27, 1972 at forms of learning while on the Academy of Social Sciences on the First Session of the Fifth job, and consolidating the univer- the 42nd anniversary of the enact- Supreme People’s Assembly and sal free medical care, section ment of the Socialist Constitution amended at SPA sessions in April doctor system and prophylactic in Korea. Excerpts: 1992, September 1998, April 2012 arrangement. I’d like to know how the So- and April 2013. Would you explain about the cialist Constitution was enacted It can be said that the Social- ideological foundation of the So- and developed. ist Constitution was adopted and cialist Constitution? During the period of the Japa- has developed in keeping with The ideological foundation of nese military occupation of Korea the desire and demand of the the Socialist Constitution of the (1905–1945), the Korean people people and the needs of social DPRK is just the Juche idea and were subjected to the slavish life development. Songun idea. Article 3 of the So- by wicked fascist laws which Would you tell me about the cialist Constitution adopted in trampled upon the elementary character of the Socialist Consti- April 2013 at the Seventh Session freedom and rights of human tution? of the 12th Supreme People’s As- beings. The Socialist Constitution is sembly states clearly that the A popular constitution was geared to meeting the demand of DPRK is guided in its activities adopted and enforced for the the working masses and defend- by the Juche idea and Songun first time with the foundation of ing their interest thoroughly. idea, a world outlook centred the Democratic People’s Republic Typically, Article 4 stipulates on people, which are revolution- of Korea (DPRK) in September that the sovereignty of the De- ary ideologies for achieving the 1948. The draft of the constitu- mocratic People’s Republic of independence of the masses of tion was based on the ten-point Korea resides in the workers, people. programme of the Association peasants, soldiers, intellectuals The Juche idea and Songun for the Restoration of the Father- and all other working people and idea are consistent with the prin- land written by President that the working people exercise ciple of believing in the people as Kim Il Sung during his anti- power through their representa- in heaven, which puts them for- Japanese armed struggle and the tive organs—the Supreme Peo- ward as the most powerful being achievements and experience in ple’s Assembly and local people’s in the world and that everything the state building in the northern assemblies at all levels. should be in service for them. half of the Korean peninsula af- Article 25 also specifies that The principle is clearly im- ter national liberation, and the DPRK regards the steady planted in the Socialist Constitu- adopted as the Constitution of improvement of the material and tion, so we can proudly say that the DPRK on September 8, 1948 cultural standards of the people the Socialist Constitution of our at the First Session of the Su- as the supreme principle of its Republic is the most popular one. preme People’s Assembly through activities, that the constantly- As we have it, we Korean people an all-people discussion. increasing material wealth of are fully provided with the right Consisting of 104 articles in society in the country, where and interest as master of the ten chapters, the Constitution taxes have been abolished, is country and devoting ourselves was a powerful weapon not only used entirely to promote the well- to the building of a powerful so- to legally consolidate the democ- being of the working people, and cialist nation.

16 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 The Sun Shines in Our Hearts and Friendship Lights up the World

as he took into his arms the five- “Dear President, our father! year old Zhang Mengmeng, a fifth You asked us to come to Korea descendant of Zhang’s family, and again in this summer. We had pressed his cheek against the made preparations for the trip. child’s when we visited Korea to We had planned to present you celebrate his birthday. My mem- your photo in frame which was ory went back to the time when taken last year. I and Jinlu had a the President called at the house lot of things to say to you. My where Zhang Yu and Yue Zhiyun children had prepared the songs of the fourth generation of our to be sung before you. But why family were staying over the New didn’t you wait until we would Year’s Day in Pyongyang for the come? In Fusong they are waiting first time. He said that naturally for you. There you ought to visit

a grandfather ought to come and the old battle sites, walk along the (Continued from the last see how his grandchildren are familiar streets, go to see the issue) passing the New Year’s Day, and tombs of your comrades-in-arms talked about the Zhang family’s and then…. But now you’re lying AREWELL WAS THE LAST savoury dumpling soups and the here, and what shall we do?” F word to be uttered between old Chinese lyric Song of Su Wu. At that time Chairman President Kim Il Sung and us His warm gracious affection Kim Jong Il was standing (Zhang Weihua’s family— ed.). shown to us that day vividly rises guards at the sides of the bier. He Though the President had passed before my mind’s eyes. The firmly grasped my hand. I wanted away, his loving care and benevo- President was so sincere and or- to say some words of condolence to lent affection for us continued as dinary. That was why he was him, but with my heart fit to if he as our father had not given great. He never tried to show break, I could say nothing. us all he wanted to give for our himself off or win a person’s fa- Rather, the Chairman, who was welfare and glory. The noble old vour, but he would speak without suffering the pains of the greatest friendship is unfailing despite disguising his thoughts and mind. loss, consoled me. He asked me the change of generations and His face beaming with smile, when I arrived in Pyongyang, centuries. Just like President meaningful remarks and familiar thanking me for coming, and if Kim Il Sung who used to give us movement of his hands…. our family had all been well, and his boundless parental affection, To the mourning room set up said I should not grieve so bitterly Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un in our house at the time, the but take care of my health. His cared for us in earnest. leading officials, public figures profound and thoughtful words In July 1994 when the and towns people of Fusong impressed me deeply, and his President passed away, the rain County came endlessly to express image of a great man captured my fell in torrents in Fusong as if their grief. We went to Pyongyang heart. Who says the sun has set? mourning over the unexpected for mourning. Amidst the playing The sun shines for ever. The sun heartbreaking news. It was like of the funeral music we went into over the sea of tears is more the heaven falling down. We the then Kumsusan Assembly ablaze in red. To me the image of started to weep silently, and then Hall. I first made a deep bow be- the Chairman was exactly like sobbed, and wailed aloud in the fore the bier of the President and that of the President. Looking up end. I seemed to hear the affec- sat on my knees to kowtow. Then to the sturdy but benevolent im- tionate voice of the President I plumped down on the floor, feel- age of the Chairman, I recalled saying that now he was father to ing an urge to say something to the instructions of the President us, and see his benevolent image the President: given to my family 40 days before ►

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 17 ► as his last words. anyone else for strengthening the tion for us deepened day after “It is wholly thanks to bonds of that friendship. day. I never forget October 27, Kim Jong Il that I could work The past years have clearly 1997, when we had a ceremony of and live with a sound body until shown to the world his noblest laying the wreath from him before now. He has done very much personality and moral character. I the tomb of martyr Zhang to preserve my health. Keep com- cannot forget the fact, among Weihua, my father. Chairman ing to Korea in future, too. other things, that he turned the Kim Jong Il had instructed the Kim Jong Il will take good care Kumsusan area, the former abode Korean official concerned to send of your family. So, freely come to of the President, into the supreme a wreath to us on the occasion of our country once a year. You sacred ground of Juche and en- the 60th anniversary of the day should trust and take to him just sured that the President rests in when martyr Zhang Weihua died as you do to me.” the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun a heroic death. It was a magic Recollecting the golden words as he did in his lifetime. It was a happening. When the wreath sent of the President, I thought of the great feat and virtue worthy of by the Chairman arrived at Fu- unseen troubles and cares the praise by the Korean people, con- song, snow flakes fell again like Chairman had taken to look after scientious people of the world and bank notes as if praying for the us, the descendants of Zhang our family generation after gen- soul of the martyr, like they had Weihua, regardful for the noble eration. Every time we came to done when the President had sent old friendship and true to the Korea later, we visited the palace the monument to him five years President’s intentions. Whenever to see the President. before. The wreath was laid we visited Korea, the Chairman Following the model of the solemnly before the monument personally took steps to accord us Chairman’s noble morality, we to Zhang Weihua which had the treatment of state guests in rose from the abyss of sorrow been dedicated by President the arrangement of reception, and decided to turn the old house Kim Il Sung. The wreath bore lodging and itinerary, making of our family which is associated the letters “In memory of martyr sure that we should spend with the President into the Zhang Weihua, Kim Jong Il”. pleasant days seeing the sights of Memorial Hall of President The flowers of the wreath ren- Mts. Kumgang and Myohyang, Kim Il Sung. This was our moral dered the greetings of the and going to the Songdowon sea- obligation stemming from the President and the Chairman to side resort and other celebrated bottom of our hearts to repay the the martyr and the red ribbon mountains and scenic spots. Fur- benevolent favours bestowed on bespoke the everlasting friend- ther, he ensured that the martyr’s us by the President. The adults ship defying change in spite of grandson Zhang Yu and grand- and even the children of our fam- passage of time. daughter Yue Zhiyun study in ily regarded the work of building True friendship is like the Pyongyang, staying in the best up the memorial hall as a most heartbeats of the eternal great guesthouse like a “prince” and a sacred undertaking and devoted men and the indelible echoes of “princess”, and he settled prob- their hearts to each of the histori- history. The participants in the lems arising in the business ac- cal relics to be put in the hall. The ceremony felt in the depths of tivities of my eldest son Zhang Zi. work took one year, and we their minds that the life of the The Chairman saw to it that we opened formally the memorial martyr was still continuing were warmly welcomed by the hall on the first anniversary of the though he had died 60 years be- Korean people, but he never once demise of President Kim Il Sung. fore. They all acknowledged the appeared at places where we had This was the first instance in the undeniable fact that the friend- the great glory and joy of the world of building a memorial hall ship between the President and presence of the President. We in honour of a great man in a the martyr was kept alive by learned from Korean officials that house of a foreign country, but we Chairman Kim Jong Il. The the Chairman valued the friend- regarded it as our obligation and Chairman sent a wreath again on ship between the President and thought it was the first step of the occasion of the 70th anniver- the martyr Zhang Weihua above gratitude. sary of the martyr’s death, making all and was concerned more than The Chairman’s friendly affec- the noble old friendship last ►

18 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 ► beyond the century. On the New cordially to hold a banquet in science have no frontiers, the Year’s Day every year he sent us a honour of the martyr’s memory revolution has no frontiers, New Year’s card in place of the though he was busy guiding the either. Today the noble sentiment President, and he sent a gift to me building of a powerful socialist of friendship of President on the occasion of my 70th birth- nation. Words failed to express Kim Il Sung who glorified my day. our emotion at the banquet asso- father Zhang Weihua as a symbol An old Chinese proverb says, ciated with Kim Jong Un’s warm of China-Korea friendship and a “The treasured sword should be affection. great model of internationalism is presented to a hero.” The Chinese As was usually the case with carried onward by Kim Jong Un. people traditionally considered a me at a moment of happiness, I The history of warm affection for sword to be a valuable tool safe- seemed to hear the President’s our family is an epic of noble guarding the home and a symbol kind voices. When beef dishes friendship that can only be of power, victory and strength. were served on the table at the created by the great President Once we had the honour of pre- banquet hall of the then Kim Il Sung, Chairman senting an ancient bronze sword Kumsusan Assembly Hall, the Kim Jong Il and respected to the Chairman as a gift. It was a President who was glancing over leader Kim Jong Un. choice adopted after our whole the menu said to Zhang Yu, “Help Time passes, and Zhang Wei- family had carefully deliberated. yourself to the meat dish free from hua’s descendant in the sixth We did so because the Chairman fear. Others have beef, but yours generation has been born. The was a great commander capable of is pork. I know you don’t have day the child was born, I seemed beating off any formidable enemy beef.” On one occasion the to hear the voice of the President and also a man building a beauti- President said to the martyr’s that he felt like seeing Zhang ful human society with faith and grandchildren sitting around him, Weihua’s great-great-great- ethics. “Living for long in Fusong, I was grandchild. I whispered to the True friendship transcending very interested in bingtanghulu. baby, “May you grow up fast. the limits of space and time does It was tasty. Today I told cooks to Then you’ll see what a beautiful not degenerate even in the storm prepare it for you as you’ve come and great love and what bound- of history; but rather it cultivates to see me. Try it and see if it lessly strong ties of affection the human world more beauti- tastes as good as your homemade there are in our world. And you, fully. The friendship that regards cake.” too, should become a flower to giving with no reward and com- The respected leader add to that beautiful flower pensation as pleasure and joy Kim Jong Un sent me and my garden.” purifies human society infinitely wife valuable gifts and dispatched It is 20 years since the and lights up the world. I think a delegation to congratulate us on President passed away, but the such friendship is a potent affir- our 80th birthday. In 2013 he en- friendship between them, the mation of socialism built from a sured that our couple at the age of President and martyr Zhang Wei- noble ethical motive and, for its 80 went to Pyongyang and stayed hua, continues. The President’s independent nature, is a proud in a guesthouse for over a month, friendship immortalizes the life of assertion and admiration of the undergoing medical treatment in the martyr and takes care of his beautiful character of man. a renowned hospital. My wife who posterity. Although the times The old affection shown for had despaired of her failing eye- change, his noble model of friend- us by the President and the sight recovered it and I was cured ship will endlessly touch the Chairman, great sages who loved of my senile disorders and became heartstrings of people and purify and had a high regard for man hale and hearty. the human world. is invariably inherited by the There is my father Zhang The President, a great sage, respected leader Kim Jong Un. Weihua’s jewel picture put up in will always live in our hearts and To mark the 75th anniversary of the Victorious Fatherland Libera- his noble spirit of friendship and the death and 100th birthday of tion War Museum in Pyongyang. lofty humanity will brighten the Zhang Weihua in October 2012, It was an opinion of the great world. he sent a wreath and took steps President that just as love and (The end)

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 19 Mother’s Life

(Continued from the last issue) gold in the house and found out ranks of secret operatives. After where the safe was concealed. Taedong County, we proceeded to Unforgettable activities Immediately, I got in touch with Sariwon by train and went to the in Korea Pak Thae Ryol, Kim Je Ho and house of Jon Jong Hui, a graduate Sin Kye Rim, operatives from the of the Pyongyang Public Girls’

headquarters working at Song- High School, who was now a N 1920 I BECAME A chon. They raided Kim’s house at schoolmistress in the city. It was a logistic officer of the head- I midnight, and took six bundles very sultry day and we rested in quarters of the Kwangbok Inde- of banknotes and lumps of gold the house, but Kim Hyong Jik, pendence Army. In the winter of amounting to 40 000 won. They that year I returned to Korea to without resting, went out to the made Kim shoulder them and raise military funds for arming streets and had talks with local withdrew calmly from the city. the soldiers. My destination was residents, conducting his work In 1921, the Kwangbok Inde- Songchon. Staying at the Ros’ energetically. The next day we pendence Army headquarters was village for several days, I con- met many people from Hwangju, in need of increasing communica- veyed the headquarters’ instruc- Pongsan, Yonthan and Sohung at tion points within the country and tions to the head of the village (his the Songbulsa Temple on Mt. the number of liaison men. In this surname was Ro) to expand the Jongbang, and accepted several period Kim Hyong Jik (father of Youth League organizations and youths including the Hwang strengthen the work of collecting President Kim Il Sung) received brothers into the organization. In military funds. Then I sent a tele- reports of Jang Chol Ho and Sin Hwanghae Province Pak Thae gram to Ju Yong Suk in Haktang- Kye Gwan from home and came Ryol always walked at the head of gol, Pyongyang, to expect me in a back to Korea to personally guide the party because this was his few days. In Pyongyang I met Ju. the work of underground organi- native province. On arriving at We had a serious talk about the zations. He was accompanied by Unryul, Pak said that the area way of carrying out my assign- Jang Chol Ho, Pak Thae Ryol, Sin had many champions of the inde- ment, where I should lodge and Kye Gwan, Kim Chang Ui and pendence movement, and that its how to raise funds. The next day myself. We ferried across the Am- people had a high anti-Japanese we made Ju’s mother go to the nok River. Owing to the strict spirit. There we learned the pre- house of Kim Pak Dal, a rich man watch of the enemy, we came to vailing situation in the area from in the neighbourhood. She asked Sonchon by road via Phihyon. We the independence movement Kim to hire a housemaid as there took a train at Sonchon and came fighters introduced by Pak and was a woman just right for the to Sunan where we spent a night assigned them to the task of job. Kim was a pro-Japanese Ko- at the house of Mr. Jon who was building up liaison spots and hav- rean in possession of gold mines an underground worker. The next ing close contact with armed in the area of South Phyongan day we went to the house of Ro groups. We raised funds and dis- Province. A hard sweater, he had Tong Gwan in Taedong County. tributed leaflets through village plenty of money and gold. I en- We stayed there for a few days heads and financial commissaries tered into domestic service in the and learned in detail about the in the province. Our group then house under the false name of Pak state of the independence move- journeyed to Sinchon, Haeju and In Do. In the daytime I looked ment in South Phyongan Prov- Wonsan to meet the independence after the baby borne by his concu- ince. We discussed concrete ways fighters and get information bine, and in the morning and to build up the underground or- about how things stood in the evening I drew water and pre- ganizations. We met Yun Ung areas. After giving instructions to pared meals for the family. While Ryol and other women operatives them as to what to do, we turned doing domestic chores, I closely and gave them the tasks of step- back to Pyongyang. The group left watched the inside of the house. A ping up publicity for the inde- Pyongyang by train for Uiju few days later I learned that there pendence movement and selecting where they were to cross the Am- was a huge amount of money and reliable women for expanding the nok River. But I remained behind ►

20 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 ► in Pyongyang to keep contact with Ho and Kim Sok Ha met us. me, a felon whom they were all communication points around Kim Hyong Jik was there. He out to arrest. Pyongyang and collect funds. warmly grasped our hands, ac- At this moment the daughter One day I discussed with Sin knowledging our trouble in the of the rich man burst into the Kye Gwan, Ri Su Yong, Choe Tok risky double journey. He said in room and introduced herself as a Bok and Kang Myong Sin the my praises that I was a real hero- student of the Pyongyang Public matter of securing funds at the ine. Whenever I returned safely Girls’ High School. She said she Tokchon gold mine. A few days from a dangerous journey escort- had heard much of my fame and, later we found out that cash was ing donated money, my comrades as my junior, had been longing to brought to the mine from Nampho lauded me in delight for my trou- see me, and that she was really in the middle of every month for ble. Seeing their cheerful faces, I glad to meet me at her own home. payment of wages. So Sin and I would deeply think of our people’s Then, turning to the whole as- ambushed at the Tokchon Pass dearest wish for national inde- sembly, she said, “All of you here and attacked the car pendence and strongly feel that have idled away your time, only of the mine, shooting two cops to the work of collecting funds at the infatuated with moneymaking death. But the money we captured risk of our life at home was really and drinking, but doing nothing was no more than a few hundred a most honourable undertaking. for the country. Today when the won. On the same day Ri, Choe I have one thing more to say country is in distress and the and Kang raided the storehouse of about my campaign at home for people are homeless, you are of- the mine and seized six bags of collecting subscriptions. One day I fered an opportunity to render high-grade gold ores. They called on a wealthy man engaged services to the country and help handed them over to an individ- in insam (ginseng) business to the people, but you are hesitating ual mine owner and received invite a donation. He had a to come forward. I am really thousands of won. After finishing daughter who was a student of ashamed of you.” All those pre- our work in Tokchon, we received the Pyongyang Public Girls’ High sent sat hanging their heads. The money from our comrades in School. She knew something girl student dashed off to her Sunchon and returned to the about my career because newspa- room and fetched her money and house of Ro Tong Gwan, where we pers reported now and then about personal ornaments, which she made preparations to go back to me, the woman independence placed before me as gifts to the China. movement fighter Ri Kwan Rin. Independence Army. Probably I left with Kim Jin Jun with When I went to his house with from remorse of conscience at the the money concealed in the quilt. my comrades, he was having a girl’s patriotic deed and bold be- We safely arrived at Andong drinking bout with his rich com- haviour, they produced their across the Amnok River. There we panions accompanied by girl en- money and valuables. That day hired a horse and put the quilt on tertainers. Entering the room, I we returned with a large amount the saddle. I sat on the saddle and bowed to them politely and said it of donation. Kim led the horse by the bridle. was a sacred duty of all Koreans Looking back on my days of We went some distance when to restore the country and save the Independence Army, I think unexpectedly a squad of Japanese the people, and that in the pre- proudly of the time when I crossed policemen appeared ahead. They sent situation when the whole into the homeland and worked forcibly searched Kim and took country was overrun by the with people of all walks of life in away some tens of won of money Japanese imperialists and our defiance of danger as the unfor- from him, but they did not pay people were reduced to slavery, gettable glorious period in my life. attention to the quilt I sat on. they should support the anti- I don’t think human happiness I only wished the large sum of Japanese independence move- lies in living high, feeding well money safe from mishap and left ment by making contributions for and dressing fine, but I think it is the Japanese rogues alone to do it if they had the soul of Koreans. the best and happiest life for a what they pleased to avoid a Hearing my name, they gazed man to care for the fate of the trouble. If they had tried to search upon me in astonishment. They country before everything else the quilt, there would have been a were startled at my demand for and struggle for the prosperity of gunfight. money, but more at my presence the people with a high aim and When we arrived at the head- there in the broad daylight when intention. quarters O Tong Jin, Jang Chol the Japanese rogues were after (To be continued)

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 21 Stepping Stone

HE 13TH NATIONAL INVENTION AND face with the mechanical device is done on a real T new technology exhibition in Pyongyang in July time basis, the incorrect or late conveyance of the and August last awarded one of its gold medals to a signals results in poorer operation of the device. new control device developed by the Control Device Failures repeated, but the researchers did not lose Research Institute of the State Academy of Sciences. heart but carried out strenuous efforts. They de- The researchers of the institute have developed cided a high-speed, high-density designing mode on up-to-date control devices and programs in succes- the basis of the result of the 3D simulation, thus sion, giving spurs to the effort to put the machine making a breakthrough in the work for higher confi- industry on the CNC basis as a whole. Some typical dence of the control device and for smaller size of examples are top-notch technologies applied to the device. In August 2013, in less than a year after many units including the Pyongyang Weaving Ma- they started the research, they presented this com- chine Factory, a horizontal borer of the Kim Chaek munications program to the 4th information technol- Rock Drill Factory, a milling machine of the Pyongy- ogy exhibition of the State Academy of Sciences. ang Musical Instrument Factory and the CNC tech- Their program took first place. No more than four nology introduced to a plastic injector of the Korea months later, they completed a new type of control Meari Co. Ltd. In recent years they introduced the device whose processing speed is five to six times control device CNC-14 to a number of machine tools higher and whose cost was less than one third of the of the Taean Heavy Machine Complex and thus earlier device. The new device won a special award made a breakthrough in raising the precision and at the 29th sci-tech festival of the State Academy of efficacy of the generating facilities and brought huge Sciences. But the reserachers declined to put it in profit to the country. the showcase of a national sci-tech festival. They We don’t recognize “completion”—this is what the researchers are wont to say. The control device they presented recently was a renovated CNC-16A. It is different from their earlier devices in that it is equipped with a field bus of the Korean style. Originally, latest types of control devices have a field bus function, for it makes it possi- ble to increase the number of control shafts and improve the operational confidence of the equipment supported by various functions affixed to it. Earlier one shaft had more than a dozen signal wires. The confidence of the mechanical device depends on that of each of the components. So, the less the number of signal wires is, the higher the confidence of the mechanical device is. This brought about the system of field bus of international standard that makes it feasible to control dozens of shafts by means of no went to the Taean Heavy Machine Complex and more than two wires. other major factories and enterprises to test the But the import of the field bus cost a huge practicability and economic profit of the device by amount of foreign currency. And it was coupled with conducting experimental application to the field. a lot of restrictive measures. This strongly aroused Asked of the secret of the success, Sok Song the endeavour of the researchers. Even the CNC- Chol, one of the core developers, said, “In a word, 14A they had developed a few months earlier with our achievement was necessitated by the situation their painstaking efforts was not enough to give a of our country. By this I don’t simply mean it was a consolation. result of the setting of the wall of transfer of special The project for the development of the field bus technology prescribed by the anti-DPRK sanctions. started with reliance on their own experience and Our country is making progress by leaps and wisdom, away from existing modes. The core task bounds. This demands us to set an uninterruptedly was to make a communications program set in the higher goal. For us, the recent thing is no more than field bus system. The function of the field bus de- a stepping stone for a new leap.” pends on the program. It must be a one that can promptly send a lot of signals speedily. As the inter- Chae Kwang Myong

22 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 Marvellous Efficacy of the Nano-Gold Injection

T IS WELL KNOWN THAT GOLD CUPS, GOLD I teeth, gold rings, gold pins and other articles made of gold have been used in many countries since early times for various purposes including treatment of diseases. In the new era of science and technology, people’s concern in gold is growing ever greater. Accordingly, the development of various kinds of medicines and products by making use of the property of gold is going ahead briskly The researchers who developed throughout the world. Many re- the Nano-gold Injection. search teams are bent on the study of nano-gold injections of which is well-known as a tonic for wonderful efficacy for health and longevity. long life and for the treatment of incurable diseases, The rheumatism research section of the Pyongy- but only a few countries are capable of their produc- ang Medical College of Kim Il Sung University has tion requiring high-level technology. applied the injection in clinical treatment and regis- The researchers of the Nano Technology Re- tered over 80 per cent of curing rate. The injection search Institute of Kim Il Sung University have with no particular contraindications and side-effects succeeded in making a nano-gold injection in a has a high absorption rate, clear of any harm to the unique way different from the previous procedures. internal organs of the body. Further, it works won- Kim Sung Chol, chief developer of the research ders on fatty liver, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, team, says, “A nano-gold injection was created al- AIDS, drug and alcohol poisoning and radiation dis- ready before us, and it is recorded in a book of phar- eases. It is also efficacious against men’s hypertro- macopoeia, too. However, we sought for a new way phy, and very effective in the treatment of women’s of raising the efficacy of the injection in our own diseases such as mastitis and breast cancer. It helps fashion. In this process, we drew a conclusion that a to make skin fair and soft. Meanwhile, the injection complex of metal and bio-active material would dou- lengthens the life of patients with cancer impossible ble the effect of treatment.” of operation, improves and recovers the health of In December 2011 when they started the re- feeble and underfed people regardless of sex and search, they considered two things: one was dissolu- age, so that it is recognized as a general medicine. It tion of material and the other, prevention of the dis- needs a short period of treatment and has a high solved parts of the material from coupling. They suc- rate of curing intractable diseases. ceeded in the combination of metal and bio-active The injection was authenticated by the State material in a year. Based on this success, they finally Academy of Sciences and the State Commission of produced a nano-gold injection by combining nano- Quality Management in 2013 and obtained a patent gold below 20-30 nm in size with bio-active material in 2014. extracted from Kaesong Koryo insam (ginseng) Sim Yong Jin

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 23 Researchers of Children’s Nutrition

HE RESEARCHERS OF THE CHILDREN’S T Nutrition Research Institute under the Acad- emy of Medical Science in Tongdaewon District, Py- ongyang, develop nutriments for children. They are carrying out in a planned way the work of developing programs for scientific management of children’s nutrition, accumulating the basic data on the growth of children and mapping out the standard amount of nutrition. They have achieved successes in the researches on the production of various processed foodstuffs for the children of different ages to provide sufficient nutritives to them such as protein, vita- mins and fat. The members of the therapeutic nutrition research room have established the methods of treat- Researchers of the therapeutic nutrition ing children’s diarrhoeas caused by different trou- research room give children a regular bles. Until 2009 it was a general rule in the world to medical examination. prescribe antibiotics for children’s diarrhoeas, con- sidering that they were caused by virus infections. The treating method they have developed is well But the use of antibiotics reduced the immunity of received because it is good for the growth of children children and hindered their growth. Head of the and has no harmful effect. The therapeutic nutrition room Ri Hye Ok and other researchers sought after method without the use of any magical medicine or the causes of the diseases common to the children antibiotics is widely adopted at the baby homes and while studying relevant books. In this process they orphanages across the country and at the children’s discovered lactose lytic enzyme and found out the hospitals in all provinces. causes of diarrhoeas from it. They deepened their The researchers of the nutrition standardization researches on lactose intolerance, making great pro- research room have developed new iodine additives gress in the treatment of the children’s diarrhoeas. to foodstuffs so as to overcome iodine deficiency by adding iodine to soybean paste and soy sauce, Researchers analyze nutritive favourite condiments of Koreans. Besides, the insti- elements of babies’ milk powder. tute has developed babies’ soy milk powder, lactoba- cillus milk powder, nutritive powder complex, car- bonated sweet ginger juice, iodine foodstuff supple- ment, active enzyme yeast, digestive enzyme powder, lysine pills, and other health foods and medicines. These products are popular for their efficacy in pro- moting children’s growth and in their treatment. The research successes of the institute are highly appreciated at the yearly national invention and new technology exhibitions. Meanwhile, the researchers of the institute are redoubling efforts to register greater successes in their work for the promotion of heath of children, kings of the country, and conducting many-sided sci-tech cooperation and exchange with different countries and international organizations including the UN Children’s Fund. Rim Kyong Ju

24 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 Education Making Progress

N APRIL LAST A NATIONAL EXHIBITION questions that could arouse the creative thinking of I of educational achievements and presentation of the students in order to teach them physical laws. To teaching experience was held. Displayed in the exhi- find out the correct answers the students intensified bition were over 900 items of educational gains con- discussions and debates by citing examples they had ducive to the improvement of contents and methods seen, heard and felt in life. In other words, they learn of education including the results of teaching at dif- by themselves the essence of physical phenomena ferent middle schools No. 1, and model teachers’ while conducting theoretical examinations based on experience was publicized. the phenomena presented around them. Such les- The educational achievements and experience, sons cultivate the habit of carefully observing even experimental apparatuses and teaching aids of Py- minor phenomena and the ability of wide-ranging, ongyang Middle School No. 1 were rated high in the creative thinking in the students. The teaching ma- exhibition. The section of physics of the school pre- terials and multimedia aids that give visual and sented a computer-assisted general AC measuring lifelike representation also enhanced the cognitive device and the section of basic technology advanced a power of the students. Along with this, the school device showing the principle of engine operation. ensured experiments and practical exercises for the These exhibits drew the attention of visitors for their practical value for raising the effect of education. The visitors were acquainted with the efforts of the teachers of the school devoting their wisdom and zeal to the students and the fact that the way to improve the effect of education lies in ceaseless search and thinking. From the beginning of the year the school di- rected efforts to preparing the teaching plans according to the new curriculum of compulsory education suited to the requirement of the teaching programme of the universal 12-year compulsory education. The executives of the school saw to it that the teachers reflect the teaching content on their teaching plans after studying the questions to be asked in class based on the full understanding of the teaching content. In other words, they made the teachers prepare the questions closely connected with practical life in a way to improve the creative thinking ability and the spirit of inquiry of the students. Then, they let the teachers have other additional leading questions conducive to making the students quickly Students are engrossed in a physics experiment. understand the essence of the given problem. The teachers concerned themselves to fully understand students to consolidate their classroom knowledge. the contents of the teaching texts beforehand and Such teaching methods also improved the effective- each section intensified the debate on the teaching ness of education in natural and social subjects. materials. Every section pooled their collective wis- The teaching methods which develop the active dom to estimate the effect of the questions specified thinking of students by applying vivid examples and in the teaching plans to be asked during the lessons. provide many opportunities to consider their learn- They also evaluated the lessons to overcome the ings in the context of reality develop their thinking shortcomings. ability and make it easy to attain the goal of educa- In this way the teachers prepared teaching aids tion. In this process the teachers’ qualifications rose and teaching plans containing many questions. noticeably, three of them were granted the title of These teaching plans proved very effective in the People’s Teacher and one Merited Teacher, and lessons from the new school term. To prove this, a many others awarded academic degrees and titles. physics lesson can be cited. The teacher set various Kim Il Ryong

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 25 Winners of the 17th Asian Games

26 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 26 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 27 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 27 Son of Ryongnamsan

N SEPTEMBER LAST THE championship. Ri Sang Jin, dep- I 2014 World Wrestling Cham- uty chief secretary of the Wres- pionships took place in Tashkent, tling Association of Korea, recalls, Uzbekistan. It drew some 710 “Take his Iranian rival for an male and female competitors from instance. He made a good record over 80 countries, including the in the men’s free 55 kg category Democratic People’s Republic of at the 2013 World Wrestling Korea, and regions. It was par- Championships. The Georgian ticipated in by many of those who who came second in the 2012 had cut figures in Olympics and Olympics was also powerful. We world championships, so the were nervous.” world watched the competition Yang went into his first match becoming the world champion. with keen interest. What was on the eve of the founding anni- This brought him a double title at more important was that it was versary of the DPRK. He defeated the world contest. the first worldwide contest after the south Korean by a great mar- Yang was born into an ordi- the then International Amateur gin of 11:1 and a Japanese 10:1 nary worker’s family and was Wrestling Federation changed the before rising to the quarterfinal praised as a sports prodigy in his international regulations of wres- to fight with an Iranian who childhood as he was agile and had tling competition, including those unhesitatingly said to a press a good athletic sense. He has for the events of men’s free and conference that he would win. In made untiring efforts since he Greco-Roman styles and women’s the contest of two three-minute chose to be a wrestler at a juvenile free style. rounds the Iranian achieved sports school. Yang Kyong Il from the Ry- points in the first round. Yang The country gave him a warm ongnamsan Sports Team of the who had been seeking a chance of welcome, eulogizing him like a Democratic People’s Republic of attack in the lopsided situation, general on his triumphal return Korea had to fight in the 57 kg succeeded in throwing down his home. category although he had com- opponent by taking him by the When his colleagues congratu- peted in the 55 kg event earlier. legs and jerking him up. The late him for his success he says, He had been known for his wins fierce fighting ended 5:5 but Yang “I’m a People’s Athlete known to at the 2009 World Wrestling was decided to be the winner the whole country and a retainer Championships (this was his for his smart technical move- of a double world championship. first world championship), Ivan ments as prescribed by the But the titles are not so important Yarigin Grand Prix Wrestling regulations. to me as my pride in being a son of Tournament in 2010, and the The final match against the Ryongnamsan.” 2011 Asian Wrestling Champion- Georgian was the fierceness itself. Yang is working harder at the ships. He was the first of sports- By employing his techniques he Ryongnamsan Sports Team of persons in his country to win an had honed through hard train- Kim Il Sung University, the international contest in 2013. ing— the most spectacular one first ever university of the DPRK As the competing regulations was launching a surprise coun- and alma mater of Chairman were different and his rivals were terattack when the rival was en- Kim Jong Il, to keep bringing all formidable, Yang knew he had grossed in attacking—the Korean honour to his country. to put up fierce fighting for the defeated the Georgian 5:3, thus Kim Yong Un

28 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 A Glorious Sight Seen From the Chol Pass

THRIVING SOCIALIST FRUIT GARDEN houses, 90 production and public buildings and A has come into existence next to the Chol Pass 120 km of roads. They worked hard to finish the in Kosan County, Kangwon Province. The pass is extension project by the end of 2014. Thanks to the well known for its steep feature, 16 km up and 16 km devoted efforts of the builders and workers of the down, with 99 turns and bends. There is the Kosan fruit farm, the farm has undergone a radical change Fruit Farm at the foot of the pass. The orchard was in a few years. In the past year they realigned doz- first laid out in 1947 on the mountain slopes and ens of hectares of land, mended the defects of the hillocks. It was planted mainly with apple and pear farm, erected nearly 300 000 concrete props and trees. planted 260 hectares of land with fruit trees. Mean- The Workers’ Party of Korea and the government while, they finished irrigation and drainage works at have taken measures to expand the fruit farm in a 50 spots, 30-km-long water supply projects, 500 new modern way, for it has favourable conditions for homes and 50 public and production buildings. They pomiculture. The builders removed a huge volume of also newly built a wire netting fence factory by their earth, rezoned 2 200 hectares of land and planted own efforts in 50 days, and now the factory has gone fruit trees on it. And they also built 2 000 dwelling into operation. It is producing latticed wire netting, spiral wire netting, rectangular barbed wire and the coil of wire. The farm is now presenting a glorious sight. The builders are keen on their work to make the farm a model orchard befitting the civilized socialist nation, worthy of boasting to the world. In Korea today the song The Sea of Apple Trees at the Foot of the Chol Pass which reflects the wish of the builders, is popular among the people. Kim Sol Gyong

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 29 Visit to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum

(Continued from the last issue) the rear and “encircle and annihi- the enemy’s attack by promptly late” the main units of the KPA going over to defence from attack EAVING THE HALL with their assaulting forces on the with their flanks and vicinal posi- L showing the first stage of the line of the Raktong River and tions kept secure, that for forma- Fatherland Liberation War, we occupy the whole Korea in a short tion of reserve units soldiers, non- went into the hall dedicated to the period of time. In mid- September commissioned officers and officers second stage of the war. 1950 the enemy made an “all-out steeled in the combats were pro- attack” at the front of the Raktong moted to higher ranks in a bold To make a turning point River with huge troops, cannons, manner, that military and politi- in the war situation tanks and aircraft while conduct- cal officers were produced in ing the landing operations in the greater numbers in the military Finding themselves in the Inchon area. The Korean people academies and a large number of danger of being driven out of Ko- were faced with the serious dan- reserve units were formed in the rea after their serious military ger again. liberated south Korean areas. and political losses, the US impe- To cope with the changes in More importantly, he made sure rialists launched a last-ditch at- the military and political situation that a second front was formed to tempt to gain their aggressive end Kim Il Sung put forward the combine operations in the front at any cost. They mobilized all strategic policy for the second with strikes behind the enemy their ground, sea and air forces in stage of the Fatherland Liberation line. He took measures to move the Pacific area, some of the War (September 16, 1950–October munitions factories elsewhere and Mediterranean Fleet, warships in 24, 1950). It aimed at gaining time increase the munitions produc- reserve and their satellite coun- by delaying the speed of the en- tion. Under his leadership the tries’ armed forces to hurl them emy’s advance to facilitate the KPA units conducted numerous into the Korean front. By doing so KPA’s temporary and strategic defence operations and combats they intended to have massive retreat while organizing powerful such as defence combats in the armed forces land in Inchon and counteroffensive forces with new Inchon-Seoul area and on the line occupy Seoul and Inchon and reserve units. To carry out the of the Raktong River, and the advance in the directions of the policy successfully he saw that defence operations along the 38th 38th parallel, Taejon and Wonju combined units under control of parallel and in the north of the so as to cut the KPA’s front from the frontline command delayed parallel, thus striking serious ► Exhibits showing the battle to defend the Inchon-Seoul area.

30 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 ► blows to the enemy and delaying their attacks. As a result, the enemy’s plan of the “general offensive” aimed at occupying the northern half of Korea at a single stroke came to a total failure. We were stuck to photos of the defenders of Wolmi Islet and art works and exihibits that show their brave fighting. Taking Wolmi Islet that commands all the sea routes to Inchon was indis- pensable for the US aggression forces intending to land in Inchon. At the moment there were some 150 combatants including one coast battery and an infantry company. The enemy rained 4-5 shells per 1 square metre of Wolmi Islet which is less than 1 square kilometer in area and bombarded Exhibits showing activities of the people’s guerrillas. it three times 15 minutes before their landing, thus turning it into aggression forces and the 1st and ing facilities, vehicles and farm a sheet of flames. Putting up a 2nd corps of the south Korean pup- products to safety zones and valiant fighting against the nu- pet army. And the 2nd-front units strove to produce more war sup- merically and technically superior dealt heavy blows to the enemy by plies, upholding Kim Il Sung’s enemy, the defenders sank or carrying out activities in the en- historic October 11 radio address destroyed 13 of the enemy war- emy rear centering on the moun- titled Let Us Defend Every Inch of ships of different sorts including tainous area of Kangwon, Hwang- Our Motherland at the Cost of three destroyers, and delayed the hae and South Phyongan prov- Our Blood. The heroic struggle of landing operations of the 10th inces. What is more, the people’s the KPA and all the people ac- Corps of the US by three days at guerrilla armies and youth and complished the strategic tasks of the cost of their lives. children’s guards, organized in the the second stage of the war and During the period of the sec- enemy-occupied areas, carried out made a full preparation for a new ond stage of the war the KPA ferocious attacks. All the people counteroffensive. units inflicted serious damages on including workers and peasants Kim Chol Ung the 1st and 9th corps of the US successfully moved manufactur- (To be continued) Exhibits showing struggles of the second-front units behind the enemy line.

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 31 Sister and Brother Ceramists in Succession to Their Father

N MAY LAST THE 2014 a celadon fruit tray, his first cela- I Shanghai International Ce- don products. After that, in the ramics Exposition was held. In 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, he pro- this exposition the Carp-Pattern duced so many fine artistic ce- Openwork Vase and the Gourd- ramic works that he was known Shaped Grape-Pattern Teapot as a great ceramist in Korea. Af- made at the Ceramic Production ter him, his son and daughter of the Mansudae Art Studio were became ceramists. Here is an highly evaluated. Their producers anecdote about five-year-old Chol are U Pok Dan and U Chol Ryong. Ryong. He used to play only with Their father is U Chi Son who was clay or sand. His elder sister Pok a Kim Il Sung Prize winner and Dan was now a schoolgirl, but she People’s Artist. would join him in the play. Seeing Before liberation U Chi Son the girl fingering with mud, the worked at the Songnim ceramic villagers made a fuss. They were plant and then at the Kaesong annoyed enough at the boy fouling U Pok Dan who created the Koryo pottery. After the country’s the whole place with lumps of Carp-Pattern Openwork Vase. liberation from Japanese military clay, and now, to their occupation in August 1945, he surprise, his sister, too, worked as manager of the Nam- got lost in the play. So, pho ceramic factory rehabilitating not a day passed quietly the factory ravaged by the Japa- for their mother without nese villains before fleeing and hearing grievances of baking chinaware for the people’s neighbours about her use. Meanwhile, he studied hard children. to revive the method of making However, there was a Koryo celadon. In the 1960s, he person who did not pass succeeded in making a chrysan- over their playing casu- themum-pattern celadon pot and ally. It was Chol Ryong’s kindergartener. She saw that his play was not a mere childish pursuit. The clay toys he made were so peculiar, marked U Chol Ryong who created the Gourd- with individuality, and Shaped Grape-Pattern Teapot. elaborate that no other children could imitate. So, she not only countenanced them but took them often to their father’s studio to let them know the process of making craftworks and their purports. In this course, Pok Dan and Chol Ryong gradually came to have a knowledge of the history and trend of ceramic arts. After finishing primary and middle schools, they studied at the Pyongyang University of Fine Arts. After graduation, they came to work at the Ceramic Pro- ►

32 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 Family of Folk Musicians

OT LONG AGO, ON N hearing that a concert would be held in Pyongyang Kim Won Gyun Conservatory to mark the Day of Public Concert of the National Music, we went to the conservatory’s concert hall. It was crowded with teachers and students. Among many folk musicians demonstrating their skills with such national musical instruments as kayagum, janggu, jang- saenap and okryugum, the spectators were especially attracted to a family of instrumentalists giving a successful rendition of folk song The Nodul Riverside. Hwang Jin Chol played the mel- ody by the flute, his wife Ju Hye Ryon with a speculative face at this conservatory for over 30 ers and work hard to master played the junghaegum skillfully, years. He is a man of enthusiasm, them.” Hwang Na Yon who had his eldest daughter Hwang Ryon devoting his all to the develop- won the 21st round of the Febru- A made the best of the song’s ment of folk music. He had writ- ary 16 Art Prize Individual Con- characteristic tune by the yang- ten a dozen reference books like test said, “My father says the gum using four sticks unlike School of the High-pitched Flute nation’s soul and folk music will other musicians who usually use and more than 30 papers includ- never change though generations two sticks, and his second ing Newly Developed Method of change.” daughter Hwang Na Yon demon- Playing the High-pitched Flute Doctor Hwang Jin Chol said strated her extraordinary and Its Scientific Instruction, and to us, “Whenever I see people bowing skill in playing the tae- made an auxiliary device of the dance to the tune of folk musical haegum while significantly sup- high-pitched flute to produce a instruments, I feel unusually porting the sounds of the flute bird call, for which he was given proud. I’ll make steady efforts to and the yanggum. Amid a stormy a patent. complete playing techniques of applause, their faces were all We also met his two daugh- our folk musical instruments.” smiles. ters. Hwang Ryon A said, “My We knew the Korean nation’s Ju Kun Yong, teacher of the parents say to us that it is not an folk music would further develop wind department of the folk in- easy job to be better than others, thanks to efforts of people of his strumental music faculty, told us, and that we must love our in- kind. “Hwang and I have been teaching struments more dearly than oth- Choe Chol Jin

► duction of the Mansudae Art Stu- Inlaid with a Cloud and Crane birth in 2012. At present their ten- dio. Here they acquired a wide Pattern won first prize for its sin- odd works including the Vase knowledge and experience about gular pattern and decoration Inlaid with a Cloud and Crane ceramics and became able ceram- technique respectively at the Pattern, Celadon Inlaid with a ists. They produced fine exquisite Japanese exhibition of modern Magnolia Pattern, Celadon Inlaid artistic ceramics of elegant pat- Koryo celadon and fine paintings with a Flower and Bird Pattern, tern, colour and decoration conge- in1989, the 1998 inter-Korean art and Celadon with an Orchid De- nial to the sentiments of the Ko- exhibition, and the international sign in Relief are preserved as rean people by developing the ceramics exhibition in Shenyang, national treasures. In May last traditional techniques of Koryo China, in July 2007. And the Vase they won honour again at the 2014 celadon to suit the modern aes- Inlaid with a Magnolia and Azalea Shanghai International Ceramics thetic sense. Their products have Pattern produced by them won a Exposition. Their Carp-Pattern won many gold and silver medals gold medal and a certificate of Openwork Vase was awarded a and certificates of merit at exhibi- merit at the state art exhibition top prize for its high artistic tech- tions and fairs at home and held on the occasion of the centen- nique and craftsmanship. abroad. Their joint product Vase ary of President Kim Il Sung’s Sim Yon Ok

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 33 Students’ Art Troupe

N FEBRUARY THIS I year there came a letter of official invitation from the Batida Theatre Company in Copenhagen, Denmark, asking a small-scale students’ art troupe of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to visit Den- mark for a travelling performance.

Packed to Capacity

On the evening of June 12 this year the Korean ments, refined per- students’ art troupe gave its first performance at the formance given by Beti Nanssen Theatre. They put a colourful reper- musical instruments toire on the stage, including chorus Paean to the including kayagum that is possessed of dim and Motherland, small chorus Jubilation of the People, unique timbre… The remarkable artistic ability of instrumental ensembles Arirang and We Are the the performers called forth the admiration and high Happiest in the World, kayagum solo Pyongyang praise of the spectators. Nalpharam, bass guitar solo Song of the Sea, song They responded to the performers with a wild and dance A Picnic for Viewing Flowers, dances A applause, keeping time with music whenever each Herdboy and a Girl and janggu dance, world famous item on the programme was on or singing songs af- music pieces and Danish songs, etc. Clear and ring- ter the performers, sometimes with tears in their ing voices, elegant and national dancing move- eyes. The general manager of the Beti Nanssen ►

34 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 Leaves Deep Impressions

Han Song Sim, who touched the heartstring of the spectators for her silvery voice and unique timbre in the performance, has cultivated her talent while receiving professional training at the faculty of performing art of the Kumsong School. Yun Kyong Sim, who performed kayagum solo Pyongyang Nalpharam and other programmes in the performance, fascinated the spectators by the unique ► Theatre said: The timbre of her instrument. Hyon Ok who appeared on performance given the stage with a bass guitar in the hand played the by the Korean stu- guitar solo Song of the Sea and the like. Ku Sol Song dents’ art troupe is unique and national, and their was in charge of the playing of an electronic musical artistic ability is very high. We are proud of the fact instrument and Kim Jin Hyok took charge of the that the talented Korean students have given their striking of percussion instruments. Those students first performance at my theatre in Denmark and left are now studying at the faculty of instrumental mu- an indelible impression upon the spectators. sic of the Kumsong School. Thak Sol Song who took Their travelling performances in the capital and the part of the herdboy and Pak Yun Gyong who took local cities fascinated the spectators and enjoyed the part of the girl in A Herdboy and a Girl and Jong great popularity among them. After seeing their Un Byol who enthralled the spectators through such performances, spectators and workers of the thea- rhythmic, interesting janggu dances performed to tres said: We sincerely congratulate the young Ko- the rhythms of kutkori and hwimori, etc. are now rean artistes upon their successful performances. intent on their studies in the faculty of dancing of We are struck with admiration for the talent and the same institute. artistic ability of the performers who sang songs All of them developed their artistic talents at while playing musical instruments. We did not extracurricular educational establishments for imagine that the performance would produce such a schoolchildren including the Mangyongdae School- big repercussion among the spectators. Everyone children’s Palace and the Pyongyang Students and who saw their performance would have got a com- Children’s Palace since their primary school days. pletely new understanding of the DPRK. Sinuiju in North Phyongan Province is the home Danish mass media gave a prominent coverage town of Pae Ryong Ju who stirred up the hearts of to the travelling performance of the Korean stu- the spectators through his tactful accordion accom- dents’ art troupe in Denmark and journalists from paniment and fluent singing of the Danish song On the mass media visited even their lodgings and Saturday Night. He learned how to play the accor- places of inspection to ask for their interviews with dion at the Paeksa Kindergarten in his home town. them. Having heard of the scheduled performances In his middle school days he obtained good results in of the Korean students, many people came to see the national solo contests both in vocal and instrumen- performances. As a result, the theatres were filled to tal music. His artistic aptitude was not confined to capacity. Many people intruded their way into the this alone. He is now exerting himself to realize his theatre just before the commencement of the per- dream of growing into a fine future artiste while formance and sat on the floor or on the stairs beside receiving professional education in the faculty of the seats when they were told that tickets had been vocal music at the Kumsong School. sold out and the seats reserved. Ri Song Nyo, senior instructor of the faculty of The officer in charge of cooperation of the Batida instrumental music of the school, says, “The recent Theatre said that at no time had there been an artis- performance boosted my sense of pride in my school tic performance given amid as great an excitement where talented reserve artistes grow up. I’ll con- and admiration of the spectators in the theatre as tinue to train more of artistic talents who will be that day. conducive to the development of the art of my country by conducting my instruction better.” Young Artistes Jo Yong Il

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 35 The Fleet-steed Girl

OME TIME AGO I VISITED make a writer of you. Work hard, S the Sinuiju Cosmetics Fac- and you’ll get an inspiration as to tory. The lifting tune of the song how to write.” Her father never The Fleet-steed Girl was re- helped or praised his young sounding through the compounds daughter when she was plodding of the factory. away at her writing poems or The song was created when lyrics. But his words gave many the Korean people were bringing hints to Kwang Suk who was now about a new upsurge in the revo- in the age of discretion. Most peo- lution full of hope and confidence ple wondered why she had become after the Arduous March and the a worker. However, she did not forced march. It is about the pride care about it, only intent on her and joy of a girl worker who wins tasks. Meanwhile, she studied by fame as a fleet-steed girl working herself the subjects of the linguis- miracles and innovations in the tics course of the college of educa- van of the advancing times. With tion and, at the same time, at- burn with a poetical inspiration. its simple and popular words, the tended the study-while-working She needed not rack her brains to song is even now widely sung college. search for the right words. She among the people from all walks During the Arduous March wrote in her diary about the oc- of life because it reflects the and the forced march, she grew up currences of that day and put the thoughts and emotions of the into a mistress at invention and a words in verses. Then it became people working hard for a better much praised multi-machine op- lyrics of fine words of vivid repre- tomorrow. The music sounding erator. In those days she produced sentation vibrant with the lyrical gaily, the compounds were alive many lyrics including the ones heroine’s breathing. It was com- with vigour and vitality. When I entitled Blockade and Girls and pleted in a moment. Kwang Suk’s said the song was best suited to The Beautiful Socialist Girl. They adroit manner of work as a girl the factory as its workers were enjoyed public favour for their riding a fleet steed, her life itself, mostly women, manageress Kim true feelings and vivid expres- brought about a big leap in her Hye Yong answered, “Yes, you’re sions. In 1999 she decided to write literary work. As soon as the lyr- right. The woman who wrote the words for a song that would com- ics was set to music and made words of the song is in this prehensively represent the joy, public as a song, it was enthusi- factory.” So I met Ri Kwang Suk zest, pride and worth of their astically received by the people. who is still now called by people working life, because she keenly The song was played in breaks of as “Fleet-steed Girl” due to the felt the great honour and worth of work, at holiday scenes of merry song. their work while seeing the deep dancing, at the venues of sports Her childhood dream was to concern shown by the state about games, and at all places where become a poet or a writer. Many the production of the factory even people gathered. writings of her childhood were in the hard time. Especially, the Kwang Suk, now a mother of a printed in newspapers and other appearance of the country chang- ten-year-old son, is an acknowl- publications. In the primary and ing day after day overcoming the edged worker writer. One day a middle school days she won five difficulties and looks of the fac- new writer visited her to hear her literary prizes including “Our tory rising vigorously from de- experiences and asked her why Classroom” prizes, the envy of all pression inspired her with great she refuses to work at the young literary aspirants. Surpris- confidence and energy. She told professional literary production ingly enough, she became a herself, “I must write about this company. To this she replied, worker of the cosmetics factory pride and joy, and about the “Because I love the fleet-steed girl after finishing her middle source of this zest.” in my heart just as people love to schooling. She did so because she The day when she received a sing the song The Fleet-steed followed the advice of her father bunch of flowers in praise of her Girl.” who is well versed in literature. fulfilling the annual quota ahead He told her, “A desk job won’t of schedule, her heart began to Ri Kum Chol

36 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 An Elderly Woman’s Recollection

AM PROUD OF BEING A CITIZEN OF more affluent with each passing day. In the thrilling “I the DPRK.” This is a remark the Japanese reality they made a happy home of their own, which woman Yongsong Min Ok (Nagamats Toshiko by the had been impossible before. Japanese name) made the day she received a But the happiness of life they enjoyed for the first birthday spread from the country on her 100th birth- time could not last long due to the Korean war (June day that fell on July 4 this year. Her confession 1950 – July 1953) detonated by the US imperialists. consummated her life of all vicissitudes, impressing Kun Yong volunteered to the front and fought val- her children and friends who were there celebrating iantly, dying a heroic death in battle. Two of their her birthday. children lost their lives because of the germ warfare She was born into a worker’s family in the then carried out by the American barbarians. Kojimatsi Nagadats, Tokyo. Following her parents, Min Ok was grief-stricken for the loss of her hus- she left her native place and moved to Korea and band and two children. And she felt miserable for her then China–settling nowhere. In the course of this livelihood as she had no citizenship of the DPRK yet. she was bereaved of her father, the breadwinner of She thought she had to return to Japan to reunite the family, and her family was deeply indebted. So with her mother, siblings and relatives. But she gave she was sold off to a restaurant in the then Nampho up the idea since she knew she did not like Japan and was subjected to humiliation and insult of all where she had had sufferings alone as child. More- hues and slavery. There were occasions for her to over, Japan was assisting the Americans who had shake off such pains, and that was whenever she met killed her husband and children. She remembered a Korean young man named Kim Kun Yong she had what Kun Yong had told her before leaving for the made an acquaintance with. The boy was working at front: he had asked her to trust the DPRK and find Nampho Port and he sometimes met her to show her living in the country, no longer thinking that she sympathy with and console her although she was was a foreigner. At the time the government was Japanese. Later they got married dreaming of a pursuing the policy of preferentially looking after the happy family, went to China again and worked dili- families in difficult living conditions although it was gently. However, their living condition would not wartime when the country was in ruins with every- improve. They were worse and worse off as they had thing in short supply. Her family with six children a number of children. also received a dwelling ahead of others, and an Their poverty-stricken life changed to a hopeful enough ration of food as well. Her neighbours taught one when they returned to the DPRK in 1949. In the her Korean language and helped her bring up the country they saw everybody striving for the building children. of a new democratic Korea helping and leading one Finally she abandoned her foreigner’s resident another forward. The people’s life was becoming card and applied for a citizenship card of the DPRK. She began to work at a local cooperative farm and Centenarian Yongsong Min Ok (second left). devoted her all to the growing of silkworms. Soon she became well known to the farm for her skill, and was granted prizes. She also received citations. Thanks to the country’s education system, her children received primary and secondary schooling without paying a penny and were given jobs according to their hopes and aptitudes. Some of her children went to college. Now she has got as many as 40 descendants. Living in Sangbisok-dong, Hanggu District, Nam- pho, she often tells her descendants that they should work harder to implement policies of the DPRK if they want to keep their happy home. Sim Chol Yong

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 37 Brisk Activities for Protection of the Disabled security and health service poli- tion of disability and enhance- cies. In June 1946 the Provisional ment of the social standings of the People’s Committee of North Ko- disabled persons. All this helps rea proclaimed the law on labour the disabled to play their role as of the blue- and white-collar true masters of society. workers in north Korea. The law With the amendment and specified the measures for the supplementation of the Law of the livelihood of those who could not Democratic People’s Republic of go to work for their physical dam- Korea on the Protection of the ages from labour accidents. This Person with Disability in 2013 a gave rise to the work for the pro- far better condition was laid for tection of the disabled persons in the defence of the rights and in- Korea, and it may be called the terest of the disabled in all fields beginning of the effort. The sol- of the social life and for the provi- EPARTMENT CHIEF JONG diers who became disabled during sion of stable livelihood. D Hyon of the Central Com- the Fatherland Liberation War The point in the protection of mittee of the Korea Federation for (June 25, 1950–July 27, 1953) the disabled in recent years has the Protection of the Disabled was were registered as honoured dis- been that the activities of the interviewed by Korea Today on abled soldiers while those who sports and artistic associations the occasion of the International had been disabled due to the have become brisk. The Korean Day of Persons with Disabilities. atrocities of the enemy were put team won the swimming event at Excerpts: to the state protection for their the 14th Paralympics in Britain in How was the International medical treatment. 2012 and carried off several silver Day of Persons with Disabilities The disabled are provided and bronze medals in the swim- instituted? with all necessaries of life and ming and table tennis events at There are nearly 600 million living conditions at the state bur- the 3rd Asian Youth Paralympics disabled people around the world. den. Rehabilitation centres have in Malaysia in 2013. The artistic According to a recent release, the been laid at provincial, city and association is also working ac- disabled account for 20 per cent of county people’s hospitals, to say tively; it staged joint performance the poor population in the devel- nothing of the central hospitals; with professional artistic groups oping countries. In order to de- sanatoriums have been estab- on the National Day of the Dis- fend the rights and interest of the lished in Talchon, South Hwang- abled Persons and the Interna- disabled and provide them with hae Province, and many other tional Day of Persons with Dis- the same living condition as that parts of the country. The travel- abilities. This caused great reper- of the normal people the UN de- ling to and from the sanatoriums cussions at home and abroad. clared 1981 as the International is paid by the state, as well. The effort for protection of the Year of Persons with Disabilities In order to develop the protec- disabled is now supported by ac- and the UN General Assembly in tion of the disabled in an all- tive international cooperation, 1992 decided December 3 when round and coordinated way, the isn’t it? the World Programme of Action state developed the Korean Asso- We are deeply interested in Concerning Disabled Persons was ciation for the Support of the Dis- international cooperation as well. adopted as the International Day abled Persons (organized on July Particular attention is paid at of Persons with Disabilities. 29, 1999) into the Central Com- present to the interchange with How is the campaign for the mittee of the Korea Federation for Korean nationals overseas and disabled going on in Korea? the Protection of the Disabled on international organizations that The looking after of the dis- July 27, 2005. The committee has are interested in rehabilitation of abled people began soon after the the mission of representing all the disabled children in Korea. In nation was liberated from the rights and interest of the disabled April last year a Hungarian dele- Japanese imperialists’ military persons in Korea. By means of gation visited the Rehabilitation occupation (August 15, 1945). In different forms of support, activi- Clinic of the Disabled Children in the early years of the building of a ties of their defence and press and Korea. In June and September a new Korea the state began to other information services it pro- number of overseas Koreans and assume responsibility for the dis- motes rehabilitation of the dis- delegations of international or- abled-related work, their liveli- abled persons’ mental and physi- ganizations looked round the re- hood and health care in particu- cal functions, the laying of dis- habilitation clinic before exchang- lar, by way of enforcing social ability-free environment, preven- ing opinions about how to improve ►

38 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 Short Story My Subworkteam Members

By Pyon Chang Ryul

(Continued from the last bered she had put the bill under a she was going to be rebuked by issue) stone before she washed her Hyo Sun for the matter of sub- clothes in the stream. But she did mitting a report of man-days of AVING ASKED YONG AE not want to tell the truth, so she labour. Now she decided there H to look after the subwork- said a lie, “I’m sorry I’ve put it in was no other alternative but to team, Chun Hwa washed her the publicity material I gave to speak frankly to Hyo Sun. working garment and spread it on Yong Ae. Well, wait. I’ll get it in a Chun Hwa sighed and headed the pebbles. Then she washed her minute.” for her home. Fortunately, Hyo hair. Chun Hwa hurriedly put on Sun was not at home. Her mother It was arranged that she was her shoes. told that Myong Sik had been at to take the afternoon bus to the Hyo Sun said, “Then, I’ll ask home and that he had had a few town and return home the next Yong Ae for it tomorrow myself. I words with Hyo Sun before he had day. She heard that a newly know you’re busy preparing for left immediately. opened restaurant in the town the trip. You’ve little time to go to Chun Hwa sighed a sigh of was preparing a special service the field.” relief but had a doubt on the other for the model workers who were to But Chun Hwa began to make way. She put toilet things and make appearance on the TV stage a dash to the stream, leaving Hyo cosmetics in her bag and hung it and that other catering and ser- Sun’s dissuading words behind. on a hanger on the wall. She fell vice establishments were also But she could not find the bill on into a thought, unable to decide offering them kindly and sincere the stream. She looked here and what to do. What to do with the care. there, supposing the bill had been bill of man-days of labour? Would Chun Hwa left the stream flown in the wind. No sign of it at it be better to open her heart to thinking over what she was going all. As she had put it under a Hyo Sun about the bill or make to tell at the TV stage. Getting stone, it could not be flown in the another bill by recollecting the home she was ironing her clothes, wind. It would be a great mishap labour of the past five days? She when there was a calling of her if it had been taken by children. thought she could remember the from outside. It was Hyo Sun who She knew if it had been taken by five days’ work of the members of entered the house. Chun Hwa felt any child it would have soared up her subworkteam. All the mem- like to ask why Hyo Sun had gone into the sky or crumpled. She had bers except two women on mater- to the Eighth Workteam the pre- seen her nephews do it very often. nity leave and a man on a sick off- vious evening, but suppressed it. She knew she should have told day had been at work. The man- She looked up with a smile. Hyo Hyo Sun the truth. She could re- days of labour of each of the Sun said, “I’m here to ask for the write the bill again referring to members were rather same, and bill of man-days of labour. You the individual cards of the work- she could not tell them exactly. know it is high time to make pubic ers even if it would be late for a Now Chun Hwa produced a few the man-days for ten days. I’m few days. But as she had told a lie, sheets of the form of man-days of afraid you’re late with the sub- she would be in a perplexing labour, and began to fill in. She mission of the bill.” situation. put in the date and the names of Chun Hwa readily stood up Lies are the shield of the her workers. She decided to put in and looked for her working gar- weak, Chun Hwa thought. She the name of the work and the ment. She was frightened now to regretted she herself told a lie. practical point of work after all see it hanging from the clothes She felt sorry about herself. She fillings, and began to fill in line outdoors. Now she remem- was displeased about herself since the point of labour. When she ►

► the upbringing and education of the invitation of the Central aids. The Central Committee of the disabled children and their Committee of the Korea Federa- the Korea Federation for the Pro- rehabilitation. They said they tion for the Protection of the Dis- tection of the Disabled is deter- would have better exchange and abled performed surgical opera- mined to continue with coopera- cooperation in the field. Last year tions on cataract cases at several tion with more international or- a delegation of Tilganga Eye Cen- hospitals and donated a lot of ganizations and national associa- tre, Nepal, visited my country at ophthalmic facilities and other tions in different spheres.

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 39 ► finished one third of her work, She realized Myong Sik and Hyo who had lost the last bridge that there rang Myong Sik’s voice call- Sun had gone to the Eighth was connected to the earthly ing her from outside. She Workteam to make up what she paradise of the happiness. Like a abruptly felt an urge to see him as had done wrong. They had ac- young girl standing by the flooded if she had not seen him for days. cepted it as their unfinished job river. She knew Myong Sik had Her mother in the kitchen opened when she herself thought it was a expected her to look for the bill, the door and greeted him in. Then matter of the past. rummaging up and down the she went to the back garden of the Myong Sik said, “I thought you stream. And he must have ex- house, saying she was going to would more seriously take the pected me to be chagrined by the pick some vegetables. collective reaction of your sub- failure to make sure that the Chun Hwa pushed aside what worteam members on the stream workers saw the students’ per- she was writing and welcomed yesterday than any criticism or formance, she thought. But I was Myong Sik into the room. advice. So, I believed you would go doing none of them while feeling “What were you writing? Were to the Eighth Workteam after the nothing about the happenings. It you preparing a speech? Shall I meeting. But you didn’t. I was was true that I thought it a thing check it?” Myong Sik asked in a embarrassed to hear the sub- of the past to help the workers see careless way, looking through the workteam heads of the Eighth the performance. sheets of paper on the table. Workteam praise you. At the mo- They say love is the spark “I lost the bill of man-days of ment Hyo Sun came to the work- coming from the joining of two labour for five days,” Chun Hwa team. She earnestly asked the hearts. The spark joins with an- answered, “I’ve been making the students to stage another per- other to be bigger ones and shine bill anew.” She pushed aside the formance for the members of the through the life. Such sparks had paper sheets to one side of the Third Subworkteam who were the been evident in our hearts as well, table. first to finish the rice transplan- and I thought our sparks had Myong Sik frowned and tation in the county.” flared into flames in our hearts, watched Chun Hwa in her face Chun Hwa apologized, saying, Chun Hwa had thought. Was it a staringly. His eyes felt dubious “I know I was wrong. I’m sorry fantasy? Was it a mistaken im- and doubtful. I’ve caused such a trouble to you.” age? “You’re going to be more and Chun Hwa made a sincere Cheating the masses and your more …” he opened but stopped apology, but Myong Sik would not own conscience! short. More and more what? Chun give up his rigid manners. Chun Hwa remembered the Hwa stared Myong Sik in his face. “Even if I pardon you, how days when she had met him for “What are you going to do could you make an apology to your the first time. Was there anything about yesterday’s happening?” workers?” Myong Sik asked. “It’s private that sealed the bond be- Myong Sik asked in a serious the same with the bill of man- tween us? Chun Hwa asked her- voice. days of labour. One day you in- self. She knew Myong Sik had Chun Hwa tried to think what sulted your workers as if you were once said he saw her warm heart had happened the day before. giving a great prize to them by in her care for the members of her What did he mean by yesterday’s giving a 0.5 point and now you’re subworkteam and her devoted happening? She asked herself. making up the bill as you like. service for them. And he had be- “Then, you forgot it clean?” You think it isn’t any matter with lieved she would be so much Myong Sik asked. you to give an absurd assessment genuine and enthusiastic about “What do you mean?” Chun about their work done.” their own relationship. But today Hwa asked in an angry voice. Chun Hwa’s eyes fell, and she he came to doubt the truth of their “I mean the artistic perform- seemed to know what he was so relation for her hypocritical act. ance of the schoolchildren,” angry about. That was quite natural. Myong Sik announced. “Do you “I didn’t know you’re such a Myong Sik poured sharp criti- think you are conscientious when liar. You cheated the masses and cism on her: you cannot expect to you did such a thing? You should your own conscience,” Myong Sik have any private love for any have gone to the Eighth Work- declared. individual apart from the love for team after the meeting of the Even deceived her spouse! She the collective or the masses, and, management board to have a mumbled to herself. if any, it is doomed to fail after all. discussion about the arrangement Myong Sik was silent for a Chun Hwa felt as if her heart of the performance with the while. Presently he said, “I’ve were pierced through. She raised teacher of the music circle. Is it mistaken you, Chun Hwa,” he her face, wiping her tears. She too long a way for you to go? It is said groaningly. His voice was could see her own image in the within a calling distance from soaked with anxiety. Chun Hwa looking glass glaring at herself here, you know.” seemed as if she had heard her seriously. Now Chun Hwa remembered. heart fall with a thud. Like a girl (To be continued)

40 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 Spring Beside Kumgang Cave Makes Vision Acute

ISIBLE BESIDE THE the black apple of his eyes began so than his misty eyes became V Kumgang Cave in Mt. Myo- to turn grey in the long run as if bright in an instant. After looking hyang is a spring that gushes out it were shrouded by fog. With his closely at the bird with his bright- from under a big rock. Woven eyesight becoming dim, he could ened eyes, he realized that in the around this spring is the follow- no longer recognize even a nearby spring of the previous year he had ing legend. person. His eye disease grew gone up a mountain to gather fire- In the lower village down the worse, but the rich man tor- wood and delivered a nest out of Hyangsan Valley there was a boy mented him so that he could not danger by striking to death a who was working as a farmhand take a rest even for a moment. snake that was setting its eyes on in the rich man’s house. Taken off The boy got impatient. He was ill bird eggs and that the aforesaid to the well-to-do landlord’s house at ease, saying inwardly, “I fear blue bird was none other than because of the debts he had owed I’ll go blind once and for all.” the mother bird of that nest. to him for the rice borrowed on One day a little bird with blue The bird reciprocated the fa- an annual interest, the boy was feathers and the yellow stuff of vour of the boy without forgetting hard at work, subjected to all the neck came flying and perched it by finding out medicinal water sorts of humiliating insults and on a tree branch in front of him helpful to the healing of his eye maltreatment. and twittered, craning its neck disease. It flew away to the green He had to get up early in the repeatedly as if consoling him forest after chirping with its morning and boil cattle feed and when he was sobbing, overcome bill perking up on the tree as if then sweep the yard. He had to with sorrow. overcome with joy. The boy felt work in the fields or collect fire- Then the bird flew up and thankful to the bird, indeed. wood in the daytime and had to made a gesture of “Come here!” He frequented the Kumgang twist straw ropes in the evening. after circling round over the head Cave indicated by the bird to Whenever he had a breathing of the boy several times. It was drink the spring water and wash space the master growled in a not in bad sight but its behaviour his eyes with the water. To his haughty manner and flicked a was so strange that the boy went surprise he was completely cured whiplash at him. following it up in the direction in of his disease and became able to The boy went round busily which it kept flying away. see even a long way off. like a toy top all day along, and The bird, after taking wings Knowing this by hearsay, peo- only when the night was far ad- for a good, sat before a big rock ple living in Mt. Myohyang began vanced he, reduced to a pulp, that was covered with moss and to cure their eye disease with this used to drop off to sleep at a cor- the vine of tolmoru (a sort of spring water. ner of the hovel used for the boil- climbing plants belonging to the That is why they came to call ing of cattle feed. He could hardly grape family). Limpid spring wa- the water Myongansu (the water take a proper meal and the work ter was gushing out of the crevices making vision acute). Myongansu he was doing was toilsome. So the of the rock in a steady flow. The is underground water gushing long drawn-out eye disease he bird drank the spring water and out of the crevices of a rock in a had suffered from since early got its eyes and head wet with the thick forest. It is not only clear spring that year became more water. Having stepped up to the and good to taste but also effica- serious with every passing day. place, the boy drank the water by cious to a certain degree in treat- His eyes became gummy dread- dipping his hands first, as was ing both eye and internal dis- fully, the white of his eyes was done by the bird. Then he washed eases. congested with blood entirely and his eyes. No sooner had he done Choe Chol Ho

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 41 Korean Folklore Museum

(Continued from the last issue)

Customs of Family Life

E ENTERED ANOTHER ROOM IN WHICH W are on display visual aids and other materials showing old customs of family life of the Korean people regarding the birthday celebration, wedding, memorial service and greetings. Pointing to a doll of child at the table laid in celebration of its first birthday, the guide explained about the celebration of the children’s first anniversary of birth. “From ancient times the Korean people made new rainbow-striped jackets and prepared a special table for their children on their first birthday. On the table were laid different kinds of foods, rice, money, a bow, a book and a brush. According to what the baby grasped, they anticipated its talent and future, wishing it A ceremony of celebrating the would grow to be a laudable person.” first birthday of a baby. The guide said relatives and neighbours used to pay a visit giving a gift like clothes, toys, foods and of the man and wife getting old together until parted money as a token of congratulation. “Loving the by death. children was regarded as a beautiful long-standing Hearing his explanation, we looked round dis- practice in our country,” said the guide before talking plays including a box of dress materials for the wed- about the customs of wedding ceremony. ding, a saddle on horseback and visual aids showing Wedding is one of the biggest ceremonies in the the wedding process. According to the guide, the family. In the past Koreans held Kwanrye and bridegroom’s family sent a box of dress materials to Kyerye before having the wedding ceremony. Kwan- the bride’s family before the wedding ceremony while rye was a ceremony held to honour men’s entering the bride’s family prepared materials for a new the adulthood while Kyerye was the one to do the home. When the bridegroom got to the bride’s house, same for women. On the occasion men tied their hair he presented a wooden wild goose to her mother, upward while women fixed a pin to fasten the rolled- which signaled his trust in and love for his spouse. At up hair. The guide said that the wedding ceremony the wedding ceremony the bridegroom stood in the was a good reflection of the Koreans’ lofty manners of east and the bride in the west to make deep bows to morality and emotions of everyday life, the customs each other and then exchanged a gourd of wine as a ►

A wedding ceremony. Different bridal costumes of some areas.

42 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014

► sign of their allegiance to lasting bond of marriage. The arrangement of the wedding table varied a little from region to region, and they mostly included a couple of bottles with a pine and a bamboo in them, jujubes, chestnuts and a couple of chickens. We saw the model attire of the bride and the bridegroom, the wedding carriage of the bride, the costumes of the brides in different areas, and other displays, which give good information about the customs of wedding in the contemporary times. What was peculiar about the wedding ceremony was the bride’s making a bow to her parents-in-law, when she offered a tray of jujubes to her father-in-law and a tray of dried Photos and data on forms of graves in relevant historical periods. meat to her mother-in-law. Saying that Koreans regarded it as an obligation In the hall were also photos and data on the to hold the elderly in respect and take good care of shapes of graves in each of the historical stages from them, the guide explained, “The most important the primitive and ancient to the middle ages, includ- ceremony for the elderly was their 60th birthday. On ing dolmen, jar grave and stone-coffin grave. the occasion the children prepared new clothes for We also saw some documents on greeting man- their parents while giving a feast. At the ceremony ners in the past, which show that the Koreans made they offered toasts to the parents in order of age, greetings at meeting or parting by bending the body made bows and presented their gifts. Relatives and and dropping the head and that the mode of their neighbours joined the celebration, behaving in the respectful and sincere greeting words was different same way.” according to occasions, places and persons concerned. The guide added that the Koreans now in the age We stepped into the next hall. of the Workers’ Party of Korea sing of long life in Jo Yong Il good health, proud of being still “young” at 60 and (To be continued) celebrating the “successful completion of a round of life” at 90. Mourning attires. Hearing the guide we went to look at a picture of a folding-screen style. The ten-screen work was Pic- ture of a Life by Sin Yun Bok, a famous painter in the 18th century. It shows the contemporary customs and manners of attire, dwelling, table, family life and folk games. “You can also have a good idea of the good morality of the Korean people from the practices of mourning service. They had a nice habit of forming a kind of association of neighbours to have mourning service,” said the guide, leading us to some relevant visual aids. There on display were some historical relics like an incense-burning table, an incense con- tainer and an incense burner which had been used at mourning. There I saw a figure of male child of the dead wearing a straw-roped hemp hat and straw sandals with a thick straw rope wound around the middle of the body, and a figure of female child of the dead wearing a straw-roped-hat and straw sandals with a straw rope wound around the middle of the body. The guide pointed to Sinju, which she said was a piece of wood inscribed with the name and rank of the dead. It was used in memorial service.

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 43 Mt. Chilbo Area Registered as World Biosphere Reserve

The Ryongso Falls. HE 26TH CONFERENCE OF THE UNESCO T International Coordination Council for Human and Biosphere Planning was held in Sweden on June 10-13 this year. The meeting decided on registering the Mt. Chilbo area in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea as a world biosphere reserve. With the locality’s unique and rich biodiversity clarified in detail and with the area registered as a world biosphere reserve, a more favourable environment has come for the protection of the biodiversity. Mt. Chilbo on the coast of the clear and blue East Sea of Korea presents incalculable views of curious peaks rising high, precipitous cliffs, and deep valleys covered with rocks of strange formation and richly-wooded forests. Stone gates, caves in cliffs, gorges of unique and various shapes and large and small falls formed in every ravine make the ►

44 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 The White Rocks in Mt. Chilbo.

► natural scenery more lovely and picturesque. Because of physiographic peculiarity and abun- Nongbu Rocks. dant feed environment, there live more than 800 species of higher plants and hundreds of species of vertebrate animals in the Mt. Chilbo area. Besides, plants and animals that are of great economic value and scientific significance are distributed, including Songi mushroom that is famous as a speciality of Mt. Chilbo. That is why this area is considered to be a “storehouse” of gene multifamily. Also to be found in Mt. Chilbo are precious natural monuments of the nation as well as ruins and relics of the primitive, ancient and mediaeval ages showing the time-honoured history of Korea. Songi mushroom-gathering in Mt. Chilbo. This biosphere reserve abounds in mineral spring resources including the Hwangjin, Sari, Taho and Manho spas. These resources are now making a great contribution to the promotion of human health. Thanks to the policy of the country, Mt. Chilbo has been built up more splendidly as a people’s rec- reation ground and a celebrated mountain. No won- der that the number of sightseers from many countries is also on the increase year in and year out.

Kim Un Jong

Tal Gate in Sea Chilbo.

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 45 The Four Falls in Mt. Kumgang

ISIBLE IN THE CENTRAL changes in various forms accord- stages as if blowing off powdered V part of the east coast of Ko- ing to the shape of the rock face snow. To be found below is a long rea is Mt. Kumgang. It is known and finds its way into Pongh- and round blue-black whirlpool as one of the six noted mountains wangdang, an elongated whirl- covering a space of nearly 200 of Korea. pool shaped like a small dining square metres. The stream water To be seen in this mountain table. flies down furiously and vigor- are the Kuryong, Pibong, Okyong The Okyong Falls is situated ously onto the glossy and whitish and Sibi falls that are called the in the upper reaches of the rock. So the falls looks somewhat Four Falls. The Kuryong and Kumgang Stream in Tanphung- sequestered and yet refreshed, Pibong falls are found in Outer ri, Kumgang County. The fitting in well with the thickly Kumgang. The magnificent and streams that start from Oknyo wooded forest in the vicinity. vigorous Kuryong Falls offers a and Yongnang peaks meet at a The Sibi Falls is located in a grand spectacle with crystal-clear point before falling down a cliff. valley in Outer Kumgang where water cascading tens of metres Hence the name Okyong Falls. there stands the Songnim Tem- down the cliff without letup. It is The falls is 31 metres high (10 ple. The water comes down a 12- 74 metres high, 84 metres long metres high at the first stage and tiered cliff. That is why it is called and 4 metres wide and is abun- 21 metres at the second) and the Sibi Falls. It is the highest of dant in the volume of water. The three metres wide. Its face is the four falls in Mt. Kumgang and falls sounds like shaking heaven about 20 metres wide. After get- the falls throughout Korea. It is and earth, drops of water remind ting into the mortar-like hollow 289 metres high and four metres you of billions of pearls pouring formed on the face of the falls, wide. The maximum height be- down, and the water course looks the water comes down in two tween the tiers is 80 metres and ► as if a roll of white silk cloth were hanging down the sharp-cut cliff The Kuryong Falls. face. A rainbow rising from there makes all visitors to this falls feel refreshed and gives them a charming effect. Seen below the falls is Kuryongyon or Nine- Dragon Pool. To be found in the circularly hollowed-out stone like the body of a mortar—13 metres deep—is glittering blue water that flows in whirls at all times. Once upon a time nine dragons are said to have lived there. Hence the name Kuryongyon. The Pibong Falls is 139 metres high (166 metres long) and four metres wide. Clouds of spray sent up by waters of the falls dance gently and sluggishly with the rising of a whirlwind. This makes you feel as if a phoenix were flying up to the sky, swing- ing its tail. Hence the name the Pibong Falls. The summit of its towering upper part seems to have reached a white cloud floating in the sky. And water of the falls, while cascading down to some extent, gently bumps against the deeply hollowed-out spots on the wall of the falls, thus getting dispersed in all directions and changing into misty clouds of spray, and partly coming down in torrents just as they are. This appearance pro- vides a grand sight. The current

46 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 Joint Stamp Show Promotes Friendship

I’ll work hard for cultural Russia and the DPRK. This is my exchange and friendship first visit to Korea, and I have got a very good impression from it; the This is my first visit to Korea people are nice and Korea has a and I have a very good impres- good nature. The most impressive sion. The most impressive was to me as architect is that the ar- that the Korean people gave us chitectural formation of Pyongy- warm hospitality with feelings ang is excellent. The city is laid of friendship. I didn’t expect the out harmoniously. The bird’s-eye Korean Stamp Museum is well view of Pyongyang from the belve- furnished. It’s a really wonderful dere of the Tower of the Juche museum. And the Korean stamps Idea is marvellous. High-rise are excellent. On this occasion I buildings are simple and clean, knew that the Korean philatelists and in harmony with each other. have high skills, and the overall The Pyongyang Metro is really management of the show was of a wonderful like an art theatre. high level. I am pleased that the When I heard that many of the wonderful structures were de- Andrei Vadimovich Strygin, mass media of this country had widely introduced the joint show. signed by the architects of the president of the Russian Korea has many young philate- Mansudae Art Studio, I had an National Philatelists Academy. lists, and a lot of people came to urge to visit the studio and talk to see the show. I am very impressed them. The Korean artists have STAMP SHOW OF by the structures of high forma- great talents, indeed. As architect, A philatelists of the DPRK and tive representation in Pyongyang, I am ready to have exchange and Russia was successfully held in modernly-built Munsu Water Pyongyang in September last Park, a high level of acrobatics in under the co-sponsorship of the this country and the historic relics Korean Philatelists Union and in Kaesong. All the members of the Russian National Philatelists my delegation have got nice im- Academy. The president of the pressions. We have a saying, “If Russian academy and head of the you know and understand each Russian delegation, summing up other, it will be the beginning of the current show, said that he got mutual affection.” During my stay a better idea about the history, I have got a better understanding culture and reality of Korea dur- of the history and culture of Ko- ing his sojourn through the recent rea. A few days after my arrival I show, and that he felt once again got a feeling of friendship with the the Korean people’s warm sense Korean people. I love Korea. I’ll of friendship with Russia. After contribute to further strengthen- going round the show the first- ing of cultural exchange and vice president of the Council of friendship between Russia and the Russian Federation wrote in Korea by arraning more shows. the visitor’s book that it was a good thing to hold a joint stamp Andrei Vadimovich Strygin, S. B. Tkachenko, head of show of the two countries, that president of the Russian the Architectural Designing he extended thanks to the au- National Philatelists Academy Institute of the Mosproekt-5. thority of the DPRK for giving an opportunity to hold the show, I aspire to exchange cooperation with the studio. and that the friendship between and cooperation Russia and the DPRK is S. B. Tkachenko, head of strengthening with each passing The success of the current joint the Architectural Designing day. show belongs to the philatelists in Institute of the Mosproekt-5

► the minimum is 16 metres. The Chaeha Peak. The appearance of called a white rainbow. Sounds of water flowing from the valley the water pouring down from the the falls are uproarious. between the Chaeha Peak (1 588 soaring cliff makes one feel as if a Many sightseers come to see metres) and Mt. Wangchongbaek roll of white silk suspended from these four falls in Mt. Kumgang. (1 482 metres) falls in stages the sky were fluttering in the down the southern cliff of the wind. From olden times it was Choe Chol Jin

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 47 Serious Things in the Asia-Pacific

ENTURY AFTER CEN- massively reinforced in and south Korea, which is supposed to C tury the Korean peninsula around south Korea. be used to watch main points in has been the ground of confronta- The American military drills its territory. tion between powers. In this cen- and arms buildup for the purpose The Asia-Pacific region is tury, particularly in 2014, it has of aggression elicited the DPRK’s turning into a ground of show- been the hottest spot in the world hard-line countermeasures and down of forces and arms race. due to the ant-DPRK policy and strong reactions of the neighbour- This is totally because of the US’s Asia-Pacific priority policy of the ing countries. The DPRK made its policy of giving importance to the US. harder-line stand clear by releas- Asia-Pacific. The Americans in- From February this year the ing a number of statements in- tend to get hold of the DPRK—as Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint cluding the one of the spokesper- they do south Korea at the mo- military rehearsals of the US and son of the general staff of the ment—and use it as a spring- south Korea took place one after Korean People’s Army in August board to gain control of the re- another in the southern half of in which it declared that the gional powers and establish an the peninsula at the American DPRK would launch the most order of American domination. initiative. A combined landing powerful, merciless pre-emptive The basic means in their pursu- exercise which was the largest strike in advance at a certain time ance is the military force. Guided since 1993 and a combined joint it would choose. Meanwhile, the by the strategy, the US recklessly air drill which was the largest nation conducted different sorts of carries out military exercises and ever in scale went off recklessly. military exercises including the arms buildup to take supremacy In August south Korea was swept missile-launching drills. over the DPRK and its by the Ulji Freedom Guardian On May 20 this year Russia neighbourly powers and gain a joint military exercises into which and China adopted a joint state- military control. Misleading the were hurled a huge force of the ment which noted that they would world opinion by talking as if US aggression troops and the join efforts in the political, mili- peace were in danger due to the south Korean puppet army and as tary and other fields to oppose the DPRK’s possession of nuclear many as 480 000 south Korean American strategy of giving pri- weapons and rocket-launching civilians. ority to the Asia-Pacific. They exercises and the neighbourly All the military drills con- have since headed for its imple- nations, the US is justifying ducted by the US in south Korea mentation. While maintaining a its military exercises and arms were aimed at conquest of Py- tough stand against the US, Rus- buildup. This is a poor pretext to ongyang, the capital of the DPRK, sia is channelling efforts into accomplish its strategy of control and targeted at the supreme development of latest offensive of the Asia-Pacific by means of the leadership of the country. The Ulji and defence weapons like new- military force. Freedom Guardian exercises em- generation strategic bombers and The Russian deputy foreign ployed the so-called “tailored de- long-range interceptor missiles minister said that the US would terrent strategy” that is geared to that will surpass the American have aggravated the Russo- launch a pre-emptive attack types. High-ranking officials of American relations by finding against the DPRK with all the the US Air Force said that Rus- fault with another problem but for military potentials including the sian strategic bombers were rou- the Ukrainian incident, and nuclear weapons at their own tinely flying as far as to Guam, an added that the strife between the discretion in peacetime as well as American dominion, and the coast two countries is unavoidable at in wartime. Meanwhile, in August of California in the west of the US present. three B-2 strategic bombers which mainland and that accordingly For the sake of a single coun- can carry 16 nukes and reach any the number of sorties of the try, many nations’ security is spot in the Asia-Pacific region for American F-15 was on the in- exposed to a grave threat and the operational missions were de- crease. percentage of breakout of a nu- ployed in a forward base in Guam China is also taking a firm clear war is growing day by day. away from the US mainland. stand, giving a number of warn- This is a serious reality in the American troops equipped with ings, to deal with the planned Asia-Pacific. latest military hardware were deployment of the US’s THAAD in Kim Myong Chol

48 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 Jasan Ginko Tree

HE JASAN GINKO TREE IS SEEN IN in ecological research the tree was designated as T Jasan-ri, Phyongsong City, South Phyongan State Natural Monument No. 33 in January 1980 Province. It has grown for over 700 years. Shaped and is currently under protection. like an umbrella, it is 24 metres high, its crown Sim Yong Jin 23 metres across, its stump 6.8 metres round and 2.6 metres across and its trunk 5.5 metres round and 1.6 metres across at the breast height. The trunk is grayish brown and a lot of splits can be found throughout the length and breadth of its surface. Leaves of this tree are five to six centimetres wide and three to four centimetres long and are smaller than those of other ginko trees and the end of leaves are not divided into two. The nuts produced by this tree are especially small in number. As it adds beauty to the landscape and is significant

KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014 49 50 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2014