Golden Star of Peace

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 53 http://www.naenara.com.kp Golden Star of Peace

Chairman Kim Jong Il was awarded the Golden Star of Peace order by the Fe- deration of Mongolian Peace and Friendship Organizations in February 2002.

50 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 KOREA TODAY Monthly Journal (698) Printed in English, Russian and Chinese

C O N T E N T S

Power of Korea ··················································································································· 3

The Root ···························································································································· 6

The Sound of the Watermill ·································································································· 7

In the Days of the Songun Revolutionary Leadership ······························································· 9

Mother’s Life ·····················································································································10

Reliable Vanguard ·············································································································12

Kim Jong Il and CNC (9) ···································································································14

New Masters of the Silk Mill ·······························································································15

LED Light Makers ·············································································································16

Favourable Environment for Investment Created ···································································18

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 51

Space Development for Peaceful Purposes···································· 19

For Over 50 Years ···································································· 20

Class of Student Inventors ························································ 21

Kwangbok Primary School························································· 23

People Who Give Sight······························································ 24

The Ambition of Youngsters······················································· 25 Front Cover: On a way to school Sister Weightlifters ·································································· 26

Photo by Jo Yong Nam The People’s Ideal Comes True··················································· 28

Everything in Korea Is Faring Well ············································ 30

New Appearances of Taedong Riverside in Pyongyang ··················· 32

Visit to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum············ 34

Non-material Cultural Heritage Upheld and Promoted·················· 37

Solgo’s Painting ······································································· 38

Short Story

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

Story Associated With Anhak Palace··········································· 41

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

Sujong Peak ············································································ 44 Back Cover: Sinyang Valley The Phungsan Hound ······························································· 46 Photo by Kim Jin Ho By Our Nation Itself ································································· 47

13502 ㄱ-48217 Behind the US’s Fervour for Human Rights ································· 48

2 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 Power of Korea

OU CAN BREAK A TWIG ongoing struggle to build a thriv- the people; when they see people Y of the bush clover but not ing socialist country. In the De- and their ships in distress in the the trunk of a big tree—this was mocratic People’s Republic of sea, they readily risk their lives what the Korean people voiced Korea the ethos of helping the to rescue them. They like to help early in last century when they people and assisting the army is farming jobs including rice were waging a holy struggle to always there all around the transplanting, repair and main- defeat the Japanese imperialists country, like the air you breathe tain bridges, river banks and who occupied their country by in and out. The soldiers assist roads when they are damaged in force of arms and win the historic the people and vice versa. natural calamities, and restore cause of national liberation. By The military personnel do dwellings when they are de- the strength of the rock-firm their utmost to serve the people stroyed in floods. unity, they emerged victorious in and protect the life and interest The people, thinking it a the anti-Japanese armed strug- of the people, while assuming the typical sign of patriotism to aid gle, won the great victory in the mission of national defence. Re- the army, always help the service Fatherland Liberation War in garding the people as their kins- personnel with all sincerity. the 1950s and established a peo- folk, they make sincere efforts to There are very many families ple-centric socialist Korea. solve difficult problems in the who have offered aids to the sol- The army-people unity which living conditions of the residents diers for scores of years. Sending has been the basis and mainstay in their localities. When they children to posts of national de- of the Korean revolution is still find dwellings in fire, they never fence is regarded as the supreme the powerful source of the firm hesitate to sacrifice themselves obligation of the citizens. Almost conviction in the future in the to save the lives and properties of all families have stories about ►

Pyongyangites give enthusiastic cheers to participants in a military parade.

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 3 ► their proud children who are guarding the national leader Urban Planning and Designing honorably engaged in military with one’s very life, implement- Research Institute. Seeing the service for the defence of the ing the Workers’ Party of Korea’s blueprint, however, they were country. policies at the risk of one’s life somewhat gripped with worries, The imperialist moves to and sacrificing oneself heroically. because they knew they had strangle socialism are as desper- When the tree strikes sturdy little experience in such a pro- ate as ever, but the DPRK’s roots deep into the ground it will ject. At the moment a KPA unit cause of building a thriving so- grow to be a giant strong enough stationed in the county came out cialist nation is making a fast to stand any storm. Likewise, the to undertake the construction. pace. This is not simply attribut- unanimous idea and manner of Then, by creating and introduc- able to the campaign of the mili- struggle of the army and the ing new methods, the soldiers tary helping the civilians and the people consist in the roots of the completed the project in a much civilians aiding the military with people-centric socialist commu- shorter period of time than the sincerity. What’s more important nity of Korea. scheduled one year. Now the is that the army and the people There is Sohung Army-People local inhabitants say unani- share the same idea and manner Bridge in Sohung County, North mously that the project gave of struggle based on the revolu- Hwanghae Province. At first, the them a better idea of what kind tionary soldier spirit—initiated county administration decided to of people the service personnel by the Korean People’s Army erect the bridge with the county’s are who embody the revolution- personnel— whose kernel is own efforts and resources and ary soldier spirit. Meanwhile, the designed a won- soldiers say, “We did not build derful bridge the bridge by ourselves. We could with the help of hardly have finished the con- the Pyongyang struction so fast if we had not ►

4 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 ► had the people’s sincere care and ran against Korean People’s rivers got facelifts while a lot of support.” Army Navy vessels on patrol. No new structures went up, includ- The crystallization of the sooner had the report been made ing the Munsu Water Park and joint efforts was named Sohung than the ex-soldiers and war the Mirim Riding Club. The peo- Army-People Bridge. The sol- veterans in the shore nearby ple follow the example of the diers stationed in the county also turned out to join the fight revolutionary culture of the sol- gave active assistance to the against the enemy. The local diers in whatever they do, in county people in the construction women wrote a letter to the sol- doing occupational jobs, singing of a mushroom farm, a fish farm diers, describing the minds of all and developing living quarters and the expansive reconstruction the women in the country. Fur- and workplaces. of the County People’s Hospital. ther encouraged by the letter, The national leader This kind of episode is not to be the sailors fought more valiantly Kim Jong Un often inspects found in the county alone. against the invaders. KPA units and asks to continue There are lots of “army- Amidst the forceful nation- to do good things for the sake of people” named establishments wide movement to adopt the the people and make close coop- and structures around the coun- revolutionary soldier spirit, eration with the people to make a try, like an army-people power there were created the Kanggye greater success in socialist con- station, an army-people reser- Spirit and the torches of Song- struction. His wise guidance is voir, and an army-people fish gang and Ranam, and monu- the source of victory that further farm. mental edifices mushroomed up strengthens the army-people In June 1999 there occurred representing the era of Songun. unity and brings out its advan- an incident in the West Sea of In Pyongyang, parks, pleasure tages to the full. Korea: the enemy intentionally grounds, Pothong and Hapjang An Song Duk

The Masikryong Ski Resort is a result of the concerted efforts of the army and the people.

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 5 The Root

The main thing in oneness of the army and the behave like that. Army-people army-people unity people, and so long as their ideas unity is the root of our society, and working manners differ from and I wish the People’s Army N FEBRUARY 22, 1998, each other, they cannot achieve support the people. Supporting O Chairman Kim Jong Il, complete oneness no matter how the people comes first and help- sitting together with the com- they may help and support each ing the army next. The army manding officers of the Korean other. He remained deep in should support the people.” People’s Army, said that some thought for a while before he That day the Chairman vis- people now thought the unity of resumed, “Oneness of the army ited another army unit in spite of army and people left nothing to and the people in their idea and the sweltering weather of mid- be desired if the people provided fighting spirit based on the summer. He asked the officers of the army with plenty of gifts, but revolutionary soldier spirit is the the unit about the crop prospects that the army-people unity he essence of the idea of army- of the county where the unit was meant was not a material matter people unity and the root of our stationed, and how they helped like that. He added, “True, it is society.” its people. Then he questioned: important in realizing army- “Do you help the county peo- people unity that the army helps Helping the people comes first ple well in farming?” people while the latter assist the “Dear Chairman, we have former with all sincerity, but the “So this unit took part in the helped them in farming with all main thing here is that both of land rezoning project in Kang- devotion in the manner of the them share the same idea and won Province,” Chairman master that the people and offi- fighting spirit.” Kim Jong Il said with pleasure cials of the county are very much Later on March 29, he saw while looking over the historical delighted.” the light comedy The Letter pro- record of the KPA unit in its “It is very good to help the duced by the artistes of the then Soldiers’ Hall on July 19, 2005. people in the area where you are Korean People’s Army April 25 The Chairman learned that the stationed. Helping the people is Film Studio. After seeing it, he unit had carried out the land the duty of the People’s Army. To spoke highly of it by saying that rezoning project in Taebaek-ri, have good relations with the peo- the comedy gave a profound phi- Changdo County, Kangwon ple is all important for winning losophical elucidation that the Province, and helped the villag- the battles against the enemy.” idea of army-people unity is in- ers in farming in the manner His remarks contained vincible, and that those who had of the master, and that that year another important and sacred a nihilistic idea about the Korean too, they aided the farm to mission of the People’s Army life and saw only its outward finish rice-transplantation first which should be a model of soci- appearance rather than its es- and foremost in the county. Af- ety in all aspects as the main sence would come to themselves ter hearing their words, the force and hard core of the Songun with a start by seeing the com- Chairman said, “You’ve done revolution. edy. Army-people unity means well. The army should naturally Kim Un Jong

6 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 The Sound of the Watermill

NDER THE SUBTITLE the images of the Changbai peo- the socks in my hands, someone U The sound of the watermill ple, who were out to assist the unpacking a knapsack of grain of his reminiscences With army, the upright and simple exclaimed, “Look here, General! the Century Vol. 5 President image of Ri Ul Sol’s father, Ri Even the Japanese Emperor may Kim Il Sung recalled how the Pyong Hon, who, as a member of never have seen such barley.” people in Changbai, northeast our organization, was working as At that moment I could not China, had aided the Korean a village head in Yinghuadong, believe my eyes. Fine barley as People’s Revolutionary Army in appears in my mind’s eye. … … white as snow! Is this barley, not the years of the anti-Japanese … rice? They must have pounded it war. Following are the excerpts: At the end of 1936, when we with great sincerity to make it so were staying in the secret camp clean and tempting! Ever since autumn 1936, the in Heixiazigou, Ri Pyong Hon “You have taken so much Changbai people pounded an and his party visited Headquar- trouble, sir. I see such barley for immeasurable amount of grain ters, carrying supplies prepared the first time. How did you hull it with those watermills to support by the revolutionary organiza- to make it as white as this?” us. Nearly all the dozens of tion in Yinghuadong. I still recall “We hulled it four times.” watermills, both big and small, vividly the Korean traditional “Why? Barley can be boiled installed in Changbai, were re- socks they brought, padded with for eating after hulling only lated to the support-the- more cotton and twice as long as twice. Your sincerity is really guerrillas work. The watermills usual pairs. I picked a pair of the beyond imagination.” are inscribed in my memory as a socks from the package and tried … … … symbol of the all-people, support- them on; they came up to my In Yinghuadong many house- the-guerrillas campaign. Thanks knees. holds suffered from a dearth of to the active support and encour- I admired the women in food grain; one of them was Ri Ul agement of the Changbai people, Yinghuadong for their assiduous Sol’s. Although they had scanty we could wage a protracted anti- workmanship and sincerity. meals of grass gruel, his family Japanese war, with Mt. Paektu … … … tried not to lag behind the others as a stronghold. While I looked carefully at in supporting the revolutionary ► … … … Water mills in Changbai, China worked day and night The assistance of the Chang- hulling grains to be supplied to the guerrillas. bai people to the Peo- ple’s Revolutionary Army was a voluntary campaign initiated on the basis of their vital needs. Helping the revolutionary army was the only way to resurrect Korea— this was their belief. Conse- quently they were not afraid of death and did not flinch from the scorching sun in mid- summer and the blind- ing snow in mid-winter, when it came to support for the army. Whenever I recall

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 7 ► army. So they picked wild berries make us shoes with the bark. When the enemy attacked his in summer and wild grapes and The women ran the watermills, village, he made sure that the rocambole in autumn to sell standing guard in turn, refrain- soldiers of the revolutionary them at the market in Hyesan. ing from lighting fires in cold army took shelter on the moun- Whenever the mother returned winter nights, in order to avoid tain; he then stayed on his own with wild fruits and assorted the lackeys’ surveillance. in his house aware that if he also them, his younger brothers … … … escaped leaving his house empty, would sit round her with watery The sincerity displayed by the enemy would comb the mouths. Even though she read the Changbai people in their mountain in search of the sol- their minds well, she did not support for the revolution was diers of the revolutionary army. readily give them even a single indeed unique. They enthusiasti- The enemy tortured him to wild berry, for she considered cally aided the revolutionary expose the whereabouts of the this to mean less sincerity to the army, even selling their proper- revolutionary soldiers, but he revolutionary army. ties and laying down their lives curtly replied that he did not On returning from the secret when circumstances demanded. know. The enemy beat his face camp, Ri Pyong Hon boasted to In May 1937 a surprising ruthlessly with a leather belt. his children that he had seen me. incident happened; the dead Blood gushed from his face in- Ri Ul Sol replied that he would bodies of a baby and a woman stantly. However, the more they go to the guerrillas right away were discovered on the road to beat him and swore, the firmer and fight under my wings … Erdaogang. She was a common his closed mouth became. Next summer [Ri Pyong Hon] rural woman, who had secretly They stood him in a grave, sent his son and nephew to the nursed a wounded guerrilla in saying that they would bury him guerrilla army. Sending beloved her house, before her arrest. A alive. They threatened at gun- children to the army constituted military police officer of the point that they would give him a the highest expression of the Japanese army pounced upon cash reward, if he told them spirit of support for the army. her and the wounded man under where the wounded had taken … … … medical treatment and escorted shelter or else they would bury In those days a slash-and- them to his headquarters. She him. burn peasant family, with four was a tough woman; she stealth- However he remained silent. able-bodied persons, could har- ily hid a dagger in her bosom, In despair they shot him vest 20 or 30 tan (a tan equals 40 when leaving the house and on standing in the grave. Before pecks—Tr.) of potato at most in a the road cut the officer’s face breathing his last, the old man year. They had to grind a dozen with the dagger, then took out left this simple request with his mal of potato to get one mal of the pistol from his waist. Thanks fellow village people, “Please starch. One mal of starch cost 60 to her efforts, the guerrilla es- help our army wholeheartedly. fen or so at that time. A mal of caped. She kept the watch of the Only then will a new society starch was not enough to buy a officer with the pistol in her hand emerge.” pair of workman’s shoes. So they for nearly half an hour, until the … … … made toffee or wine and sold guerrilla had run out of sight. The traditions of support for them for money. In those days it Regaining his consciousness, the the army and the unity of the was difficult to buy goods even if officer pounced upon the woman, army and the people established you had money. Therefore the snatched the pistol from her and during the anti-Japanese armed people had to rack their brains stabbed her and her baby merci- struggle became more indestruc- and make tireless efforts to pur- lessly to death. tible and was consolidated even chase every supply sent to the … … … more in the great Fatherland guerrillas. One day I left two of my men Liberation War. The victory of Even under such adverse under the care of old man Ji Pong our young Republic in the fight conditions the people in Chang- Phal, a member of the under- against the “strongest power” on bai County obtained various ground organization in Zhu- the globe should be attributed to kinds of goods and sent them to jiadong; one was Kim Ryong Yon, the fact that we enlisted the the mountains. who was suffering from an intes- entire people and relied on the Every Korean living in tinal disorder, while the other unity of the army and the people, Changbai County helped the wounded individual was a re- whereas the enemy imposed guerrillas. Even the elderly, who cruit, whose name escapes my mostly pure military force. could only walk with the help of memory. The old man took ten- These grand traditions are canes, climbed mountains and der care of them for two months being advanced honourably to- barked basswood trees; they and was then killed during an day under the guidance of our burned the midnight candle to enemy’s “punitive” operation. Party.

8 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 In the Days of the Songun Revolutionary Leadership

The Historic Inspection battery in luxuriant dwarf pine dealt with the task of making the woods. He watched the firing soldiers strong in ideology and N AUGUST 25, 1960 practice of the soldiers standing faith. Then he noted that much O Kim Jong Il visited the on the emplacement, and then emphasis should be placed on Korean People’s Army said confidently, “As there is the cultivation of the soldiers’ faith. Seoul Ryu Kyong Su Guards invincible People’s Army that is Now the soldiers had a better 105th Tank Division. That day he faithful to our Party, it is definite idea of the philosophical princi- clarified the KPA’s mission of that the revolutionary cause of ple that the might of the gun lies hastening the final victory of Juche will be crowned with in the faith of the soldiers. the Koran revolution, holding credit.” His inspection of the post high the slogan “Let us defend after seeing out 1994 in tears The Most Urgent Problem with our very lives the Party over the greatest national loss, Central Committee headed by the demise of the DPRK’s eternal One day in August 1999 the respected Comrade President Kim Il Sung, was a Chairman Kim Jong Il taught Kim Il Sung!” Then he ex- historic event announcing to the how to solve the problem of pro- pressed his firm determination whole world— without any ducing condiment to be supplied to make the country strong speech or solemn declaration— to the military personnel, urging enough to check any enemy from that his politics was the one of the KPA commanders to direct giving priority to military affairs touching it. His inspection of the consistent efforts to providing and strengthening the People’s division marked the start of his better living conditions to the Army first of all social groups. Songun-based leadership which soldiers. Then he talked of the was the faithful continuance of With his inspection, the post, fact that high-quality salt and the Songun revolutionary lead- which was unmarked on any vinegar produced by a newly- ership pioneered and maintained map, has been known to the built factory were supplied to by President Kim Il Sung. It world, to say nothing of the the service personnel. He said was also a historic event in country. that the problem of condiment strengthening and developing for the soldiers could be solved the revolutionary armed force Staunch Men of Ideology substantially when the project and in the implementation of the and Faith of a dried soy sauce and paste revolutionary cause of Juche. workshop and a monosodium Thanks to Kim Jong Il’s Songun One January day several glutamate workshop was fin- revolutionary leadership the years ago Kim Jong Il gave a ished at a factory. He continued KPA has grown up as a staunch field inspection to a KPA unit. to say that it was very impor- armed force loyal to the national Making rounds of the unit he tant to produce tasty soy sauce leader and the Workers’ Party of knew that the unit was conduct- and paste and supply them to Korea, guarding the nation’s ing the political work in depth peace and the people’s happiness using well-arranged conditions the soldiers, and that the dried in the country. for edification. When he saw a soy sauce and paste workshop board in the corridor of the sol- should be well furnished to im- Unforgettable Dwarf Pine Post diers’ hall written with “All Sol- prove the quality of the products diers Are Trained as Staunch remarkably as the bean paste On the morning of the 1995 Men of Ideology and Faith,” he soup was the most favourite New Year’s Day Chairman said that the content of the board thing with the Koreans from Kim Jong Il inspected an AA was good, especially the one ancient times.

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 9 Mother’s Life

(Continued from the last issue) Utbat Pass, which is to be found ment, press activity and the before the Uiju South Gate. movement for using the Korean T IS NOT TOO MUCH TO The main target of the patri- letters. While forming various I say that the life of a man con- otic cultural movement in the organizations and carrying on sists in choice at every moment. closing years of the Feudal Joson organizational activities, they Indeed, life is a continuation of Dynasty was the political and attached special importance to choice from setting the goal of cultural enlightenment of the peo- education, identifying it with the one’s life to choosing one’s spouse ple. From the outset the move- life-or-death question of the na- or even trivial choices of food and ment showed a marked anti- tion. Having keenly realized that clothes. A man can end his life in Japanese tendency as the Japa- the loss of national sovereignty comedy or tragedy according to nese imperialists became still resulted from the backwardness his choices in life. But this way of more naked in their attempts to of the nation, the pioneers and thinking belongs to the twilight invade Korea. In the early 20th patriots decided that education of life. In those days when I was century the patriotic intellectuals was the foundation and main young and reckless, I simply left like Ri Jun, Pak Un Sik, Sin Chae factor of national prosperity and my home, pretending “suicide by Ho and Ju Si Gyong, encouraged that without developing it, they drowning,” only yearning to- by the anti-Japanese struggle of could not achieve the independ- wards the unknown mysterious the people, took the lead in the ence and modernization of the future. mass enlightenment movement country, and erected schools in In my bundle there were only for restoration of Korea’s sover- all parts of the country. So pri- a few notebooks. I had neither a eignty. The movement entered a vate schools were established all penny for my journey nor a ball of new phase of uplift in the fierce over the country for educating boiled kaoliang for food. However, flames of nationwide rejection of youths and children in the patri- I was merry and cheerful like a the “Ulsa Five-point Treaty” fab- otic spirit while some of conven- bird out of the cage. At dusk I ricated by the Japanese imperial- tional village schools were reor- arrived at the home of Jang Pong ists at the end of 1905. Now that ganized into modern educational Jin, a cousin-in-law of my grand- the country was under the rule of institutes. The private schools father, in Sujin Sub-county, Uiju the Japanese imperialists, the founded by the adherents of the County. The old man listened to champions of the movement put patriotic cultural movement in the story of my bravado and mur- up the restoration of national those days numbered several mured, “What a wench!” with a sovereignty as the first and fore- thousands. Some of them were wry smile. Days later I enrolled in most task and found the key to its well-known: the Taesong School the first-year class of the Uiju solution in building up national of Pyongyang, Osan School of Yangsil School through the kind power on one side and learning Jongju, Yangsan School of Anak offices of Jang. My dream of from the advanced nations on the and Pochang School of Kanghwa. learning came true at last. The other, and in self-buildup through In addition to this, countless Uiju Yangsil School had been the development of education and evening schools were established founded by the influential per- industry. For this reason they in towns and rural communities. sons of the county—who set up positively asserted the develop- The Uiju Yangsil School as- the Phyongbuk Secondary School ment of education and industry. piring to the new trend of Association in 1908—by merging They formed various organi- thoughts, gave education replete the Yangsil School (founded in zations and waged dynamic cam- with anti-Japanese patriotic 1906), the parent, and Uisin Pri- paigns to enlighten the masses contents and, naturally, the mary School, Paesin Girls’ School through different kinds of strug- school became a base fostering and other schools. It stood on gles such as the education move- intellectuals and militants of the ►

10 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 ► independence movement and a penses to both of us, and that he ject of talk to the tragic fate of centre of the anti-Japanese na- could save some expenses if my our nation and make a fiery tional salvation campaign. Later, brother and I studied and lodged speech. His words, alive with I heard from Messrs O Tong Jin in one and the same place. I re- patriotic fervour, strongly and Hong Ha Sun that the school plied I could go to the school of touched our hearts. had conducted brisk anti- my brother. I moved to the Sakju As I had learned the primer Japanese activities, giving lec- Primary School and lodged at the of Chinese characters and Chi- tures for national salvation and house of Ri Hong Rin with my nese poems from my father in my holding oratorical meetings, and brother. childhood, my school perform- that Kim Hyong Jik (father of The Sakju Public Primary ance was rather good. The teach- President Kim Il Sung) visited School established in 1911 had ers called me top pupil, speaking the school several times to give over 300 boys and about 50 girls highly of me. But I never thought lectures and guide the student on its register. It was a six-year I was cleverer than others. It was movement, teaching songs im- school and the headmaster was a inconceivable apart from my planting the spirit of independ- Japanese. Looking back on the strict yet gentle parents’ lofty ence in the minds of the stu- days when I was at the school, I love and upbringing, in particu- dents. The school’s educational cannot forget the bad impression lar, their patriotic education that system comprised the three-year of the arrogant, swaggering I had some knowledge and at- middle school course, the four- Japanese headmaster who used tainments. In my childhood, I year primary school course, and to make a false show of the ran many errands for my father. the land survey class. At the “superiority” of the Japanese Each time he did not give me school Korean language, history, race. Every time he delivered an a note to be delivered, but geography, arithmetic, and sing- address to the pupils, he men- strictly demanded that I learn by ing were taught just as at other tioned the inferiority of the Ko- rote the message of the errand. It private schools. The pupils and rean people. When some stu- was necessary to keep secrets students numbered over 300 and dents made trivial mistakes, he because my father was engaged the teachers about 20. would ascribe them to the na- in the anti-Japanese independ- In the summer of that year, a tional inferiority. Furthermore, ence struggle in contact with half year after I left home, I he would refer to the backward- Kim Hyong Jik and O Tong Jin. wrote to my father that I was ness of our nation when some of In the spring of 1917 when I alive and begged his pardon for the children stayed away from was sixth-year pupil of the Sakju having worried him. I said that school for family reasons or School, I was recommended for a there was no help for it at that failed to pay their monthly school senior school and admitted to the time, and that now I was study- fees in time, and I couldn’t stand practical arts department (three- ing at the Yangsil School in Uiju, it. For the first time in my life I year course) of the Pyongyang and asked for money for school began to hate the Japanese for Public Girls’ High School. expenses. Upon receipt of my their brazen-faced nature and Founded in 1914, the school was letter, my father rushed to me moral meanness. situated in Hasugu-ri in the instantly. He didn’t scold me but When I recall those school heart of Pyongyang with a stu- only patted me on the head. He days, I can never forget my class dent enrollment of 300 in less said he would not disturb me in teacher Kim Chan Jong. He was than ten classes and a teaching my studies and would send all a teacher of Chinese classics, and staff of 20 (mostly Japanese). the things I needed. After that I used to tell interesting old tales The department set up to train could devote myself to studies for in class and taught the knack of arts teachers of primary schools two years without worries about easy learning of Chinese charac- taught specialized knowledge of money. One day I received a ters with the principle of the six housekeeping, sewing, cooking, letter from my father. He wrote calligraphic styles. A man of embroidery and music which was that my younger brother Ri extensive knowledge with a necessary for women’s life. This Kwan Hyon entered the Sakju strong sense of justice, he would was an aspect of the women’s Public Primary School and took write a Chinese phrase on the movement which emerged as a up lodging in Sakju town. He blackboard and tell the tale as- trend of the times together with mentioned that now he had to sociated with its origin. Then he the enlightenment ideas. remit boarding and school ex- would abruptly change the sub- (To be continued)

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 11 Reliable Vanguard

GIGANTIC STRUGGLE IS GOING ON IN that would work exclusively for baby homes, orphan- A the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to ages, orphans’ primary and secondary schools and build a thriving socialist nation. Miracles and inno- elderly folks’ homes across the country, set up all the vations are sweeping the whole land. This ethos is production buildings, living facilities and the dwell- mainly spearheaded by the young people. In the past ing district as good as to be worth mentioning even in century the Korean youth created the Chollima the distant future—in a matter of a little over two Speed and the Pyongyang Speed in the most difficult months. “Let us take responsibility for the safety of and labour-consuming fields in every period and the project and guarantee its absolute quality for all stage of the Korean revolution—the building of a new eternity!” was the slogan they upheld. country, the Fatherland Liberation War, the postwar By making the flames of the industrial revolution rehabilitation and the socialist construction— in the new century flare up more fiercely, the young bringing policies of the Workers’ Party of Korea into scientists of Korea, with the same spirit and mettle practice. Inheriting such a spirit, young people at as were displayed in conquering space, are waging a present are creating the Korean Speed in the new dynamic campaign to break through the cutting edge century of the Juche era. The soldier builders of the of science and technology. They are making positive Korean People’s Army are making innovations in all efforts to help build a knowledge-based economic sites of socialist construction as the main force of the giant and a civilized socialist nation by dint of science revolution, holding high the slogan “Let us take upon and technology. Young researchers of Kim Il Sung ourselves both national defence and socialist con- University and Kim Chaek University of Technology struction!” and many other universities and colleges are pro- Last year they built the Rungna People’s Pleas- ducing valuable inventions and new technological ure Ground, the Munsu Water Park, the Mirim Rid- innovations. Those of the State Academy of Sciences ing Club, the Unha Scientists Street, the Okryu and smiliar organs and enterprises have developed Children’s Hospital, the Ryugyong Dental Hospital numbers of inventions and programs. The scientists and the Masikryong Ski Resort in less than or a little of the February 8 Vinalon Complex have introduced over a year. Parks, pleasure grounds, vegetable such research successes as the establishment of IT- greenhouses and mushroom-production bases were based control system in the acetylene production wonderfully erected to the delight of the people. After process and the feeding monitoring system in the air- the completion of the ski resort the soldier builders, tight carbide kiln. In March last there was an exhi- the creators of the Masikryong Speed, participated in bition of sci-tech achievements of the young scientists the renovation of the Songdowon International Chil- dispatched to factories and enterprises in different dren’s Camp in November last year and created the fields of the national economy across the country. Korean Speed in the revolutionary soldier spirit in Over 3 200 items of technological innovation of as the most adverse condition of winter. In May last many as 2 000 sorts were put on display. The visitors they finished the project with credit. All the buildings were particularly attracted to the presentations from and facilities befit a civilized socialist state in terms South Phyongan, South Hwanghae, North Hwang- of their style and content while being consistent with hae, Ryanggang, North Hamgyong and South Ham- the principle of giving top priority to convenience and gyong provinces, and the Ryongsong Machine Com- aesthetic beauty as required by the Juche-based idea plex, the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex and the Feb- of architectural beauty. ruary 8 Vinalon Complex. The soldier builders charged with the task of Noble traits are flourishing among youth and stu- building a hostel for the workers of the Pyongyang dents as befit the Songun era. In April last some Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill erected a wonderful graduates of the teacher training college and the col- structure in a short period of some 180 days, to be lege of education in South Hwanghae Province volun- worthy of a project in the era of the WPK. Those who teered to work at schools in far-off, solitary islets in were ordered to build the January 8 Fishing Station the West Sea of Korea. Having understood that the ►

12 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 ► hope and ambition of youths in the Songun era should consist in a worthy life at difficult and hard places that the Workers’ Party of Korea is concerned about, they resolved to be teachers of local small schools on the islets. Over 20 of the graduates of the teachers’ department of the Hamhung Choe Hui Suk Teacher Training College No. 1 volunteered to teach at schools in islets, mines and moun- taineous areas in the province. Amid the mounting zeal of the nation for sports the sportspersons have recorded good results in in- A college graduate volunteers to work at a school on an islet. ternational contests. In February last DPRK wrestler Jong Hak Jin took first place in the 57-kg event of the Takhti Cup international senior freestyle wrestling tournament. Last March Rim Un Sim snatched three gold medals in the 2014 Asian youth and junior weightlifting championships held in Thai- land when Ri Song Gum renewed the world record in her category and bagged three gold medals. Kim Ji Hyang breasted the tape at the Chinese Taipei International Marathon, and Jong In Sun won a gold medal at the women’s 55-kg category in the 2014 Asian Wres- tling Championships in Kazakh- stan in April. The DPRK team The young people make innovations at major construction sites. obtained five trophies and 25 golds, thereby coming to the top of the national rankings in the Asian Taekwon-Do Championships held in Nepal. Kang Yong Mi won a gold medal at the 2014 FIG ART Chal- lenge Cup tournament by perform- ing difficult movements smartly. The Korean young people are well aware that they can honour their youth only when they take the lead in translating the WPK’s policies of building an economic giant into reality. Their strength, wisdom and resources are all channelled to the demonstration of their honour and pride. The venue of the exhibition of sci-tech Sim Chol Yong achievements of young scientists.

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 13 Kim Jong Il and CNC (9)

Nine-axis turning centre plan to break through the fron- new iron-making method using tiers of science and technology anthracite rich in the country N 2010 THE RYONHA and kindled the flames of the instead of imported coke. In Feb- I machine development group battle for it by concentrating the ruary 1999 the new method was succeeded in developing a new 9- best technical forces and funds finally developed. The Korean axis turning centre representing on it. On the morning of the New people regard the establishment the most advanced stage in the Year’s Day of 1995, he addressed of the Juche iron production sys- CNC machine-tool technology at a letter to all the people calling tem as a new chapter in the that time. It is a high perform- upon them to work energetically world history of the metallurgi- ance machine tool with nine axes and single-heartedly to make cal industry and call it to be a including two turning axes and the country ever more prosper- greater victory than the success one multifunctional milling axis. ous just as befits soldiers and in the third nuclear test. The machining centre is over 40 devoted followers of President “In Korea the struggle to tons heavy and can process any Kim Il Sung, and on April 29 break through the frontiers of shapes of materials with high that year, he gave a field guid- science is an eternal beacon to be precision, and so is called the ance to the Ryonha Machine kept burning at all times of the “mother machine” capable of Factory, where he stayed long in revolution and construction. playing a very important role in front of the machine which the … … producing latest goods to meet President had personally come to “The battle to break through the demands of many fields of see before. the science frontiers is a fruit of the auto, ship-building and space … … Chairman Kim Jong Il’s idea and aeronautical industries. The “At first the Ryonha factory and wise leadership of cutting- Ryonha machine developers de- made some standard-type ma- edge science and technology. signed and manufactured this chine tools with 2-4 axes. After- According to the data, the battle machine with their own tech- wards, it developed a 5-axis main Korea resulted from the niques and efforts. As soon as the chining centre, followed by an 8- Chairman’s idea of cutting-edge news about it was reported, it axis machining centre with high science and technology. Calling became the most important topic performance, and then developed itself an ideological, political and across the country. the 9-axis turning centre which military power, Korea holds that At the time Chairman only a few countries are capable its last goal is to build an eco- Kim Jong Il was reading a press of. So, it was declared that the nomic power. The experts esti- report, which went: “In recent DPRK reached the world’s high- mate in unison that in view of the years, new terms including ultra- est level in the CNC technology. fact that it has devised this new modern, a breakthrough of the … … machine—the 9-axis turning cen- frontier science and even the “The flames the Chairman tre—by itself without any help idea of breaking through the kindled in the Ryonha factory from outside under the circum- frontiers of science and technol- have spread to the defence in- stances of scores of years of politi- ogy are in use in Korea. In addi- dustry, and then to all the in- cal and economic blockade and tion, the song Break Through the dustrial fields like the machine- sanctions by the United States Frontiers of Science and Tech- building, metallurgical, chemical and is going to develop a new 12- nology has been created. All this and light industries. axis machine in the near future, it shows how important the break- “Another great achievement is quite possible that Korea will through of the frontier science is in breaking through the frontiers work a miracle before long.” regarded in Korea. The struggle of science and technology in Ko- The reports of mass media to break through the frontiers of rea is the successful production praising the reality of Korea’s science and technology is re- of Juche iron that is as highly battle for breakthrough of the garded as the most powerful estimated as the CNC technol- science frontiers show very means to build up an economic ogy. Since the early days of na- clearly that the victory of Korea power. tional liberation in August 1945, is encouraging and inspiring the “During the Arduous March, President Kim Il Sung had paid progressive people of the world Chairman Kim Jong Il made a great attention to developing a with great hopes.

14 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 New Masters of the Silk Mill

HE GIRL SILK REELERS their indebtedness to the country T of the Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk and worked so hard that they Silk Mill are making innovations became labour innovators. See- in their work. ing them, I wondered if I could be an innovator like them.” Inheriting the tradition Her words made Un Mi take of the forerunners a resolve to work at the mill following the example of her grand- Jo Un Mi, 20, has worked at parents and mother. Last year the mill for three years, but she she overfulfilled her production is counted among the innovators. plan for two years, and this year Her mother too is a reeler of the she fulfilled her first half-year mill. When Un Mi in her primary quota by March 18. and middle school days watched TV or listened to the radio intro- The yard lane of the mill ducing the mill having overful- Hong Hyang Mi, a silk reeler. filled its national economic plan Hong Hyang Mi, 20, is cheer- and its innovators including her ful with an affable smile on her loved her job of reeler from her mother, her heart was full of lips all the time. The yard of the maidenhood. That night she pride in her mother. One day she mill has been familiar to her reflected deeply upon why her asked her mother how she had since she had been a kindergar- mother was so attached to her become an innovator. To this, her tener at the mill. That was why job, the hardest one in the mill. mother, Yang Yong Hui, replied, she, when a schoolgirl, would go … “In the days of the great advance to the mill after school to go back Some time later Hyang Mi’s of Chollima in the 1960s your home together with her parents friends saw her going to work at grandpa and grandma were re- past this yard lane. She was the silk mill, instead of going to a nowned innovators of our mill. wont to boast of her parents to university. They asked her the Before the country’s liberation on her classmates that those who reason. To them she replied, “I’ve August 15, 1945, they had been operate the machines in her fa- resolved to continue with my treated like beasts, but the state ther’s charge would become in- mother’s job which she had loved put them forward as masters of novators, and that her mother best. It was my mother’s pride to the mill and the country. They reels white silk thread from co- work for the improvement of the thought that spinning more silk coons, adding that in the future people’s living standards. Mak- yarn was the only way to repay she would be a woman who ing beautiful clothes is a good job makes pretty silk clothes with but I’ll follow my mother’s career Jo Un Mi, a silk reeler. the silk yarn produced by her as a foundation stone. I’ll resort parents. to the study-while-working sys- Before graduation from the tem to go through the university middle school she was preparing course.” It is only two years since for an entrance examination for a she started work at the mill, but university. One night her mother she is already a skilled reeler. came back from work but some- how kept silent. She asked her Besides, girl innovators, the what the matter was with her. new masters of the silk mill, are But she only shook her head. The innumerable. Among them are next day she learned that her Pang Yong Hwa, Kim Yong Ok, mother was shifted to work at Yun Hyang, Kim Il Sim and the mill’s rest home for reasons Choe Jong A, who are walking in of health. She knew her mother their parents’ footsteps.

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 15 LED Light Makers

N APRIL LAST YEAR THE NEWS WAS I broadcasted on TV on the delivery of the Govern- ment’s presents to all the children in the country on the occasion of the Day of the Sun, even to the children on small lighthouse islets by helicopters. The news left Choe Tae Song, head of the Research Insti- tute of the Electronic Technology and Appliances, in deep thought. Keeping close concern about the people’s living standards all the time the state is taking care of the isolated lighthouse islets. But we are not keeping step. We are simply satisfied with increased production of high-powered LED and manufacture of several kinds of LED lights. To make our products play a big part in reality we should continuously develop them to suit the actual conditions and the peculiarity of the objects concerned as early as possible. In case of lighthouses, we can help save a large amount of fuel and realize the unmanned control of lighthouses. His idea won unanimous support in the conference of officials and researchers of the institute. Later, a research team headed by Ri Myong Chol, head of a department, was organized for developing solar cell- based LED light source and uninterruptible power supply system for lighthouses. But as the project was unfamiliar to them, many difficulties cropped up in their work. They couldn’t tell for sure if the power of luminous source would surpass the power of incandescent light when the filament of the incandescent light was changed with LED. To make a proper range of light was also a problem. Through the study of recent technological data and repeated experiments they succeeded in developing LED module which can ensure minimum area needed for focal distance of

light source. Now they tested a ►

16 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014

► model of 12-W light source. The source, however, is gleaming on Jamae Islet in the West Sea of Korea. failed to provide proper distance of light and angle. Using this success they buckled down to the research The researchers moved to a lighthouse islet in the work of changing the lights of the electric locomotive West Sea of Korea to intensify their research. And with LED light source. The work had begun earlier Choe Tae Song and other officials made efforts to pro- but had been stuck in a fix as it cost a lot to ensure vide necessary conditions. The researchers made vari- the light distance of 700-800 m. The researchers put ous experiments and calculations on the spot and emphasis on this problem and developed a new kind found out a method which can raise the light output of lens and module quite different from the previous and decrease the loss of light at the curved surface ones. The result of trial running indicated that it under 10%. The LED light source for lighthouse en- saves power consumption and cost by 50%. Besides, sures the light distance of 18-20 n. m. while decreasing the institute recently provided thousands of LED the power consumption to one quarter of the previous lights to Pyongyang Middle School No. 1 and many one. They also developed a controller which receives other establishments according to their properties maximum generating capacity of solar cell, an intelli- and conditions. gent high-speed charger, an inverse converter whose The researchers are currently putting efforts in de- converting rate is 96%, a timer and other devices. veloping other kinds of LED conducive to saving Building on those successes they developed solar cell- power and contributing to the people’s livelihood, based LED light source and uninterruptible power including the light source for lighthouse which could supply system for lighthouse. Now the lighthouse send light for a long distance in fog. equipped with newly-developed LED and the system Kim Yong Sun

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 17 Favourable Environment for Investment Created

OME TIME AGO A KOREA TODAY REPORTER is exposed to a possible war. Peace can be guaranteed S had an interview with Kim Jong Sik, a depart- by powerful defence capabilities and war deterrent, ment head of the State General Bureau for Economic and Korea has both of them. Though the US wages Development under the Ministry of External fire-reeking war exercises by mobilizing huge war Economic Relations. equipment in and around the Korean peninsula, the In order to have wide-ranging contact, coopera- Korean people live a normal life of creation and con- tion and economic exchange with the world, economic struction. Last year alone, gigantic facilities were development zone projects are making headway in constructed for the people’s cultural recreation and the DPRK. Tell me about it. foreigners’ tourism— including the Munsu Water The State General Bureau for Economic Develop- Park, Mirim Riding Club and Masikryong Ski Resort. ment is working hard to provide more diversified and They are tangible proof that peace reigns in Korea. favourable conditions for investment to foreign in- I say Korea is an investment-friendly land for its vestors who are interested in the special economic well-arranged foundations for independent national zones in the DPRK. In November last year 13 SEZs economy. were established in eight provinces. A lot of efforts My country recovered from the wounds of the have been made to create legal and institutional Korean war (June 1950-July 1953) in a short span of environment for investors from many countries to time and completed the socialist industrialization in conduct free investment and business activities in 14 years. Building on the success, we laid firm foun- several forms and modes in conformity with their dations for an independent national economy. In the wish and international practice. As of now the Law of 1990s we successfully overcame the Arduous March the DPRK on Economic Development Zone, which is and forced march, and recently manufactured and the main legislation on the economic development launched earth satellites and developed the top- zone, and regulations for its enforcement—the Regu- notch CNC technology with our own technology and lations for Establishment of Economic Development materials. Such astonishing economic achievements Zones, the Regulations for Establishing and Operat- we’ve got without any foreign aid and loan and in the ing Enterprises in Economic Development Zones, the face of uninterrupted economic sanctions from the Regulations for Labour in Economic Development US are attributable to the foundations of the inde- Zones, the Regulations for Operation of Management pendent national economy. This kind of economic Board of Economic Development Zones and the foundations is quite an advantageous condition for Regulations for Environmental Protection of Eco- investment. Another attraction to the investors is our nomic Development Zones—were adopted. labour force who is all possessed of intellectual fac- I think stability of investment should be guaran- ulties above the secondary-school level thanks to the teed as well as the favourable investment conditions. universal free compulsory education. Of course. The political stability and peaceful I wish you will soon complete a master plan of environment are very important in setting up in- development suited to the world’s advanced level and vestment zones. Since the beginning of the current put it forward to the investors around the world. century the political upheavals in Experts in economic development zone several countries in Europe and studies meet in Pyongyang in May 2014. Middle East greatly hindered economic development of those countries. But in Korea the popular masses are master of the country, and everything in the country serves for the people; popular policies have been enforced in numbers. So the Korean people trust their national leader Kim Jong Un and are united firmly behind him. Also peaceful environment is well maintained in the country. People are mistaken when they think Korea

18 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 Space Development for Peaceful Purposes

and technology. The principle is application of double standards to develop space for out-and-out in space activity and military peaceful purposes while thor- activity in space. With the proc- oughly maintaining the Juche- lamation of the legal measures oriented and independent stand. on organizing the NADA and HE HISTORY OF SPACE The law specifies that the NADA adopting space development as a T development is not so long organizes a unified guidance on state programme, the DPRK can in the Democratic People’s Re- space development, represents exercise the legitimate right of public of Korea. the state in the field of space space power. After the successful launch- development, draws up the coun- On the initiative of and ing of Kwangmyongsong 1, the try’s general space development detailed instructions of the first artificial earth satellite of and activity programme, super- supreme leader Kim Jong Un the country, in August 1998, vises and controls the implemen- the emblem of the DPRK NADA Kwangmyongsong 3-2 went into tation while cooperating and was instituted. It reflects the orbit, 9 minutes 27 seconds after exchanging with international character, mission, position and the blast-off, in December 2012. organizations and space institu- the prospect of the organization. The satellite project is based on tions of other countries. It also The “DPRK” and “NADA” in the the DPRK’s home resources, clarifies that the success gained centre of the emblem symbolize ranging from their design to from space development technol- the position of the NADA which manufacture, assembly, launch ogy and space activity should be administers the country’s space and post-launch observation. used for no other purposes than development in a unified way. Now the Korean people are the the country’s interest and eco- The dark blue background mir- master of an independent coun- nomic development and the im- rors the DPRK’s peaceful char- try working for space develop- provement of the people’s living acter of space development. The ment. standards, and legally guaran- light blue belts of satellite tra- In April last year the Seventh tees all the principled matters in jectories representing polar and Session of the 12th Supreme Peo- space activity ranging from noti- equatorial orbits show the coun- ple’s Assembly of the DPRK fication of objects to be launched try’s ambition to put satellites passed the DPRK Law on Space into space and responsibility for into all orbits. As a whole, the Development and adopted an its safety to the investigation of emblem reflects the Korean peo- ordinance and a resolution on accident and rescue and compen- ple’s aspiration and the DPRK’s organizing the National Aero- sation for damages. Along with standpoint to vigorously push space Development Administra- this, it legally affirms the ahead with the building of an tion of the DPRK. The law stipu- DPRK’s external standpoint that economic power and the im- lates the aim and principle of it cooperates with international provement of the people’s living space development, and the posi- organizations and other coun- standards by rapidly developing tion and duty of the NADA. The tries in the field of space devel- the country’s space science and DPRK’s aim of space develop- opment on the principle of equal- technology as required by the ment is to protect the interest of ity, mutual benefit and mutual time when space development is the state and solve necessary sci- security, respects relevant inter- one of the global trends with its tech problems arising in the eco- national laws and regulations on competitive power growing ever nomic construction and the life of development and use of space higher. the people by using space science and opposes the selection and An Nam Hui

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 19 For Over 50 Years

ANDIDATE ACADEMI- South Phyongan Province before science, it was established that C cian and Professor Pak national liberation, he spent his this disease occurred in case the Tong Ho is a researcher at the childhood in severe poverty. He pig’s resistance was weak thanks Veterinary Research Institute was always barefoot. Only after to various factors. Most of the under the Academy of Agricul- national liberation on August 15, veterinarians had the opinion tural Science. The veteran scien- 1945, he began to wear rubber that once taken, most of the pigs tist has achieved a lot in the field shoes and go to school. The five could die. They thought nothing of veterinary science for over 50 dreamlike years following libera- could help it, but Pak could not let years. His successful research tion and the three years of Fa- it go that way. He investigated works were introduced to the therland Liberation War (June the breeding in the farm to the poultry and stockbreeding farms 1950-July 1953) taught him a lot. last detail, and found out that across the country preventing He worked hard hoping to con- there was something wrong with damages from animal diseases tribute the nation’s development the fodder. Now he made a deeper and germs and increasing the one way or another. After secon- study. Through repeated experi- growing rate. He wrote almost dary school he entered the then ments, he formed a new definition ten books and encyclopedia on Kanggye Veterinary College, and that the pig erysipelococcus animal husbandry and veteri- then after graduation became a comes not from low resistance but nary work, including Diagnosis researcher as he hoped. from the putrefactive bacteria of Animal Diseases and Kwang- He began his career in the that infiltrate the organism and myong Encyclopedia (Vol. 18). 1960s when the country attached grow along with erysipelococcus He presented one hundred and great importance to the veteri- with no pathogen. Now Pak took scores of papers and brought up nary work while pushing the practical scientific measures to more than 40 people with aca- industrialization of the stock- prevent this disease. demic degrees or titles. breeding. Pak was busy working His success shook the veteri- What underlies his suc- hard to make a successful re- nary circle. Some foreign mass cesses? search for the stockbreeding media once gave a report that he development. was a person with a high aca- A barefoot boy becomes a One day he was informed that demic degree and title while world famous scientist several pigs died in a farm. He highlighting his success. But at rushed there and buckled down the time Pak was 26-year-old Born into a poor peasant the job of finding out the cause of researcher with no more than family in Songchon County, death in cooperation with other one year of career. technicians in the relevant sec- With patriotism tor. After a long investigation, There is no terminal in scien- they made a con- tific studies—this is a statement clusion that the written on the first page of the pigs had died pocketbook which Pak regards as from erysipelo- treasure. coccus in their In the mid-1990s when the tonsils. At that country was undergoing the Ar- time in the field duous March and the forced of the veterinary march, his family, too, suffered ►

20 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014

Class of Student Inventors

HE FACULTY OF CLINI- faster the nation’s progress gets.” mates call him “Doctor of All T cal Medicine No. 1 of This hints at the enthusiasm of Knowledge.” He gives a ready Kim Il Sung University the students who are known as answer to whatever he is asked, Pyongyang Medical College has a top-ranking in academic attain- since he is informed of wide- class of inventors. In the class- ments in the college. ranging knowledge and common room you can find a small book sense as well as that of his pro- that records the achievements of The Ex-soldier Student fessional field. Some people as- the students. The first page car- Ri Ui Jong, who is the only cribe his large stock of knowledge ries a statement reading, “The ex-soldier in the class, is the to his clear head, but they’re closer you approach books, the monitor of the class. His class- wrong. It is entirely attributable ►

► difficulties. Some people were last he made something success- more than ten kinds of veteri- yielding to economic hardships, ful which was of great economic nary vaccines to prevent diseases but Pak kept working enthusias- significance in the actual condi- effectively. tically for the sake of the country tion. It made it possible to in- “Scientists must keep patri- alone. He made up his mind to crease stockbreeding production otism deep in their mind. Never facilitate the development of 20% higher than before on the waste time.” These are the words stockbreeding by reinforcing in- basis of a new technique of pro- Pak often says as chairman of dependence in the field. He en- ducing vaccine in large quantities the committee for deliberation of grossed himself in culturing baby using a small amount of bean papers on veterinary and stock- cilli and finding out a locally curds’ decomposer, not using ex- breeding science. The 76-year-old available raw material to substi- pensive foreign material, while veteran is devoting his energy to tute expensive foreign materials. culturing germs for vaccine by the the veterinary science. The repeated failures in experi- method of selecting germ groups. ment could not disappoint him. At On this basis, he developed Rim Hye Gyong

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 21 ► to his reading. His daily life be- Winners of Kim Il Sung and preventing various kinds of gins with reading and ends with Scholarship complications. One of the causes reading. There is a story about The class has got two winners retarding the healing of the cuts how he became an avid reader. of Kim Il Sung Scholarship— is the rising of the pressure in One day when he was in the sec- Kim Ji Hye and Han Se Ryong. the affected place. So I produced ond year at college he saw on TV Like other students they are top- the idea of elevating the reme- one of his secondary school mates honour students in all subjects dial effect by dropping the pres- win a national quiz contest of and are possessed of patents of sure in the hurt place by means university students. Seeing him invention. of decreasing pressure instead of solve whatever the question was, One day in October 2013 the uplifting pressure, and then de- he marvelled at him, and made class had a practice for general veloped a relevant machine. My up his mind to read lots of books surgery, when Kim Ji Hye saw device helps decrease the pains and acquire multifarious knowl- more traumatic cases were from traumatic inflammation edge. His enthusiasm for reading rushed into the emergency de- and recurrence considerably and caused an environment of reading partment than she had expected. cut the frequency of occurrence of involving all the students. His She knew they would be exposed complications.” example has a huge effect on the to blood poisoning if they were Her machine has been in class’ rise to the present level of not attended to immediately. She wide use both in instruction and academic attainments. thought it necessary to find an treatment. easier treatment, and what she Han Se Ryong made a suc- The Single Target conceived to the end was the cessful study of a medicine to be The class say unanimously, falling-pressure-based traumatic used in treatment of cancerous “We have a single target.” It’s to treatment machine and the diseases. (His achievement was become helpful talent of the country. Most of them are in their early 20s, and, when they get a questionable point they never fail to get the answer. One day, at- tending a lecture on electromyogram in the biophysics subject, Ri Chung Song conceived an idea of developing a simulation program for the relevant machine which was in much use in treatment. Then, they would be able to have practice for electromyogram any time and anywhere. The teacher in charge of the subject gave an active support to his idea and provided him with lots of assistance. Thus the student suc- Students on a skiing tour at Masikryong. ceeded in making a simulation program, which brought him a methodology of its application. an astounding event to the aca- patent of invention. The program Referring to the machine, Ji Hye demic world.) turned out to be a tangible help in says, “To quickly heal traumatic The members of the class are lectures as well. This is a simple wounds due to different causes redoubling their efforts to attain example of the achievements of and surgical cuts is an important their targets. the students. matter in cutting the mortality Sim Yon Ok

22 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 Kwangbok Primary School

HE KWANGBOK PRIMARY sons. The course on an education- vides real-time monitoring of T School in Mangyongdae Dis- support program of a Korean lessons in every classroom and trict, Pyongyang, is one of the style bolstered up the teachers’ two-way question-and-answer leading schools in both pupils’ enthusiasm. The information- system. attainment and teachers’ compe- based education requires building After all, the school made a tency. The school sees the way to of huge database, framing of e- big step in establishing an IT improve teachers’ ability in fre- teaching plan and developing of process while the teachers im- quent holding of demonstrations multimedia. The teachers of the proved their qualifications re- such as those of drawing up in- school launched such a big pro- markably. The pupils got more telligence-improving teaching ject. After classes they buckled interested in lessons and their plans and the heuristic method down to the preparation of multi- cognition rose much higher. In of teaching. This has helped media and e-teaching plans. Pool- December last year the school make a great stride in establishing their efforts and wisdom they came first again in the municipal ing a good teaching system. worked day in and day out. At survey of performance of leading On one occasion they decided last they established a computer- schools in Pyongyang. All the to give a demonstration of a class based teaching system and gave a teachers who have a career of based on information. The infor- municipal demonstration lesson. over three years retain the cer- mation-based teaching had been The attendants expressed their tificate of the October 8 Model dynamically pushed in the field of admiration for the database Teacher. Hong Chung Song, education. According to it the which contains all necessary data graduate of the school, won three school invited teaching instruc- needed for primary school educa- gold medals in succession in an tors of the Pyongyang Municipal tion, e-teaching international maths Centre for Teachers’ Refresher plan, education Olympiad in 2011, 2012 Courses first to give a short-term management sys- and 2013. This year all the course on information-based les- tem which pro- pupils passed entrance Hong Chung Song, a graduate of the school, is a thrice examinations at central gold medalist at the international maths Olympiad. and municipal middle schools like Pyongyang Middle School No. 1, Py- ongyang Foreign Lan- guages School, Kumsong School and the computer prodigy training course of Kum- song Middle School No. 1. The Kwangbok Primary School is exalting its honour of the Thrice Honoured Red-Flag School, training wonderful future pillars of the country in numbers. Song Yong Sok

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 23 People Who Give Sight

EARLY TEN YEARS HAVE N passed since the Pyongyang Ophthalmic Hospital was established. Over the time the workers of the hospital have brought sight to lots of people who were born blind or became blind, by working hard to develop top- notch medical technology and introduce their achievements into treatment and prophylactic services. In particular, they ap- plied a hyaline membrane operation which is a cutting-edge technology, a laser-based treatment and the stem cell technology, thus making a big step in An operation is performed on a child for cataract. treatment of ophthalmic diseases including cataract and glaucoma. for an operation. The boy’s con- ous membrane the result was Recently they made a suc- dition went through a demand- propitious. Yet no one could tell cessful research into a new cor- ing examination. A number of it for sure until the bandage on nea transplanting method and a consultations were taken about the child’s eye was removed. method of operation on the vitre- the simulation of the scheduled Nervousness was what the doc- ous membrane. The methods operation, which produced hope- tors grappled with for days. assure a high rate of success. ful methods. At last one morning the ban- This is a great progress in the In the first-round operation dage was unwound from the eye treatment. the method of detaching the along with the patch over it. All One day in mid-January this membrane was introduced. It the people around were looking year a pupil with his left eye was completed in six hours by at the face of the boy, when Kim seriously hurt was rushed into Kim Hyok Man, department Hyok Man asked, “Do you see the children’s department of the chief who had long-standing me?” Second after second passed. hospital. The 13-year-old from experience in clinical treatment. “I see you, Doctor,” the boy Yangsan-dong, Tanchon City, The result was better than ex- exclaimed. “I see you, too, mum.” South Hamgyong Province, could pected, and yet it was only the His mother hugged her son in no more than discern light, to say beginning. The group in charge her arms, bursting into sobs for nothing of distinguishing things. of the treatment spent days of gratitude. It was found out that the vitre- hard work preparing the second- The devoted services of the ous body was in opacity. It was round surgery. The whole staff of doctors were announced on TV impossible to make out the fun- the hospital turned out to give a and newspapers. This is a typical dus. This meant the child nearly helping hand. The researchers of success they have made in their lost his eyesight. The bruise- the stem cell research section work of scientific research to caused cases of such a kind offered their experience and bring sight to the blind. Without needed a high level of surgical achievements in their studies. feeling content about their technique. The second operation took achievements, they keep working The hospital took emergency place in a fortnight and it was hard in curative and preventive measures and then called a con- literally a struggle. The intensive treatment and scientific re- sultation. The condition of the struggle of critical importance searches, conscious of their re- case was examined closely and a took more than four hours. sponsibility for the care of the group was formed to treat the Thanks to the newly developed people. patient. Preparations were made method of operation on the vitre- Song Yong Sok

24 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 The Ambition of Youngsters

HE SONGYO JUVENILE won over the coach. ball team of this school are also T Sports School is a rallying His training began immedi- ambitious. Coach Hyon Ho Ry- point for many schoolchildren ately. Now a proud member of ong says that as basketball is a and students with a dream to be the table tennis team, Tae Song collective sport, he is training sports stars. The table tennis got regular training under the them in a way suited to their team alone has dozens of boys coach’s strict guidance. He was mental features and individual and girls from primary schools more tenacious in training than characters. Based on the teach- and junior and senior middle other boys, and made his debut ing and training plans drawn up schools. They are training hard in contests at the age of eight. He in keeping with the children’s to become world-famous players. won second places in the national mental features and physical Table tennis coach Rim Jong technical innovation games of development, the basketball Gi says, “All of them can’t be the juvenile sports schools in coaches train them in basic celebrated table tennis players October 2012 and the Pyongyang movements and get them skilled just because they attend this juvenile sports school games in in technical and tactical tricks school. But we coaches are doing March 2013 respectively. En- congenial to their physical abil- everything we can do for them to couraged by these successes, he ity. As a result, the members of realize their dream.” did his best in training. Under the basketball team have become Four years ago, a 6-year-old the coach’s correct guidance and adroit in quick breaks, long kindergartner Ri Tae Song came by his strenuous efforts, he be- shooting and brushes under the to see Jong Gi. The boy who came adept in forehand strokes basket, making good successes in looked unusually clever boldly and serves. In consequence, he many games. In particular, they asked him to let him join the won the table-tennis events in won first prize in the 50th na- table tennis team. Upon an apti- the national technical innovation tional games of the juvenile tude test, he found the boy faster games of juvenile sports schools sports schools last year. Not in movement, more agile in ac- in October last year and the Py- resting content with this, they tion, and more precise in judg- ongyang juvenile sports school are now training harder than games in March this year. Re- ever before to achieve greater ceiving congratulatory bou- successes in the future. quets from his friends, he said, Many children of the football, “My dream is to become a world volleyball, boxing and wrestling table tennis star. I’ll realize it teams of the school have an am- without fail.” bition to be world sports stars. The members of the basket- Kim Il Ryong

ment than other children his age, but he hesitated to admit him because he was not sure whether the 6-year-old boy could over- come the hardship of physical training that would tire out even the primary school children. However, the boy’s persistence

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 25 Sister Weightlifters

Coach Kim Chun Hui and the Rim sisters.

AST MARCH RIM UN SIM FROM THE Her shoes were torn off and her clothes got dirty a L Democratic People’s Republic of Korea got three few minutes after she changed. Seeing her sliding gold medals by winning the women’s 58 kg event of down the handrail of the staircase in her apartment, the youth category at the 2014 Asian Youth and her neighbours lamented she should have been born Junior Weightlifting Championships. It was unusu- a boy. One day when she was five years old, she car- ally happy news to the Koreans, for she is the sister ried a bucket of ten litres of water up to several floors of Rim Jong Sim who won the women’s 69 kg event of in her apartment, amazing her nextdoor neighbours. weightlifting at the 30th Olympics in 2012. As such a kind of girl, she won a lot of events in the spring sports games of the local district when she Mother’s Confession was in the fourth year of primary school. Then she As child Jong Sim was very mischievous and also brought home an armful of prizes from the au- naughty. She hung from tree branches upside down tumn games, too, that year. The teacher in charge of with her skirt on and jumped down from high trees. her class came and advised to let Jong Sim enter the sports world. That was how she began to learn The sisters train together. weightlifting. Her sister Un Sim liked to play musical instru- ments from childhood. She learned how to play kay- agum at kindergarten and oungum at primary school. When she sang to her own musical accompa- niment her parents envisaged her future in the musical field. The little girl often came to see her sister in the weightlifting exercise. One of the local coaches proposed she would try to train her as she was physically suitable for the weightlifting event. Her parents refused to accept the offer at first because they did not like to let both of their daughters join in weightlifting. But Un Sim argued she ►

26 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 ► would do it, so her parents gave up. “My husband is an amateur wrestler, and I myself was once in gymnastics and calisthenics teams, but we both did not expect my children would be sports stars.” Her mother Ri Yong Hui confesses.

The Sisters in the Coach’s Eye Kim Chun Hui is one of the Ten Coaches of the Year 2013. She is an experienced and veteran coach who has trained a lot of women giants. Three months after she began to teach Jong Sim, the 9-year-old ranked in the top three of her event at a national contest. Her record grew higher since she was put under training together with her younger sister. One day the coach gave a task of repeated exercise to Un Sim for she could not maintain her posture properly. But soon she cancelled the task, because she felt sorry about the child. That evening she heard sounds from the training ground. She approached the place to see the two sisters absorbed in training. Jong Sim was sweating to attain a higher record than the day’s as- signment, while her sister was given to the exercise of the movement she had failed during the daytime. After a while Jong Sim began to tell her experience Trophies and medals the sisters won and knack of the movement to her sister. Hours at international and national games. passed until Un Sim mastered the skill and the two mother of the two daughters. She shed tears when left the ground arm in arm in a happy frame of mind. the national leader met and praised the Olympic Un Sim, too, cut her figure soon in her category. medalists as patriots, heroes and admirable people. The rivalry between the two sisters—the elder tried “I could hardly believe you’re my daughters. Your to keep her honour before her sister while the parents couldn’t pick your aptitudes, but our country younger tried to catch up with her elder—brought found it and developed you as heroes.” Then she said about marvellous results. Jong Sim became an to Un Sim, “You must make a success of your career Olympic winner in her teens, and Un Sim, who began like your sister. That way you’ll repay for your bene- her career when she was ten, distinguished herself in fit.” her international debut. Now the sisters often inwardly measure the weight they have to lift to live up to their honour. Flowers of the Weightlifting World Make a smarter movement—this is the motto they The Sportspersons’ Apartment had crowds of keep in mind. visitors when Un Sim got three gold medals at an Jong Sim says, “In the past I wished I could be international tournament, like when Jong Sim had qualified for the Olympic Games. I wanted nothing won the Olympic Games. One of the flats, with a floor more. Now I know the merit of sportspersons. There space of a hundred and dozens of square metres, is is limit to our physical exertions, but not to our pa- what was allotted to Jong Sim. A wall is given to the triotic devotion. I’m scarcely content with my display of her glory: there are a souvenir photograph achievement. I’ll keep conscientious and devoted to of Jong Sim posing arm in arm with the national my country.” leader Kim Jong Un, the medal and certificate Un Sim says, “I’ll participate in the Olympics and of Labour Hero, the medal and certificate of win. That’s an obligation of an Olympic winner’s Kim Il Sung Youth Honour Prize, an ID card of sister. My sister and I decided to become flowers of delegate to the 2012 Youth Day celebrations and a the weightlifting world to be remembered by the souvenir photograph taken with Kim Jong Un on people.” the occasion. There are also to be seen on the wall the The public gives blessings to the sisters, hoping more than 100 medals and diplomas the sisters have Un Sim will accomplish her decision and Jong Sim won. Their mother was honoured, too: she was in- will remain successful in her efforts. vited to the 4th National Conference of Mothers as Rim Ok

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 27 The People’s Ideal Comes True

N FEBRUARY LAST JIAN people came true. On March 5, encouraged all the people to de- I Mwa, writer of French pub- 1946 the President saw to it that fend the country by smashing the lishing house Grasset, wrote to the Law on Agrarian Reform in aggressive moves of the imperi- the Korean people’s supreme North Korea was proclaimed, alists including the US imperial- leader Kim Jong Un. It reads in making the peasants become ists who were seeking to domi- part: owners of land. The Labour Law nate the socialist Korea politi- “This is my second visit to for the Workers and Office Em- cally and militarily. He laid Korea as a French citizen, and I ployees in North Korea was pro- down Songun politics as his basic would like to tell you how I was claimed in June 1946 and the political mode whereby the Peo- struck with admiration for all Law on Sex Equality in North ple’s Army is the pillar and main the realities in your country, Korea on July 30, 1946. Com- force of the revolution and the especially the Masikryong Ski menting those events the news- socialist construction is pushed Resort. papers at that time made the forward as a whole on the “Above all, I admire you for headlines that the people strength of the army. His politics your solicitude for the people: achieved long-cherished desires. brought about a historic event of you gave such a wonderful pre- The Korean people enjoyed the successful launching of the sent to the people … the dignity of genuine human artificial earth satellite Kwang- “The construction of monu- beings, benefiting from free edu- myongsong 1 which was manu- mental edifices like the ski resort cation and health care under factured by the Koreans’ own and your care of the people is Kim Il Sung’s administration. resources. Thanks to his Songun- the inheritance of the great tra- Chairman Kim Jong Il ac- based leadership Korea became dition of careful service for the complished the nation’s century- more powerful, and the sky over people pioneered by the eternal old desire for a powerful nation it turned clear and blue for all President Kim Il Sung and the by means of Songun politics. He eternity. ► great Chairman Kim Jong Il.”

The long history of human- kind can be said to be the years that witnessed the people’s efforts to accomplish their dream and ideal. In retrospect the dream of the Korean people was so simple. When the peasants were exhausted over their toil and moil as poor tenants, they wished they had even a patch of land of their own. What the Ko- rean women longed for when they were subjected to tearful life shackled by feudalism was to have equal rights with the men and be treated decently. But before the liberation of the country (August 15, 1945) they could not realize their dreams. Thanks to President Kim Il Sung, who liberated Korea from the Japanese imperialists’ military occupation, the century-old dream of the Korean

28 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 Workers move to a newly- built hostel amidst the public blessing.

The Munsu Water Park.

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 29 ► He also saw to it that the The world of loving care for and outdoor slides, and the peo- people’s dream for happiness the people established by the ple say with pleasure that the became a reality in this land. He national leaders is carried words of the song Paean to said that it was his wish to help forward by the supreme leader Motherland come to their lips by the people, who are the best in Kim Jong Un. In his first public themselves. The environment of the world, live as happily as any speech in 2012 he said that it is the Okryu Children’s Hospital is other nations in the near future, his firm determination to ensure arranged to suit the children’s enjoying all the happiness on the the people enjoy all the benefits psychology, and it is furnished earth. To this end, he was on the of socialism. He is now turning it with up-to-date equipment. The road of field inspection in all into reality. Changjon Street, Masikryong Ski Resort was built seasons. In the course of this, the Unha Scientists Street and in a mountainous area as a base typical sceneries of the Songun Kim Il Sung University Lectur- for mass-based sports and tour- era made their appearances in ers’ Apartments, Ryugyong Den- ism while the workers’ hostel at succession such as the scenes of tal Hospital, Okryu Children’s Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Textile sturgeon and ostrich growing Hospital and Mirim Riding Club Mill went up wonderfully to ac- and boundless Handure Plain. were built in less than a year. commodate ordinary workers. There goes a popular song that The Munsu Water Park which is And the Songdowon Interna- the ideal harboured by the several times larger than the tional Children’s Camp, an ex- President and developed by the Rungna Wading Pool was built in emplary holiday home of the Chairman has blossomed in this 2013. The park has scores of schoolchildren, underwent re- land. pools and various kinds of indoor markable facelift. ►

Everything in Korea Is Faring Well

’M DELIGHTED TO SEE There are many interesting data Okryu Children’s Hospital, the I that everything in Korea is on display. Rungna People’s Pleasure faring well as Chairman The Fatherland Liberation Ground, the Rungna Dolphinar- Kim Jong Il wished. War was the most difficult period ium, the Munsu Water Park and This time I visited the Victo- in the Korean people’s history. many other places gave me an rious Fatherland Liberation War But President Kim Il Sung impression that Korea is vigor- Museum. I had been to the old wisely commanded all the mili- ously moving forward for the museum. tary operations, and his leader- building of a prosperous nation. Looking round the museum ship brought about victory in the I’m convinced that under the which shows the Korean people’s war. leadership of the respected spirit, I was unable to contain my Looking at the materials on Kim Jong Un, the Korean peo- joy over its fine reconstruction. display, I looked back on the ple’s ideal to build a civilized days when Kim Jong Il had country is coming into reality.

visited Russia. He always Olga Maltseva, thought about his people and Associate professor of was anxious to make them well- the Far East Federation off with a bright smile on their University of Russia, faces. Russian reporter I think the love of the President and Chairman for the people is inherited today. I have come to Korea again after an interval of two years, and found everything has changed beyond recognition. The

30 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014

An inner view of the Okryu Children’s Hospital.

► All those monumental edi- cultural wealth to the people. Yom Song Hui fices were constructed under the The Korean people detailed instructions of the put absolute trust in national leader Kim Jong Un. their leader and fol- Visiting the structures he says low him faithfully. happily that the people would They are now experi- like them very much, and that he encing what the bene- is pleased to provide another fits of socialism are.

Schoolchildren enjoy themselves at the Song- dowon International Children’s Camp.

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 31

New Appearances of Taedong Riverside in Pyongyang

OME TIME AGO I HAD A the wonderful hits of the players rink. The rink was crowded with S stroll along the promenade added fuel to the cheers of the children. Some children were on the Taedong River. The scen- spectators. The players came dashing energetically while ery around was just like a pic- from Changjon Street, and they others were demonstrating their ture. In the sky a rainbow was were all elderly who had been in feats. There I saw a child about hanging in the spray of foun- sports teams when they were two years old skating with her tains, and in the river the boats young. Their seasoned and spir- mother’s help. The mother was seemed to be blossoms. The ited movements were the envy of Kim Yong Hui from Taedong- weeping willows and ubiquitous the young people. Even passers- mun-dong. Kim said with de- anglers added to the pleasant by were absorbed in the game light, “I taught my daughter scenery of the river. while the youths were anxious to how to roller-skate as soon as There arose roaring cheers join it. After the match I met Yun she could walk. She asks me to from the Taedongmun Park. Kyong Il, one of the players, and take her here every day, so we When I got there I saw people asked if he were exhausted. “I are here. I find she has devel- ► having recreation. What drew feel refreshed,” he answered, “I the greatest attention was the have had the same feelings as volleyball match. The match was that I took in the past. I feel as if heating up with the sound of I were back in those days.” whistle announcing the serves Next I went to the roller and the enthusiastic voices of counting one, two and three. And

32 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 ► oped a good sense of balance and Pavilion on Moran Hill to write a Pleasure Ground appeared on concentration.” Nearby I saw poem about the beauty of the Rungna Islet and the Delicacy boys and girls in sportswear river. But finding himself unable House under the Okryu Restau- playing badminton. A park to choose proper words to de- rant was opened, and modern keeper said that many people scribe the scenery, he left only architectural monuments went visit there regardless of time two-lined poem. It goes: up such as Changjon Street, the and the number of visitors The water ripples on one side People’s Open-air Ice Rink, the swells on holidays and Sundays. of a long wall Roller Rink, the Ryugyong Many of them are regular visi- And mountains rise in the Health Complex and the Hae- tors. east of a great field. danghwa Service Complex. The I met Kim Chol Man who was This poem was first attached dancing fountain and the restau- playing janggi (Korean chess). to Pubyok Pavilion before it was rant boat The Taedonggang were He said he had lived on the riv- moved to Ryongwang Pavilion, also built to the delight of the erside all his life (he was over one of the eight scenic spots in people. And the newly-built 80). He said, “After playing northwest Korea. I often think parks like the Taedongmun Park janggi I usually go to Ryongwang what the poet would do if he had and the Kyongnim Riverside Pavilion to enjoy the scenery of seen the appearance of the river- Park are filled with merrymak- the river. I like to see young peo- side today.” ing people, adding the scenery of ple have a pleasant time here. Now I glanced up and down the river. From ancient times this river the riverside, and many edifices The Taedongmun Park was well known for its scenery. came into my sight—the May stands by Ryongwang Pavilion Kim Hwang Won, a celebrated Day Stadium, the East Pyongy- which is the best place to enjoy poet in the period of Koryo Dy- ang Grand Theatre, the Central the sight of the river. In the place nasty, once went up to Pubyok Youth Hall, the Pyongyang where the antique and modern Bowling Alley, the Yanggakdo features are well matched, I en- Football Stadium, the Grand visioned the future appearance People’s Study House and the of the riverside. Okryu Restaurant. More re- Rim Sang Jun cently, the Rungna People’s

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 33

Visit to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum

(Continued from the last issue) dedicated to the show of the de- his father Kim Hyong Jik. He termination of the Korean army had got them from his mother in OW WE STEPPED INTO and people to hold the President February 1928 when he set out N the inside of the Father- in high esteem age after age. on the road of national liberation land Liberation War Museum. Then she ushered us into the which was the burning desire of anti-Japanese warfare section. the Koreans. Earlier Kim Hyong Jik, The Victory in the Anti- “Last year our museum at- outstanding leader of the anti- Japanese War tained a new feature as a show- Japanese national liberation case of the victorious anti- struggle of Korea who had been Entering the museum I was Japanese war,” said the guide. pioneering the historic cause first attracted to a large colour “This section is given to the dis- of national liberation, had left statue of President Kim Il Sung play of the major military opera- his son the revolutionary heri- in the centre of the three- tions Kim Il Sung conducted tage of the idea of “Aim High,” storeyed hall. (I was told it is a during the anti-Japanese armed the three-point readiness, the statue of plaster.) In front of the struggle.” idea of winning comrades and young image of their national Hearing the words we passed the two pistols. Cherishing the leader during the Fatherland the introductory hall of the will of his father, Kim Il Sung Liberation War, the visitors paid section which shows the general found the path of the Korean unbounded respect for him. history of the heroic anti- revolution in the armed struggle Our guide explained about the Japanese armed struggle, and against the Japanese imperial- fact the central hall was arranged got to the place where there ists in his early years and first excellently under the guidance of were two pistols on display. formed the Korean Revolution- Kim Jong Un, the supreme They were the valuable heritage ary Army which was a transi- national leader, and that it is Kim Il Sung had received from tional political and paramilitary ►

34 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 ► organization. Hearing such an explanation from the guide we now saw a picture of Kim Il Sung declar- ing the anti-Japanese war at the Mingyuegou meeting, Yanji County, China. In front of the picture, the guide said, “At the Mingyuegou meeting Kim Il Sung put forward the policy of waging an armed struggle with the guerrilla warfare as the main mode. For the purpose he told that it was necessary to organize a guerrilla army with the communists— Things used by the anti-Japanese guerrillas. who had been trained in the trials of the underground revo- force!’ He instructed that they tles for their defence. The guide lutionary struggle—as the back- should seize enemy weapons said the munitions factories of bone and steadily build up the and arm themselves while mak- the guerrilla army in the forests armed ranks by admitting pro- ing them by themselves.” had initiated the traditions of gressive workers, peasants and Now we looked round the the effort for fortification of the patriotic youths. It was essen- data and materials on the whole land and the spirit of tial to win weapons, he claimed, founding of the Anti-Japanese army-people unity and self- and put up the military slogan People’s Guerrilla Army (April reliance. There we saw a num- ‘Weapons are our life and soul! 25, 1932) and the establishment ber of data and materials on Oppose armed force with armed of guerrilla bases and the bat- display including the semipano- ► A panorama shows a battle to defend Xiaowangqing.

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 35

► ramic picture of a battle to de- captured weapons on display, Ri addressing the Pyongyang mass fend a guerrilla base, panoramic Se Il, a visitor, said, “In this rally held to welcome his pictures and illuminated maps newly arranged section of the triumphal return home. It showing major battles and victorious anti-Japanese war, we seemed as if I were hearing operations conducted under are all convinced of the truth the cheers of “Long live General Kim Il Sung’s command, in- that the Songun cause led by an Kim Il Sung!” that shook the cluding those of the Pochonbo heaven and earth in the days Battle which had implanted in outstanding statesman will immediately after the national the mind of the Korean people surely emerge victorious.” the confidence that the Korean Stepping to the next section, I liberation. nation was not dead but alive saw the picture of Kim Il Sung (To be continued) and that if they fought against the Japanese imperialists they would be able to win, the Jian- sanfeng Battle, the Taehongdan Battle, and the final campaign for national liberation. By turning out in the nationwide struggle against the Japanese aggressors closely united behind Kim Il Sung, the Korean people finally defeated the Japa- nese aggressors and achieved the liberation of their country on August 15, 1945. Seeing the pictures of the defeated Japanese forces and the

36 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 Non-material Cultural Heritage Upheld and Promoted

HE FOLK SONG ARIRANG IS A TYPICAL T piece of Korea’s non-material cultural heritage. It carries the sorrow over the parting with one’s spouse, the yearning for him or her and the hope of reunion. The song has been orally handed down among the Koreans generation after generation. A symbol of the Korean folk music, it is on the lips of all Koreans, especially among the nationals overseas. There are diversified versions of the music in Korea, such as independent lyric, orchestra, instrumental ensemble, film music, dancing music and so on, which are put on the stage very often. What is particularly worth mentioning is the mass gymnastics and artistic performance Arirang based on the theme of the song, which was premiered in April 2002. The masterpiece left a great impression on the mind of the Korean people at home and abroad, and was awarded a diploma of the Guinness Book of Records. Ssirum, Korean-style wrestling, is also a piece of non-material heritage that was created and has been developed by the Koreans in their working life for ages. They played the game at any time and in any place—at break of rice transplanting, weeding and harvesting, by the fields, on the sand bank of streams or in grassland. Large-scale games were often organized by regions. The winner’s prize was usually Old painting Ssirum by Kim a full-grown ox. A ssirum-showing mural picture in a Hong Do in the 18th century. tomb found in Ji’an, Jilin province, China—it dates back to the closing years of the 4th century—and the tance of ssirum in the Koreans’ everyday life. At 18th century’s renowned painter Kim Hong Do’s work present a Grand Bull Prize national ssirum contest Ssirum are substantial justifications of the impor- takes place in Korea every year on the occasion of the ► The Grand Bull Prize national ssirum contest takes place annually.

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 37

Folk dance Peasant Dance.

► folk holiday of Chusok or Harvest Moon Festival. was later spread to different parts of the country to This promotes the development of wrestling tech- be established as a perfect musical and dancing niques and skills. model of art. It is currently placed in an honourable Makkolli, a traditional folk drink, is one of the position among the folk art since its influence is popular drinks of the Korean people at the moment. reaching even foreign lands. An unrefined drink made by fermenting a porridge of The campaign to excavate, confirm and preserve malt and white rice, it is not so alcoholic (5-8 percent non-material heritage is making headway in the in alcoholic content) and has a well-regulated mix- country with the participation of broad sections ture of sour, sweet, bitter, astringent and other of the people, enriching the stock of the nation’s tastes. So it has been used as a nice soft drink for a culture. long period of time. It also contains original flavour Folk song Arirang, national sport ssirum, folk and a good amount of nutriment. dance Yonbaek Nongangmu, national cuisine of The folk dance Yonbaek Nongangmu (peasant Pyongyang Raengmyon, kimchi and makkolli are dance) that came into existence among the peasants registered in the list of state non-material cultural in the Yonbaek region, South Hwanghae Province heritage.

Solgo’s Painting

OLGO WAS A FAMOUS PAINTER OF SILLA that hints at its unyielding growth under the wear S (a feudal Korean state that existed from the and tear of the world for hundreds of years, and the early mid-first century to 935). He was very fond of green pine-needles glittering as if they were just painting from his childhood. He often skipped meals sprinkled with dew. The painting was so vivid that for his poor living, but would never do without crows, eagles, swallows and sparrows used to run painting even a day. His skills were overwhelmingly against the mural. higher than any other contemporary artists. As time went by, it began to get dull in colour. The Once he painted an old pine tree on a wall of monks of Hwangryong Temple put their hearts and Hwangryong Temple at the request of the monks. It soul into the restoration of the painting. But, from looked just like a real pine tree—the trunk with that time on, the birds did not cast a look at the tree rough, thick and broken barks like the tortoise shell in the picture.

38 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 Short Story My Subworkteam Members

By Pyon Chang Ryul

1 ion, perhaps because his words cast, saying, “Do you mean I’ve HEN THE CHIEF ENGI- were rather reasonable. broadcast a false report? It’s a W neer of the Songwon Coop- “Is there any one who is as stark fact that he has got two erative Farm management board inquisitive and enthusiastic patents. And if you ask anyone was transferred to the post of the about introduction of new tech- you see on the highway about agricultural affairs section chief nology as the head of the Second him they will say he’s got a rosy of the county cooperative farm Subworkteam? He won two pat- future as he is young. And he is management committee, the ents at the provincial new tech- born a clever and kind-hearted head of Workteam No. 4 of the nology exhibitions, you know. character. And our subworkteam farm was appointed as the farm’s Moreover, he is young—and has had a huge benefit from the suc- chief engineer. Who would be the got a kind heart. If he becomes cessful wintering of the mud leader of the workteam was an the leader of our workteam, we snails, didn’t we? I haven’t made important topic among the mem- will be able to do farming more a false report at all. Even on a bers of the workteam at the mo- easily. When others failed to stormy hilltop, I keep the bal- ment. Early this morning, too, manage the wintering of the ance and make a correct judg- the members of the Third Sub- mud snails properly and so more ment.” workteam of Workteam No. 4 than half of them died, our There burst forth giggling were out in the rice seedlings workteam successfully kept the sounds here and there. At that plot, and their chatting was fo- mud snails in winter so that time Chun Hwa, head of the cused on the important topic. none of them died. This was Third Subworkteam, got to the They were making boisterous thanks to the head of the Second plot of rice seedlings. As if the arguments, speaking of their Subworkteam. The mud snails straw-made windbreak around opinions. got rid of the weeds the next the plot were a kind of sound- “Of all the people the head of year, and we did the farming proof wall, the members of her the First Subworkteam will be quite easily, didn’t we? And the subworkteam had been care- the workteam leader, I’m sure. yield rose up to the highest ever lessly talking about whatever You know the career is the point level per hectare.” This fluent they pleased. Their words in every consideration. Is there statement without any hitches reached her ears clearly. Her anyone who has a better under- came from a woman worker, Ku first impulse was to stop the standing of the fields of our Jong Sim, who went by the absurd discussion about the workteam? Even the official of nickname of Sin Bangsong. matter of “appointment of offi- the Ministry of Agriculture who Originally, she used to be called cer,” but she was gripped with a was here to supervise the land Ku Bangsong (whose literal certain curiosity, so she stood realignment called the head meaning might be interpreted behind the windbreak. She of the First Subworkteam as “Old Broadcast”) as she was wanted to hear what kind of ‘Breathing Terrier.’ Moreover, he informed of any affairs of the appraisal her workers would is quite inquisitive and enthusi- workteam and the farm and her make of her. It might be their astic about introduction of new information was correct. Later objective and unbiased judg- technology.” This challenging she suggested renaming herself ment. and enthusiastic voice came from as Sin Bangsong meaning “New “The members of the Fourth Cha Jun Ho, who was in charge Broadcast.” Some strangers Subworkteam say their head will of looking after the draught cat- often mistook her family name become the leader of the work- tle. He was about to have his as Sin. team. I hear he has many ac- breakfast—brought by his wife— “Thanks to Sin Bangsong’s quaintances in the county coop- sitting on a dry mat after grazing campaign the head of the Second erative farm management com- his cattle fully from the early Subworkteam is most likely to mittee and the husband of his hours of the day. All the sub- become the leader of the work- father’s sister or his uncle works workteam members knew he was team.” Somebody made a sarcas- in the provincial rural economy an intimate friend of the head of tic remark. committee as a section chief. The the First Subworkteam, but none At this, Sin Bangsong imme- subworkteam head finished the of them stood against his opin- diately made a refuting broad- college course while working on ►

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 39 ► the job; he served in the army; he team heads except her alone. She formance. is handsome, a good speaker, a was sorry she was not worth “By the way,” Hyo Sun spoke good worker. He is a typical man being taken into consideration. again, looking directly at Chun fit for executive posts.” This soft As if sensing her mind, Pak Hwa. It was a glance of silent and logic words came from Yong Ung Thae, an elderly man in criticism. Feeling nervous for no Sil, whose husband was in charge of water control, was reason, Chun Hwa accepted her charge of the irrigation in the heard saying, “By the way, why eyes. Fourth Subworkteam. are you leaving our subwork- “Did you say you would cut “Then, what about register- team head out of your topic?” 0.5 point from the day’s labour ing the head of the Fourth Sub- There was no answer. assessment if the workers were workteam formally as a candi- “Well, why don’t we make not present at the work place at date?” Cha Jun Ho cried jokingly, haste? Remember the subwork- 5: 30 in the morning?” Hyo Sun giving rise to another round of team head stressed we would be asked. laughter. the first in the county to finish “Yes, I did,” Chun Hwa re- In a minute Ku Jong Sim’s the rice transplanting only when plied innocently. She had said serious and patient tone began we finish the job in the Kolgae that the evening before at the to sound. “I wish the statistician paddies today.” A high-pitched hour of reviewing the day’s work of the workteam were our work- voice cried. It was Yong Ae, the of her subworkteam, in order to team leader. I know how me- subworkteam member in charge mobilize the entire subworkteam ticulous and humane she is. She of publicity. Her words changed to the last effort of rice trans- acquaints herself with the ex- the atmosphere of the place at planting. pected day of young women’s once, like the bell announcing Hyo Sun made a face and delivery and makes sure that the beginning of school. Sounds stared at Chun Hwa, before say- they have their holiday of child- of their making haste were ing, “I don’t think you were right, birth in time. On one occasion I heard; perhaps they were now Chun Hwa. How could you wield heard an old operator of the rice aware their head would appear the assessment of the man-days cleaning mill speak highly of presently. like a pocket of coins in the hand her; she gathered the fallen “Is that you, Third Subwork- of the subworkteam head? This unhulled rice grains to the last team head?” someone called from morning I heard some women one and put into the cleaning behind. It was Hyo Sun who was workers of your subworkteam machine to increase the clean- the statistician of the workteam. say they were a little unpleasant ing percentage even a little. I She was Chun Hwa’s school- because they felt as if they were saw how scrupulous she was mate. Chun Hwa rushed up to blackmailed by your mentioning when there was a distribution of her, for she was in an awkward of 0.5 point.” rice; for fear there was even a situation, unable to decide Hyo Sun was speaking of the handful of rice less given to us, whether to join her workers in fact as it was, without any addi- she confirmed the divisions of the rice seedlings plot or to keep tion or deduction. But Chun Hwa the scale again and again. When her away from them. Hyo Sun flushed, feeling uneasy about the she makes public the assess- appeared at such a moment to sharp criticism. She remembered ment of the man-days, she care- save her. Approaching her her subworkteam members’ ap- fully checks it to see if there is friend, Chun Hwa thought she preciation of Hyo Sun and their even 0.1 point missing. She was going to tell how her no-mentioning of her when they thinks highly of us workers and subworkteam members had were talking of their treats us respectfully.” “recommended” her for the post “candidates” for the workteam There fell a silence as if eve- of the workteam leader. But Hyo leader. rybody agreed with her. Sun looked rather serious for a Now Chun Hwa recalled that Someone else followed up her certain reason she couldn’t tell. her fiancé Myong Sik had di- remarks. “She must have done so “Today the members of the vulged his admiration for Hyo while she was a platoon leader in artistic circle of the senior middle Sun. He had said, “She is differ- the People’s Army. That’s why school are coming to give a per- ent from us as we anticipated— her comrades make hundreds of formance,” Hyo Sun announced. both in the angle of thinking and ri’s detour to see her on their way “They say they are going to per- in the attitude towards things. back home after they’re dis- form here on the bank of the Surely different from us.” charged. That’s really unusual.” Songwon Stream. Please make Chun Hwa had felt his state- The conversation focused on an arrangement.” ment of “different from us” in- Hyo Sun, the statistician, before Chun Hwa nodded, but in- sulting to her self-confidence one changing to everyday problems. wardly she was calculating how way or another, for it sounded Chun Hwa felt more or less much time and labour would be like “different from you, Chun strange. Her subworkteam wasted travelling from the Kol- Hwa.” members talked of all subwork- gae paddies to this place of per- (To be continued)

40 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014

Story Associated With Anhak Palace

HE ANHAK PALACE WAS was time to use coral bricks for T the royal residence of the decoration of the buildings Koguryo (277 BC-AD 668) after where the sovereign of the coun- the kingdom moved its capital try would live. Isadal’s hair was from Kungnaesong in Jian to scorched by the fire of the brick Pyongyang in 427. Around the kiln, and his hands were burnt time when the construction of numb and hardened with the palace was underway, there calluses. But he failed to make standing by him. She seemed to lived a boy named Isadal who coral-bright bricks. be determined to share the lot was a slave owned by the royal The minister decided to sen- with him by his side whatever family. tence him to death for his failure the ordeal. She had never been One day the royal minister in to fulfil the order, so that other able to do it yet, and now she charge of the Anhak Palace pro- people working for the project looked happy. She was grey- ject looked through the design. might be awakened to the loyalty haired now, like Isadal. Their Then, he called in Isadal and to the royal order. When people position of being enslaved with- gave a strict order, saying, gathered in a certain place of the out any human right turned “Listen, Isadal. We’re going to palace under construction as he them gray-haired though they decorate this palace of the king had ordered, he asked Isadal to were no more than in their 40s. with coral bricks. You shall have leave words if he had any before Infuriated, the crowd shouted to to make the bricks. If you suc- he died. the minister to let the couple ceed, you’ll be given liberty as “I wish to die with this brick alive. They looked ready to rise you want. If not, you shall die.” I’ve made in my arms,” Isadal up against him at once if he did It was almost a lethal order, implored. not accept their opinion. And the but Isadal was rather happy “What do you mean by that?” minister knew such a revolt than afraid, for he thought living asked the minister. would make it impossible to as a slave was no better than “I wish to be a cornerstone of build the palace and that he being dead. He made up his mind Koguryo even when I’m dead.” would be blamed for the failure. to make coral bricks at any cost The minister allowed him to So he decided to pardon Isadal as a treasure of his country and hold the brick in his arms, and who had earned the favour with earn liberty like Noul for the ordered the executioner to carry the workers by making strong reward. out the death sentence. bricks and let him achieve his Isadal was in love with Noul The stupidly honest execu- desire. This would help him court who was a royal servant. But as tioner put up his sword over his the workers and hasten the pro- he was a slave, he could not meet head and struck a fatal blow ject. her openly. Whenever they came down onto Isadal’s neck. Finally Isadal escaped the across in the ground of the pal- But, alas! The sword was death penalty and his name was ace, they had to share their broken into two pieces and Isadal erased off from the register of burning affection by exchanging was standing erect like a giant slaves. The people erected a their eyes alone. with his brick held up over his small house for his couple at the Having experienced such a head. The crowd was shocked to foot of Mt. Taesong and looked misfortune, Isadal made desper- see his brick still complete. well after them. ate efforts for the development of At the moment Noul, among Later the local inhabitants the coral bricks. The Anhak Pal- the crowd, called out to him and handed down the legendary story ace rose magnificently befitting elbowed through the gathering. of Isadal and Noul generation the dignity of the prosperous The fragile girl came up to Isadal after generation. country. with tearful eyes and looked at A dozen years passed and it him for a good while, before Kim Un Jong

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 41 Korean Folklore Museum

(Continued from the last issue) while women a jacket and a long skirt (wide corru- gated skirt). Belts were wound around the waist. HE HALL WE ENTERED SHOWS THE Women wore toecapped shoes. T Korean nation’s peculiar dressing manners. In the middle period of Koryo Dynasty (918-1392), Seeing the relics such as hemp thread, bone needle, the jacket became short with no belt and a jacket and abb gripe unearthed from the remains of the string came into fashion. Textile fabrics were of silk, primitive ages, we realized that the dressing man- ramie and hemp, and cotton cloth came to be used ners had been formed in remote antiquity. from the late 14th century as cotton was cultivated. The Korean people’s style of dressing was fixed in Silks were widely known. At the time, Koryo had the ancient times, so that the commoners wore hemp trade relations with Song of China, and through the clothes and the peers silk clothes. The wax replicas of Koryo-Song trade, the silk goods of Koryo spread to King Tangun, the founding father of Ancient Joson, Arab countries. Records say that in the era of Song, the first state of Korea (early 30th century BC-108 Chinese traders from the Shandong, Fujian and BC), and his wife, show that they wore long silk Zhejiang areas, the renowned silk producing centres, clothes indicating the dressing habit of the ancient visited Koryo to purchase various kinds of silk and times. ramie cloth. In this course, the name Korea (Koryo) In the period of Koguryo (277 BC-AD 668), the came to be well-known to the world and it has come country was powerful, and so it had a developed cul- to stay to this day. ture and a high dressing style. The murals of King During the Feudal Joson Dynasty (1392-1910), Kogugwon’s tomb showing common man’s attire in the Korean costume underwent a great change in trousers and leggings, with tight and short sleeves appearance and variety. In this period the production and a belt around the jacket, and the mural paintings of hemp prospered all over the country. On display of the Tokhung-ri tomb exhibiting common woman’s are a model of a woman weaving hemp cloth at a dress gave me an idea of how common people dressed loom through four processes and the produced hemp themselves in that period; that is, men wore trousers cloth. Also on show are common men’s sleeveless ►

The Haengju apron and The costumes in the period of Three Kingdoms. Hoejang jogori (colour- striped coat of women).

42 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 ► jackets and short trousers for working use and padded jackets and trousers for fishing. Impressive are the sleeveless jacket and sleevelet made of the wis- teria stem wood. The sleeveless jacket worn next to skin in summer will save clothes from being wet with sweat and keep the body cool, so that even modern people will want to wear. The Haengju apron from the times of the Feudal Joson Dynasty attracted attention. It was connected with the patriotism of women who made a great contribution to the victory of the battle of the Haengju Mountain Fort by carrying stones in their apron during the Imjin Patriotic War (1592-1598). The women’s jacket with colorful strips of cloth for trimmings came into being in the same time. Originally the colourful strips were used to replace easily-soiled and worn-out parts of the jacket with other pieces of cloth, but later developed into one of the Korean women’s decorative costumes. Very important to show the dressing manners is that every attire has its own mural, giving the scien- Wax replicas of Tangun, father of tific accuracy and authenticity. the Korean nation, and his wife. There is also on display a suit of armour which a military officer wore in battles about 400 years ago. the special personal ornaments for Korean women, is Inside the suit are the pieces of pressed leather very suitable for beautiful Korean women’s costumes which were laid to overlap each other not to be and has some industrial value. stabbed by a sword, and on the parts of shoulders are Feeling the Korean people’s lofty, meticulous and metal pieces. frugal life, we went to the next hall. Various kinds of personal ornaments for women (To be continued.) can be seen. Moreover, a pendent trinket, as one of Rim Ok

Children’s garments. A scene of women weaving hemp cloth in the Feudal Joson Dynasty.

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 43

Sujong Peak

UJONG PEAK IN MT. that the whole peak looked like a peak is slightly sloping at the S Kumgang rises in Kosong crystal which is pronounced as foot but sharply inclined in the County, Kangwon Province, on Sujong in Korean. upper part, standing 65-70° the boundary between Onjong-ri, The natural wonder was upright. The brown forest soil County Town and Songbuk-ri. It formed by an upheaval in the which consists mostly of argilla- is 775 metres above sea level. Miocene epoch of the Tertiary. ceous sand covers the foot where The name comes from the fact The base rock is granite. The many rocks are exposed. The top consists in a giant block of rock

A road to Sujong Peak. as a whole. The lower part of the peak has pines, oaks, maples and Aceraceae meno, and the top is sparsely wooded. Azalea, bush clovers, royal azaleas and

Weigela subsessilis Bailey are ►

44 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 ► found in numbers. The summit is ter. It reminds you of a pond in one of the many peaks in Mt. to be reached by sightseeing the garden. Go two or three me- Kumgang shining brightly. The paths that start from Sujong tres up, and you will have a look- next day he went to the peak Valley, Jong Valley in Songbuk- out on the summit. It is one of the with a bow and arrows. When he ri and Idanpho Valley in Kosong best places for sightseeing in the climbed up the peak in defiance County Town. Standing along northern area of Outer Kumgang. of difficulties, he found Sujong the paths are Nuun Falls which There you can command beautiful Gate near the summit where is 20~30 m high, Jara Rock, sceneries of Hanhagye, Kwangum brilliant crystal rods as big as Pidulgi Rock, Sonsu Rock and Peaks stretching southeastward forearm were hanging down. He other fantastic rocks. from Sangdung Peak in the west fell into raptures, and enjoyed Sujong Gate rises just under and peaks behind them like the sight unconscious of the pas- the ridge of the peak. It is the Ongnyo, Janggun, Chaeha, sage of time. Then there were largest natural stone gate in Mt. Jipson and Sejon peaks. Also to be birds twittering suddenly and he Kumgang. It is a piece of arch- seen in the north are Mt. Chon- went out. He saw a gang of style rock with the thickness of bul, and imposing Chodae Peak thieves climbing up the peak to two or three metres and the and Chodae Rocks. To the east steal the crystals. He repulsed length and height ten metres there is Kosong Bay which in- them using his bow, and each. Crystals are stuck in the trudes deep into the foot of Sujong defended the crystals. Now he stone. Passing through the gate Peak, the East Sea of Korea, On- settled there to defend crystals, and climbing a little up an iron jong Stream and Kosong Plain, and the thieves could never ap- ladder will bring you to Kangson- which make up a picture. proach the summit. dae, a big flat rock where hun- Sujong Peak has a legend, The peak area has developed dreds of people can sit together. which goes: into a wonderful sightseeing Hollows are to be seen here and In olden times an orphaned resort with good facilities. It is there on it. In summer they are little boy lived in a cave in the an attraction to holidaymakers filled with water, grasses grow coastal cliffs in Jangjon Inlet. and tourists in Mt. Kumgang. around and frogs live in the wa- One night he happened to see Sim Yong Jin

Fantastic rocks on Sujong Peak. Cliffs on Sujong Peak.

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 45 The Phungsan Hound

HE PHUNGSAN HOUND game. It looks dashing and, with dog has a slightly drooped belly, T is native to the region of strong hind legs, is a good runner but the male’s is taut for quick Kim Hyong Gwon County even on steep mountainsides. movement. It has its tail held

(Phungsan County in the past), It always keeps its head high high in a loop on its hips. The

Ryanggang Province. It is smart on the lookout, with rather dog has short legs, and some and agile and full of fight. small eyes. It has comparatively have additional toes in their

Trained for hunting, Phungsan small straight ears bent forward hind legs. The fur is mostly hound is faithful and sharp-eyed, or sideways. Its neck is thick, white, but sometimes yellowish and most ferocious against big short and well-formed. The she- brown. The male is 55 cm tall

and weighs 24-25 kg (28 kg at

the most), and the she-dog is 53

cm tall and 22-23 kg (27 kg at

the most). The male is 57 cm

long and 61 cm round its chest,

and the she-dog is 55 cm long

and 59 cm round. It has a litter

of 5-6 puppies after 60 days of

pregnancy, and gives suck to the

young for 45-50 days. The dog is

strongly resistant to diseases

and cold and eats very well, and

so it can be bred in rough condi-

tions.

It is a state natural monu-

ment in Korea.

Rim Ok

46 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 By Our Nation Itself

ARLY THIS YEAR THE DEMOCRATIC of substantial matters and discarding the outdated E People’s Republic of Korea announced its will to frame of concept. Railways and roads that had re- improve the inter-Korean relations that had been mained severed for more than half a century were going from bad to worse, and reiterated its policy of reconnected and air and sea routes were opened, joining hands with anyone who attaches importance which itself was the catalyst for greater efforts to to the nation and wants reunification, without ques- unravel the distrust and expand cooperation and tioning their past. Later, through the important exchange between the two parts. In those years all proposal (January 16) and the open letter (January the Korean communities around the world sent their 23) of the DPRK National Defence Commission, it delegates to meetings in Pyongyang, Seoul and the appealed to the south Korean authorities to take Mt. Kumgang resort on major anniversaries includ- practical measures to create an environment for ing June 15 and August 15 (the day of Korean lib- improving the north-south relations and completely eration from the Japanese military occupation) for stop all hostile military acts against each other and the display of the nation’s will to make one Korea. cooperate in the effort to take a realistic step to ward People of all strata in the north and the south often off a nuclear disaster t come to this land. Then the met to have rallies for reunification and other kinds DPRK took the initiative to take peaceful approaches of assemblies and in the course of this they deepened towards improvement of the relations between the mutual understanding and demonstrated the image north and the south. of the united Korean nation. It brought the festivity Despite those efforts on the part of the DPRK, the to the whole land along with the hope of independent inter-Korean relations that made a step forward for reunification. Such was the image of the June 15- improvement at first were frostbitten and driven into marked era of reunification. The spirit of giving pri- a catastrophe. To pave a way out, the DPRK Na- ority to the nation and treasuring the national char- tional Defence Commission made on June 30 a spe- acters settled in the minds of the Koreans, and the cial proposal to the south Korean authorities with a trend of national cooperation overwhelmed the ten- resolute decision to make a turning point in the effort dency towards fratricidal confrontation. The ethos of to improve the inter-Korean relationship by adhering rejecting the American intervention and pursuing to the three principles of independence, peace and independence and reunification with the north swept great national unity and the idea of “By our nation south Korea while the structure of confrontation itself.” between the Korean nation as a whole and the The rise and fall, and life and death of the Korean United States was formed. This meant the feasibility nation depend on the determination of the north and for the Koreans to achieve reunification by them- the south. The Korean nation can no longer stand the selves. The anti-reunification, pro-confrontation continued confrontation between the two parts, advocates asserted that it is impossible to regain one which will end in catastrophic disaster of a nuclear Korea with different ideas and social systems and war in the Korean peninsula. Fourteen years ago the that it was a long way to go until the “heterogeneous north and the south had a summit meeting with the north and south” got homogeneous again, but the determination to end the history of national division, sophism was smothered by the vitality of the idea of and adopted the historic June 15 North-South Joint by our nation itself. Declaration. The June 15-born era of reunification demon- The soul of the declaration is by our nation itself, strated that nothing is as powerful as the idea of by or, by the concerted efforts of our nation. The idea our nation itself and that no other isms of patriotism actively promoted the struggle to remove the mis- are as momentous. trust, confrontation and hostility and improve trav- The reality shows that the motive force of the els, contacts, dialogue and unity between the two cause of national reunification is the entire Korean parts of Korea. Thus, it played the key role in nation and that the cause will be accomplished in an changing the confrontation-oriented relationship independent way and in the interest of the nation into the one of unity and reconciliation. North-south only when the stand of by our nation itself is taken negotiations supported by the idea opened up the firmly. channel of trust and cooperation leading settlement Choe Chol Nam

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 47 Behind the US’s Fervour for Human Rights

BLATANT INSTIGATION IS GOING AHEAD sustain the pursuance of the strategy of isolating and A in the US over the “human rights situation in stifling the DPRK, the crumbling policy that is faced the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.” Former with the DPRK’s dialogue- and peace-oriented offen- and incumbent high-ranking officials are frantic with sive,” and “the US is forcing [south Korea] to main- their mud-slinging campaign against the DPRK’s tain the tough policy against the north by interfering system. A human rights act was approved at the law- in the inter-Korean relations.” making body against the country. Apprehensions over the American arbitrariness The Americans went so far as to bring the matter and intervention are voiced strongly. In the final of the “DPRK’s human rights” to the UN, upsetting analysis the US has decided it could hardly topple the international community. A typical event is that the DPRK by means of the nuclear problem alone. they made absurd accusations in Geneva last March Now it seems to have chosen the alternative of pro- at the 25th session of the UN Human Right Council. ducing fake stories about the “human rights viola- Then, for what is the US making haste to call the tions” of the DPRK and propagating them up to such “human rights problem” of the DPRK to the interna- a level as to get a pretext for intervention into the tional attention again while running amuck with internal affairs of the country and overturn the so- their war rehearsals using a huge amount of means cialist system. of nuclear war in and around the Korean peninsula In retrospect the US, in last century, threw down on the unjustified ground of the DPRK’s threat? some 40 Latin-American governments, and commit- The Americans have kept the peninsula in a ted as many as 900 assassinations and terrorist touch-and-go situation for scores of years since they atrocities from 1961 to 1976 in different countries occupied the southern half. Their strategic aim is to and regions. During the period from the end of the take control of the whole peninsula and use it to gain Second World War to the mid-1960s 23 of the na- the world’s hegemony. But their hard-line policy has tional governments in Asia crumbled; and a number come to a deadlock. To cope with the US’s extremist of national governments fell 20 times in Africa in policy of isolation and stifling the DPRK made the 1960-68. The wars in Dominica, Grenada, Panama best of its own material and technical foundations to and Kosovo in the 1980s-1990s were all what the successfully make and launch artificial satellites. Americans fought under the cover of “protecting This meant the bankruptcy of the Americans’ hostile human rights.” The aggression of Afghanistan and policy against the DPRK, and it also demanded that Iraq in the 21st century gives the lesson that the Washington change its existing policy. “human rights”-claiming campaign of the imperial- Nevertheless, the Pentagon, in its report on ex- ists is followed by bloody war or military intervention aminations of the four-year defense strategy, stig- without exception. matized the DPRK as the country that threatens the Recently the US Central Intelligence Agency US directly, and declared that it would win a decisive issued an instruction on carrying out offensive intel- victory through armed force-based conquest in case ligence activities against the DPRK. its strategy of containing the DPRK’s nuclear and The US gives no regard to international law, so it missile threats fails. The chief of staff of the US is obvious that the US will trigger an aggressive war Army fanned up the fury for war by making another against the DPRK at any moment by wielding the war in the Korean peninsula a fait accompli. “law on human rights.” The Americans have left no stones unturned to The Korean peninsula-centred northeast Asia is smear the DPRK. A typical example is that the where the interests of the world’s powers come across secretary of State recently called the DPRK the or conflict. The Russian foreign minister stated his cruelest state of evil, claiming it is necessary to keep government’s stand whereby it is opposed to using bringing pressure to the country. The commander of human rights to justify political pressure and inter- the US forces in the Pacific region and other brass vention into internal affairs of other nations. It is hats are making absurd allegations about the high time to give up the idea of coordinating the DPRK’s regular rocket firing drill, asserting it is a existing difficult problems in the Korean peninsula threat and provocation, and arguing for applying by way of force and establish a multilateral security sanctions. mechanism in Northeast Asia. All this comes from the crooked intention to at- To make a cool judgment of the reality and decide tain the aggressive aim by tarnishing the image of a policy consistent with the trend of the time may be the DPRK. Referring to this, even south Korean and a beneficial choice to the US. Western media reported that “the US is trying to Kim Il Bong

48 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 Sciadopitys Verticillata Sieb. et Zucc. in Wonsan

SCIADOPITYS VERTICILLATA SIEB. ET stretch out almost horizontally all around the trunk, A Zucc. stands in the compound of the Wonsan so it looks just the same from all directions. It is in University of Agriculture situated in Songchon-dong, good condition and is the biggest tree of its kind in Wonsan City, Kangwon Province. It was trans- Korea. The biggest and oldest tree in the coastal planted to the present place around 1890 when it was areas of the East Sea of Korea, it was registered as a 30 years old. It is 18 m tall, 2 m round at the bottom state natural monument in January 1980 for its and 1.9 m round at the breast height. Its crown is scientific and scenic merits. 6.4 m across. It grows straight up and the branches Song Ryo Myong

KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014 49 52 KOREA TODAY No. 8, 2014