KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 51 Order of Kiyatikun
Chairman Kim Jong Il received the Order of Kiyatikun, the top order of Laos, from the President of the Lao Peo- ple’s Democratic Republic in April 1992.
52 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 KOREA TODAY Monthly Journal (716) Printed in English, Russian and Chinese
C O N T E N T S
New Year Address ··············································································································· 3
The Tradition of Self-reliance ································································································ 9
Independence—Lifeline of Korea···························································································10
In the Run-up to the Seventh Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea
The People’s Army, Vanguard of Patriotism ·······································································12
Catfish Farm Renovated··································································································20
Leader of Improving Power Control···················································································22
Holy Resort of Korean Revolution··························································································14
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 1
Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism, a Revolutionary Ideology With
an Integrated System of Idea, Theory and Method······················· 16
History Brimming With Noble Moral Obligation (3) ····················· 18
To a Higher Goal ···································································· 24
Clean Water Alone·································································· 25
One Ideal ·············································································· 26
Front Cover: Big Haul of Under the Benefit of Free Medical Care System ·························· 27 Catfish Without Questioning ······························································· 29 Photo by Ri Chung Song Thought About Fist and Soul···················································· 30
Football Rhythmic Exercise······················································ 32
3-D Films Please Children and Adults ······································· 33
Pride of the School ·································································· 34
Fervent Yearning ··································································· 36
Love of Their Job ···································································· 37
In Pursuance of National Unity ················································ 38
Mt. Chilbo (1) ········································································ 40
Pyongyang, Cradle of Korean Nation (4) ···································· 42
In Search of Origin of Salt Production········································ 44 Back Cover: Piru Peak in Mt. Paektu Folk Dance Tondollari ···························································· 45
Along the Consistent Line of One Korea ···································· 46 Photo by Kim Jin Ho
The True Culprit Against Peace ··············································· 47
Doomed to Ruin ····································································· 48 13502 ㄱ-58243
© The Foreign Language Address: Sochon-dong, Sosong District, Magazines 2016 Pyongyang, DPRK E-mail: [email protected]
2 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016
New Year Address Kim Jong Un January 1, Juche 105 (2016)
EAR COMRADES, of lasting significance and beautiful socialist vil- D Filled with the dignity and self-respect of lages that embody the Party’s ideas and policies being victors, who have set up a shining milestone sprang up, showing the mettle of the country which in the history of the glorious Workers’ Party of is advancing by leaps and bounds reducing ten Korea and our country, we are greeting the new years to one. year 2016. Our working class, scientists and technicians, In reflection of the fervent loyalty of all the true to the instructions of the great leaders, made a people and service personnel, I extend the noblest big stride in making the metallurgical industry respect and New Year greetings to the great Juche-based, built model, standard factories of the Comrades Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, the era of the knowledge-driven economy in various symbol of socialist Korea and the sun of Juche. parts of the country and put production lines on a My New Year greetings also go to all the service modern and IT footing, thus opening a new road of personnel and people, who are working devotedly advance for developing the overall economy and for the prosperity of their socialist country with a improving the people’s standard of living. The firm determination to follow the road of Juche to flames of the campaign to implement the Party’s the end together with the Party, and I wish that all ideas and defend its policies have unfolded a proud the families will be filled with harmonious feelings reality of our indigenous plane flying in the sky and the happy laughter of our dear children re- and our indigenous subway train running under sound more loudly. the ground, and rich fish and fruit harvests were Seeing in the new year, I extend greetings to gathered, their socialist flavour bringing pleasure our compatriots in the south and abroad who are to the people. Our sportspeople including the struggling to achieve national reunification, the trustworthy women’s soccer players exalted the cherished desire of the nation, and to the progres- honour of their motherland and further encouraged sive peoples and our friends in the world who as- the militant spirit of our service personnel and pire after independence, justice and peace. people by winning gold medals in international The year 2015 was a year of gigantic struggle, competitions. which is adorned with meaningful events and eye- Through the large-scale events held to celebrate opening successes, a year of victory and glory, in the Party’s 70th anniversary drawing the attention which socialist Korea fully demonstrated its pres- of the world, we demonstrated far and wide the tige and might. might of the single-hearted unity of all the service Last year we celebrated the 70th anniversary of personnel and people around the Party and the the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea as a bright future of Juche Korea. proud and significant revolutionary event of the The moving scenes unfolded on the October great Paektusan nation. celebration square shook the world with power Having turned out as one in hearty response to greater than that of explosion of an atomic bomb or the Party’s call, the service personnel and people that of the launching of an earth satellite, and waged a heroic struggle in the revolutionary spirit clearly showed that nothing can check the dynamic of Paektu and through bold army-people coopera- advance of our Party, service personnel and people tion, thus bringing about proud labour results that are fighting with the single-hearted unity and dedicated to the motherly Party. arms as their ever-victorious weapons. The Paektusan Hero Youth Power Station, Last year our service personnel and people Chongchongang Power Station in Tiers, Sci-tech warded off the danger of war facing their country Complex, Mirae Scientists Street, Jangchon Vege- and nation and safeguarded the dignity of the Re- table Cooperative Farm and many other structures public and world peace with honour. ►
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 3 ► That we neutralized the hair-trigger situation Comrades, teetering on the brink of armed conflict owing to This year is a significant year when the Sev- the grave political and military provocations by the enth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea is to hostile forces and defended the dignity and secu- be held. rity of our motherland from possible calamities is a The congress will proudly review the successes brilliant victory born of the Herculean might of the our Party has achieved in the revolution and con- great army-people unity and of the powerful Paek- struction under the wise guidance of the great tusan revolutionary army. leaders, and unfold an ambitious blueprint for What makes us look back upon last year with hastening final victory for our revolution. greater delight is that our young vanguard who are We should celebrate the Seventh Party Con- reliably carrying forward the lineage of the Juche gress as a glorious meeting of victors as it will revolution and faith demonstrated the might of the constitute a historic landmark in carrying out the youth power without parallel in the world by cause of the Juche revolution. means of their loyalty to the Party and heroic “Let us usher in a golden age in building a struggle. thriving nation in this year when the Seventh Educated and trained in the embrace of the Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea is to be great leaders and the Party, our young people held!”–this is the militant slogan our Party and rushed ahead along the course of the Korean revo- people should uphold as they advance. lution set by the Party, creating the charging spirit All Party members, service personnel and other and culture of young people of the Songun era and people should turn out as one with ardent loyalty to performing laudable deeds that touched people’s the Party and extraordinary patriotic zeal, and heartstrings. The millions of young people, fully demonstrate the spirit and mettle of Korea that is equipped with the revolutionary ideology of the rushing forward towards final victory racing great leaders and firmly rallied behind the Party, against time. have grown strong in ideas and faith, to become We should concentrate all our efforts on build- successors to the cause of the Juche revolution. This ing an economic giant to bring about a fresh turn in is the greatest dignity, pride and success for us. developing the country’s economy and improving All the victories and successes achieved last the people’s standard of living. year are a fruition born of the heroic struggle of our In order to achieve breakthroughs for a turning people, who turned out in the general offensive for point in building an economic giant the electric- their country’s prosperity with the spirit and met- power, coal-mining and metallurgical industries tle of Paektu, and a crystallization of the invalu- and the rail transport sector should advance dy- able blood and sweat the service personnel and namically in the vanguard of the general offensive. people dedicated to the country and the revolution. The problem of electricity should be resolved as Spending last year seething with creation and an undertaking involving the whole Party and the filled with miraculous achievements together with whole state. The existing power stations should be the service personnel and people, who were burn- kept in a good state of maintenance, bolstered up ing their hearts with patriotism and loyalty, our and run at full capacity to ensure maximum output Party witnessed with a warm feeling their beauti- of electric power. The construction of the Tanchon ful spiritual world and strenuous struggle and Power Station and other projects for boosting the gained greater strength and courage from their country’s power-generating capacity should be trust-filled look and sincere opinions. promoted along with the efforts to ease the strain As there are the Party’s sagacious leadership, on electricity supply by making proactive use of the invincible army and the great people that ab- natural energy. All sectors and all units should solutely support the Party and defend it unto wage a vigorous campaign to economize on elec- death, we have no difficulties to be afraid of and tricity and make effective use of it. The sector of can accomplish any great cause without fail–this is coal-mining industry should raise the fierce flames the proud conclusion of last year’s struggle. of an upsurge in production to ensure enough sup- I extend warm thanks to all the members of the ply of coal for the thermal power stations and sev- Workers’ Party of Korea, service personnel and eral sectors of the national economy. people who glorified last year with heroic struggle The state should take thoroughgoing measures and feats in devoted support of the cause of the to make certain that the sector of metallurgical Party cherishing ardent loyalty to it and faith in industry receives adequate material supplies and sure victory. the metallurgical factories, such as the Kim Chaek ►
4 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 ► and Hwanghae iron and steel complexes, expand materials, and make strenuous efforts to this end. the successes achieved in making their production The whole Party, the entire army and all the Juche-based and modern. By doing so it can in- people should buckle down to the campaign to re- crease the output of iron and steel. The rail trans- store the forests of the country. port sector should establish rigid discipline and The urban and rural areas, workplaces and increase effectiveness in organizing and controlling villages should be kept spick and span, and posi- transport services to ensure regular operation of tive measures should be taken to conserve the trains, and step up the modernization of railways. resources of the country and prevent air, river and Our Party maintains the improvement of the sea pollution. people’s living conditions as the most important of Our Party is steadfast in its determination and the numerous state affairs. will to solidify the foundations of a thriving country The crop farming, animal husbandry and fish- by dint of science and technology and, with them as ing sectors should make innovations to effect a the engine, achieve national prosperity. The scien- radical change in improving the people’s standard tific research sector should give priority to resolv- of living. The agricultural sector should actively ing the scientific and technological problems that adopt superior strains and scientific farming arise in consolidating the might of the Juche-based methods, speed up the comprehensive mechaniza- industry, the socialist independent economy, and tion of the rural economy and take strict measures improving the people’s standard of living, and for each farming process, so as to carry out the strive to push back the frontiers of science and cereals production plan without fail. The animal technology. Factories, enterprises and cooperative husbandry and fishing sectors, which are waging farms should build science and technology diffu- an all-out struggle in response to the Party’s call, sion rooms in a splendid fashion and put their should ramp up production as soon as possible and operation on a regular basis, so as to ensure that see to it that the fish farms, vegetable greenhouses all the working people learn modern science and and mushroom production bases built across the technology. It is also necessary to establish a social country pay off. Thus they can contribute to en- climate of resolving the problems arising in reality riching the people’s diet. on the strength of science and technology. The light industry sector should put its facto- The Cabinet and other state and economic or- ries and enterprises on a highly modern footing, gans should decisively improve their economic provide them with plenty of raw and other materi- planning and guidance. Leading economic officials als to keep their production going full steam and should fully equip themselves with Party policy, increase the number of world-famous products and work out plans of the economic work in an innova- commodities with a competitive edge. tive way and give a strong push to it on the princi- Construction is a yardstick and visual evidence ple of developing all the sectors at an exponential for the strength of a country and the quality of its speed by relying on the inexhaustible creative civilization; it constitutes a worthwhile, important strength of the working people and by dint of mod- undertaking for embodying our Party’s people- ern science and technology. They should accurately oriented policies. The construction sector should identify the main link in the whole chain of eco- launch a general offensive to implement the Party’s nomic development and concentrate efforts on it construction policy and grand plan. By doing so, it while revitalizing the overall economy, especially should build important production facilities, edu- when the conditions are not favourable and many cational and cultural institutions and dwelling difficulties arise. They should be proactive in orga- houses on the highest possible level and at the nizing and launching the work of establishing on a fastest possible speed, so that they serve as stan- full scale our style of economic management dards and models of the times. In this way it can method which embodies the Juche idea, thus giving make sure that the great heyday of construction full play to its advantages and vitality. continues without letup. The political and military might of our Republic All the sectors of the national economy should should be strengthened in every way. set ambitious goals and maintain regular produc- It is necessary to cement the politico-ideological tion by tapping every possible internal reserve and position of socialism rock-solid. potentiality. They should also take it as an impor- We should regard ideology as the driving force tant policy-oriented requirement to improve prod- of the revolution and focus on the five-point educa- uct quality, ensure domestic production of equip- tion so as to train all the service personnel and ment and rely on locally available raw and other people to be strong in ideas, to etch in their hearts ►
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 5 ► the revolutionary spirit of Paektu, the spirit of the fronts where a thriving country is being built, and blizzards of Paektu, and encourage them to give look for more tasks that are for the good of the free rein to their indomitable mental strength in people. the struggle to carry out the instructions of the Officers and men of the Korean People’s Inter- great leaders and safeguard the Party’s policies. nal Security Forces should smash in embryo the Political work and frontline-style information and manoeuvrings of the class enemy and hostile ele- motivational work should be vigorously conducted ments to harm the leadership of the revolution, our to ensure that the whole country seethes with an socialist system and our people’s lives and prop- atmosphere of heightened political enthusiasm in erty, and members of the Worker-Peasant Red the lead-up to the Seventh Party Congress. Guards and the Young Red Guards should inten- Single-hearted unity is the great foundation sify combat and political training and fully prepare and ever-victorious weapon for the Juche revolu- themselves to defend their villages. tion. All the officials, Party members and other The munitions industry sector should develop working people should connect their burning defence science and technology, put the defence hearts with the garden of the offices of the Party industry on a highly Juche-oriented, modern and Central Committee and share the Party’s ideas, scientific footing, and give full play to the revolu- breathe the same breath as it and keep pace with it tionary spirit of Kunja-ri, so as to develop and pro- in order to travel one road forever following the duce a greater number of various means of military Party. Party organizations and state organs should strike of our own style that are capable of over- give absolute priority to the demands and interests whelming the enemy. of the people by thoroughly applying the politics of We should ensure that our people enjoy the prioritizing, respecting and loving them, and take highest quality of civilization on the highest level. responsible care of their political integrity and By raising the flames of radical improvement in material and cultural life to the end. Party organi- education in the new century, we should renovate zations should take hold of public sentiments, rally the conditions and environment for education and the broad sections of the masses closely around the improve its quality decisively, thereby bringing up Party, and launch an intensive struggle among talented personnel who are knowledgeable, mor- officials against all practices of abuse of power, ally sound and physically strong. We should im- bureaucratism and corruption that gnaw at and prove medical treatment and preventive work as undermine our single-hearted unity. required by the socialist public health system in The country’s defence capability should be built order to protect the people’s life and promote their up. health. In this year, which marks the 20th anniversary We should make sports mass-based and part of of the movement of winning the title of O Jung daily concern to ensure that the whole country is Hup-led 7th Regiment initiated by General astir with enthusiasm for sports, and radically Kim Jong Il, the People’s Army should further develop the specialized sporting techniques to cre- develop itself into a revolutionary army of the ate new miracles of heroic Korea in international Party in which the Party’s unified command sys- games. The sector of art and literature should tem is thoroughly established, into a steadfast brace itself to produce a larger number of contem- army of the Party that keeps the revolutionary porary masterpieces which make all the service faith to the death, and effect a turnaround in im- personnel and people burn their hearts with en- plementing the Party’s four-point line of building thusiasm for the revolution and for struggle. up the army to be formidable. By keeping it as the We should launch a strong drive to establish seed to conduct training in a real-war atmosphere discipline with regard to moral ethics so as to en- and put it on a scientific and modern footing, the sure that a sound and civilized way of life prevails army should raise the fierce flames of training so throughout the country. that all the service personnel are prepared to be All the officials and working people should turn elite soldiers of modern warfare and stout fighters out as one in the struggle to usher in a golden age who are equipped with the military strategies and in building a thriving nation in this year when the tactics of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, the he- Seventh Party Congress is to be held. roic fighting spirit and flawless abilities to fight an It is the tradition of struggle and temperament actual war. It should become a standard-bearer of our people to turn out with a single mind and and shock force of the times to make break- will and continuously work miracles like moving throughs as intended by the Party on the major mountains and filling up seas if it is the Party’s ►
6 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 ► call. tion and to paving a broad avenue for the revolu- The heroic working class of Kim Il Sung and tion and construction. With affection, trust, dignity Kim Jong Il, as befits the core unit of the Juche and pride in everything of our own, we should revolution and the eldest son of the country, should achieve the great cause of building a thriving na- support the Party’s ideas and cause in the van- tion and realize the people’s beautiful dreams and guard and advance holding up the torch of a new ideals without fail by our own efforts, technology great revolutionary upsurge in building an eco- and resources. nomic giant. Agricultural workers, with the sense National reunification is the most pressing and of responsibility that they are in the trench on the vital task facing the nation. first line of the forward echelon of the campaign to Last year, greeting the 70th anniversary of defend socialism, should strive to bring about a national liberation, we appealed to all the compa- turn in agricultural production. Intellectuals triots to pool their efforts to open up a broad ave- should promote the building of a thriving country nue to independent reunification, and strived for by means of brilliant scientific and technological its realization. However, the anti-reunification successes as required by the era of the knowledge- forces that are not desirous of national reunifica- based economy, and become pacesetters and stan- tion and improved inter-Korean relations ran dard-bearers in opening the efflorescence of civili- amuck to realize their schemes for a war and even zation of the age of the Workers’ Party. created a touch-and-go situation short of crossfire, Our Party pins a great hope on the role of young causing grave apprehension at home and abroad. people in today’s general advance. Young people, The south Korean authorities publicly sought to cherishing the trust of the Party that has given realize their goal of “regime change” in our country prominence to them as masters of the youth power, and unilateral “unification of systems” against the should train themselves further to be dependable trend of inter-Korean dialogue and détente, and pillars of the country and become artists of mira- fanned distrust and confrontation between the cles and heroes on all the sites where a thriving north and the south. nation is being built. This year we should hold up the slogan “Let us Officials should immerse themselves in the frustrate the challenges by the anti-reunification reality to inspire the masses and conduct every forces within and without and usher in a new era of undertaking in a revolutionary and scientific way. independent reunification!” and press on with the They should also become true servants of the peo- national reunification movement more vigorously. ple and competent leading personnel of the revolu- We should reject foreign intervention and re- tion who make selfless, devoted efforts for the good solve the issues of inter-Korean relations and na- of the people with the ennobling view of life that tional reunification independently in keeping with they have nothing more to wish for even though the aspirations and demands of the nation. their bodies may be scattered like the grains of It is none other than the outside forces that sand on the road for the good of the people. divided our nation, and it is also none other than In all fields of social life we should sustain the the United States and its followers that obstruct original features and great appearances of our the reunification of our country. Notwithstanding society which is advancing on the strength of help- this, the south Korean authorities are clinging to a ing and leading one another forward and through a smear campaign against the fellow countrymen in concerted effort. Our target is a Juche-oriented collusion with the outside forces while touring socialist power, and the might of socialism is none foreign countries to ask for the solution of the in- other than the might of collectivism. All sectors ternal issue of our nation, the issue of its reunifi- and all units should attach primary importance to cation. This is a betrayal of the country and nation the interests of the state, the Party and the revo- that leaves the destiny of the nation at the mercy of lution, introduce the successes and experiences the outside forces and sells out its interests. gained by the leading units and make leaps and The issues of inter-Korean relations and na- bounds in the flames of collectivist competition. tional reunification should, to all intents and pur- The principle of giving priority to self- poses, be resolved by the efforts of our nation in development should be maintained in building a conformity with its independent will and demands, thriving socialist country. Worship of big countries true to the principle of By Our Nation Itself. No one and dependence on foreign forces is the road to will or can bring our nation reunification. national ruin; self-development alone is the road to The whole nation should struggle resolutely sustaining the dignity of our country and our na- against the sycophantic and treacherous manoeu- ►
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 7 ► vres of the anti-reunification forces to cooperate proved in practice. They should cherish the spirit of with the outside forces. The south Korean authori- the agreement signed last year at the inter-Korean ties should discontinue such a humiliating act as high-level emergency contact, and desist from any going on a tour of foreign countries touting for act that will lead to a breach of the agreement and cooperation in resolving the internal issues of the mar the atmosphere of dialogue. In the future, too, nation. we will make strenuous efforts to develop inter- It is fundamental to realizing the country’s Korean talks and improve bilateral relations. We reunification to prevent the danger of war and will also have an open-minded discussion on the safeguard peace and security in the Korean penin- reunification issue, one of the national issues, with sula. anyone who is truly desirous of national recon- Today the peninsula has become the hottest ciliation and unity, peace and reunification. spot in the world and a hotbed of nuclear war ow- All the Korean people in the north, in the south ing to the US aggressive strategy for the domina- and abroad will smash all challenges and obstruc- tion of Asia and its reckless moves for a war tive moves by the anti-reunification forces in and against the DPRK. The US and south Korean war out of the country and build a dignified and pros- maniacs are conducting large-scale military exer- perous reunified Korea on this land without fail cises aimed at a nuclear war against the DPRK one under the banner of By Our Nation Itself. after another every year; this is precipitating a The United States has persisted in ignoring our critical situation in the Korean peninsula and just demand for replacing the Armistice Agreement throwing serious obstacles in the way of improving with a peace pact to remove the danger of war, ease inter-Korean relations. Last year’s August emer- tension and create a peaceful environment in the gency showed that even a trifling, incidental con- Korean peninsula. Instead, it has clung to its flict between the north and the south may spark a anachronistic policy hostile towards the DPRK, war and escalate into an all-out war. escalating the tension and egging its vassal forces The US and south Korean authorities must on to stage a “human rights” racket against the discontinue their extremely dangerous aggressive country. However, no plots and schemes of the war exercises and suspend acts of military provo- enemy could break the indomitable will of our ser- cation that aggravates tension in the Korean pen- vice personnel and people to firmly defend and add insula. brilliance to our style of people-centred socialism, It is our consistent stand to strive with patience the base of their happy life. for peace in the peninsula and security in the re- The challenges by the hostile forces remain gion. However, if aggressors dare to provoke us, uninterrupted and the situation is as tense as ever, though to a slight degree, we will never tolerate it but we will invariably advance along the road of but respond resolutely with a merciless sacred war independence, Songun and socialism under the of justice, a great war for national reunification. unfurled red flag of the revolution, and make all We should value such agreements common to responsible efforts to safeguard peace and security the nation as the three principles for national re- in the Korean peninsula and the rest of the world. unification and declarations between the north and Our Party and the government of our Republic the south, and in conformity with them, open up an will further strengthen solidarity with the peoples avenue to improved bilateral relations. of the world who are opposed to aggression and These principles and declarations constitute war, domination and subordination, and develop the great reunification programme common to the relations of friendship and cooperation with all the nation, and all fellow countrymen wish that they countries that respect our national sovereignty and are implemented as soon as possible and a radical are friendly to us. phase opened up in reunifying the country. The cause of Juche-oriented socialism is ever- If they are sincere about improving inter- victorious, and only victory and glory is in store for Korean relations and reunifying the country us who are advancing under the leadership of the peacefully, the south Korean authorities must not Workers’ Party of Korea. seek pointless confrontation of systems, but make Let us all strive for the final victory of the it clear that they intend to respect and implement revolution full of confidence in victory and opti- with sincerity the three principles for national mism. reunification, June 15 Joint Declaration and Octo- Greeting the hope-filled new year, I wish the ber 4 Declaration, which crystallize the general people across the country good health and happi- will of the nation and whose validity has been ness.
8 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016
The Tradition of Self-reliance
Rugged Course Rather Than Kim Jong Un visited the then Taedonggang Tile Level Road Works. Surveying for a long while the interior of the building of the second-stage project with large NE DAY IN OCTOBER 1984, CHAIRMAN machines standing in rows, he said that Chairman O Kim Jong Il gave on-the-spot guidance to Kim Jong Il had proposed to build the works as a the then Ragwon Machine Factory for the base of building materials production and chosen third time. While inquiring into the production of its site, and then he highly praised the managers oxygen plants, he asked how many of the parts of and workers of the works for completing the colos- the large oxygen plants were made in the factory sal second-stage project of expanding the capacity itself. The workers answered that all the parts of production, which was a task given by Chairman except the ones engaged in cooperative production Kim Jong Il, in three years by their own efforts. were made in the factory. He was pleased to hear The building of the second-stage project was that, and, coming to a large machine, told its op- furnished with the production processes for large erator to get it going to see how it worked. At the and high-quality building materials such as mi- flip of the switch the machine began to run slowly crolites, composite glass tiles and scagliolas. See- and turned out wonderfully fine products. Seeing ing the samples of arching tiles and glass products the working of the machine, the Chairman said which were slightly curved on the surface, he said that he was right to have believed them and that with pleasure that most of the buildings going up the achievement meant a great revolution dis- now are shaped square, but that the arching prod- playing industrial might of the nation once again. ucts from the works opened up vistas for con- He further said that the workers of Ragwon structing round buildings. When a managerial had tackled by themselves the tasks assigned to official of the factory told him that they gasified them by the Party without relying on others, anthracite coal and home-produced all raw mate- greatly benefiting the country by following the rials, he said that this works was an enterprise rugged course from the beginning rather than run entirely by domestic raw materials and fuel, going the level road. He added that the whole one faithful to Juche as the Chairman had said. country should learn from the exemplary revolu- After making the rounds of the production process tionary spirit of self-reliance and fortitude of the of the second-stage project, he went over to the Ragwon workers who had made grenades from production process of the first-stage project follow- scratch during the Fatherland Liberation War and ing the course of on-the-spot guidance by the water pumps in the days of postwar reconstruc- Chairman. tion, and were now making oxygen plants in ad- Watching various floor tiles flowing out on the verse conditions. Learning that the production of conveyor system, he said that he had heard the drilling rigs increased four to five times through works had sent large quantities of tiles to major the production emulation at the factory, he said construction sites including those of Changjon beaming with smiles the self-reliance team won Street and Rungna People’s Pleasure Ground, the game against the relying-on-others team. adding that it was a matter of great pride that Before leaving, he stressed the need to continue Korea’s own buildings of Korea’s own designs were with the tradition of self-reliance and solved all dressed with tiles of Korea’s own make. With this, problems such as of supply services for the workers he likened it gleefully to dressing his people with and the building of a nursery school and a kinder- outer garments and underwear of Korea’s own garten. make. He said he was pleased with the people of the works because they did not covet things of Not in Word but in Deed others, and highly praised them for their patriot- ism practised not in word but in deed.
In September 2012 the national leader Kim Un Chol
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 9 Independence—Lifeline of Korea
Kim Jong Il, Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (November 2000).
AST YEAR THE KOREAN and socialism. time Kim Il Sung, in his early L people splendidly celebrated The distress-torn history of years of revolutionary activities, the 70th founding anniversary of the Korean nation and the che- originated the Juche idea that the Workers’ Party of Korea. Over quered history of the interna- man is the master of his own the seven decades the Party has tional revolutionary movement destiny and that he plays the led the Korean people to victory, left bitter lessons that flunkeyism decisive role in shaping his des- and it is inconceivable apart from and dependence on outside forces tiny. By implanting the spirit of the revolutionary leadership of result in humiliation and sub- independence in the mind of the President Kim Il Sung and mission and only bring about Korean revolutionaries and peo- Chairman Kim Jong Il who led failures and setbacks. Deeply ple, the President accomplished the country straight along the understanding the lessons of the historic cause of Korea’s lib- road of independence, Songun history and requirements of the eration and built a socialist coun- ►
10 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 ► try, independent in politics, self- leader took tougher countermea- nuclear test. The mass media sufficient in the economy and sures against the policy of suffo- around the world featured the self-reliant in national defence, cation. Consequently, the US event, saying that Korea humbled on this land. President, on October 20, 1994, the United States in its own right, Chairman Kim Jong Il in- sent him a letter of assurances for that the US was in a tight corner variably maintained the principle the provision of light water reac- due to the independent Songun of independence as required by tors and for arrangements for politics of Korea, and that if the the Juche idea, thus firmly de- interim energy alternatives; the US were keeping hold of the fending the sovereignty and dig- DPRK-USA joint statement in world, Korea was keeping hold of nity of the nation and further which both parties agreed to set- the US. developing the people-centric tle the nuclear issue of Korea The prestige of Korea grew socialism. peacefully was adopted on June higher thanks to Kim Jong Il’s Since its founding the DPRK 11, 1993; and the DPRK-USA wise leadership in maintaining has built up socialism against the Agreed Framework, the gist of the principle of independence and imperialists’ persistent moves of which was for the US to provide staunchly defying any pressure sanction and blockade and the Korea with light water reactors and threat from outside forces. A obstructive schemes of the domi- and interim energy alternatives, new change took place in the nationists. In the latter half of was adopted on October 21, 1994. situation: those countries that last century the country was faced In those days Chairman had neglected and kept away from with far more vicious policies of Kim Jong Il applied Songun Korea switched their policy to the imperialists aimed at suffoca- politics in all fields and thus laid improve relations. In a few years tion. The imperialists and reac- a firm foundation to thoroughly nearly all west European coun- tionaries clamoured about the safeguard the sovereignty of the tries, including Italy, the UK, the “end of socialism” following the nation and advance socialism Netherlands, Germany and Spain consecutive collapse of socialism dynamically. In the previous as well as the European Union, in several countries. At this junc- working-class theory the working and many other countries such as ture, Kim Jong Il published his class was defined as the leading Canada, Brazil, New Zealand, immortal classic works including class and the main force of the Kuwait and Bahrain established The Historical Lesson in Building revolution, and this theory was or reestablished diplomatic rela- Socialism and the General Line of recognized as truth in other so- tions with Pyongyang. Our Party, Abuses of Socialism cialist countries. Irrespective of By virtue of Songun politics, or Are Intolerable and Socialism Is a the preceding theory and existing independent politics, of Chairman Science, proving the validity and formula the Chairman created Kim Jong Il, the June 15 North- scientific accuracy of socialism the mode of Songun politics by South Joint Declaration was and solemnly declaring that his succeeding to and developing adopted in June 2000 to achieve country would go its own way President Kim Il Sung’s idea and reunification of Korea with the without any deviation and vacil- line of attaching importance to concerted efforts of the Koreans lation. arms in keeping with the changed true to the ideal of “By our nation At that time the DPRK had to situation and the requirement of itself” and, in 2007 the October 4 bear the brunt of attack from the the revolutionary development, Declaration, the action pro- US-led imperialist allied forces and officially set it as the basic gramme of the June 15 Declara- that were pursuing a harsher political mode in building social- tion, was adopted, thus unfolding policy of isolation and suffocation. ism. the eye-opening reality of the era The Chairman held higher the As a result, the military power of the June 15 reunification for banner of independence, frustrat- of Korea strengthened remarka- the first time in relations between ing the enemy’s aggressive and bly thanks to the unique Songun the north and the south of Korea. provocative moves apart. When politics which pushes ahead with Today the national leader the United States put pressure on overall socialist construction by Kim Jong Un is carrying for- Korea in all fields of politics, de- consolidating the driving force of ward Songun politics, politics of fence, the economy, ideology and the revolution with the People’s independence, and the politics is culture, and diplomacy taking Army as its core and main body; pushing the socialism of Korean issue with the country about in August 1998 Korea successfully style vigorously while overcoming “suspicion of nuclear arms devel- launched its first artificial earth all sorts of challenges. opment” and forcing it to accept satellite of its own make, and soon nuclear inspection, the Korean made a success of an underground Sim Chol Ok
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 11 In the Run-up to the Seventh Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea
The People’s Army, Vanguard of Patriotism
HAIRMAN KIM JONG IL powerful in all respects not only armed force fighting against the C was a peerless patriot who in defending the country but also enemy with arms, and adhered to firmly safeguarded socialist Ko- in leading the van of the gigantic it consistently in building up the rea by holding high the banner of patriotic work of building the army. He saw to it that ideological Songun and forged the almighty country in the circumstances of education was conducted vigor- sword for the independent devel- ceaseless threats of imperialist ously to foster the People’s Army opment of the nation. aggression and hard conditions soldiers as men of strong ideas Holding higher the banner of facing the building of a prosper- and faith, and took warm care of Songun, he put up the Korean ous socialist nation. them, regarding them as his revo- People’s Army as the vanguard of In the whole period of revolu- lutionary comrades. patriotism. He clarified that the tionary leadership, he led the The strong ties that united the People’s Army is the main force of People’s Army to fulfil its respon- leader and the soldiers firmly like the revolution and the pillar of sibility and role as the main force blood relations were the former’s the country. He regarded the of the revolution and the van- warm love for and trust in the army as the vanguard of the pa- guard of patriotism. His primary latter. When he visited a KPA triotic struggle to carve out the concern was to closely equip the unit, he would make the rounds of destiny of the country and nation, People’s Army politically and the barrack rooms, kitchen, wash not simply a means of winning ideologically. He set forth an idea and bath room, daily storehouse political power and of national that the revolutionary army and sideline fields and even defence. Moreover, he deemed the should be the army of the leader tasted the foods. He did not forget People’s Army most reliable and and the Party before being an a promise he had made with the ►
12 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 ► parents of an ordinary soldier, the socialism of Korean style upon ourselves both national and looked up their son on his against the imperialists’ anti- defence and socialist construc- frontline trip and had a photo DPRK and anti-socialist moves, tion!” the People’s Army soldiers taken with him. Though he made demonstrating the dignity of the made breakthroughs in the most a night trip to visit a unit, he country and nation to the whole difficult sections of socialist con- waited outside in the cold wind for world. He put up the KPA, de- struction. They erected many a long time lest he should disturb fender of the country, as the monumental edifices represent- the sleeping soldiers at dawn. He builder of the people’s welfare and ing the Songun era in all parts would visit army posts on high the shock brigade for the building of the country, and brought mountains and defence units on of a thriving nation, and dynami- about great changes in the major remote islets in raging wind cally propelled socialist construc- sectors of socialist construction to meet the soldiers. So, the sol- tion as a whole with the revolu- including coal, power and agri- diers followed and trusted the tionary army as its pillar. culture. In this way the Chairman who had a warmer In his uninterrupted journey Chairman created a new method heart than their own parents, of field inspection to the army, of building a prosperous and not only as their Supreme he always stressed that the sol- powerful nation by making the Commander but also as their diers should display the laudable KPA the main force in both benevolent father, faithfully sup- spirit of army-people unity so that national defence and socialist porting his idea and leadership. they love and kindly help the construction to push forward Chairman Kim Jong Il reared people and that they should con- overall socialist construction with the People’s Army into a powerful tinue to set examples in breaking the spiritual strength and vigour armed force guarding the anti- through difficulties in the hard of the army. imperialist military front. He and rough fronts of building a The present-day reality in defined national defence as a war prosperous nation. He entrusted Korea where great progress is for defending socialism, and the the KPA with socialist construc- made in overall socialist con- anti-imperialist military front as tion in addition to national de- struction owing to the pivotal role the lifeline of the revolution af- fence, and led them to render and heroic struggle of the People’s fecting the fate of the country distinguished labour services in Army is eloquent proof that the and the people. He put up the the hard and tough sectors of road of Songun opened up by the People’s Army which is by far work including the building of Chairman with the army as the stronger than any other social huge power stations, large-scale vanguard of patriotism is the bodies in the revolutionary spirit, land rezoning projects and irriga- genuine road of building a thriv- fighting power, organization and tion works, agricultural produc- ing nation and of patriotism. discipline as the armed force tion and coal mining. guarding the anti-imperialist Under the slogan “Let us take Pak Chong Sop military front and the vanguard defending the socialist mother- Soldier builders make contribution to land. He put his heart and soul the effort to build a thriving nation. into building up the People’s Army into a-match-for-a-hundred force equipped with the latest arma- ments. Thanks to his Songun- based revolutionary leadership, the KPA developed into a strong combat force not only in ideology and spiritual strength but also in operational and tactical capabil- ity, training and armament. One day in October 2005 he sat together with commanding officers of the People’s Army and said that the banner of Songun had made it possible for his nation to go through successfully the severe Arduous March and the forced march and firmly defend
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 13 Holy Resort of Korean Revolution
ROM OLDEN TIMES MT. PAEKTU WAS the unmeasured nature with wonderful natural F well known as the most celebrated among the beauty, it is associated with many legends, and the eight beauty spots in Korea. Covered with white Korean people have long worshipped the mountain snow for all seasons, it stands magnificent harbour- as in Heaven. ing Lake Chon, a natural lake on the top of the Mt. Paektu is the ancestral mountain permeated mountain. with the soul of the Korean nation. The mountain, There can be seen some grand panoramas on Mt. which came into existence in a volcanic eruption Paektu—the grand and magnificent alpine regions about a million years ago, formed the skeletal topog- and 216 peaks including Janggun Peak, Piru Peak raphy of Korea. Settling in this land that spreads and Manmulsang which look like giant pieces of from Mt. Paektu, King Tangun, the founding father craftwork for their time-honoured natural cutting of the Korean nation, opened the age of state of and trimming, Lake Chon with a deep and expansive mankind, and his descendants have lived in the land body of clear water, unique physiographical forma- generation after generation as a homogeneous nation tions, spectacular sunrise and beautiful evening while nourishing wisdom and courage and develop- glow, unmeasured ancient forests and flowers in full ing brilliant culture and beautiful manners. bloom, hot spring gushing from deep under the The Great Paektu Mountains, which runs from ground, and forceful waterfalls. Mt. Paektu to Mt. Halla in Jeju Island, is the main As Mt. Paektu, situated in the centre of the mountain range of the country. As Mt. Paektu is the northern borderline of Korea, rises magnificently in starting point of the Korean topography and the ►
Lake Chon in Mt. Paektu.
14 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 The President, who was fondly called General of Mt. Paektu and Tiger of Mt. Paektu, wisely led the anti-Japanese revolutionary strug- gle to victory based in Mt. Paektu and achieved the historic cause of national liberation the Korean nation had been anxious to win. All the crags, even a handful of earth and a blade of grass in Mt. Paektu are associated with his hallowed traces and permeated with the honoured blood and soul of the anti-Japanese revolutionary fore- runners. During those days, the President braved all the obstacles
The birthplace of Chairman Kim Jong Il in the Paektusan Secret Camp, and the people on a study tour to the birthplace.
► Great Paektu Mountains makes up the main range of the Korean territory, the Korean people have long worshipped it as ancestral mountain and honed their national spirit, modelling themselves after its un- dauntedness and pure-heartedness. Since Kim Il Sung, President of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, waged a revolutionary struggle in Mt. Paektu, the hereditary ancestral mountain and cradle of the national history now became a sacred mountain of the great sun. The Korean people regarded it as a symbol of the struggle and difficulties creating the revolutionary spirit of for national liberation since the anti-Japanese armed Paektu with which to strive to win victory after warfare was started there by Kim Il Sung. It was victory in any adversity. just the star of hope to the Korean people. Mt. Paektu is the birthplace of Kim Jong Il, The President founded the Anti-Japanese Peo- eternal General Secretary of the Workers’ Party ple’s Guerrilla Army in the forests of Antu from of Korea. There can be seen a simple log cabin at where Mt. Paektu is within a stone’s throw and the foot of Jong Il Peak in Sobaeksu Valley. This launched the anti-Japanese armed struggle based in is the native home of the leader. The anti- Mt. Paektu. All the lines and strategic policies on the Japanese revolutionary fighters addressed him as national liberation struggle were formulated and Kwangmyongsong (Shining Star) with the hope realized in Mt. Paektu; it was there that plans were that he would grow to be a star shining the land drawn up and executed to build lots of secret bases of Korea. across the country and rally patriotic forces. Kim Jong Il spent his childhood in the arduous The mountain has lots of legendary tales about period of revolution. Battle fields where gun reports the President, well known among the people—“A roared and the thick forests of Mt. Paektu swept General Has Appeared in Mt. Paektu,” “The General by a severe snowstorm were just the places of Star over Mt. Paektu,” “Now That the General Star his growth and learning. That’s why he kept the Has Risen, Our Country Will Be Soon Liberated,” forests of Mt. Paektu in his heart all his life and “As General Kim Il Sung Has Come to Our Village, enshrined the soul of revolution that settled in the Morning Star Shines Brilliantly in the Galaxy in Mt. Paektu. Midnight,” “General Kim Il Sung Is Capable of Early in his school days he pioneered the study Commanding Heaven and Earth,” and “Where Is He, tour to Mt. Paektu and climbed the mountain several in the Sky or Under the Ground?” etc. times, making up his mind to accomplish the revolu- ►
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 15 Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism, a Revolutionary Ideology With an Integrated System of Idea, Theory and Method
IMILSUNGISM-KIMJONGILISM IS NOT ently and creatively. K only an ideological theory run through with the It scientifically illuminates the road ahead of the Juche idea that man is the master of everything and revolutionary struggle with the stress put on the decides everything but also a revolutionary ideology internal factors. So, it has clarified that the funda- with the integrated system of idea, theory and mental method of the revolution lies in strengthening method. the main body of the revolution—the united whole of It consists of the idea, theory and method of the leader, Party, army and people—and in enhanc- Juche. The Juche idea is the gist of Kimilsungism- ing its role, and that the revolution will take place Kimjongilism, which is a revolutionary ideology with and come off victoriously when the main body of the the Juche idea as its quintessence, with all its other revolution is strengthened and its role is exalted contents and components developed and systema- although the productive forces are in a low level of tized according to and proceeding from the idea. development. It further elucidates that the main goal The revolutionary theory of Juche is an essential of the revolution is to eradicate all manner of fetters constituent of Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism. It com- and subordinations and to completely realize the prehensively clarifies the theories on national lib- independence of the popular masses, and that, to this eration, class emancipation and human liberty and end, one should carry on the revolution to the last on the transformation of society, nature and man to even after the establishment of the socialist system. be carried out by the masses of the people independ- In particular, the revolutionary theory of Juche ►
► tionary cause of Juche while looking back on the crown of Mt. Paektu, defying the roaring, fierce glorious revolutionary activities of President snowstorm. There he declared that one can have a Kim Il Sung. Under his wise leadership, many sites true idea of Mt. Paektu only when one exposes one- and relics of historic importance relating to the revo- self to the blizzard on the snow-stormy Paektu, like lution—battle sites in wide areas centring on the he did at the moment, and strengthen a resolve to Paektusan Secret Camp, slogan-bearing trees, houses accomplish the Korean revolution to the end. He said and tents—were discovered, thus actively contribut- that the revolutionary spirit of Paektu, or the spirit ing to the education in the revolutionary traditions. of blizzards of Paektu, is the noble spirit that the Chairman Kim Jong Il spent all his life with the Korean army and people should keep in their heart blizzards of Mt. Paektu in his mind. That’s how the forever and the most precious spiritual treasure that world of noble comradeship, in which they keep their overwhelms a total of all valuables in the world. promises made before the revolution, was created, True to his intention, study tour groups of service and the system of benevolent care for all people and personnel, students and working people of all strata single-hearted unity of the national leader, the visit Mt. Paektu. They renew their resolve while Party, the army and the people was formed. feeling the soil of Paektu that is associated with the Mt. Paektu is the eternal symbol of succession soul of the Korean nation and the historical root of and completion of the revolutionary cause of Juche. Juche revolution. The supreme leader Kim Jong Un is leading the This is how the Korean revolution, implanted country with the will to build a thriving socialist with the soul of Paektu, is making progress. nation at all costs by realizing the desires of the Mt. Paektu, the pride of Kim Il Sung and President and the Chairman in the revolutionary Kim Jong Il’s nation, will stand shining forever spirit of Mt. Paektu. with the nation of the sun. In October 2014, he climbed Janggun Peak, the An Song Duk
16 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 ► explicates the idea and theory on further strength- each stage of struggle, and it is essential to use a ening the main force of the revolution and constantly correct method of guiding the masses. Proceeding raising its role by giving priority to the military af- from such actual requirements of the development of fairs and building up the strength of the armed history, the guiding idea of the present age should be forces in every way in keeping with the inherent made up of the system of idea, theory and method. requirements of the revolutionary struggle which is Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism is fully equipped attended with physical showdown with imperialism with such structural characters as a guiding idea of and all manner of counterrevolutionary forces so as the present times illuminating the path of develop- to firmly guarantee the victory of the revolution. ment of history. It is a revolutionary idea with a Thanks to the revolutionary theory of Juche, the perfect structural system rather than a complex of theories on the anti-imperialist national-liberation various learnings. For its weighty historical mission revolution, anti-feudal democratic revolution and to guide the popular masses in their liberation socialist revolution have been systematized origi- struggle, Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism cannot follow nally. Especially, the theory on socialist construction the traditions of the past. The age when they have has been elucidated in a new, comprehensive way. emerged as a legitimate master of their own destiny The Juche-oriented method of leadership is a for the first time in human history has posed the major component of Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism. It urgent task of the times to make them the full- is the system and method for leading the masses of fledged master of the world and their own destiny. In the people to hold their ground as master of the order to settle this contemporary task it is impera- revolution and construction and fulfil their role tive to equip the masses closely with the idea of in- as such. Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism presented the dependence and lead their liberation struggle cor- issue of the method of leadership as a fundamental rectly with a scientific theory and method. question for victory of the revolution, clarifying it With this historic mission Kimilsungism- comprehensively, and, in particular, threw a new full Kimjongilism established an integrated system of light on the ruling party’s method of leadership and the revolutionary theory and leadership method the method of leading socialist construction. All which gives scientific elucidation to the ideas infus- problems arising in the leadership of the revolution ing independent consciousness into the popular and construction from the principle and system of masses and the object, direction and ways of strug- leadership to the method and style of work have been gle. The three components of Juche—idea, theory elucidated to the full by the theory on the Juche- and method—provide a comprehensive analysis and oriented method of leadership. stocktaking of experience of the masses winning The structural characteristics of Kimilsungism- victories in their struggles waged under the correct Kimjongilism as an integrated system of idea, theory guiding idea, theory and method and also of the les- and method of Juche clearly show the path of pro- sons of failures. The revolutionary struggle for the gress of the present times. Our time is an age of independence of the popular masses will win bril- change, creation and struggle devoted to building liant victory when they, the master of the struggle, genuine human society, a society where the popular are fully equipped with high independent conscious- masses are the master of everything, free from all ness and revolutionary world outlook, when strategic manner of inhuman anti-popular practices. The path and tactical leadership based on a scientific revolu- of development of history lies in raising to the high- tionary theory is assured in the revolution and con- est level the role of the popular masses who are in struction, and when their revolutionary zeal and charge of the struggle to enhance the dignity and creative activity are turned to full account. value of man to the utmost and create history. The composition of the idea, theory and method of The key to victorious advance of the revolution is Juche is an ideological and theoretical system inevi- in training and guiding the popular masses to be tably required by the experience and lessons of the fully aware that they are the master of their own revolutionary practice and struggle of the masses of destiny and constantly exalt their responsibility and the people. The Juche system of idea, theory and role as such. Therefore, the revolution requires ap- method is a structure peculiar to Kimilsungism- plying the most scientific principles purposefully and Kimjongilism. employing the right strategies and tactics suited to Jong Kyong Bok
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 17 History Brimming With Noble Moral Obligation (3) By I. Ya. Novichenko
HAVE A LIVING MEMORY Kumgang. Father told us that he lensk District administration on I of what happened when the had had swimming in the sea as the 100th birthday of my father. 40th anniversary of Korea’s lib- many hours as the young people I’m grateful for the contribution, eration was celebrated. Just be- although he had lost one arm, and and I know it is in the background fore the national meeting for that he had caught more than 40 of the friendship with the DPRK the celebration started, President fish with a fishing rod Chairman that cherishes the memory of my Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il had given him as a father despite the passage of time. Kim Jong Il received my father gift. I thought he was benefiting The plate is fixed to a house that in the lobby. The President had a from a great sense of obligation, is a long way off from Moscow and handshake with heads of many indeed. They call Ya. T. Novi- Pyongyang, yet it is a close ex- foreign delegations, and, alarm- chenko flower of Russia-Korea pression of the friendship be- ingly, when he reached my father friendship, and I wish to tell them tween the two peoples who value he had a hearty embrace. that President Kim Il Sung and history and tradition. Chairman Kim Jong Il wore a Chairman Kim Jong Il were men I make such a particular ref- bright smile to see my father, of true humanity and great lead- erence to the plate because the th giving a warm handshake. This ers who tended with all cares and 100 birthday of my father was meant father remained a flower in efforts the garden of full-blown celebrated as an international the garden of internationalism flowers of obligation. event under the concern of the and friendship between the Soviet The swaying forests of Sibe- governments of the two countries. Union and the DPRK, and now rian birches sound so magnificent As a matter of fact, my family between Russia and the DPRK, and dignified as they carry a song had decided to erect a new grave- th although it was scores of years of true sense of obligation. The stone for my father on his 100 ago that he performed a heroic plate of my house in Travnoye is birthday and fix it with a bronze feat at a moment of history. written with the following state- plate reading “DPRK Labour Now talking of the 70th anni- ment: “This is the house of DPRK Hero and Internationalist Fighter versary of their own events people Labour Hero Yakov Tikhonovichi Ya. T. Novichenko” provided by wear different expressions recol- Novichenko (April 28, 1914- the DPRK in 2004, after rear- lecting their past life. December 8, 1994).” This is quite ranging the surroundings of the Father has been praised by a formal statement but it carries a grave. the Korean leaders as symbol of profound meaning. Like a torrent Learning of our plan, the the DPRK-Russia friendship. He under thick ice, it goes with a DPRK supreme leader is a Labour Hero of the DPRK. To deep affection and an ardent fu- Kim Jong Un, First Secretary of me and my family the country ture-oriented desire. The meaning the Workers’ Party of Korea, sent became the second fatherland. of the words is that history will a team of builders to make an Visiting Mangyongdae and climb- not throw earth on his name, that admirable reconstruction of my ing Mt. Paektu, we learned the Russia will regard the DPRK as father’s grave and rebuild his old history and spirit of the socialist its eternal brother and that the house. He dispatched a high- Korea. We also went on a sight- fraternity, obligation and inter- ranking officials’ delegation of the seeing to the Arch of Triumph, the nationalism between the two peo- Workers’ Party of Korea for the Tower of the Juche Idea, the West ples will remain steadfast. function of my father’s 100th Sea Barrage and other monumen- The plate is a sign of infinite birthday along with a wreath of tal edifices, and this helped us to respect for my father, reminding flowers in his own name and a know what kind of great leaders our posterity of the old house in kind-hearted message to us be- the Korean people had. We had the forest of birches. It was pre- reaved family members. In his a good time at famous scenic sented by the Novosibirsk provin- message the DPRK leader wrote spots like Mts. Myohyang and cial government and the Dobo- he extended warm greetings to ►
18 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 Kim Jong Un, First Secretary of community, thanks to the great the Workers’ Party of Korea, was leaders of the Korean people. reverentially laid at father’s The treasured truth left by the grave, his kind-hearted message past 70 years is that you can was conveyed to us bereaved fam- hardly think of a tree without ily, and speeches were made in roots, and, more importantly, that memory of father. Looking round even if it had roots, a tree could the grave admirably rearranged not grow big and tall in the natu- according to Kim Jong Un’s ral tempest unless there was the instruction, the participants in bright light from the sun and the the ceremony were impressed tender care for it. by Korea’s sense of internation- As there have been the great alist obligation. The party leaders of Korea, the historic im- Kim Jong Un arranged for the portance of Novichenko’s feat is sake of us became a great public growing ever higher as days go by. ► the bereaved family of Novi- topic. Now the Korean people hold him chenko, an internationalist Novosibirsk Province and in respect as hero who safe- fighter, on his 100th birth anni- Dobolensk District worked hard guarded the leadership of the versary, and that the Korean for the commemoration of father’s Korean revolution and secured people enshrine in their heart the 100th birthday, attaching much the continuation of the cause of lofty deeds of heroism of Novi- importance to the function. They the Korean socialism from gen- chenko who had defended the organized a function to unveil the eration to generation. leadership of the Korean revolu- commemorative plate of father’s As a witness to history, I my- tion by risking his own life at the old home which had been rebuilt self want to talk of my own opin- critical moment. He went on that by the Korean comrades, while ion of the past 70 years: Only he would like to pay tribute to the opening a memorial hall named when it is under the guidance of a memory of Novichenko who is an after father at Dobolynaya Secon- sagacious leader can a nation unforgettable revolutionary com- dary School. become powerful and faithful to rade-in-arms and a true revolu- The old home with the com- its internationalist obligation. tionary comrade. He sincerely memorative plate has now turned On his deathbed father said to asked us to carry forward father’s into something of a museum sym- mother, “President Kim Il Sung spirit and wished us happiness bolizing Russia-Korea friendship. promised he would remember me and good health from the bottom Reading the words on the plate for ever. I’d be with him as his of his heart. time and again, I fell into deep soldier even when I am dead. Father’s 100th birthday was thought. President Kim Il Sung and commemorated with a grand How is it that father enjoys General Kim Jong Il are the function. Travnoye became the great honour continuously even permanent benefactors of our focus of the world’s attention long after he passed away? family. You’d better tell and retell again. The DPRK ambassador in A senior official from the pro- our Siberians the story about the Moscow came, and high-ranking vincial government said the 100th great care of the two benefactors officials of Novosibirsk Province birthday of Hero Novichenko was as long as you are alive.” and Dobolensk District, pressmen successfully marked thanks to the Father was honoured with the and many other people were pre- respected leader Kim Jong Un, title of “internationalist fighter” sent on the occasion. The interna- and that the event gave the from President Kim Il Sung and tional relations department chief Novosibirsk people a good idea became a hero under his care at of the provincial government per- of the great personality of the closing years of his life. sonally presided the function Kim Jong Un as well as a good Meaningfully, he breathed the throughout the course. (He said impression about his lofty sense last on December 8, 1994 at the he was ordered from the federal of obligation. The chief of Trav- same hours as the President, just government to make a success of noye proudly remarked that No- five months after the President the function.) vichenko became known around passed away. A wreath bearing the name of the world bringing fame to his (To be continued)
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 19 Catfish Farm Renovated
N OCTOBER LAST YEAR device which automatically meas- a sufficient number of fry with I the Pyongyang Catfish Farm ures and controls underwater credit in the stage of fattening was newly renovated. It has es- temperature and supplies oxygen, and regularly selects young fish to tablished an integrated produc- and with one fixed automatic divide them into different sizes so tion system on the principle of feeder. The real-time outdoor as to keep them safely and haul as intelligence, information and dig- control panels are also installed to many as the initial number. In itization, equipped with fixed and measure the water conditions and the process of selecting, attention mobile automatic feeders in- take relevant measures. is paid lest the catfish get hurt, stalled in ponds, catfish hauling Furnished with solar water and relevant measures are taken machines and other modern fa- heaters the farm secures the sta- to prevent the outbreak of disease cilities. bility of fry raising. According to a in highly-intensive ponds to en- The general control room technical officer of the farm, the sure the maximum survival rate measures and controls in real installation of solar water heaters of fish. As a result, the farm saves time the water temperature, pH makes it possible to raise the much water and labour compared and the amount of oxygen in the survival rate of young catfish to the past records while raising indoor and outdoor ponds, regu- more than 5 per cent than before. production two times. lates the water supply and The farm is directing special at- When you visit the farm, you’ll amount of feed in accordance with tention to raising young fish. In be struck with wonder to see the the growth of catfish, takes hygi- the past the nutrition of young amount of catfish overwhelming enic and anti-epizootic measures, catfish was conducted in indoor that of water in ponds. and deals with problems arising hatching ponds. Now the farm in production and business activi- raises young catfish two times Sim Yong Jin ties in a scientific way using more than before in the PVC simulation. The farm has intro- sheet-covered ponds and changes duced solar water heaters and water one or two more times per covered vinyl sheets over outdoor shift, thus supplying oxygen un- ponds, providing a guarantee for der water in a responsible man- raising catfish all the year round. ner. Each pond is equipped with a Meanwhile, the farm provides
20 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 21 Leader of Improving Power Control
HE PYONGYANG ELEC- themselves in the research work The researchers deepened their T trical Appliances Joint Ven- with a determination to take the study; in 2007 they developed and ture Company is playing a big role lead in technical innovation. produced new-type frequency- in establishing a power control Finally, they developed a new stabilizing watt-hour meters system capable of judging power program, which is suitable to the which were fixed to transformers supply and consumption correctly realities of their country, in less throughout the country. In 2010 a and finding out problems in the than a year and began to produce new-type watt-hour meter for power use promptly so as to ad- card-style watt-hour meters alternate production was devel- dress them in time. equipped with the program. In oped, which can help organize At the beginning of its opera- these days, they developed a new alternate production at all facto- tion after inauguration in October power control program capable of ries and industrial establish- 2005, the company was producing controlling card-style watt-hour ments across the country, and an watt-hour meters equipped with a meters and introduced it to power automatic power-factor compen- foreign program. So it entailed distribution stations across the sation system was also completed. higher cost, and, it was impossible country. Later they developed an The system, made to keep the to repair broken meters. Soon the infrared watt-hour meter. load power factor at more than company determined to form a Still, they were not content. 95% , is of high precision and ► research team to develop a pro- gram suited to the actual condi- tion. Kim Kwang Jun, research section chief, recalls, “At that time it was an untrodden path, but we had courage because we knew that we could do anything when we determined to do.” The research team lacked in sci-tech knowledge in the relevant field and encountered knotty problems in making the program. Defying the difficulties they exerted
Strenuous efforts are made to develop better watt-hour meters.
22 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 Sci-tech diffusion is regularly done.
► accuracy, and is very easy to op- for better electrical management. communications network in Py- erate. Their new power control system ongyang and thus made it possi- Afterwards, the research was was introduced in the Mirae Sci- ble to take proper measures in centred on development of the entists Street which went up last time for a slightest sign of wrong RTU device. This device, used in year. use of electricity. This is profusely power industry in those days, That’s not all they’ve done. In paying off. This real-time moni- wore off so quickly. This badly accordance with the improvement toring system is of such high ac- needed making a better one to of watt-hour meters in the techni- curacy and practical use that it replace the old device. cal level and quality, the re- enjoys general popularity. After finding out the cause of searchers pushed the work to Now the researchers are in wear and technical solutions, they supplement and perfect equip- high spirit to introduce the power finally made a concentration fa- ment of production and technical control system based on mobile cility that could replace the RTU processes. In the course of this, communications network across device. The facility was intro- they laid a good foundation to the country. duced in power stations and sub- produce devices for measurement, Their effort is going ahead for stations, bringing great profit. protection and control required in development of and research in a The researchers made a new kind the electrical industry. power control system of the latest of watt-hour meters for apart- Last year, they set up a power type. ments in the new Changjon Street control system based on a mobile Kim Kwang Myong
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 23 To a Higher Goal
S WE’VE INTRODUCED “A GMP in our yeast work- shop for getting the foodstuff pro- duction processes germless, it’s really splendid; the environment has changed clean before every- thing and the quality of the prod- ucts has reached the interna- tional standard, encouraging us in our work,” said the yeast work- shop manager of the Pyongyang Wheat Flour Processing Factory. This management system has been introduced by the research- ers of the bio-industry laboratory under the frontier science re- search centre of Kim Il Sung University. This laboratory started from the thrombus dissol- vent research group of the micro- biological department of the then Biology Faculty of Kim Il Sung Introduction of the GMP standards is hastened. University in 1990, and now it has developed into an independ- their reach. However, they could In addition, the introduction of the ent advanced research centre. In not remain idle when they were GMP has made it possible to bring this course, it has invented a new responsible for the promotion of immense profits to the country. oral thrombus dissolvent Chong- people’s health. This achievement of research gok kinase and succeeded in its Two years ago, they were deep was awarded a special prize at the clinical demonstration. It also in thinking about how to develop 30th national sci-tech festival held realized not only the intermediate the GMP suited to the circum- in April last year. industrialization of microbiologi- stances of Korea while meeting Now the researchers have cal yeast production but also inte- the international standard. They introduced the GMP in many gration of education, science and began by calculating its possibil- factories including the Kanggye production, and developed the ity on the basis of grasping the Koryo Medicine-processing Fac- cutting-edge technology for in- actual conditions of the pharma- tory, Kanggye Koryo Medicine dustrializing yeast production. ceutical and foodstuff factories to Factory, Sogam Pharmaceutical Recently they received a cer- set about drawing up the designs. Factory, spore inoculation room of tificate of the Democratic People’s Making the designs was not easy, the seasoning workshop and Vita- Republic of Korea by completing for it was the first time they did it. min E production process of the GMP for putting all the foodstuff However, they did their best to Pyongyang Condiment Factory, and medicine production proc- draw them one by one faultlessly yeast workshop of the Pyongyang esses on a germfree basis which is and repeated discussions pooling Wheat Flour Processing Factory, feasible only in a few countries. their wisdom to complete them on and over ten mushroom farms This system is called an aggregate the highest level. At last, they including the Pyongyang Munici- of rules of production and quality succeeded in developing a rational pality Mushroom Farm, and they control for securing the efficiency, and ideal GMP as they wished. often go out to production scenes stability and security in the medi- They deepened their research to help prove its real worth in cine and foodstuff production. work by applying this new pro- production. As required by the developing gram first in the production proc- In Korea today, the work of reality, the researchers of the ess of capsulated medicines. In introducing the GMP into produc- centre including its chief Ri Hyon this course, they completely did tion processes is not limited only Gwang and section head Yun Un away with defects. to a few places, but is carried on Hui exerted themselves to the As a result, broad vistas have vigorously, covering all pharma- utmost to make the pharmaceuti- been opened up for realizing asep- ceutical and foodstuff factories in cal and foodstuff industries germ- sis and dustlessness in the pro- the country. The researchers are free. In those days the most baf- duction processes of the high-tech now advancing briskly to attain a fling question for them was that industries catering to the people’s higher goal in their studies of cutting-edge sci-tech documents health, such as pharmaceutical, frontier science and technology. about the subject were beyond foodstuff and cosmetic industries. Sim Hyon Jin
24 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 Clean Water Alone
ECENTLY SCIENTISTS OF THE URBAN biological reaction. R Management Research Institute of the State General Manager Kim Won Chol of the works Academy of Sciences developed an efficient process of says, “I’d like to pay tribute to the researchers for biological treatment of sewage and applied it to the their efforts to prevent the Taedong River from pol- Ryongsong Sewage Works. The project was assisted lution due to the sewage. In cooperation with the by the Ministry of Urban Management, the Pyongy- researchers we in the works developed a new kind of ang Municipal Water Supply and Sewage Manage- fertilizer, and it is bringing us huge profit. It is very ment Office and other related agencies and the engi- popular with the nearby farms.” neers of the Ryongsong Sewage Works. At present the scientists and officials of the insti- Generally speaking, biological treatment is the tute are pressing ahead with a project to introduce a basic process in sewage treatment, in which the or- better process of biological treatment in other sewage ganic materials, nitrogen, phosphor and other mate- works and other establishments in Pyongyang, rials are removed with the action of microorganism. building on their experience gained at the Ryongsong Eutrophication of rivers and lakes lets floating or- Sewage Works. ganisms including water caltrop multiply massively Their endeavor is contributing to the effort to which result in big drop in the clarity of the water keep the Taedong River clean and clear all the time. and the volume of oxygen in the water. This causes suffocation of fishes and other living things, and do Kim Il Bong harm to the human existence. So it is one of the critical environmental problems facing humanity. Scientists of the institute pushed ahead with the project to develop and apply an efficient process of biological treatment which makes it possible to re- move organic materials and nitrogen and phosphor alike in the waste water while making the most of the existing conditions of the Ryongsong Sewage Works. Day in and day out, they made painstaking efforts seeking the clue to success. In the course of this, section chief Ra Hong Chol, and researchers Kim Mun Hyok and Choe Nam Su successfully solved a number of scientific and technical problems in laying a new process of getting rid of nitrogen and phosphor in the sewage by remoulding the structure of the existing tank of
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 25 One Ideal
VISITED THE PYONGYANG UNIVERSITY OF and night to draw up designs of buildings. Whenever I Architecture, a base of training architectural he was praised for his clear head, he would say, “I talents. There I met Kim Kum Sok, Kim Jin Song don’t think only an intellectual man can draw up and Ri Chol Guk, fifth-year students. plans for fine buildings. My obligation, conscience and enthusiasm to return the debt of gratitude to the To Return the Debt of Gratitude State for fostering me have enabled me to draw up good designs meeting the demands of the people Last year Kim Kum Sok became a pride of his though not large in scale.” classmates when his design of the teachers’ dining- room of the Wonsan Orphans’ Primary School was Bringing Their Dream Into Reality adopted. But it did not come in a moment. From his childhood he had something out of the common. As a Kim Jin Song, a son of an ordinary worker, is 23 child he learned drawing at the Mangyongdae School- years old now. As he was small and spare of words in children’s Palace. In those days the boy made up his his boyhood, his parents were worried if he would mind to compensate for his indebtedness to the State grow up and keep company with his friends in an that nursed the children’s small buds of talent into ordinary way. But as he grew up into a cheerful boy, full bloom. So, when he was serving in the army, he their fears disappeared. His parents say that his devoted all his creative wisdom to the reconstruction character changed as they took him often to parks, of the barracks, dining-room and recreation site with a pleasure grounds and theatres when he was a kin- single mind to please Chairman Kim Jong Il when dergartener. Then he was attracted by new modern he was in his unit, the Chairman who took care of the buildings appearing on TV. soldiers’ living conditions first whenever he inspected He liked to draw pictures of new buildings. See- military units. ing his picture book full of crayon drawings, people His zeal persisted even after he entered the col- would praise him highly as a boy cherishing a lofty lege. As the contents and range of his studies involv- dream. His parents, too, felt proud of their son grow- ing architectural creation theory, ecological architec- ing up as a bright and cheerful boy. As a college stu- ture and architectural formation extended, he be- dent, he displayed his works at national exhibitions came engrossed in mastering all subjects of study of students’ IT achievements, which were highly faster than other students. Besides, he worked day appraised. Now he became a leading developer of 5.1 sound system. His architectural Kim Kum Sok, Kim Jin Song and Ri Chol Guk (from left). designs adopted in practice are highly estimated for their architec- tural and artistic effects. When his designs for the cloak- room of the youth workteam at the Jangchon Vegetable Cooperative Farm and the dining-room of the day nursery in Sonbong District, Rason City were accepted, all peo- ple concerned were glad and con- gratulated him on his success. He says, “I have seen the dream of the people since my childhood. I wanted to have the people’s dream and ideal translated into reality. Today I’m proud of myself as a man realizing their dream. Every time I think of it, I’m all on fire to work harder.” ►
26 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 Under the Benefit of Free Medical Care System
OREA TODAY’S INTERVIEW WITH KIM K Hyon Ung, deputy bureau director of the Min- istry of Public Health
Today the Korean people enjoy happy life in good health thanks to the benefit of the free medical care system. The system was introduced soon after our country was liberated from the Japanese imperial- ists’ military occupation in August 1945, wasn’t it? From January 1947 after liberation the blue- and white-collar workers and their dependents were treated gratis at state expenses, but the origin of the system dates back to the Ten-Point Programme of the Association for the Restoration of the Fatherland in the period of the anti-Japanese armed struggle. Free medical care system was When the Fatherland Liberation War (June 1950– introduced during the wartime. July 1953) was at its height, the DPRK Cabinet De- cision “On Introducing Universal Free Medical Care doctor system is in operation to responsibly look System” was adopted at the 22nd Plenary Meeting of after the health and life of the people. All citizens the DPRK Cabinet and its enforcement began on get prophylactic service before they fall ill, and spe- January 1, 1953. And when the economy of the cial state benefits are directed to children, pregnant country gradually recovered from the aftermath of women, nursing mothers and the elderly for their war, the government introduced a complete and health. universal free medical care in February 1960. Meanwhile, the government completely satisfies Since then the health of the working people and the people’s demand for medical service to the full. children has been under better protection by the All sorts of medical services are free of charge such benefit of the free medical service. The right to free as outpatient and inpatient treatments, sick calls, medical care is surely given in the DPRK Socialist diagnoses, tests and experiments, functional tests, Constitution and the Public Health Law. Medical operations and foods at hospital, and the state or care establishments and doctors are to be seen cooperative organizations bear travel expenses to wherever there are working people, and the section and from places of recuperation. Moreover, such ►
► Though I’m the Youngest… and finish it in a short time. He was moved to tears to hear that the leader said it was his decision to Ri Chol Guk, the youngest student in the class, is build modern and much better houses for the resi- always longing for his native town Rason City. dents than the old ones. With an excited feeling at Whenever he came home during a vacation, he could the measure taken by the State to provide the people see a new change taking place in a short time. of his hometown with new houses, Ri worked out a When he heard last year that the city had suf- plan for the entrance hall of the day nursery in Son- fered from a disastrous flood, he felt heavy at heart. bong District, and the plan was adopted. All his However, his anxiety did not last long. The national classmates were delighted and offered him their leader Kim Jong Un saw to it that the rehabilita- congratulations. tion of Rason City was taken up as an important Recollecting the day, Ri often says, “I saw the matter to be discussed at an enlarged meeting of the future of my motherland in the new appearance of Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party my hometown. Though I’m the youngest in my class, of Korea in August last, and ordered the Korean I’ll play the role of the eldest in designing the future of our country.” People’s Army in his capacity as its Supreme Com- mander to take full charge of the rehabilitation work Kang Hye Ok
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 27 cial hospitals and polyclinics are arranged in good order—ranging from the capital of the country down to local residential quarters in all provinces. In Py- ongyang alone, many healthcare establishments have been erected to improve the people’s health; examples are the General Dental Hospital, the Py- ongyang Ophthalmic Hospital and the Thongilgori Fitness Centre in Rangnang District, and the Breast Tumour Research Institute of the Pyongyang Mater- nity Hospital, the Okryu Children’s Hospital and the Ryugyong Dental Hospital in the Munsu area. Clin- ics and hospitals are set up independently in facto- ries and enterprises and mines. And first-aid sta- People are under well-regulated healthcare. tions are placed inside the pits of mines, and similar posts are also to be found in the ocean fishing fleets. ► services as health checkups, delivery of pregnant The telemedicine system is in operation even in the women, provision of prostheses to disabled persons, terminal people’s hospitals in counties which are treatments and supply of medicines are all given ceaselessly supplemented with modern medical ap- gratis. paratuses. The benefit of free medical service has increased And state investment is made unsparingly to steadily for the past scores of years. What would you provide hygienic living conditions and working say about it? environment to the people. Surely. As I always feel as a health worker, the advantages and vitality of the free medical care sys- tem are in full play in our society which puts forward the people as the most valuable being in the world. Above all else, strong material and technical founda- tion has been laid for substantial provision of the right to and benefit of free medical care system. Medical service bases including large and modern comprehensive hospitals and different kinds of spe-
The Ryugyong Dental Hospital.
28 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 Without Questioning
OME TIME AGO I, AS A taking study, contact lenses and
S Korea Today reporter, visited false eyes were developed eventu- the Pyongyang Medical College of ally based on domestic materials Kim Il Sung University to meet so as to meet their nationwide Dr. Jong Kyong Se, an authority demand. on ophthalmology in Korea, for By making the most of his news coverage. Jong, candidate experience in his long career of academician and professor, is education he wrote the textbook nearly 80, but his stride and Ophthalmology (5 vols), reference greetings were replete with books Ophthalmological Opera- youthful vigour. Excusing himself tion and Major General Diseases for an operation he presented me and Eye, and essays Diagnosis a thick book, saying it might be of Eye Tuberculosis and Its helpful to me. Treatment and Ophthalmological Medicines. His papers delivered The place where desires at academic presentations or are realized apply for the then Pyongyang symposia were highly appreci- University of Medicine. ated, including Study on Grafting The first part of the book con- When he left to study at the of Artificial Cornea, Prevention of tained his note. university, his father, stroking Brachymetropia and Its Treat- He was born a son of a tenant him on the head, said, “It’s great ment, Study on Influence of in Taehwa-ri, Uiju County, North our family has a university stu- Computer Screen on Eye and Phyongan Province when the dent now. I wish you would be a Sandy Dust Inimical to Eye. He country was under the military renowned doctor.” wrote a doctoral thesis entitled occupation of the Japanese impe- Clinical Study for Improving Cor- rialists. He was always hungry as Distinguished services neal Transplantation. Jong was his family didn’t have even a awarded dozens of certificates of patch of their own land. Though In the next part of the book I registered sci-tech achievement, he reached school age, he couldn’t found stories about those who certificates of invention, and cer- go to school for want of money. recovered their sight and the data tificates of new conception and One day misfortune knocked on his achievements in research. device. his family. Jong’s uncle in his One September day a young In the end of the book were twenties and elder sister died of man whose eyes had been rup- also a number of names of his typhoid and typhus because they tured in an accident was rushed disciples and their occupations in could not see a doctor. Those to the hospital. Jong held consul- the ophthalmological world, the maladies took many other lives in tative meetings several times and titles of their degree theses and his village. Seeing them suffering applied latest scientific achieve- research successes and the names from the epidemics the young boy ments and his clinical experience of the people they had cured com- craved for a benefactor who would he had gained over scores of years pletely. save those miserable people. and thus brought a sight back to When Jong came back to see The liberation of the country him in a month. There was a story me again after finishing the op- (August 15, 1945) brought him a about a soldier who had com- eration, I praised his long, praise- bright future. Thanks to the pletely lost his sight from a severe worthy career. He said, “The Agrarian Reform Law his family bruise before Jong gave him two spring with plenty of water re- received acres of land gratis, and operations and enabled him to source gushes out endlessly. In Jong became a student as he had stitch a collar to his uniform. this land where we have the state yearned even in a dream. His When he encountered patients policy of looking after the people family was overflowing with great who lost their sight owing to the and the children with great care, joy and happiness. Leading a diseases or bruises, he renewed the spring of light and happiness happy life he often thought of his his resolution to deepen the sci- will always gush out.” uncle, sister and villagers who entific research work to restore had been dead. So, he chose to their sight. Thanks to his pains- Ri Chung Ho
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 29 Thought About Fist and Soul
HAVE BEEN VERY INTERESTED IN I sports since childhood. Thus, I feel something out of the common when I see on TV our Korean athletes win gold medals and become tearful looking at the rising flag of our country. Last year our Taekwon-Do performers won victory at the 19th Taekwon-Do World Championships. When I heard it I couldn’t get to sleep. I am well over 70, but when I hear the news of Taekwon-Do I feel as if I were young again, and I find myself look back upon my career. I was born the youngest of four siblings in Mun Ung Jun (left). Phihyon County, North Phyongan Province, when our country was under the military occupation of finger, all were surprised about it. the Japanese imperialists. As child I could often see One of those days, I knew a government Japanese policemen beat innocent Koreans and policy of developing Taekwon-Do which is a pride, take them to prison. During the Korean war started spirit and soul of Korea. I was really excited, and I by the US imperialists I saw my home village burn made up my mind to devote my life to Korea’s to ashes and folks killed and I was full of anger Taekwon-Do. This was how I sealed a tie with against the US. At that time I was eager to have an Taekwon-Do. iron fist to strike the enemy and never let him in- I assiduously learned the principles of technical vade. movements, patterns and sparring. Reading books This urge remained in me. One day I heard a on Taekwon-Do written by President Choi Hong Hi story about Kim Sin Rak (Rikidozan) who was com- of the International Taekwon-Do Federation and manding great popularity as champion of the world reference books about martial arts of the world I of professional wrestling. Though subject to national could know the superiority of Taekwon-Do well. humiliation of all hues for being Korean while living Classic books also let me know the long history and in Japan, he smashed his opponents with his karate valour of Koreans. I gave several demonstrations and chop to everybody’s admiration, I learned. The story I was often asked how I could strike with my fist and gave me the idea that I could protect the nation’s soul head with the power amounting to 10KN. I replied, when I had a strong fist. Now I started to learn mar- “If we have a weak fist we can neither protect our- tial arts with an ambition to glorify our country’s selves nor defend our fatherland.” honour as a man. President Kim Il Sung often asked about the One day in the 1970s I heard a rumour that one training of Taekwon-Do performers and instructed foreign master of martial arts could chin with two of us to intensify scientific research in Taekwon-Do, his fingers to the wonder and admiration of the world stressing the need to improve Taekwon-Do tech- people. I trained myself hard thinking I could hardly niques by putting Taekwon-Do on a scientific basis be a master of martial arts if I didn’t surpass him. and make it part of daily life.
When I had a physical ability to chin easily with one I made up my mind to bring up more disciples ►
30 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 ► and combined training with scientific re- search. I produced a theory in the early 1980s
that is about steeling a certain part of the body and exerting utmost energy based on Taekwon-Do concentration of stress. This was a good con- tribution to improvement of attack and de- fence of Taekwon-Do. When I performed press- AEKWON-DO, ORTHODOX MARTIAL up with two arms 800 times at a go and with T art of Korea, is based on scientific principles one arm 150 times, all were full of admiration, with different events. The events are basic move- saying that I broke the record. ments, patterns, sparring, training, and the art From then on, I have written many essays of self-protection. and reference books including Study of Taek- The basic movements number as many as won-Do Training, Study of Taekwon-Do Tech- 3 200 for attack and defence arranged on the niques, Physiological Principle in Raising the principle of strength. Power of Taekwon-Do, and Points in Concen- Patterns are divisions of basic movements tration of Strength in Taekwon-Do. grouped by their principles and aims. They serve Taekwon-Do was gaining popularity and as a yardstick to estimate performers’ ability. spreading all over the world with the adher- Sparring is an event of applying basic move- ents and trainees increasing in number. I had ments learned in the pattern event to one’s active high pride in living in the homeland of Taek- opponents in different circumstances. Through won-Do. sparring Taekwon-Doists acquire the fighting In those days I had the honour of meeting spirit and courage which are seldom attained in President Kim Il Sung and Chairman the practice of basic movements, and the ability Kim Jong Il, and I won the titles of doctor, to know the tactics and movements of the oppo- professor and then candidate academician and nents. Physical training helps build up one’s body People’s Athlete. The government sent me a and mind through different practice and hard- birthday spread on my 70th birthday. ship; it consists of mental and physical training, I often tell my son about my cherished and the exercise of parts of the body for attack opinion of effort and concentration and now and defence. I’m writing a paper on strengthening the The art of self-protection is to make technical power of Taekwon-Do. I have finished more movements for protecting oneself from one’s op- than 50 essays and papers with my son, and I ponents with bare hands. Highly technical move- would be happy if only they would be of any help to development of Taekwon-Do of my ments are prerequisite for the art, and pattern country. and sparring skills are to be combined with the I always say to my son and disciples, “You skill of joint breaking. must keep it in mind that you can defend the Taekwon-Do is performed in the competitive soul of our nation only when you have a great events of patterns, sparring, power demonstra- national leader. The more keenly you are tion, forte, and self-protection. And patterns, aware of it, the more stronger your fist will sparring, power demonstration and forte are di- be.” vided into individual and team events. Prof. Mun Ung Jun
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 31 Football Rhythmic Exercise
OOTBALL RHYTHMIC winning mass gymnastics and real one.” He was Rim Jung Son F exercise is in vogue in Korea. artistic performance Arirang, who had won global fame at the The football players who have says, “In the past it was usual to 8th FIFA World Cup. “Why do I learned the exercise say, make the body pliant by taking say you are wrong? Because in “Training and playing a match rhythmic exercise in time with football games the players more after doing this exercise, we are music.” often than not jump on one foot sure to gain greater success.” They set a goal to suit all the rather than on both feet as you Even football fans say, “This is components like rhythmic mo- are doing here now. True, they not simply an exercise but an tions and music to the character- may jump on both feet sometimes invigorator giving pleasure, opti- istics of football and Korean peo- as in volleyball, but that’s very mism and hope for the future and ple’s constitutional features. As rarely to be seen.” The old man’s a shortcut to the gold medal.” rhythmic motions are the basis of words encouraged them. This football rhythmic exercise the warming-up exercise of foot- They finally completed the has been invented by designer ball, Hye Song devoted all her football rhythmic exercise that O Hye Song and composer Han energies to making every motion goes well with all people irrespec- Yong Chol of the Korean Mass rational and easy for all to per- tive of age and sex. Gymnastics Production Company form, and Yon Chol invented the The experts who saw the exer- and Yon Chol of the DPRK Foot- basic technical movements of the cise said, “It is really grand that ball Association in compliance exercise on the basis of deep study three motions go in one measure. with the people’s rising sports of the globally renowned football This rhythmic exercise for football enthusiasm. But they had to sur- players. Han Yong Chol in charge warm-up will play an important mount lots of difficulties in the of music arrangement made role in turning our country into a early stage. Studying many coun- painstaking efforts to produce sports power.” tries’ musical rhythms, they felt excellent musical pieces by draw- The football rhythmic exercise their task was not an easy job. ing on the experience obtained in that helps the players and stu- O Hye Song who was in the the course of creating the tunes dents make their bodies pliant forefront of the production of for popular health and mass and become adept in basic techni- many mass gymnastics in the rhythmic exercises. cal movements through rhythmi- 1990s and was one of the produc- When they were absorbed in cally adjusted movements for ers of the Kim Il Sung Prize- completing the rhythmic exercise, warming up performed in time to an old man who had been light music, is very popular watching them from afar among the experts and fans. came up and said, “This mo- tion is quite different from the Kim Il Bong
32 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 3-D Films Please Children and Adults
OWADAYS 3-D FILMS the people. Researchers including up their successes. N shown in the 3-D cinema Ri Kum Song, head of the com- “By nature, people want to houses across the country find puter image research team, venture into the realm of the un- favour with the public. The 3-D solved key problems after many known,” says Ri Kum Song. “To films The Artificial Satellite and failures and finally produced the gratify their desire, we research- The Basis of 3-D Pictures are first 3-D video showing the ers are doing our best to broaden popular both with children and launching of the artificial satel- the scope of our imagination.” adults. lite Kwangmyongsong No. 2. They have deepened their studies These popular films are all They displayed their achieve- of the undersea and underground produced by the young research- ments in the Sci-tech Festival world and dinosaurs. Even for the ers of the Film Science Research 2012 held on the occasion of the production of one video, they vis- Institute established in 1961. The centennial birthday of President ited over again the Grand People’s researchers have grown up into Kim Il Sung. An endless string Study House, the Academy of an able team solving many prob- of people visited the Three- Social Sciences and the Central lems in conformity with the char- Revolution Exhibition House, the Zoo. The 3-D films The Dinosaurs acteristics and needs of the film venue of the festival, to see their and The Interesting Undersea art which is made up of art and videos. Their videos won prize. World are the fruits of their hard technology. They are intent on Later, the videos proved greatly work. Their subjects are varied, working out scientific and techno- helpful in the setting of special extending from the world of fan- logical problems arising in film scenes of such films as the multi- tasy to the themes of patriotism. production—shooting, developing part feature films The Nation and The 3-D film The Fortress of the and recording— by introducing Destiny and The various devices for special effects Country I Saw. of film and studying and produc- Encouraged by ing the makeup materials and this, the re- smoking effects. searchers con- In the new century they set a tinued their goal to produce 3-D videos fully studies on new satisfying the cultural demand of videos to follow
Researchers create new 3-D films.
Sky which shows heroic feats of the KPA airmen leaves a deep impression on the audience. Their speculation and re- searches beyond the restriction of time and space are now bringing about many interesting 3-D films. Their efforts continue to provide the people with still better 3-D films representing the world of socialist civilization. Kim Hyon Ju
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 33 Pride of the School
ORANBONG SECON- Various kinds of programs cheerfully. At the end of the festi- M dary School No. 1 has were put on the stage while the val the top award was given to the trained excellent students who national flag of the DPRK was Janggo player, the first prize to are knowledgeable, physically unfurled on the display: instru- each of the other four Korean strong and morally sound. This mental quintet We Are the Hap- students, and the award of educa- has earned for it titles granted to piest in the World, folk dance tor to their teacher. leading schools, including the one Water Jar Dance, Janggo solo The audience showed great of Model Sports School. It’s a Beat the Drum and Go to War response. The mayor of Kha- laudable school. were presented. When each pro- barovsk said that the performance Recently it got another pride: gram finished, there was a deaf- of the Korean students was very Its students gained reputation in ening applause. Especially while fascinating when each of them an international arena. In March the Janggo solo was on praises played more than two instruments last year the 25th International burst forth here and there: A while dancing, and that he now Schoolchildren’s Art Festival was school boy in national costume knew the high standard of art held in Khabarovsk, Russia. In played Jangsaenap, made won- education and the excellent edu- the festival the students of the derful dancing movements by cation policy of Korea. Meanwhile, Moranbong school displayed the turning decorative tassels on the Slineskaya Jiana, a spectator, honour of their school in front of head and then played Janggo and gave the Korean students a sketch the participants and the audience. other percussion instruments of their opening performance, ►
34 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 The artistic performance in the Far East, Russia, in August 2015.
► saying the young Korean artistes deafening applause with ceaseless good training. The DPRK is a had won fame in an instant. admirations. The students left a country of true education where In August last year the stu- great impression on the Russian the children are taken good care of dents of Moranbong Secondary people. and provided with all conditions School No. 1 visited the Far East The deputy mayor of Fokino on a preferential basis. I envy the of Russia as members of a delega- said that though he had seen Korean students for their healthy tion of friendship and culture, schoolchildren’s performances on training under the excellent edu- adding a brilliant decoration to many occasions in the past, it was cation system without any worry. the year of friendship between the his first time to see such a per- “My students worked hard to DPRK and Russia. Various kinds formance of high skill. Judging show their happy life under the of programs were put on the from the fact that they were stu- socialist education system as well stage, such as instrumental quin- dents not of a conservatory but a as the merits of the Korean nation tet Patriotic Song, Kayagum solo secondary school, he could see the through their performance,” says Ongheya, dance Janggo Dance, standard of the Korean art in Kim Hyon Suk. chorus March Forward After Our general, the deputy mayor said. The students of Moranbong Leader Kim Jong Un and Rus- The speaker of the Partizansk Secondary School No. 1 have sian songs Kalinka, Katsusha assembly spoke of his impression: given performances for the sake of and Suburban Moscow at Night. I could see the advantages of the overseas Koreans and foreign Kim Hyon Suk, the teacher, says policy of education of the Workers’ visitors more than 1 850 times that whenever the students artis- Party of Korea and the socialist over the past 30-odd years. tically presented scenes of their education system through the The students are working happy and joyful life, a life of performance. However talented hard at their studies while con- growing up into a new generation you might be, you could hardly ducting artistic activities with a of Songun Korea with nothing to expect a good result unless you pride in their school. envy in the world, there was a were under a system that can give Rim Hye Gyong
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 35 Fervent Yearning
very sorry to learn this fact. He how I had regained my voice as asked officials concerned to have singer of the song “Whistle.” my problem cured at any cost, and Then, I sang the song “I Yearn for bring the voice of the “Whistle” the Care” which is my favourite singer back to me, the voice re- No. 1, with tearful eyes. I still membered by the people. Then he vividly remember the moment took every measure to the end. when I, the singer, and the audi- Thanks to his care I regained ence shed tears of emotion. my voice after treatment, and I I’ve got a proud career thanks became able to sing again. to the uninterrupted care of the I should say you were unusu- country, and there are many en- ally happy to sing at the artistic tertainers like me. We joined performance “Song of Memory” hands to open the 10 000-peopled and the 10 000-peopled artistic performance in celebration of the performance held last year in 70th founding anniversary of the celebration of the 70th founding Workers’ Party of Korea. We anniversary of the Workers’ Party sang of the exploits President of Korea. Kim Il Sung and Chairman NE OF THESE DAYS A I was more than happy. In Kim Jong Il had performed for O Korea Today reporter inter- February last year the artistic viewed Jon Hye Yong, vocal in- the country and the people, and of performance “Song of Memory” the changes we are now witness- structor at the Mangyongdae began in the People’s Theatre in Schoolchildren’s Palace. Excerpts: ing in this land which is develop- Pyongyang. This performance ing into a paradise of the people Everybody knows you was initiated by our respected “Whistle” singer, and this must be under the wise guidance of our leader Kim Jong Un. He said respected leader Kim Jong Un. a great pride to you, I should say. with emotion that although the Quite right. I had never ex- It was a performance dedicated to entertainers of the past were ad- pected I’d be the “Whistle” singer. the infinite thanks to and longing vanced in age now, their appear- From my kindergarten days, I for the Chairman who ushered in ance on the stage would remind was very interested in music. I the heyday of Juche arts; it was the general public of the time of received professional vocal in- also a performance filled with struction as I grew up. I felt Chairman Kim Jong Il. faith and will of the people who happy, and yet there was some- At the time we sang many are determined to trust and follow thing that worried me. Whenever songs of yearning for President our leader Kim Jong Un alone. there was a test to pick up re- Kim Il Sung and Chairman You instructors of the Man- serves of professional entertain- Kim Jong Il, and the audience gyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace ment establishments, I was rec- looked back on the Juche arts are charged with an important ommended as No. 1. But I had to embroidered in the chronicles of role to play, aren’t you? give up my place to other appli- the past time. Although they were Surely. You know our country cants because I was short. When grey-haired elderly people with pays great importance to the experts of arts rejected me for my deep wrinkles on their faces who training of the children. In this height, Chairman Kim Jong Il had left the stage a long time sense the country built this pal- saw something about me and sent before, the songs they sang with ace. Sometimes I’m asked why I’m me to the Pochonbo Electronic youthful ardour gripped the heart an instructor when I could still be Ensemble. Then he took all pains of the audience. The audience a professional entertainer. Then, I to help train me as a People’s gave a big hand to the perform- reply that this is the only way I Artiste, the “Whistle” singer ance of the Pochonbo Electronic could repay the care I’ve been known to the whole country. Ensemble and the Wangjaesan under. You know I was brought In retrospect, I had a difficult Light Music Band that filled the up under the free education sys- time myself as a musical enthusi- 1980s and the 1990s with tem of the country whose impor- ast. For nearly five years from graceful, refined and vigorous tance policy is to select children 1999 I suffered from paralysis in performances. I myself sang the with unusual talent and train the vocal chords, so I could hardly songs “Whistle,” “Cuckoo” and them into good pillars. speak, to say nothing of singing “Girlhood” and then told the au- I’m going to devote myself to songs. dience what happened to me in the work of rearing good reserves Chairman Kim Jong Il was 1999. Now the audience knew of singers.
36 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 Love of Their Job
HYONGCHON DISTRICT, Whenever her acquaintances One festival day, the streets P Pyongyang, boasts its street advise her to retire and rest now were busy with many people. In cleaners who are loved by people that she is old enough, she re- the early morning Myong Ho for their good work. plies, “I am sure the workteam went out to sweep the street un- will do well without me. But now der his care as usual, but he was To Return Their Thanks it is a routine work of my life to go not much interested in his work. over the streets in my charge. I He went a little way ahead One day towards the end of feel happy when I see people com- sweeping the road when a vinyl 2000, 20 women living in Kan- ing and going and cars running wrapper fell on the sidewalk, song-dong, Phyongchon District, freely on the streets I have swept blown by a sudden rush of wind. came together in the house of Jo clean. And when passers-by wave Seeing this, a little boy, releasing Kil Nyo. Jo opened her mouth in their hands or call a greeting to his hand from the grasp of his a soft tone, “The government has us, I think they have kind feelings father, ran forward and picked it supplied plenty of daily necessi- of trust in and love for us. That’s up. The boy then threw it into a ties to our families in spite of the why I feel guilty when I see some- garbage box. When his parents hardest conditions. I don’t know thing littered in my territory.” praised him he replied, “The how to express our thanks. We Moreover, she has contrived some teacher of our kindergarten said are neither rich nor powerful, so tools for road maintenance and we should be exemplary in keep- I think we should return our presented them to the workteam. ing our town and district clean.” thanks by keeping our residential Her cleaning devices are praised Seeing the receding figures of district neat and clean. I propose by all for their originality. the boy and his parents, Myong therefore that we all become Ho fell into deep thought. “A kin- street cleaners.” Her suggestion “A Kindergartener and I…” dergartner and I...” That incident was accepted by all. brought about a change in his After the meeting they wrote In the workteam is a man life. He became a diligent worker a letter expressing their decision called Jong Myong Ho. He would spared no effort to tackle what- to Chairman Kim Jong Il. Now, live an idle life, frequently run- ever the workteam was faced Kil Nyo became the head of the ning away from home. He was a with. A few years later, he was Saemaul workteam of the talk of everyone. At the beginning honoured by the state as a Meri- Phyongchon District Urban Facil- of his work in the workteam, he torious Worker of the Songun ity Management Station and the seemed to be a hard worker, but Era. He said, “I have parted for members of the team devoted his old habit showed up before ever with my life of past days. I themselves to road maintenance long and he would work at ran- love my job and my workteam.” rain or shine. Kil Nyo’s husband, dom. Sim Yong Jin a driver, followed the example of his wife and became the driver of a street sweeping car. Jo Kil Nyo was elected a deputy to the Su- preme People’s Assembly and the state makes public recognition of the members of the workteam for their selfless services at every opportunity.
Affection
Kim In Sun who has worked as a street cleaner for 10 years has a special affection for her job.
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 37 In Pursuance of National Unity
south by the US imperialists with the liberation on August 15, 1945, the Chondoist Chongu Party was founded for the purpose of champion the interest of the Korean nation, the Chondoists in particular. The party was inaugurated on February 8, 1946 to meet the aspiration and desire of the popular masses to liquidate the remnants of the colonial rule of the Japanese imperialists and build a new society. The party carries on the spirit of independence of our nation which is a homogeneous nation state with a 5 000-year-long history, and the tradition of patriot- ism and national unity our forefathers created in the Kabo Peasants’ War, the March 1st movement and the sacred warfare against the Japanese aggressors for national liberation. Your party has worked hard to attain the ulti- mate aim. What could you say about it? The ultimate aim of our party is to achieve inde- OREA TODAY’S INTERVIEW WITH SIM pendent and peaceful reunification of the country K Yong Chol, Department Chief of the Chondoist through great unity of the whole nation and build an Chongu Party Central Committee egalitarian society and an earthly paradise where everybody lives an enjoyable life. The basic task of This year marks the 70th anniversary of the our party is to reject foreign aggression and inter- Chondoist Chongu Party. I’d like to have a general vention in the spirit of national independence under idea of the party. the party’s traditional banner of “Rejection of the You’d better have an understanding of Chon- West and Japan” and establish a pan-national uni- dogyo, our nation’s own faith, if you want to hear fied state where all the working people lead a happy about the founding of the party. Chondogyo is the life in their own right. In order to accomplish the indigenous Korean religion based on the systematic task our party joined the democratic national united analysis of Tonghak, or Eastern Learning, which front and has taken an active part, along with other came into existence in the mid-19th century. Tonghak democratic parties, in the anti-imperialist, anti- is the predecessor to Chondogyo initiated by Choe Je feudal democratic revolution, the Fatherland Lib- U (1824–1864) and developed by Choe Si Hyong eration War (June 1950–July 1953), the socialist (1827–1898). It was transformed into Chondogyo, or revolution and socialist construction. Meanwhile, we the Religion of the Heavenly Way, by Son Pyong Hui have offered positive support to the south Korean (1861–1922). The transformation of the Eastern people of all strata in their struggle for independ- Learning into Chondogyo was aimed at refashioning ence, democracy and reunification, and to the Korean the belief as a world-class faith in consideration of nationals overseas in their just patriotic endeavours, the rapidly-growing tendency toward modernity in while working hard to strengthen solidarity with the Korea and the intensified policy of the Japanese democratic parties and organizations in different imperialists for Korean occupation and colonial rule countries around the world. ► (1905–1945). By this the religion tried to legalize the activities of the adherents of the faith, break with pro-Japanese elements and the traitors to the nation and separate broad masses of the people from their influence to the camp of patriotic fighters against the foreign aggression. Son proclaimed the establishment of Chondogyo on December 1, 1905 while keeping the original idea of Tonghak. The history of Chondogyo is consistent with the anti-Japanese struggle against aggression. The adherents initiated the March 1st Popular Up- rising, which was a pan-national uprising against Japan that flared up on March 1, 1919 in an attempt to regain the nation’s sovereignty, and conducted the campaign vigorously. They waged a brave struggle for the liberation of the country. After the country was divided into north and
38 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 ► In the initial years our party launched an un- ticipation of delegates from the north, south and daunted struggle to foil the policy of the US imperial- abroad. The functions demonstrated to the world ists and the pro-American forces in south Korea for again that our nation is a homogeneous nation fa- establishment of a separate government in the south thered by Tangun and that the Korean people are and to found a single unified government represent- determined to join efforts to win the sacred cause of ing the whole country. We have made persistent ef- national reunification by achieving reconciliation forts for national unity and reunification while giving and unity under the banner of the June 15 North- unremitting support for the proposals of the govern- South Joint Declaration. ment of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for Later in 2014, the year that marked the 20th making the US-divided country into one again. anniversary of the reconstruction of the Mausoleum I think your party has achieved a lot in the effort of King Tangun, a splendid ceremony was held to to help the nation get united under the idea of “Man jointly commemorate the National Foundation Day and God are one.” with the participation of a large number of delegates We have waged an uninterrupted struggle to from the north, south and abroad. The ceremony accomplish the Chondoist idea of “Man and God are adopted a north-south joint appeal. one” and help the north and the south become re- Last year when the situation was so complicated, united. With the outset of the 2000s we launched a the National Foundation Day was also marked with stronger campaign for national reunification. Avail- large attendance displaying the determination to ing ourselves of the rising tide of enthusiasm in the achieve national reconciliation and unity. The cere- north and the south and overseas for one Korea fol- mony adopted another joint appeal, thus carrying lowing the adoption of the historic June 15 North- forward our predecessors’ tradition of patriotism and South Joint Declaration, we issued statements, press national unity. releases and joint appeals and annually arranged Our party will steadily continue to push ahead joint or separate commemorations of the National with different programmes to encourage organiza- Foundation Day in the north and the south and tions associated with our national religion and na- abroad. We accelerated the movement for national tional movements to work hard for reunification of reconciliation, unity and reunification under the idea our country under the banner of “By Our Nation of “By Our Nation Itself.” Itself.” We are also determined to improve solidarity In 2002 and 2003 we had grand commemorations with foreign democratic parties and organizations of the National Foundation Day at the Mausoleum of that are sympathetic to the just, patriotic struggle of King Tangun, holy place of the nation, with the par- our compatriots.
The National Foundation Day is commemorated every year.
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 39 Mt. Chilbo (1)
Physical Geography tinged scenery and “Solbaeksan” for its snowscape. A tourist guide map stands on the ridge of Pakdal T. CHILBO, LOCATED IN THE SOUTH OF Pass, known as gate to the mountain, and there are M the east coast of North Hamgyong Province, is observation platforms and pavilions for commanding one of the celebrated mountains in Korea covering the bird’s-eye view of the mountain including Sung- an area about 250 ㎢. For the outstanding beauty of son Rock. As it is part of the Paektu volcanic belt the inland and the coast it was well known as “Mt. ranging from Mt. Paektu to Ullung Island, Mt Chilbo Kumgang in North Hamgyong Province” from of old. was formed by volcanic action just like the formation The name Chilbo means seven treasures. The moun- of Mt. Paektu. The countless rocks formed by lava tain goes by “Kkottongsan” in spring for its beautiful gusting from the deep underground and then cooling flowers in full bloom, “Rogumsan” in summer for its down were weathered and eroded over a long time, green foliage, “Hongasan” in autumn for its red- thus presenting such a magnificent, curious and peculiar scenery. Sangmae Peak (1 103m) is the main peak of the mountain, and, centring on it, there are some peaks which are around 1 000m high above sea level, such as Pakdal Pass (761m) and Samgak Peak (1 030m) in the north, and Kkachi Peak (900m) and Hyangno Peak (844m) in the south. With the ridge of those peaks as the axis many other peaks and fantastic rocks soar in the east and west, presenting scenic slopes and ravines. The Sea Chilbo area in the east has little sandy beach compared with other sea- shores. Instead, it has a cliffy face, thus giving a very ►
40 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 Pae Rock in Mt. Chilbo. Sol Islet in Sea Chilbo.
► beautiful scenery to be enjoyed from the sea. Sasa coreana, Pyongyang chestnut and Rosa wichu- Surrounded by the high Hamgyong Mountain riana Crep. There are to be found wild fruit trees like Range in the west and spread with a lowland area in wild pear, wild grapevine, and tara vine, and over 70 the east open to the sea, Mt. Chilbo is mostly subject kinds of medicinal herbs such as wild insam, bar- to oceanic climate. In summertime a southeast wind renwort and Schizandra chinensis. The Songi mush- blows usually and a northwest wind in winter. Many room from the mountain has a unique taste and streams flow down narrow and deep ravines. The flavour, and it is counted best among mushrooms in Pochon and Phoha are relatively big among the the country. streams. In the mountain area there are several hot Over 30 kinds of wild animals like bear, roe deer, springs including the Hwangjin Hot Spring which raccoon dog, badger and hare inhabit the mountain was well known from old times. as well as different kinds of birds including eagle The flora of the mountain is very diversified and owl, thrush, starling and oriole, reptiles, amphibi- abundant; over 800 species of plants are distributed ans, and insects. In the sea off Pochon in Sea Chilbo in the mountain such as pine, oak and maple; rhodo- there are various marine resources like pollack, crab, dendron and Ledum pahustre which usually grow in octopus, sea urchin, shellfish and seaweed. the northern alpine region, and southern species like Pak Un Yong
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 41 Pyongyang, Cradle of Korean Nation (4)
Pyongyang Area, Cradle of Tangun-fathered Korea
INCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ANCIENT S Joson by Tangun, the Korean nation has main- tained the same lineage for 5 000 years, speaking a single language and developing a single culture. Tangun formed the first ancient state of Korea with Pyongyang as centre in the early 3rd millennium BC, and took a great area, including the northwestern region of the Korean peninsula, for the realm of the rule of Ancient Joson. Tangun’s Korea, centred on Pyongyang, ex- panded its territory to a vast expanse gradually, displaying the wisdom of the nation. Under the di- rect influence of Tangun’s Korea ancient states came into existence and the economic and cultural inter- actions between the states became dynamic. With the increased leading role of Ancient Joson, the states grew to be a single, homogeneous nation. The people of Tangun’s Korea kept any foreign tribes or immigrants from intruding their land and Various pipha-shaped daggers. settling so as to keep hold of their national integrity and ensure their simple composition of population cient Joson, as father of the nation. and their single bloodline. Tangun was born in Pyongyang, was active in the The establishment of Tangun’s Korea meant the Pyongyang area (a typical example is that he set up a emergence of the Korean nation, and it brought state with Pyongyang as its centre) and was buried about the substantial guarantee for the Korean peo- in Pyongyang after his death. ple to develop into a homogeneous nation steadfastly. The area produced a lot of archaeological materi- This is why they have held Tangun, founder of An- als which are helpful to the explanation of the inher- ent qualities of Ancient Joson’s A dolmen in Munhung-ri, Kangdong County, Pyongyang. culture. Such typical relics of the time as pipha-shaped dagger, pipha-shaped spearhead, gourd- shaped pot and bronze arrowhead, which are representative of the early Ancient Joson, have been often excavated in dolmens and stone-coffin graves in the Pyongy- ang area. In the basin of the Tae- dong River in the Pyongyang area there is a concentrated distribu- tion of not only graves that belong to the earliest forms but also those of different shapes and forms that are indicative of the courses of the time. In other words the area has diversified types of dolmens which show changes in making dolmens, ►
42 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 ► ranging from the Chimchon-type one which is the portance to farming from its initial years. oldest in its size and structure to the Odok-type one The Pyongyang area is the origin and centre of and the Mukbang-type one. There is a distribution of the bronze culture as well. Bronze tools and vessels a dozen thousand dolmens in the basin of the Tae- are regarded as an important criterion of the ancient dong River. culture. In the Pyongyang area the inhabitants in Not a few stone-coffin graves have also been the first half of the 3rd millennium BC began to make found separately or in groups. In the basin of the bronze weapons like pipha-shaped daggers and Taedong River in the Pyongyang area there are dis- spearheads and bronze arrowheads, and bronze arti- tributed dozens of groups of stone-coffin graves. The cles like bronze tools and trinkets. These things were Pyongyang area also has a concentration of extra- in wide use in many fields of everyday life, thus large dolmens of big owners of slaves, which are as opening the time of bronze culture. The sites of his- big as mausoleums of kings. The top stone panel is torical interest in the Pyongyang area produced dif- usually more than 50 square metres and weighs 50- ferent kinds of bronze articles including pipha- 60 tons. These mammoth graves in the area total as shaped daggers, pipha-shaped spearheads and many as 15. The high techniques of trimming and bronze arrowheads. In particular, the pipha-shaped laying stone pieces are an intensive sign of the de- daggers and spearheads found in Housing Site velopment of the ancient culture in the Pyongyang No. 10 in the Phyodae Remains in Samsok District, area. Housing Site No. 16 in the Namyang Remains in In the first half of the 3rd millennium BC when Tokchon City, Dolmen No. 5 in Ryonggok-ri, Sang- Tangun’s Korea was established the inhabitants of won County, and Stone-coffin Grave No. 1 in Sinam- Ancient Joson made and used gourd-shaped pots as ri, Sinphyong County have been confirmed to date well as top-shaped vessels. This kind of relics was back to the first half of the 3rd millennium BC. found in different ancient graves including the Ry- Ancient Joson created its own alphabet, called ongdok-ri Dolmen. Sinji, and developed astronomy and other scientific The Pyongyang area is also the cradle of the and technological fields. pipha-shaped dagger culture. The pipha-shaped Pyongyang was the capital of Ancient Joson. The spearheads, one of the typical leftovers of the early most influential proof of the claim is to be fetched Ancient Joson, were discovered in many places in- from the fact that the remains of Tangun was un- cluding Sangwon County and Tokchon City in the earthed in the Mausoleum of King Tangun in Kang- 1990s. They are estimated to have been made in the dong County, Pyongyang. That Pyongyang was the 26th century BC. capital of Ancient Joson is strongly supported by In the basin of the Taedong River in the Pyongy- historical documents as well as archaeological mate- ang area, crop farming developed earlier than other rials. A typical document is Samgukyusa (History of regions. The people of Ancient Joson harnessed the Three Kingdoms). The part dedicated to the de- draught cattle with ploughs for tilling, used car- scription of Ancient Joson gives a manifest account of riages and other vehicles for transport of farming how Tangun found Joson, claiming, “He (Tangun) materials, and improved species of cultivated plants, fixed the walled city of Pyongyang as the capital thus giving rise to the farming in the paddy, that is, when he founded Joson.” Pyongyang was the capital irrigation farming. Ancient Joson relied on the farm- of Ancient Joson throughout the existence of the ing population. Therefore, the country attached im- country.
Different shapes of pots. Bronze vessels.
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 43 In Search of Origin of Salt Production
BOUT 20 YEARS AGO ONE STUDENT A asked a question in a history lesson. “Sir, did Koguryo and Koryo (918–1392) that were military and economic powers depend on import from neighbouring countries for salt?” The teacher who was asked at that time was Choe Sung Il at the Wonup Senior Middle School, Onchon County, Nam- pho City. He was at a loss what to say. Onchon County in Nampho City is one of the biggest salt production bases in Korea. Moreover, the Wonup area bears a large share in salt produc- tion. In the early 20th century the Japanese imperi- alists occupied Korea militarily. In the Wonup area Choe Sung Il (middle). they destroyed all the historical relics and confis- cated and incinerated all history books on salt to by using salt from olden times; Yet I can’t answer stamp out the history of salt production in Korea. my students’ question because of shortage of histori- Then, they made propaganda that salt production cal knowledge about salt. was started by Japan in Korea. Choe decided to give an answer to the question Since then a lot of people had a wrong idea that by making an investigation at any cost. He spent their country owed salt production to Japan. The many years collecting legends and folk tales from student mentioned above was one of them. Now the natives in Onchon County, but no scientific in- Choe fell into thought: Everybody knows that our formation. He then turned to classic books and stud- ancestors prepared kimchi and soy and bean paste ied not only Korean history but also foreign histori- cal documents. As a result, he could make sure that A site of salt manufacture the Wonup area in Onchon County was a long- during the time of Koguryo. standing salt producer. A particular piece of proof was a Japanese lecture summary on history of salt titled “Road of Salt” (On Features of Ancient Salt Making). It wrote that salt manufacture found its way from Korea to Japan. Moreover, in a history book “Songhosaesol” he could read that Tangun was the best in the study of salt in Ancient Joson. There were also materials that noted lots of salt was manufactured in Korea and exported to neighbour- ing countries. Choe made up his mind to verify his predictions by unearthing historical relics on the spot, although he was neither an archaeologist nor a linguist. He resolutely started unearthing, thinking if he delayed his work he couldn’t teach his students the right history. He studied himself archaeology, geology and salt-manufacturing engineering and finally discovered 50 sites believed to have been places of salt manufacture in several square kilometres of the Wonup area. Later, in close connection with teachers and researchers of the history faculty, Kim Il Sung University, he unearthed a site of salt manufacture which dates back to the age of Koguryo ►
44 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 Folk Dance Tondollari
ROM ANCIENT TIMES THE KOREAN ing a circle of dancers and making merry singing F people were fond of dancing, and they created and dancing. many beautiful and graceful folk dances including The dancing movements of Tondollari are the peasant dance and dance with fans. Tondollari characterized by enthusiastic motions of arms and is one of them. It is a local dance with a long his- strongly rhythmic steps. Moving wrists and arms tory peculiar to the coastal areas of Hamgyong in time to the music, turning wrists, flipping fin- provinces. The people of the provinces are all fa- gers, and other brisk motions in combination with miliar with the dance movements. All who visit big strides make the dance very rhythmical and the provinces can see them regardless of sex and strongly elastic. These rhythmic characteristics of age turning out and having a good time of dancing the dance represent the progressive, diligent, te- Tondollari all day on holidays and gala days. nacious and unyielding nature and disposition of Originally, the dance inherited other old folk the people of Hamgyong provinces. dances such as Tongdong of Koguryo. At first, it The dance with a long history and a unique was called Tongdongdari, but later its name local colouring is still very popular with the people, changed to Tondollari in Hamgyong provinces. adding to national sentiments and optimism. In the early 1930s the meaning of the name of Dr. Kim Son Yong, Tondollari changed into Tongthulnal (day will researcher of the Academy dawn), reflecting the Korean people’s aspiration of Social Sciences and wish to live a new inde- pendent life free from the ex- ploitation and oppression of the Japanese imperialists. The dance begins with women pleasantly drumming on gourd dippers turned over on the water filling deep pots, and then those who are good at song and dance come out to sing and dance. When the zest of dancing rises, the onlookers are invited into dancing, form-
► (277 BC–AD 668) in the Wonup Workers’ District The researchers of Kim Il Sung University con- area. At the same time he found over 80 rocks with firmed one of the places with relics was a site of pro- constellation inscriptions, 10 sites of ancient human duction of salt from the sea water, which belonged to shelters, 50 pieces of the Neolithic leftovers, over the period of Koguryo. 100 dolmens and three rocks with primitive letters. Later, Choe made a new teaching material on Choe says, “In the course of unearthing salt pro- the history of salt production in Korea. As there are duction sites of Koguryo we have discovered many unearthed many relics dating back to primitive and relics dating back to ancient times. So we guess that ancient times in the Wonup area, he is convinced many people gathered here to produce salt from an- that relics of salt production of relevant times will cient times. And considering many constellation- show up. He is directing effort to their discovery. inscribed rocks we think our ancestors produced salt based on meteorological observation.” Sim Hyon Jin
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 45 Along the Consistent Line of One Korea
HE TRAGEDY OF NA- the North-South Joint Statement the implementation of the June T tional division in Korea which is the general programme 15 North-South Joint Declara- caused by outside forces has of national reunification, an ep- tion, the time of reconciliation passed over 70 years. ochal phase was opened for pull- and cooperation arrived in the To put an end to this tragedy ing down the barriers between the north-south relations which had the Democratic People’s Republic north and the south and clearing been disturbed by confrontation, of Korea made a fair proposal for the way for peaceful reunification tension and distrust for over half national reunification more than by the united force of the people in a century, and a bright prospect once in the past and has done its keeping with their desire and of national reunification was best for their implementation. interests. From late August of opened up. Now, the barriers of The complicated north-south re- 1972, a talk between the north misunderstanding and distrust lations of the past days gave a and south Red Cross societies between the north and the south lesson that to ease the tensions was held to abate the misery and collapsed and the severed rail- between the north and the south pains of the separated families ways and roads were reconnected of Korea and meet the wishes of and relatives in the north and while the air and sea routes were the Korean nation for independ- the south, and a high-level north- reopened. ent reunification, it is necessary south political talk was arranged. History shows that if the au- to open up the way for dialogue Thanks to the efforts of the thorities of the north and the and negotiation. DPRK, a north-south summit south trust each other in the po- The events of the 1970s proved meeting was held in 2000 for the sition of reconciliation and unity this. With the beginning of the first time, where the June 15 and have dialogues and negotia- 1970s, a new change took place in North-South Joint Declaration tions, it is quite feasible to im- the international and domestic was adopted. All the eye-catching prove their relations and accom- situations. Advocating a policy events in the following period plish national reunification. switch from the “policy of power” remain to this day in the memory Therefore, the DPRK has been to “dialogue,” “coexistence” and of the Korean people. With the claiming to work out all issues of “negotiation,” Nixon, US Presi- adoption of the joint declaration, inter-Korean relations by means dent at the time, put forward a the principles and ways of dia- of dialogue and negotiation ever “peace strategy” for improving logue and negotiation were con- since the country was divided by relations with big countries and firmed and, on this basis, many America. Dialogues and negotia- maintaining a “standstill policy” issues were settled in conformity tions between the two parts of for divided countries. to the mutual benefits. As a re- Korea will promote the process of In the context of the changing sult, north-south dialogues which building up mutual trust and situation at home and abroad, the had been the scenes of dispute in achieving common prosperity, DPRK made a proposal to open up the past turned into fruitful free from the feelings of distrust. new vistas for national reunifica- talks. It will fully accord with the tion, declaring that it was ready This brought about unprece- wishes of the Korean nation who to contact with all the political dented successes in the relations desire reconciliation and peace parties including the Democratic between the north and the south rather than confrontation and Republican Party, public organi- and in the national reunification war. zations and individuals of south movement. Various talks includ- The DPRK has striven and Korea at any time. This proposal ing ministerial talks between the will strive along the line of one for wide-ranging contact and ne- north and the south, held for the Korea and of national reunifica- gotiation between the north and purpose of fulfilling the joint dec- tion which meets the long- the south called forth unanimous laration, turned into scenes of cherished desire and claim of its support and response from the settling issues practically in the people for national reunification people at home and abroad. spirit of faith and cooperation. In in order to settle all problems Soon after, the door was this course the methods for recon- arising in the inter-Korean rela- opened for a north-south dialogue. ciliation and unity were found tions by means of dialogue and On July 4, 1972, the historic out, the way of cooperation and negotiation and promote national North-South Joint Statement exchange opened up, and meas- reconciliation, unity, cooperation with the three principles of na- ures were taken for the easing of and exchange. tional reunification as its core was tensions. issued. With the announcement of As great progress was made in Kim Il Ryong
46 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 The True Culprit Against Peace
ECENTLY THE AMERI- the area is a link in their strategic were nothing but hypocrisy to R cans care to mention peace readjustment for the realization hide their hostile policy against and security more frequently than of their Asia-Pacific strategy. The Korea and their nuclear threats. ever before. Whenever the oppor- Asia-Pacific region holds an im- Worse still, after making such tunity arises, the President and portant place in their aggressive statements and clarifying their officials of the US Administration foreign policy in general, and so attitudes, their hostile moves raise their voices about “peace” the US regards it as the key to against Korea were further being disturbed and security world supremacy to seize this stepped up. “threatened” by someone. But the area. Here, the most important Their hostile acts are obvious reality tends to disprove their target is the Korean peninsula. not only in military threats and concern for peace and security. This is proved by the fact that frantic nuclear war rehearsals but This is clearly sustained by right after Korea’s liberation in in all manner of attempts to iso- the situation in the Asia-Pacific August 1945, MacArthur, Com- late and suffocate the DPRK. region. Mentioning publicly a mander of the US Armed Forces They have established diplomatic plan to reinforce its naval force in in the Far East, said that if they relations with Russia and East this area, the US military is try- occupied the whole land of Korea, European countries that once had ing to deploy the 7th and 3rd fleets they “could cut to pieces the only different ideas and systems from together in the area which is of supply line between Soviet Sibe- America, but they deny even to great strategic importance. Al- ria and the Southern regions and properly call the official name of ready deployed in Japan, the 3rd dominate the whole area between the DPRK, far from establishing fleet with more than 100 warships Vladivostok and Singapore,” and diplomatic relations with it. including four aircraft carriers is then that Dulles, former US Sec- Though Korea became a member now working in close military retary of State, said that Korea of the UN in 1991 and most of the cooperation with the 7th fleet with was a “dagger” to cut out the UN member nations recognized 80 warships, 140 airplanes and “lump of meat” called Asia. With the DPRK’s sovereignty, the US 40 000 troops. Along with this, the the object of cutting out Asia, the still refuses to deem the DPRK a US has deployed a prompt reac- lump of meat, the US is trying member of the international com- tion force in the Asia-Pacific area, to hide the real intentions of munity to coexist with. It also newly building up their forces. reinforcing their armed forces spreads a false view about the While bringing huge armed forces and keep the neighbouring pow- DPRK’s nuclear and human including a nuclear aircraft car- ers around the Korean peninsula rights issues and makes every rier striking group and “F-22” off their guard by noisily adver- attempt to isolate and suffocate stealth fighters to south Korea, tising “peace” and “threat.” This the DPRK by abusing the means they have shifted 15% of the US is the reason why the US rein- of the UN and other international Marine Corps to the Asia-Pacific forces their armed forces while organizations. Even the US region. The region has become an conducting provocative military President has gone to the length assembly place of the four strate- exercises regularly to keep the of advocating the collapse of the gic weapons of the US like nuclear tense situation in the peninsula at social system in the DPRK. The aircraft carriers, “B-2” stealth all times. constant hostile policy of America bombers, “F-22” stealth fighters, The Americans would once say has severely threatened the and nuclear submarines. In par- that they had no hostile intention Korean people’s right to enjoy ticular, they are bent on military against the Democratic People’s peace and progress, and made invasion of the DPRK under a Republic of Korea and were ready the situation in the Korean pen- plan of elite armed forces deploy- to take measures to improve the insula and the Asia-Pacific region ment in and around the penin- bilateral relations in the spirit of tense. sula. The US military equipment mutual respect for sovereignty All this clearly shows that the in the Asia-Pacific area is way and equality, and that they would US is not a guardian of peace and above that in Europe and the not use armed forces including security but the true culprit Middle East. This is no secret. nukes or threaten with such against peace. Such a rapid arms build-up in weapons. However, their words Kim Yong Un
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 47 Doomed to Ruin
APAN CONCLUDED THE mapping of the coastal waters of SDF was limited to the airspace J “Korea-Japan Friendship Korea. This paved the way not and territorial waters of Japan. Regulations” by forcing the feudal only for the political and eco- Afterwards, it was changed to government of Korea 140 years nomic penetration but for mili- “total defence,” and then, after ago. In the lunar August of 1875 tary intrusion of Japan into Ko- the end of the cold war, to the the Japanese militarists caused rea. The Japanese aggressors strategy of overseas aggression. the brigandish “Unyo” incident, forced Korea to sign the The sphere of military operations and made it an occasion to forci- “Appendix to the Korea-Japan was expanded largely from the bly conclude an unequal and sub- Friendship Regulations” and the “1 000 mile sea route defence” ordinate treaty with Korea’s feu- “Korea-Japan Trade Rules” on aimed at holding the commands dal government. August 24, 1876 (the lunar July of the air and the sea around Ja- In the council held in his pres- 6) as supplementary aggreements pan to the “2 000 mile sea route ence with the attendance of the to the “Korea-Japan Friendship defence” reaching to the Indian heads of the army in the lunar Regulations.” It allowed the cir- Ocean. September of 1875, the king of culation of Japanese currency in In the new century, Japan, Japan gave orders to dispatch a the open ports and tax exemption taking the US’s “anti-terror war” “plenipotentiary” to Korea to of its import and export commodi- as a golden opportunity for realiz- force it to conclude an unequal ties for several years. ing its ambition of reinvasion, set and subordinate treaty with Ja- Extraterritoriality, tariff ex- forth the “countermeasure to the pan. According to the order, the ception and circulation of its cur- threat of terrors” as the main reactionary government of Japan rency provided favourable condi- point of its security policy and put appointed wicked officials to be tions to the Japanese aggressors up a military strategy oriented to sent to Korea and gave them who were keen to recklessly plun- overseas attack. Today the opera- “instructions” on the contents of der material wealth abroad for tional sphere of the SDF is totally “treaty” and the details of its the purpose of rapid growth of free from geographical restric- forcible conclusion. On the lunar militarism. The conclusion of the tions. The SDF’s sphere of activity December 19, 1875, the Japanese “Korea-Japan Friendship Regula- is now extended to all parts of the intruded into Pusan with 800-odd tions” sent Korea down rapidly world in conformity with the re- aggressive troops aboard seven into the vortex of semi- vised “Japan-US defence coopera- warships. They made illegal colonization. All this was the tion guidelines.” The direction of sounding of the sea and commit- prelude to the Japanese imperial- deployment of the SDF strength ted acts of espionage along the ists’ military occupation of Korea has now been switched over from coast while making a show of for 40-odd years, during which the north aimed at the former force in the South and West seas they committed unprecedented Soviet Union to the west. of Korea. They came to the wa- extra-villainous crimes while In particular, Japan’s move ters off Kanghwa Island and enforcing fascist rule over it. for military reinvasion of Korea is forced the feudal government of Japan, however, has not yet getting more pronounced. At all Korea to have talks. Not pre- made reparation for its past levels of military schools the Ko- pared to repulse the invaders, the crimes to the Korean people. The rean language has become a com- feudal government had no way Prime Minister of Japan openly pulsory subject and military exer- out but to agree to conclude the praises its blood-stained history cises are carried out under differ- unequal treaty forced by Japan. and the Diet members make it a ent names with a view to invad- On February 27, 1876 (the lunar regular practice to go and wor- ing Korea. Japan is now acceler- February 3) the “Korea-Japan ship at the Yasukuni Shrine, the ating its preparations for a pre- Friendship Regulations” with 12 symbol of militarism. The Self- emptive strike against the DPRK articles was concluded. Defense Forces of Japan, estab- by concluding an agreement on It was totally an unequal and lished in the name of “self- sharing information with the subordinate “treaty” which vio- defence” with a small armed United States and south Korea lated the sovereign rights and force, has now been expanded to and stepping up military espio- interests of Korea. The an aggressive force next to the nage against the latter. “regulations” stipulated that US forces in size in the Western Dashing forward frantically ports of Korea should be opened world. The military strategy of along the road of reinvasion, to the Japanese merchants for Japan has been constantly up- oblivious of the lessons of history, “free trade.” It also specified that graded. At the outset it was Japan is doomed to ruin. the Japanese militarists should “exclusive defence.” According to be allowed the free sounding and it, the operational sphere of the Kim Un Ryong
48 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 The Relics of the Ancient Fortress
HE ANJU FORTRESS WAS and on the hills along the river- of the outer fort remains as it was. T built during the Koguryo bank. They were 7~8 metres high The Paeksang Pavilion destroyed Dynasty (277 B.C.–A.D. 668) and from the level ground and in the US imperialists’ bombings the Feudal Joson Dynasty (1392– 4~5metres on the slope. The outer during the Korean war (June 25, 1910), and its relics remain in fort built in the period of the Feu- 1950–July 27, 1953) was restored Anju City, South Phyongan Prov- dal Joson Dynasty is 3 650 metres to its original state in April 1977. ince. After Koguryo moved its round. The new fort, over 550 It is said that the fortress had capital to Pyongyang, Anju was metres round, was built in the many large ponds full of water. built as a point of military impor- 17th century after driving out the The largest of them was Chilsong tance in the northern area to de- foreign invaders. Pond, which was studded with fend Pyongyang. In those days The Anju Fortress was recon- seven tiny islets resembling the many fortresses were built in the structed several times during the Great Bear. areas surrounding the Walled Koryo Dynasty (918–1392) and The Anju Fortress discharged City of Pyongyang, and the Anju the Feudal Joson Dynasty. The its mission as a formidable Fortress was one of them. Anju, gates of all the forts were located stronghold many times in the an important strategic point, was east, west, south and north. Each battles against the foreign invad- a centre of traffic, too. The for- gate was built on the stone foun- ers. tress was about 6 500 metres dation with an archway and a Thanks to the state policy of around, and it consisted of three gatehouse. The gates of the Anju conservation of national cultural parts—the inner fort, the outer Fortress had remained unim- heritage, parts of the walls of the fort and the new fort, built in paired till the end of the Feudal fortress, the Paeksang Pavilion different years. The inner fort was Joson Dynasty, but most of the and the Chilsong Pond have been built in the time of Koguryo, with gates and walls were pulled down restored to the old state, so that its walls standing on the ridge of by the Japanese imperialists after now they serve as a cultural rec- the Kadu range dipping down to their seizure of Korea. As a result, reation ground for the people. the shore of the Chongchon River only the archway of the east gate Pak Thae Ho
KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016 49 50 KOREA TODAY No. 2, 2016