Order of the Sun, and Its Certificate

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 51 http://www.naenara.com.kp Order of the Sun, and its certificate

Chairman Kim Jong Il received the Order of the Sun from the President of Namibia in March 2008.

52 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 KOREA TODAY Monthly Journal (701) Printed in English, Russian and Chinese

C O N T E N T S

For Peace, Stability and Sovereignty······················································································· 3

Stories Associated with Panmunjom ······················································································· 5

Basic Principles of National Reunification ··············································································· 6

Juche-based Socialism ·········································································································· 8

The Sun Shines in Our Hearts and Friendship Lights up the World ···········································10

Mother’s Life ·····················································································································12

Innovations in Producing Generating Equipment ···································································14

Kwangmyong LED and Solar Battery Factory ········································································16

Big from Small ··················································································································18

A New DNA Chip···············································································································19

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 1

Haeju Jo Ok Hui Teacher Training College ··································20

Effective Microelement Fertilizer Developed·································20

Proud Work ·············································································22

The Joy of Orthopaedic Surgeons················································23

Our Doctors·············································································24

The Promising Girl Athlete························································25

Front Cover: The Taean An Exhibition Hall for Intellectual Products·································26 Heavy Machine Complex is pushing ahead with the Visit to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum············27 production of generating equipment Child Performers in Spotlight ····················································30

Photo by Ra Phyong Ryol Parental Care ··········································································31

Thirty-five-year Career ·····························································33

Touring Korea ·········································································34

Rare Birds Come and Settle ·······················································35

Devoted Efforts ········································································36

Short Story

My Subworkteam Members ·······················································37

Piro Peak in Mt. Kumgang ························································39

Myohyangsan Mineral Water ·····················································40

Old Books of Korea ···································································41

Ancient Things on Moran Hill in Good Preservation ······················42

Korean Folklore Museum ··························································44

Back Cover: Jipson Peak in An Ancient Salt-making Site Unearthed ······································46 Mt. Kumgang in autumn Falling into Ruin······································································47 Photo by Kim Jin Ho What Comes to Mind ································································48 13502 ㄱ-488227

2 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 For Peace, Stability and Sovereignty

OW, IN THE KOREAN PENINSULA, THERE and has made strenuous efforts for its realization. N is a constant vicious cycle of tension, and the In January last the DPRK National Defence Com- danger of war is increasing with each passing day. mission made important proposals and sent an open The US and the south Korean authorities are letter to south Korea calling for bringing about a misleading the public opinion arguing that the turning point in inter-Korean relations by the con- DPRK’s possession of nuclear weapons and rocket- certed efforts of the Korean nationals and released a launching exercise are the cause of a strained situa- statement in March demanding that the US should tion in the peninsula. cancel the anti-DPRK policy and all the measures The region had been in a tense situation even pursuant to it as a whole. These proposals were run before February 2005 when the DPRK declared it consistent with the intention to remove the military retains a nuclear deterrent. That was due to the confrontation and establish peaceful relationship US’s hostile policy towards the DPRK. The DPRK’s between the DPRK and the US. And they reflected nuclear possession came after the nation decided the desire to remove the confrontation between the there was no other choice but to have nukes to safe- two sides of Korea and achieve national prosperity guard the sovereignty of the state against the US’s by joint endeavour of the nation on the condition of unchanged hostile policy, military pressure and nu- recognizing the thoughts and systems of each other. clear threat. Likewise, the rocket-launching exercise However, the US and the south Korean regime is also an implementation of a defensive measure answered the DPRK’s sincere overtures and efforts against the US and the south Korean authorities’ with arms buildup and large-scale joint military anti-DPRK moves of aggression. To achieve durable exercises. The US deployed more than 60 per cent of peace and stability in the Korean peninsula is the its nuclear submarines around the Korean penin- DPRK government’s consistent stand, and today a sula and in January this year assigned a nuclear- peaceful atmosphere is as precious to the country as powered aircraft carrier-led flotilla additionally to ever now that it is vigorously pushing ahead with the 7th Fleet which is basically active in the North- the economic building and the improvement of the east Asian region including the Korean peninsula. people’s livelihood, the main target in its present- In February last it shipped into south Korea an day effort. army battalion equipped with dozens of tanks and To remove the escalating tensions in the Korean armoured vehicles. In the following month US nu- peninsula the DPRK this year made reasonable pro- clear-powered submarine Columbus, the Blue Ridge posals to the US and the south Korean authorities which is the flagship of the 7th Fleet and an Aegis ► Pyongyangites have a mass rally on the June 25 Anti-US Imperialist Day.

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 3 Paektu-Halla car riding took place in August 2014 in support of peace and reunification of the Korean peninsula.

th ► guided missile destroyer of the 7 Fleet and many other warships intruded into the East, West and South seas of Korea. Moreover, in February and August the US and south Korea staged the DPRK- targeted Key Resolve, Foal Eagle and Ulji Freedom Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea. The Guardian joint military exercises and conducted a meeting discussed the issues of boosting the combat joint landing rehearsal, the largest in scale since preparedness and capabilities of the KPA in every 1993, and the biggest ever combined air exercise. way and decisively solving the problem of the living The US and the south Korean authorities’ scheme to of the service personnel and other important mat- destroy the DPRK with the military power became ters related to increasing the defence potentials of more undisguised. To cope with this prevailing the country. Measures were taken to strengthen the situation the DPRK could not but take self-defensive combat preparedness of the KPA; typical of them measures. were the shooting contest of commanding officers of In March last Kim Jong Un, first chairman of military academies and universities, services and the DPRK National Defence Commission, presided corps-level units, rocket-launching exercises of over an enlarged meeting of the Central Military Strategic Force units and the flight drill of com- manders of the KPA Air and Anti- South Koreans demand the US-south Korea aircraft Force. In particular, the Combined Forces Command be dismantled. rocket-launching exercises of KPA Strategic Force units in June- August demonstrated the power of the KPA that can fulfil any striking mission successfully. As long as there is no change in the US hostile policy towards the DPRK and the subservient south Korean authorities continue with the anti-DPRK aggressive moves, the situation in the Korean peninsula will not change at all, but the DPRK’s effort to safeguard the peace in the peninsula and defend its national sovereignty will go on uninterruptedly. This is the firm stand of the DPRK. Sim Yong Jin

4 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 Stories Associated with Panmunjom

ANMUNJOM IS THE

P historic place where the US imperialists signed a military armistice agreement, kneeling down before the Korean people in the Korea war (June 1950–July 1953).

The last autograph

When Chairman Kim Jong Il visited Panmunjom on November 24, 1996, he first visited the monument inscribed with President Kim Il Sung’s signature reading “Kim Il Sung July 7, 1994.” Before the monument the Chairman said that the signature was short, but its meaning is great and sublime. He said A monument inscribed with an autograph of President Kim Il Sung that the historic document in honour of his exploits for the cause of national reunification. signed by the President at the close of his life was related to the the country at any cost true to the people kept by the President country’s reunification, and that the aspiration and will of the who had put his heart and soul in he had read through the thick President. the cause of reunification until document all night before writing the last moment of his life, his name on it in a lively style Souvenir photo Kim Jong Un said, and asked and the date below it. The his accompanying officials to take Chairman continued to say with When the Korean people a souvenir photo against the bitter grief that the President, were shedding tears of blood over background of the monument, to who had worked heart and soul the greatest loss of the nation, the effect that they reaffirmed for the reunification of the coun- the demise of Chairman their will to accomplish the life- try, spent busy hours working to long wish of the President and bring a reunified country to the Kim Jong Il, the enemy was the Chairman with credit. Then whole nation in the last days of making desperate attempts to he went to the balcony of a build- his life, before passing away start a war against the DPRK while asserting there would be an ing under the enemy’s nose and unexpectedly just after making “emergency” and “change of sys- watched the southern land with his last autograph to the docu- tem” in the DPRK. So a touch- binoculars only scores of metres ment. and-go situation prevailed in the away. After going round the Pan- Korean peninsula. That day he stressed that the mun House he went to the monu- At this juncture, in March room where the armistice talks ment again, when he said that 2012, supreme leader of the were held and the place where the President had spared no the armistice agreement was pains and achieved immortal DPRK Kim Jong Un visited exploits for the country’s reunifi- Panmunjom in the daytime. He signed—which are both associ- cation indeed and that the monu- went to see the above-mentioned ated with the historic victory in ment was reminding him of monument first. In front of it the Fatherland Liberation War many things. The President had he said that he appreciated against the allied imperialist worked hard for national reunifi- President Kim Il Sung’s pains- forces, and the Panmun House cation, the Chairman said, and taking, lifelong efforts for na- and Thongil House representing recollected the lifelong pains tional reunification. Chairman the Korean people’s will of reuni- and immortal exploits of the Kim Jong Il saw to it that the fication should be well preserved President for the country’s reuni- monument was erected at in order to hand them down to fication. Then he resolutely de- Panmunjom in honour of the no- the coming generations who will clared that they should reunify ble idea of loving the country and live in a reunified country.

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 5 Basic Principles of National Reunification

ATIONAL REUNIFICA- be easily acceptable to any of the anti-imperialism and independ- N tion is the most cherished Koreans and make it possible to ence. Engaged in a vicious cam- desire and primary task of the expand the channel of dialogue. paign to invade the north and Koreans. In the whole course of The principles demand that the check the effort for national re- the struggle for one Korea the problem of making one Korea unification, they have persis- three principles of independence, should be solved independently tently pursued the “two Koreas” peaceful reunification and great without any foreign intervention policy while pushing ahead with national unity are the mainstay and in a peaceful way true to the preparations for another war to be adhered to and imple- idea of promoting national unity. and making ceaseless provoca- mented consistently. The principles became the key- tions. It was in the early 1970s that note of the joint statement of the The Workers’ Party of Korea the three principles were put for- north and the south released on and the DPRK government have ward. At the time the south Ko- July 4, 1972. worked hard consistently to rean people were getting more What comes first of the princi- achieve reunification by the na- enthusiastic about peaceful re- ples is to achieve reunification in tion’s own efforts. The June 15 unification and anti-fascist strug- an independent way without Joint Declaration and the Octo- gle for democracy while the US relying on foreign forces or being ber 4 Declaration, which are the imperialists were driven into a affected by foreign intervention. banner in the effort for one Korea corner at home and abroad. In an Reunion of the north and south in the 21st century, carry the firm attempt to escape from the plight, is the matter of establishing the resolution of the WPK and the the imperialists fancied them- sovereignty of the Korean nation DPRK government to win the selves as if they were changing throughout the country. There- historic cause of national reunifi- their policy from cold war to fore, it is the responsibility and cation by the nation’s own efforts. peace and from confrontation to task of all the Korean people, The task of Korean reunifica- dialogue by putting up the so- which no one else could do for tion rests with the Korean people called “peace strategy.” them. From this respect, and the country’s reunification On the basis of a scientific Kim Il Sung set the principle of should be achieved by the con- analysis of the internal and independence as item of crucial certed efforts of the Koreans— external situations President importance and core of the three this is the gist of the two joint Kim Il Sung of the Democratic principles. Korea was forcibly declarations. The implementation People’s Republic of Korea sug- divided by the foreign forces, in- of the declarations opened a new gested a policy of having wide- stead of the Koreans’ internal time when the distrust- and con- ranging negotiation and dialogue contradictions. In the middle of frontation-oriented inter-Korean between the north and the last century the US imperialists, relations spanning more than south. Having opened the way to resisting the ardent desire of the half a century were changing into the inter-Korean dialogue by the Korean people, occupied the those of concerted efforts to pro- suggestion, he knew that a mile- southern half of Korea militarily mote north-south reconciliation stone could be set in the national and separated the nation into and unity and the reunification struggle against division if they two, seeking their own predatory movement jumped up onto a took advantage of the changing interest. For scores of years since higher stage. situation. Thus he expounded then they have maintained a hos- The movement is currently just and fair principles of na- tile policy against the DPRK that faced with a great obstacle thanks tional reunification that would has kept following the road of to the imperialists’ scheme for ►

6 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 ► another war. But all the Korean the cause of reunification and government have made a lot of people are forcing their way for- steadily improves the national practical proposals for dialogue ward under the banner of “By our unity won over even those who and negotiation, seeing them as nation itself” invariably, with the had had a past contradictory to the way for the north and the conviction that a decisive break- the patriotic cause of reunifica- south to avoid bloody conflicts through will come in their effort tion and rallied Koreans of all and solve the problem of reunifi- for one Korea when they maintain strata under the banner of unity. cation smoothly in a peaceful the stand of national independ- Last but not least, there is the way. This year, in particular, ence and patriotism. principle of winning reunification they, through a special proposal The second principle goes that in a peaceful way without re- of the DPRK National Defence great national unity should be course to arms. This refers to the Commission and a government achieved transcending the differ- basic method of reunifying the statement, reiterated their prin- ence in thought, ideal and social country. Understanding the cipled stand to the matter of system. This principle provides essence of the reunification prob- easing the currently acute and the decisive guarantee for inde- lem and valuing the desire of complicated tension, and have pendent and peaceful reunifica- the entire nation, President taken sincere steps to the end. tion. To make the north and the Kim Il Sung suggested the But the south Korean authori- south into one again is far from a principle of reunifying the coun- ties hurled abuses at the just and matter of triumph by one side try in a peaceful way, thus fair proposals and invited the over the other; it is a problem of indicating a proper method to US imperialist aggression forces’ reconnecting the severed veins of solve the reunification problem in nuclear-powered carrier fleets the nation and achieving its unity the interest of all the Koreans. and Aegis-level destroyers into as a traditionally homogeneous The most practical course of the East Sea of Korea and the nation. To value and keep the peaceful reunification without South Sea of Korea to have north- national soul irrespective of their any conflict between the north targeted war exercises. This thoughts, systems, political views and the south is to introduce the nipped the atmosphere of im- and religious beliefs—this was federal mode. Earlier in the provement of the north-south the assertion of President 1980s Kim Il Sung put forward relations in the bud. Kim Il Sung and Chairman the proposal of founding a The powerful nuclear deter- Kim Jong Il in their lifetime Democratic Federal Republic of rent of the DPRK serves as an regarding the theory on national Koryo. It was to establish a fed- iron shield for the peace of the unity. By publishing immortal eral republic in which the north Korean peninsula and national classic works like Ten-point and the south exercise regional security while thwarting the Programme of the Great Unity of autonomy with equal rights and reckless provocations of the the Whole Nation for the Reunifi- duties on the condition that they Americans and the south Korean cation of the Country and Let Us recognize and tolerate each authorities in their attempt to Reunify the Country Independ- other’s idea and social system. start a nuclear war. ently and Peacefully Through the The proposal of reunifying the Invariable is the determina- Great Unity of the Entire Nation, country in the mode of one nation tion of the WPK and the DPRK the leaders provided all the Kore- and one state, two systems and government to shatter the ans in the north, south and two governments is the just and moves of the US and the anti- abroad to be united as one rising fair way of peaceful reunification reunification forces for confronta- above the differences in thought, which would do no harm to both tion and open a new road to ideal, political view and religious sides and prevent any one side peaceful reunification with a belief. The patriotic idea and from seeking superiority or concerted effort of the north and all-embracing politics of the WPK interest. the south. that subordinates all things to The WPK and the DPRK An Nam Hui

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 7 Juche-based Socialism

N HIS DISCOURSE socio-historical development, the the complete master of the soci- I Socialism Is a Science pub- WPK, when Korea was liberated ety in the economic aspect as lished in Rodong Sinmun, organ from the Japanese imperialists’ well. of the Workers’ Party of Korea military occupation, decided to After the Korean war (1950– Central Committee on November carry out the anti-imperialist, 1953) Kim Il Sung, considering 1, 1994 Kim Jong Il, eternal anti-feudal democratic revolution the specific condition of the coun- general secretary of the Party, and implemented it thoroughly try, made sure that the rural said: on the principle of meeting the economy was changed into a so- “Socialism is a science. Social- democratic demand of the cialist one in the economic form ism has been frustrated in a popular masses and paving a way prior to its technical transforma- number of countries, but scien- to socialist revolution although tion and that the capitalist mer- tific socialism is as alive as ever the country was in an indescriba- chants and industrialists who in the minds of the people… The bly difficult and arduous had become as good as handi- crumbling of socialism in various condition. craftsmen and petty tradesmen countries does not mean the fail- By putting forth the line of a in the indiscriminate bombings of ure of socialism as science but new nation building in the liber- the US imperialists were trans- the bankruptcy of opportunism ated land whose gist was to has- formed into socialist ones instead which has corrupted socialism. ten the revolution uninterrupt- of expropriating their property. Although socialism is temporarily edly, accomplish the anti- With the completion of the agri- experiencing a heart-rending imperialist, anti-feudal democ- cultural cooperativization and setback because of opportunism, ratic revolution and establish a socialist transformation of the it will without fail be revived and rich, sovereign and independent private trade and industry, the win ultimate victory for its scien- state by the Koreans’ own efforts, DPRK established a socialist sys- tific accuracy and truth.” Kim Il Sung clarified a mode of tem without exploitation and The scientific accuracy and state administration in the stage oppression. truth of the Juche-based socialist of the anti-imperialist, anti- Despite the constant moves of theory have been confirmed feudal democratic revolution and the imperialists for aggression, through the practical experience an immediate target in the cause Korea set up a socialist power in of the Korean revolution. The of national building. When the the war debris which is independ- chronicle of construction of a peo- revolution emerged victorious ent in politics, self-sufficient in ple-centric socialism is that of with the establishment of a genu- the economy and self-reliant in victorious march along a new, ine people’s government, democ- national defence, by leaping for- untrodden path under the guid- ratic reforms including the agrar- ward like Chollima (a legendary ance of the Juche idea fathered ian reform and nationalization of steed that runs a thousand miles by President Kim Il Sung. industries, transport, post and at a gallop) and compressing The socialist revolution was a telecommunications and banks, time. The practical experience of serious social change effected in and campaigns to develop educa- the Korean revolution is eloquent the effort to put an end to the tion and culture along democratic proof of the fact that the Juche- exploitation of man by man once lines, the national leader sug- based socialist idea is a scientific and for all and open a new road gested the policy of changing over revolutionary theory in the strug- of social progress. When they are to the socialist revolution without gle for the popular masses’ inde- ridden of the imperialists’ colo- delay. The first course of the pendence. nial subjugation, the people revolution was a democratic elec- The vitality of the Korean should choose the socialist way. tion which consolidated the peo- socialism is evident when viewed Only then, will they be able to ple’s power into a socialist power. from the point of the pulsating win complete freedom from the Then, the leader gave wise guid- realities of the country where the class exploitation and national ance to the effort to transform the centuries-old wishes of the people oppression, enjoy free and happy relations of production along so- are coming true. Based on a life and achieve national sover- cialist lines in order to establish Juche-oriented viewpoint and eignty and independence and the popular masses who kept a stand toward man, the Korean prosperity. In view of this law of hold on the reins of the power as socialism makes it possible to ►

8 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 ► radically consolidate the position current century and the Unha leader, said that by bringing and role of man as master and Scientists Street have gone up in about high tides in the mental transformer of the world and a matter of months. A hostel of strength of the service personnel push the revolution and construc- the workers of the Pyongyang and people, the Party had turned tion dynamically on their Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill, the the trials decisive of the victory strength by championing the in- Songdowon International Chil- and defeat of the revolution and dependence of the people thor- dren’s Camp and other structures its advance and setback into oughly, improving their ideologi- have gone up in a wonderful great upswings of the revolution, cal consciousness and creative style. Over the days new words and that the revolution had ability and giving full play to have got on the vocabulary of the achieved a great success when- them. era showing the happy life of the ever an upswing was effected in At present the WPK is mobi- people, for example, the socialist ideological work. On the occasion lizing the people to launch a gen- marine aroma, the Red Maple in he suggested the slogan of “Let eral offensive for the building of the east sea, the sea of apples at Us Hasten the Final Victory a thriving socialist nation, and the foot of the Chol Pass, the Through a Revolutionary Ideo- thus accomplishing the ideals of frenzy for horse riding, roller logical Offensive.” Juche-oriented socialism one skating, and skiing. The Korean A general charge is being after another. The production of people sing that the ideal nur- made in Korea to hasten the ulti- the Juche iron, Juche fibre and tured by President Kim Il Sung mate victory in the building of a Juche fertilizer, which was cele- and developed by Chairman thriving socialist nation. The brated all across the country, Kim Jong Il is coming into real- struggle is led by the uplifted and the great expanse of a new ity in their land and that all their banner of the Juche-based theory orchard are all things of yester- dreams are becoming true in on ideology, which is the power- day. their country. ful weapon of the WPK. The Kim Jong Un, first secretary They realize in actuality what Party makes sure that the ideo- of the WPK, declared in his first the socialist benefits mean. The logical might of the people is mo- public address of historic impor- Juche idea makes it clear that bilized to the maximum in all tance in 2012 that he would socialism is a society that devel- fields and at all units so that make sure that the Korean peo- ops on the strength of the ideol- mass innovations are made. Fol- ple who are the best in the world ogy, that is, the spiritual exer- lowing the Masikryong Speed enjoy all the benefits of social- tion, of the popular masses. The created by the People’s Army ism. Thanks to his policy of giv- Korean revolution shows through soldiers in their effort to finish ing the top and absolute priority its practice that the stronger the Masikryong Ski Resort pro- to the effort to satisfy the peo- their exertions become sustained ject in a short span of time, the ple’s conveniences, a strong cam- by their ambition and ideal, the campaign of creating the Korean paign is going on to help the peo- greater upsurge will come in the Speed is sweeping the whole ple enjoy the true merits of the socialist construction. country. The new speed is socialist culture. The WPK, holding fast to the dubbed with the name of the na- A heyday is taking shape in Juche-based theory on ideology tion instead of a certain region or the field of construction. Wonder- whereby it believes that it can sector. The country’s forward ful edifices go up in succession create anything from scratch and march is getting faster towards a across the country. In all con- change the impossible into the civilized socialist nation. struction projects the priority is possible when it mobilizes the The present realities of Korea given to the people’s interests spiritual exertions of the popular in which forceful progress is and aesthetic needs rather than masses, has given wise guidance made by leaps and bounds are an to the speed and volume of the to the revolution and construc- assurance of the scientific accu- work, on the principle of attach- tion. The revolutionary idea and racy and validity of the Juche- ing importance to convenience of spirit implanted in the mind of oriented socialist ideology and the people and aesthetic quality the people sparked the revolu- theory on accelerating the social of the structures ahead of all con- tionary upswing in the socialist progress by giving full play to the siderations. The Masikryong Ski construction. ideological and spiritual exer- Resort, the Mirim Riding Club Addressing the 8th conference tions of the popular masses who and other recreational and ser- of ideological workers of the are masters of the state and vice centres have risen in succes- Workers’ Party of Korea on society. sion and sample apartments that February 25 this year meet the requirements of the Kim Jong Un, supreme national Ho Kwang Sop

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 9 The Sun Shines in Our Hearts and Friendship Lights up the World

and made us understand what spare for it. But in the future

he had aspired after. His narra- when you come here again and tion brought home to me the again, I’ll retire from work for true character of my father— old age and will be able to pass reflective yet upright and pas- time with you.” sionate, dauntless in the fight Since then I had the honour for justice and ready to face the of seeing him eight times. Every dangers from the sword when time I was coming to Korea, it the occasion calls. Indeed, it is did seem I was coming home to President Kim Il Sung who my father, not to a foreign coun- has given me my father. The try. The President made time to President’s boundless friendship tell us many stories and did us brought back his old comrade-in- the great favour of looking after arms who had passed away half our work and even our liveli- a century before to his son and hood. In our first visit to Korea, daughters to live long in the he gave us gold watches in- (Continued from the last minds of the Chinese and Ko- scribed with his name and cam- issue) rean peoples. eras after deep consideration. In my first meeting with the The gold watches had a pro- HROUGH THE MEDIUM President, he said to me, found meaning that we should T of the Chinese leaders, “Jinquan, your grandfather be pure and invariable like gold President Kim Il Sung enabled Zhang Wanchang gave assis- and that our friendship will be us to visit Korea. On a balmy tance to Korea’s independence everlasting like the hands of the spring day, my younger sister movement and your father watches that indicate the infi- Zhang Jinlu and my eldest Zhang Weihua aided us in the nite time. The cameras bore his son Zhang Qi, and I met communist movement of Korea. memory of my father who had Kim Il Sung whom we had I want you to be an honourable sent a camera to the President’s been yearning to see even in man loyal to your duties and a guerrilla unit when he was run- sleep. The President who had steadfast and indomitable revo- ning the Xiongdi Photo Studio in been waiting for us with his lutionary like them. Back home, Fusong, and his wishes for us to graying hair lightly streaming in you should work hard, true to model after our father who had the gentle spring breeze gazed at your father’s intentions; don’t worked for the revolution as a us quietly for a while as if to find covet a high position, be a faith- photographer. my late father’s image in us, ful Communist Party member, I can never forget the Dong- before he flung his arms round and contribute to China’s four shaoguo liquor which the us. He shed tears and my sister modernization goals. Jinquan, President and four generations and I wept. Oh, our elder uncle! write me often. As I am busy, I of our Zhang family took in a The flowing tears proved we can’t reply to you every time. meaningful party. According to were blood relations, the Let’s make a promise. You write his suggestion, of all famous President and us. me twice and I’ll answer you liquors, the Dongshaoguo brand Whenever he met us, the once. Come to Korea time and I brought from Fusong was President told us many stories, again in future. Even three days chosen for the party. The liquor mostly of my father. His stories and three nights will be not made from the water of the were never repeated. As a enough to tell you all about your Songhua River was poured brim- skilled diver picked up pearls in father. But I’ll tell you the sto- ful into the cups. The President’s a deep sea, the President vividly ries. As I’m the President at voice rang through the party described the image of our father present, I must work for the hall, “It is fine today and we met as a man in the flesh for us who people and have heavy responsi- again. Let us take the first cups had never seen him ever once bilities. So I have no time to for the martyr Zhang Weihua.” ►

10 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 ► In spite of officials’ dissuasion, he down on the mountain road rade-in-arms but remained faith- drank three cups. Three cups! In were like paper money falling ful to their memories. the days of the anti-Japanese from heaven to console the de- armed struggle he and my father parted spirit of a martyr accord- My Old Feeling of Yearning met in Dongshaoguo and drank ing to the old custom of China. Will Not Change Even With the three cups of liquor. Though the It was something rare and Turning of Centuries dream and desire of the days of moving. Fusong had been materialized When the monument erecting I never dreamed I would write and a cordial party was given in ceremony prepared for amid the a poem in my lifetime. Amid end- an atmosphere of felicity, the great concern of China and Korea less yearning for the President, I President could not resist remem- was opened, the inscription on had a poetic inspiration and po- bering my father. the monument bearing the name etic language of strong emotion Of all recollections, I must of the President deeply touched gushed out like a fountain. mention the monument built in the hearts of the attendants. It Fusong on the 55th anniversary of runs: “The revolutionary exploits Somebody said the martyr Zhang Weihua’s of the martyr Zhang Weihua are He would rather not have death. At the unforgettable party a shining symbol of friendship of dreams. I asked the President to write an the peoples of Korea and China. I say no to him, epitaph to the new tombstone to His noble revolutionary spirit I always live in a dream. be built on the 55th anniversary of and services to the revolution will my father’s death. Complying live on for ever in the people’s From the early evening of with my requests, he said minds. moonrise thoughtfully, “Instead of writing October 27, 1992 To the morning of sunrise an epitaph for you, I think it bet- Kim Il Sung” I live in a dream ter to erect a monument in my Though more than a half Seeing President Kim Il Sung. own name. It is desirable to hold century passed since his com- a ceremony of building the monu- rade-in-arms died, his friendship The dream that I talk with ment on the day of your father’s for the deceased further deep- the President, death.” ened. There are many stories The dream that I toast him, According to his noble inten- about friendship and faith in the The dream that I sing tions, an excellent gravestone world, but the world knows no with him, was made and carried from Py- examples of a head of state erect- The dream that we walk the ongyang to the Linjiang Bridge ing a monument to the memory of Fusong streets hand in hand. under the escort of a high- his ordinary foreign comrade-in- ranking Korean delegation and arms a half century after his I am fond Korean People’s Army troops. On death. President Kim Il Sung Of dreams like this. behalf of the Chinese govern- who won a wide fame in the It is my hope ment, the senior officials of Fu- world with his lofty friendship Not to awake from the sweet song County and Linjiang City was not only a national leader dreams. and we the bereaved family of the and an outstanding leader of the martyr Zhang Weihua who were international socialist movement I wrote this poem reflecting waiting from early morning met but also the greatest man and my dream of meeting the the monument sent by the supreme incarnation of high President in the period when our President. A Chinese motorcade faith. It is said that a monument planet was in bitter grief at the decorously took it over and left to virtuous deeds has a longer life loss of the peerless great man. It for Fusong with a police car at than a pyramid. The monument is not a poem to express the sor- the head. As soon as our proces- to the martyr Zhang Weihua in row of the last farewell, but an sion entered on the road, snow- Fusong is a memorial handing eruption of yearning for the flakes began to fall from the sky down to posterity the martyr’s President, a benevolent saint, which had been pouring down revolutionary services and, at the who can never be separated from warm autumn sunshine until same time, a marker immortaliz- us no matter where we go and just before as if moved by the ing the highest virtues of the how long time passes. President’s lasting friendship. great President Kim Il Sung Clean large snowflakes falling who never forgot his late com- (To be continued)

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 11 Mother’s Life

(Continued from the last issue) pendence movement were ar- came closer to me, I suddenly rested by the Japanese police, and turned round, picking up a stone many patriots fell to the brutal looking like a hand grenade, and My struggle on the shores suppression of the enemy. The shouted, “One move, and you’ll of the Amnok River Japanese imperialists’ suppres- have it!” sion of the Korean people reached Taken aback, they stood nailed RETURNED TO MY HOME its height. The news of uprisers to the spot. I village eight years after I ran mercilessly killed by the Japanese “Down with your arms!” away from home in 1911 leaving police while staging demonstra- In consternation, they dropped my clothes and shoes on the bank tions crying out for Korea’s inde- the guns and raised their hands. of the river near the village. As I pendence made my heart burn In a moment, I threw away the entered the village, my thoughts with revenge against the enemy. I stone and picked up the pistols. were in a whirl. I had left home felt an impulse to rush out at once Now they understood they were with my heart set on learning, and fight a life-or-death battle tricked, and flung themselves and now was returning as a na- with Japanese rogues. upon me. But I lost no time firing tional independence fighter, with I was spending tedious days in at them in rapid succession. Then, my heart full of emotions and at loneliness boiling with revenge at bracing myself up, I dragged the the same time tingling with inap- my home village, when one day corpses to the riverside and peasable chagrin at the frustra- Kim Kwan Bong, Jo Thae Hwan, pushed them into the water. I tion of the March First Popular Ri Kwan Sil and Paek Mun Hui can’t understand how I could act Uprising. dispatched by O Tong Jin came to so bravely without hesitation. As I knew from my experiences see me. At that time O was orga- Later, people would praise me in life, a fighter for a lofty cause nizing the Kwangje Youth that I had courage and grit. But will not take delight in merely League. On the instructions from frankly speaking, I had no choice effecting his escape from danger the organization, I was admitted but to fight a death-defying battle saving his life. For my past, I felt to the youth league, and then was with them in such circumstances. nothing more painful and vexa- put in charge of the general af- I thought I revenged the girl stu- tious than being separated from fairs of the league. The main task dents and other Koreans who my organization line and my com- of the chief of the general affairs were killed in the March First rades. In such perplexing situa- department was to recruit mem- Popular Uprising. In May 1919, I tion, my only hope was to meet, bers of the organization, raise went across the river to back in my native village, some military funds and support the Maodianzi, Kuandian County, independence movement mem- Independence Army in its combat China to convey the list of new bers once related to the Korean activities. I admitted dozens of members of the league and 500 National Association and to re- youths to the organization includ- won of donated money. Seeing cover my organizational connec- ing Ri Chan Su and Kim Yong me, Mr. O said I fought a good tions. In Sakju, Changsong, Uiju Guk, conducted anti-Japanese battle, praising me as a “heroine.” and Pyoktong along the Amnok publicity among the population In the summer of 1919 there River, the Association had its and collected 500 won of war was a meeting of representatives branches and there were many funds for the army. of the Korean National Associa- independence movement mem- All my activities were con- tion at Pamgol, Chongsudong, bers who were my acquaintances. ducted in the face of constant Korea. Besides the delegates of Past late March the air was danger under the enemy’s watch. the KNA organizations in North apparent with signs of coming One day when I was returning Phyongan Province, the heads of spring in my native village. But home along the Amnok River the youth league organizations the atmosphere in and out of after finishing my work, I found from Uiju, Sakju, Changsong, Sakju was bleak after the March two Japanese cops tailing after Pyoktong, Chosan and Kusong First Popular Uprising. In Sakju me. Pistols in hand, they were attended the meeting. Reports Kim Hong Bom, Kim Hyo Gwon stealthily following me. I made as were delivered and speeches and other members of the inde- if I did not see them. When they made. I made a report on the ►

12 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 ► situation in North Phyongan and turn out in full force in the the organization and activity of Province after the popular upris- struggle for building a new soci- the Kwangje Youth League and ing. The delegates had a serious ety which ensures the rights of the raid on their sub-station. So I debate on the appraisal of the the proletarian masses. To this found it very hard to stay and popular uprising and the method end, we should disseminate pro- work at Suphungdong. of the independence movement. I gressive thoughts among the The headquarters of the cannot forget the excited partici- masses to awaken them, and Kwangbok Independence Army pants expressing their full sup- rouse the propertyless masses was set up in Kuandian County, port for Kim Hyong Jik (father of vigorously to the sacred struggle Liaoning Province, China, in President Kim Il Sung) when he for the country’s liberation. This 1920. The commander of the concluded his speech that we is our only path ahead, and this army was O Tong Jin. Some time should not forget the lessons of path is our only course to follow after I had been appointed the the March First Popular Upris- to save our 20 million fellow commissary of the headquarters, ing, and that we should achieve countrymen in distress.” He I crossed the Amnok River with the independence of Korea by went on to say that the lesson of Kim Hyong Jik, O Tong Jin and fighting the armed enemy in the March First Popular Upris- Jang Chol Ho and visited the arms, not by appealing to them or ing taught us to rout the armed armed corps. Then, I travelled to begging them for it, but by rous- enemy with arms, that we Kuandian, Sakju, Chosan, Kang- ing the broad proletarian masses should not place an illusory hope gye and other areas along the and mustering up the nation’s on the great powers asking them river with Kim Hyong Jik, O own strength. to win back national independ- Tong Jin and Jang Chol Ho on After the Chongsudong Meet- ence for us, or beg the Japanese missions of the independence ing, a meeting of district heads bandits for independence, that movement. and liaison men of the KNA and we should achieve country’s in- My childhood name was Ri So chiefs of the organizations of the dependence with our nation’s Jo, but in the Independence independence movement was own strength, and that the only Army I got many nicknames and called in Hongtonggou, Kuandian way to restore the lost country is aliases. When I was collecting County, China. When I arrived to fight in arms against the contributions at home, I passed there, O Tong Jin, Jang Chol Ho Japanese robbers. under the names of Pak In Do and other participants were al- When he finished his speech, and Pak Ho Son; and while at ready present at the place. The all the participants were deeply operating at Samwonpho—Ri meeting was convened for clearly moved and gratified. At the time, Kun. In the period of the inde- defining the new orientation of I could not understand all the pendence movement I went by development of the anti-Japanese significance of his speech, but I the pseudonyms of Ri Jang national-liberation movement in knew it showed the only right Chong, Ri Tong Gun, Chong Tae view of the new requirements of course of the independence move- Rang and Jang Chun. At that the prevailing situation and the ment. Since then we carried on time people loved and called me development of the revolution our struggle full of confidence. In “Flower of the Independence after the popular uprising. The Changsong, Pyoktong, Uiju and Army,” “Heroine of the Independ- meeting continued for three days. other areas we actively carried on ence Army” and “Red Flower Based on the analysis of the the work of recruitment for our Amidst Verdure,” because I was changing situation at home and armed corps, and spent many the only woman soldier in the abroad, it made clear the struggle sleepless nights printing mimeo- Independence Army fighting in policy of the anti-Japanese na- graphical copies of booklets like arms, and participated in the tional-liberation movement in The Paris Commune, The Victory women’s enlightenment move- Korea. A passage from the speech of the Proletarian Revolution in ment and in organizing a revolu- of Kim Hyong Jik at the meeting Russian and Biography of Lenin tionary party. Among many nick- is fresh in my memory even to and distributing them to various names and aliases, I liked my pet this day, which runs: districts. name “Iron Leg” most, and now “We should defeat the Japa- Later, the Japanese police as a grey-haired woman, I look nese imperialists with our own found out through inquiries to back on the unforgettable days of nation’s strength in keeping Pyongyang that I had partici- the Independence Army soldier with the unanimous desire of the pated in the popular uprising and citing that dear name. Korean people for national lib- kept me under close watch on eration and the changing times, suspicion of my involvement in (To be continued)

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 13 Innovations in Producing Generating Equipment

DYNAMIC CAMPAIGN OF HYDROPOWER casting sector, but this is the first time I feel I have A station construction has been going on in the to bear a heavy burden.” According to him his work- Democratic People’s Republic of Korea this year, too. shop cast several times more molten iron between Typical is the construction of power stations in tiers mid-March and late April this year than they did in along the Chongchon River. And the workers of the the same period of time in the past. With a determi- Taean Heavy Machine Complex have the lion’s nation to produce the generating equipment ahead share of the work for the project. of schedule the workers of the workshop manufac- The complex is in charge of producing large-, tured the rotor blade and the body material of the medium- and small-sized electric equipment and rotor blade of a turbine, and other castings of equip- ordered equipment needed in different sectors of the ment for the major construction project. national economy. This year, too, it has supplied In early April last Generating Equipment Proc- scores of generating facilities to the construction of essing Workshop No. 1 was assigned an urgent task the aforesaid power stations. Kim In Son, head of of processing a floating plate whose diametre was the casting workshop, says, “I’ve long worked in the 6.4 m. It was a part of an equipment of Huichon Power Station No. 3. The workshop had a 6-m turning lathe alone, so it looked impossible to do the job. Immediately, they organized a consultation on the spot. Different ideas were suggested but not so good. At the time Kim Hui, an old hand of the complex, suggested that it could be processed if they used several jigs that they had got, and explained about the method of processing. It was a novel idea. He volunteered to process it himself, and some of the young skilled workers agreed to undertake the task. By pooling their wisdom they succeeded in the processing of the floating plate by fixing it on a certain jig placed on the face plate of the turning lathe. Meanwhile the operators of a 10-m lathe of the ►

14 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 ► Large-sized Machine Workshop finished the processing of a large turbine shaft for Huichon Power Station No. 3 ahead of the set time. (The processing had been accepted possible only with an 8- m turning lathe.) Besides, the scaffold workers installed in time materials weighing tens of tons each, making it easy to hasten the processing. The Press Workshop drew up a chart of technical processes to suit the size of products considering the different sizes of iron plates used in the production of iron core of electric machines. And it strictly retrieved remnant materials and waste and used them to make several kinds of mass consumption goods like electric core for household transformer and nails. Today the workers of the Taean complex are devoting their wisdom and zeal to the production of all equipment needed for development of the national economy and the people’s livelihood, in the spirit of “Nothing is impossible for us” and “We will carry out whatever we decide to do.”

Sim Yong Jin

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 15 Kwangmyong LED and Solar Battery Factory

HE KWANGMYONG LED AND SOLAR bly line, the factory gets much profit with small in- T Battery Factory, located in Mangyongdae Dis- vestment. In addition to illuminators, the workshop trict, Pyongyang, is a business with a technologi- turns out functional LED lamps needed for agricul- cally intensive structure. It deals with its develop- ture, fishery, art and literature, and various other ment, production and marketing on an integrated sectors in keeping with the world trend towards an basis. increasing use of LED lamps. It has established Covering a total floor space of over 14 700 square well-regulated automatic control, equipment and metres, the factory is furnished with a cooling and technical monitoring, and production and quality heating system fed by geothermal water. Tempera- control systems through computers.

ture and humidity are automatically regulated and The solar battery workshop is installed with a the environment is always kept dust-free. The fac- pilot production process for the development of 3-G tory has LED lamp and solar battery workshops, a solar battery. It has made progress in the develop- LED and solar battery research institute, an exhibi- ment and trial production of a new type of solar bat- tion hall, a room for scientific information and cul- tery whose generating cost will be much lower than tural and welfare facilities. the crystalline silicon cell. The LED lamp workshop is provided with the The LED and solar battery research institute LED lamp manufacturing process installed with the develops chips, circuit boards, LED and LED lamps, latest facilities including the automatic chip fixing materials and solar batteries. So far it has devel- machine, and SMT lines comprising LED lamp oped scores of kinds of LED lamps and achieved board manufacturing, lead-free soldering and auto- remarkable successes in the efforts to realize the matic optical testing devices. It is also furnished domestic production of LED lamps, including the with the measuring and selecting processes for auto- production of lens and their fixing frames, and high- matically selecting and band-packaging LEDs ac- purity gold filaments. cording to their radiance, colour and electrical con- The exhibition hall is furnished in such a way as stants and the process provided with a vibration and to allow a new product exhibition, dissemination of impact testing apparatus, a high and low tempera- science and technology, orders and sales of products, ture measuring apparatus and a water resistance and e-commerce. On display here are over 1 000 measuring apparatus. The workshop turns out LED LED lamps and functional LED lamps of scores of lamps of different shapes and colours from 1W to kinds for interior and exterior illuminations and 200W in series on the assembly line. With its multi- decorations, and solar batteries including LED purpose production system based on a single assem- lamps supplied to various establishments, products ►

16 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 ► from different mills and factories, and domestic trial “Time advances and new things of yesterday become products. old today. To fall behind the world standard without The factory sells its products through trading developing new products constantly is the reality of networks at home and abroad. It provides gratis today. To meet the requirements of our age of illumination designing and technical services for knowledge-based economy and the age of green institutions and establishments on order. Its prod- economy, our factory will work for further advance- ucts enjoy popularity among customers. The factory ment of the country’s green lighting industry by sets the goal at making its products all Korean in dynamically pushing ahead with the development of the near future. new products.” Ri Song Gyu, one of the management, says, Kim Yong Sun

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 17 Big from Small

HE 29TH CENTRAL SCI-TECH FESTIVAL T was held in Pyongyang, capital of the DPRK, from April 23 to May 2 last. Many things were presented that would be helpful to the solution of sci-tech problems arising in the leading sectors and basic industries of the national economy. A particular attention at the festival was a mineral polymer, a substitute for cement. It is helpful to the development of the construction industry, for example, repair of roads and bridges, breakwater construction for tideland reclamation, urgent repair of buildings. The material, developed by Kim Hyon Chol and Kim Kwang Min, researchers of the lithology department of Kim Il Sung University geology faculty, was Researchers of Kim Il Sung University evaluated as excellent. geology faculty attend the 29th Central Several years ago Kim Hyon Chol happened to Sci-tech Festival. read an article in a science magazine which introduced a new substitute for cement of the 21st country—for a material to be used to make a poly- century. It would guarantee a high degree of instant mer. Now they pushed the work to get a local mate- hardening. Though it was short, the article was in- rial for an activator. Through repeated experiments teresting. One day a month later he was staying they succeeded in not only finding a good mixing away at a local place for a business. It was a rainy rate between the raw material and the activator but season and they had a heavy rain there almost also learning the hardening process of the mineral every day. The mountain streams flooded in a mo- polymer and its specific features. ment to destroy small bridges and roads. The bad The result of the introduction to different pro- weather caused huge inconvenience to the local in- jects ascertained that the material is admirable in habitants in their life. all technical index such as the hardening period, Witnessing it, Hyon Chol was determined to de- strength of pressure, acid-resistance, durability, velop a substitute for cement himself. On returning etc.. When the road is repaired using this material, from the business trip he told his department about pedestrians can pass it in an hour, a car can in three his idea and suggested that he be assigned the re- hours and a heavy-duty truck in 4-6 hours. The pro- search project. The department agreed to his idea duction of concrete pipes has soared 3~5 times at and attached a researcher to his task. Now Hyon the Rason Cement Factory since the polymer was Chol and Kwang Min started basic studies to solve introduced. The chemical stability of the material is relevant sci-tech problems. 10 times higher and its expected life is 8 times First of all, they set it as their goal to develop longer than ordinary kinds of cement. Its production and introduce a mineral polymer based on domestic is highly profitable because it is made in a simple materials to suit the current trend of localization of process of pulverization and mixing without any materials, high speed and functionality in the calcination at a high temperature. Now the demand construction field. They pushed ahead with the for the material is increasing day by day. The re- research work. As a natural course of laborious searchers are making a strenuous effort for further research they succeeded in selecting a kind of studies of the polymer. mineral—which is in enormous deposit in their Sim Chol Yong

18 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 A New DNA Chip

ECENTLY THE RE- accuracy and detection power. ject even if they put so much ef- R searchers of the bioengi- They buckled down to the re- fort in it. Nevertheless, it was an neering branch of the State Acad- search but it was not easy to invariable will of the research emy of Sciences have developed a create something from scratch. team that the cutting-edge prod- new kind of DNA chip. It is Failure followed one after an- uct they were going to make known that it has high accuracy other, but they braced themselves should on all accounts be a home- and efficiency in diagnosing vari- up every time to resume the work made one. They repeated experi- ous infectious diseases and ge- of “developing world-level chips ments day and night, using this netic diseases and testing ge- in their own way.” or that reagent or compound ones. netic-mutation crops. Now they were making a At last, in 2011, they opti- The researchers were inter- board of the chip in a new way. mized the main factor and condi- ested in the chip for a long time. Originally, it had to be imported tion of the board with a local re- But they thought its development from abroad. At first, it was not agent and succeeded in making would be a matter of distant fu- regarded highly, but as the ex- the Korean-style board of a chip. ture. Because the production cost periments went on in a large way, It cost ten times lower than the of bio-chips was very high, and it its consumption gradually in- previous one. Two years later was generally known from the creased, the expenses running up they consecutively developed technical point of view that only a to an enormous sum. In order to three cutting-edge DNA chips for few developed countries in the solve this problem, they conceived use in various diagnoses and ex- world could make it. But section a new method of adhesion using aminations. Ri says, “We are only chief Ri Yon U who had been to a local reagent abundant in the at the threshold of the chip re- foreign country for practice had a country. The conception, however, search. But we are proud of hav- different view. Witnessing the was disapproved by some re- ing a chip of our own make.” chip production centres and searchers. They said it would take practical value of the chips of a long time to succeed in the pro- Chae Kwang Myong that country, she thought it was the task of our bioengineers to develop the chips as early as possible. Back home she brought up the matter for discussion at the section’s meeting. The young researchers of the section voiced their approval for the proposal and urged that they should develop DNA bio-chips without delay. The meeting ended with Ri concluding that their goal was to develop DNA chips coming up to the world standard in regard to

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 19 Haeju Jo Ok Hui Teacher Training College

O OK HUI WAS THE Determined to be worthy of the presentation of heuristic J first heroine during the Fa- teachers at the proud college the methods of teaching. therland Liberation War (1950– staff members have registered In particular, the recent adop- 1953). Her name was honorably many educational and scientific tion of ordinance on enforcing attached to a college in Haeju. successes. Understanding that it universal 12-year compulsory Haeju Jo Ok Hui Teacher Train- is essential to become persons of education added fuel to their en- ing College produces primary profound knowledge above all thusiasm. The ordinance required school and kindergarten teachers things in order to improve the the college to improve teaching needed in South Hwanghae Prov- students’ attainments the teach- methods and content radically. ince. ers have directed all their efforts The officials in charge of college Vice-rector of the college Jang to holding academic degrees and affairs and administration formu- Myong Chol says, “Jo Ok Hui is titles. In 2012 the college ranked lated a new teachers’ training an admirable daughter of my first among the teacher training programme. And they organized province and a model patriot. Her colleges of the country for having a team of competent teachers to spirit of laying down one’s life for the biggest rate of academic de- write new textbooks and push the motherland is a motive force gree and title holders. On the ahead with the compiling of text- to the teaching staff of my col- other hand, it has taken the top books and reference books such lege. It encourages us to devote place for several years at national as the socialist child psychology, our all to the bringing up of the presentations and exhibitions in moral philosophy and standard rising generation of the country.” the field of education including Korean language. ►

Effective Microelement Fertilizer Developed

E STILL HAVE A LOT Cu, Zn, Mn, B and Mo and rare- Yang Ki Ryong donated their “W of things to do.” This is earth elements like La and Ce research successes. Finally, an what the researchers of the mi- while having good solubility with amino-acid fertilizer was devel- croelement research team of the a high biological effect. They oped thanks to the collective ef- Central Experiment and Analysis buckled down to the work to forts. On the basis of the trial Institute of the State Academy of make microelement fertilizer application of it into the 100 hec- Sciences say when they receive from the stone. A research team tares of crop fields for verification congratulations for their achieve- was organized headed by Kim of its effect, they introduced the ment, an amino-acid microele- Chol Ho. At last they made a fer- fertilizer into several areas of ment fertilizer which is effective tilizer through painstaking stud- different provinces. in improving the viability of ies and applied it to the field. But Years of its application testi- plants. The fertilizer has high the result was not so good as they fied to the fact that it was the best fertilizing effects with a less had expected. They knew it was of the microelement fertilizers and amount of loss. It raises the qual- largely because they tried to the growth activators in the coun- ity of grains, enhances crops’ re- make it the way other countries try. It won special prizes and sistance to diseases and improves did. (They made the fertilizer took first place at the national sci- physiochemical and biological using salt as the source of micro- tech festival in commemoration of characters of soil. The main in- elements.) the 100th birth anniversary of gredient of the fertilizer is the Now the researchers made an President Kim Il Sung, the 26th Kumgang Medicinal Stone which inorganic microelement fertilizer Central Sci-tech Festival, the sci- is abundantly found in Korea. from the Kumgang Medicinal tech presentation in commemora- The researchers of the insti- Stone first. Applying it into prac- tion of the 60th founding anniver- tute began their research of the tice for a few years they found sary of the State Academy of Sci- stone in the 1980s. Their dozens out the limitation of it, and ences, the 7th national exhibition of years of research turned out solved many scientific problems and symposium on agricultural several products including a to improve the effectiveness of sci-tech achievements. health drink. Through deep-going the fertilizer. The other research- The research team is intensi- studies the researchers found out ers of the institute also helped fying the work to develop a series that the stone has got over 50 their work. Cha Jong Chol of amino-acid fertilizer with a kinds of elements, including mac- handed them the reference data higher fertilizing effect which will roelements like Si, Ca, Mg, P and he had collected while doing his be unrivalled worldwide. K, and microelements such as Fe, own task, and Ri Song Su and Kim Ki Sun

20 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 ► The teacher’s course was se- Their endeavour to be patriots for my excellent performance. lected as a model unit, and dem- remembered by the motherland And when I expressed my deter- onstration lessons based on the and the people and train such mination to be a teacher of the new teaching curriculum were patriots is not permeated in the islet, all of them were struck with held. The lecturers of the countless textbooks, reference wonder. My choice was attribut- teacher’s course prepared over 30 books and teaching aids alone. able to the images of my teachers teaching programmes suited to Many of the graduates of the col- who had taught us sincerely, say- the new teaching curriculum, lege volunteer to work on islets ing that we should be patriots revised most of previous teaching and at mountain villages. This before educators. I want to be a plans and aids and made new reflects the efforts of the lecturers teacher remembered by my stu- programs and multimedia and who aspire to genuine life. dents in the future. And when- visual aids. Meanwhile, the lec- I met Pak Chun Sim, one of ever I am spiritless in my work turers of different courses worked the old students, who was staying on the islet, the consciousness day and night to perfect the edu- at her alma mater for her re- that I learned at Haeju Jo Ok cational system and modernize fresher course. She said, “Last Hui Teacher Training College the education, thus laying out a year I volunteered to teach on comes to renew my determina- firm foundation for bringing up Sunwi Islet in the West Sea of tion.” able teachers in a short span of Korea. During my college days I time. had been the envy of my fellows Kim Chol Ung Serious discussion is held on teaching. Among the pupils.

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 21 Proud Work

AYS AGO WHEN I WAS AT THE SONGYO who sends satellites,” a voice said. “I like the na- D Junior Middle School in Songyo District, tional language teacher’s fairy tale very much. I Pyongyang, for coverage, I saw something unusual. I hope I’ll be a writer in the future,” another voice was talking to the head teacher in her office, when declared. there was a knock at the door. Then a girl stepped The words of the students about their high hopes in. The head teacher was glad to see her, saying, made the new head teacher well aware of the sense “Isn’t it Un Ju? What a surprise!” of obligation as teacher who is responsible for the “I’ve just finished Kim Hyong Jik University of future of the country. Education and was assigned to work at this school, The teachers’ meeting that day had a serious debate on how to improve the qualification of the teachers and make a better arrangement in the school. As teachers of the already high-profile school, they redoubled their efforts. They are highly spoken of at the annual national seminar of teaching meth- odology, and most of them are October 8 Model Teachers. More than 600 certificates have been awarded to their experimental apparatuses, teaching aids, and programs. Ri So Yon, a teacher, says, “When I was a stu- dent at middle school, I liked maths. I was disinter- ested in my Korean language lessons, so I wasn’t attentive to the teacher’s words. Whenever she ex- my alma mater,” the girl said with pleasure. amined my composition she used to mark the good Hearing the words the head teacher was quite and bad points, and write her opinion. At first I was happy. She looked proud of the new teacher. “I’m criticized a lot. I began to do composition with refer- glad to see you again. It seems as if you left this ence to her opinion, and I got better beside myself. school only yesterday,” she said excitedly. And I liked the red marks of the teacher. I always The newcomer recalled emotionally, “Mrs. Ha, I wondered what kind of opinion she would give intended to make a writer when I entered college. whenever I presented a writing. And I got enthusi- But doing teaching practice before graduation I astic hoping to get good comments from her. changed my mind. Standing at the table I had a Gradually I became interested in my Korean lan- better idea of the painstaking efforts of the teachers guage lessons. Now I work hard to learn from my for the children. So I made my mind to make a Korean language teacher while teaching maths to teacher’s career and volunteered to come to my alma students.” mater.” Teacher Rim Jong Ho says, “I learned football Now Kim Un Ju left the room, saying she would from the serious yet kind-hearted sports teacher like to meet other teachers. who discovered my talent in kicking and tried hard “Another has returned to her old school,” said to make me a good footballer. He is dead now, and I the head teacher, Ha Myong Hwa, who is a Merited work in his place. I appreciate his memory.” Teacher. “I’ve got several teachers who learned at Every teacher who works at their old school my school. Teachers and their old students work keeps such a memory dearly. All the teachers of the together for education of the rising generation.” school are enthusiastic about their work to train Now she told me a story. creative personnel—who will be able to shoulder the She began to work at the school a dozen years building of a thriving socialist nation—by imple- ago. One day she happened to hear some children menting the universal 12-year compulsory educa- talk in a classroom. “Learning the law of gravitation tion. in the physics lesson today I wished I’d be a scientist Kim Son Ae

22 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 The Joy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

HEN I ENTERED THE tory. Professor and Doctor Jang caused by external injury, dis- W compound of the Pyongy- Chang Ho, the main developer of eases and functional disorder. ang Medical College Hospital of the artificial femoral joint, says, Section chief Kim Hui Man says, Kim Il Sung University, I saw “The main target of my study was “We’ve made an artificial femoral an old man coming out of the to find out a proper biological joint with domestic material. It is front door of the hospital with metallic material, which doesn’t up to the world standard in qual- doctors and nurses around him. degenerate in the body for a long ity and form. And the operation He was Kim Un Sin living in time, to make an artificial hip method established in the course Sochang-dong, Central District, joint with it suited to the consti- of long clinical practice is on a Pyongyang, who had undergone tution of Koreans.” high level.” an operation for artificial trans- When Jang set out on the re- The artificial femoral joint position of above-knee hip joint search he was over fifty. However, was rated high at a national and recovered the kinesthetic he had rich clinical experience he invention and new technology function. “I had trouble in sitting acquired while working in the exhibition and other nationwide or walking as my hip joint was field of orthopaedic surgery for exhibitions. Some time ago the injured. But the doctors of the dozens of years. And the young researchers and doctors involved medical college hospital have and competent members of the in the research work were completely cured me of it, so I can research team supported his awarded the February 16 sci-tech now walk freely again,” Kim said, work. So the first artificial head of prize, the top prize of its kind in thanking the doctors and nurses femur was made by their sincere the country. Jang Chang Ho says, over and over again. efforts, but it wore off soon. Now “I’ve experienced many things in Seeing the old man leaving the team resumed their work and my life of 80 years, and I would the hospital with his wife and made another head of femur with feel myself happiest whenever I grandchildren, some people were much better material while over- was seeing my patients com- chatting together, “A worker of coming shortcomings, and applied pletely restored to health. I’ll per- my factory had to walk with the it to the treatment. The new in- form my duty as a medical scien- help of a cane after his leg got vention had a long life with flexi- tist who is responsible for the life ble movement that the patients and health of people to the last could walk and move freely with- moment of my life.” out trouble after operation. Later, Jang and his colleagues of the they developed an artificial joint laboratory are now immersed in which could substitute both head the research work for treating the of femur and femoral bone. It re- people who suffer from knee joint lieved hundreds of people from disorders. the joint pain and deformation Rim Ok

Kim Un Sin (second left) has recovered his physical ability by replacing his right femoral joint with an artificial one.

Researchers who developed the artificial femoral joint. hurt in an accident. But now, after having an operation at this hospital, he walks without a cane. He has restored his working ability.” “My younger brother limped for years due to the rheumatoid arthritis of hip joint. He had successful operation at this hospital, and now he walks freely without feeling any pain.” I met the doctors who had cured them. They are the researchers of the clinical labora-

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 23 Our Doctors

HE TONICS YOU HAVE when infectious diseases go ered of a child. It contains cards “T sent us again recently are around the world. Materials for of inoculation, each person’s type a great help to our health and the publicity are made in easy of blood, history of reaction to treatment. We appreciate your words so that the people may antibiotics and other items of help.” This is a part of a letter understand without difficulty. health care since childhood. To war veterans sent to their doctors Doctors visit neighbourhoods and say nothing of the new-born ba- at the Chongnyu Polyclinic in households to tell them how to bies, the elderly people on pen- Taedonggang District, Pyongy- look after themselves from season sion are under responsible and ang, on the anniversary of the to season, what to do to cure cer- systematic care of the doctors in victorious Fatherland Liberation tain diseases, and other neces- charge. War (July 27) this year. The doc- sary information. The polyclinic is also making tors of the polyclinic are making Ri Chun Gyong who is in effort to improve the technical sincere efforts for preventive ser- charge of Neighbourhood Unit qualifications of the doctors. vice and treatment of the war No. 25, Chongnyu-dong No. 1, Through the technical lesson once veterans and the inhabitants in went out for hygienic publicity in a week, they exchange experience the Chongnyu-dong area. the run-up to the World Day of in treatment, learn modern and In the Democratic People’s Hand-washing. She explained Koryo medicines, and debate Republic of Korea there is a long- about the importance of hand- problems arising in combining standing system in which doctors washing in easy words using vis- the two kinds of medicine. In the are in charge of a certain number ual aids and videos. course of this they have estab- of inhabitants in certain areas Pleased to become aware of lished and improved the first-aid and look after their health. The what they were ignorant of and service system, thus enhancing Chongnyu Polyclinic makes sure learn everyday knowledge, the the health service qualitatively. that all its doctors improve their inhabitants look forward to their Kim Mun Yong in charge of role in looking after their charges calls. Neighbourhood Unit No. 15, with a high sense of responsibil- The treatment of the patients Chongnyu-dong No. 3, made a ity for the health of the inhabi- is also done in a responsible man- success of treatment of a case on tants. ner. The doctors pay attention to the strength of her experience The primary attention in this the preparation of a health care she gained while studying Koryo respect is directed to hygienic register for each household in remedies. She discovered tradi- publicity, inoculation and regular their charge. The register has tional Korean treatments for checkups. Hygienic publicity is records of the health condition of nervous system-related diseases conducted among the people on a children, chronic cases and preg- that had been based on the appli- regular basis, to say nothing of nant women and women deliv- cation of the modern medicine. According to the categories of the physical constitutions of the patients, she used methods of acu- puncture and moxibustion mainly in the treatment of diseases in the circulatory system, the thy- roid gland and hypertention. This brought forth progress in the cases and left no aftereffects. When there was a patient, she didn’t wait for him to come but went out to see him and give medical service. Sometimes she watched on her cases day and night for many days. “I’ve got a lot of successes while treating them like my own kinsfolk,” says Kim. Rim Hye Gyong

24 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 The Promising Girl Athlete

N JUNE LAST THE 16TH hope like you when she was I Asian youth athletic champi- young. When she took the field in onships was held in China’s the international competition, Taipei. O Song Mi of Korea won few people thought she would win the women’s 1 500-metre race in the race. But contrary to many the championships comprising people’s thought, she won the more than 40 events. As a new- contest because she kept in mind comer she took part in the inter- the nation’s honour, not only her national competition for the first own fame.” time. At this, Song Mi made up her mind to bring glory to the mother- Hope land as Jong Song Ok had done.

From childhood Song Mi was Gold Medal often said to bear a striking re- semblance to her mother, a The coach was strict with singer, in appearance and charac- Song Mi in daily training. When- ter. Probably for that reason, she ever she collapsed on the track was good at reciting songs from from exhaustion, he was merci- TV. As a child she was full of less and sternly told her to stand dreams. She would often spend up, scolding, “Feebleness is the the daytime in mulberry fields in worst taboo in sports. Stand up!” the hope of becoming a silkworm Sometimes she thought he was researcher like her father to pro- too strict and even regretted not ment. Suddenly, she saw in her duce beautiful silk cloth, or play having chosen music for her ca- mind’s eyes the coach who offered injection with her friends for the reer. As if he read her mind, the her a glass of fruit juice in a purpose of becoming a doctor to coach would say, “Don’t think of break of training, her friends who cure people of diseases. In her deserting from the course of life gave her a kind send-off when primary school days she would you have once chosen. If you have she was leaving the homeland, play football with boys in the a firm determination to fight your and her dear native home and playground to become a famous way to the last, you will surely her parents. Now, 80 metres woman footballer. succeed. I’m strict with you be- away from the goal, she sum- When she was 11, Kim Kwang cause I regard you as my own moned up all her strength and Nam, an athletic sports teacher daughter.” Under this coach’s made a last spurt. She out- of the Uiju County Juvenile guidance, her speed and perse- stripped the rival and breasted Sports School, North Phyongan verance improved fast. When she the tape. Province, marked her out for her was 15, she moved to a central Many coaches and athletes cheerful character and fine physi- sports club. from other countries and the cal features. He called on her Two years ago she got hurt in members of the Asian Federation parents and told them that as a leg while training in a moun- of Athletic Associations said, Song Mi had a fine physical build tain area and was sent to hospi- “The female athletes from Korea suitable for athletics, she would tal for some time. Every evening have a unique way of racing. succeed for sure in track and field after training, her coach and Their perseverance and fortitude events and that he would take friends came a long way to see inspire our admiration. We think charge of her training. Her par- her for consolation. She recovered Korean athletes will win the ents agreed, but she would not soon and returned to the fold of races of adults in the future too.” say yes readily. Kim asked what her colleagues. Looking up at the national she desired. She said she wanted … flag of Korea hoisted high over- to be a famous woman to delight The finish line was 200 me- head, Song Mi said to herself, her parents and villagers. Kim tres away. Song Mi had to catch “My homeland has given me this told her, “I think you know Jong up and pass only one more run- gold medal today.” Song Ok the marathon queen of ner, but she felt her strength was the world. She, too, had a simple ebbing. It was the crucial mo- Kim Yong Ok

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 25 An Exhibition Hall for Intellectual Products

OME TIME AGO AN metal, mining, machine and injection, said, “It gives me great S intellectual product exhibi- chemical industries. Besides, pleasure that products of the de- tion hall was newly built at the there are on show sports appara- velopers are on display at the hall Invention Office of the Democ- tuses, daily necessities, medicines run by the country’s major sci- ratic People’s Republic of Korea, and health foods, such as mobile tech authentication institution. It attracting public attention. multi-purpose net posts, single- will give the consumers scientific I met Ryu Chol Ho, depart- motor hand lawn mower, nano- and technological guarantee for ment chief of the Invention Office, gold injection, natural amino- products without the developers’ at the exhibition hall. Ryu said, sugar compound injection and subjective explanations.” Ryu “The exhibition hall works to chlorella health food. Inventions, said that showpieces at the hall quickly and widely promote intel- new devices of technology and would be replaced or updated lectual products including inven- products of new idea are dis- continuously by other items in tions, patents and sci-tech hits played here in the form of spot greater demand and, on the other that are highly appraised and goods, diagram, brochures and hand, it will display worldwide deemed negotiable in the country, videos. The exhibition hall also inventions and patents and pro- and connect them with the cus- provides technological service vide technological service for sci- tomers regularly. It activates the such as search for inventions and tech data in keeping with the dissemination, exchange and cir- patents, translation of patent global trend. culation of new technical skills documents, software and hard- The exhibition hall plays a and makes a positive contribution ware offerings, application for special role in encouraging the to the development of knowledge- registration of invention and scientists, technicians and the based economy.” technological consultation. working people in scientific re- On display in the hall are now Paek Chol Ho, developer of search and invention work. The products like direct-current high- nano-gold injection, said that he hall will give a greater impetus to voltage butterfly catcher and was very glad to be among the dissemination of sci-tech achieve- portable soil analyzer submitted first exhibitors at the newly-built ments registered in a unit to the by many units of agriculture, hall. Rim Chun Mok, developer of whole society. construction, and power, coal, natural amino-sugar compound Rim Sang Jun

26 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 Visit to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum

(Continued from the last an emergency meeting of the people across the northern half of issue) DPRK Cabinet on June 25 and Korea volunteered to go to war ordered the People’s Army and against the enemy. Repulsing the Aggressors the then People’s Security Forces The guide went on to explain: to check the enemy’s attack and On the first day of the war ETTING TO THE OPERA- turn over to a decisive counterat- Kim Il Sung put forward the G tions Section, we went into tack immediately. On June 26 he strategic policy for the first stage the hall dedicated to the first made a historic radio address of the Fatherland Liberation stage of the Fatherland Liberation titled Everything for victory in War. It aimed at foiling the War. It shows historical facts in the war! In his speech he called enemy’s armed invasion and the period of June 25-September upon all the Korean people and promptly switching over to coun- 15, 1950 when the Korean Peo- the People’s Army men and offi- terattacks to wipe out the main ple’s Army checked the US imperi- cers to rise up in the sacred forces of the enemy in a short alists’ armed invasion and drove struggle to wipe the US imperial- span of time and liberate the out the invaders to the line of ists and their stooges out of the southern half of Korea by speedy Rakdong River by launching fatherland. manoeuvres and continuous a counteroffensive. There we A mike and a recorder used by blows before the enemy could first saw a photo of President the leader at that time are on mobilize huge reinforcements and Kim Il Sung delivering a radio display. deploying the armed forces in all address to all the Korean people. In hearty response to his ap- areas of the country in a swift The guide said: To cope with peal, the Korean people turned way so as to prevent the rein- the armed invasion of the US out as one. In less than a month forcements of the US imperialists imperialists and the south Ko- after the war broke out, hundreds from landing. rean stooges, Kim Il Sung held of thousands of patriotic young Kim Il Sung took the politi- ►

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 27 A large-sized picture of the operations for liberation of Seoul.

► cal, economic and military meas- paigns for increased production, Capital Division. Meanwhile, the ures to carry out the policy and especially the grain production. KPA airmen and seamen struck organized and led military opera- They turned out for railway and hard blows to the US’s Far East- tions in the frontline to the vic- road repairs to ensure transport, ern air force and fleet. tory. Thanks to his command the procurement of military hard- Guided by the curator, we KPA units administered lethal ware including aircraft, tanks looked round several relief maps blows to the US aggression forces and warships, public security in showing battles, a blood-stained and the south Korean puppet the home front, the work to give DPRK flag, military colours and army through many operations assistance to the dependents of various kinds of exhibits. Now we and battles including the battle in the KPA servicemen, and so on. came to see a large panorama which they captured the enemy’s In the first stage of the war showing the battle to liberate capital city of Seoul in three days the heroic KPA men and officers Seoul. We were stuck to the pano- after the war broke out, the Tae- gave the enemy decisive political rama of the then Seoul streets jon liberation battle that is a and military defeats by dint of and battle scenes. When the KPA model of modern encirclement unparalleled bravery and mass troops’ advance was checked by battle, the Jumunjin torpedo boat heroism, and liberated over 90% the enemy’s desperate resistance, battle recorded in the world naval of the south Korean area and Kim Il Sung ordered a combined battle history, and the battle in more than 92% of its population. tank unit to launch a decisive which KPA units crossed Raktong In this period, the KPA units battle five kilometres ahead of River over night defying showers completely destroyed the US 24th the preordained line. This was a of bombs and shells. Infantry Division that had been critical measure that made a de- Meanwhile, the people in the bragging itself as “ever-victorious cisive success in the direction of rear, too, rose as one to support division” and the south Korean the main attack. Under the wise the front. The students and puppet army’s 2nd, 5th and 7th leadership of KPA Supreme young people who volunteered to infantry divisions, and dealt Commander Kim Il Sung many go to war numbered as many as smashing blows to the 1st Cavalry of the KPA units advanced as far 849 000 as of August 15, 1950. Division and 25th Infantry Divi- as to Miari Hill north of Seoul by The workers, peasants and all sion of the US aggression forces the evening of June 27. Before other people buckled down to and the south Korean 1st, 3rd, 6th the attack to capture the city, he various kinds of wartime cam- and 8th infantry divisions and made small units of tanks and ►

28 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 ► mechanized infantry units pene-

trate into the heart of the city to throw the enemy into confusion. In front of the large panorama of the Seoul liberation operation, the visitors realized that the victorious operation to capture the enemy’s capital city was just the fruition of Kim Il Sung’s wise leadership who put forward unique military tactics including the correct decision of the main striking direction, concentration of the forces and equipment on the direction and the combination of large and small units in battles. The story about the post- poned time to attack Seoul was A picture of the offensive operations in Osan. quite impressive. For fear that the Seoul citizens might be in- made us realize anew that the tice under the wise leadership of jured and the precious cultural victory had already been in store an outstanding leader will heritage destroyed if the fight for the KPA that was fighting for emerge victorious without fail, we took place at night, Kim Il Sung the destiny of the country. went to the next hall. saw to it that the battle was post- Remembering the truth that Kim Chol Ung poned to the next day. This fact the people who fight for the jus- (To be continued)

A picture of the fierce battles on the Raktong River.

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 29 Child Performers in Spotlight

N MAY LAST A SMALL ART nationality and language, the Jong enjoyed the biggest hand for I group of Korean schoolchil- audience and my performers hit his national folk songs Ballad of dren captivated their audience it off together, and were en- Mt. Singo and Our Best Country, with rich volume of voice, marvel- grossed in the world of music. and his janggu solo. lous technical skills and peculiar Seeing them I was proud of my His musical talent drew the tones of national musical instru- students. After seeing the per- attention of the people in his kin- ments at the Bergen Interna- formance, a person concerned dergarten days, and when he was tional Art Festival held in Nor- with the festival expressed his eight, he earned the fame of be- way. TVs, radios and newspapers excitement, saying that it was ing a little janggu master in the of Bergen and Norway at large more wonderful than the opening country. On one occasion when gave wide publicity to their per- performance of the festival pre- the palace was making prepara- formance almost everyday during pared by renowned producers and tions for an artistic performance, the festival. entertainers for six months.” the program of his janggu playing The participants in the festi- was combined with singing. Child entertainers val are all students of the Py- When teachers were trying to ongyang Students and Children’s select a suitable singer for the Jong Chol Ho, department Palace. They are Kim Ryong program, he said he could sing head of the Pyongyang Students Jong, 11, Kim Jin Hyok, 16, and the song while playing the and Children’s Palace, says, “My Kim Jang Hyok, 16, Kim So janggu. As he did it, they found students were loudly applauded Yong, 12, Jo Tok Song, 12, his voice appropriate for the pro- and got encores at each program Hwang Song Yon, 13, Ro Hyon gram. Later, they taught him of their performance. Moreover, Ok, 13, who are all sons and systematic vocal music training although they were different in daughters of ordinary army offi- as well as the drum kit. Last year cers, and blue he was highly appreciated for

and white collar his janggu solo and folk song solo workers. At the at the national schoolchildren’s festival Ryong vocal and instrument solo ►

30 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 Parental Care

AK YON HWA, A WORKER thought a lot about his wife’s de- lings left carelessly on the edge of P at the Sindang Stockbreed- cision to adopt orphans. At the a plot by a rivulet. She couldn’t ing Cooperative Farm in Ichon time, that is, in the mid-1990s, leave them as they were, so she County, Kangwon Province, has the hard time of the country was began to plant them. At the mo- looked after 43 orphans. also affecting his family of four ment a young man appeared from One day eighteen years ago severely. After a good while, he the other side of the plot and she, in her early 30s, happened to said, “I agree on your decision if called out, “What do you think read a newspaper article about you’re determined to see it out.” you’re doing in the plot where the some people who had adopted Days later Pak saw Ri enter maize seedlings have just been orphans and brought them up the house taking eight stranger planted?” Perhaps he was angry, with more than parental care. A children with him. She stood fro- but when he approached the girl, fellow worker beside her mur- zen, when Ri said to her with a he became thankful. “Thank you. mured in an emotional voice, smile, “Do you remember what I appreciate your work,” he said. “Could I look after others’ chil- happened when we met first? You “No farm worker would feel dren as kindly as their parents?” saw some maize seedlings left easy if he leaves them behind as Her words pierced through Pak’s idle and planted them. That’ll be they are,” she replied. thoughts. enough.” Attracted by her sincerity, the That evening Pak found her- Now a story flashed across head of the youth subworkteam self restless in her bed far into her mind. It happened one day of Sindang-ri proposed to the girl the night. Unable to stand it any before they were married. On her of Kaechon-ri. longer, she sat up and told her way from a work in a rural vil- Now that the number of fam- husband Ri Kwang Ryol what she lage away from home she hap- ily members got larger, every- had read in the newspaper. He pened to see some maize seed- thing got scanty, spoons and ►

► competition. ance they always carried them pouch, I recollected how I planted Besides, kayagum player Kim with them. Everyday in the eve- and tendered trees and flowers So Yong, bass guitar player Jo ning they would sang songs about around the palace.” Tok Song, accordionist Kim Jang their teachers and homes with The day the performance was Hyok, and Hwang Song Yon and the pouches in their hands, some- over, Jin Hyok wrote, “I stroked Ro Yon Ok who sang songs while times the girls shed tears of the pouch before the perform- playing the tambourine, and vio- yearning. Jin Hyok’s mother gave ance. While I was on the stage, linist Kim Jin Hyok who played a each of the seven children the images of my parents and foreign song admirably at the pouches of earth, saying it was teachers flashed across my mind. Bergen Festival have all received the earth from Jangdae Hill (the I feel as if I played and sang the after-school artistic instruction at hill in the centre of Pyongyang song with all my heart. The the palace since their primary where the palace stands). pouch was a great help to my school days. They are popular The children wrote in their successful performance today.” performers already. diaries: Jong Chol Ho says, “The festi- Ryong Jong: “The bag of earth val further beefed up my pride in Pouches of earth reminded me of my strict vocal my students. I find it a worth- music teacher and grandma. while job to train such good stu- Another spectacular thing When the performance was over, dents. I think I will continue to about the Korean performers at a journalist asked me whom I work hard to bring up more nice the festival was the pouches of was missing most. I answered I performers at the palace.” earth they kept. Whether they would like to see my teachers.” went on sightseeing or perform- Tok Song: “When I saw the Kim Yong Ok

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 31 ► quilts, in particular. What got happened. Strange enough, the anxiety Pak went about here and larger was the size of the cooking children would not take their there looking for him. Feeling range and the pots. spoons, studying one another’s failure, she returned exhausted. Then, the number of children face. Looking over the vessels of When she was at the entrance of further grew to dozens. There food spread on the table, Pak the village, she could no longer was always the want of hands asked what was happening. One stand, and fell down over the and time for the caring of the of the children murmured, “It’s snow. Things of the past one year children. The burden got heavier Chung Ok’s birthday today, flashed across her mind. At the incomparably. The earliest fire to but…” Now Pak knew she had moment she saw some of her chil- be made to prepare breakfast was forgotten it was her real daugh- dren rushing to her from afar the Paks’, the last light to be ter’s birthday. At the moment through the snow. They all crum- turned off in the evening was the Chung Ok threw off her spoon on bled down in her embrace, burst- Paks’, and the most heavily-laden the table and ran out of the room. ing into cry to see her frozen to a clothes line was the Paks’. The Some other children also put mass of snow. One of them said, mother’s hands could not dry up, down their spoons. Pak hurried “Chong Gwang is a bad boy. Let holding the work for the chil- out of the room and said to him go if he wants it.” dren’s support all the time. She Chung Ok, “You’re making other Pak admonished, “There’s no had to get up early in the morn- children study your face before bad boy in the world. The prob- ing, make breakfast, get the chil- having a meal.” Tears streamed lem is I’m not a good mum.” dren ready for school, and pick up down her cheeks. Phyon Gwang, Then the children snuggled farming tools to make haste to her real son who knew that his up into her embrace, sobbing, the plots. Touched by her de- mother put white rice in the “No, mum. You’re a good mum. voted efforts, the village women lunch boxes of other children We’re bad children. We were too brought her children special while filling those of her real chil- cruel when we told him off, so he dishes they made while the offi- dren with granulated maize, took ran away.” cials of the rural community pro- his sister by the hand and told Now the children turned out vided them with firewood before his mother suppressing his sobs, to find the missing child. They it ran out. School teachers and “Mum, please don’t try to remem- called him in chorus again and doctors of the local people’s hospi- ber our birthdays any longer.” again. tal visited them frequently. Something unpleasant hap- This is an episode of Pak’s life One January day the next pened again one winter day. It dedicated to the caring for the year after the orphans were was quite windy that evening adopted children. adopted, something unhappy when Chong Gwang ran away. In One October day last year the Ichon Noodle House saw a wedding ceremony of seven of her children amidst the blessings of the whole county. By now 20 of her children have got married. At the wedding parties, Ri used to ask the newly wed, “Have many sons and daughters.” The simple words reflected the sincerity of the couple, who believe the coming generations will have a brighter future and that the socialist family will keep prosper- ing. Ri Sun Nyo

32 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 Thirty-five-year Career

ECENTLY I TALKED WITH PEOPLE’S R Artist Yu Yong Gi, chief of the mural production of the Mansudae Art Studio. Yu is a celebrated artist who has created scores of murals worthy of national treasure. At the talks he gave an account of how he had sealed ties with fine art. Yu was born in Hoeyang County, Kangwon Prov- ince. His parents were both teachers, mother at primary school and father at middle school. He is the eldest of the six children. His county was mountainous. There were all kinds of trees, like pines, Crataegus pinnatifida., Aceraceae meno., birches, elms and castor aralias, and wild vegetables and medicinal herbs. Different kinds of animals were also found, including roe deer, badgers, raccoon dogs, cuckoos and black woodpeckers. In the rivers People’s Artist Yu Yong Gi (third left), head of meandering around the mountains were seen the mural production, discusses about a work. schools of special Korean species like Gonoproktop- terus mylodon. This kind of natural scenery nour- placards like the ones reading “Warm welcome to ished rich emotion in his highly imaginative mind General Kim Il Sung on his triumphal return and nurtured a strong desire to make a picture of home!” and “Long live the Korean independence!” the mountains, fields and rivers. So, he often made a and the images of the red flag-holding workers, sketch of his locality. The art teacher of his school peasants, intellectuals, young girls, old women and discovered his talent in his pictures and offered a other people demonstrate the contemporary realities good help. of Korea when the whole nation was offering warm When he was 13, he had an opportunity decisive welcome to the leader overwhelmed with the joy of of his career. Teachers of the Pyongyang University being free from the Japanese military occupation. of Fine Arts visited his school to pick up talent. Yu The mural was created dozens of years ago and it passed the test, and came to learn the mural art at still fills the viewers with the day’s emotion and joy. the university. After finishing college he started his Yu is grey-haired now. He says, “My brothers all career at the Mansudae Art Studio, which is a com- went to college although my father died soon after I prehensive art centre. He has since produced scores entered college. My mother often says it is what she of murals which are national treasure. never dreamed of. She says the education system of Unlike other genres of fine art, mural is charac- our country has brought us up marvellously. My teristic of monumental quality. For dozens of years brothers and I promised to do our jobs creditably.” of his career Yu has endeavoured to develop the Ko- His eldest son Yu Chol also finished the Pyongy- rean mural art into a large-sized form with rich and ang University of Fine Arts. He is counted as a profound content and complete formative depiction promising jewel painting artist at the Mansudae Art and a latest style based on diversified techniques of Studio. He says, “My father is normally a quiet and portrayal and abundant and stable materials. reticent character. But once at work he is more than A typical example of his is Cheers of the Nation. enthusiastic. I have just begun to work as a career It is a magnificent monument dedicated to the show painter, and he tells me, ‘When I was assigned to of President Kim Il Sung making a historic speech work at the studio, I worshiped my seniors. They at the Pyongyang Mass Rally held on October 14, were authoritative and had honorary titles. I won- 1945 to welcome his triumphal return home after dered when I could reach their standard. I have defeating the Japanese aggressors. The young and learned from my experience that success is the re- virile image of the national leader who indicates the sult of enthusiasm.’ I wish I would learn his manner direction and ways for the building of a new nation of work.” while acknowledging the enthusiastic cheers of the Yu Yong Gi is almost 60, but he is as passionate people shows well the passion and courage of the as he was in his youth about creation of murals. leader, legendary hero and young general who led the anti-Japanese armed struggle to victory. The Rim Ok

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 33 Touring Korea

Correct Impression ily to visit this country with in Korea and also tourism. some other friends. And at that The beaches in this country ’VE BEEN IN KOREA time I realized that the value of are beautiful. We went to Lake I several times. I tried to go this country being open to visi- Sijung, Sijung Beach and Majon surfing in this country in 2012, tors is really high. The best way Beach. We drove to the beautiful but we failed to catch the waves. we can have a better relation- country, beautiful to see— But I didn’t give up. I see surfing ship is to meet each other. Actu- beautiful mountains, beautiful is a great way to build friendship ally the future relationship de- fields and rice. My favourite part and have good relationship. pends on how long you know was meeting the people. The We can share the culture and each other. This country’s open guides were so kind and gave us sports with this country. So we to people wishing to see it. And I warm hospitality. We stayed in have cultural exchange to have think it’s important for many beautiful hotels—Sijung Hotel better relationship. That’s why I people to come and know this and Majon Beach Hotel. There organized the surfing complex to country to have a correct impres- are no uncomfortable things at build friendship and relationship sion when some people have those hotels. and exchange culture. And we false impression. I had a favourite thing in Si- didn’t want just to bring the jung. I took mud bath for the first sports and give it to tourists. So Gabe Segoine, leader of the time. Never done before, I’ve seen

Surfing is one of the sports tourism events.

we bought surfing equipment this 35th American tourist team before. I understand mud is very time to leave it to friends. Surfing good for skin, for Koreans have The Nations, myself and one of beautiful skin. The food is very, our members raised money to buy very good. We love kimchi and ten surfing boards to leave in this Hope to Come Back toufu and like the teas—Poricha and Ssukcha. We all went to the country. I pioneer to organize Masikryong Ski Resort. Some skiing and snowboard tour. Surf- Surfing The Nations is a hu- others of our team are already ing and snowboarding is quite manitarian organization and we talking about coming back to go related in the way you move your see surfing as a tool to make snowboarding. body. So I think many surfers friendship. We hope it will in- would come and go snowboard- crease tourism for your country Tom Bauer and Cindy Bauer, ing. I hope and desire that when and bring many people here to be the 35th American tourist team we leave the 12 guides who friends. And now because we learned surfing will continue trained the guides from the Ko- surfing and sharing surfing with rean International Travel Com- their friends. pany we have surfers in Korea. Last year I brought my fam- It’s opening up the beach activity

34 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 Rare Birds Come and Settle

N INCREASING NUMBER birds from across the world non enriching the bird fauna of A of people visit the Kum- have settled there. Korea that the birds which had susan Palace of the Sun, where Recently birds of the southern lived in southern sultry wetland President Kim Il Sung and origin have nested. They are settle and propagate in the arbo- Chairman Kim Jong Il lie in Egretta intermedia (Wagler, retum of the Kumsusan Palace of state. There working people from 1829) and Nycticorax nycticorax the Sun. all walks of life, youths and (Linnaeus, 1758). They both be- A significant comment goes schoolchildren, overseas Koreans long to Ardeidae of Ciconiiformes that the birds have come to the and foreigners look up at the and live in tropical wetlands. It is arboretum attracted by the mind portraits of the President and the first time in Korea that of the progressive people who the Chairman with beaming Egretta intermedia inhabit in always yearn for the President smiles. Pyongyang. Earlier they are and the Chairman. People from Their yearning for the leaders known to nest in some other ar- across the world plant all good who devoted their all to the coun- eas of the country. And it is re- species of trees and flowers in the try and the people, the time and portedly unprecedented in the arboretum of the palace. So, the mankind has developed the world that such a large flock of ecological environment has im- palace into a sacred place of the them have settled in one place. It proved remarkably. sun. Thanks to their efforts, the is also accepted that Nycticorax Now the palace, the one and palace area on the bank of the nycticorax is a rarer kind Egretta only sacred temple of the sun in picturesque Taedong River has intermedia. There is a record the world, has got fascinating turned into a large woodland Egretta intermedia seen in an landscape with rare trees and with various species of trees and area of the country in 1925 and birds, supported by all the people all kinds of flowers. A favourable 1931, but no mentioning of their in the world wishing for the im- ecological environment has come inhabitation in a large number. mortality of the President and into existence for birds’ habita- Ornithologist Pak Rae Bon says the Chairman. tion. Hence, different kinds of that it is a conspicuous phenome- Kim Ho Nam

Egretta intermedia. Nycticorax nycticorax.

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 35 Devoted Efforts

ANGDONG COUNTY IN THE SUBURBS One day when Kim Sung Chol, director of the K of Pyongyang, Korea, is well known across the station, was looking around the channel construction country for an admirable afforestation project. The site for irrigation of the outdoor ground for planting mountains in the county are thick with good species cuttings, an idea came across his mind. He thought of trees, including Changsong larches, Pinus strobus that the newly-arranged outdoor cultivation ground L. and Pyongyang maples. For example, in the Taeri might suffer from flooding as the soil of the ground Workers’ District, larches cover the mountains, re- dipped gradually, and that the underdrain construc- minding the observers of the larch forest in the tion for preventing flooding should be pushed ahead highlands. The county people say it is inconceivable with simultaneously on the dozen main spots. When apart from the unknown efforts of the officials and he suggested his opinion, some people voiced dis- workers of the Kangdong County Forest Manage- agreement, asking to tackle it after they finished the ment Station. ongoing projects as no one could tell for sure it would This year the station started their annual work be flooded. Then the director said, “What are we do- by expanding its parent nursery. It was not an easy ing all this work for? It is because we have to grow job for them to do construction while growing sap- even one more sapling, and that more strongly. It is lings. But in the early summer the main building true that there will be no problem even if some sap- and facilities like a large-sized outdoor ground for lings here fail to be planted on the mountain. But I planting cuttings, a seed processing and keeping know we’ll all be sorry for it.” house and a base for production of light-substrate His words were representative of the unanimous humus cakes began to make their appearances. heart of the workers. So they redoubled their efforts to finish the channel and underdrain construction. Thus they completed both of them in 15 days. Regarding that the mountains and trees reflect the true image of patriots the workers made painstaking efforts to introduce the management of agro- forestry. When a mountainous terrain in Ry- onghung-ri was chosen for trial introduction, some people disagreed, for it is in a secluded place and, worse still, they knew even shrubs could hardly strike a root there. Other people gave their opinion to choose another place favourable for it. At a meeting to discuss the matter Kang Yong Hwa from Sunchang-ri, who had worked as a workteam leader of the station over 20 years, said, “The mountain terrains in my charge in Sunchang-ri did not have good soil originally. But now we grow crops and pick wild fruits there. And we use them to make snacks and subsidiary foods for the children at local nurseries and kindergartens. Whether they are good or not, they are all the land we should take care of.” In the meeting they agreed that they could grow crops and trees if they fertilized the soil with plenty of high-quality organic fertilizer. Now all the workers of the station turned out in the campaign to fer- tilize the land and grow crops and trees. This year they produced a large amount of raw materials there and sent them to local-industry factories in the county. The devoted efforts of the workers to turn the mountains into the luxuriant forests can be seen in the notes of Ri Ung Chan, who has worked as a forest ranger there for scores of years. “Though I’m a grey-haired man, I make the rounds of my assigned area several times everyday. After interviewing me many of the writers and journalists came to the hasty conclusion that the source of my energy is my attachment to and pride in the creation I’ve made. But it is in that I think there is still something I have to do, and I am not satisfied with one round of inspection a day.” Ri Song Chol

36 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 Short Story My Subworkteam Members

By Pyon Chang Ryul

(Continued from the last been engrossed in the last task of team jealously, “I’m sorry you issue) rice transplantation. Third Subworkteam didn’t see Embarrassed, her eyes darted the nice performance. You should HUN HWA WAS ENJOY- here and there about the sub- have seen it ahead of all other C ing the sight with an over- workteam members. They looked things; you know, it won the na- whelming sense of glee. She re- only happy with the completion of tional contest.” called what a strenuous effort her the transplantation. Chun Hwa The words stung Chun Hwa. subworkteam had made to make thought she was lucky they were And, to make matters worse, she the success. During the winter ignorant of the fact. But how saw Myong Sik’s tractor standing nights they had prepared straw sorry would they be if they knew some way from the place. covers, rods and other farming it? She knew the performance “What are you talking about?” materials for preparation of seed- team included some of the chil- Ku Jong Sim shouted back. “They lings beds; some nights when it dren of her subworkteam mem- visited us and gave a perform- was quite windy and cold, they bers. As a matter of fact, she had ance for us alone. You know the had covered the beds with their been lukewarm about the per- children go around for model own quilts and blankets to pre- formance from the moment she workers, and the Kolgae paddies vent the seedlings from being heard it, for she had been afraid are not so far off.” frost-bitten; the shortage of farm- of losing the time and labour. No one talked back. One of ing materials and, especially the Presumably somebody could have them murmured, “I can’t under- food, had been overcome with the been sent for them to the Kolgae stand. I think I saw them head united efforts of the workers; de- paddies, but as the head of the for the Eighth Workteam after a termined to look after the plots subworkteam had been told of it performance here.” near each of their homes, they personally, it might be only a The head of the Fourth Sub- used to go out to the plots early vague possibility. She felt sorry workteam, shaking his head du- in the morning and even at mid- for the members of the subwork- biously, turned to Chun Hwa, his night to make the seedlings beds team, and yet tried to caress her- eyes probably asking if it was and plant seeds; even the short- self by the fact they finished the true. age of hands during the trans- transplantation first of all others At the moment Yong Ae cried planting season had been solved in the county. in a high-pitched voice, “Trumpet without difficulty thanks to the The Songwon Stream in the solo and wind music ‘Songun Nil- voluntary efforts of the workers. evening was crowded with the liri,’ trumpet solo by Mun Chol Abruptly something flashed workers after the day’s work. Ryong of A-2.” across her mind. Now she re- Proud of their successful finish of Then all the members of the membered Hyo Sun had told her the transplantation ahead of oth- Third Subworkteam shouted in there was going to be a performers in the county, the members of chorus as if in promise, “Then, ance of the schoolchildren on the the Third Subworkteam were accordion chorus ‘At a breath’.” bank of the Songwon Stream. chatting unusually loudly and Then, they sang the song “At a Myong Sik had mentioned it in- giving loud laughter. A woman breath.” tentionally, too. But she had worker of the First Subworkteam The collective counterattack clean forgotten it because she had addressed the Third Subwork- gave rise to a roar of laughter ►

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 37 ► and merriment mixed with the the sharp eyes of Myong Sik and Hwa dropped in at Hyo Sun’s sounds of the water. And yet the approach to her workers house because she wanted to Chun Hwa was in embarrass- which would be quite an embar- open her heart to her and solicit ment, for she now knew that her rassing moment. her advice. But Hyo Sun was not workers had been aware of the There burst explosive sounds at home. Her mother said she schedule of the performance. But of the tractor all at once, taking had left to the Eighth Workteam they rose in revolt against the Chun Hwa unawares. Myong earlier in the evening. The work- attack from other subworkteams, Sik’s tractor ran past her, kicking team was a good distance off, but when she herself didn’t do any- water threateningly. As if giving Hyo Sun had gone there despite thing to defend the honour of her vent to his anger against her, it her physical troubles. Chun Hwa subworkteam. vomited the black fume reck- doubted what had brought her She suddenly felt as if some- lessly. there. For a while she didn’t one were staring at her from be- Chun Hwa looked up at the know what to do, and then de- hind. She looked back and came top of the bank to see some sub- cided to visit Myong Sik at home. across with the piercing glare of workteam heads and workteam She wished she would get his Myong Sik. His eyes were betray- leaders already there. Calming pardon before he could criticize ing his disappointment, disillu- herself down, she straightened her for the day’s affair, which she sionment and feelings of being herself up and began to walk up. was certain of. She hesitated to deserted. Chun Hwa felt she She anticipated the meeting of approach his house at the en- could not hide anything from junior leaders was going to deal trance of the alley, when a little such eyes. They could possibly with the matter of finishing the girl in the neighbourhood was penetrate and find out anything rice transplantation as soon as passing. She asked the girl to tell she tried to hide to herself alone. possible and that her subwork- Myong Sik she was there waiting. “I say, the subworkteam team’s achievement would be In a few minutes the girl came heads are called to a meeting of introduced with applause. But out and said he wasn’t in. She junior leaders at the farm man- the voices of her subworkteam said he had gone to the Eighth agement board—in 15 minutes,” members—which she thought Workteam. Why had he gone cried a worker of the stockbreed- were perhaps filled with suspi- there like Hyo Chun? Chun Hwa ing subworkteam towards the cion and criticism against her wondered. shores of the river. and did not reach her ears yet— Beside herself, she headed for The ducks and geese made seemed to be smothering her joy the Eighth Workteam and made their own formations and set out over their finish of the rice trans- some steps before coming to a after a worker of the stockbreed- plantation first of all others. stop hopelessly. In the sky nu- ing subworkteam. A young man The meeting ended late in the merous stars were twinkling followed behind them, making evening. Chun Hwa was recom- along with the smiling new moon ridiculous gestures like the mended as a model subworkteam while in the fields the frogs were ducks. Then he thrust his long head. The man who supervised singing a monotonous tune which arms behind and walked clumsily the meeting as a higher official had been their hereditary music. with his upper body shaking said she had something about her What kind of things could she tell right and left and his head nod- to be “chairperson of the farm Myong Sik if she met him at any ding forward and backward—just management board.” It was natu- curb of the silent road? Nay, what like the goose. ral that she should be presented kind of things would he talk to Women were doubled up with as a model worker at the TV stage her about? As if something of a laughter. Everybody was happy. to be held in the playground of doom was creeping to her, her Chun Hwa felt a little relieved. the county senior middle school. body tightened. The meeting helped her evade On her way back home Chun (To be continued)

38 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 Piro Peak in Mt. Kumgang

T. KUMGANG, A tastic rocks, there is a hill called to enjoy a given sight. You may M celebrated mountain of “20-year Pass.” It is shaped like a have a clear sight of a valley far Korea, spans over 40 km from the mother with a baby in her arms. down for a moment, and then fog east to the west and more than This sculpture-like rock also goes suddenly fills the place as a 60 km from the north to the by the name of Love Rock. It is whole before rising to cover the south, and it covers 530 square associated with a legend which slopes and surround the peaks km. goes that a good couple in Mt. around, making them look like an The summit is called Piro Kumgang had a dear child after islet among the waves of the sea. Peak, rising 1 639 m above sea paying services to the “mountain Then you can’t distinguish the level. It also makes up one of the god” on the pass for twenty years. land from the sky and sea. Some- major peaks in the Thaebaek The names of the rock are both times you feel as if floating in the Mountains. related to the shape. sky, and then you may suddenly The Piro, whose base rock is The beautiful scenery of Piro feel frightened to see sharp cliff granite, gives rise to small Peak is different according to faces and the bottom of ravines streams and rivulets including seasons, weather and hours of as the clouds disperse. At a mo- the Tongkumgang-chon, a tribu- the day. In spring, the slopes ment you can see as far as to the tary of the Kumgang Stream. On are decorated with all kinds of East Sea of Korea, and then, the the top part are found a lot of flowers, the ravines are buried in fog fills the place in a flash mak- dwarf trees like Pinus pumila verdure in summer, the ranges ing it impossible to see even a few and Thuja, and shrubberies like and ravines are tinged red metres ahead. subcordata, rhododendrons, royal with golden leaves. Each period What is outstanding of the azaleas and azaleas. There are of the year has peculiar pictures scenery on the peak is the sunrise also not a few sub-arctic plants there. over the East Sea of Korea and which are usually to be seen in Even on a sunny day clouds the mountain at twilight. high plateaus. come and go so frequently that From the top of the peak you you can hardly have a long time Kim Hyon Ju can have a bird’s-eye view of the

12 000 peaks of the mountain. You can see a contrasting sight of the majestic and magnificent rocks in the Outer Kumgang and the gentle and soft beauty of the ravines of the Inner Kumgang. The landscape involves the far- reaching and splendid views of the Sea Kumgang and the East Sea of Korea. Different shapes of rocks spread on the peak, forming another Manmulsang, or a kaleido- scope of 10 000 pictures. Big rocks look like beasts, humans, books or writing brushes from different angles. Their appearances are different according to whether you look them up or down. On the way up past the fan-

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 39 Myohyangsan Mineral Water

NCE UPON A TIME travelled to the spring three Hyangsan Stream, he had been O there lived a diligent peas- times a day. He felt happy to see going up and down the water. In ant family in a hamlet called his father getting well thanks to a place he had happened to hear Sobokol at the southern foot of the water. some noises from a grassy place. Mt. Myohyang. The kind-hearted But on the fourth night, the He ran up and found a big fish peasant with Herculean strength rain poured down from the sky writhe in the shallow water with commanded respect of the village that had been dry for longer than its white belly up. He had caught as he took upon himself the most a month. The Hyangsan Stream up the fish, when it had shed big difficult jobs of the village while swelled to a big river. The flood drops of tear. Sorry for the fish, giving a lot of helping hand to the rushed down threateningly, and he had let it go in the deep neighbours. even after three days Su Dong stream. One spring day he fell ill sud- didn’t dare to cross it. His father Now the very fish saved him. denly and got bed-ridden. As his relapsed into bed. It was a wonderful thing, indeed. couple had four little children his On the fifth day the boy de- “I’m sorry that I didn’t thank wife couldn’t go to work away cided to cross the stream at any you at the time before I returned. from home. So, his eldest son Su cost and left for the spring. The I’d been expecting you again Dong, 12, had to bear the burden current dwindled a lot, but was here, and I now saw you in dan- of the household tasks. still quite swift. In a defiant man- ger. What made you try to cross One morning Su Dong left ner, however, Su Dong launched the stream?” she asked. home early to dig medicinal into the crossing. He made one Su Dong told his story. Listen- herbs. Past the Kumgang Whirl- step forward after another, but ing to him carefully, the woman pool in front of the Pohyon Tem- finally slipped a step, crumbling said with a smile, “Please be re- ple, he went about four km up the into the water. He began to drift assured. I’ll make sure you need- Hyangsan Stream, crossed it and down. Soon he would be carried n’t cross the water any more. To- climbed up and down Thaki into the Kumgang Whirlpool morrow morning I’ll move the Peak, gathering medicinal herbs. where they said there was a big spring this side of the Hyangsan Feeling exhausted, he fell down tunnel in the middle that led to Stream. You’ll see it.” Leaving and asleep at a place under a the West Sea of Korea. Su Dong the words behind she changed cliff. was being engulfed into the into a fish and disappeared into When he woke up he couldn’t whirl, when a woman appeared the water. tell how long he had been asleep, from nowhere, took him in her Early the next morning Su and the sun hung over Thaki arms and soared up from the wa- Dong left home and went to the Peak. At the time a flock of birds ter. place indicated by the fish. Un- came flying and settled in a place “You don’t know me, boy?” she der a big, moss-grown round under a rock nearby. In a minute asked. rock a spring came into exis- they flew away. Struck with an Su Dong gaped at her, with- tence. Clear water was spouting idea, the boy ran up to the place out making any reply. from the crannies of the rock. only to find a spring with clear “I’m a fish of this pool,” she The boy tried a drink, and knew water gushing out. He lay on his said, and continued. “I remember it was the very water he had had knees and elbows and drank you saved me in the past. One earlier. He filled a bottle in a some water. It was quite sweet day when the water was high, I hurry and came back home at a and refreshing. He knew it was swam upstream for a sightseeing dash. water of uncommon qualities. He of Mt. Myohyang. But enraptured His father drank it, and sat filled a porcelain bottle which he by the landscape, I didn’t notice up. Soon he became able to go out had been carrying on his side, the water go down. I was caught again and got well. So, all the and returned home in haste. in the grass and was almost dead, family returned to a happy life, When his father was given a when you came to my rescue.” and Su Dong became a giant drink of the water, he came to Now Su Dong remembered thanks to the spring and lived immediately, opening his eyes what had happened days before. a long life at the foot of Mt. wide. From the day Su Dong Searching for a way to cross the Myohyang.

40 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 Old Books of Korea

HE KOREAN ANCESTORS tion it is also a precious book of the books and provided all neces- T left behind countless cul- special value in the study of the sary conditions for their work. He tural legacies comprising various history of the latter half of the saw to it that the books were kept fields. One of them is the old dynasty. in an office of the Supreme Head- books which vividly show the The Complete Collection of quarters of the Korean People’s features of each period of Korean Buddhist Scriptures printed with Army all through the war. After history and the resourcefulness 80 000 wooden blocks is well- the war he suggested translating and talent of the Korean people known to the world for its enor- the Chinese texts of the chroni- in olden times. The most remark- mous volumes and the oldest age cles into Korean, and took steps able of them are the Chronicles of among other Old Collections of to form a translation team, set- the Feudal Joson Dynasty (1392– Buddhist Sutras. With its rich ting forth the basic principles to 1910), the Minutes of Pibyonsa and correct contents it is accepted be followed in translation. And and the Complete Collection of as the standard collection of Bud- Chairman Kim Jong Il saw to it Buddhist Scriptures printed with dhist Scriptures. Its high wooden that all necessary conditions 80 000 blocks . block printing technique at that were ensured for translating the The Chronicles of the Feudal time holds its own in the world’s chronicles and guided the work Joson Dynasty is the government history of printing. The books of meticulously. Scores of scholars records of feudal Joson in the the Complete Collection of Bud- took part in the compilation and form of diary which comprehen- dhist Scriptures were found and publication of the 400 volumes in sively registers various historical saved by the concern of the state, translation, which took 20 years. facts ranging from policies of the not by some academic research At present, while deepening feudal government and its exter- group. the study of the translated old nal activities such as diplomacy, During the Korean war the books, scholars are earnestly en- trade and cultural exchange to original texts of the Chronicles of gaged in the discovery, preserva- music, dance, fine arts, industrial the Feudal Joson Dynasty were tion, translation and publication arts, and natural phenomena of left in utter neglect in a library of of old books laden with nation’s astronomy and meteorology. The Seoul, in danger of destruction time-honoured history and splen- book is a national treasure of due to US imperialists’ bombings. did culture in a professional and Korea which adds to the treas- So, the state took all possible unified way. The translated ver- ure-house of human culture with measures to save them. President sions of the ancient books of Ko- its extensive and comprehensive Kim Il Sung gave credentials rea are increasing day after day. collection of historical materials signed by himself to the officials and graphical facts. assigned to the task of rescuing Ri Song Chol Minutes of Pibyonsa, an official diary of Pibyonsa, which was the supreme office in the latter half of the dynasty, records historical facts of politics, the economy, military and foreign affairs in a richer and more de- Complete Collection of Buddhist tailed manner than any other old Scriptures printed with 80 000 blocks (above) and Minutes of books. For its objective descrip- Pibyonsa (right).

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 41 Ancient Things on Moran Hill in Good Preservation

ORAN HILL IS A HISTORICALLY SCENIC M place. Its name Moran (peony flower) comes from the shape of the location that looks like a blooming peony blossom. Hillocks rise in succession around the Choesung Pavilion on the top of the Kumsusan ridge which stretches a good distance along the bank of the Taedong River. In the area are

Ulmil Pavilion.

Chongnyu Pavilion. found a great deal of ancient structures and historical sites, including the Ulmil and Choesung pavilions, Chilsong, Chongnyu and Hyonmu gates which all date back to the time of Koguryo (277 B.C.–A.D. 668). The two pavilions used to be generals’ terraces where they watched the enemy and commanded the forces in battles. The Hyonmu and Chilsong gates were once gates to the walled town of Pyongyang. The structures remain as they were ages ago. This is partly attributable to the efforts of the workers of the Pyongyang Municipal National Culture Preser- vation Company. Ko In Suk has been looking after the historical things in the district for a dozen years. She is unusually attached to her job. She has got a good deal of historical knowledge while reading historical literature, and she serves as a good guide to those who come to see the historical sites on Moran Hill. There are many visitors day after day, and foreigners, in particular, are quite interested in the Koreans’ wisdom and talent associated with the ancient relics. In Suk likes to tell them about the spring at the Ulmil Pavilion which is counted as one of the eight scener- ies in Pyongyang, the story about how General Ul- mil of Koguryo fought to defend the place, the legend about the Chilsong Gate which is referred to as ►

42 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 ► the “gate to happiness” and similar stories and leg- colours which are characteristic of the tanchong ends. Interested in her storytelling, the visitors ask painting. Their antiquity goes well with the sur- her to have a photo taken together against the back- rounding scenery. ground of the relics and guide them round the dis- Ko Il Chol says, “The national history is not handed over of its own accord. You can hand over

the ancestors’ wisdom and talent to the posterity only when you maintain the inherent tradition of the national culture and the excellent heritage and develop them to suit the contemporary aesthetic sense and the demand of the time. We are doing all we can to fulfil our responsibility.” Rim Sang Jun

Chilsong Gate.

Hyonmu Gate. trict. She readily accepts their request. Ri Song Ok, teacher at Ri Kwang Su Junior Mid- dle School in Songyo District, Pyongyang, says, “I often climb Moran Hill together with my students. At the time I see the keeper. Hearing her explana- tion we go up to the Choesung Pavilion, the summit of the hill. Enjoying the recent changes along the Taedong River, I seem to know the history of my country at a glance. And it is a good opportunity for the students to nurture national pride.” There are several artists in the national culture preservation company who are professionally engaged in restoring the painting of the historical relics. Ko Il Chol who has a 30-odd-year career led the projects of overall repainting of the Chongnyu Pavil- ion in 2005 and the Ulmil Pavilion in 2011. An Jung Su, Kim Chang Su, Jong Kil, and Hong Chol Hwan are excellent artists. They are often requested for repainting projects. They have all learned professional knowledge through the study-while-working courses. They study the tanchong technique in con- nection with the Academy of Social Science in their effort to restore the colours of old buildings true to their original qualities. Thanks to them structures of historical importance regain their ornamental formations, patterns and harmonious mixture of

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 43 Korean Folklore Museum

doms, learning how to read and write was more popular among the Korean people and education developed into a certain system. Koguryo (277 BC–AD 668) had kyongdang, a private educational institution and thaehak which was the central educational organ. Silla (early mid-first century-935) had kukhak and Paekje (late first century BC–AD 660) kept sadobu for educational administration. I saw an old book on display describing kyongdang. It says that in Koguryo each village had a big house called kyongdang to make young people read books and train archery during the days (Continued from the last The guide told that the re- or at night. Also on display are issue) cords of the ancient times have data on jujagam of the Palhae deep studies of astronomy and Dynasty (late 7th century-early Old custom of writing and that the Ancient Joson govern- 10th century), which was similar national alphabet ment kept an official post called to thaehak of Koguryo. In the Paksa responsible for science, period of Koryo (918–1392) large N THE HALL I ENTERED culture and education. and small schools and private I there were on display the data In the period of Three King- schools were built across the coun- ► on the Korean people’s custom of learning how to write. What Various ink sticks and inkstones. caught my eyes were 16 characters and the record about the sinji alphabet in the old book Nyongbyonji. “Sinji is the Korean nation’s ancient alphabet. You can see the same or similar characters with sinji alphabet shown in Nyong- byonji, written in earthenware pieces unearthed in old tombs in the period of Ancient Joson (early 30th century BC–108 BC).” From the guide’s words, we could see that the sinji alphabet belonged to the homogeneous nation in the Ancient Joson period and had been in wide use in all regions where the Koreans had lived.

44 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 Chomsongdae Observatory. Chonsangryolchabunyajido. A rain gauge.

► try, and private education spread languages. It also had advantages Korean people create sci-tech widely through village schools. in that it was easy to learn and treasures like Chomsongdae Ob- I stopped at a panoramic pho- convenient to write. servatory (an astronomical and tograph of Koryo Songgyungwan, With the creation of their own meteorological installation built the supreme educational institu- national alphabet, the Korean in the 7th century) in Kyongju, tion of Koryo. Situated at the people became able to have a free North Kyongsang Province, (the eastern foot of Mt. Songak in way of transcription, the national town used to be the capital of Kaesong City, Koryo Songgyung- alphabet came into use and the Silla), Chonsangryolchabunyajido wan was built in 992 to train feu- books written in Korean were made in 1395 and a rain gauge dal government officials. At first made public. This facilitated de- made in 1441 for the first time in it was called Kukjagam and later velopment of the national culture the world. renamed Songgyungwan, mean- and enriched the linguistic heri- I saw tools Koreans had used ing university. tage. Thanks to the new script in writing. Several pieces of pa- The Korean people’s enthusi- the education got more system- per and inkstones unearthed in asm for learning rose higher in atic and strengthened during the ancient remains, a photo of the the Feudal Joson Dynasty (1392– Feudal Joson Dynasty. mural tomb of King Kogukwon 1910). It was related with the fact The guide pointed to an index, showing a vassal standing with a that the Korean people who had which shows that in this period book and a brush in his hand, created their own national alpha- special education and technical pieces of paper of many colours, bet in the period of Ancient Joson training were given according to and brushes of various shapes created Hunminjongum in Janu- the feudal status system. There and writing tools in the period of ary 1444 as successor to the sinji was a photo on display showing the Feudal Joson Dynasty helped alphabet. Hunminjongum is an Sungyang School located south of me easily understand that the advanced script based on long Mt. Songak in Kaesong. The Korean people had created excel- experience in using characters. As school was built in 1573 on the lent scripts and developed science the Korean nation’s own alphabet, site of the house of Jong Mong and culture in a unique way with Hunminjongum means the right Ju, a famous loyalist of Koryo. A high enthusiasm for learning. letters to teach people. It could writing slate and a relief map I entered the next room. represent all the vocal sounds of which had been used in learning the Korean language and almost language were also on display. (To be continued) all sounds of any other nations’ The learning custom helped the Rim Ok

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 45 An Ancient Salt-making Site Unearthed

ECENTLY AN ANCIENT bustion chamber whose four the remains of an old salt R salt production site, the walls are built of stones is rein- production site belonging to the first of its kind in Korea dating forced with stone and lime. period of Koguryo. Earthenware back to the period of Koguryo Found under it is reddish earth and bricks have been ascer- (277 BC–AD 668), was unearthed that seemed to have been exposed tained to date back to the by a research group in the Wonup to high heat. Half way up the flue mid-4th century. The salinity of area of Onchon County, Nampho in the rear part of the chamber is the stratum around the remains City. In the course of surveying a niche for putting a round plate is very high, and a thick layer of an area about three kilometres to on. The other part of the remains ash has been found at the place the northeast of the Wonup work- is a pool filled with thick black in addition to a ditch for drawing ers’ district, the researchers ash, which is connected with a in sea water, which testifies to found the relics and remains ap- ditch for drawing in sea water, the spot being an old site of salt parently of a salt production facil- and in the centre of the pool is a production. ity. stone structure of a certain The research group has The remains consist of two height. proved through the discovery of main parts. The findings include Other relics include various the salt production site that salt a structure built of stones and kinds of earthenware, bricks, was produced at the time by bricks. It comprises a fuel hole, a fragments of a flat cauldron, a means of processing sea water combustion chamber and a flue. melted iron lump, and animal with ash in the pool to raise its The fuel hole is flanked by two bones and horns. The new find- salinity before boiling it in the ash pools. The floor of the com- ings have been confirmed to be cauldron.

46 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 Falling into Ruin

F THEY ARE ASKED WHAT THE MOST importance to the Asia-Pacific. Egypt, a long-time I noteworthy change at present is, most of the companion of the US, is turning away to make analysts of the situation are likely to answer it is friends with Russia. Israel is behaving itself against that the US is losing its hegemony in the interna- the instructions of the US that styles itself as tional arena. A renowned US geo-political expert “arbiter” in the process for Middle Eastern peace, and advocate of the American hegemony once ar- while France declared that it would push ahead gued that his country’s hegemonic power had come with its naval vessel sale to Russia even when the to an end. Russo-American relations are going from bad to In reality, many nations stand directly against worse. the American control, refusing to admit it any Another blow to the US that is getting bogged longer. On May 20 this year Russia and China down in major international affairs is that the dollar adopted a joint statement in which they agreed to is losing its monopolistic status as the international join efforts in the political, military and other fields standard currency. The financial crisis that started to put up confrontation against the US’s strategy of to hit the US in 2008 was a momentum in hastening giving importance to the Asia-Pacific. Referring to the end of Paze Americana, that is, peace under the the event, foreign mass media commented that the US supervision. According to historians, the British- two nations “have joined hands and set a counterfire supervised system of global control that existed be- to the American policy of return to Asia.” fore Paze Americana came to fall down as a result of The new strategy of the US is giving rise to dif- the serious financial crisis the UK suffered since ferent repercussions among the mass media around 1905 following the Anglo-Boer war in which the the world, and the gist of them is that there exist country had expended an enormous amount of disagreements among the Democrats to say nothing money. Likewise, Paze Americana (American peace) of Congress regarding Obama’s strategic idea and is on its deathbed due to the same reason. In 2008 the progress of its practical implementation, that when the financial crisis was getting serious the the general analysis goes that Obama’s strategy is New York Times attracted the public attention by confronted with the three challenges of imbalance in carrying an article in which the present-day situa- natural resources, imbalance in energy and imbal- tion of the US was compared with that of dilapida- ance in power. This connotes that Obama’s strategy tion of the UK that used to be the sole superpower of giving importance to the Asia-Pacific is flatly re- prior to the US. As of October 17 last year, the fed- buffed by the regional nations and, worse still, is eral debt of the US rose to the record high of $ 17 generally regarded as impossible even among the trillion. A French economist argued in his article Americans. titled “The US on the Brink of Ruin” that the US’s The so-called allies and companions of the US national debt is nearly tantamount to its annual are reluctant to comply with the American demands GDP and that as the economy is nearly falling into and instructions. Following the publication of the ruin the amount of debt will snowball at least 1.5 strategy, the US demanded that Europe support the times as much as the present one by 2018. A book policy and share the burden in the field of defence. titled “After America” was published in France But the European nations gave a cold shoulder. which predicts the end of the “American Empire.” It They looked reserved, reluctant and discontented. soon became a bestseller reportedly. Japan has refused to yield even an inch to the US in It is certain that the empire will go to ruin for the matter of opening its market, although it is fully the arbitrary and despotic policies. Like Hitler’s aware of the fact that concluding the US-sponsored Nazi Empire, the “American Empire” will end up in agreement on pan-Pacific economic collaboration is a tragic lot after all. directly related to its master’s strategy of giving Kim Myong Chol

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 47 What Comes to Mind

N MAY 29 LAST tervention and bolstering its in- have voiced their wish to join the O presidents of Russia, Ka- fluence. The customs union that Eurasian Economic Union and zakhstan and Belarus signed a has been in effect since 2010 is the customs union. treaty on creation of the Eurasian made of Russia, Kazakhstan and Observers comment that the Economic Union. The treaty is Belarus. In 2012 the uniform creation of the new union is reportedly due to come into effect economic leverage involving these probably heralding the appear- on January 1, 2015. Many na- nations went into official opera- ance of a new pole in the world tions in the region expressed sup- tion. Meanwhile, the Eurasian arena instead of a simple eco- port and solidarity, commenting Economic Commission that is nomic integration, that is, the it was the most important event committed to the economic inte- prelude to a regional union that of integration since the disinte- gration of these countries began will stand against the Western gration of the former Soviet Un- to work as well. pursuance of domination and ion. But the Westerners de- Russian President Putin said intervention. The Westerners nounced the Russia-led organiza- on one occasion that the Eurasian think that once Russia success- tion of the economic union as an Economic Union would lead the fully forms the Eurasian Eco- “execution of the imperial power” member nations to a radically nomic Union along with Kazakh- intended to restore the Soviet new level of integration and en- stan and Belarus, it will be a Union. What comes to your mind sure a complete guarantee of the community tantamount to the when you see the contrary reac- national sovereignty as well as European Union and that it will tions from the two forces? closer and coordinated economic bring them a tragic result, that In retrospect, the Common- cooperation. is, weaker influence of theirs in wealth of Independent States As a matter of fact, the poten- the region and a break in their which came following the fall of tials of the new economic body encirclement of Russia. In fact, the former Soviet Union have had are enormous. Besides its popula- the founding members of the unpleasant experiences among tion of 170 million, it has rich Eurasian Economic Union make them. The yesterday’s fellow underground resources that are it public that the organization states have been in strife and of huge economic value. One fifth will be a comprehensive union suffered huge economic losses as of the world’s gas deposits and 15 which will deal with not only eco- a result of the broken economic per cent of the world’s oil deposits nomic but political and military relations. The financial crisis are to be found in this region. In affairs as well in the future. Feel- that was a hard hit worldwide particular, the member nations ing uneasy about the prospect, made the Commonwealth mem- share many things in common the Western bloc has made every bers aware of the importance of and a rich stock of experience in effort to drive a wedge between the multilateral economic coop- this respect as they used to be the nations of the Commonwealth eration and collaboration in their included in one economic system and check the creation of the un- region. The twists and turns in the past. The geographical ion. helped them realize the way out; situation of the three countries The Eurasian Economic Un- they have since endeavoured to guarantees a favourable condi- ion, however, has cut its figure. make socio-economic progress by tion for the laying of an extensive This may be referred to as an coping with challenges with con- route of transport linking Europe indication of the truth that the certed efforts. to Asia and other economic trans- desire to achieve regional stabil- Now Russia formed a regional actions. It is more than certain ity and development can come body involving former Soviet re- that the engagement in the or- true after all when efforts are publics by way of expanding the ganization will bring them great made in unity against the foreign customs union and the uniform economic profits. In reality, many forces’ moves of division and economic leverage, thus checking of the members of the Common- separation. the Western infiltration and in- wealth of Independent States Jang Chol

48 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 Hero Ichon Gingko Tree

HE HERO ICHON ment according to the policy of war, but it was restored to its T Gingko Tree—a natural the Workers’ Party of Korea on original state after the war, and living monument of Korea—is nature conservation, rendering stands as a witness of history and in Ichon town, Ichon County, service to the education of the a precious treasure of the coun- Kwangwon Province. The tree is people in patriotism. The tree try. 24 metres high with the root was severely damaged during the Kim Un Jong neck 8. 5 metres around and the crown 14 metres across. The trunk stretches out a large number of boughs and branches; the boughs 30 cm across are seven and the branches 5 cm across over 150. The tree has a legend that over 700 years ago a young peasant planted it to the memory of his father who was killed by the county governor on a charge of resisting to his plunder, and that while taking care of it, he made a firm resolution to avenge his father. The name Hero Ichon Gingko Tree dates back to the Father- land Liberation War (1950–1953). In the days of hard-fought battles, the tree served as a shelter for the soldiers and people. Whenever American air pirates appeared overhead, the trucks of the People’s Army would take shelter under the tree. One day in August 1952 an enemy plane found an army truck under the tree and nosed down towards it. But it was caught in the stout branches and crashed to the ground. Since then it has been called Hero Gingko Tree by the people. Today the tree is carefully preserved as a natural monu-

KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014 49 50 KOREA TODAY No. 11, 2014