Juche 91(2002) Today Poster: Mass Gymnastic and Artistic Performance “Arirang”

∆ Thanks to His Parental Care ∆ Musan Workers 4 Korea Juche 91(2002) Today Poster: Mass Gymnastic and Artistic Performance “Arirang”. KOREA TODAY Published in English, Russian, Chinese, MONTHLY JOURNAL French, Spanish and Arabic No.4 (550) Juche 91 (2002)

CONTENTS

President’s Everlasting Achievements ...... ……...... …...... 2 Thanks to His Parental Care …...... 4 A Parent of All Schoolchildren …...... 7 Brief History of the Revolutionary Activities of President Kim Il Sung...... …...... 8 With the Passage of Time...... ……17 Torch of Ranam Lights the Whole Country ...... ……....18 The National Mineral Resources Front Cover: On the Way to Symbol of Our Principles Mansu Hill on the Day of Survey Group ...... …...... 22 and Faith (p. 31) the Sun Five-Point Policy of Great The Day of the Sun, April The gun of revolution National Unity—A Programme 15, is the birthday of President President Kim Il Sung held up for Reunification ...... …...... …..23 70 years ago is still firmly Kim Il Sung. Every year on this maintained, on the strength of From Kim Il Sung’s Reminiscences day, the Korean people visit his the army-centred idea of “With the Century” statue on Mansu Hill to renew leader Kim Jong Il. Fighters from Northern their pledge to faithfully imple- Manchuria ...... …….…...24 ment the President’s instruc- The Woman Who Lives on tions.

in the Minds of the People....…...... 27 Photo by So Myong Gun Victorious Spirit of the Pyongyang Declaration ...... …....30 KPA Celebrates 70th Back Cover: Mangyongdae Funfair Anniversary of Its Founding ...... 32 Photo by Kim Jong Su Mangyongdae, the Place Dear Birth of 300th Set of to People’s Hearts ...... …...... 36 Triplets (p. 42) The Foreign Language Magazines, Pyongyang Women With a Dream ...... …...... 41 The 300th set of triplets The Motherland to Which He DPRK was born at the Pyongyang Returned in His Last Years…..…..44 Maternity Hospital in Decem- On World Health Day ...... …..46 Address: Sochon-dong, ber last year. Their mother, Sin Outrageous Crackdown ...... ……...47 Sosong District, Yong Ok, works at the Pyongyang, DPRK Tonghung Cooperative Farm Massacres Will Never Be in Kim Hyong Gwon County, Forgotten...... …...... 48 Ryanggang Province. No. 13502 No. 282-10

President’s Everlasting

HE Korean people areAchievements now celebrating the reliance and self-defence, where man-centred social- 90th birthday of President Kim Il Sung ism has been realized, by carving out the road of T (April 15, the Day of the Sun) during a peri- socialist construction in a unique way. od in which they are hastening their vigorous In leading the Korean revolution he broke new advance to build a strong nation. ground: establishing a new type of working-class On this occasion, they are filled with more party, revolutionary armed forces and people’s ardent yearning and deep reverence for President power. He also saw that an independent national Kim Il Sung. economy was firmly built in this land. During a life spanning more than 80 years he cre- Today our people are putting spurs to the build- ated a new history carving out the destiny of the ing of a prosperous socialist power by relying upon nation and performed immortal exploits which will go the invincible revolutionary armed forces, the power down in the annals of the era of independence. Under of the state and the immense potential of the econo- his superb leadership, the Korean people brightened my, under the guidance of the WPK, the seasoned the 20th century with victory and glory. Today they general staff of the revolution, unaffected by the feel an infinite warmth welling up in their hearts, political and economic upheaval affecting the world. knowing that they lived under the wing of a truly This is entirely due to the revolutionary achieve- great and benevolent, fatherly leader and at the same ments of President Kim Il Sung, who provided the time, evince their resolve to complete his revolution- people with the political, military and economic ary cause under the guidance of Kim Jong Il, General muscle to complete the cause of Juche. Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. The President regarded “The people are my President Kim Il Sung was a distinguished God” as his lifetime motto and bestowed warm thinker and theoretician of the 20th century, a great paternal love on the people, sharing the sweets and master of leadership who performed ever-victorious bitters with them. It was this that made it possible to feats, and a great sage of revolution gifted with lofty turn the whole of society into a single, great, personality and virtue. harmonious family based on revolutionary He fathered the Juche idea, developed it in depth comradeship and a sense of duty, turning Korea into and led the people to bring about a revolutionary a country of single-hearted unity. turn in their ideology. His love for man, the nation and the country The Korean people successfully pushed forward ensured that the people of south Korea and overseas with the revolution and construction in line with the compatriots were united with those of the DPRK ideas and intentions of the President, making the 20th under the banner of the great unity of the whole century a century of prosperity in which a fun- nation, and that the 70 million Koreans were able damental change was effected in the revolution and to dynamically hasten the nationwide march for the construction, and a century of glory in which the independent reunification of the country. nation’s dignity has been demonstrated all over the His whole life ran through with a lofty sense of world. responsibility for the destiny of the nation and President Kim Il Sung set an example by bril- boundless devotion to the world revolution. liantly carrying out revolutionary tasks of various President Kim Il Sung put forward the outstand- forms over many stages. ing ideas and strategy for making the world indepen- He steered to victory the two stages of the social dent, and spared no efforts to put them into effect. He revolution (the anti-imperialist, anti-feudal demo- rendered sincere aid to the revolutionaries and ordi- cratic revolution and the socialist revolution), the nary people of other countries at great expense. His reconstruction of the country on the ruins following noble traits and obligation to their cause are cherished Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule (1945) dearly in the hearts of progressive humankind. and the Korean war against the US imperialists (1950- His ideas and achievements are the assets with 1953), and the two revolutionary wars to liberate the which the Korean revolution can advance unwaveringly country and safeguard national sovereignty. He built up along the road of independence in the 21st century, too. a strong country of independence, self- The 21st century is the century of independence. 2

Quotes from Kim Jong Il

“President Kim Il Sung is the great father who holds dear all the people and leads them, and the benevolent sun whom all the people follow and look up to.”

“The founder king of our nation is Tangun, but the father of socialist Korea is the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung.”

“The validity of his ideas, leadership and virtue is the three traits characteristic of the greatness of President Kim Il Sung.”

Following the road of independence is the irre- economic power of the state to the last moments of his sistible trend of the new century. life. His last message to the Korean people was an The President trained the Koreans to be an inde- earnest request for them to achieve national prosperity, pendent people invested with a strong national pride upholding the leadership of Kim Jong Il. and ardent patriotic spirit. To say what they want to in The history of the revolutionary struggle of the any circumstances and follow the road of Juche they Korean people in the new century will be a struggle have chosen, irrespective of the road others choose to through which a new surge will be brought about, take—these are the revolutionary traits of the Korean based on the idea and great cause of the President. people. As long as there are great people fighting with The historic path the country traveled in the the unbending conviction in independence their leader 20th century, full of glory, left the imperishable gave them, the honour of the Korean nation will be dis- traces of President Kim Il Sung and leader played more highly in the new century. Kim Jong Il. The two leaders worked together The ideas and achievements of the President are through many years of a century dotted with storms the sure guarantee which enables the Korean people and stresses, creating the history of ever-victorious to implement army-centred policy. leadership together. Always beside the President as The army-centred policy being carried out in an he steered a path through the twists and turns was all-round way by Kim Jong Il, the Supreme Kim Jong Il, and beside Kim Jong Il, under whom a Commander of the Korean People’s Army, is the new era of Juche-oriented revolution has been ush- everlasting method of revolutionary politics and the ered in, always stood President Kim Il Sung. almighty weapon for socialist construction. The leadership of General Secretary Kim Jong Il The establishment of the foundations for army- of the WPK, who is in the vanguard of the Korean centred politics by President Kim Il Sung ensured revolution in the new century, is geared to carrying that the KPA could be trained to be a strong army, into effect President Kim Il Sung’s vision. each of whose members is a match for a hundred The achievements made by President Kim Il Sung foes. It also allowed the all-people national defence for our people and humankind have brilliantly demon- system to be established. strated their merit, accompanied by the triumphant To turn Korea into a strong, prosperous country progress of the Juche cause, thanks to Kim Jong Il. The was the lifetime wish and grand vision of the revolutionary history of the President will be everlast- President. Filled with a burning patriotic ardour, he ing in the hearts and minds of the Korean people. built the foundations for national prosperity from scratch and devoted his all to strengthening the eco- Kim Sun Ryong

Cultural Society Inaugurated in Peru

An inaugural ceremony of the the deputy governor of the provin- was elected honorary chairman Huacho, Peru, Cultural Society ce, and other prominent figures in of the society at the ceremony, for the Study of the Juche Idea the area attended the ceremony. and Delfina Cano Gonzalez, a was recently held. Members of the Humberto Barbamitrani, member of the council, became Council of the Province including deputy governor of the province, the chairman.

My Thanks to His

Development Im Rok Jae,Parental who had been the closerCare to me, having somehow known was born the daughter of director of the DPRK Central that I liked the dish, and encouraged an ordinary peasant’s fam- Botanical Garden, died in mid- me to eat as much as I could. All the I ily, and during the Father- January. The following is what he while he comforted me, telling me not land Liberation War (June 1950- said in his talk with a Korea Today to worry too much about my illness. July 1953) I, as a girl with bobbed reporter. I had a lot to say about how much hair, guided a plough. he worried about my poor condition. I am still moved to tears when I recall the time I underwent the last third operation. He phoned the hospital workers to learn about my condition and urged relevant officials to personally go to see me, saying earnestly that only then could he feel relieved. Even after that he again called the hospital’s senior officials to sincerely ask them to cure me without fail, explaining that I was a valuable, Though now at the age of 80, I talented and patriotic-minded scientist still work for the development of the and one of those who he held most Now, however, I have devel- nation’s botany as enthusiastically and dear. oped into an official in charge of vigorously as ever. This would be His loving care, as great as the provincial farming thanks to the inconceivable without the affection sea, miraculously enabled me to care of President Kim Il Sung. and benefit I received from President recover and be reborn. It was in January Juche 41 Kim Il Sung. Greatly delighted at the news that (1952) that I met the President Thirty-six years ago I was I had completely recovered, he for the first time. diagnosed as suffering from an trustfully said that I had achieved For more than 40 years after- incurable disease. I fell into deep much in the past and had a great wards he led me step by step, despair as I came to realize that my contribution to make to the nation- encouraging me whenever I was life span was already defined. I had building effort in the future, too. confronted with difficulties lest I pushed myself to work hard because He called me a patriot who had should lose my self-belief. I had things I still wanted to written the book “Korean Flora” to I still remember the achieve. provide the basis of botanical President smiling at the fields At dawn one day in July Juche research. The work involved where yellow ears of rice rolled 55 (1966), when it was still so dark collecting all the names of plants in the breeze on his visit to our with thick fog that you could not found in Korea, identifying and cooperative in the autumn of see clearly, the President propagating those domestic plants Juche 47 (1958). unexpectedly called on me as I lay which had previously disappeared, At that time I was the first in my sickbed. making specimens of all the domestic chairperson of the then Ponghwa “How are you feeling? I heard plants I myself collected and making a Cooperative, Kaechon County, that you had been taken ill,” the great contribution to creating forests my native place, South Phyon- President said, holding both my hands of oil-bearing trees. gan Province. before I greeted him. He asked me in In recognition of what I did, the Looking at the vast expanse detail about my condition and the state awarded me the Order of of fields by the Chongchon River, treatment I was receiving. Kim Il Sung and the titles of Labour the President said with great The time for breakfast sud- Hero and People’s Scientist. pleasure that the rice was denly arrived and, when my meal As I have said the President’s ripened quite well. He then was brought in, he moved the trust in and love for me knew no picked up an ear of rice and cal- dish of cooked wild edible greens bounds. culated the number of grains in

4 Missing President

the ear, and even asked in detail Kim II Sung More Than Ever about the quantity a peasant would April arouses deep feelings of ufacture tractors by ourselves in get in the distribution of the rice. reverence for President the spirit of self-reliance. We can He continued to teach me Kim Il Sung in the hearts of the not turn to other countries for this how to improve the management purpose.” of our cooperative and develop Inspired by his words we managed the agricultural economy, and to make a prototype tractor after encouraged me to work more repeated setbacks. But at the trial effectively before leaving. operation it rolled backwards despite its Later, at every possible forward-gear position. Kim Il Sung, opportunity, he taught me how learning of our problem, still encour- to run the cooperative, telling me aged the workers, saying that the failure about the experiences of other implied that the tractor could also be cooperatives. He would often made to go forward. ensure that farming materials It was thanks to his trust in us that were sent to our cooperative so we did not lose courage but instead that we could work well. struggled harder to successfully make That’s not all. the Chollima tractor No. 1. When I was at a loss to know Still vivid in my mind is the image where to begin after I was pro- Korean people. Every time the of the President who was so happy to moted to chairperson of the then month comes round, I hear voices hear of the tractor that he asked us to Kaechon County Cooperative of admiration and praise for him, drive it up to Pyongyang, and then Farm Management Committee in yet this year such emotions have welcomed us with a warm smile on his my twenties, he paid more fre- been stronger in the run-up to his face as we arrived. quent visits to the county and birthday on April 15. Experiencing Afterwards, he often visited our advised me on all aspects of my another nationwide surge of respect plant to discuss factory matters with us work. One day, more than ten for him, I recall the noble image of workers and congratulate us on our years later, he even praised me him, a man who used to plough his achievements. upon my good work. way through difficult situations on Working this way, Kim Il Sung He often took me on his on- the strength of working people like built an independent national economy the-spot guidance trips, giving me me, mixing with them without any on a land where everything had been advice on how to carry out my ceremony. reduced to rubble during the last war. duties. The following events happened The Korean people are now force- When I became engrossed in 1958, five years after the fully hastening the effort to build a only in my work, he would Korean people victoriously strong socialist country by tapping the arrange for me to visit celebrated repulsed the armed invasion of the great potential of the independent spots around the country. US imperialists. My factory had economy. This is all thanks to the In order to broaden my view been turning out simple farming President’s creation of the economic of the world, he once saw to it tools and machines like weeders foundation for the completion of the and thrashers for only a few years. that I went abroad as the single Juche revolutionary cause. None of us had even considered farming representative of a dele- I will soon greet my 80th making tractors. gation. birthday, yet I still work as advisor One day in October, President Thanks to his meticulous care I to a workshop manager at the Kim Il Sung came to inspect my still work as enthusiastically as I factory. I am determined to carry factory. Shaking the workers’ did in my youth, despite having the President’s achievements for- greasy hands, he talked about the ward under the guidance of the reached the age of 70. importance of tractor production. WPK General Secretary “Our peasants have had to toil in Kim Jong Il, reliving the spirit that Laureate of the Order of the fields with outdated tools for I worked with as we made the Kim Il Sung and Labour Heroine too long,” he said earnestly, and country’s first tractor. Kim Rak Hui, advisor-chairperson continued: “In order to free them of the Rural Economy Committee of from the backbreaking labour, we Labour Hero Hong Toe Phyo, South Phyongan Province have no other choice but to man- Kum Song Tractor Factory

5 Our President’s

History has produced many Times”Pastime of the USA visite d say that they enjoyed hunting, anecdotes about the tastes of our country and, in an interview fishing, swimming and the other great men and famous generals. with the President, they asked forms of entertainment. What does President him to tell them how he spent his Chewing over and over again Kim Il Sung like best, and what free time. the profound meaning of his does he most like to do? These He said with modesty that he reply, which had seemed too were the questions that the peo- had no special tastes in life, but he simple and ordinary, they laid ple of the world wanted to know liked to read and spend time with bare their feelings. the answers to. the people. “Mr. President, you are the One particular anecdote clearly The journalists were not only only great man in the world to have shows his taste. impressed but also greatly sur- such a pastime.” In mid-April Juche 81 (1992), prised. They had listened to journalists of the “Washington other presidents and politicians

Time for the People

Before giving on-the-spot state. Another schedule was pro- in six cities and counties, and guidance to Jagang Province, duced, with a reduced number of the total distance to be covered President Kim Il Sung called an days and less time on the road. was over several thousand-ri of official and, explaining the objec- Visits to units in the same field mountainous roads. tives of the tour, ordered him to were cancelled. By doing so, he The official asked him to make a schedule. could reduce the length of the tour extend the schedule even by a The official immediately by five days. few days, as he considered it too went to the area and put together After receiving the schedule, tight. The President answered as a schedule. the President researched the follows: Considering the proposed vis- places he was to visit and the “Our time is precious, to be its, distance and time, 25 days distance to be traveled each day. spent for the people. We should were necessary for the guidance. Saying that the schedule was too make effective use of every The official felt unsure about loose, he picked up a fountain- minute, every second.” his proposal, because he thought pen, rewrote the visits that the Counting each day, he point- that nearly a month of guidance official had cancelled but cut the ed out the units that should be to a single province was too long scheduled number of days from given guidance that day, and the for the President, who took care 20 to 7 days. work that should be done there. of all the affairs of the Party and Dozens of stops were listed,

6 A Parent of All Schoolchildren

N his way home after The children vied with each discuss the preparations for the giving personal guid- other to tell him. One child, how- new school year. Taking mea- O ance to a cooperative ever, said it was good to use text- sures to overcome the difficulties farm, President Kim Il Sung books jointly. the nation’s schools faced, he stopped his car to see schoolchil- Without asking them any emphasized that though the dren returning home after school. more, he affirmed their answers printing of other publications had Children raced each other to and put the books and school- been postponed, paper for print- greet him. things back into the satchel and ing textbooks should be secured He asked them which school returned it to the boy, telling him without fail, and the textbooks they attended, what year they to study well. for primary school children were in, and where they lived. The President’s car set off should be of the best possible Taking a satchel from a child’s once again. Lost in deep thought quality. Not content with this, he shoulder, he looked inside and for a while, he finally said, half to took a measure to form a commit- saw a pencil case, textbooks and himself, that using textbooks tee to prepare for the new school notebooks, and praised the boy jointly meant there was a shortage year. It was to include senior offi- for keeping his textbooks well of textbooks. He then looked out of cials of central, provincial, city and writing neatly. the car window in contemplation. and county organs. Then he asked the children if That same day he called a Concluding the meeting, he they studied together after meeting of the Political Commit- said that this meeting of the school, and what were the good tee of the Workers’ Party of Political Committee was a meet- points of their joint study. Korea’s Central Committee to ing of schoolchildren’s parents.

Rare Squids Sent to Kim Il Sung University Rare squids for scientific creatures, caught in the waters One squid weighs 13 kg and research and education were off Soho, South Hamgyong Pro- is 1.34 m in total length, with the recently sent to Kim Il Sung vince, belong to the Thysan- body length of 70 cm. University, the most prestigious oteuthis rhombus family, and The other weighs 8.5 kg and educational institution in the are the largest of squids as their is 1.15 m long with the body DPRK. arms are shorter than their bod- length of 63 cm. Two of the yellow-brown ies. Books and Modern Equipment Sent to Grand People’s Study House

Last year, 5,000 books and are dictionaries and encyclope- and magazines and tapes from tapes on modern science and dias, including Encyclopedia of various other fields. technology and dozens of Mathematics and Physics and A There are also books on liter- pieces of modern equipment Guide to Electrical Engineering, ature and music. In addition, were sent to the Grand People’s books and magazines covering modern computers, VCRs, Study House, a center of fish-farming, such as Fish Dis- copiers and laser printers were learning for all the Korean ease Prevention Techniques, supplied to facilitate the mod- people. books and tapes on cooking, sci- ernization of the management of Among the books and tapes entific and technological books, the GPSH.

7 Brief History of the Revolutionary Activities of President Kim Il Sung President Kim Il Sung is the founder of the immediately elected Premier of the DPRK Cabinet. Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and the Democratic Not long after, in June 1950, he was elected People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), and the Chairman of the DPRK Military Commission, and founder of socialist Korea. in July of the same year the Supreme Commander The President was born at Mangyongdae, of the Korean People’s Army, leading the country to Pyongyang, on April 15, Juche 1 (1912). victory in the Fatherland Liberation War against He set out on the road of the revolutionary the US imperialists’ aggression. struggle in his early years and formed the Down- He victoriously organized and led the post-war with-Imperialism Union (DIU), the first genuinely reconstruction work and the building of the founda- communist revolutionary organization in Korea, on tions of socialism, and converted the DPRK into a October 17, Juche 15 (1926). This was quickly fol- socialist industrial state by effecting the industrial- lowed by the organization of the Young Communist ization of the country in the short period of 14 years. League of Korea in August 1927. In October 1966 he was elected General Kim II Sung made energetic endeavours to Secretary of the WPK Central Committee, and awaken and organize the popular masses by train- became DPRK President in December 1972. ing a new generation of revolutionaries. In the At the Sixth Congress of the WPK, held in Octo- course of this he was arrested by the reactionary ber 1980, he advanced the task of strengthening police in the autumn of 1929, and was imprisoned the Party and vigorously expediting socialist con- until the spring of the following year. struction, as well as the policy of reunifying Korea Of all his achievements, the greatest was the by the establishment of a Democratic Federal creation of the Juche idea. On the basis of this phi- Republic of Koryo. losophy, he put forward the Juche-based line of the He set out the policy of global independence in a Korean revolution. historic policy speech delivered to the joint confer- On April 25, 1932 he founded the Anti-Japanese ence of the WPK Central Committee and the DPRK People’s Guerrilla Army (AJPGA), and organized Supreme People’s Assembly in April 1982. That and led the anti-Japanese armed struggle. policy was further explained in many of his works, The President stepped up his efforts to liberate and he backed up his words by making every possi- the country with the foundation of the Association ble effort to defend world peace and security. for the Restoration of the Fatherland (ARF), an Throughout the long period from the time he organization of the anti-Japanese national united embarked on the road of revolution in his early front, and was elected its chairman in May 1936. teens to the time he reached his eighties, he led the By uniting all the anti-Japanese forces of Korea he revolution and construction to victory. He passed provided reliable internal revolutionary forces. away in July 1994, conducting energetic activities The historic cause of national liberation was real- for the completion of the Juche revolutionary cause ized in August 1945 thanks to his wise leadership of and the triumph of the cause of global indepen- the arduous anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle. dence to the last moments of his life. After the country’s liberation he put forward the For his enduring exploits he was awarded the line of building a new, democratic Korea and the title of DPRK Generalissimo, that of DPRK Hero task of building the Party, state and armed forces, (three times) and that of Labour Hero. In addition, organizing and leading the struggle for their imple- he was honoured with more than 180 of the highest mentation. On October 10, 1945, he formed the orders and medals of over 70 countries and interna- Central Organizing Committee of the Communist tional organizations, and received the title of hon- Party of North Korea, thus accomplishing the criti- orary citizen from more than 30 cities and that of cally important task of Party founding. honorary professor or honorary doctor from over 20 He established the Provisional People’s Com- renowned foreign universities. mittee of North Korea (PPCNK), a new form of Statues of the President have been erected in government, and was elected its chairman in China and Mongolia. The International Kim Il Sung February 1946. An anti-imperialist, anti-feudal, Prize has been instituted and is being awarded democratic revolution was carried out in a short worldwide. More than 480 streets, institutions and period of time. organizations in more than 100 countries now bear his In February 1947 he was elected chairman of the august name. People’s Committee of North Korea (PCNK). It is stipulated in the Socialist Constitution of the He founded the DPRK in September 1948, and was DPRK that he is the eternal President of the country.

8 Life Dedicated to the Nation

September Juche 77 (1988):President Kim Il Sung acknowledges a warm welcome. Octocber Juche 69 (1980): President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il attend the working people’s evening celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and its 6th Congress.

August Juche 71: The two leaders examine the prototype of a new farm machine. April Juche 76 (1987): Inspecting the training of Korean People’s Army soldiers.

November Juche 75: They visit the Sambong Cooperative Farm in Phyongwon County on the day of DPRK Supreme People’s As- sembly elections.

“President Kim Il Sung was not only a great leader but also a great revolutionary, a great man and a benevolent father of the people.” KIM JONG IL

April Juche 71 (1982): Kim Il Sung among children. October Juche 64: The President meets soldier- builders.

July Juche 69: Examining a model of the long-term plan for the development of the Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Works. April Juche 71 (1982): President Kim Il Sung gives personal guidance to June Juche 65: Labour Hero An Tal Su, the Pyongyang Department Store No.1. management board chairman of the Sowon Cooperative Farm in Pyok- song County, is honoured to have a photograph taken with the top leader of the nation.

February Juche 80: The President visits the Kwangbop Temple on Mt. Taesong. April Juche 82: The President, on his birthday, calls on the incarnation of faith and will Ri In Mo, who is ill in bed at the time.

August Juche 62:Showing warm care to the March Juche 78: Receiving Rev. children of Korean residents in Japan. Moon Ik Hwan, advisor to the south Korean Alliance for a National Demo- cratic Movement. April Juche 74 (1985): President July Juche 78 (1989): Kim Il Sung stands Kim Il Sung meets the son of Zhang Wei- with the internationalist fighter Yakov hua and his company.(Zhang was a Chi- Novichenko after a reception. nese who offered sincere support, moral and material, to the Korean people in their anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle.)

Kim Il Sung enjoys a warm welcome on a foreign visit.

With the Passage of Time charmed by his benevolent and the Indonesian botanists, on simple manner. behalf of President Sukarno and On April 13 when the the Indonesian people, presented President was inspecting a Bogor the flower to President botanical garden, his Indonesian Kim Il Sung on the occasion of counterpart, indicating a precious his 63rd birthday. orchid, told him earnestly that he Looking back with deep emo- wanted to name the flower tion upon those days, Sukarno Guruh Sukarno Putra. Kimilsungia after his esteemed Putra said that naming the flow- name. er Kimilsungia was a demonstra- In April last year the 3rd This was the reason why tion of how much his father Kimilsungia Show was held in Sukarno, who had long revered revered President Kim Il Sung, Pyongyang, commemorating the 89th the President, had led him to the adding that the flower would be birthday of President Kim Il Sung. botanical garden. forever in full bloom in the minds Guruh Sukarno Putra, son of In 1964, Sukarno, on receiv- of the peoples of the two coun- the former Indonesian President ing a report from the garden’s tries. Sukarno, made a congratulatory director explaining that they had Looking round the show, where speech at the opening ceremony created a new kind of orchid, per- hundreds of the full-bloomed flow- of the show. sonally went to see the flower. It ers were on display, he described He said, “My father always was truly a precious and beauti- his feeling as follows: thought from the bottom of his ful flower. Looking at it he want- “Kimilsungia symbolizes the heart of the beautiful scenery of ed to name the flower after a tie of friendship between the Korea and the kind-hearted Korean great man. He asked the director President and my father, and people, and in particular, regarded and botanists there what name between Indonesia and Korea. President Kim Il Sung as his close they had given to the flower. “President Kim Il Sung is friend.” He then recalled the emo- They replied that they had still to always alive in the hearts of tional day of 36 years ago when he name it. mankind, and Kimilsungia will met the President, who was visiting He then said, “This is the most cover the whole world as long as Indonesia at the invitation of Presi- beautiful and precious flower I Marshal Kim Jong Il is continu- dent Sukarno to participate in a have ever seen. I intend to give ing the President’s cause.” function commemorating the tenth it the name of His Excellency His comments make it clear anniversary of the Bandung meet- Kim Il Sung, for whom I have the that the progressive peoples of the ing. deepest reverence.” world remain unchanged in their President Kim Il Sung arrived This was how the immortal warm reverence for the President, in Jakarta, the capital of Indone- flower Kimilsungia came into despite the passage of time. sia in April Juche 54 (1965), and being. Sukarno Putra was immediately In 1975, just ten years later, Choe Il Upper Layer Meteorological Observation Device Developed

Scientists of the Academy of short period of time by scientists Service and Pyongyang Meteoro- Sciences have recently developed an of the Computer Science Institute, logical Observatory. upper-layer meteorological Automation Institute, and Con- It automatically observes observation device which was trol Machine Institute and temperature, humidity, air pres- urgently required for the Mechanical Engineering Institute sure and wind in the upper layer upgrading of meteorological under the Academy of Sciences, of the atmosphere, tens of thou- observation in the country. and in cooperation with the scien- sands of meters above the The device was produced in a tists of the Hydro-Meteorological earth’s surface.

17 Torch of Ranam, Lights the Whole Country The Torch of Ranam, a symbol of rapid progress Working people in all sectors and units of the and innovation in the new century, is now lighting national economy have risen up under this slogan. up every corner of the Democratic People’s Republic They are constantly bringing about improve- of Korea. ments in production, so as to support and defend the It was kindled at the Ranam Coal Mining country with actual results like the workers at Machine Complex, one of the leading coal mining Ranam. machine production centers in the northern region The managers and workers at the Ryongsong of the country, under the direct guidance of leader Machine Complex, a large machinery and equip- Kim Jong Il last year. ment production centre, are redoubling their efforts Filled with boundless patriotic ardour and look- to fulfill their assignments, saying that they must ing forward to a prosperous future for their mother- carry out all tasks without fail, even if they must land, the workers at Ranam buckled down with one move a mountain or dam rough seas if they are mind and with one will to manufacture important required by the country. ordered equipment requiring ultra-modern science They met their targets for last year one month and technology, one of the tasks which leader ahead of schedule and exceeded their January Kim Jong Il had assigned to them while giving his assignments this year, never slackening their spirit- on-the-spot guidance to their enterprise in August ed efforts in the least. At present they are striving Juche 89 (2000). It was completed in less than a to rationalize production, in conformity with the year with the workers’ own efforts and strength, requirements of the era of the information industry. despite the difficult conditions they were working In parallel with this, they are forcefully pushing under. forward the project to equip all production processes, They actively worked to provide everything they from the design stage to the manufacture of equip- needed for production by setting themselves higher ment, with modern technology. goals, in keeping with the requirement of the new As a result, modern and efficient machinery of century, and tapping hidden resources to turn high quality is being produced, including a new type potential into something tangible. At the same time, of compressor. they did all work efficiently, always considering the The workers at the Huichon Machine-Tool Facto- profitability of their work. As a result, a radical ry and the Kusong Machine-Tool Factory are also change has been brought about in their working registering good results in the production of up-to- methods. date machine tools by working hard, the same way True to the ideas and leadership of Kim Jong Il the workers at Ranam do. and afire with a willingness to risk their lives in The Kusong Machine-Tool Factory, which made everything they do, without confining themselves to itself famous at an international exhibition through merely making idle promises and shouting slogans, its NC lathe Kusong-104 product, is now accelerat- they carried out their task in a short time at a high ing the manufacture of a new type of machine tool. level. The spirit of carrying out one’s tasks at the Innovations are also being made in the metal risk of one’s life displayed by them met with a industry. hearty response from the entire population, who are Management and workers at the Songjin Steel burning with a determination to build a strong and Complex have introduced a new smelting method prosperous country on their land at any cost, a coun- into the production process by fully displaying the try which has powerful national strength and in spirit of the Ranam workers. This has enabled them which everything thrives and the people live happily, to produce steel of good quality in larger quantities. lacking nothing in the world. Increased production is also being achieved at the A spark of innovation has spread all over the Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex and many other country. iron and steel plants. “Let us speed up our revolutionary advance in the Uninterrupted innovations have been made in new century, following the Torch of Ranam lit by the power and coal sectors, both of which play a key leader Kim Jong Il!” role in economic development. 18 Hydroelectric power stations in various parts of One of the key projects of the waterway construc- the country, including the Kanggye Youth Power tion is the Taegak dam, a large-scale undertaking to Station, the Jangjingang Power Station and the dam the River Taedong and work has now reached Hochongang Power Station, and the thermal-power an advanced stage. Concrete tamping in the sections plants, including the Pyongyang Thermal-Power of hundreds of metres of the sluice dam and the Complex and the Pukchang Thermal-Power Com- spillway dam is being pushed forward in stages at plex, are increasing power production, surmounting the highest possible standards. difficulties by their own efforts in the spirit and the Many achievements are being registered in sci- manner of work of Ranam, even under unfavourable entific research. conditions. Upholding the idea of the Workers’ Party of The construction of large hydroelectric power Korea, which regards the development of science as stations and minor power stations is being propelled highly important, scientists and technicians at forward. The construction of Anbyon Youth Power the Academy of Sciences are fulfilling their role as Station No.2 is being accelerated towards comple- those directly entrusted with the task of scientific tion. Having completed the major parts of the pro- research. As a result, many good results of eco- ject in a short time, the builders there are currently nomic value and conducive to making the country stepping up the assembly of electric generators. strong and prosperous have been obtained in The Kaechon Area Coal Mining Complex, the research. Sunchon Area Youth Coal Mining Complex and Researchers at the Mechanical Engineering many other coal mines across the country are striv- Research Institute manufactured hundreds of dia- ing to boost the production of coal, the fuel that mond cutting tools suited to the specific conditions drives the nation’s industry. of our country after conducting detailed research. Last month the February 8 Jikdong Youth Coal These tools are now widely used at the sites of Mine and the Chonsong Youth Coal Mine markedly crucial construction projects and are making a con- increased productivity on all indices, including tun- tribution to putting production back on a normal neling and coal mining, as compared with the previ- footing at mines. ous month. In addition, the scientists are giving a helping The Torch of Ranam is shining brightly at light hand to the solution of technical problems arising in industrial factories as well. various fields of the national economy by developing Taking the lead in this sector are those factories a base for super-precision processing, a centre for which had the honour of receiving Kim Jong Il’s on- research and development of vacuum devices, and a the-spot guidance. They include the Sinuiju Textile facility for the production and testing of hydraulic Mill, the Sinuiju Cosmetics Factory, the Pakchon equipment. Silk Mill, the Kusong Textile Mill and the Kanggye Researchers at the Automation Research Insti- Knitwear Factory. tute are accelerating the development of a new, Chicken and catfish plants equipped with mod- ultramodern device which is badly needed in ern machinery have been built in large numbers biotechnology research. throughout the country and the project to modernize By making painstaking efforts, they finished the existing chicken plants is being stepped up. design stage for this device in a short period of time Land realignment and other grand nature-har- and then the assembly of a prototype. The manufac- nessing projects are also making brisk headway. ture of this device is nearing completion. The on-going construction of the Kaechon-Lake With this kind of creative enthusiasm and inde- Thaesong waterway, intended to facilitate an fatigable commitment, workers in every sector of the increase in agricultural production, is nearing com- economy are advancing dynamically, following the pletion thanks to the strenuous efforts of the Torch of Ranam. builders. 19 Musan Workers

The workers at the Musan iron ore transportation station, Iron and Steel Complex and other Mining Complex, Korea’s leading overburden removal conveyor sta- major metallurgical factories in iron ore production centre, are tion and other stations, a truck Korea. making fresh innovations in their maintenance factory, a chisel Like other industrial estab- production, inspired by the Torch head workshop and other facto- lishments, Musan underwent of Ranam. ries, and the prospecting team many trials during the difficult Musan’s main activity is are all contributing their share to economic situation of the “Ardu- opencast mining. iron ore production. ous March” period. An opencast branch mine and Most of the iron ore they pro- Fuel and spare parts required a number of smaller mines, the duce is sent to the Kim Chaek to run the complex’s main equipment, such as large trucks, the 8m3 excavators, and rotation Managers are engrossed in discussion about ways of drills, were in short supply. increasing production of concentrated iron ore. Worse still, the workers constantly suffered food shortages. In order to overcome these difficulties, management at the complex encouraged the employ- ees to face up to the situation rather than giving up. The main project they set was to upgrade the chisel heads of the

20 rotation drills, which were in the work, and they buckled down Efforts were made to raise the short supply at the time and had to the task of manufacturing a operating rate of the grinders as a short working life, being worn chisel head which was three well. The introduction of to a stump by even a relatively times greater than the previous magnet for grinders, which was short drilling distance. This prob- one in efficiency. It proved great- newly developed by the techni- lem had been causing great prob- ly effective in increasing iron ore cians in a short period, propelled lems for the smooth production of output. the operation of grinders. iron ore. The complex also concentrat- Thanks to the devoted activi- The technicians at the chisel ed its efforts on repairing the large ties of the officials, workers and head workshop became the main trucks used for transporting technicians, iron-ore production force of the project, and other ore. On the basis of a thorough has been put back on a normal technicians and workers joined understanding of the conditions track. them to give a helping hand. of the trucks, it distributed those Leader Kim Jong Il visited Documentations on the world- that were out-of-order to related the complex in November last standard chisel heads were stud- units, including the truck repair year. He spoke highly of the suc- ied and analyzed and a new type workshop, the repair station and cess the workers had achieved of chisel head was developed in the maintenance workshop, and and gave new tasks to be carried line with the technical situation told them that they must not fail out. at the complex. to put the trucks back in good Musan is now fully committed The new one delighted the order, raise the skill of the to increasing iron ore production workforce with its 150m drilling drivers, and make regular exami- and technical upgrading, in capability. nation and repair of their trucks. hearty response to the joint edito- The officials, however, derived Detailed measures were taken rial of the major newspapers’ little satisfaction from their first to provide a mobile repair service January 1 issues which appealed effort: their ambition was to to trucks in service. to make a new surge in the build- match the world standard. Why As a result, hundreds of large ing of a powerful nation. can’t we do what others can do? trucks have resumed regular Let us do our best, they thought. operation to carry the extracted This was their attitude towards iron ore to the crushing field. Yun Yong Gum

An opencast mining site.

An effective system has been laid out for the transportation of ore.

21 The National Mineral Resources Survey Group The National Mineral ical structure. country to continue research pro- Resources Survey Group, estab- It was only nine years after jects. Many newly found lished in January Juche 44 its formation that the group com- resources are the fruition of their (1955), is commissioned to sys- pleted a geological map of the painstaking endeavours. tematically investigate the coun- country with a scale of 1: Korea is now focusing on devel- try’s geological structure and 200,000. Further projects were oping its science and technology, mineral resources, support the then successfully undertaken: the which it considers as one of the reasonable development and production of detailed regional mainstays for the building of a usage of the minerals found and maps, all of them on a scale of 1: powerful nation. This policy was offer proper prospecting methods 50,000. Their devoted efforts reiterated in the joint editorial of suitable to given areas. resulted in a comprehensive the January 1 issues of the The organization is subdivid- understanding of the nation’s DPRK’s three major newspapers. ed into nearly 20 research teams, geological conditions and distri- The minerals survey group is including those of ferrous metals, butions of the mineral resources. therefore shouldering more impor- nonferrous metals, fossils, geolog- In the course of their work tant tasks—the search for rare ical structure and mining engi- they have discovered many minerals, which have not yet been neering, as well as a number of deposits of materials like those found in the country, and more affiliates. The staff come from for cement production, phospho- deposits of non-ferrous metals, as Kim Il Sung University, Kim rus, boron, titanium, zirconium, well as intensifying their studies Chaek University of Technology, rhenium and other rare minerals into how to make the best use of Sariwon University of Geology, badly needed by the national identified mineral resources. Phyongsong University of Coal economy, the metal and Mining, and other institutes of chemical industries in partic- higher education. Among them are ular. seven Doctors and dozens of Their work has not always Masters of Science; one of them been plain sailing, however. Researchers analyze ore. has discovered a number of fos- Innumerable obstacles have sils of primitive forms of life and cropped up in recent years, thus given great service to the the result of years of tough correct analysis of Korea’s economic conditions. Never- geological eras; another has made a theless, they did not falter, considerable contribution to the making their way across systematic research of the geolog- mountains throughout the

22 Five-Point Policy of Great National Unity—A Programme for Reunification

Four years ago, on April 18, Juche 87 (1998), a national reliance on outside forces and take the position that the seminar was held in Pyongyang on the occasion of the 50th reunification issue, the internal affair of our nation, should anniversary of the Joint Conference of Representatives of be solved by the concerted efforts of our own people. Political Parties and Social Organizations from North and Love for one’s country and nation is the ideological South. basis for great national unity, and national reunification is Leader Kim Jong Il sent a historic letter titled, “Let Us the common cause of our nation. Reunify the Country Independently and Peacefully Through Although there are differences between the north and the the Great Unity of the Entire Nation”, to the seminar. south, the ideal of love for the country and nation and the The letter expressed his resolve and will to reunify desire for national reunification are common to all the Kore- Korea in our generation by taking over and carrying forward an people. the idea of great national unity advanced by President That is why the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Kim Il Sung and the exploits he performed in embodying consistently maintains the principle of national indepen- this idea. dence and has thoroughly opposed domination by and Leader Kim Jong Il’s firm determination is clearly mani- reliance upon foreign forces. The DPRK is united with any- fested in the Five-Point Policy of Great National Unity he one who truly loves the country and nation, giving priority established. to the national interest, and is willing to follow the road of The policy is a great political programme for national national reunification. reunion which perfectly clarifies the basis and ideal of unity Great national unity can never be achieved of its own and the ways and means of realizing it. It involves adhering accord: it is accompanied by a fierce struggle with those to the principle of national independence; uniting under the who seek to hinder it. banner of love for our country and nation and the banner of Our nation has never tolerated in the least the plots of national reunification; improving the relations between the external aggressors aimed at domination, intervention, inva- north and the south of Korea; fighting against domination sion and war, checking and frustrating them at every step. and intervention by foreign forces and against the anti-reuni- The Korean people are now conducting a vigorous reunification forces; and promoting mutual contact and dialogue fication campaign on the principle of national independence and strengthening the solidarity and unity of the whole and by their concerted efforts, in accordance with the spirit nation. The policy is a historic document which has opened of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration. up a new, higher stage in the cause of achieving national However, the national reunification movement is now unity and a new era of national reunification. confronted with a grave challenge. The United States, which For the loftiness of its ideal, the profoundness of its con- divided the Korean nation into two, is now aggravating the tent and feasibility, the policy is gaining a warmer response situation on the Korean peninsula by hampering the indepen- from all the Korean people as the days go by. dent and peaceful reunification of our nation and intensify- Along with the Ten-Point Programme for the Great ing its anti-DPRK, anti-reunification maneuvers once again. Unity of the Whole Nation, the Five-Point Policy, which has The prevailing situation makes it necessary for the Kore- developed and enriched the idea of President Kim Il Sung on an nation to reinforce its internal pro-reunification patriotic great national unity in line with the demands of a new era, is forces in every way. the militant banner which arouses all Koreans to an active The united strength of the whole nation makes it possi- struggle for national unity. ble to resist the anti-national, anti-reunification offensive of National independence is essential to bringing about a the aggressive foreign forces and achieve victory over them. new phase in the efforts to achieve national reunification Now is the time when all fellow compatriots must unite through great national unity. to achieve the independent and peaceful reunification of It is only when we maintain the principle of national Korea in accordance with the Five-Point Policy of Great independence that we can achieve great national unity and National Unity. accomplish national reunification in accord with the national Kim Jong Il, who is leading the whole nation along the interest. road to reunification, is the central figure in the quest for the No one can realize the reunification of our nation on our great unity of our nation. behalf. Therefore, relying on foreign forces is a foolish policy His fellow Koreans will accomplish the independent which is tantamount to putting our necks into a noose of reunification cause, closely rallied around him. subjugation of our own accord. If a politician truly wants to follow the patriotic road for the sake of his country and nation, he should abandon Kim Myong Hui

From Kim Il Sung’s Reminiscences “With the Century” Fighters from Northern Manchuria

(Continued from the previous issue) his unit was so great because it was said that Kang Kang Kon was also among my comrades-in-arms Kon’s men had a strong sense of organization and from northern Manchuria whom I met in the Far discipline. East region. Kang Kon displayed his talent and ability as a Prior to the formation of the IAF, I met Kang military commander to the full. His military talent Kon during my stay in Camp North. He was so was displayed more conspicuously when we delighted to see me that all the military and politi- employed small-unit activities. Kang Kon was par- cal cadres of the 2nd and 3rd Route Armies present ticularly good at ambushing and derailing trains. there were surprised. Among the military and polit- Once he derailed a train carrying only Japanese ical cadres in northern Manchuria only Zhou Bao- officers. During the period of small-unit activities zhong and some other commanding officers from he dealt heavy blows to the enemy by derailing the 5th Corps knew the relationship between Kang trains and demolishing railway bridges, roads and Kon and me. arsenals. Kang Kon and I were old acquaintances. When I On the day of my reunion with Kang Kon we was in Manchuria I met him once during our first unburdened our hearts on the bank of the Amur for expedition to northern Manchuria and another time many hours. during the second expedition to that place. He lived with us from the time when the IAF He had been active as the political commissar of were organized. The house in which Kang Kon, I the 9th Regiment, 3rd Division, 5th Corps since and some others lived was called a tori house in 1938. Judging from the fact that he had become a those days. The leading commanders of the allied regimental political worker soon after his enlist- forces lived in this house. ment, I could guess how great was the trust he A tori house was a cylindrical building common enjoyed. in Siberia in those days. In this type of house, After we adopted our policy of small-unit activ- rooms were arranged around the corridor. ities at the Xiaohaerbaling conference, the 5th In later days I talked with Kang Kon on a num- Corps also reorganized its structure. Kang Kon ber of occasions. Flawless in thinking and practice, was then appointed political commissar of the Guard he talked in an amusing way. Some people regarded Company under the direct control of the him as a dry and strict commander, but they said General Headquarters of the 2nd Route Army. that because they did not know him well. Kang Kon The head of the Guard Company was Pak Rak was cool-headed and lucid, as well as simple and Kwon. honest. Yet he was sentimental and kindhearted, Whenever I met the messengers frequenting too. northern Manchuria, I inquired after Kang Kon, He did not gild his assertions or views, but and each time I was told he was fighting well. He frankly talked about what he ordinarily thought was well-known in the 5th Corps as a promising without embellishing anything. commander. Kang Kon talked a great deal about his native He made a name for himself in only two or three place, Sangju, in North Kyongsang Province. He years after his enlistment. This was possible not said he had left Sangju when he was ten years old. only because he fought well, but also because he Although he had left his native place at such a loved the people dearly. young age, he still described it vividly and pined for It is said that people were very attached to him, it. regarding him as a straightforward and honest At that time Kang Kon said several times that man. Whenever he entered a village in command of Sangju was famous for liquor and silk. According to his unit, the villagers warmly welcomed him, say- him, it was also a big producer of persimmons. ing that Political Commissar Kang had come. More- Whenever he talked about the liquor, persim- over, they vied with each other in imploring him to mons and silk of Sangju as well as about the Rak- admit their children to his unit. The popularity of tong River and Mt. Sokri, his eyes became moist.

Although outwardly dry and cool-headed, he could and the leader as well as from his revolutionary not control his emotion, like a poet, and became principles. He is right. Kang Kon was a talented offi- more talkative than usual once he started talking cial worthy of being followed by our successors, as about his native place. He recollected with sorrow well as an attractive military commander. He was his elder sister, whom he had left with another fami- killed in action at a too young age. If he had lived, ly as the future wife for their son. he would have done a lot more work for the building Those who love their native places as ardently as of the armed forces. Kang Kon did his, will be enthusiastic in making Kang Kon was devoted to the revolution to the revolution. One who loves his birthplace warmly will last moment of his life. He did not have any rest love his country ardently, and such a man will be throughout his life. After Japan’s defeat he could not enthusiastic about making revolution. return to Korea, his homeland, as he was helping the The acquaintance between Kang Kon and me Chinese revolution. He took part in the opera- developed into warm comradely love in the days of the tions to liberate Northeast China as commander of IAF. What I admired in Kang Kon in particular was his extraordinary military eye and a high sense of responsibility. He possessed exhaustive military knowledge. Whenever we debated a military operation, he expressed his opinion enthusiastically. His assertions were unique and had profound meaning. Kang Kon was good at Chinese and Russian. He started learning Russian after he came to Camp North. Before long, he was able to converse with Soviet officers and read the Military Regulations of the Soviet Union published in Russian. Both the Soviet and Chinese peoples admired his clear head. He invented and used his own abbreviations for Chi- nese characters. Kim Chaek rejoiced over Kang Kon’s development more than anyone else. At one time they were teacher and student. When he was active in Ningan, Kim Chaek taught at a private school for some time, and Kang Kon studied there. “Sin Thae was considered a genius in his private Kang Kon. school days. He could already recite The Three War- ring Kingdoms in those days,” said Kim Chaek. Sin the Jidong military sub-district. Thae was Kang Kon’s real name. Kang Kon formed many units with Koreans dur- Although Kim Chaek and Kang Kon were former ing the operations to liberate Northeast China. It is teacher and student, they were like twins so far as said that the number of Koreans who took part in their qualities were concerned. In his lifetime Kim these operations amounted to 250,000. Kang devel- Chaek was famous for being straightforward and hon- oped stomach trouble owing to overwork. When he est. Kang Kon also possessed these qualities in equal worked as chief of Camp No. 2 of the Security Offi- measure. So far as the principles and abilities of the cers Training Centre back home, he had a lot of two men were concerned, they were similar. trouble because of a gastric ulcer. In those days he When Kang Kon was Chief of General Staff after never ate regular meals, and I made sure that at liberation, many of his subordinates were older than banquets he was not plied with strong drinks. him and quite a few of them had longer revolution- Kang Kon accomplished great exploits in the ary careers than he had. However, all of them were building of the people’s armed forces. The military reserved towards him because they knew well that achievements of our People’s Army in the first stage he was a man of strong revolutionary principles. of the war, such as the victories in the battles to lib- Kang Kon did not make the least concession to erate Seoul and Taejon, are largely associated with anyone as far as principles were concerned. He did Kang Kon. not forgive those who abandoned their principles, After the People’s Army advanced into the area even though they might be his close relatives. around the Raktong River, Kang Kon reported the Comrade Kim Jong Il stresses to officials the situation on the frontline to me. In the middle of his need to learn from Kang Kon’s loyalty to the Party report he said that in a few days he would be able to

25 reach Sangju, his native place, and meet his elder acteristics of each of them briefly. For instance, he sister. However, to our regret, he was killed in described Kang Sang Ho as having a marvellous action not far from his native place in September memory, Kim Ryong Hwa and Kim Tae Hong as 1950. crack shots, Jang Sang Ryong, Kim Ji Myong and Kang Kon was a talented official. He was at Jon Pong So as being nimble and diligent, Kim Jung home both in political and military affairs. He was Dong as having a quick eye and Ryu Ung Sam as an 32 years old when he fell in action. Even the Soviet expert farmer. I found out later that his descriptions people envied us for having a young Chief of were accurate. General Staff. It was really a tragedy that Kang Kang Sang Ho had a clear head, Kim Ryong Kon died at such a young age. Hwa and Kim Tae Hong were crack shots, and We awarded the title of Hero of the Democratic Jang Sang Ryong, Kim Ji Myong, Jon Pong So, People’s Republic of Korea to Kang Kon. In order to Pak U Sop and Kim Yang Chun were diligent and preserve his achievements for posterity, we named honest people who did any tasks assigned to them the First Central Military Academy the Kang Kon immediately, without putting them off. When he Military Academy. On the occasion of the 20th was at the training base in the Far East region, anniversary of the foundation of the Republic, we Jang Sang Ryong ran errands frequently between had a bronze statue erected to Kang Kon’s memory Kim Chaek and me. in the city of Sariwon. Ryu Ung Sam was well-informed about farming. It is really regrettable that we have lost Kang When he was in northern Manchuria, he was in Kon. I frequently think of him even now. charge of farming in the guerrilla zone. At Camp When they were going to the training base in the North, too, he took part in all the affairs of the side- Far East region, all the anti-Japanese fighters from line farm. At one time he worked as chief of the side- eastern Manchuria wanted to meet those Koreans line farming department in the Ministry of the Peo- who had fought in northern Manchuria. It is said ple’s Armed Forces. that those from northern Manchuria also felt the In those days I also met Choe Min Chol and Ri same. Jong San. The latter was the youngest of the men in When I went to Camp North for the first time, all northern Manchuria. When Choe Yong Jin reminded the Korean soldiers from northern Manchuria came us of how Ri Jong San had fallen down from his bed out of their barracks and welcomed me. The over- at the sound of a shot announcing an emergency call, whelming majority of them were strangers to me. all of us held our sides, laughing. When I was about to leave Camp North, they were Women soldiers who came from northern reluctant to let me go. It seems like only yesterday. Manchuria had an open-hearted character in Korean fighters from northern Manchuria treat- general. There are many vast plains in northern ed those from eastern Manchuria as if they had Manchuria. It seems that if people live in a wide come from their native country. There was no differ- area, their character also becomes open-hearted. ence between northern and eastern Manchuria in that They were all adept at riding. they both belonged to Manchurian territory. Among the women soldiers from northern Nevertheless, eastern Manchuria is considerably Manchuria, Pak Kyong Suk and Pak Kyong Ok nearer to Korea than northern Manchuria. Eastern were the best wireless operators and Wang Ok Manchuria was developed by Koreans, and Koreans Hwan was the best horse rider. Ri Suk Jong was pioneered the revolution there. So it was not unrea- also said to be good at riding. Ho Chang Suk, Jon sonable that all of them regarded eastern Manchuria Sun Hui and Jang Hi Suk were outstanding mem- as part of their homeland. bers of the sewing unit. Ri Kye Hyang was a crack Anti-Japanese fighters from eastern Manchuria shot. had advanced into the homeland in company with Whenever he introduced his colleagues, Choe me on several occasions. Therefore, it was natural Yong Jin put in a vainglorious phrase and in doing for people from northern Manchuria to treat us as so, each time his face would bear a funny expression, people from their homeland. provoking a smile. In my days in West Jiandao I had When I went to Camp North for the first time, occasionally heard that Choe Yong Jin was a funny Kim Ryong Hwa was noticeable for his impressive man. However, when I met him personally, I found moustache. him to be wittier than I had expected. Next to him was Choe Yong Jin, a big joker. He also grew his moustache. He stepped forward and (To be continued) introduced his fellows one after another. He did not From Chapter 23 “In Alliance With the stick to formality and was so light-hearted that I did International Anti-Imperialist Forces,” Part 1 not feel at all that he was a stranger to me. “The Anti-Japanese Revolution” When introducing people, he explained the char-

26 The Woman Who Lives on in the Minds of the People April 21 this year marks the 110th He felt his heart breaking when he anniversary of the birth of noticed how his mother was trying to Kang Pan Sok, an indomitable revolu- conceal the state of her health from tionary fighter. him. She actively helped her husband At that time the President thought: Kim Hyong Jik, an outstanding leader “What if I continue with the under- of the anti-Japanese national liberation ground struggle for a few years more? movement in Korea, and bore and Is it not right for me to do so and call brought up President Kim Il Sung. Her at my home once every few months to noble image remains engraved deep in discuss household affairs and console the minds of all people decade after my mother? Is that not my filial duty decade and century after century. to my mother, a woman who has lived Recalling his mother. President in hardship all her life and suffered Kim Il Sung said: unusually bitter experiences?” “The love she showed me was not Reading his mind, his mother said: simply motherly love. It was true rev- “You seem to have changed a little olutionary affection with which she from before. I never thought you regarded me as the son of the nation would carry a sack of cereal here on rather than her own son and she awak- your back to support your mother. I ened me to the need to give priority to suppose you are anxious about me. I loyalty to the country over filial piety with bitterness. The shock the young am grateful to you for your great filial towards my parents.” President got that day was great. devotion, but I am not of the type to While managing household affairs Recalling the incident, the be comforted by that. In Fusong I which were a great burden to her, she President wrote in his reminiscences: would cross rugged hills, holding your actively assisted in the revolutionary “All my life as a revolutionary I have hand, in order to expand the Women’s activities of her husband and her son met and bid farewell to many people, Association. Do you think I did so to throughout her life. but that was a particularly memorable get this sort of consolation today? You As the eldest daughter-in-law of a experience. have a greater cause to attend to. family of twelve, she was constantly “As I set out on a journey again, Don’t you think you should carry out on her feet. At a time when feudalism as soon as I had met my mother after a your father’s wishes? You know there prevailed, the duties of the eldest fortnight’s long travel from Mangy- are many Koreans who are suffering a daughter-in-law of such a large family ongdae, I thought a lot about her.” worse situation than me. Don’t worry were not simple. But busy as she was, Kang Pan Sok reared her son about me, just hurry along on your own she did all she could to help her hus- into a great revolutionary with such way.” band in his revolutionary activities and a stout heart. This was her immortal In his recollections of that time, infused a strong sense of patriotism exploit. the President said: into the mind of her son. Many years have passed. But the “I would often think: If at that Helping her son on a swing time story about the large mal of foxtail time my mother had betrayed her anx- and again, she implanted the noble millet (a large mal of grain is about iety about household affairs or had intention and will of her husband in 15 kg) which was widely recounted uttered a single word which could his mind. at the beginning of the 1930s touch- unbend my resolute mind, what Hearing that his father had been es the hearts of our people even impact would it have made on the arrested again by the Japanese police today. heart of her son who was ready to in Juche 14 (1925), the young When the President bought a large spread his wings and fly up into the President, who was attending the mal of foxtail millet and visited sky?” Changdok School in Pyongyang at the Tuqidian in Xiaoshahe, his mother’s Even today, the President’s words time, arrived at Badaogou, China, illness had become very serious. produce an irresistible yearning for after walking a distance of 1,000 ri But that night she talked with her Kang Pan Sok in the hearts of the (250 miles). Nevertheless, his mother son until after midnight without Korean people. made him leave at once, refusing to betraying her emotions. When men- Her image, still shining in their allow him to stay with her even for tion was made of the family’s liveli- hearts, will shine more brightly than one night, despite the fact she had not hood or the condition of her health, ever in the rich and powerful Korea of seen him for two years. she would hastily change the subject the 21st century. At that time her heart ached, filled of conversation to other topics. Sin Mun Gyong 27

Devotion Carved on Prison Wall

it. Kong Sun, who was explaining the wall inch by inch with his each photo, said, “This picture fingernails, blood would flow was taken shortly before my from his fingers, and his finger- repatriation to the north.” He nails become worn away. But he then told me a story about it. did not stop. The map was com- Due to a turncoat’s informa- pleted in just 52 days. Even the tion, Kong Sun had been arrest- major mountain ranges and rail- ed while fighting for national ways linking both halves of reunification and sentenced to Korea were included in the map. life imprisonment. He began his He named it the “reunification prison life at the Sodaemun map”. Prison in Seoul. He renewed his resolve before Various thoughts gnawed at the map every morning, and him—hatred for the turncoat, a every evening he reviewed his feeling of futility over his efforts ORMER unconverted daily life. for national reunification, and a long-term prisoner Ri He was moved to Taejon and F Kong Sun was the weak- disappointment at his failure to Kwangju prisons and returned to est prisoner I have ever met. continue his struggle. One day, while passing The moment I met him I won- the time in quiet contem- dered how he could have sur- plation, a thought flashed vived in prison for 33 years in across his mind: “Sitting such poor health. As if he had idle is the life of a recluse, read my mind, he said, “In the an escape from reality. I embrace of our Republic I have must do something.” He become fairly healthy. I have also decided to draw a map of gained weight. In the south Korea on the cell wall to Korean prison none of my com- give other comrades the rades believed that I could sur- courage to fight more vig- vive. But I could not die before orously for national national reunification.” He then reunification. took out two thick picture Prison guards constant- albums and placed them before ly watched the prisoners, me. One contained pictures taken often torturing them, and in south Korea, the other it was no easy job to draw pictures from the north. a map on the wall. To I turned over leaf after leaf, make matters worse, he until one particular picture had no tools with which arrested my eye. A Korean map to draw. The “reunification map” drawn by could clearly be seen, although Kong Sun did not give Ri Kong Sun on a prison wall dur- efforts had been made to efface up, however. Scratching ing his imprisonment. 28 the Sodaemun Prison nearly 20 was released, having spent 33 wife and felt as though he could years later. By chance he was years behind bars. He paid his see the whole land to its end. He thrown into cell No.8 on the sec- first visit as a free man to the was as cheerful as a child, but the ond floor, the very cell in which Sodaemun Prison. He went to his reunification map on the cell he had started his prison life. The old cell, and standing before the wall floated vividly before his first thing he did was to look for map, renewed his pledge to con- eyes. the map on the wall. Only its out- tinue his struggle until the day of “The reunification map of this line remained, for the guards had national reunification. country in my mind linked by a done everything they could to In mid-September last year, terrestrial stratum from Mt. erase the map. He carved it deep- the former long-term prisoners Paektu was completed nearly 40 er so it could not be effaced. and their families visited Mt. years ago. But half of the country After subsequent transfers to Paektu. Kong Sun climbed the is still under the jackboots of the Chongju and Kwangju prisons he mountain hand in hand with his US imperialism. At this thought my heart burned with hatred for the sworn enemy,” Kong Sun recalled. Hearing his story, I realized more clearly than ever that national reunification is the burning desire of the Korean people, the realization of which does not brook any further delay. I am convinced that the day of reunification is not far-off, as all Kore- ans, including the former unconverted long-term prisoners, are working hard to achieve it. I left Kong Sun’s home picturing the day of reunification, a day when all our compatriots will hug each other with joy. Ri (center) with his family. Ryu Kyong Hui

Great Korean Encyclopedia Compiled

Compilation of the 30-vol- est scientific and technological Its contents are so enormous ume Great Korean Encyclopedia materials of Korea and other that it would take nearly 30 has been completed by the Sci- countries. years to read all the entries at a ence and Encyclopedia Press. It contains information on rate often per day. The encyclo- The encyclopedia covers his- politics, economics, culture, the pedia is considered a treasure of tory, culture, nature, geography, military and many other fields, Korea and the world. customs, legends, biographies of and indexes the 100,000 entries in famous individuals and the lat- Korean alphabetical order.

Victorious Spirit of the Pyongyang Declaration

At present the global socialist severe crisis on the socialist The declaration proved that movement is entering a new movement. socialist society is a true people’s stage of development, overcoming The imperialists and their society where the popular masses the crises caused by the imperial- spokesmen, cheering the develop- become the masters of everything ist reactionaries and socialist ments, put forward various abus- and everything serves the mass- renegades. es and false rumours. Announc- es. It also clearly revealed the Against this background, the ing the collapse of socialism in anti-popular and corrupt nature revolutionary parties and peoples several countries as the “defeat of the capitalist society, where a of the world are commemorating and end” of socialism, they dis- handful of exploiters control the tenth anniversary of the pub- torted the truth, describing the everything and regard the popu- lication of the Pyongyang Decla- events as the “inevitable result” lar masses as the objects of history ration. They will use the occasion of both the “unscientific nature” and means of production. to confirm their determination to of the socialist ideal and the The truth and vitality of the further strengthen international “defects” of the socialist system, declaration are more fully dis- unity and solidarity and speed up and launched open attempts to played with each passing day. their advance towards the accom- completely remove socialism from For the ten years since the pub- plishment of the socialist cause. the face of the earth. lication of the declaration, the This shows that people invari- The circumstances caused some global revolutionary parties and ably aspire for socialism because people a great deal of uneasiness, peoples have adhered to it as of its truth and that the declara- causing them to sway ideological- their program of struggle and a tion provides the driving force of ly due to a lack of confidence or weapon in their active endeav- the socialist movement. delusions about capitalism, dis- ours to resume the socialist The declaration is an important card their faith in socialism and movement and advance its cause. guarantee enabling the revolu- revolutionary principles and The declaration was signed by tionary parties and peoples to avoid or give up their struggle. 70 parties at the time of its adop- defend and hold fast to the social- Some parties adopted an oppor- tion. It has now been signed by ist cause against all the attempts tunistic attitude or began a pro- more than 250 parties, displaying by the international counter-rev- cess of degeneration. its magnetic force and influence olutionary force to destroy it. The turmoil seriously impaired in stimulating the progressive The publication of the declara- the development of revolution peoples to the struggle for social- tion, titled “Let Us Defend and and mankind’s cause of indepen- ism and independence. Advance the Cause of Socialism”, dence. This shows that the declaration on April 20 Juche 81 (1992) was a All these events urgently has won the absolute support and historic event which dealt a deci- required that the truth and just- sympathy of the revolutionary sive blow to the reactionaries and ness of socialism and the sure- parties and peoples, providing their anti-socialist offensive, and ness of its final victory should be the guidelines for the resumption was of epochal significance in the confirmed, so as to give confi- and development of the global resumption and advance of the dence and strength to the world’s socialist movement. socialist movement. revolutionary peoples and frus- Those many countries around The declaration reflected the trate the fanatical anti-socialist the world which have worked to revolutionary parties and peo- behaviour of the reactionaries build a new society aspire for ples’ iron will to defend and who were clamouring about the socialism and independent devel- push forward the socialist cause “failure” and “end” of socialism. opment. They are waging a strug- at a time when socialism was They also necessitated a fresh gle against domination and sub- experiencing unexpected crisis program of struggle and a new ordination by the imperialists and confusion. banner of revolution, in order to and their neo-colonial exploita- The world was faced with a rebuild and develop the global tion and plunder. quite complicated and serious sit- socialist movement. It is clear that the socialist uation: socialism had given way The Pyongyang Declaration, movement is accelerating its to capitalism in many countries, reflecting these historical advance despite the imperialists the result of both the anti-social- requirements, was thus adopted, and reactionaries’ unprecedent- ist strategy of the imperialists ushering in a new era in which edly violent schemes to obliterate and the traitorous conduct of the socialist movement advances it. renegade revolutionaries. This on the basis of independence, as abnormal situation inflicted a required by its intrinsic nature. Choe Song Guk 30 Symbol of Our Principles and Faith

For 70 years since announcing which to shoot the enemy; it rep- its birth and firing the first shot resents the life of a revolutionary. in the anti-Japanese war the It symbolizes the principles and Korean People’s Army has faith of revolutionaries and is the advanced along the road of glory, manifestation of an ardent love of winning victory after victory. the future. I cannot but be moved with The truth was more deeply fresh, deep emotion as I look engraved in my mind during the back upon protracted and arduous war against the US aggressors in struggles of the past. the 1950s, and through the prac- It was through the flames of tice of revolution I was able to the struggle that I felt in my develop into an army political bones the revolutionary truth officer. that if we are to defeat an armed Credit for my realization of the years ago. The revolutionary enemy we must arm ourselves, truth to such a great extent must armed force has now become a the undeniable truth that the go to the President, who allowed peerless one equipped with mod- gun is as precious a weapon in me to join the youth company and ern means of attack and defence, revolution as one’s life. took parental care of me. capable of mercilessly striking As the son of an ordinary peas- The gun of revolution held high the enemy anywhere on earth. ant, I joined the youth company by the President 70 years ago is No threat or appeasement of of the Anti-Japanese Guerrilla now more firmly maintained than the imperialists will ever work on Army in my teens. I still get ever thanks to leader us, who treasure the gun as much excited thinking of the joy I felt Kim Jong Il’s idea of giving prior- as our life. as I received a new uniform and a ity to the army. As long as we have the gun, rifle. I, a very young man of no Kim Jong Il declared, “We can which sustained us through the experience, came to hold the live without the sweets, but not anti-Japanese war, became weapon of revolution, the life of a without bullets.” stronger during the war against revolutionary, thanks to President His iron-willed declaration the US invaders, and is now firm- Kim Il Sung. resulted from a correct analysis ly maintained by Kim Jong Il, our It was only later on that I fully of the DPRK’s proud history, in motherland is invincible. realized the value of the rifle in which great importance has been We will allow no enemy to set my hand. At that time my only attached to the gun through gen- foot on our land. Should they desire was to shoot the Japanese erations, and is a strong appeal make the mistake of invading our imperialists and landlords so as for all revolutionaries to hold the country, they will not avoid the to fully satisfy my grudge. gun more firmly. fate of forlorn wandering spirits. The ceaseless, fierce battles we Our present armed forces are fought gradually taught me the not the young ranks who armed true worth of my weapon. themselves with the weapons Kim Chol Man, It is not only a weapon with they seized from the enemy 70 an anti-Japanese fighter 31 KPA Celebrates 70th Anniversary of Its Founding The Korean people are now commemorating the 70th new, higher plane by Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il. anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army, Through his unremitting efforts to embody the ideas and the revolutionary armed force of the Workers’ Party of theories of President Kim Il Sung, he is now leading the Korea. Korean revolution as a whole to a new victory. The founding of the Korean People’s Revolutionary It is his unshakeable belief that the People’s Army must Army by President Kim Il Sung on April 25 Juche 21 play the role of pillar and main force in realizing the cause (1932) was a historic event which proclaimed the birth of a of Korean-style socialism, a conviction he has consistently new, Juche-type revolutionary armed force for the first time demonstrated in his revolutionary activities. in the history of army building of the working class. In the whole process of leading the Korean revolution Over the last 70 years, from the time of its founding to he has always paid primary attention to military affairs and the present day, the Korean revolutionary armed force has increasing the nation’s military strength, putting forward creditably discharged its noble mission for the country and the revolutionary philosophy that the army is the Party, the people and for our era and revolution, all the while guaran- State and the people. teeing by force of arms the revolutionary cause pioneered He has newly defined army-centred politics as the basis by President Kim Il Sung. of his policies, in keeping with the requirements of revolu- The KPRA, which began the anti-Japanese war in accor- tionary development, and has accomplished the strengthen- dance with the Juche-orientated revolutionary line put for- ing of the country’s military and national power as a whole ward by the President, waged a bloody struggle over a long through his army-centred revolutionary leadership. period of time and ultimately expelled the one-million As part of the policy of modeling the whole army upon strong Japanese imperialist army, despite a situation in the Juche idea set out by Kim Jong Il, the political work has which there was neither state assistance nor a rear area to been further intensified within the army. As a result, the rely on, and thus accomplished the historic cause of national People’s Army is now pervaded with a spirit of warm love liberation. In the course of this struggle, the glorious tradi- for the Party, leader, country and people, and it has grown tions of the revolutionary armed force were established. into a powerful army in which the spirit of unity between The Korean People’s Army, the direct successor to the officers and men and unity between the army and the people KPRA, defeated the US imperialist aggressors, who boasted prevails. of being “the strongest” in the world, in the fierce, three- Under Kim Jong Il’s leadership, the policy of turning year-long Fatherland Liberation War (June 1950-July 1953), the army into an army of cadres has been implemented and ensuring the independence of the country and the dignity of its modernization accomplished. the Korean nation. This has enabled the People’s Army to become an army In the difficult post-war days, too, the People’s Army which is equipped with means of attack and defence power- firmly defended the Party, the leader and the gains of the ful enough to annihilate any aggressors at a stroke and revolution and reliably guaranteed the victorious advance of armed with a Juche military strategy. the socialist revolution and socialist construction by force of Through his frequent on-the-spot guidance of People’s arms, frustrating the enemy’s ceaseless manoeuvres to trig- Army units he infused ever-victorious resourcefulness and ger off another war and the class enemy’s challenge. bravery into its officers and men, showing love for and Whenever our country faced harsh trials, the officers putting confidence in them. It is through this process that and men of the People’s Army not only defended the head- the KPA has grown into an invincible army which has quarters of the revolution at the risk of their lives and safe- formed tight bonds with the supreme commander. guarded the Korean-style socialist system, but also per- It is the will of the KPA to mercilessly eliminate all formed remarkable feats in every difficult sector of socialist aggressors if they invade even a millimetre of the sacred economic construction. sky, land or sea of their country. The Korean People’s Army has creditably discharged its Today, the revolutionary spirit of soldiers he implanted noble mission, displaying its might as an invincible army dur- in every heart has become the source of the ideological and ing the long course of a revolution full of vicissitudes. It could mental strength which enables the people to achieve mira- do so because it has been led by a brilliant commander. cles and brings about continuous innovation. President Kim Il Sung, using his gift of far-sightedness, The Korean revolutionary armed force which took its routed the Japanese imperialists and liberated the country by first steps in the forests of Mt. Paektu and went on to founding the army first and waging an organized armed achieve victory after victory will, as ever, creditably dis- struggle. He then founded the Party and the State. charge its mission and duty. He led the Juche cause to victory by relying on the revolutionary armed force and giving leadership to them. This cause of army building is now being taken to a Kim Il Sin

32 70 70

KPA soldiers march in fine array flying the flag bearing the image of President Kim Il Sung.

Drills are performed under combat conditions. Making a pledge of allegiance. Soldiers perfect their shooting skills. A company of soldiers takes a break.

Ready to cope with any emergency.

KPA pilots are determined to prevent any intrusion into the nation’s air space. Motherly care about soldiers.

KPA soldiers make a breakthrough in socialist construction.

KPA officers and men swear to defend Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il with their lives.

Mangyongdae, the Place Dear to People’s Hearts

President Kim Il Sung’s birthplace at Mangyongdae.

President Kim Il Sung was acclaimed and was, but in the people’s hearts it is a special revolution, writing the words, “the venerated by the Korean people as the first place, for it is where the President was born. independence of Korea”. great leader in the nation’s history. The small brushwood gate, straw-thatched Many other relics at Mangyongdae tell On the significant and balmy spring day of roof, hand-stained farm implements, distorted visitors of the President’s childhood activi- April 15, Mangyongdae presents a beautiful pot and old clothes-box are enough to show the ties, such as the wrestling ground, a sliding and enchanting spectacle unparalleled in the poor life the family once led. rock, and the study site where he cultivated world, with all sorts of flowers coming into full All the household furnishings are frugal and his intellect and courage. bloom. plain. Looking at the relics reflecting the President Kim Il Sung’s native home at Among them, an ink stone with ink stick noble spirit of this revolutionary family Mangyongdae, now in the thick of spring, is and writing brushes carefully preserved inside and those associated with legendary ceaselessly visited by foreigners from various the house convey the noble thoughts and episodes that were part of the unusual countries. ardent spirit of the members of this family. development of the great man, all visitors This native home, with its low eaves, From his childhood the President adopted to Mangyongdae are filled with a firm remains the ordinary, simple home it always his father’s cause and nurtured a great plan for resolve to follow his leadership. The Museum of Kim Il Sung’s Revolutionary Activities. The pavilion on top of Mangyong Hill.

The “warship” rock that Kim Il Sung used while playing at soldiers during his childhood.

The study site which he frequented during his childhood.

The wrestling ground where President Kim Il Sung used to have Korean wrestling in his childhood. Victory true to the era of army-centred politics

These Korean women brought glory to their nation by winning the 13th Asian Women’s Football Championships.

Women With a Dream On a small field in the suburbs watching from the sky for an fought desperately to realize of the capital, a group of young opportunity to swoop down on its their dream, but the DPRK team women dream of winning the prey. were soon on top. World Cup. Jin distinguished herself with a The Korean team defended The women are members of the fine display at the 3rd Women’s superbly throughout and con- DPRK women’s football team World Cup in Juche 88 (1999). At stantly changed the direction of which won the 13th Asian the time, the senior coach of the their attack, causing havoc in the Women’s Football Champi- US women’s football team said to Japanese defense. Time and onships held in Taipei, China, in reporters that Jin, with her again the DPRK forwards darted December last year. unusual eye for goal, was likely past the opposing full-backs to It was in March that year that to become a serious threat to the latch onto balls played over the the team was formed, comprising goalkeepers of the world’s top heads of the Japanese defenders. players from various sports clubs women’s football teams. Such was the Korean pressure, it around the country. Jo Song Ok, She was the winner of the was impossible for the Japanese Ri Kum Suk and Jin Pyol Hui National Woman Footballer of team to apply its own tactics. were playing a key role in the the Year award in 2000. Shortly after opening the scor- team. The rest, only 23 years old The DPRK team was greatly ing with a scrambled effort from on average, had never participat- strengthened during prepara- close range, the Korean team was ed in international competition tions for the 13th Asian champi- awarded a free-kick about 20 before the championships. onships. meters out from the goal. Jo Song Ok, the captain of the This is attributed largely to the Ri Un Gyong volunteered to team, won the top-scorer prize at efforts of Merited Athlete Ri Song take the kick, although Jin Pyol the 12th round of the champi- Gun, the team’s senior coach, Hui was the team’s designated onships. She has scored a total of who has a 15-year career in free-kick taker. Ri was deter- 28 goals in international matches. coaching. mined to get on the scoresheet, The team’s success has always He was appointed the senior however, confidently running up been attributed to the captain, coach of the team on its forma- to the ball. who is flexible, quick and wide on tion in March last year, charged Jin Pyol Hui and Ri Kum Suk the field and unusually skillful in with preparing the team for the watched her trustfully. controlling the ball. She orga- Asian championships. With all her strength she nizes and directs her team with Describing his feelings at the struck the ball towards the oppo- expertise, leading them to victory time of his appointment, Ri said, nent’s goal. on many occasions. “At first I was afraid that I might The ball took a deflection off As the elder of the team, she fail to meet the expectations of a Japanese player and curled into educates and leads the others as the country and people. Then I the top-corner of the net, elder sisters should. braced myself up, believing that creating jubilation among the Ri Kum Suk, known for her if I tried hard I would surely suc- Korean players and fans. It was strong heading ability, plays at ceed.” the last goal of the game, the center-half. Of the 15 goals she He concentrated his efforts on DPRK team defeating the notched at the 2001 champi- training the women to be as Japanese 2:0. onships, eight of them came from strong, persevering and fast as During six matches at the headers. men footballers. championships the DPRK team It was at the age of 13 that Ri, He also introduced fresh tactics scored 53 goals in all, the great- the only daughter of an ordinary and training methods, which est number of goals a team has family, began to play football at a proved greatly effective in the scored in the history of the cham- youth and children’s sports recent games, especially in the pionships. school. match against Japan. Tears rolled down the Korean Jin Pyol Hui, who wears the On December 16 last year, just women’s cheeks as they received number ten’s jersey, is a center prior to the final, NHK reported, the cup and gold medals that ath- forward. “The Japanese team can finally letes cherish above all. Football fans call her “sanmae realize its dream of winning its Their tears reflected their (mountain hawk)”. Whenever the first championships.” boundless gratitude to the moth- competitive forward seizes an The Japanese had reason to be erland which enabled them to opportunity to dart past defender confident, because the Japanese stand on the awards platform. and get a shot in, it causes a buzz team included two of the world’s In high spirits, the women are now of excitement in the crowd. They top players, both of whom play in engrossed in training with the aim of are reminded of a mountain the professional American league. winning another trophy at the coming hawk, with its wings unfolded, From the kick-off the Japanese competition. 41 Birth of 300th Set of Triplets N December 10 last year, tor with an awkward smile on her Ryanggang Province. as the year came to a face. In June two years ago, she O close, the 300th set of “I’m Sin Yong Ok,” she said by delivered triplets unexpectedly. triplets to be born at Pyongyang way of introduction. After a brief “It was like a dream for me, Maternity Hospital since its foun- exchange of pleasantries, Yong because, listening to other moth- dation in July Juche 69 (1980) Ok began her story. ers of triplets who were well- was delivered of. She was born the eldest daugh- known throughout the country The birth of triplets is no ordi- ter in an ordinary farmer’s family and the deep concern of the peo- nary event, but what was more in Posong-ri, Toksong County, ple, I not only admired them, but surprising was that the mother of South Hamgyong Province, in also thought that being a mother the triplets had previously given January Juche 56 (1967), spend- of triplets would be beyond me. birth to triplets in Juche 89 ing her childhood there. But then I myself became a moth- (2000) and now delivered another With the exception of her time er of triplets. Though I felt a little set. as an athlete during her senior embarrassed, I was pleased with This strange phenomenon has middle school days, it was an the happiness it brought to all never previously been recorded. uneventful period in her life. the villagers,” said Yong Ok. Many people greatly admired She had taken first prizes in It was also a happy event for her, as well as being surprised. a number of sports competitions the country. Sharing the same feeling, I, as in the province, but upon grad- For the triplets (two daughters Korea Today reporter, went to the uation she became a farmer and a son) and the mother, medical Pyongyang Maternity Hospital to rather than an athlete, following team from the Pyongyang Materni- visit her. in the footsteps of her parents. ty Hospital was sent to their out-of- A strong woman of 165 cm in way village, in a secluded, moun- * * * height and 65 kg in weight, Yong tainous place, and after two days of In room No. 16 of the 2nd Ok never spared herself in her delivery, a plane came to transport obstetrics department, on the 6th work. them to the capital. floor of the hospital, which was She married Hwang Chang Un The state conferred maximum warmed by the penetrating sun- after being introduced by one of benefits on them, as it has done shine despite the cold winter her relatives. Hwang was a trac- for all triplets. In order to ensure weather outside, I could meet our tor driver at the Tonghung Coop- the complete recovery of the heroine. erative Farm in triplets, every possible measure She greeted this first-time visi- Kim Hyong Gwon County, was taken. After being discharged from the hospital, a sil- ver dagger, gold rings and other presents were given to the parents and the triplets. Thanks to the country’s close concern for the well-being of the triplets for four years, they are healthily growing under the care of the nurses and doctors in charge of their health at a nursery in the province. Their parents named the triplets Hwang Un Jong, Un Dok, and Un Hye, not to let them for- get the benefits of the country. (Each of their names means favour.Ed.) In the middle of last year, Yong Ok suspected she was pregnant again. As soon as her pregnancy with triplets was confirmed, she was taken to Pyongyang Materni- Sin Yong Ok put in care. ty Hospital and received special treatment for four months. 42 Yong Ok once said that she had received too great a favour, not paying even a penny. “When I heard that I was pregnant with triplets again, there was not the delightful feeling I had at the first delivery, I even felt a little shame. But despite my feelings, the doctors did their best. They encouraged me, reminding me of President Kim Il Sung’s saying that the birth of many triplets was an indication of the prosperity of the country.” When the triplets were born, they weighed 2.28 kg on average. The news of their straightforward birth was broadcast throughout the whole country on TV, and she continuously received The babies in incubators. telegrams and letters of congratulation. On the week- ends and holidays, she had end- obstetrics department, Rim * * * less visits from people unfamil- Hyong Pok, to provide the iar to her. answer on her behalf. Yong Ok said, “I am truly Congratulations were always It is believed that heredity thankful. Never forgetting the followed by the question “How?” accounts for 60 per cent of triplet special treatment I have received, At these moments Yong Ok’s births, and there were twins both I’ll bring up the children well to face would redden and she in Yong Ok’s family and her hus- be loyal to the country.” would leave it to the head of 2nd band’s. Yom Song Hui

Exhibition and Workshop on Scientific and Technical Achievements and Experience

An exhibition and workshop duction and use. brine in rice farming on on scientific and technical The speakers referred to the reclaimed tidelands, and Koryo achievements and experience in achievements and experiences fertilizers used to deal with veg- the production and use of com- acquired in the course of develop- etable-farming season blights posite microbe fertilizers and ing and using composite microbe and harmful insects. Koryo fertilizers were held in fertilizers and highly-effective There were also explanations Korea between late November Koryo fertilizers, increasing the of the methods of producing com- and early December last year. fertility of soil and establishing posite microbe fertilizers with Composite microbe fertiliz- the production methods and powdered maize stalk and their ers, Koryo fertilizers and agricul- application methods of microbe effects, the results of compara- tural produce cultivated using fertilizers guaranteeing a high tive tests of the qualities of them, which came from various and stable harvest. nitrogen, phosphorus, potash parts of the country, were dis- The participants were partic- and composite microbe fertilizers played at the exhibition. A num- ularly attracted by composite and many other scientific and ber of people announced valuable microbe solid fertilizers exerting technical achievements. scientific and technical achieve- a good effect on paddy rice Prizes were awarded to those ments or gave accounts of the growth, composite microbe fertil- who had offered the most valu- experiences gained in their pro- izer preventing damage from able contributions.

43 The Motherland to Which He

Returned in His Last Years (Continued from the previous piled upon the heads of tax-pay- DPRK was taking the stand of issue) ers every month. People have making no concessions with their property taken from them, regard to human rights and 2. “POPULAR MASSES MOUNT unable to pay taxes. If they have national dignity. THE PLATFORM” no property or not enough money That there are no prostitutes is to pay, they are put in prison. evidence of the fact that the Afterwards Choe Tok Sin visit- Some people take flight in the human rights of women are ed many places in the Democratic middle of the night, unable to ensured and that the equal rights People’s Republic of Korea, bear the pressure to pay their of all members of society are fully including his native village. taxes, while others commit sui- guaranteed, he thought. Everything he saw excited his cide together with all their family The political ideals of the surprise. members after going bankrupt. DPRK seemed to him to be dia- What enabled the people in the Such social tragedies are an metrically different from those of north to build a paradise on the everyday occurrence. a society where money is every- ruins empty-handed, a paradise Children cry if a tax collector thing and even human dignity the like of which could be found comes. There is even a “tax-col- can be bought or sold. It was a nowhere else in the world? lectors’ calendar” published. This country in which the social and Asking himself this question, was the “free world” he had once national disgrace of prostitution he tried to find an answer, but he supported. did not exist. could not find a clear explana- In the DPRK the state was not Another fact that surprised tion. expropriating taxes from the peo- him was that jewels of great Turning towards the Tower of ple, yet it was bearing full value were glittering not on the the Juche Idea standing impos- responsibility for their food, necklaces or finger rings of indi- ingly on the picturesque Taedong clothing and housing. viduals, but on the floor of the riverside, he again thought over Ordinary working people took central hall of the Pyongyang what he had directly seen, heard it as a matter of course for the Maternity Hospital. and felt till then. A thought flit- state to bear responsibility for From olden times jewels have ted across his mind first. It was their food and clothing, to say been the object of greed of mer- that the DPRK was free from the nothing of their medical treat- chants and plunderers around social unrest and fear prevailing ment, housing and the education the world. He thought to himself: in Western society. of their children. where in this world could one There were none of the sui- These facts caused him to think find a society in which precious cides, prostitutes or mafia that deeply. It was hard to accept that jewels were made a possession of could be seen in the “free world”, the state did not collect taxes the people themselves, their com- where he had been living, and from the people. Moreover, the mon wealth? ecstatic scenes which he had pre- fact that the state was not reign- Everything he saw and heard viously pictured only in his imag- ing over the people but was caused him to reassess his ination as an ideal could be seen instead serving them excited him, beliefs. everywhere in the DPRK. as it was something he had never He could not remain indifferent He thought that he could back heard before. even to those who were fishing in this up with some facts. He paid special attention to the the River Taedong. The DPRK was the one and fact that in the DPRK alone there They were catching carp as only tax-free country in the were no streetwalkers, though large as a forearm in the river world. they can often be seen elsewhere flowing through the center of the The word “taxation” had no in the world. city. place in the vocabulary of the In south Korea there are hun- In other countries, angling people in the DPRK. This fact dreds of thousands of abandoned enthusiasts had to make a long baffled him. women. They are being used by journey by train or by car, In south Korea and the United lewd foreign men in the bars and because the sky, land and sea States tax is called a synonym for brothels around US military were seriously polluted by chemi- tears of blood. It is a constant bases, victims of the kisaeng cal waste from factories, smoke, worry for tens of millions of peo- (girls for pleasure) trade which gases, and so on, owing to the ple. People are bothered at all the south Korean authorities pursuit of profit before all else. times by taxes on houses, land, greatly encourage as “an industry But when building a factory or business incomes, lighting and without chimneys” and put for- a smelter in the DPRK, the law hundreds of other things. Innu- ward as a government policy. decreed that primary attention merable tax notifications are He came to see clearly that the must be paid to preventing envi- 44 ronmental pollution which might It was difficult for him to remove its owner, and the master of a farm its adversely affect human lives and his gaze from the sculpture. proprietor. If so, are all people in the health. Profits were a secondary Throughout history, only the north the factory owner or the farm consideration. It was inconceivable sculptures of kings or emperors proprietor? that environmentally destructive have stood on such stone pedestals, He had thought that the word industries that had already been which ordinary workers had erected “master” could be used only to describe discarded by developed countries by dedicating their sweat and the power which was given according would be introduced into the DPRK, blood. Who had ever put those to how many shares one had in a as they had been in south Korea. working people, forsaken by factory or a farm. For whom does the law exist, the history, high on the pedestal? He He was able to clear away this doubt law which enables all the people to thought. only by looking up at the Tower of the breathe fresh air and drink clean He realized that the great Juche Juche Idea. water? idea, based on a man-centred During his visit to his native village, It is for the sake of the popular philosophy unheard-of in history, his kinfolk never opened their mouths masses! The abolition of all the tear- mounted working people of the without saying, “We are happy”. He inducing taxes, the non-existence of DPRK on a platform of glory and could not but be skeptical about this prostitution and the grief it brings to happiness. point, though it was somewhat the daughters of poor families, and As it had no true philosophy of understandable. the conversion of the nation’s its own in the past, the Korean After that he visited many other wealth into common wealth—all this nation experienced the bitter fate of places in the DPRK. At that time, too, is for the sake of the popular a ruined nation. And as he did not he thought the same. masses. Politics in the north is have a correct understanding of the Everywhere he went, he could politics for the popular masses! idea of national independence, hear and see the words “We are This was the conclusion he came Choe had followed the path of happy”, but nowhere could he hear to. treachery to his country by fawning or find the words “We wish for He realized that the “free world” upon foreign forces. happiness”. in which he had lived so far could He could not quiet his thumping Across the country he could see never achieve this state of affairs. heart. It was as if he had discovered people who were enjoying them- This was because he was well aware fire to save mankind from a dark selves, dancing and singing. of the “liberal democracy” age. Even old folks, to say nothing of advocated by the West. Only then did he understand the children and young men and women, The deeper he was in thought, the meaning of the words which had were dancing together in their mirth greater became his desire to know sounded strange to him and the on the riverside promenade. the political philosophy, the guiding unusual paeans about which he had All the people were happy as one idea, of the DPRK. entertained some doubts, after man, their faces beaming with He finally reached the Tower of coming back to his homeland. satisfaction. the Juche Idea. In the DPRK all the people He had thought that the meaning In an excited state of mind, he regarded themselves as “masters”. of happiness would differ according looked at the tower representing the Everywhere he visited—facto- to the expectations of each great Juche idea, the guiding idea of ries, rural communities, schools, individual in terms of their living the DPRK. hospitals, etc.—people were con- conditions. But to his surprise, Visible on the stone pedestal in ducting themselves as masters and everything he saw and heard was front of the tower was a group said without hesitation that they similar, and the people’s opinion sculpture of a worker, a farmer and were masters of the country. was unanimous. an intellectual holding high a Their use of the word “master” In the past, Koreans would put the hammer, a sickle and a writing sounded very unfamiliar to him. words “Great fortune comes by an brush respectively. The master of a factory means open gate” on the gates of their houses, in the hope that fortune Choe Tok Sin enjoying himself at the Taesongsan Pleasure would come in when opening the Ground. gate. They embroidered the word “pok” (fortune) on the pads attached to both sides of their pillows, gave names containing this word to their children and even carved the word on the ornamentation of their wardrobes, wishing for happiness. He put various interpretations of why they did this, but he failed to find a clear answer. However, the answer became 45 On World Health Day Korea Today reporter Sim Chol that pose a threat to people’s mental Yong recently interviewed Choe Ung and physical health. It called on its Jun, 57, president of the Agency of member nations to provide education State Health Control, in connection on psychological illness and remove with the 54th World Health Day. the social factors that cause such Question: Could you tell me more problems by adopting appropriate about World Health Day and the policies in the education, labour and World Health Organization? health sectors. Answer: The WHO is an inter- Q: What’s your programme for this national organization which aims to year’s World Health Day? promote people’s health. It was A: This year the WHO has inaugurated on April 7, 1948, and appealed to its member nations to this day is annually commemorated conduct active promotion of physical as World Health Day. exercise, under the campaign titled The WHO’S mission is to help “Physical Exercise for Health”, and everyone lead the healthiest pos- Korea is faithfully following this call. sible life. It has worked to root out Sports events suited to the fitness the social evils that produce levels of people of all ages have been The WHO is giving active sci- starvation, poverty and disease, and designated as state events, and entific, technical and material to provide a civilized living physical exercise is being encouraged assistance to Korea in the health environment for people across the among young people. sector. world. On this day, various kinds of sports The WHO director general’s visit The organization has been very information, exercise instructions and to Korea last November was of successful in its international mass sports games and amusement particular significance, and the health activities. will be widely introduced through the opening of a WHO mission in In cooperation with the WHO, mass media, sports magazines and Pyongyang has given momentum to many countries are directing their television. the development of cooperation attention to health work and are Q: What kind of cooperation is between us. increasing their investment in this being conducted with the WHO in On this occasion, we extend our field as well as health research. Korea? thanks to the WHO director general, With this day as momentum every A: More than 190 nations had and to the UNICEF, the UNFPA, Red year, the WHO puts forward joined the WHO by 1999. Our Cross & Red Crescent International important themes related to health country joined the organization in Federation, and other international problems and conducts educational May 1973. organizations. campaigns and practical We have regular contact with the Korea is committed to further programmes aimed at tackling them. WHO to contribute to international developing its work with the WHO Last year, the WHO analyzed health work and strengthen exchange and fulfilling its duties as a member and reported on serious problems and cooperation. nation. clear as he stood in front of the answer he had so eagerly sought. fancied themselves to be the Tower of the Juche Idea. What enabled the people in the “patriot” or the “leader”. He thought inwardly: north to build a paradise on the Love for one’s country lies in Someone said, “Everyone ruins empty-handed, a paradise following the patriotic idea. If one wants to get on a horse called the like of which could be found follows the path of treachery one happiness, but ultimately he nowhere else? It is the great Juche is found to be a traitor to one’s himself becomes a horse, a horse idea! country! carrying a load, namely a pend- He was convinced of this fact This self-evident truth had ing question: What is happi- and felt like shouting loudly so finally become clear to him. Look- ness?” that his fellow Koreans could ing up at the Tower of the Juche But the popular masses in the hear that the Juche idea is the Idea, he stood riveted to the spot north have become the master of greatest patriotic idea. for a while. the saddle of happiness, and the It was because he knew too creator and enjoyer of that happi- well what was brought about by ness. many isms put forward and (To be continued in the next He finally discovered the assertions made by those who issue)

46 Outrageous Crackdown

The Japanese investigation financial difficulties caused by lawful organization, and clamp authorities recently mobilized the depressed state of the down on them. This amounts to a over 300 prosecutors and police Japanese economy. They have double crime. officers to commit an outrageous not been involved in illegal activi- The Japanese authorities have forced search of the central head- ties, nor the “evasion of ins- defined Chongryon as an “organi- quarters of Chongryon (General pection”. zation of an enemy state,” and an Association of Korean Residents Ever since their inception, the object to which they should apply in Japan). They also raided the Korean credit unions have abided their “law on preventing destructive Tokyo municipal headquarters by the laws of Japan in all their activities”. They have inten- and the West Tokyo headquar- financial activities. Chongryon sified their repression under a ters of Chongryon simultaneous- itself has done nothing in viola- variety of pretexts whenever the ly. tion of Japanese laws and has situation in Japan permitted it. Since the end of September last made it clear to the Japanese They have launched an anti- year, the Japanese authorities, government more than once that DPRK and anti-Chongryon cam- under the pretext of “evasion of all its activities are legal under paign, refusing to apologise to the inspection”, have expanded their the laws of the country. Korean people for their country’s investigations to an unprecedent- Under international law, past crimes and settle their criminal ed extent, making a number of Japanese authorities assume the past. forced searches and arrests at legal duty of guaranteeing This is a clear expression of Korean credit unions and the Chongryon’s activities and their wild ambition to invade financial agencies of Korean respecting the democratic rights Korea once again, which can entrepreneurs and merchants in of Korean nationals in Japan. never be tolerated. Japan. They have also encouraged Nevertheless, the Japanese The recent incidents are part of the Japanese media to incite authorities made a forced the first open political crackdown public vilification to greatly dam- search of the central headquar- since Chongryon’s inauguration. age the reputation of Chongryon ters, taking issue with Chong- They took place at a time when and its affiliates and Korean ryon, the respectable overseas Japan was putting its ambition for financial service organizations. citizens’ organization of the overseas invasion into practice It is clear to everyone that their DPRK, without any legal under the guise of the war on actions were part of a premeditated grounds. This is an unjustifi- terrorism. political strategy aimed at able criminal act and a deliber- The DPRK has no option but to cracking down on Chongryon ate attempt to suppress Chong- keep a special vigilance against itself. ryon and the Korean nationals the Japanese government’s The Japanese reactionaries’ in Japan. It is also a wanton actions. criminal acts have incurred the violation of the dignity of the The Japanese authorities must wrath of all the Korean people, as DPRK. discontinue their political crack- well as that of Chongryon organi- The Japanese authorities have down on Chongryon at once. zations and the 700,000 Koreans not yet settled their criminal past If they continue their anti- in Japan. They have also met with and thoughtlessly take issue with DPRK and anti-Chongryon cam- an angry response from the Korean nationals in Japan, the paign despite the DPRK’s repeat- progressive people of the world. direct victims to their forced ed warnings, they shall pay dearly Chongryon credit unions have drafting during their occupation for it. They must clearly under- been reorganized due to the of Korea, and Chongryon, their stand this.

47 Massacres Will Never Be Forgotten

The United States triggered of the time, an ex-GI eyewitness were crossing the Woegwan and off a war against Korea on June 25, said: Toksung bridges in Chilgok and 1950. But the US soldiers were “A messenger rushed up to us Koryong in North Kyongsang soon counterattacked by the and delivered the order, ‘Shoot Province. The next day, following Korean People’s Army. Fleeing them all. Don’t leave a man the division commander’s order to southwards, they committed mas- alive.’” “Blow them up”, they blasted the sacres in various places as “The order of the commander two bridges together with hun- revenge. meant to shoot all moving dreds of children, women and old The most typical example was objects. Questioned whether the people who were on them at the the one at Rogun-ri, Yongdong refugees would also be included, time. County, North Chungchong Pro- he replied, ‘Yes, he meant all According to eyewitnesses in vince, where the GIs slaughtered moving things.’” the neighboring village and the innocent civilians. Broadcasting the content of the testimonies of officers and ser- According to an AP report AP report, Japanese television vicemen of the US 1st Armored dated September 29, 1999, US station NHK said, “A US cavalry Division, the River Rakdong soldiers killed more than 400 peo- unit encountered hundreds of flowed with blood instead of ple there over the four-day period refugees under a bridge. The water as a result of this incident. from July 25 to 28, 1950. refugees were hiding under the US troops killed more than Bombers were summoned by bridge to escape US aerial attack, 10,000 people in Seoul, 30,000 in wireless to rain bombs on the but they were machine-gunned Chunchon, 8,600 in Taejon, 4,000 civilian population. Those left by the US unit. The man who in Jonju and thousands more in alive were killed by machine-gun ordered the killing was the com- rural areas of south Korea. fire. mander, whose name was Chund- While continuously disclosing AP discovered and disclosed ley.” more facts behind all the the order related to this incident The south Korean magazine Mal killings, including the Yong- issued by the 25th Division Com- and other publications had already dong massacre, the Korean peo- mand of the US Army, and exposed the US barbarity in Yong- ple are urging the US govern- reported the testimonies of ex-US dong on several occasions. As the ment to officially recognize the soldiers who witnessed the atroci- truth behind the incident was incidents, apologize and com- ties. revealed by the disclosure of the pensate for them. According to these documents, order of the US military by AP, the The US occupation of south the 25th Division Command incident became an incontrovertible Korea is the root cause of all issued an order to regard as fact. The Rogun-ri incident was the misfortune and suffering of the “enemy” all the Koreans they only one of many US atrocities. Korean nation. caught in the Rogun-ri area. This As they were driven south, the The US must bear responsibili- inspired the GIs to kill the US soldiers killed innocent civil- ty for the incidents and withdraw refugees, including children and ians wherever they went. its troops from south Korea at the women, at random. On August 2, 1950, US troops earliest possible date. In his recollection of the events shot to death over 80 people who

48 May Day Stadium

This photograph gives a dis- The stadium’s internal floor Many international and tant view of the May Day Sta- space is over 207,000 square domestic competitions have dium on the beautiful Rungna metres, with its main sports taken place at the stadium, Islet in the Taedong River, arena covering more than most notably the opening and which flows through Pyong- 22,500 square metres. The field closing ceremonies of the 13th yang, capital of the DPRK. The is covered with grass, while the World Festival of Youth and stadium was completed in May track is coated with rubber. Students. Juche 78 (1989). The double-tiered seating It will be the venue for the Its original style resembles a area can accomodate 150,000 100,000-strong gymnastic and landing parachute. The chute- people in all, and more than artistic performance “Ari- shaped roof protrudes 60m 1,300 rooms are housed in the rang”, scheduled to run from inwards and 40m outwards. eight storeys below it. late April.