KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 51 http://www.naenara.com.kp Celebrations of the WPK’s 70th Anniversary
52 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 The national leader Kim Jong Un attends the military parade and Pyongyang citizens’ mass demonstration in celebration of the 70th founding anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea in October 2015.
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 531 Scenes from the military parade and Pyongyang citizens’ mass demonstration in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
2 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 Scenes from the torchlight pro- cession of the young vanguard “Young People, March Forward After the Great Party!”
A scene from the 10 000-peopled artistic performance “The Great Party and the Bright Korea” in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 3 KOREA TODAY Monthly Journal (714) Printed in English, Russian C O N T E N T S and Chinese
Kim Jong Il’s Patriotism and the Building of a Civilized Socialist Nation····················································· 5 Happy Children ······································································ 8 Practical Ability Cultivated at College ······································ 10 A Bright Future ···································································· 12 Efforts to Improve Diagnosis and Treatment ····························· 13 In a Sea of Greenhouses ························································· 14 Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism, Man-centred
Front Cover: The Mirae Outlook on the World ····························································· 16 Scientists Street Request of the Supreme Commander ········································ 17 Photo by courtesy His Trace at Panmunjom ························································ 18 of the KCNA Missing His Care ·································································· 19 Immortal Flowers Exhibited in Russia ····································· 20 History Brimming With Noble Moral Obligation (1) ··················· 22 The Two Bullet Holes ····························································· 24 The Cradle of People’s Happiness ············································· 25 Pyongyang Taegyong Laver Processing Factory ························· 26 More Fruit to the People ························································ 28 A Breakthrough ···································································· 30 The First Title Winner ··························································· 31 The Old People in Eternal Youth ············································· 32 Mind of a Disabled Boy ·························································· 35 Puppet Show Wins Popularity ················································· 36 Hub of Anti-imperialist, Anti-US Education ······························ 38
Back Cover: A scene from the Short Story 10 000-peopled artistic per- No. 1 ···················································································· 42 formance “The Great Party and the Bright Korea” in cele- Pyongyang, Cradle of Korean Nation (2) ···································· 44 th bration of the 70 anniversary Best Way to Reunification ······················································ 45 of the Workers’ Party of Korea Peace Secured by Songun ······················································· 46 Photo by courtesy of the KCNA Maker of the Nuclear Problem in the Korean Peninsula ·············· 47 Steps into Dangerous Zone ······················································ 48 13502 ㄱ-58235
© The Foreign Language Address: Sochon-dong, Sosong District, Magazines 2015 Pyongyang, DPRK E-mail: [email protected] 4 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 Kim Jong Il’s Patriotism and the Building of a Civilized Socialist Nation
N KOREA A DYNAMIC to the motherland and the people. is used entirely to promote the I campaign is making brisk So, the Korean people are calling civilized life of the people. headway to build a civilized his noble patriotism after his The state is concerned for the socialist nation by applying august name, and have turned education of the rising generation. Kim Jong Il’s patriotism. In his out as one to attain the country’s In the ardour of educational revo- immortal classic work Let Us prosperity and the building of a lution in the new century, the Step up the Building of a civilized socialist nation as early work of turning all people well Thriving Country by Applying as the Chairman had wished. The versed in science and technology Kim Jong Il’s Patriotism, the civilized socialist nation the Ko- is accelerated at full speed. With leader Kim Jong Un wrote as rean people are building is an the introduction of the universal follows: “It (Kim Jong Il’s patri- ideal society replete with beauti- 12-year compulsory education, otism) is the warmest and most ful and wholesome tone of life more schools are built and educa- fervent love for our socialist coun- whereby the entire people enjoy tional institutions are furnished try and people and the most ear- socialist cultural life to the full in sufficiently with experimental nest and self-sacrificing devotion the most civilized conditions and apparatuses and teaching tools. for the sake of the prosperity of environment with high cultural Along with this, emphasis is the country and the well-being of knowledge, sound body and lofty placed on the improvement of the the people. It is genuine patriot- moral traits. In the people- contents and methods of educa- ism that holds dear every tree and centred socialist Korea, all activi- tion at normal and teacher- every blade of grass in the country ties of the Party, government training colleges and the training and requires one to devote one’s organs and cultural institutions of more reserve teachers. Science heart and soul to looking after are organized and conducted in & technology dissemination them.” such a way as to serve all along rooms are opened at factories, The whole life of Chairman the welfare of the working people, enterprises and cooperative farms Kim Jong Il was a life dedicated and the material wealth of society all over the country, and the ►
Schoolchildren enjoy themselves at the Songdowon International Children’s Camp.
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 5 The DPRK footballers win the EAFF Women’s East Asian Cup 2015.
► working people are studying hard from care. gold medal at the women’s 10-m at distance-learning colleges. A wave of sports enthusiasm platform diving contest of the 16th The modern Sci-tech Complex has is sweeping the whole country. FINA World Championships in gone up magnificently on beauti- Last year and this year, the July last, becoming the country’s ful Ssuk Islet in the Taedong sportspersons of Korea won many first woman world champion in River. Apartment houses for gold medals at international the event. the teachers of Kim Il Sung competitions, flying the national Dynamic drives are under University and the Kim Chaek flag in the sky of alien lands. Kim way to raise the odds-on events to University of Technology, Unha Kum Ok won at the 14th Asian the world standard, and bolster Scientists Street, Wisong Marathon Championships to be- up defence sports, maritime Scientists Residential District, come a triple Asian woman sports, winter sports and other Mirae Scientists Street and Yon- marathon champion. This year sports to dominate Asia and, fur- phung Scientists Holiday Camp the women footballers of Korea ther, the world in sports. Na- have been built, so that educators won first place at the EAFF tional contests such as the Man- and scientists may devote Women’s East Asian Cup 2015, gyongdae Prize Games, Paek- themselves to their work free and Kim Kuk Hyang carried off a tusan Prize Sports Contest and National Championships are The Munsu Water Park. held in grand style every year, and practice matches, pre- tournament matches, challenge matches and home-and-away matches are vigorously held be- tween sports teams. In Korea now sports are popularized and made an everyday affair in earnest, and the people’s zeal for sports is rising everyday. National inter- provincial games and sports com- petitions between different branches and units take place every year arousing deep interest of the entire people, and the movement for winning the title of Model Sports County is afoot all over the country. Colourful sports ►
6 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 ► meetings are opened at different organs and industrial establish- ments on the days of sports, na- tional festivals and holidays. Modern sports facilities have been built or rebuilt all over the country. Among them are the Masikryong Ski Resort, Mirim Riding Club, May Day Stadium which is a multi-functional sports ground, Pyongyang Indoor Stadium and Sports Village on Chongchun Street. Many stadiums, gymnasiums, football grounds and other sports facili- ties have been newly built or modernized, contributing to the sports activities of the working people, youth and schoolchildren. In Korea a noble view of life The Wonsan Leather Shoes Factory. and moral sense has become an admirable habit of the people who been united with disabled sol- ing to improve the living stan- find true worth of life in devoted diers, and young people look after dard of the people and the newly- efforts for the motherland and war veterans like their true sons built Pyongyang Corn Processing people, for the comrades and the and daughters. Factory is also conducive to en- collective. When the spirit of Great progress has been reg- riching the boards of Pyongyang helping and leading one another istered in the work of improving citizens. forward is exalted in society, the people’s living standards. It is a lofty will and plan of the there has appeared a “maiden This year the Wonsan Leather Workers’ Party of Korea to pro- mother,” 20, who has taken in and Shoes Factory started operation vide a most plentiful and civilized is bringing up many orphaned as a model shoes factory, and the life in the world to the Korean children, and a woman doctor who Jangchon Vegetable Cooperative people who have invariably trav- has cured an ordinary girl of her Farm in Sadong District, Py- elled with it along the rugged impaired face after eight years of ongyang, has changed into a new- path in face of all manner of diffi- torment. Their good conducts fashioned farm where the peo- culties. And it will not be long have been widely known across ple’s ideal has come into reality. before this comes true. the country, stirring the hearts of The Pyongyang Taegyong Laver all people. So many girls have Processing Factory is now help- Pak Chong Sop
The Jangchon Vegetable Cooperative Farm, Sadong District, Pyongyang.
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 7 Happy Children
OME TIME AGO WE equipped with all necessary fa- boxes. The study room is S visited the Changgwang cilities including a study room, a equipped with an organ, a com- Kindergarten in Changgwang- nature study room, a dancing puter, desks and toys, so we can dong No. 1, Central District, Py- room, a music room, an indoor give good education and instruc- ongyang. It is a four-storey build- wading pool and a sports room. tion to the children.” ing flanked with ten-, two- and We were shown into the hallway. When the teacher played the six-storey buildings. The main Pictures from fairy tales such as organ, the children playing in the house has a door placard with the “A Hare and a Turtle” and “The large hall moved into the study inscription “Thank You, Idle Pig” were painted on the room in a line dancing in time to Respected Leader Kim Jong Un!” walls, and the chief said that the the music. Seeing us amazed at The playground spread with rub- pictures pleasing the fancy of the the sight, the chief said, “As we ber carpets and artificial grass children were good for their edu- combine music and dance in a was lined with play equipments cation. way suited to the children’s including swings and slides. We stopped at junior class minds in their education, they Chief of the kindergarten Jon No. 5. Teacher Jo Rye Yon said, obey us in good mood.” When Chang Suk met us. She said, “All rooms have recently been they sat down to music, lessons “This week kindergarten was remodelled for the children’s con- started. The teacher explained built on August 26, 1982. It was venience. The large hall allows vividly through computer how reconstructed some time ago.” the children to dance and romp vegetables grow in a way fit for It consists of five blocks with about and the small hall has a the children’s minds. The chief a total floor space of 12 900 ㎡, television, wardrobes and shoe said, “We have made multi-media ►
8 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 ► teaching aids for the education of we met Teacher Choe Ok Byol somewhere nearby. the children.” who said, “Children take musical When we entered the nature lessons, instrumental and vocal, Day after day all the study room, we saw children lis- according to their tastes and apti- year round, tening to the teacher and memo- tude.” We saw children playing Our kindergarten rizing what they learned. It was musical instruments like kay- embraces us. an impressive sight. We passed agum and janggo and other na- We laugh merrily through the indoor playroom tional instruments, and violin. in its bosom, where children of senior class The melody of the Korean folk The bosom of the mother, No. 3 and junior classes No. 1 song White Broad Bellflowers on the bosom of the Party. and 6 were playing merrily by Mt. Hwanggum played by chil- riding on various toy vehicles like dren with kayagum and janggo We have our home swinging ships, mini planes and was interesting, and a piano solo all over the country. mini reunification-bound trains, and a violin duet were appealing. It is the cradle of warm love and then dropped in at the paduk The chief said, “People who visit in the sun. room, play-at-doctors room, play- our kindergarten say that they We laugh happily at-housekeeping room, dancing see the happy life of the children in its bosom, room and video play room. Com- growing up fast with nothing to The bosom of the mother, ing out of the indoor wading pool envy in the world.” She added the bosom of the Party. ringing with laughter where we that the mothers who come for saw children splashing water on their children at the weekend see We left the kindergarten one another screaming and crack- the change in the features of hearing the children’s bright and ling, we heard clear singing their little ones and liken the cheerful singing voice. voices. kindergarten to their parents’ Lured by the voices, we home. We heard the singing headed for the music hall. There, voices of children coming from Pak Un Yong
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 9 Practical Ability Cultivated at College
HE HAMHUNG UNIVER- ing the original designing of a of the university that gives prior- T sity of Hydraulic Engineering waste gas-using boiler of the sec- ity to the training of students turns out a lot of talented people ond stage of the coal gasification with practical ability. The teach- who make successful researches of the Hungnam Fertilizer Com- ing programmes improve inces- needed for the development of the plex and its introduction into santly and the teaching plans are national economy. One of them is operation, the technology of pre- filled with the contents that have Choe Ho Song who is a field engi- venting vibration of a water pump been scientifically verified in re- neer at the hot-rolling workshop, of the Pukchang Thermal Power ality, as well as theories. Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Com- Complex and the plan of drasti- Some time ago, a factory of the plex. He is well-known across the cally reducing the consumption of Ryongsong Machine Complex country as one of the meritorious materials for operation of boilers began a modernization project. It people in the Songun era because based on the resources richly needed a new program for the he had put an end to the old hot- found in the country. control of a production process. rolling production process which That’s not all. In the recent The teachers and researchers of needed a lot of expensive fuel and four years, the university won the IT engineering faculty of the established a new rolled-steel first place consecutively in the university went to the factory, production process by introducing national festival of mechanical engaged themselves in the re- the high-temperature air combus- designing and a special award in search into the unknown world, tion technology. the 7th national exhibition of uni- and successfully established an In recent years students of the versity students’ achievements in original control system suitable university have registered scores scientific research. All these suc- to the actual condition of the of successful researches, includ- cesses are the result of the efforts country. ►
10 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 ► By making a general analysis thinking and their zeal for study, including the movement simula- of experience and documents they the teaching staff conceived the tion practice room and the hy- had got in the designing and op- idea of making a device showing draulic machinery practice room. erating of the process control sys- the real operation of programs Along with the making of tem, the teachers renewed rele- they made. The small and port- teaching plans and experimental vant teaching contents for the able device can be used in lec- devices, the university saw to it subject of an automatic control tures. Thus, some of the students that students participated in system designing, and made a who used to have little interest in technical development of different computer-based simulation pro- programming which they thought sectors of the national economy gram and used it in their lectures. a hard job buckled down to the with the help of the teachers and In addition, they exerted study of the subject. One of them researchers so as to have them themselves to develop the stu- said, “Now I am assured of the play a great role in solving prob- dents’ creative thinking ability in true ability of my brain. The lec- lems. In the course of this the the manufacture of experimental ture is just the time of making a teachers and students drew up apparatuses. The typical example program. The practical training at the design of a geothermal pump is the development of a general lectures is so interesting, and I which they had thought was a experimental device of control don’t know the lapse of time.” difficult task for them before. computer. Based on understand- Taking it as a good momentum The graduates of the univer- ing the influence of an effective the university raised the level of sity are popular at their work- experimental device on positive IT standard and modernization of places after graduation for their development of the students’ all the labs and practice facilities distinguished ability to find out new things and apply it in prac- tice. Today the university gives distance learning courses to workers of the hydraulic and thermal power stations all over the country as the number of the applicants for the university’s lectures has grown large. The homepage of the distance learning system of the university is Kaechok (pioneer). Kim Yong Bae, president of the university, says, “I hope all the students will pio- neer the future of science and technology with their practical ability, not by words, keeping a high creative spirit in their mind.”
Chae Kwang Myong
Academic education is closely combined with practical instruction.
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 11 A Bright Future
HE DISTANCE-LEARNING tronics through the distance- the quality of products and mod- T at the Kim Jong Thae Elec- learning system, says, “In the ernization of the production proc- tric Locomotive Complex is in past we had to go around many esses. When manufacturing a good operation. In the sci-tech places for materials needed for tube train in September last, they diffusion room, the employees processing of accessories, but now solved many technical problems. attend courses of mechanical we can get necessary materials And they are playing an active electronics, metallic material instantly and solve any difficult role in realizing CNC and un- engineering and computer ma- problems on the spot.” Kim Hyon manned operation in all produc- nipulation given by teachers and Chol, a worker of the Power tion processes such as material researchers of the distance- Workshop, says, “Studying elec- supply, sheet metal processing,
Workers improve their technical and skill levels in the sci-tech diffusion room. learning college of the Kim Chaek tric power engineering, I’ve assembly and winding, in produc- University of Technology. The gained confidence that I can solve ing new-generation electric loco- e-library in the complex provides any problems which only engi- motives, in modernizing the enough sci-tech data to the stu- neers and skilled workers seemed equipment of carriages, and in dents. to be equal to in the past. In fu- painting carriages in accord with Pak Yong Bom, head of the ture I’ll study harder to be able to the international standard. room, said, “It is only three years bear a big part in the introduction Now the workers attending since the distance-learning began of CNC and unmanned operation the distance-learning college are in our complex, but it is of great of the production processes of my growing in number and this is benefit and in high repute.” Jo workshop.” opening up wide vistas for the Song Thaek, a worker of Chongn- Now the workers studying in electric locomotive plant. yon Processing Workshop No. 3, the room are making a great con- who is learning mechanical elec- tribution to the improvement of Sim Yong Jin
12 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 Efforts to Improve Diagnosis and Treatment
ONG SUN I, VICE DIREC- J tor of the Central District People’s Hospital in charge of technical affairs, Pyongyang, is wont to say to doctors at consul- tations, “It is essential to make a prompt and correct diagnosis of problems if you are to cure your patients as soon as possible. And this is impossible apart from science and technology.” The medical staff of the hospi- tal usually adopt for their re- search task those problems they encountered during their actual treatment, and solve them one by one through enthusiastic study of the data on latest medical science and technology and through the telemedicine net- work. Their papers like those Sprinkler-type Vagina Washer,” appendix removal by means of entitled “Experience in Koryo “Acupoint Stimulator,” “Electronic laparoscope and to make an over- Treatment of Shock,” “Experience Koryo Treatment Device,” all diagnosis of changes in the in Treatment of Gastroenteritis “Cervical Vertebrae Puller,” and form of the heart and its diseases. through Manual Remedy and “Infrared-using Moxibustion The hospital can do cauteriza- Medical-substance Injection in Panel” are bringing about profuse tion of gastroenteric polyps and Acupoints,” “Treatment of Chil- profit in the treatment of patients. give surgical treatment for dren’s Asthma through Acupunc- The doctors also obtained com- myoma of the uterus, ovarian ture,” “Cupping for Pneumonia plete sets of facilities needed for cystoma, extrauterine pregnancy Treatment,” “Effects of Mud laparoscope-using operations, ul- and other problems. Treatment of Pleurisy,” and trasonic diagnosis of heart and Different kinds of electrocar- “Experience in Treatment of Gas- abdomen, and gastroenteric ex- diogram equipment are effectively tric and Duodenal Inflammation amination, which are now greatly used to know functional troubles Using Endoscope,” are in wide helpful to their high-level treat- of the heart. application. And their contriv- ment including diagnosis and op- As a result, patients of cardiac ances like “Adaptor of Moxibus- eration. In particular, the hospital diseases, chronic conjunctivitis, tion in Seated Manner,” “Portable is able to perform gallbladder and mastopathy, gastrorrhagia and other diseases get well soon after they are waited upon, and the local war veterans and disabled honoured ex-soldiers are kept from health problems. The workers of the establish- ments and factories in the dis- trict, including the Central Dis- trict Street Facilities Company, the Changgwang Clothes Factory and the Central District Urban Management Company, praise the doctors’ service they get on the spot. Whenever she hears the praise, Jong says, “All our achievements are attributable to our sense of responsibility for and devotion to the people’s life.”
Kim Un Chol
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 13 In a Sea of Greenhouses
OME TIME AGO I VISITED purpose of improving the people’s a powerful centre which can study S the Pyongyang Vegetable eating habit in 1958, only five and produce any kind of vegetable Science Institute, a renowned years after the end of the Korean at its will.” research and production base war started by the US imperial- Guided by him, I entered winning great favour of the peo- ists. Since its inauguration it has the compound with an area of ple. Greeting me, Jo Nam Sok, made steady development both in over 1 435 000 square metres. head of the institute, said, “My foundation and scale under the Stretched before my eyes were institute was established for the concern of the state. And now it is many heating-free, PVC film- covered greenhouses centring Researchers breed a new variety. around two hydroponic green- houses, reminding me of a sea of greenhouses. I first approached the hydroponic greenhouses walled by sheets of glasses. I met a researcher, named Kim Chol Jin, in front of the first hydro- ponic greenhouse, who led me to the computer-aided control room. Different processes were under the control of computers, includ- ing administration of nutritive liquid to vegetables, adjustment of temperature and humidity and monitoring of vegetables’ growth. Han Il Hyang, a controller, said full of joy, “All jobs are done by the automatic sensing system, so ►
14 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 ► I feel little tired even if I work Now I got out of it and headed and others in a van. long hours. Many foreigners and for a PVC film-covered green- Hong said, “The workers are overseas Korean compatriots house without a heating system. happy to be the standard bearer were unsparing of their praise Hong Myong Bok, an official in in greenhouse vegetable cultiva- looking around my institute charge of scientific affairs, accom- tion. In the last days of his great life, that is, in 2011, Chairman
Kim Jong Il visited my institute and suggested that some kinds of vegetables, which we were not interested in for their small yield per acre, should be planted if they were to the liking of the peo- ple. And our respected leader Kim Jong Un paid his third visit to my institute in July this year. He called on us to do the farming well so that the people can get huge benefit from it. He promised that he would support us himself, asking us to have courage and become the standard bearer in cultivation of greenhouse vegeta- bles by working with all our en- thusiasm. His trust and love are
which was renovated on an ex- tensive basis in 2012.” Then, I stepped into the greenhouse, when I saw different kinds of vegetables such as to- mato, cucumber and red pepper growing in cultivation frames in line. It was quite a spectacle. The research into a new kind of vege- table of high nutritive value was also under way there. It was re- markable to see the stems of pep- pers rising to the ceiling and new varieties of greenhouse tomatoes panied me. (Hong wanted to the light and nourishment to us, bred by the researchers. On one learn about the growth of vege- and we are making successful side workers were busy harvest- tables there.) He said that the studies. We are sure our re- ing vegetables on mini vans. One technique of building a PVC film- searches will bear bumper har- of the workers, Ri Ye Gyong by covered greenhouse without a vest every year.” name, said, pointing to potatoes heating system is widely spread His words made me feel it in full bearing, “Look at this. The across the country, unfolding a unnecessary to go around the average harvest of potatoes per great scene of greenhouse cultiva- institute any more. Leaving it I plant weighs 10 to 15 kg. I have to tion. Then he continued to say envisioned the bright future of look after hundreds of plants, so I that the favourite vegetables of the institute and the people am really busy— like a bee. Yet the people were largely cultivated with bright smiles at their thinking that those fruits will in greenhouses. As if proving his rich table. enrich the table of the people, I words the workers of the first feel a great pride in my work.” block were loading carrots, chive Ri Kum Chol
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 15 Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism, Man-centred Outlook on the World
HE GUIDING IDEOLOGY OF THE and to be the most powerful being in the world, to T Workers’ Party of Korea is Kimilsungism- approach the world not fatalistically but revolution- Kimjongilism. It has the Juche idea created by arily, not passively but actively, and to reshape the President Kim Il Sung as its quintessence. The world not blindly but purposefully and consciously. Juche idea presented the man-centred philosophical Of the essential properties of man clarified by the thought for the first time in the history of human Juche idea, independence is an attribute which is the thinking, and raised and solved all philosophical lifeline of man, the social being, and creativity is an questions by regarding them with stress on their attribute which guarantees the independence of man relations with man. It set man as the master and while consciousness is a prerequisite for and assur- dominator of the world, not as a simple part of the ance of the effort to give full play to independence world, and put forth a world outlook by relating it and creativity. with man. Man, the social being, who has independence, The essence of the Juche idea is that man is the creativity and consciousness, is precisely the only master of his own destiny. The Juche idea raised the dominator and remaker of the world. Natural envi- fundamental question of philosophy by regarding ronments and social conditions have a great effect on man as the main factor, and elucidated the philoso- human activity. But man does not merely adapt phical principle that man is the master of everything himself to environments and conditions. By his inde- and decides everything. That man is the master of pendent, creative and conscious activity, man con- everything means that he is the master of the world tinuously transforms nature and society, changing as and of his own destiny; that man decides everything he desires what does not meet his needs, and replac- means that he plays the decisive role in transforming ing what is outdated and reactionary with what is the world and in shaping his destiny. The philoso- new and progressive. phical principle of the Juche idea is the principle of The Juche idea also established the viewpoint man-centred philosophy which explains man’s posi- and attitude of giving precedence to the interests and tion and role in the world. Man is the most developed role of man in all thinking and activities. The man- and powerful being in the world. He transforms na- centred viewpoint and attitude to the world means ture and society and develops science and technology. approaching the world from the interests of man, That is why man becomes the master dominating the master of the world, and dealing with the change and world and deciding everything. development of the world mainly on the basis of the The Juche idea is based on the scientific expla- activity of man who transforms it. nation of man’s intrinsic qualities. In the past there Man considered in the philosophical outlook of were so many attempts to explicate the nature of Juche means the popular masses, not a certain spe- man by considering the inner qualities he possesses cific individual. The interests of man put forward by as the main denominator. For an example, there the Juche idea doesn’t mean the avaricious interests were definitions of man as a speaking being, a work- such as individuals’ wealth and success, but the fun- ing being or a thinking being. The question raised by damental interests of the social being and the inter- the human history to delineate the true nature of ests of the popular masses who want to live and de- man had remained unsolved for a long time. velop independently free from all fetters and subor- The Juche idea set it an important philosophical dination of nature and society. task to explain the essential properties of man and From this point the philosophical outlook of Juche explicated the truth that man is the social being with becomes the man-centred world outlook, which puts independence, creativity and consciousness. Inde- the dignity and worth of man, or the popular masses, pendence, creativity and consciousness, after all, are onto the highest elevation. what enables man to be superior to any other being An Chol Ho
16 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015
Request of the Supreme Commander
HE SUPREME COMMANDER Kim Jong Un pays deep attention to the T Kim Jong Un of the Korean People’s living conditions of the soldiers whenever he Army (KPA) is leading the entire army by visits units. He looks into every corner of their virtue of love, trust and benevolence. conditions. He learns the temperature of One day in January 2012 during his inspec- barracks and mess halls, the water temperature tion of a KPA unit he visited the house of the in wash-cum-bathrooms and the quality of blan- commander. Warmly shaking hands with the kets, and even tastes their cigarettes and bean commander’s wife who was in tears as she was so paste for their meals. happy and excited, Kim Jong Un asked if she When he visits companies, he is wont to tell was preparing dinner, and looked into the the commanders to look after the soldiers like kitchen and the living rooms. Like a father who their elder brothers, elder sisters and revolution- was visiting his daughter’s home, he bent his ary comrades-in-arms. He says that he entrusts body to feel the floor of the room, and he was the soldiers to them. Then he stresses that the sorry it was rather cold. commanders should work strenuously to provide As each of his words full of warm affection better living conditions to the soldiers. He tells reminded the commander and his wife of them that the officers are there for the soldiers, Chairman Kim Jong Il’s loving care for the not just the other way around. soldiers, they could not contain their tears and In April last, he told the participants in the threw themselves in his bosom in great emotion. Fifth Conference of the KPA Training Officers Trying to change the atmosphere from the that the training officers should train themselves tearful scene, the Supreme Commander turned with arms in hand just like the soldiers, become to look at family photos on the wall, and said that umbrellas for the soldiers when it rains and the regiment commander was rich in daughters snows, become a scaffold for them to use to climb as he had got three daughters without a son, and sheer cliffs, become stepping stones in a ford for he laughed heartily. He asked about the chil- them to cross, become comfortable soles for them dren’s jobs. Hearing that they were serving in on a long march, become a bonfire to warm them the army like the father, he said that it meant up, become a breeze to cool them, become a shield they were succeeding to their father, and wished to keep them from shells and bullets, and become them good luck in their worthy life for national a step for them to mount the platform of honour defence. when orders and medals are to be attached to Before leaving, the leader told the hostess their breasts for their heroic merits in training. earnestly and warmly that the wives of the pilots This was so affectionate a statement that it should look after the health of their husbands still lingers in every mind. well so that they could fly better in good health. All the KPA soldiers regard him as their par- Then he said he entrusted their wives with their ent rather than their Supreme Commander. health. That’s not all. Pak Chong Sop
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 17 His Trace at Panmunjom
HE KOREAN SITUATION inch ahead. Deep silence with many things. Then he continued T was the most critical in the fog around seemed to add to the that the historic document signed mid-1990s. Misjudging that they tense situation. Kim Jong Il by the President at the close of could knock down the Democratic first walked to a newly erected his life was impregnated with his People’s Republic of Korea monument inscribed with a model strong will, faith and conviction (DPRK), the imperialist allied of President Kim Il Sung’s of the reunification. forces headed by the US spread signature reading “Kim Il Sung Looking round them, the the theory on the possible collapse July 7, 1994”. Chairman, reminding that the of the DPRK in three days, three Scrutinizing the letters care- President had said in his lifetime months or three years, and un- fully, the Chairman said that that his best gift for our people usually intensified their “threat” Panmunjom was not only a his- was national reunification, said and “blockade.” torical place where the Korean that he would give a reunified The south Korean authorities, people and the Korean People’s country to the Korean people overwhelmed with glee, tried to Army soldiers had defeated the without fail true to the make a chance for “unification by US imperialists, the first of its President’s intention. absorption,” running amok for kind for the US in its history of Hearing the news much later aggression. Worse still, the eco- warfare, but also a place symbol- that Chairman Kim Jong Il nomic condition of the Korean izing the national division; so he, inspected Panmunjom on the people was the worst because of with a single desire to transform frontline on the early morning of consecutive natural disasters year the symbol of division into a sym- Sunday, the enemy was after year. bol of reunification, had suggested very surprised, for they had been At this juncture, on the early setting up the monument in- watching every movement of the morning of November 24, 1996, scribed with an autograph of the DPRK with their artificial recon- Chairman Kim Jong Il said he President in honour of his exploits naissance satellite in the sky. At was going to Panmunjom. Offi- for the cause of national reunifi- that time, the US and south Ko- cials stood in his way, for they cation, in the place where a num- rean authorities ran amok to couldn’t let him go to the danger- ber of activists for reunification know why he had been there and ous place with a company of a few from home and abroad gathered what he had done there. officials, where the two opposite every year. And he added that the Later, a US officer, recollect- sides were confronted with arms signature was short, but that its ing that time, lamented, “I felt as aiming at each other. meaning was great and sublime. if I were standing on an However, the Chairman left After going round the Panmun A-bomb just before explosion. It for the front, saying that he had to House he went to the monument seemed Supreme Commander go to inspect Panmunjom in any again, where he said that the Kim Jong Il brought fog with case to encourage the people and President, who had worked heart him using his trick. It was a mys- soldiers in this tense situation. and soul for the reunification of tery indeed.” Foreign media re- Saying that he knew the officials the country, had spent busy ported, “Kim Jong Il’s inspection must be more tired than him, he hours working to bring a reuni- of Panmunjom pierced a sword called upon them to go through fied country to the whole nation into the heart of the US” and “It the difficulties together. in the last days of his life, before seemed a north Korean A-bomb The Chairman drove a long passing away unexpectedly just was about to explode under the way and arrived at Panmunjom. after making his last autograph foot of the Americans in a min- At that time it was so foggy there to the document, and that the ute.” that they couldn’t see even an monument was reminding him of Kim Kwang Myong
18 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 Missing His Care
T IS FOUR YEARS SINCE the people’s demand for our goods I Chairman Kim Jong Il grew day after day. passed away unexpectedly to our The Chairman’s meticulous bitterest grief. When I walk in care for the disabled ex-soldiers the compound of my factory, I got warmer with the passage of seem to hear the kind-hearted time. On the Day of the Sun and resonant voice of the (President Kim Il Sung’s birth- Chairman, and when I close my day) in 2003 he visited my factory eyes, the unforgettable days come again. That day he saw a semi- across. finished product we made with One early morning in Septem- our own contrivance, and highly ber 1999, when the country was praised that it was permeated in a hard time undergoing the with the sincerity of honoured Arduous March and the forced ex-soldiers. Understanding the march, the Chairman visited my fact that we were using an an- factory, the Hamhung Honoured thracite boiler, he said that the Disabled Soldiers’ Plastic Neces- environment would be dirty and sities Factory, to learn about the that the work would be hard for Workshop manager Ri Kwang Su. living conditions of us workers the workers. He told the accom- who had been disabled during panying officials that as the Kim Jong Il gave field guidance service. On the occasion he sug- factory employees were mostly to my factory once more. He gested to set up a food supply disabled ex-soldiers, an electric advised that modernization of station exclusively for the dis- oil-heating boiler should be equipment should be done to help abled ex-soldiers in my factory, introduced in the factory so as to the disabled ex-soldiers work saying that a full amount of food let them work in a cultured with ease and that the smart should be supplied to the chil- environment. mass consumption goods of high dren, the elderly people and the That evening the Chairman quality should be produced in disabled ex-soldiers though the thought hard what he would send large quantities. country was in a difficult eco- to us. He counted varieties of Years have passed, and still I nomic situation. And reading our things including TV sets, under- can feel the warm care of the mind to find the worth of life in wear and sets of dishes, before Chairman in every corner of the contributing to the country by asking the officials what kind of factory which is associated with producing more goods, he took things should be added. One offi- his wise leadership. When I tell measures to supply raw materi- cial murmured that there were the great personality of the als to my factory preferentially. cotton-padded clothes, wondering Chairman to new workers who Then my factory went into nor- whether it would be OK to send are effecting technical innova- mal operation again, fulfilling the them because it was getting tions and refurbishing their hope of us workers to run the warmer. The Chairman disap- worksites true to the intention of factory in full operation. proved his worry, and said that it the Chairman, I am overwhelmed Originally, my factory was was still cold for the disabled with an earnest longing for him. inaugurated during the Father- ex-soldiers though it didn’t mat- And I inwardly say to him, “Dear land Liberation War (1950–1953) ter to ordinary people, and that Chairman, we fulfilled 19 items by war-wounded soldiers who those clothes might be worn the of technical innovation last year voluntarily got together and pro- next winter. And he personally including the introduction of the duced some materials to be sup- revised the list of things as many CNC technology into the com- plied to the front with a mind to as four times. The image of the pound production process. This give even a little help to their Chairman was identical to that of year we have developed the tech- comrades and to the country. President Kim Il Sung who had nology of home production of gas We all knew it, and shared had souvenir photographs taken foaming agent and applied it into their mind invariably, maintain- two times with the disabled ex- production. You will always be ing the spirit and tradition of soldiers and their wives, saying with us on the road of glorifying those days. When we made even that their wives took much trou- the tradition and honour of our a pair of boots or a rainbow coat, ble for taking care of their hus- factory.” we pooled our wisdom and zeal to bands, and that he had to have Ri Kwang Su, make them popular goods. In the another photograph taken, stand- workshop manager of course of this the varieties of ing the women in the front row. the Hamhung Honoured goods and the production capac- The great love continued. In Disabled Soldiers’ Plastic ity increased to a large size, and December 2010 Chairman Necessities Factory
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 19 Immortal Flowers Exhibited in Russia
A Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia exhibition opens in Moscow.
N AUGUST LAST splendid events under the concern Nakhodka, respectively. I exhibitions of Kimilsungia and of the government of the Russian Several Russian TVs and Kimjongilia, the immortal flowers Federation, political parties, so- news agencies reported the news of Korea, were held in Moscow cial organizations and the Rus- of the exhibitions day after day. and Nakhodka, Russia on the sian people. The exhibitions were The Inter Fax news agency intro- occasion of the 70th anniversary of open to the public on the 12th–16th duced the immortal flowers under Korea’s liberation. They were in Moscow, and on the 7th–15th in the title of “Kimilsungia and ►
A picture of the Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia exhibition in Moscow.
20 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 ► Kimjongilia Exhibition of Korea Opened with Splendour in Mos- cow.” The Channel 1 and NTV broadcasted, under the title “Flowers Named after DPRK Leaders Brought to Moscow,” that “the Korean comrades have brought Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia for the first time to Europe, and the Moscow citizens are the first among the Europe- ans to see those wonderful flowers—in Moscow.” Screening the flower exhibi-
A picture of a Kimjongilia exhibition in Nakhodka, Russia.
sia. The bota- colonial rule of the Japanese im- nists studied it perialists in the 20th century for a dozen was the most important event in years, and in the nation’s history. And the 1965 Indonesian wise leadership of President President Su- Kim Il Sung and the Korean karno named it people’s self-sacrificing effort to Kimilsungia implement the instructions of after President the President brought the bril- Kim Il Sung. liant achievements in the devel- And the red opment of the Democratic Peo- tion at the Central Art Gallery in Kimjongilia belongs to the bego- ple’s Republic of Korea. With Moscow the Russian TV “Centre” nia family, and it was bred by a boundless respect for President aired: “The pinkish purple Japanese horticulturist through Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kimilsungia was bred in Indone- 20 years of efforts. In 1988 he Kim Jong Il we’ve exhibited presented it to Chairman Kimjongilia flowers, the most
Kim Jong Il on the occasion of beautiful and precious flower his birthday. The Kimilsungia symbolizing the greatness of the and Kimjongilia were awarded leaders.” special prizes and diplomas sev- The editor-in-chief of the Rus- eral times at international ex- sian newspaper “Nakhodkinsky pos.” The “Mir 24” televised that Rabochy” said, “Today in Korea the Korean people were celebrat- you can see miracles and innova- ing the 70th anniversary of their tions day after day in the strug- national liberation, that August gle for the building of a thriving 15 is the day of Korea’s libera- socialist nation and the well- tion, and that the Central Art being of the people. The appear- ance of the country is changing Gallery in Moscow was full of year after year, and all those fragrance of the flowers that day. successes are attributable to the Meanwhile, a Kimjongilia wise leadership of the leader exhibition sponsored by the “Jelyonoe Hozaistvo” Co. Ltd., Kim Jong Un.” Russia, took place in the com- The exhibitions served as an pany building. At the opening important occasion in further ceremony director of the company improving the traditional DPRK- Russia friendship. Mazur Elena Vladimirovna said: “The liberation of Korea from the Rim Sang Jun
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 21 History Brimming With Noble Moral Obligation (1) By I. Ya. Novichenko
HIS IS THE YEAR WHEN MOST OF THE T countries talk about 70th anniversaries of their own events. I am a man who was born two years after 1945 that was the year of critical importance to hu- manity. This is why I feel like to talk about the 70th anniversary of my own thing. The story I’m going to tell is about the sense of obligation that every human being treasures. My father Ya. T. Novichenko was an ordinary man from Siberia, but he still lives in the heart of the Korean people. President Kim Il Sung, Chairman Kim Jong Il and the supreme leader Kim Jong Un put him forward as a hero and internationalist fighter and kept their relations of true friendship with him generation after generation, writing a re- markable story about noble sense of obligation. I’m eager to say the DPRK leaders created an example of faithfulness to obligation over the past 70 years for the world to emulate. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Korean liberation from the Japanese military occupation, I’ve written this arti- The internationalist fighter Ya. T. Novichenko. cle on behalf of the Novichenkos who cherish the On May 21 thirty-one years ago when the dense sense of obligation towards the outstanding leaders of Korea and our dear Korean friends. forests of birches were making wonderful behaviours nourished with the increasing sap, President Essential to His Heroic Feat Kim Il Sung met my father at the Novosibirsk Railway Station while travelling past Siberia to visit I’m sure no other people like the white birches as the former Soviet Union and East European socialist much as us Russians. Centring on Novosibirsk, countries. The meeting between the celebrated man th called “capital of Siberia,” the basins of the Ob and representative of the 20 century and an ordinary Yenisey rivers have many modern industrial dis- war veteran who had spent the latter half of his life tricts, but my native village Travnoye is located in in a secluded Siberian village was quite a scene. the depth of the great nature 360 km away from the Getting down from the train, Kim Il Sung, a capital city of the province. great saint of mankind, hurried with arms stretched When it blows in the Siberian land where inex- out towards my father who was running up to him in haustible resources are buried, the forests of white haste. Although my father had changed into an ordi- birches sway impressively. Like my father had done, nary Siberian old man along with the passage of 38 I grew up hearing the sound of the birches. My vil- years, the President recognized him at a glance, who lage has a saying that when the forests of the birches had had been a virile young officer of the Red Army. wave unusually there will surely come an important He was so glad that he hugged my father in his arms event. closely. My father put his remaining one arm around ►
22 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 ► the President; he was so tearfully excited that he Dajianggang, had been the talk of not only the Red couldn’t make even a greeting. The embrace was Army soldiers but the Soviet civilians as well. My rather long, as if the two were unaware of their sur- father gave an impressive explanation of the heroic roundings—they must have missed each other so feats accomplished in the struggle to implement the sorely and their friendship so true and genuine. order Commander Kim Il Sung had given to all the The crowds of people who were out in the railway guerrilla units to carry out an enemy-rear harassing station to welcome the Korean leader were surprised campaign so as to defend the Soviet Union with to see it. arms. Serving in the border guard my father had Kim Il Sung told the Soviet officials, who were witnessed the actions of the Korean guerrillas with there to receive him, about the great deed my father his own eyes. And what was most impressive about had carried out in the liberated Korea, calling it the brave and self-sacrificing guerrillas had been heroic. Then, like a real brother, he kindly asked my their absolute loyalty to Kim Il Sung. Hearing that father how he had been living and how things were they had regarded him not only as the commander of with his family. The dialogue wound up in his invi- the guerrilla army of Korea but also as the lodestar tation of our family to Pyongyang. of the Korean liberation and saviour of their nation, Presently the special train began to run again my father began to feel attracted to Kim Il Sung. He through the expansive land of Siberia and the forests learned that he was a patriot leading the holy anti- of birches were waving in the spring breeze, their Japanese war for independence of Korea and that he leaves glistening in the sun. was a man of great caliber, benevolence and inter- That evening my family was in a festive mood. All nationalist purposes— the image of the young the family members got together, and neighbours Kim Il Sung my father worshipped as a true hero. came to congratulate my father and had a pleasant It is not a simple reason when a man worships talk throughout the night. The topic was about the another, I think. The most genuine worship comes noble sense of duty of President Kim Il Sung who when you are completely attracted by whom you had remembered my father for dozens of years believe to be really a great person. though he was an ordinary foreigner. My father was a man of reticence, but that night (To be continued) he talked a lot about the President, who he wor- Ya. T. Novichenko’s son and his wife. shipped as a legendary hero. His story began with what he had experienced
when he was in the border guard on the Soviet- Manchurian border before the campaign to liberate Korea. At the time there were huge forces of the Soviet Red Army and the Japanese Kwantung Army facing each other in fierce confrontation. The guer- rilla army led by General Kim Il Sung was fighting a bloody struggle in defence of the Soviet Union, the first socialist state in the world, though they were already putting up a hard warfare to regain their country from the control of the Japanese imperial- ists. The internationalist aid of the Korean guerrillas had reached the climax at the time of the Khalkhin- Gol battle, my father said. The large and small bat- tles fought by the Koreans in order to defend the Soviet Union, typically the battles at Dashahe and
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 23
The Two Bullet Holes
N THE DAYS OF THE ANTI-JAPANESE the enemy off. Bullets grazed by her ears, but I armed struggle (1930–1945) the anti- she ran and ran with the enemies in her wake Japanese war heroine Kim Jong Suk was out of sheer intent to defend the headquarters always faithful to the ideology and leadership of the Korean revolution. As she reached a of Commander Kim Il Sung and devoted point far away, she shot down Japanese herself to the safety of the Commander at rogues from behind a large tree. She finished any place and any time. The Battle of them to the last man. Hongqihe in March 1940 was one of the Hearing the sounds of gunfire from the typical battles in which Kim Jong Suk risked ridge where was the command post, the her own life to guard the safety of the soldiers of the Guards Company rushed up to Commander. At the time the main unit of the the place. But they were too late, and there Korean People’s Revolutionary Army com- was no more gunshot. As they were looking manded by Kim Il Sung lay in ambush on round the place without knowing what was the bank of the Hongqi River that was flow- the matter, Kim Jong Suk ran up and told ing through Antu County to wipe out the them to have their minds at rest as enemy troops that were coming in pursuit. Commander Kim Il Sung was safe. While The battle began at dusk. When the enemy hearing her story as to what had happened, force led by Maeda known as a master-hand they were surprised to see two bullet holes in at punitive operations came into the area of the enameled ironware fastened to the top of ambush, the Commander fired a signal shot. her haversack. The bullets had hit it when A rapid fusillade burst out and fire was she was running to lure the enemies off to the massed upon the enemy. Trapped in the other way. Kim Jong Suk, however, was narrow valley, the Japanese villains ran beaming with a happy smile, regardless of the about in utter confusion, only to be mown risk she had taken, at the thought that she down by crossfire. had guarded the Commander’s safety. When the exterminatory battle was at its In his reminiscences “With the Century,” height, a gang of Japanese soldiers who had President Kim Il Sung wrote: narrowly escaped from the jaws of death “Kim Jong Suk lived all her life not for came up to the ridge of the height where herself, but for her comrades. Her life started Commander Kim Il Sung was. At this criti- with love for her comrades, and developed on cal moment Kim Jong Suk who was sharply the basis of that feeling. In the course of this, watching the area around the command post she became a prominent revolutionary who found them. In order to protect the command displayed communist moral qualities to the post against the unexpected danger she fullest extent. All that she did throughout her rushed towards the enemy gang over the huge life was for her comrades, her fellows and for stones and fallen trees at the risk of her life, the revolution. She did nothing for her own and shot down enemy men. Now she ran in a benefit.” direction away from the command post to lure Kim Myong Sim
24 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 The Cradle of People’s Happiness
Our people became the masters of this land in their own right to create and enjoy an independent life when the genuine people’s government was es- tablished. Before national liberation (August 1945), our people suffered all manner of maltreatment, deprived of all rights and forsaken in illiteracy and ignorance. With the historic event of national libera- tion a world of happy life of the people was estab- lished to be handed down generation after genera- tion, supported by a genuine popular law that de- fends the demand and interest of the people. The Constitution of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was enacted at the First Session of the First Supreme People’s Assembly in 1948, and on Decem- Director Hong Chol Hwa. ber 27, 1972, the Socialist Constitution of the DPRK was adopted at the First Session of the Fifth Su- KOREA TODAY REPORTER HAD A TALK preme People’s Assembly. It is stipulated in the A with Hong Chol Hwa, head of the Law Research Constitution: “The State defends and protects the Institute of the Academy of Social Sciences, on the interests of the workers, peasants, soldiers and occasion of the Democratic People’s Republic of working intellectuals who have been freed from ex- Korea’s Socialist Constitution Day. Excerpts: ploitation and oppression; and the constantly in- December 27 is the Socialist Constitution Day of creasing material wealth of society in the Democratic the DPRK. Scores of years have passed since the People’s Republic of Korea is used entirely to pro- liberation of the country from the Japanese imperi- mote the well-being of the working people.” alists’ military occupation, and I think in this period Indeed, the promulgation of the Socialist Consti- the Korean people have enjoyed a happy life in a tution was a historic event of great significance in society where the people are the master of every- consolidating and developing the state and social thing and everything serves them. What do you system whereby the people are the master of every- think about this? thing and everything in the state and society serves This year the Korean people have celebrated as a the people to the letter, and in accomplishing the grand festival of victors the 70th founding anniver- cause of socialism. Afterwards, the Constitution was sary of the Workers’ Party of Korea which has led the amended and supplemented several times in keeping Korean revolution to victory and glory. Such a great with the new requirements of our revolution. At the victory our people have gained in all fields of the First Session of the Tenth Supreme People’s Assem- revolution and construction is ascribable to the full bly of the DPRK in 1998, the Socialist Constitution exercise of their rights under the protection of the was designated Kim Il Sung Constitution at the Socialist Constitution which guarantees the inde- initiative of Chairman Kim Jong Il’s noble sense of pendent rights and interests of the popular masses, revolutionary moral obligation. In April 2012 it was the rights to work, to participate in political activi- renamed Kim Il Sung-Kim Jong Il Constitution at ties, to get education and to receive free medical care, the Fifth Session of the 12th DPRK Supreme and so on. In the past the Korean people had no People’s Assembly after the proposal of the leader quarters to trust their life and destiny to as they had Kim Jong Un who personifies the loyalty and moral no genuine popular law representing their inde- obligation to the great leaders on a highest level. pendent needs and interests. So, they offer their In July last the elections of deputies to the pro- thanks to President Kim Il Sung and Chairman vincial (city under direct jurisdiction), city (district) Kim Jong Il who arranged to adopt the Socialist and county people’s assemblies were held in Korea. I Constitution for them to fully enjoy an independent think our people exercised their rights to the full. and creative life under the socialist system. What is your opinion? ►
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 25 ► The elections were held on July 19. Our people’s government is the representative of the working people’s independent rights, organizer of their creative ability and activity, master responsible for their livelihood and protector of their interests. Our people are well aware of the value of the socialist system through their experience of enjoying a happy, dignified life as masters of the state and society in the embrace of the Republic for a long time. In particular, the elections to the 13th SPA in March last year and to the local people’s assemblies in July this year are evident proof of their intense and absolute support to and trust in the govern- ment of the Republic to entrust it with their destiny and future. In our country all citizens who have reached the age of 17 have the rights to elect and to be elected, irrespective of sex, nationality, property status, education, political view and religion. The elections under our socialist system are held on the principle of universal, equal and direct suffrage. Industrial and farm workers, intellectuals, government offi- cials, soldiers, women and overseas Korean compa- triots are elected deputies to the people’s assem- blies. Kye Sun Hui, world judo champion, was elected to the people’s assembly in her girlhood at the age of 19, and Mun Kang Sun, worker of the Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill, was elected deputy to the 13th DPRK Supreme People’s Assem- bly in March last year. Many other workers, peas- ants and intellectuals have been elected to the SPA to take part in state administration, among them Jo Kil Nyo, head of the Saemaul workteam of the Ur- ban Facility Management Station in Phyongchon District, Jo Pong Nam, head of the Phyongchon Train Checking Workshop of the Passenger and Freight Trains Service Brigade of the Pyongyang Marshalling Yard, and O Myong Chun, spinner of the Sariwon Textile Mill. In July last Jong Chun Hwa, worker of the Welfare Service Management Station in Kanggye, said that though she is just a cobbler, she has been nominated as a candidate for election to the city people’s assembly, and expressed her determination to work still harder to consoli- date the people’s power and promote the benefits of the people. According to the report of the Central Election Guidance Committee, the deputies elected to the local people’s assemblies numbering 28 452 included industrial and farm workers, intellectuals and officials. Through the July elections to the local people’s assemblies, our people came to know better how their happy life is protected and how their cradle of happiness is built up.
26 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 Pyongyang Taegyong Laver Processing Factory
HE KOREAN PEOPLE HAVE LONG Factory. He noted that increasing the production of T cultivated laver and used it for dishes. Laver is laver and supplying it to the people is one of the good for growth of children and stimulates the appe- important tasks to improve their eating habit at an tite. Dried laver contains lots of protein, glucide, fat, early date true to the lifetime desire of President microelements like iron, phosphoric acid and iodine, Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il. Pointing and vitamins. to the need to produce special products including a For example, the seasoned rice rolled in laver is variety of laver products such as the powdered, fla- not only very sweet and tasty but also easy to keep, voured and hard-boiled ones, he said that the factory so it is one of the popular dishes for people on a picnic should vigorously push forward the efforts to develop or travelling. new laver processing methods and build modern The Pyongyang Taegyong Laver Processing Fac- production processes. tory, situated in Thongil Street, Pyongyang, pro- True to his instruction, all the managers and duces nutritious laver goods. It was established in workers of the factory are exerting themselves to October 2012. With a total floor space of 8 000 square raise the quality and variety of products by process- metres, the factory turns out several kinds of prod- ing more laver, tangle and seaweeds. General Man- ucts including roasted or processed laver by adding ager of the factory Kim Jong Ho says, “Everyone in spices to or roasting laver sheets after primary proc- my factory is working hard to process health- essing. For its savoury and typical taste, the public promoting seaweeds, including laver, scientifically. In demand for processed laver is increasing day by day. the near future, my factory’s new and original prod- In July last, the national leader Kim Jong Un ucts will further improve the table of the people.” visited the Pyongyang Taegyong Laver Processing Kim Chol Hyon
The number of varieties and quality of laver products increase.
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 27 More Fruit to the People
N KOREA, FRUIT FARMING the farm with a total area of 1 000 age from cold, and some of them I is thriving, helping to bring hectares has a solid scientific and withered or gave a poor yield for about a rise in the people’s living material foundation including the undernourishment. All hands of standards. The Taedonggang water-drop and ditch irrigation the farm roused themselves to Combined Fruit Farm has pro- systems. It is regarded as fit for prop up the fruit culture. Pooling duced an unprecedentedly high the cultivation of apple. their wisdom, its technicians and yield of apples this year. Built in At first, however, the farm had workers succeeded in making a the Wonhung area of Samsok difficulties as its workers were chemical to save the apple trees District, Pyongyang, at the initia- new to fruit culture. For a few from blight and developed disin- tive of Chairman Kim Jong Il, years, apple trees suffered dam- fectants harmless to human body. ►
28 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 ► A highly effective sprayer was made to introduce new sci-tech make him feel satiated, adding invented to protect the apple trees achievements and learn good that this was a good omen for the against blights and harmful in- experience and lessons from other country. Looking out over the sects. fruit farms in the country. boundless sea of fruit trees, he Great efforts were made to Great attention was paid to said that the managing staff and increase the per-hectare yield of improving the fertility of soil. To workers of the farm brought about apples. The farm workers selected solve the seed problem, a grafting the large yield of fruit as of today the best seeds suited to the farm’s stock nursery was built to nor- by working selflessly to carry out natural features and distributed malize the production of saplings the last instructions of the the fruit trees properly on the of superior variety making it pos- Chairman, preparing a fine gift to principle of planting the right tree sible to rotate crops in good time. present to the Workers’ Party of in the right soil. Then, they ma- All these sincere efforts brought Korea on the occasion of its 70th nured and tended the trees in a about a great change in fruit pro- founding anniversary. With this, sci-tech way by the season. The duction this year to supply lots of he gave his thanks to them. Chief V-shape super-close cultivation apples to the citizens of the capi- Engineer Kang Jin says, “Our method was employed, and nour- tal. respected leader’s thanks are the ishment management and prun- On his visit to the farm last expression of his trust that our ing were timely done to increase August, the leader Kim Jong Un farm will work hard in the future, the yield. While different kinds of gazed at the well-ripe apples and too. We’ll live up to his trust with- apple trees were planted alter- said with pleasure that he felt out fail by increasing the produc- nately and bees were kept in the happy to think of the people re- tion of fruit and supplying more orchards to help bear choice fruits joiced to have the fruit, and that a fruit to the people.” further, a great endeavour was mere look at it was enough to Ri Sun Nyo
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 29 A Breakthrough
ECENTLY NEWLY- high sensitivity the data found by sensor capable of measuring low R developed aerological ob- the electronic radio prober but is temperatures at scores of degrees servation facilities have been put capable of automatically pursuing below zero has a fast responding into practical use in Korea. Their within 150-200 km distance the speed and high reproducibility development was initiated by prober which moves with the air and reliability. Pak Yong Thaek, Chairman Kim Jong Il. In 2007 flow, measuring and analyzing in head of the semi-conductor re- he instructed the scientists to real time the speed and direction search institute of the university, develop an up-to-date aerological of the upper-atmosphere air flow says, “The research work this time observation radar and an elec- with highly precise azimuth, alti- has proved our scientists’ high tronic radio prober and build their tude angle and inclination dis- capability and earnest and persis- production centre. tance to the radio prober. Moving tent spirit of inquiry. I’m reas- The scientists and technicians with the air flow up to the sured that when we believe in our of the information sci-tech re- height of over 30 000 metres, the own strength and spare no efforts, search institute, the mechanical electronic radio prober measures we can do anything.” engineering research institute the aerological pressure, tempera- The aerological observation and the electronics engineering ture and relative humidity equipment are now in smooth research institute of the State with high precision and transmits operation. The weather data Academy of Sciences and the hy- all of them to the radar. Since gained by the radars and probers dro-meteorological observation the establishment of its produc- play an important role in many instrument research institute tion process at the Hydro- fields including observation of and factory under the Hydro- meteorological Observation In- disastrous weather like thunder- meteorological Service worked in strument Factory, hundreds of storm, hail and violent rainfall, concert devoting all their energies probers have been produced. The and weather forecast and air to the implementation of his in- prober’s temperature sensor for transportation. structions. aerological observation has been These aerological observation The leader Kim Jong Un who developed by the scientists of the equipment have been registered visited the service in June 2014 semi-conductor research institute as a national sci-tech merit. said that all types of observation of the Kim Chaek University of networks should be reasonably Technology. This temperature Rim Sang Jun distributed in conformity to the country’s physiographical fea- tures and the developing reality, and that the weather observation equipment should be modernized on a high level. With this, he took relevant measures. As a result, the best aerologi- cal observation equipment were installed in the Pyongyang Hydro- meteorological Branch Service. Mun Song Chun, senior member of the sci-tech office of the Hydro- meteorological Service, said, “The aerological observation radar has been manufactured by our own techniques and efforts. Our will to implement the Chairman’s last instructions has led us to success.” The radar not only receives with
30 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 The First Title Winner
N JULY THIS YEAR, KIM KUK HYANG, I a girl of teen age, came off best in women’s 10-m platform diving at the 16th FINA World Champion- ships in Kazan, Russia. So, she became Korea’s first title holder in this event. … As a child, she was very small. But she had something out of common. When she was a kinder- gartener and then a primary school pupil, she liked walking on tiptoes. She would come back home all of a sweat every evening, and nobody could tell how much she had run about all day long. Seeing gym- nasts take exercises on television, she would turn round and round in the room in imitation of them. into water with three and a half somersaults. She Then she went in for gymnastics in the April 25 was pleased with herself and smiling with satisfac- Sports Team as she had wished. She was very agile, tion. Seeing this, the coach admonished her se- quick-witted and assiduous in training. Sin Jong verely, “You must remember that when you are Rim, a woman coach of diving in the sports team, chuckling to yourself over a small success, there are was watching her carefully. She was attracted by players who are training hard without rest.” the girl’s quick decision for her age, safe and flexible The coach’s exhortation came home to her heart. motion and smart carriage of tiptoes. She trained herself even harder. Without regard to One day, Jong Rim asked her, “Kuk Hyang, her weariness, she went up to the springboard over aren’t you afraid of continuous somersaulting?” and over again with set teeth. In this process, her “No, I’m not. I like turning a somersault.” She speed of somersault in the air got fixed and steady answered with sparkling eyes, her face dripping and her actions of stretching the body and limbs and with sweat. plunging into water were perfected. Gradually, she “Have you ever imagined yourself diving into distinguished herself in the games of juniors and water in a somersault?” teen-agers. Finally, in 2014 she won first place in “Oh, yes. Seeing brothers and sisters training in women’s 10-m platform diving in the national that way, I wanted to make somersault diving as championships. When she was praised by her much as I pleased.” friends as a title-holder, her thoughts were at the Her answer was firm, and this was how she training ground. Her great spiritual strength and switched over from gymnastics to diving. Jong Rim high technique have enabled her to win in the world said, “Kuk Hyang, diving is an event in which every- championships. thing is decided in a moment. From now on, you Whenever people ask her how she could achieve must remember you’re a player dedicated to that such a miracle in her debut in international games, moment.” she calmly repeats her coach’s words with a smile, She went into systematic basic training. Train- “Diving into water takes just a moment. But I ing in water different from land training proved jumped down thinking about the dignity and honour exhausting mentally and physically for Kuk Hyang, of my country depending on that moment.” still a little girl, but she was obedient to the coach’s In August 2015 Kuk Hyang was awarded the bidding. After she learned how to swim quite well title of the People’s Athlete. her diving motions improved remarkably. Then, one day, she performed quite well the action of diving Choe Chol Jin
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 31 The Old People in Eternal Youth
OME TIME AGO WE VISITED THE hearing its roaring sounds. One of the old men sitting S Pyongyang Rest Home that was newly built on nearby said, “Having a headache often probably the bank of the beautiful Taedong River. Going up because of my age, I come here every time and then I along the river past the Munsu Water Park, we saw a feel refreshed in my mind and body as if sitting in a two-storey building with a Korean-style gable roof. deep mountain.” The well-arranged building and the fences pat- The directress led us into a bedroom. Saying that terned on flocks of cranes, an emblem of longevity, most of the bedrooms were provided with underfloor impressed us as a building for the old. At the front heating, she told us a story. “From olden times Ko- gate we were met by Directress Choe Chong Sim, rean people liked the warm floor, and so there is an who showed us into the hall. The hall had a large old saying: Warm back makes the stomach full. In mural painting of the Ullim Falls. Before it, we felt particular, old people love the warm floor. It is the as if its cool water were falling on us and we were leader Kim Jong Un who guessed this right. He ►
32 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 ► cared in detail about the furniture and fittings of this rest home and interior decorations of its rooms and sent us the pictures of the samples. Our home of the aged has been furnished just as he instructed down to the last detail.” We entered the bedroom with a sign with the inscription: The Underfloor-heated Bedroom Vis- ited by the Respected Leader Kim Jong Un on August 1, Juche 104 (2015). At the first sight, the room felt cosy with the calligraphic hanging-scroll A Place for Happy Living and a landscape on the wall well-matched with the rush mat and the arm- rest on the floor. The floor spread with a rush mat was of temperate warmth. Han Po Bi (93) leaning on a neat armrest greeted us warmly. She said, “Before the liberation of the country my parents were so poor and unable to feed me, their only daughter, that they sent me out as a nursemaid for another family and then a future wife for their son. After liberation, the state provided me with a life worthy of a human being and a good place to work and live in. And now, as you see, I’m living in com- fort. Even one next of kin to me could not take bet- ter care of me.” Living in the old-age home for over 30 years, she does daily tasks on schedule, including cultivation of the vegetable garden, in order to live even longer in this good society, she added. Then, she rose as it was time now for medical examination. We went together with her who walked on with spirit, hold- ing the handrail of the balustrade. On our way to the clinic, we saw many doctors busy coming and going in the passage. As we were puzzled, the di- ►
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 33 ► rectress explained that they were department chiefs day with age. After I came here, I exercised my leg from the central hospitals such as the Ryugyong every day and it became much better. I am sure now Dental Hospital and the Kim Man Yu Hospital, who I can go anywhere.” regularly came to examine the health conditions of We also visited the kitchen. There, lunch was the old people, giving medical aid on the spot, and if being prepared. “Every day, 300 g of fish is served to there was anything wrong with them, immediately the aged people. Fish is dressed into several kinds of send them to relevant hospitals for treatment. dishes agreeable to the old people’s tastes. Noodles Beside the clinic, there was a dental office which with sliced raw fish will be served for today’s lunch,” drew our attention. The dental office, furnished with said chef Ri Chung Sim. The directress said that up-to-date facilities, was as big as a treatment room there is a fishery station on the East Sea of Korea of a large dental hospital. Jin Yong Il, a dentist, said, that specializes in the supply of fish to the nursery “Our people regard having good teeth as one of the homes, orphanages, orphans’ primary and middle five blessings (the five good lucks a man may enjoy in schools, and old people’s homes across the country. his life). It is now also a major sign of longevity. Re- She added that a lot of meat such as boar, pheasant cently I often hear the old people say that they feel and roe deer, as well as early fruit, has been supplied like growing young again since they feel fine and eat preferentially to the home this year. their meals with relish because they receive regular Outside the building, old people were absorbed in dental treatment.” dancing. Kim Sun Ok (77), in rapture with dancing, Now, we went upstairs lured by the voices of said, “When dancing, I feel I’m a little girl. Then, this shouting time, “One, two. One, two.” The voices were grandma thinks I’ve still a mother. That’s the love of coming from the exercise room. The room had more our respected leader Kim Jong Un who has pro- than ten exercise apparatuses such as walking and vided such a splendid home to us. Under his loving stepping devices and each of them was occupied by care, we are all enjoying a youthful life forever.” old people. Delighted because of her new record in Now, it was nearly time for lunch, but the old people physical exercise, Kim Hyon Suk (74) said, “I had seemed never to stop singing. had a trouble in one leg and it had got worse day by Ri Kum Chol
34 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 Mind of a Disabled Boy
HOE JIN BOM WAS sure that he attended intensive dream because he had lost all his C born into an ordinary office vocal training taught by Ri Son hope until two years before, and worker’s family in Tongdaewon Yong, a vocal instructor of the he determined to bring glory to District, Pyongyang. When he association, after school in the his motherland that brought him was 11, that is, in December afternoon. As he understood the the real worth of life. Virtually, 2012, he lost one leg in an acci- vocal music and improved his when he visited the UK in Febru- dent. It was a critical blow to the skill with each passing day, his ary 2015 and sang the Korean ambitious boy who was learning worries disappeared from his song Spring of Home Village and and playing to his heart’s con- mind and he was full of self- the foreign song Danny Boy in tent. confidence. the hall of Oxford University, he He gave up everything and In particular, when he heard was loudly applauded by the au- refused to go outside. Tearfully the news in 2014 that he would dience. Like him, all the disabled recollecting the days when he visit the UK and France to give artists of his group displayed used to enjoy, learning at school, performance as a member of the their talents to the full. going for observation of nature Pyongyang artistic group of the After the performance, a BBC and playing football with his Korean Association of the Dis- reporter asked him, “What’s most classmates, he spent time worry- abled Artists, Jin Bom and his worrying to you?” Jin Bom re- ing about his future. family could not get to sleep. plied, “Our respected leader One day, a member of the He felt as if he were in a Kim Jong Un is most worried Korean Association of the Dis- about us disabled persons. He abled Artists came to see him at unsparingly provides us with all his house. Saying that the coun- that we need. So I am always try was taking all measures trying to bring pleasure to him. I needed to take care of the dis- am happy when he is pleased, abled, he asked Jin Bom of his and I’m anxious when I cannot wish and hobby in detail. bring him delight.” Having found a bud of his vocal talent, the association made Sim Yong Jin
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 35 Puppet Show Wins Popularity
STABLISHED ON AU- ternational Children’s Camp, the schools, kindergartens, the Cen- E gust 13, 1961, the Pyongy- Pyongyang Students and Chil- tral Zoo and so on, to get materi- ang Puppet Show Troupe debuted dren’s Palace, and other educa- als for complete success. by giving an one-act performance tion institutions and extracur- When they decided to make an King of Dry Field Crops. The ricular centres and they were very animal puppet show, they went to puppet shows which were based popular among the children. The the zoo and met animal keepers on old tales gave children correct small puppet plays Concert of to understand the animals’ understanding of the good and the Our Subbranch, Janggo Tricks, A properties. In some cases, they evil, conscience and fidelity. No- Little Monkey and Interesting stayed at primary schools and tably, the puppet play Hungbu Folk Games, and the puppet kindergartens for several days to and Nolbu won a prize at the 3rd show Ryongi’s Fist give children understand the schoolchildren’s International Puppet Show Festi- delightful and instructive mes- psychology. As part of such ef- val held in Bucharest, capital of sages. forts, they explored new materi- Romania, in August 1965. Choe Man Gum, who directed als for performance, and devel- In October last, the troupe Janggo Tricks and Interesting oped characterization and stage took part in the Sakhalin Puppet Folk Games, says, “We are now arts in conformity with children’s Show Festival held in Russia and trying to make works of simple mind and feelings, thus their left a good impression behind. and instructive value which are speculation produced a good
Since last February, the best suited to the children’s age result. ► troupe has staged puppet shows and psychological quali- at orphanages, kindergartens, ties.” Even for a simple primary schools in Pyongyang work, the artists and ac- and Wonsan, the Songdowon In- tors go a long way— to
36 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 her acting career in the puppet show troupe. She displayed her ability to the full in the puppet show The Boy Who Killed a Boa which is a children’s favourite work. The troupe produces various dolls, costumes and props to suit the characters. Kim Yong Myong, a property maker, says that even a simple doll should have its nature and character as the puppet show contains an alle- gorical message. In fact, they are trying to make interesting and funny dolls, and they’ve made Artists are engrossed in creation of a new play. more than 700 so far. In keeping ► Meanwhile, the actors, who lords, leaving deep impression. with the developing reality, the are in their 20s or 40s and 50s, Among the actors is Merited artists are making various pup- are devoting all their energies to Artist Hong Ran Hui who is now pets. the improvement of their per- well over 40. After finishing the The troupe is conducting cul- forming level. Sometimes they course of acting at the Pyongyang tural exchange with foreign coun- play the role of children, and University of Dramatic and Cine- terparts. sometimes that of covetous land- matic Arts in her 20s, she started Kim Il Ryong
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 37 Hub of Anti-imperialist,
the slogan “Don’t forget the bloody lessons of Sinchon!” was seen distinctively in the middle of the museum. In the front wall of the central hall I saw the slogan “Take revenge upon the US impe- rialist murderers a thousandfold!” and the sculptures of women and children writhing in indignation and grief against the bloody- Visitors honour the memory of the murdered at the coloured background as if telling Tomb of 400 Mothers and the Tomb of 102 Children. of the massacre of those days. The museum consists of the HE SINCHON MUSEUM “This museum is an accuser of and general introduction hall, the hall T was rebuilt recently. It is a a witness to history. It was re- of the museum’s history, 15 exhi- historic place bearing witness to cently rebuilt here in Pamnamu- bition rooms, a video room and a atrocities of the US imperialist gol where the tombs are, and thus room for writing impressions. aggressors who murdered the it has been properly arranged as a Curator Kim Myong Hui said, “In innocent Korean people when centre of anti-imperialist, anti-US my museum the sites of massa- they temporarily occupied the education and class education,” cres of those days are left intact, northern half of Korea during the she said. which show the terrible killings Korean war (June 1950–July When we went by the tombs to committed by the US imperial- 1953) they had started. ascend the steps to the museum, I ists.” Some time ago I visited the saw a sculpture with the inscrip- Looking round the exhibition museum which was facelifted tion of “December 7, 1950.” It was halls I keenly understood once as befitting a centre of anti- of a mother glaring at the enemy more about the Sinchon massacre imperialist, anti-US education with her dead child in her arms in which 35 383 people in Sinchon and class education. When we got and, centring around it, the im- County, a quarter of its popula- to the Tomb of 400 Mothers, the ages of other women writhing in tion, had been killed in less than Tomb of 102 Children and the agony calling their children, and two months. The enemy butch- Tomb of Patriots, Pak Yong Suk, the children crying for their ered the people on absurd directress of the museum, met us. mothers anxiously in flames. And “charges” of having lived happily ►
38 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 Anti-US Education
► in the DPRK, and having paid tax corpses, com- in kind and having donated rice to mitting the the country during the five years atrocity of burning them to death. make propaganda as if the “Reds” after liberation of the country. The day after their occupation the were to blame for the crime. As As I went around the exhibi- invaders mercilessly killed over ordered, the US gangsters con- tion halls I felt to the bone what 900 innocent people. fined over 520 people in a 9-m the illusions about the US impe- In the hall are large-sized long and 1.7-m wide air-raid shel- rialists and the class enemy had panoramas vividly depicting the ter once used by the local DPRK resulted in. massacre of those days: the guilt- security office, and detonated In an exhibition hall are on less people writhing in flames in explosives to kill them all. A pic- displays the materials dedicated the air-raid shelter and the US ture showing the massacre is on to the show of the vicious and imperialist barbarians roaring display and the air-raid shelter is brutal atrocities of the US impe- with glee over the killing. re-presented in the museum. rialists and the class enemy. On Moreover, the wax replicas Ri Myong Bok, one of the visi- October 17, 1950 a US army offi- of a US officer c o m m a n d i n g tors, said, “Seeing the materials ► cer named Harrison organized the carnage reactionary organizations such as and a “peace- A powder magazine in the Pamnamu-gol. the “police corps,” the “peace- keeping corps” keeping corps” and the “students’ ruffian made armed unit” with the remnants of the onlookers the exploiter classes overthrown burn with ha- after liberation and those who tred. According were discontented and dissatis- to the guide, fied with the DPRK’s policies. Harrison or- They arrested the innocent dered to kill inhabitants at random and de- the people in tained them in an old air-raid a covered place shelter once used by the county because there Workers’ Party of Korea commit- might be wit- tee, and set fire to it, burning the nesses if they detainees to death. They thrust were killed in other people into it over the the open, and to
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 39 ► restored to their original state of Sinchon in March 1952, and notes sprinkled gasoline over the chil- which I only heard from the cura- of impression left by people from dren and set fire to burn them to tors, I seem to hear the merry different countries in the world in death the day they fled on De- laughters and sound of songs of denunciation of the American cember 7, 1950. the children in the liberated crimes after looking around the “The barbarous nature of the country. And before the people museum. US imperialists remains un- who fell innocent victims I draw Getting out of the museum changed. The soul of Sinchon tells bloody lessons and understand building I headed for an air-raid us that we should fight against my duty to be done without fail.” shelter once used by the county the US imperialists to the last After making the rounds of the Workers’ Party of Korea commit- and win victory to take revenge of halls I stepped into a room where tee where over 900 people had Sinchon.” This was what the 70- the visitors’ notes of impression been killed. When I saw the slo- year-old man, Ju Sang Won, cried are kept. There I saw some data gan “Long live the Workers’ Party earnestly, who is one of the three on activities of a Women’s Inter- of Korea!” written on a wall of the children who had had a narrow national Democratic Federation shelter, I seemed to hear the an- escape from the powder magazine team who had visited Sinchon in gry shouts of the Party members where the children had been May 1951 to investigate and con- who had struggled indomitably to burned to death firm the crimes of the US imperi- the last moment of their life. Say- In the powder magazine where alists and bring it to justice at the ing that it was too happy a thing the mothers were confined, an UN, and data on activities of an for the children to be with their American dud bomb is hanging International Association of De- mothers, the American savages heinously from the ceiling, which mocratic Lawyers team who were had torn the children away from the US aircraft dropped in its dispatched to investigate the their mothers to lock them up bombardment on June 28, 1951. crimes of the US imperialists in separately for a week. They had Looking at this I was reminded of ►
Some data and materials on the atrocities of the US imperialists and the class enemy.
40 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 ► the aggressive nature of the US imperialists who are desperate to repeat the Sinchon massacres by annually conducting aggressive nuclear war exercises against our country. At the newly arranged re- venge-pledging place I saw the visitors pledging to take revenge upon the US imperialists a thou- sandfold with burning hostility against them. Pak Yong Suk said, “The mu- seum was inaugurated in July last on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the victorious Fa- therland Liberation War. It gives bloody truth that illusions about the enemy means just death and that we should settle accounts with the aggressors with arms without fail.” Visitors pledge to take revenge.
Kim Hyon Ju
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 41 Short Story No. 1 By Ri Kuk Chol
(Continued from the last “What’s this up? Do you mean you The referee declared a foul. issue) want to stand on the side of your Ryon Sil swung up to the refe- husband? Don’t be silly. Are you ree and protested, arguing for a HE NEXT MORNING SONG going to let him pass to make a penalty kick. T Jun called all the players of goal when he is dashing up to the Song Jun faced his wife and the football team of his workshop goal seeking a vacant place? said, “Don’t be excited, Ryon Sil. into his office and spread a sheet What’s the use of your build? Players must be silent.” of paper on the table, which he You’d better fight it out this time.” “This is an intentional foul,” had drawn and crossed and re- The other players joined his Ryon Sil talked back. drawn throughout the night. attack, leaving no place for the Song Jun stamped his foot “Now look here,” he began to ex- woman to retreat. with a thump, and shouted an- plain his plan, “I think we have to “Well,” she murmured, “I’ll try grily, “Don’t cock your head. close this ‘Valve’ at any cost.” anyhow, but I’m not sure I can You’re going to be a shame for our The youngest player of them, check his ferocious dash.” family.” No. 5, asked the workshop man- At last the game began. Ac- “Oh, no,” she retorted, “this ager with his eyes wide-open with cording to the arrangement that isn’t our home. Stop being ab- surprise, “Valve? I’ve just closed the managers of the workshops surd.” the steam valve before I came were to stand goalkeeper, Song The players from both sides here.” Jun and Ryon Sil went out to had a quarrel, and the referee, Disappointed, Song Jun licked their goals respectively. who was a young man with curly his dry lips and twisted the nose It was a sharp game from the hair from the lathe workshop, was of the player, saying, “Don’t be so beginning. As Song Jun had ex- so embarrassed that he looked to naïve. I mean we have to contain pected the consumer goods work- Jin Myong who was watching the the stretch of the consumer goods shop team launched a total offen- game outside the field. Jin Myong workshop.” sive. The No. 3 player of the team, was the chief of the board of refe- Now all of them burst into nicknamed as “Valve” by Song rees, Song Jun knew. laughter, learning that he meant Jun, was more than swift; fooling As Jin Myong was walking the tall man of the consumer waves of his adversaries who were into the field, Song Jun intention- goods workshop who was the head trying to check his dash, he flew ally wore a full smile on his face of the valve workteam. towards the opposite goal like an and waved his hands in an at- “Be quiet,” Song Jun shouted, arrow in a moment. At the mo- tempt to meet his eyes. He be- thumping the table. The room ment the statistician of the main- lieved Jin Myong would side with was silent again. tenance workshop team opposed the team of his own workshop. Giving his glance round the him desperately with arms To his surprise, however, Jin people, he began to explain about stretched out, and cried, “No! No!” Myong did not cast even a side his tactical plan for the game. “We Then she forcefully shoved him glance at Song Jun passing by. should have our forwards contain out of his way when he was at- “Ahem!” Song Jun cleared his the advance of the ‘Valve’ in the tempting to swing past her. The throat loudly, when Jin Myong front zone and another three No. 3 lost his balance and was came to a stop as if he had recog- check him behind them. This is thrown off to the ground. Now the nized him at last. He looked sort of tactic of broom. If he No. 5 player of the maintenance around merrily for a moment, but dashes through our lines despite workshop team, who had been soon wore a perplexed face before all our efforts, then we have no running behind, snatched the whispering to Song Jun, “Please other alternative but leave it to ball, giving a thumb-up to the don’t be a nuisance, Comrade our statistician.” By this he re- statistician and praising, “Well Workshop Manager. How do you ferred to the statistician who was done, lady.” think I can help you in this situa- selected as a player according to The No. 3 of the opposite team tion?” Then he turned around to the new rules whereby two of the exclaimed angrily, “Are you the referee sharply and shouted eleven should be women. crazy?” aloud as if he wanted everyone The statistician of a giant The statistician seemed to be there hear him say, “Don’t hesi- build was surprised to hear him, feeling guilty. After a baffling tate. The maintenance workshop receding back while pulling her- moment, she shyly approached has made a rough foul. This is self up from the chair and ex- him and brushed off the dirt from surely tantamount to a penalty claiming, “Me? That’s nonsense. his uniform and asked in a con- kick. I say, a penalty kick.” How can I check him?” cerned voice, “Are you all right?” Song Jun was aghast. His Song Jun banged the table There came a sound of the hope and expectation collapsed again, and said threateningly, whistle, suspending the game. into ruins all of a sudden. ►
42 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 ► Encouraged by Jin Myong, the The remarks of the No. 3 of the about their implementation. He referee declared a penalty kick. opposite team angered Song Jun never engaged himself in the im- Song Jun stared at the back of Jin and all other members of his plementation directly, avoiding Myong walking out of the field in team. The maintenance workshop direct responsibility himself. haste, as if escaping from the team made ferocious counterat- Thanks to his manner of work, his perplexing situation. You can’t tacks several times, but they workshop delayed the task of get away with this, Song Jun told could not open the goal which was producing parts of machines by inwardly. kept secure. Ryon Sil kept her themselves on the pretext of this Now Song Jun stood in the goal so tenaciously that no score or that difficulty, never trying to goal as keeper, but he felt his legs came despite the strong offensive. do it this way or that. trembling with nervousness as if Song Jun also beat off the ball The image of his wife came he were standing in the runway in flying towards his goal several into his mind anew who returned an attempt to check the landing of times, saving his team from the home pleasantly after a perspiring a plane single-handedly. He knew critical moment. He was sur- course of football training. She that to keep the goal from the No. prised at his performance himself. was the kind of person who felt 3’s smart shoot-in was almost as He was sweating profusely like in assured only when she took part difficult as to intercept the bullet a shower. The seesaw battle with in whatever task her workshop in flight. the ball coming and going to and did, even if it was a sports game or The whistle blew, giving vent fro between the two goals gripped an artistic performance. She rolled to deafening cheers. But in a mo- the heart of the audience. One of up her sleeves and shouldered it ment the hair-raising tension them said, “The maintenance upon herself before anyone else. vanished from the field, followed workshop manager is a good At the moment his wife’s voice by a burst of disappointment from keeper.” Another replied, “Yeah, came from the crowd of the oppo- all directions. and the consumer goods workshop site side, who said pleasantly, Song Jun, who had shut his manageress is no less good.” “Keeping the goal depends on eyes the moment the ball began to The match of ferocious offen- your determination, too. I thought fly towards him, looked back not sives and thoroughgoing defen- the ball a bomb flying into my knowing what had happened. sives ended in draw with no score. own house, and I decided to check Then he found something unbe- And the two teams qualified for it at any cost.” The words found a lievable. The ball he thought must the next-stage tournament. way into Song Jun’s heart deeply. have come into the net was no- Now Song Jun felt exhausted, The Party secretary ap- where in the goal. It was a great like a ball of saturated cotton. He proached Song Jun still standing fortune or a miracle. He had never collapsed with the goal pole in his fixed in front of the goal, and expected the ball would fly over arms. His team members rushed spoke to him, “I know you’re the goal. To the wide-eyed Song to him in an ecstasy of joy and really a football doctor. Seeing the Jun, the No. 3 of the consumer hugged him. game, I am sure you’re the one goods workshop team teased Song Leaving himself in their arms, who should keep the goal of the Jun shaking his white neck to and Song Jun made a rueful grin on maintenance workshop.” fro, “Comrade Workshop Man- the face. It was a grin of self- Song Jun couldn’t raise his ager, it’s almost an empty goal if it reprimand. Suddenly he remem- face up. He said to the Party sec- is without Jin Myong, isn’t it? I bered what the Party secretary retary in a whisper, “Comrade could hardly have courage to had called upon the workshop Party secretary, I think I know make a shot in the empty goal. Ha, managers to make a marvellous now why you arranged for the ha, ha. But from now on I won’t show of the football games by workshop managers to be goal- allow for your circumstances.” becoming the goalkeepers. Recall- keepers in the game this time. I Song Jun now knew he had inten- ing his past, Song Jun knew he tell you I’ll be the responsible tionally sent the ball over the goal. had only been a “talk show actor” manager of my workshop true to “Well done! We consumer after all. Talking of dignity as the word. I’m going to be No. 1 goods workshop team want to win manager of the workshop, he had both in production and sporting by our real ability rather than by kept himself away from the events.” a penalty kick. Ho, ho, ho.” Ryon sweeping enthusiasm for sports The maintenance workshop Sil said with laughter from the activities. Making himself impor- reached the final match this time opposite side. tant he used to be satisfied to do again. And the No. 1 player of the Song Jun was distressed to supply service for the players, team was Song Jun, the manager know that the opposite team re- giving applause while seated on of the workshop. And he was in garded his goal as empty as there the platform of the stadium, and the lead of maintenance and re- was not Jin Myong standing giving admonitions to their pair campaigns. guard. He decided they could performance. He had thought it From the time on, whenever he hardly allow themselves to make natural for an officer. Now he saw an officer in a stagnation over a shot into the empty goal. What flushed with shame. Like his his work, he would advise him, are they thinking of my work- manner to sport and physical “Have you ever kept the goal in shop? I won’t let them look down exercises, he attended to affairs of football game? You’d better try it.” on us, Song Jun told himself, bit- his workshop by no more than ing his lips resolutely. giving instructions and asking (The end)
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 43 Pyongyang, Cradle of
Korean Nation (2)
Pyongyang Area as Centre of the original forms, deep bottoms and inherent snug pat- Korean Nation’s Evolution (1) terns have been found in an expansive area of the East Asian continent ranging from the region east of
the Liaohe river and south of the Songhua river to
the south Maritime Province of Russia, centring on HE HUMAN FOSSILS FOUND IN THE the Korean peninsula. This common cultural feature area of Korea so far are Ryokpho man, Tokchon T is eloquent proof that an integrated tribe was formed man, Sungnisan man, Mandal man, Kumchon man in the Neolithic era and developed into a unified and Phunggok man. The localities of the fossils were community. mostly in the basin of the Taedong River with Pyongyang as the centre. Those people who developed the Neolithic culture In Korea three sites of historical importance in Korea are called ancient Koreans. The anthropo- produced fossilized humans that date back to the logical features proper to the Koreans took shape and stage of Palaeolithic man, and two of them are situ- steadily developed for a protracted period of time ated in the Taedong River basin in Pyongyang. To be from the Neolithic era to the ancient times. The Ko- more concrete, one of them is Ryokpho man exca- reans have unique ethnic features: the skin of mild vated in 1977 in a limestone cave in Taehyon-dong, colour, rather gentle eyes, straight and firm black Ryokpho District, Pyongyang (the fossil consists of hair, sparse moustache and hair on the body, flat pieces of the front, roof and side of a skull which is face of a medium size, nose of medium size, sleek estimated to be that of a seven or eight year old chin, developed ridge from the eye to the nose, lip of child), and the other is Tokchon man found in 1973 medium thickness, and erect forehead. This sort of in the Sungnisan Cave, Tokchon City, South Phyon- appearance indicative of the uniformity in bloodline, gan Province, in the basin of the Taedong River not is clearly distinctive from that of other neighbouring far away from Pyongyang (the fossil shows teeth and tribes and ethnic groups. shoulder bone). The ancient Korean tribe developed century after Fossils of Neolithic man were also discovered in century creating a marvellous cultural tradition of numbers in Korea. Seven of the eight relevant sites the Korean nation and writing a proud history, and are located in the basin of the Taedong River centring reached the stage of modern Koreans. on Pyongyang. In 1972 the aforementioned cave in Mt. As is seen above, the Koreans are of a single na- Sungni, Tokchon City, South Phyongan Province pro- tive group with a single bloodline coming from the duced, along with the fossils of Tokchon man, some Korean land with Pyongyang as the centre. This is fossils of Sungnisan man in a different stratum of the evident from the fact that the oldest remains indi- bottom. Later in 1980, fossils of Mandal man and cating the origin of the Korean nation were found in Ryonggok man were found in Mandal-ri, Sungho the vicinity of Pyongyang, that the distribution of the County, North Hwanghae Province, and in Ryonggok- fossilized human remains unearthed is concentrated ri, Sangwon County, North Hwanghae Province, re- in the Pyongyang area and that the unique features spectively. In 1983 fossils of Kumchon man were un- of the Koreans were identified near Pyongyang earthed in Jung-ri, Sangwon County, North Hwang- ahead of other places. hae Province, and in 1991 those of Phunggok man The Komunmoru Remains which is well known to were dug out in Phunggok-ri, Pukchang County, the world is surely the sign of the origin of the Ko- South Phyongan Province. rean nation whose history began with the opening of The cultural community of the Neolithic era is to the human era on the earth. The remains, left by be found in the shapes and patterns of the earthen- humans a million years ago, is located in Pyongyang. ware. As the era spans thousands of years, the And in the basin of the Taedong River centring on earthenware developed in varying forms, attaining Pyongyang is a concentrated distribution of the hu- regional characteristics. Neolithic earthenware ves- man fossils. In this area the pithecanthrope devel- sels of Korea were found to have round or flat bot- oped into Palaeolithic people and then into Neolithic toms, raised or flat edges, necks or shoulders, deep or ones, a process of human evolution in which the ape- shallow height; and they are of different sizes. The man developed into the modern man with a complete Neolithic Koreans made and used different kinds of appearance as it is now. earthenware which are distinguishable according to In the Pyongyang area the ancient Koreans lived their date and locality of manufacture. in certain communities not only in the Palaeolithic Yet there is a feature characteristic of all those but the Neolithic era as well, while trying to harness things, transcending their differences. It is that the nature and transform society. That the ancient Kore- vessels with a deep bottom were a traditional form ans lived concentratedly in the Pyongyang area in the irrespective of their purposes and sizes. In addition Neolithic era while making up a homogeneous group to the shape, they usually had incised patterns on and maintaining the single bloodline, is to be sub- the outer surface. The earthenware things with stantially proved by archaeological data and materi- ►
44 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 Best Way to Reunification
HE RUSSIAN INTERNET MAGAZINE fication acceptable to anyone who loves the country T Novoye Wostochnoye Ovozreniye in July this and wishes for national reunification. year gave an objective description of the matter of In spite of the commonness of federal states, the national reunification of the Korean peninsula, un- DFRK is distinctive from other federal states which der the title of “Korea’s Reunification Viewed by are well-known in the history so far, in the purpose of Pyongyang and Seoul.” foundation, form and structure as well as legal foun- In his article the writer noted the idea of the dation. Unlike other federal countries which have founding of the Democratic Federal Republic of existed so far, the DFRK will be the first federal state Koryo (DFRK). formed of a homogeneous nation based on different The proposal for the DFRK was made at the 6th social systems, and the first federation of one nation Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in with two regional autonomies within a unified state. October 1980. Twenty years after the proposal was made, the The essence of the proposal is to reunify the Korean nation greeted the June 15 era. The heads of country by drawing the north and the south together the north and the south had a historic meeting, the into a federal state, leaving the ideas and social first of its kind in 55 years of division, and adopted systems existing in the north and the south as they the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration, when all are. Since all the people regard national reunifica- the Korean people brimmed over with the hope of tion as the supreme task of the nation, the differ- national reunification. ences in ideology and system should not be left an Both sides made agreements on many issues. insurmountable barrier to reunification. Typically, they agreed to solve the question of the It is a principled stand of the Workers’ Party of country’s reunification independently by the con- Korea (WPK) that they will never force their ideology certed efforts of the Korean nation responsible for it. and social system upon south Korea and will subor- Recognizing that the low-level federation proposed dinate everything to the interests of national reunion by the north and the commonwealth system proposed and reunification. For this stand, the DPRK decided by the south for the reunification of the country have that it would be reasonable if, in the reunified state similarity, they agreed to work together for the re- of a federal type, a supreme national federal assem- unification in this direction in the future. bly was formed with an equal number of representa- As a great progress was made in the implemen- tives from the north and the south and an appropri- tation of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration, ate number of representatives of overseas nationals; both sides got the time of reconciliation and coopera- this assembly should form a federal standing com- tion ironing out all confrontation, tension and dis- mittee to guide the regional governments of the trust, and opened up a new vista for national reuni- north and the south and to deal with all the affairs of fication. In addition, the barrier of misunderstanding the federal state. and distrust between the north and the south col- The state of a federal type is a state established lapsed and the broken railways and roads were on the two different systems based on one nation and linked again while air and sea routes were opened. regional autonomy. After the adoption of the joint declaration, the The proposal for the DFRK is the most reason- whole world expressed support, and statements, able and realistic policy which reflects not only the resolutions and documents were adopted at interna- unanimous desire of the Korean people to reunify tional conferences, including the UN summit confer- their country as early as possible but also the actual ence in the new millennium and the 55th session of conditions of Korea where two different social sys- the UN General Assembly. tems have existed and different ideas have prevailed The north and the south are advised not to forget in the north and the south. The international com- the memorable days called the June 15 Era. munity has sent unreserved support and approval for the proposal as it is the fairest formula of reuni- Kim Il Bong
► als. A piece of evidence is the remains of the people and the Masan-ri Remains in Pongsan County, North belonging to the Kungsan culture. The Kumthan-ri Hwanghae Province also belong to the same category. Remains in Sadong District, the Namgyong Remains As it has a favourable natural environment and in Honam-ri, Samsok District, and the Jangchon conditions for people’s life and economic activities, Remains in Ryongsong District—all in Pyongyang— the Pyongyang area was a concentrated human were left behind by the ancient Koreans of the same habitat from the Palaeolithic to the Neolithic era. bloodline in the Neolithic era. The Kungsan Remains in Onchon County, Nampho, the Jithap-ri Remains (To be continued)
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 45 Peace Secured by Songun
T IS 2015 NOW AND 70 bined division to carry it into ac- tional capacities of the navy lifted I years have passed since the tion. At the same time, nuclear through the drills of launching Americans occupied south Korea. striking forces including the nu- new-type cutting-edge anti- US occupation of south Korea clear strategic bomber fleet and warship rockets disposed to the severed Korea into two, and the nuclear submarines and all other naval forces. Especially in a hair- US attempt to seize the whole of sorts of aggressive forces have trigger situation in August last, Korea by means of war keeps its been secretly concentrated in and the DPRK took the initiative in people exposed to a constant around south Korea. The US opening a north-south high level menace of war. frantically conducted military contact and broke the war crisis. This year, the Americans ig- exercises in all parts of south As a result, the peace and safety nored the suggestion of the De- Korea under all descriptions of of the Korean peninsula was mocratic People’s Republic of Ko- names such as “Key Resolve,” guarded. This was due to the rea to stop joint war exercises in “Foal Eagle” and “Ulji Freedom mighty self-reliant defence ca- and around south Korea to ease Guardian.” As extensive nuclear pacities built up by Songun the tense situation in the Korean strategic forces are concentrated politics. peninsula and openly pursued in and around south Korea and It is an invariable standpoint their aggressive policy. US Presi- large-scale war exercises are car- of the DPRK that Songun is the dent Obama declared “additional ried out continuously in south almighty sword to safeguard the sanctions” against Korea by a Korea, no one can tell when a sovereignty and dignity of the “presidential executive order” at real war will break out. It is a nation and the peace of the Ko- the beginning of the year, and unanimous opinion of experts rean peninsula. After visiting then blasphemed against it by that if a war breaks out in the Korea with his party, the editor- saying that it should be Korean peninsula, it will be a in-chief of the Pravda Primoriya, “collapsed” at the earliest date. nuclear war and this will throw the organ of the Maritime Prov- The US administration pushed Northeast Asia and the whole ince Committee of the Commu- ahead with its strategy to stamp world into the horrors of nuclear nist Party of the Russian Federa- out the DPRK’s ideology, system tempest. tion, released an article entitled and sovereignty by employing all To stop the attempts of the “The Land of Morning Calm” in possible means including US and its satellites to ignite a its No. 31 issue, which says: “In “nuclear force,” “human rights,” nuclear war, the DPRK has taken Korea they are conducting “cyber attack” and “freedom of all actions to safeguard peace in Songun politics. They concentrate expression.” the Korean peninsula while beef- their efforts on boosting defence The US authorities and brass ing up its defence capabilities capacities, and have developed hats concentrated their force on under the banner of Songun. The nuclear weapons and launched tightening the blockade against DPRK succeeded in test- artificial satellites on their own. the DPRK to isolate and suffocate launching of ballistic missiles by All this is essential to counter it, clamouring for redesignating it a strategic submarine from under the anti-DPRK manoeuvres of as “a terror sponsor” and apply- water. So, now it is in possession the US and its followers and to ing “super-intense additional of strategic weapons capable of cope with the actual situation of sanctions.” The special task force striking in any sea areas the hos- today when south Korea has command in Florida held a secret tile forces that are scheming to turned into a nuclear arsenal of meeting to remove nuclear weap- impair the sovereignty and dig- America.” ons and missiles from Korea and nity of Korea, and it has demon- formed a US-south Korea com- strated the sharply rising opera- Kim Yong Un
46 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 Maker of the Nuclear Problem in the Korean Peninsula
OW THE UNITED STATES vanced a new policy at the Na- south Korea. This nuclear war N is clamouring for the tional Security Council in an at- exercise has been ceaselessly car- “abandonment of north Korea’s tempt to carry out a new war ried out for over 40 years on the nuclear weapons,” finding fault against the DPRK, and later con- absurd pretext of “annual” and with the nuclear deterrent of the cretized it as the notorious “Red “defensive” one, with various Democratic People’s Republic of Ford Strategy.” In January 1954 codenames. And the “three main Korea. It fondly ascribes the un- it made public a plan of mass means of nuclear strike” of the stable situation in the Korean retaliation aimed at using nu- US are involved in these joint peninsula and the region of clear weapons in case of the start military exercises. Northeast Asia to the DPRK’s of a new war. Then in July 1957, Watching for a chance to nukes. This is quite an unwar- it announced that it began to launch a nuclear war against the ranted one turning black into equip its forces in south Korea DPRK, the US went so far as to white. with nuclear weapons, and later commit reckless acts of examin- Clearly, the nuclear problem on January 29, 1958 it officially ing nuclear attacks against the in the peninsula came because of publicized the fact that it had DPRK on many occasions. After the US’s ever-growing provoca- shipped nuclear weapons into the incident of its large-sized spy tions for a nuclear war against south Korea. By the mid-1980s plane EC-121 in 1969 it drew up the DPRK. In January 1958 the the Pentagon brought into south a plan of emergency nuclear US officially made public the de- Korea as many as 1 720 nukes of strike. In October 2011 the for- ployment of its nuclear weapons different kinds, including the mer US Secretary of Defence in south Korea, but its nuclear Honest John tactical nuclear mis- Fanetta conveyed to the south threat began in 1950. As soon as siles, 280-mm atomic guns, B-61 Korean defence minister during the US provoked the Korean war nuclear bombs and nuclear his tour to south Korea Washing- in June 1950, it shipped nuclear mines. Consequently south Korea ton’s stand “to use nuclear weap- weapons into south Korea in mid- was turned into the largest nu- ons if necessary” in case of emer- August that year for the first clear arsenal in the Far East and gency in the Korean peninsula. time. On November 30, 1950 US a nuclear outpost for attacking The danger of outbreak of a President Truman openly men- the DPRK. nuclear war in the Korean penin- tioned the use of atomic bombs in The “Chart of the existing sula is being materialized day the Korean front. On the same state of nuclear transport and after day due to the US’s reckless day an instruction was delivered deployment” of the US troops in moves for nuclear war provoca- to the US strategic air force corps south Korea, which was pre- tion, and the Korean nation is “to be on standby ready to send sented to the south Korean constantly subjected to the dan- bombers for an immediate drop- “National Assembly” on October ger. If there had not been nuclear ping of atomic bombs in the Far 9, 2005 shows that nuclear weap- threat and the reckless anti- East.” In December that year ons are deployed in Chunchon in DPRK war exercises, the nuclear MacArthur, commander of the Kangwon Province, Osan in issue would not have come in the US Armed Forces in the Far Kyonggi Province, and major cit- Korean peninsula at all, and East, overtly declared that they ies including Seoul, Taejon, there would not exist the danger would create a radioactive corri- Pusan, Taegu and Kwangju. of nuclear war. dor zone in the northern part of The US frantically wages pre- It is the US that caused the Korea ranging from the East Sea emptive nuclear strike exercises nuclear issue in the Korean pen- to the West Sea of Korea, and in the Korean peninsula every insula and ruined peace and se- that there would be no living year. The war scenarios of the US curity in the Korean peninsula creatures for 60 or 120 years in against the DPRK are geared for and the rest of Northeast Asia the zone. a nuclear war aimed to occupy by nuclear threat to the DPRK. It After the end of the war the the DPRK by using means of nu- cannot escape from its responsi- US ratcheted up its nuclear clear strike. From the late 1960s bility for the matter. blackmail against the DPRK. In the US conducted the “Focus Ret- mid-December 1953 the US ad- ina” exercise in collusion with Kim Il Bong
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 47 Steps into Dangerous Zone
HE YEAR 2015 WAS war. The international commu- try is massively increasing its T important for Japan in nity demanded that Japan ex- military expenditure to import F- showing its sense of responsibil- press its reflection of and apology 35 fighters, dozens of P-1 marine ity. Still labelled as a war crimi- for its past of aggression in the patrol planes, amphibious cars, nal nation, Japan should have statement to be published on the Global Hawk reconnaissance shown a new image of it to the 70th anniversary of its defeat in drones which can survey the international community by tak- the war. Such a voice came even ground and sea 18 000 m high in ing a sincere attitude towards from within the Japanese society, the sky and is working to intro- their criminal past since this year demanding the expression of duce the US-made MV-22 OS- marked the 70th anniversary of apology for the aggression. For- PREY military transport planes its defeat. But how did Japan mer Prime Minster Murayama into the ground SDF for actual behave? asked the present chief executive fighting. In a nutshell, Japan went so to repeat his statement, and for- While hastening the re- far as to defend its history of mer Prime Minster Fukuda, ad- armament of the SDF the man in crimes, to say nothing of beauti- dressing an international forum, power manipulated the railroad- fying it, and demonstrated its will lamented that he felt shame at ing of a bill on national security to repeat its history of aggression being Japanese as his country which will make it legal to permit under the signboard of peace and was still a shameful topic over the the exercise of the “right to collec- in disregard of the international matter of history although it was tive self-defence” and the overseas law. already 70 years since its defeat dispatch of the SDF. The present- On January 19 the Japanese in the war. day constitution of Japan stipu- Prime Minister said, “Japan, too, Nevertheless, the incumbent lates that the SDF is allowed to be should shake off the fetters of old Prime Minister played on words mobilized and used only when customs and manners of 40 to 50 avoiding any expression of honest there has occurred an armed at- years ago,” and stressed the need recognition of or apology for the tack or there is a sure and clear to change the interpretation of the past aggression. He beautified the danger of such an attack. constitution regarding the right to crimes of his country on the ab- Nevertheless, the militarists, collective self-defence and openly surd pretext of “service to the instead of recognizing the crimi- mentioned his intention to carry international community” and nal past and reconsidering it seri- it out sooner or later. By the went so far as to gorgeously paint ously and making reparations for right to collective self-defence, he the aim of reinvasion with it, are still working desperately to means the right to launch a pre- “proactive pacifism.” His state- make a military power of their emptive attack against a certain ment is nothing but a confirma- nation and embark on the road of country even when his country is tion of his intention to revive reinvasion under the signboard of not exposed to attack, for the rea- militarism and launch reinvasion. peace. son that any of its allies may suf- It is another clear sign of the ag- According to a national con- fer an attack. (The post-war in- gressive nature of Japan that sensus carried out by the Kyodo ternational order and the consti- remains as it was and will never news agency of Japan, 73.3 per tution of Japan forbid Japan from change. cent of the respondents judged it exercising the right to collective What should not go unnoticed wrong that the bill was forcibly self-defence.) is the fact that Japan, while rap- passed in the Diet. He wants to open a way of idly building up the arms, has Referring to the chief execu- reinvasion or war by getting rid of taken a substantial measure to tive who is engaged in an attempt this obstacle in his country’s way make its SDF equal to foreign to make Japan “allowed to go to of overseas military activities. He armies on the excuse of ensuring war” the Japanese public in gen- openly referred to his avaricious the maritime security and extend eral warns that the government desire in his statement issued in its range of action to the has entered a dangerous zone. August last on the 70th anniver- neighbouring areas and overseas. sary of the defeat in the Pacific Along with this, the insular coun- Rim Hye Gyong
48 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 The Walled City of Pyongyang
HE WALLED CITY OF PYONGYANG WAS tress, central fortress, outer fortress and northern T the capital of Koguryo (277 BC–AD 668). In 427 fortress. The walls were built of stones or blocks of Koguryo moved its capital to the area of Mt. Tae- stones and clay. There were gates on four sides of song in Pyongyang. After that, it built the walled each of the inner, central and outer fortresses, and city of Pyongyang from 552 to 586 and again moved on two sides, north and south, of the northern for- its capital to this city for the growth of national tress. The main gates opening to the outside had power and defence of the capital city. The walled breastworks. The walled city had seven command city was about 16 kilometres around and the total posts including the Ulmil Pavilion of the inner for- length of the walls including those of attached forts tress and the Choesung Pavilion of the northern was approximately 23 kilometres. It had advantages fortress. both of a mountain fort and a flatland-fortification. To strengthen the defensive power of the The city was divided into four parts—the inner for- Pyongyang Walls, Koguryo established a round-of- the-city defence system by building mountain forts like Chongryong, Hwangryong, Holgol mountain forts and Hwangju walled city, around Pyongyang to fight back foreign invaders. The old structures such as the Ulmil, Choesung, Chongnyu, Pubyok pavilions and the Jongum, Hyonmu, Tongam and Chilsong gates and the remains of the Inner and Outer fortresses show the history and culture of the Korean people.
KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015 49 50 KOREA TODAY No. 12, 2015