KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 51 Mega Event in the 5 000-Year-Long History of Korea

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 51 Mega Event in the 5 000-year-long History of Korea

N JULY 4 LAST THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S O Republic of Korea (DPRK) successfully carried out the test-fire of intercontinental ballistic rocket Hwasong 14. The country has already acquired A-bombs and H-bombs, and the success in the test-fire of the intercontinental ballistic rocket capable of carrying a large-sized heavy-duty nuclear war- head can be said to be a mega event that marked the passing of the final gate to the nation’s perfect nuclear force. Espe- cially, it means that the country, which has always been exposed to the US’s nuclear threat and blackmail, has attained a sure guarantee to check the latter’s nuclear strike and menace and safeguard the destiny of the nation and the regional peace. In conclusion, Korea’s nuclear possession and consolidation is an inevitable consequence of the US’s nuclear blackmail and hostile policy toward the country. In September 1945 the US occupied the southern half of Korea in the guise of “liberator.” While watching for a chance to conquer the whole of Korea which is located in the position of great strategic importance in Northeast Asia, the US in- cited the Syngman Rhee puppet clique in south Korea to ignite a war of aggression against the DPRK on June 25, 1950. This was the start of the US’s tenacious and all-out nuclear threat against the DPRK which is unprecedented in the world history. When the situation of the [Korean] war changed unfavourably for the Americans, the then US Presi- dent Truman openly mentioned the possible use of A-bombs, and MacArthur, Commander of the US Armed Forces in the Far East, overtly spoke of the “plan to drop 30-50 atomic bombs along the border between north Korea and China.” At ►

52 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 ► that time Pentagon carried out 65 field tests at a ducted joint military rehearsals aiming at the nuclear testing ground in Utah until 1952 in an at- pre-emptive nuclear strike against Korea. After the tempt to examine and verify the possibility of using war exercises it has kept a large-scale nuclear force A-bombs. in and around south Korea, driving the situation to After the war the US, asserting that it had suf- the brink of war. fered defeat in the Korean war because it had not To the US peace and reunification of the Korean used A-bombs, drew up a reckless plan of using nu- peninsula can be said to be the most unwanted sce- clear weapons against the DPRK in case another nario. Commenting on this, a foreign political com- Korean war broke out. Later, in July 1957, it an- mentator disclosed that “if the tension is removed in nounced publicly that it would start equipping its the region of the Korean peninsula, the powerful forces in south Korea with nuclear armament, and it leverage to press on Russia and China will auto- hastened the advance deployment of nuclear weap- matically disappear.” Actually, if the wall of Cold ons, turning south Korea into the largest nuclear War collapses in the Korean peninsula, the justifica- magazine in the Far East. Besides, it caused a num- tion for GI’s occupation of south Korea will lose its ber of grave provocative incidents like the USS validity, and the US will also lose the bridgehead of Pueblo incident and the large spy plane EC-121 inci- aggression on the Asian continent. This will result in dent in the 1960s, and the Panmunjom incident in the reduction of Japan and south Korea’s dependence the 1970s. While clamouring for “retaliation” for on the US so that the American strategy of suprem- those incidents the US deployed huge nuclear strik- acy over the Asia-Pacific region cannot escape the ing forces in and around south Korea, amplifying the total failure. For this reason, the US is making a nuclear blackmail and threat. It has since waged all desperate attempt to justify its military build-up and sorts of nuclear war exercises against the DPRK, war rackets in south Korea and its vicinity by means bringing open intimidation. of aggravating the situation in the Korean peninsula The administrations have changed several times and to stifle the DPRK to make the whole Korean in the US, but the hostile policy towards the DPRK peninsula into its outpost for aggression on the Asian and the plan of nuclear attack on the DPRK have continent. become more and more offensive. More than that, Recently the United States is deploying in south scenarios aiming at “removal of the leadership” and Korea THAAD, a high-altitude missile interception overthrow of the system have been mapped out one system targeting China and Russia, and accelerat- after another which were applied in actual war drills. ing the establishment of the tripartite military alli- This year, too, the US mobilized aggression forces ance of the US, Japan and south Korea for the and strategic nuclear means including nuclear aforesaid purpose. As a result, the DPRK had no bombers and nuclear-powered carrier flotillas which other choice than to choose the road of nuclear are enough to carry out a war, and frantically con- possession in order to safeguard the destiny of the ►

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 531 Service personnel and citizens of Pyongyang hold a joint rally in celebration of the successful test-fire of an intercontinental ballistic rocket in July 2017.

► nation and its sovereignty, and the peace in the precondition of its “complete abandonment of nuclear region in view of the nuclear blackmail and threat programme.” For the purpose the US is making from the US wanting to make the country a victim of every possible effort to degrade the DPRK’s compre- its realization of world supremacy. In particular, the hensive national power and effect the latter’s present reality when even big and nuclear powers “renunciation of nuclear weapons.” However, it is a are following the US while yielding to its nuclear solid standpoint and will of Korea neither to put its blackmail has further convinced the DPRK that the nukes and ballistic rockets on the negotiating table only strength that will make it possible to avoid in any case nor to flinch even an inch from the course nuclear holocaust and ensure peace in the region of bolstering its nuclear force it chose unless the US relies on its own strong military power centred on hostile policy and nuclear threat to the country are the nuclear force, propelling the country toward definitely terminated. Actually, the DPRK is spring- completion of nuclear forces. ing up into a powerful nuclear state that is able to Now the US is absurdly describing the DPRK’s destroy the US. nuclear deterrent as “threat to peace,” asserting that On February 1 last a report which stipulated the it cannot admit the latter as a nuclear state and that DPRK as the country near to the top of the list of evil Korea should come to the table of dialogue on the dreams of the US was presented to the US Congress, and some time ago the Secretary Pyongyang citizens warmly welcome those who participated in of Defense, talking about the mat- the successful test-fire of an intercontinental ballistic rocket. ter of consecutive launch of strategic rockets in the DPRK, pre- dicted that the war with north Korea will cause the worst disaster in his life. The political contra- diction and recklessness of the US lies in its resorting to stereotyped anti-DPRK hostile policy and nuclear blackmail, when it is making a fuss about the latter’s ever- growing threat, which is the reac- tion to the threat from the US. The DPRK has often advised Washington not to behave fool- ishly. It is a due result that the US received the most unpleasant “gift” from the DPRK on its Inde- pendence Day— the test-fire of intercontinental ballistic rocket Hwasong 14. Kim Il Bong

2 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 Monthly Journal (735)

C O N T E N T S

5 Socialist Education System

President Kim Il Sung accomplished immortal feats

in developing the socialist education system, and

Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un is creditably carrying

forward the ideas of President Kim Il Sung and

Chairman Kim Jong Il on education.

8 Out of Love for Rising Generation and Future 10 Bright Future 12 Able Architects Are Trained 14 Home of Talents 15 Twelve Diplomas

Monthly journal Korea Today is printed in English, Russian and Chinese, and posted on the Internet site Naenara in English, Russian, Chinese, French, Spanish and Arabic.

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 3 16 Founder of New Korea 18 In Support of War for Liberation of Northeast China (7) 20 Engaged in Founding the First People’s University 21 High-performance Aerogenerators Produced in Large Numbers 22 First Workteam of Pioneers of Mallima Movement Born 24 Story of Kangso Mineral Water

Front Cover: Masters of 26 Pride of Turf Researchers Ryomyong Street 28 Developers of Fish Detectors

Photo by Ra Phyong Ryol 29 Authorities on Clinical Medicine 30 Fruits of Effort 31 Player No. 20 32 Dig Your Own Area 33 Winners of Special Award 34 Progress in Tourism 36 Warmhearted Woman 37 Short Story Spring 39 National Intangible Cultural Heritage (10) Ssirum 40 Eight Famous Scenes on Mt. Paektu (1)

Back Cover: Firework 42 Historical Relics in Kaesong (2) display on July 6, 2017 44 Koguryo’s Advanced Technology Photo by courtesy of the KCNA 45 Hostile Policy Ends up in Failure 47 Japan’s Sinister Intention of Fanning up the 13502 ㄱ-78223 US War Fever Edited by Ri Chol Ryong Address: Sochon-dong, Sosong District, Pyongyang, DPRK E-mail: [email protected]

4 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 Socialist Education System

LL THE KOREAN PEOPLE ARE ENTITLED through the senior kindergarten class, the 4-year A to learn as much as they want. Their desire for primary schooling and the 6-year secondary school- learning is fully met thanks to the socialist education ing for children aged 5-16. system—the system of free compulsory education. In a short period of time after Korea’s liberation from the Japanese imperialists’ military occupation, Universal 11-year Kim Il Sung, leader of the new Korea, saw to it that Compulsory Education a well-regulated democratic education system was established through construction of schools at all Korea’s universal 11-year compulsory education levels from primary schools to colleges across the system was aimed at providing comprehensive, gen- country. On the basis of this he made sure that uni- eral education up to secondary schooling for all chil- versal compulsory education was enforced stage by dren until they reached the working age. It consisted stage as the revolution and construction made proof a one-year compulsory preschool course and com- gress and the economic foundation of the country pulsory 10-year schooling. This was implemented strengthened. As a result, universal, compulsory primary education was enforced in 1956, universal, compulsory secondary education in 1958 and universal 9-year compulsory technical education in 1967. After the establishment of a socialist system in the country, in particular, the leader thought deeply about how education should be done—its direction, principle, content and method—and how the educa- ►

Children enter school on the first day of a new school year when the universal 12-year compulsory education is enforced fully.

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 5 ► tion system should be developed in order for educa- had a talk with teachers there. Speaking of the great tion to make an effective contribution to the cause of significance of the enforcement of the universal 11- socialist construction. His idea was to make it possi- year compulsory education, he put forward the task ble for all people to get education throughout their to improve the superior education system. life and develop all members of society into intellec- The complete enforcement of the universal tuals with knowledge of university graduate’s level. 11-year compulsory education meant the develop- So he set about making preparations to enforce new ment of the socialist education system of the country compulsory education of a higher level on the basis of up to a higher stage, making it possible for all chil- achievements in the previously enforced universal 9- dren to grow as well-qualified revolutionaries year compulsory technical education. He actively equipped with the essentials of the revolutionary explored the way to solve such problems as length- world outlook and possessed of complete knowledge ening the period of the compulsory education, orga- of the general secondary school level, more than one nizing the necessary education system, determining technical skill, strong bodies and fine cultural at- the content of the education, building up the ranks of tainments while getting regular schooling until they teachers, and providing educational conditions and got old enough to work. equipment, and meticulously led the relevant work. In his classic work Theses on Socialist Educa- In order to determine how old children should be tion published in September 1977 Kim Il Sung put to get school education, Kim Il Sung took a measure forward the goal of enforcing compulsory higher to set trial classes in schools in towns, workers’ dis- education in the future to attain the target of intel- tricts, and flat and mountainous areas, and then lectualization of the whole society on the basis of examined for several years how the classes were consolidating the universal 11-year compulsory edu- working. One day late in September 1971, a year cation. And he wisely led the relevant work. after he arranged the trial education course, he summoned over 50 teachers in charge of the trial Universal 12-year classes to have a consultation. After warmly receiv- Compulsory Education ing them, he looked through mother tongue and

maths notebooks and examination papers they had In September 2012 the 6th Session of the 12th brought from the children who entered school at the Supreme People’s Assembly adopted the law on en- age of 6, and listened to what they said about the forcing universal 12-year compulsory education as process of the trial education. And he asked in detail required by the developing times and revolution. about the distance the children had to walk to go to school and the educational conditions of schools in Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, who carries on mountainous areas. the education ideas of President Kim Il Sung and On September 1, 1972 he visited Taedongmun Chairman Kim Jong Il, published in August 2014 Primary School in Pyongyang. Congratulating the the immortal classic work Let Us Glorify Ours as children for being the first to get the 11-year compul- the Country of Education and a Power of Tal- sory education, he assessed their preparation for ents by Bringing About a Revolution in Educa- learning and their health conditions and attire, and tion in the New Century. estimated their intellectual standard again. Then he The Supreme Leader clarified in detail tasks and entered some classrooms where there were children ways to carry out the revolution in education, and who had spent one or two years learning in the trial energetically led the effort to enforce the universal classes. He understood how good they had been at 12-year compulsory education. He solved the prob- studies, how much they had grown and how they lem of paper needed for production of textbooks and were participating in the organizational life of the had all schoolchildren provided with school uniforms Children’s Union, and what else—all in detail. In the fit for different schools and sexes and the relevant course of this he confirmed that the age of six could be season. Under his care and guidance the Mindulle defined as school age, and he saw to it that the new Notebook Factory and the Pyongyang Bag Factory compulsory education was completely enforced from were erected with modern equipment while baby September 1, 1975. On the day he visited Pyongyang homes, primary and secondary schools for orphans, Changjon Primary School. After meeting children, he schoolchildren’s palaces and children’s camps were ►

6 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace, an extracurricular education centre.

► built across the country. senior middle technical schools, which is a new mode True to the Supreme Leader’s lofty intention, all of education in the country, and gradually expand the Party, State and people pushed ahead with the the kind and number of such schools, and education effort to enforce the new education system. at schools is closely combined with education and Specific projects were carried out including cor- edification at extracurricular centres. And the dis- rect determination of the ultimate goal of the educa- tance-education system for refresher courses is being tion and the criteria of attainment for different completed, and the distance education for correspon- schools and different subjects of study. Meanwhile dence courses in the teacher training sector is fur- efforts were made to improve educational conditions ther developing. and environments. As a result, the new education The sector of primary and secondary education is was comprehensively enforced across the country on radically improving the contents, forms and methods April 1 this year, on the occasion of the new school of education, and efforts are made to renovate edu- year. cational conditions and environments for the purpose Now projects are under way to bring about a of raising the material and technical foundation for revolution in the sector of education now that the education up to the world standard, and establish new education system is in operation. A shortcut is the habit of giving top priority to the sector of educa- being paved to realization of the goal of making all tion. the people well versed in science and technology and The country is now steadily improving the quality creating a talented nation. of education while consolidating the success in the The education system is getting more perfect. enforcement of the new education system. Efforts are made to enhance the level of education at Ri Kyong Sim

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 7 Out of Love for Rising Generation and Future

Kim Il Sung’s Outlook sometimes asking questions, measures to build three or four on Happiness writing down in his notebook swimming pools for students of what he replied, and kindheart- Pyongyang on the Taedong river-

edly leading him to tell all about side as the headmaster proposed. N HIS REMINISCENCES whatever he had on his mind. The President went on to say that I With the Century President Very glad to hear that his school when schools were to be built in Kim Il Sung wrote: had its students regularly go run- the city the projects must include “If anyone asks me when I ning and climbing Munsu Hill, the construction of swimming am most happy and joyful, I taking it into account that their pools for the schools, and that will respond: ‘…It gives me country is mountainous, the since the country is surrounded particular pleasure or happi- by the sea on three sides and is ness to be among the people, President highly appreciated his rich in rivers and streams, chil- discover amongst them excel- words before saying joyfully that dren should be taught to swim lent people who can set an since their country is mountain- example for the whole coun- ous, the students should be from their primary school days so try and debate state affairs, trained for mountaineering, that as to be able to conquer the sea in their living and our future. is, conquering mountains. Adding future. ‘“It also gives me great that he had given an instruction At the meeting the President happiness to be among the to build a camp for students of intensified the discussion on edu- children, we call the flower Pyongyang in Mt. Myohyang, the cation with the emphasis on ideas buds of the country.’ President said that the speaker’s he had harboured, confirming the “I can say that this is my school’s students would also go to validity of the ideas once again. lifelong view of happiness.” the mountain to get training for Next day, he concluded the meet- One day early in December mountain-climbing while enjoying ing with his speech entitled Some 1969, at the 20th Enlarged Ple- camping for 10 or 15 days. And he Questions on Communist Edu- nary Meeting of the Fourth Cen- stressed that the camp for the cation of Youths and Children. tral Committee of the Workers’ students of the city should be Party of Korea (WPK) held in the built as soon as possible as de- Bridge for Children presence of the President the cided by the Political Committee headmaster of the then Pyongy- of the WPK Central Committee In Chogyo-ri, Unchon County, ang Raengchon Middle School so as to enable the students to at the foot of Mt. Kuwol there is a talked about how his school had go camping there. Then the hamlet called Kusokmol. Usually given education to students so President gave the officials con- such a mountain village has a that they would become able pil- cerned the task of pushing ahead small stone or wooden bridge. But lars who would make contribu- with the project in a responsible a strong, wide concrete bridge tions to the socialist construction manner. spans the Sujong Stream in the and defence up-building, on the When the headmaster sug- village. The bridge is as beautiful socialist education principle. It gested building a swimming pool, as a rainbow, and the villagers was an incoherent talk, but the the President generously accepted named it Bridge of Love. This President attentively listened, his idea and told officials to take bridge is associated with the fol- ►

8 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 ► lowing story. for the little children to cross the lish a modern satchel canvas pro- One morning in late December stream by the stepping stones to duction process. 1973 when the snow was falling in go to school, and he proposed Later he was very glad to see large flakes, children of the vil- building a bridge for them. One of varieties of schoolbags made of lage were going to school as usual. the officials accompanying him the canvas manufactured by the When they reached the aforesaid told him that there were only 11 mill. Like a mother who is con- stream after crossing the Jinju children who crossed the stream cerned about her children’s Pass, they saw some cars coming to go to school. The leader insisted schoolbag, he, on many occasions, which were rarely seen in the that they should build a bridge gave meticulous instructions re- mountain area. They soon crossed there even for one or two children. lating to such matters as diversi- the stream by the stepping-stones “How could we take into ac- fication of styles of schoolbags, and stepped aside from the road. count children, treasure of stuffing of the shoulder strap with The cars ran up to them before our country, only by number? more sponge layers lest the users they knew. The great leader Let’s take an immediate meas- should feel pain on the shoulders, Kim Jong Il got out of a car and ure to build a wide and nice and obtaining of minor materials asked the children where they bridge for the children,” he for making bags. were going casting an affectionate said. In January last the Supreme glance at them. Hearing that they This is how the bridge was Leader visited the newly built were going to school, Kim Jong Il built across the stream for the 11 Pyongyang Bag Factory as his children. continued to ask which school first field guidance this year. The The bridge made it possible for they were attending and what factory was producing varieties of the children to go to school, sing- grade they were in. They replied quality bags at that time. Looking ing songs of joy and happiness, that they were third-graders of round workshops with joy, the without being affected by the the primary course of the then Supreme Leader praised the fac- rushing water from the 99 curves Chogyo Senior Middle School. tory for making nice bags of vari- of Mt. Kuwol in the rainy season Now the leader asked, “So ous styles and colours to suit the and the snowdrift formed over- you have to cross the stepping- tastes, likings and aesthetic night on the stream by the West stones to go to school every senses of preschool children and Sea wind in winter notorious for day, don’t you?” They answered schoolchildren using domestically its violence. yes. He fell into a thought for a produced canvas and minor mate-

while. Then, looking at them with rials. He went on to say with Supreme Leader’s anxiety, he asked them how they pleasure that though it was not crossed the stream when it rose in Pleasure long after its construction the bag summer. Their parents and sen- factory had already produced a iors at the middle course carried One December day in 2014 large number of bags. He was them on their backs across the Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un quite happy that they were now stream, they replied. visited the Pyongyang able to provide children and other “On their backs?” he won- Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill. people with bags produced by dered. For a good while, he looked Pledging to make sure for the themselves at their own factory at the pass they crossed and the Party to take the full responsibil- with their country’s own raw and stream running in twists and ity for the supply of school uni- other materials. He said full of joy loops. forms, footwear, school things and that he would remember that day Later that day the leader said bags to children, he instructed the when he felt as if he were in a that it must be quite inconvenient factory managers to newly estab- wonderland.

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 9 Bright Future

HEY SAY THE FUTURE song District can be cited as an often likened to gardeners of T of a country depends on its epitome. flowers. children. Children are the icon of You should be an excellent the future of the country. The Gardeners of Future gardener—this is the creed of the Democratic People’s Republic of teachers of Ryomyong Primary Korea has recently achieved a lot Primary school days, when School. They devote all their ef- in education of the rising genera- people start to develop their in- forts and enthusiasm to the work tion by reconstructing a lot of tellectual faculties and cultivate of finding out the pupils’ aptitude schools and universities and in- the bud of their talent, constitute and talent and improving educa- troducing modern educational an important part of their life. tional methods and content to facilities and methods. Ryo- Thus, teachers who are in direct suit their psychological features. myong Primary School in Tae- charge of education of pupils are All of them spend every minute ►

10 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 ► after school studying how to improve teaching methods while exerting themselves to enhance their ability in accordance with the developing times. The school has created dozens of experimental apparatuses and teaching aids including a mosaic map puzzle and an electric balance. By making effective use of walls of corridors and classrooms, it set up educational pictures suited to the pupils’ minds. Re- cently it made dozens of elec- tronic visual aids and multimedia programs and applied them to educational practice. Meanwhile, it established a perfect teaching system based on an intranet, Teachers work hard to improve the thus laying a firm foundation to quality of visual education. develop the educational work as required by the IT era. mous football player while play- water, in the English lab, and in Hong Kwang Ok, headmis- ing football with their friends in the IT-studying room. The school tress of the school, says, “I think the school’s playground with arti- has created all environment and it needs a lot of efforts to rear ficial grass. conditions for realizing their young pupils who have a poor Han Thae Ung from class 3-2 dreams and hopes. It occupies outlook on the world. As a song is proud of his two literary works more than ten thousand square goes lest he gets wet, lest he gets he presented to Supreme Leader metres of area, consisting of two cold, it is hardly possible to culti- Kim Jong Un. He says that he modern buildings, the aforesaid vate beautiful flowers without will be a poet who will praise the playground, a swimming pool and devoted love and care. So I often beauty of his country. a studying park, over 40 class- tell teachers to become gardeners Kim Hyon Song from class 4-6 rooms and more than 10 study of the future.” says, “I have a dream of being a rooms. scientist who develops every- Children’s smiles and their Where Hopes Bloom thing. So I usually visit the natu- beautiful hopes are symbols of ral science laboratory after happiness of their country. Pupils of Ryomyong School, school. It is part of my daily rou- Smiles and hopes are valuable which always resounds with the tine.” things that are vested in only sound of their reading, have great The pupils nurture fantastic those children who are the happi- hopes. dreams in the music and dance est in the world. Kim Kuk Bong from class 2-5 room with merry piano sounds, in is nourishing a hope to be a fa- the swimming pool with clear Choe Sol Mi

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 11 Able Architects Are Trained

HE PYONGYANG UNIVER- changing reality of our country.” ing time and keeping in their T sity of Architecture is a re- A few years ago the teachers of mind that the future of a civilized nowned university which trains the university had a serious dis- nation is first planned on their experts in architecture. Espe- cussion to find out a rational designing board. The present time cially, it is counted as one of those method to bring up more well- is calling for gifted designers and universities with the greatest versed architects. As the country’s architects, he noted and set forth number of applicants, for it has architectural art was rapidly de- specific tasks and methods to raised competent designers and veloping in the new century, able bring about a radical turn in the architects. When I visited it, Hong architects were badly needed all work of training scientific and Song Ryong, president of the uni- across the country. Now the ad- technical personnel. Then he versity, said, “Architecture is a ministrators of the university stated he would be the honorary comprehensive art. Architectural made efforts to find out weak president of the university. designs comprehensively reflect points in education at that time The Supreme Leader’s inspec- the aspects of the social develop- and take measures to get it over. tion became a historic event that ment and all intellectual faculty At this juncture, in November awakened the teachers and stu- and creative thinking and ability 2013, Supreme Leader dents of the university to their of modern times. To put it on the Kim Jong Un inspected the uni- mission again. The teachers ap- highest possible level in a pro- versity. Making the rounds of plied the 5-D designing program found manner, what sort of ability several places he saw the stu- to all designing subjects and should we have? This is what we dents’ drawing practice and ar- opened several new subjects while teachers and students are keenly chitectural designing, and said setting up some new courses. feeling witnessing the ever- that they should study hard sav- Their primary effort went to the work of combining theory and practice and developing a sus-

Students endeavour to assimilate creative senses and knowledge of designing.

tainable creative thinking faculty in the students. They organized visits to monumental edifices on a regular basis, and set every Fri- day as the day of creation, conducting it in real earnest. In the course of this, they created practical and superior teaching methods. By virtue of the sincere efforts of the teachers the students acquired the sense of creative inspi- ration and the knowledge of de- ►

12 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 ► signing much earlier and courageously participated in architectural designing projects of national significance. They introduced latest science and technology into their designs so that the space of relevant projects could be used in a 3-D way and in good harmony with topographical and geographical features in consid- eration of the mission, nature and functional features of the projects. And they also ensured the principle of prioritizing convenience and aesthetic beauty in their designs. They designed over a thousand and scores of major projects found across the country, including the fountain park in the April 25 House of Culture, the Father- Teachers discuss methods of instruction to land Liberation War Martyrs stimulate students’ creative thinking. Cemetery, the Jangchon Vegeta- ble Cooperative Farm in Sadong modern architecture. These days university, says, “The future of a District, Pyongyang. In particu- the university has produced Mer- civilized socialist nation depends lar, they rendered service to the ited Scientists, professors and on us. With the consciousness construction of Ryomyong Street doctors as well as classes winning that we should make a design of a featuring an energy-saving and the certificate of the Student’s civilized socialist nation we will green street. As the street pio- Scientific Research Award, and study hard to become the people’s neered a new phase in view of won special prizes and top places architects who will be able to practical use, formation and ar- at national architectural festivals make designs national in style tistic sense of architecture, it is and sci-tech festivals. and socialist in content.” called a model and standard of Ri Chol Guk, a student of the Rim Ok

The Fatherland Liberation War Martyrs Cemetery and the Jangchon Vegetable Coopera- tive Farm, Sadong District, Pyongyang, which were both designed by the students.

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 13 Home of Talents

OME TIME AGO, I S visited the Phyongsong Art School situated in Phyongsong City, South Phyongan Province, which is furnished well enough to be called model of provincial art school. When I entered the school yard through the resting place and studying site lined with tall metasequpias, Song Yong Chol, headmaster of the school, wel- we can make real-time inspection artistic skill presentation in the comed me, saying, “Now a cam- of lectures at work. More than 30 afternoon. paign of giving importance to and multifunctional classrooms and On our way to the hall we met supporting the educational work over 20 modern rooms for practis- Kim Hyok, chief of the research is in full swing across the country. ing special skills have been estab- and instruction guidance depart- In this atmosphere we’ve lished, and a comprehensive sys- ment, who said, “According to the achieved a lot by renovating edu- tem for administration of school school and individual plans, we cational conditions and living affairs is in operation. So, the conduct the work to improve the environment of our school.” education has reached a higher teachers’ qualifications and as- According to him, the school scientific and IT standard.” sess them at every Thursday has four buildings for instruction Hearing the students’ cheerful meeting of the departments.” He that house more than 10 depart- singing from the vocal music continued that the level of the ments for 30 courses and an e- training room, I looked round the students’ ability depends on the library with some reading rooms departments of fine arts and pub- teachers’ qualifications and abil- and a stack room. The school is lic speaking art before calling on ity, and that his school was di- also furnished with cultural and students of the dancing depart- recting a great effort to improving welfare facilities—a playground ment. When I was heading for the teachers’ qualifications. with 400 seats, a dormitory, a another building, we heard a Hearing his words, we went dining hall, a bath house and a piece of music ringing to an- over to the hall where the stu- barber shop for pupils. nounce a break. It was a milk dents were having a skill presen- When I entered Building No. time for the students. tation. 1, I was very surprised. I found While I was passing the fourth- Seeing the students develop the walls well built with various grade classroom of the primary their talent to their heart’s con- finishing materials and covered school course, I saw a pupil tap- tent, we felt pleased. Song said, with different sorts of visual aids ping the desk drinking a cup of “Many of the school graduates are to suit the students’ psychology. It milk. Song told me that that was playing a big role in art troupes seemed as if I were in a museum. Ko Jong Song who was a piano like the Moranbong and Chong- Yong Chol said, “Recently we prodigy of the school. Then we bong bands, and in their respec- furnished all our buildings like saw her play the piano in the tive communities. In the future, this. Everyone who visits our piano practising room. Indeed, too, we will further improve the school says unanimously that it is she was an excellent pianist. So educational condition and envi- quite clean, smart and unique.” Kyong Il, a piano instructor, said, ronment as well as educational Now he guided me to the admini- “Every day we give special lessons methods to train excellent pupils stration department. to promising piano talents like in greater numbers.” Ri Tong Chol who works at the Jong Song and give guidance for Seeing the bright future of the administration department said, their after-school training for school in the students’ bright and “In my school all the classrooms more than four hours.” And he cheerful activities I left the school. are connected by an intranet, so added that they would have an Pak Un Yong

14 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 Twelve Diplomas

OT LONG AGO A MATTER FOR forms, scholarships and whatever he needed for N congratulation happened to the family of Dr. studies. At last he graduated from the university and Prof. Kang Jin Jo, an 84-year-old researcher of with good marks and started his worthwhile career the global environment information institute of the as a researcher at the State Academy of Sciences. State Academy of Sciences. Kang’s third grandson Lots of his valuable research results earned him the visited him at home with the news of his graduating academic degree and title of Professor and Doctor. from the Pyongyang University of Science and Tech- His wife, too, learned at the university. nology with excellent marks. All members of the After they had children and the children later family gathered to congratulate the grandson. Kang began to go to school, the man and wife came to think was quite pleased. In a tone of excitement he said, a lot. The State made sure for not only the couple but “Now there are 12 university diplomas in our family. also their four daughters to get education free of Our happiness today is thanks to the education sys- charge while being provided with school things and tem of our country.” uniforms season after season. The Kangs were tear- Then he produced a faded picture he had had fully thankful. One day Jin Jo, helping the daughters taken 62 years before as a souvenir of his graduation shoulder their school bags, earnestly told them, “We from Kim Il Sung University. An issue of Rodong have a good system and you can learn as much as you wish. I advise you to be good at your studies to go on Sinmun, the organ of the Central Committee of the to university. Then you’ll become able to add glory to Workers’ Party of Korea, carried an article titled The th our country.” 6 Graduation Ceremony of Kim Il Sung University The daughters studied hard as wished by their along with the picture of Kang and other students parents, and they became university students in who had finished the university with full marks in succession—the eldest at the then Pyongyang Uni- all subjects. versity of Construction and Building-Materials In- Gazing at the significant picture, Kang recalled dustry, the second at the Phyongsong Teachers the past of his family with deep emotion. Training College, the third at Kim Hyong Jik Uni- During the Japanese imperialists’ military occu- versity of Education and the fourth at the Phyong- pation of Korea (1905–1945), his parents lived in song University of Coal-Mining Industry. poverty as tenants of a landlord in a mountain village Later, whenever he saw his daughters work as in Nyongbyon County. Despite their miserable life teacher and researcher after their graduation from under humiliation and insult, they made desperate college, Kang found himself eager to marry his efforts to support Jin Jo, their eldest son, through daughters to boys who learned at college. school. They did farming and his grandfather went Fortunately his desire came true, thus the num- fishing so as to pay for his schooling. Only after the ber of university and college diplomas in his family country was liberated and a new people’s government increased. Then his grandchildren, too, went to col- was established could the parents realize their dream lege one after another. So the number of such diplo- of having their son get education as much as he mas in his family has grown to 12. wanted. Now that he was able to learn to his heart’s The elderly man often advises his children, “You content, Kang’s dream became greater day after day. should never regard your happiness as only natural. Whenever his villagers asked him about his hope he All of you should do much more good things for the would reply with confidence, “I will go to Kim Il Sung sake of this benevolent system.” University by doing well in my studies.” Pak Yong Il But the war (1950–1953) unleashed by the US Kang Jin Jo (second right). imperialists cast a deep gloom over his hope. In 1951, however, when the war was at its height, he was enrolled at the university thanks to a measure taken by the State. One day after he began to study at the temporary classrooms of the university based at the foot of a mountain in Paeksong-ri, Phyongsong City, South Phyongan Province (the then Paekjon-ri, Sunchon County), he unexpectedly had the great honour to meet Supreme Commander Kim Il Sung, who instructed the students to be enthusiastic in their studies the way they had been in battlefields, under the slogan “Studying is also a battle!” His instruction stimulated Kang to study hard day and night. During the university days he even received uni-

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 15 Founder of New Korea

Service personnel, working people of all strata, young people and schoolchildren visit the statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il.

HE KOREAN NATION HAS A HISTORY OF selves in accordance with their unanimous will. As a T more than 5 000 years. The long national his- result, people’s committees appeared and started tory, however, had never had a chapter dedicated their activities in all provinces, cities, counties, sub- to the working people until the national hero counties and ris across the northern half of Korea in Kim Il Sung founded the Democratic People’s Re- a short span of two or three months after liberation, public of Korea (DPRK). followed by the establishment of the Provisional Soon after its liberation (August 1945) from the People’s Committee of North Korea (PPCNK) in Japanese imperialists’ military occupation, Korea February 1946. This made it possible for the Korean was in a very complicated and acute situation owing people to become the true masters of the government to the problem of its sovereignty. At the time the US for the first time in their history. As the task of the imperialists, after occupying south Korea in the anti-imperialist, anti-feudal democratic revolution guise of “liberator,” forcibly dissolved local people’s was successfully carried out the PPCNK strength- committees and enforced military government. Then ened and developed into the People’s Committee of they attempted to rig up a separate regime in the North Korea (PCNK). south. In February 1947 there was held the Congress of Considering the aggravated situation of south the Provincial, City and County People’s Commit- Korea where different isms and doctrines were tees of North Korea for the establishment of the rampant and the complex international situation, PCNK. A 78-year-old representative of peasants Kim Il Sung put forward a policy of establishing a delivered the opening address for the first day’s people’s government in the northern half of Korea session of the congress. The elderly man, whose without loss of time and took a positive measure for family had been no better than a serf through gen- the people to establish local power organs by them- erations for 30 years, was an active peasant of his ►

16 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 ► village and a member of the People’s Committee of guarded the sovereignty of the Republic and social- his county. ism, upholding the banner of Songun. To the last The day before the congress Kim Il Sung met days of his life he continuously followed the road of the peasant. After acquainting himself with his fam- Songun for the prosperity of the Republic and the ily background he said that now the peasants had happiness of the people, establishing the eternal become eternal masters of the country and the land foundation for the building of a prosperous country and that how good it was that an elderly man like and making sure for the socialist Korea invariably to him was elected as member of the People’s Commit- advance along the road of socialism. tee. He asked him to give the opening address for the At present Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un sees to congress. it that the DPRK that President Kim Il Sung and Through the first democratic election, true repre- Chairman Kim Jong Il consolidated all their life is sentatives of the nation were elected deputies to further exalting its honour. The Supreme Leader said, power organs at all levels, thus becoming able to take “I always think how to make our country fair part in dealing with State affairs. strongest in the world as soon as possible as Kim Il Sung creditably accomplished the cause wished by the President [Kim Il Sung] and the of founding the DPRK by developing the PCNK into General [Kim Jong Il].” the all-Korean unified central government repre- Though not long since they began to make the senting the interests of the entire Korean nation. revolution under the guidance of the Supreme With the beginning of the year 1948, to establish Leader, the Korean people have learned who loves such a unified central government was not only an the country most and takes care of its future. Hold- issue related to the future destiny of the country but ing the people in as high respect as the also an urgent problem due to the serious situation President and the General, the Supreme Leader in which the US imperialists and their stooges were ensures that the interests and convenience of the overtly attempting to carry out separate elections people are given the top, absolute priority. His noble and rig up a separate government in south Korea. outlook on the people and his benevolent politics Without delay Kim Il Sung put forth the policy of have turned ordinary industrial and agricultural checking and frustrating the US imperialists’ moves workers, intellectuals, soldiers, young people and for a separate government and establishing a unified schoolchildren into heroes of the era held in respect central government and saw to it that the general by the whole country. And the Workers’ Party of elections were held in August 1948 throughout north Korea and the State take full responsibility for the and south Korea after successfully making such destiny, life and future of the people. preparations for the founding of the DPRK as enact- The DPRK makes sure that the essential quali- ment of the Constitution, flag and emblem of the ties of socialism are securely retained and that the Republic. A large number of people from the north advantages of socialism are brought into full play in and the south took part in the discussion of the draft all fields of social life. All the people are firmly united Constitution held before the general elections. And around the Party, and the whole society is replete there took place the elections to the Supreme Peo- with the climate of giving importance to science and ple’s Assembly (SPA) in which excellent candidates technology, the campaign for all the people to get were elected deputies to the SPA. well versed in science and technology, the spirit of On September 9, 1948 there was established the collectivism whereby all help and lead one another government of the DPRK with Kim Il Sung as head under the slogan “One for all, all for one!” and the of State and Premier of its Cabinet. The founding of spirit of maintaining the Juche character and the the DPRK meant the realization of the supreme ideal national identity. Meanwhile all families of the cherished by the Korean people. country are benefiting from socialist policies of the The DPRK further strengthened and developed Party and the State. into a people-centred socialist country and continued The country is changing tremendously year by to distinguish itself as a powerful socialist state un- year, resulting in translation of the people’s ideals der the leadership of Chairman Kim Jong Il who into reality, took over the ideology and cause of Kim Il Sung. In The Korean people are confident that their future the 1990s the DPRK was undergoing severe ordeals will be always bright as long as they are building a owing to the imperialists’ tenacious manoeuvres to socialist power under the guidance of the Supreme isolate and stifle it, tremendous natural calamities Leader. and food shortage. At the time the Chairman safe- Ri Jong Nam

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 17 In Support of War for Liberation of Northeast China (7)

Liberation of menced the final offensive in high gateway to China proper from Northeast China spirit in March 1948. Northeast China, so if the North- All the fighters displayed great east People’s Liberation Army IPING CITY WAS A courage in the battle, and in par- took control of Jinzhou the Kuo- S strategic point of great mili- ticular the Korean soldiers spear- mintang forces in the Northeast tary importance and a hub of traf- headed the offensive, demonstrat- would become as good as a rat in fic that connected Shenyang ing an indomitable fighting spirit the jar. (The Northeast Democ- where the Kuomintang forces’ and a high self-sacrificing spirit, ratic Allied Army was renamed headquarters were based to thus making a tangible contribu- the Northeast People’s Liberation Changchun, Hailong and tion to the victorious battle. The Army in January 1948.) When the Liaoyuan. As the Chinese Com- Korean military engineers played battle for liberation of Siping was munist forces’ attacks turned un- a big role, in particular. Even the one that smashed the back- bearable with the beginning of the though tens of them fell in battle, bone of the Kuomintang forces, year 1947, the Kuomintang forces they never hesitated or vacillated. the one to liberate Jinzhou would deserted a vast area of the North- When the first party failed, the be the one to strangle the Kuo- eastern land and took control of second party dashed forward; and mintang army. Changchun, Shenyang, Siping, when the second fell, the third The battle of Jinzhou started Jinzhou and some other cities and made a rush into the enemy camp on October 14 and ended in the railways to make a last-ditch at- to destroy the strong defence in- Communist victory in 31 hours. tempt, completely encircled de stallations and make a break- Now that Jinzhou was liberated, facto by the Communist units. through for attack. the Communists became able to To put Siping under the Com- Two days after the general beat Chiang Kaishek’s army in munist control would be as good offensive was opened the head of the Northeast as they wanted, as breaking the backbone of the the 71st Army of the enemy took just like a rat in the jar. The Kuomintang forces in the North- flight and Siping was completely Communists mowed down east. Well aware of this, Chiang liberated on March 13. In the 100 000 enemy troops and cap- Kaishek’s army turned the area battle more than 20 000 Kuomin- tured a huge amount of weapons. into an “impregnable fortress” tang troops were killed or The Northeast People’s Lib- and was putting up desperate wounded, over 40 000 captured eration Army liberated Chang- resistance. and the rest ran away to Shen- chun in the spring of 1946 but It was in June 1947 when the yang where their general head- yielded it to the Kuomintang world was in green verdure that quarters were based. forces in compliance with the so- the Northeast Democratic Allied The victorious battle for lib- called “China-Soviet Friendship Army launched a battle of Siping, eration of Siping meant the signal Alliance Agreement.” In April which lasted for as many as ten of the complete victory of the 1948 they encircled Changchun months with offensive and defen- Communist army in the war for again and started a battle to lib- sive combats. The Communists liberation of the Northeast and erate it. At that time the city was suffered a loss in no small meas- the third revolutionary civil war. occupied by more than 100 000 ure, to say nothing of the enemy. The battle for liberation of Kuomintang troops who were Having been reported on the Siping served as another display entrenched in fortified defence phone about the actual situation of the extent of the Korean peo- works. It was a strength that was of the battle in detail, ple’s bravery and self-sacrificing capable of carrying out a war. Kim Il Sung, the leader of the spirit. It is said that as many as The command of the North- new Korea, took a measure to tens of thousands of Koreans died east People’s Liberation Army mobilize all the Korean units and in the battle. Scores of them were had a council of war day after day, other people in Northeast China to killed while dashing with a packet but they did not dare to launch launch an intensive attack against of dynamite to destroy the enemy a battle— for as long as six the enemy without leaving any forts. months. At last they informed breathing spell for the enemy so With a keen foresight into the Kim Il Sung of the situation and as to finish the battle to liberate future situation of the war for asked for his opinion. Siping as soon as possible. liberation of the Northeast Having understood the actual The Korean and Chinese Kim Il Sung suggested the idea condition of the Changchun line to fighters in the battle of Siping to liberate Jinzhou before con- the last detail, Kim Il Sung de- were buoyed up. The Northeast cluding the second battle to liber- cided to send an artillery regi- People’s Liberation Army com- ate Changchun. Jinzhou was the ment to support the battle to lib- ►

18 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 ► erate Changchun. He put forward over 9 km from Dahushan to He- (These units had performed bril- a valuable suggestion: It is a mat- ishan. It changed into a sea of fire liant feats in the battle to liberate ter of time to liberate Changchun in a bombardment the enemy Changchun.) They annihilated now that Siping has been liber- made whenever they made an over 1 500 enemy troops at once ated. Instead of launching an all- attack. The black smoke turned and broke through the northern out offensive which might incur a the sky grey like a solar eclipse. defence positions to take the air- lot of deaths, it is necessary to lay The fierce battle continued several port and capture dozens of air- a tight encirclement, combine days, and the Northeast People’s craft. The enemy was driven into deceptive threatening attacks Liberation Army lost the strength great confusion, so they proposed with enemy-break-up operations of nearly a battalion a day. Height negotiation. When the Commu- closely and build on the experi- 101 is said to have become two nist political commissar met the ence they got in attacking a city metres lower by the Kuomintang enemy and demanded uncondi- during the anti-Japanese war. It forces’ bombing and shelling raids. tional surrender rejecting their is essential to point the attack at The Communist fighters defended request for peace negotiation, the the weak link of the whole chain it heroically for three days. enemy returned it with horrible to make a breakthrough and Through the five-day bloody bombing and shelling of the air- gradually wipe out the enemy to struggle the Northeast People’s port area where the Korean units the last man. Liberation Army units wiped out were stationed. Now that the Northeast Peo- as many as 100 000 troops of 12 The Korean and Chinese units ple’s Liberation Army was divisions from five armies of Liao launched a volley of gunfire launching an intensive attack Yaoxiang’s combined army, thus against the enemy in good coop- while tightening the encirclement making a decisive contribution to eration. Seeing their defeat just closely without any all-out offen- the victory in the Liaoshen thea- round the corner, the enemy com- sive, there came a breakthrough tre. In the battle of Heishan and manding officers took flight by air at last. As a result, the second Dahushan Liao Yaoxiang, com- on the afternoon of October 30, battle to liberate Changchun mander of a Kuomintang com- and 100 000 surrendered to the came to an end and the city fell bined army, was captured and his Communists while the rest fled in into the hands of the Communists unit was vanquished. all directions. Shenyang was com- on October 19, 1948. After the battle all the Com- pletely liberated at 5 pm, Novem- In order to make it impossible munist forces were concentrated ber 2. for Chiang Kaishek’s army to get on the campaign to liberate Shen- Through the battles of Siping, away from the Northeast, yang, which was already encir- Jinzhou, Changchun and Shen- Kim Il Sung advised the Com- cled. Shenyang was the last yang as many as 500 000 enemy munists to form a second front stronghold where the general troops were killed, wounded or that would connect Shenyang headquarters of the Northeast captured. with Dandong and annihilate the forces of the Kuomintang army The war for liberation of enemy. were based. Recognizing their Northeast China came to an end The battle of Heishan and defeat in all regions in the North- in three years. Dahushan was of critical impor- east, the enemy tried to defend Yingkou was a major coastal tance in the entire Liaoshen thea- Shenyang at all costs until they supply base of the enemy, which tre, and it was also an important could make a breakthrough in the was of great weight in terms of link in the whole chain of the war encirclement and take flight if military strategy. As it was hard for liberation of the Northeast. If there came a chance. hit preliminarily by the Korean Heishan and Dahushan were Shenyang was originally en- unit, the 4th Independent Divi- defended securely, it would be circled by Chinese units, but sion, in June 1948, it had been able to cut the retreat of the Kuo- when the general offensive was unable to function as a reinforce- mintang forces in the Northeast launched on November 1, 1948 ment and supply base. But it was including Liao Yaoxiang’s com- the Korean units began to play still one of the main routes for the bined army, bringing a decisive the main role. At the time Shen- enemy retreat. Moreover, since defeat to the enemy. For this rea- yang was crowded with as many Jinzhou fell into the hands of the son, the command of the North- as 200 000 Kuomintang troops, Communists, Yingkou would be east People’s Liberation Army who had been driven there from the last way out for the enemy assigned the task of defending different places and were en- retreat. Heishan and Dahushan to Korean trenched in powerful fortresses to When Yingkou, the last hope units that were the strongest in put up strong resistance. Break- of the remnants of the enemy, was the army. The defence of the east ing their defence positions would liberated by the Northeast Peo- Heishan was assigned to the 28th be quite a task. In such a situa- ple’s Liberation Army, Chiang Division, the northwest to the 29th tion, the Korean units of the 4th Kaishek’s Kuomintang army was and Dahushan to the 30th. Independent Division and the 37th driven out of Northeast China Height 101 was the only hill Division which was organized in completely. Chiang Kaishek was that could be used to keep control Yanji rushed to Shenyang headed destined to fall like the setting of the open land spreading a little by tanks and armoured vehicles. sun.

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 19 Engaged in Founding the First People’s University

HEN KOREA WAS LIBERATED FROM “It would be good that they receive intensive W the military occupation of the Japanese im- education through a preparatory course at the perialists Kim Il Sung, leader of the country, pro- university for one year or two, as the General posed to erect a university to settle the matter of [Kim Il Sung] said. Then, they will be able to study native cadres creditably for smooth construction of a in the university without any problem.” new democratic Korea, and pushed ahead with During the university construction she inspected preparations. The Provisional People’s Committee of the site several times. Understanding the workers’ North Korea adopted a resolution to establish a uni- troubles going up and down the stairs carrying versity which would be the first of its kind for the bricks, she told officials an easier way to reduce their people in the country, and the preparatory commit- burden and even gave a helping hand to the workers tee was organized. and Pyongyang citizens who were there to assist the The anti-Japanese war heroine Kim Jong Suk project. She appealed to erect the university as won- devoted all her efforts to carry out Kim Il Sung’s derfully and quickly as possible as desired by all great plan creditably. Early in July 1946 she had a Koreans, and make it the most excellent university talk with officials of the preparatory committee for in the world. She gave valuable advice to ensure the the university foundation. When they asked her for highest quality of the construction. her opinion about matters like the standard of se- On October 10, 1948 Kim Jong Suk accompanied lecting university students and formation of the the national leader to the inaugural ceremony of a teaching plan, she remembered something that had new Kim Il Sung University building. She was glad happened some days before. that the Korean people would become able before Kim Il Sung came back home at dawn after he long to carry out the construction of a new country by sat up all night working in his office. He said to the effort of their own contingent of national cadres. Kim Jong Suk that he was so worried that sons and Kim Jong Suk paid deep concern to university daughters of workers and peasants and revolution- students so that they learned broad and deep knowl- ary fighters, who had suffered every manner of hu- edge necessary for the construction of a new country. miliation and insult before liberation, had a lack of Whenever she met the students she said that the knowledge when they were to attend a university country had been unable to develop science and when it was established. She was in a deep thought technology as well as education as it had been under for a while, and then said that it would be better to the colonial rule of the Japanese imperialists for teach them for one year or two before they went on to decades, and that they all had to study hard— university course. Kim Il Sung said that he had especially putting more efforts into their special already thought of that and that a preparatory subjects—with a determination to develop the back- course should be set up in the university. ward science and technology rapidly. Recollecting his words, Kim Jong Suk told the One of the problems the university had was the officials that the preparatory committee for founda- lack of textbooks and reference books for students. tion of the university was mistaken when they The teachers wrote and mimeographed textbooks till planed to admit only those young people who had late at night, but they were not enough to afford the knowledge corresponding to secondary school gradu- need of all students. Learning the situation, ate, and that the country had very few secondary Kim Il Sung took a measure to carry out the work of school graduates. She continued to say, “Selection of writing and compiling textbooks by mobilizing all young people for the university is not a perfunctory academics from across the country. Kim Jong Suk matter but an important political matter. Because it gave energetic guidance to the work to provide is one of the crucial problems in training pillars for enough textbooks and reference books to students the future of a new democratic Korea. So sons and true to the leader’s intention. daughters of working people like workers and peas- The foundation of Kim Il Sung University was ants and revolutionaries who fought for the libera- deeply permeated with the efforts and devotion of tion of the country at the cost of their lives should be Kim Jong Suk, and it will go down forever in the admitted to the university, even if they have a lack of history of the socialist country. knowledge. Pang Mi Hye

20 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 High-performance Aerogenerators Produced in Large Numbers

OREA IS ACCELERAT- make an aero- K ing the work to increase the generator by power production using wind their factory’s force, tidal power, organic sub- own effort. All stances and solar energy and the workers make the most of natural energy. agreed with The Phyongsong Automatic them and buck- Appliances Factory, situated in led down to the Phyongsong City, South Phyon- work. Soon gan Province, is achieving a re- some innovative markable success in the produc- ideas were proposed by the work- they found some problems in the tion of aerogenerators. The fac- ers and a development team was blades, even in control and me- tory is not so big, but it is produc- organized. chanical devices. It was because ing solid and light aerogenerators The team started its work of their poor technical calculation of various capacities at low pro- with the manufacture of the gen- as it was their strange project. duction cost, drawing the public erator blade while collecting tech- Now the researchers decided to attention. nical data on the generator. Ri Ho do it all over again. Yong Son took Hong Jong Gun, officer in Son took charge of the general charge of the blade manufacture charge of the equipment, says, design while technical officer Ryu while Pak Sung Hyok, leader of “Our small aerogenerators work Yong Son solved technical prob- the assembly workteam, assumed even at the wind speed of two lems in developing the generator the task of removing defects in metres per second. And they are blade. Under the concern of the the control device, and Hong Jong not only of high efficiency and whole factory the main body of the Gun eliminated defects in the easy to handle but have a long generator was made in a month mechanical device. They solved life. As they can be installed any- and its simulation was carried all the knotty problems by pool- where to supply power, they are out, while this or that defect was ing wisdom and efforts of the very popular with the users.” removed. Now the trial generator workers. Some years ago, the provin- was set up in Phungjong-ri, Jung- Thanks to their tireless ef- cial authorities had an emergency san County, South Phyongan forts, the aerogenerator was rein- meeting, attended by relevant Province, for the local youth stalled at the youth workteam. officials and technicians. They workteam. A few days later, how- The result of its test for nearly discussed how to meet the pro- ever, the blades of the generator four months turned out success- vincial need for power by install- were broken by the strong wind, ful. Seeking a high aim of producing aerogenerators of various keeping all the members of the ing more efficient aerogenerators capacities in right places in con- team at high tension. What was of various capacities in larger sonance with the actual condition wrong? Was it with the manufac- numbers based on their experi- of the province with abundant ture of the blades? They racked ence, the researchers are now wind energy resources. Returning their brain. bringing about uninterrupted from the conference, senior engi- They immediately disassem- innovations in the production. neer Ri Ho Son and equipment bled the generator and analysed officer Hong Jong Gun decided to all the parts scrupulously. At last Pak Un Yong

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 21 First Workteam of Pioneers of Mallima Movement Born

ATE THIS YEAR KOREA IS L going to hold a conference of pioneers of the Mallima movement. In honour of the meeting the country has been seething with the enthusiastic competition to be the first to win the title of Workteam of Pioneers of the Mal- lima Movement. The workers of the Komdok Mining Complex have led the competition by making an innovation in ore production day after day. It is a leading enterprise of the nation which mass-produces lead and zinc ores abundantly deposited in the area. Managers of the complex have enlisted the creative ingenuity of field officers and workers, and concentrated their efforts on the The Ko Kyong Chan-led Hero Workteam is the Kumgol Mine and other deep first to be honoured with the title of Workteam workings with large deposits. of Pioneers of the Mallima Movement. Thus, a prospect has been opened to create 1.2 times more tunnels than before and secure a large amount of ores conveyed from and introduced new methods of quantity of ores. Meanwhile they deep workings. blasting to undertake sequence have seen to it that regular check The workers of the Kumgol drilling and sequence blasting. As and control of technical equip- Mine brought about an innovation a result, the efficiency of blasting ment such as winches, pumps and in mining the minerals through a and the speed of blasting cycle compressors are scrupulously collective competition. They ar- rose and their plan for the first organized so as to ensure full ranged drilling machines and quarter of the year was fulfilled in operation of the equipment and ensured the depth of blast holes to February. The Ko Kyong Chan- that their own technical forces suit the quality of the rock as led Hero Workteam miraculously were mobilized to double the required by technical regulations, carried out their plan for the first ►

A long-distance conveyor belt.

22 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 ► half of the year in February and Workteam is a famous workteam found that they would be able to their quota of the national eco- formed with local young people carry out their yearly plan by nomic plan of the year in April. who were born in 1961, the year around April 20 if they continued On April 21 Supreme Leader when the President inspected the to work at the same speed. If we Kim Jong Un sent a congratula- mining complex. further strive we would be able to tory message to the workteam of Hearing the Supreme Leader’s finish the yearly plan on the occa- the April 5 Pit, the Kumgol Mine, New Year Address for this year, sion of the Day of the Sun, he for their earlier fulfilment of their Ko Kyong Chan was excited and thought. Later that day there took quota of the annual national eco- said to his workteam members, “I place a consultation of the work- nomic plan on the significant was moved when our respected team in the working. The work- occasion of the Day of the Sun Marshal said that his desires had team leader proposed to introduce (April 15, the birthday of been burning all the time, but a three-dimensional digging President Kim Il Sung). In the that he had spent the past year method. It was really a bold idea message the Supreme Leader said feeling anxious and remorseful for that could ensure sequence drill- that the workteam members had the lack of his ability. This year ing by applying shrinkage stoping courageously waged an intensive the condition of our workteam in at the bottom of a face and a drill drive for increased production for production is poorer than last rig on the top so as to cut a large

The inside of a floatation plant.

the purpose of attaining the goal year. We, however, should uncon- quantity of ores at a time. On of mineral production ahead of ditionally carry out our annual April 14 the workteam finished schedule on the occasions of the plan by April so as to carry on the the last round of blasting for ful- Day of the Shining Star (February tradition of our hero workteam of filling their yearly plan. This 16, the birthday of Chairman Komdok without fail.” meant they executed their deci- Kim Jong Il), the Day of the Later that day the workteam sion one day before the Day of the Sun and the anniversary of the adopted a decision that repre- Sun (April 15) by their own col- Chairman’s visit to the mine as sented their feelings. It read in lective efforts. For this they be- befits hero miners of Kumgol, who part, “We will carry out our plan came the first Workteam of Pio- had developed under the great for the first half of this year by neers of the Mallima Movement. trust and care of the President February on the occasion of the With the pride in having be- and the Chairman, in response to 75th birth anniversary of the great come the home of the first Work- the Party’s militant call on all the leader Comrade Kim Jong Il. We team of Pioneers of the Mallima people to launch a general drive to will carry out our annual plan by Movement, the mining complex is bring about a turning point in the April on the occasion of the 105th working miracles and making building of a socialist economic birth anniversary of the great innovations uninterruptedly to giant this year, the year of key leader Comrade Kim Il Sung.” honour the coming meeting of importance in carrying out the One day early in April when pioneers of the Mallima move- five-year strategy for the develop- the workteam was going all out to ment with increased production of ment of the national economy. fulfil their annual plan, Ko fell ores. The Ko Kyong Chan-led Hero into deep thought because he Sim Yong Jin

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 23 Story of Kangso Mineral Water

It was 70 years ago that the water began to contribute to the promotion of the people’s health. In 1947, during his inspection of the spring, President Kim Il Sung instructed officials concerned to take a measure for the working people to have a rest and get medical treatment in the vicinity while drinking the water well known from olden times. And tasting the water himself, the President named it Kangso mineral water and gave an instruction to increase the yield of the water. Later he took a measure to send the latest diagnostic and treatment equipment and an ambulance there. The integrated control room. True to his instructions, a prospecting corps posi- tively explored the location to find over 20 more HE SPRING OF KANGSO MINERAL WATER, similar springs, and the Kangso Mineral Water Fac- T the best of its kind in Korea, is located about 30 tory and a sanatorium were built around the springs, kilometres west of Pyongyang. making it possible for all the Korean people to use Rising from 130 metres deep under the ground, the water. the water is a natural carbonated one with pH of less In 2011 the springs suddenly ran dry owing to an than 6.0. Containing scores of kinds of microele- earthquake that occurred in a neighbouring country. ments, it is unique water the kind of which cannot be Then Chairman Kim Jong Il had a competent sci- synthesized artificially yet. entific survey team dispatched there to find out the In 1982 the water was registered as one of pre- source of the spring without fail. As a result, the cious natural products in Korea. And it is green spring began to rise again in nearly doubled quantity drinking water that won a WIPO certificate of origin 60 days after it had run dry. and a SGS certificate of inspection. It is known to To meet the daily increasing demand for the wa- have been discovered around 300 years ago. ter, the aforesaid factory modernized the production ►

24 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 ► processes on a scientific basis, thus boosting the taste. production of the water. Recently the factory has The result of the inspection of the water by ra- carried out a new renovation project—the establish- diation done in Russia in May 2012 showed that its ment of an integrated manufacturing system that numerical value of alpha rays is 0.002 (the tolerance consists of a business management system, a pro- limit is 0.1 unit) and its numerical value of beta rays duction management system and an automatic 0 (the tolerance limit is 1 unit)—a surprising fact. workshop control system, and the introduction of During his inspection of the factory in June last, devices for observation and automatic control of the Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un put forward impor- entire production processes from the spring source tant tasks to be carried out to increase the produc- area to the forwarding process. Meanwhile a new tion of the water, further improve its quality, make technology was introduced to better the carbonic acid the production processes modern, scientific and gas separator to increase the production of the gas, automatic on a higher basis and provide the enter- making it possible to improve the quality of the wa- prise with a healthier environment. And he ex- ter. Furthermore, all production processes of the pressed his expectation and confidence that the factory are free from germs and dust, and an inject- managers and employees of the factory, in the spirit ing and cap-sealing machine, an automatic cleaning, of faithful service for the people, would mass-produce injecting and bottle-capping machine and other ma- and supply the famous, healthy mineral water to the chines have been modernized. people. The factory has had lots of visitors from the US, Now you can see a lot of vans carrying the min- Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia eral water through streets of Pyongyang. and so on, who all admired the water for its good Sim Chol Yong

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 25 Pride of Turf Researchers

HESE DAYS THE June grass Mangyong 1, a new “Golden turf” and “June grass No. T Democratic People’s Repub- species of turf which is of a high 2” were typical examples. lic of Korea is conducting a vigor- ornamental value and has a long To make up the defects, the ous research on the greening of period of greening and great vi- researchers decided to breed a urban areas and protection of the tality. The older kinds of turf had new species of turf suitable for the ecological environment. some defects. They had a short local climate and soil conditions In December 2015 the Turf period of greening and weak re- by using hereditary resources of Branch of the State Academy of sistance against dry weather, the country. The most difficult Sciences succeeded in breeding high temperature and blights. task was to find out turf resources that are well adapted to the local conditions. The researchers combed northern parts of Korea including Ryanggang, North and South Hamgyong provinces for turf resources. They were so exhausted that they sometimes tumbled down cliffs while climb- ►

Researchers are engrossed in breeding a new species of grass.

26 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 ► ing mountains, and they once lost courage to faltering researchers, only the central area but also the their way, wandering about in the saying that they had to make northern highland of Korea, be- forest all night. After over 100 mountains and fields of the country cause it has a thick root striking days of hard search they finally green relying on their own re- 30 cm deep in the ground and collected some 20 kinds of turf sources, technology and efforts. strong resistance against high resources which could be used as Thanks to the three years of pains- temperature, dry and cold initial materials for breeding new taking research with their con- weather. species of turf. Based on the turf certed efforts and wisdom, success Recollecting their three years resources, they developed individ- came in breeding the abovemen- of research, Jang says, “I realized ual variations one by one which tioned turf based on the hereditary that there is nothing impossible have a long period of greening resources of the country. when we have a mind of loving along with strong resistance On December 21, 2015 June every tree and every blade of against high temperature, dry grass Mangyong 1 was registered grass. So I often ask to love our weather and blights. Meanwhile, as one of the national gardening own things.” they carried out experiments to plant species. It is green for 300 Today a lot of regions and obtain pure variations by remov- days a year with strong resistance units are reaping benefits from ing isomers from the individual against blights. It quickly forms the June grass Mangyong 1 in the variations. its sod—in only 60 days—and its urban greening project and pro- Over the years they had a lot stalk root is much thicker and tection of ecological environment. of difficulties and failures. Jang longer than other types of June Yong Il, head of a laboratory, gave grasses. It can be cultivated in not Choe Sol Mi

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 27 Developers of Fish Detectors

ECENTLY WE HEARD R that the Hongwon Fishery Station in Hongwon County, South Hamgyong Province was catching a lot of fish, and we visited it for coverage. We happened to see fishing boats with the boat T-114 in their van returning with a flag of full load of fish flying. We could see people waiting at the wharf to meet the crews, saying, “T-114 is still leading the fleet. It’s a matter of fact as it has an eye for detection of undersea things.” When the boat got to the wharf Choe to develop a high- monitor, so as to enhance the we went to see its captain Jo Song performance detector for them. accuracy of the fish detector. Sci- Guk out of curiosity. He said, “My Choe immediately looked up entific workshops were held sev- boat is equipped with a fish detec- technical data about the vertical eral times at the centre to solve tor. It was developed by research- fish detector. He learned that the scientific and technical problems ers of the Cutting-edge Science equipment could search the sea arising in the research. Finally a Research Centre of Kim Il Sung underneath in a vertical line, thus new kind of fish detector was University. It is convenient to use consuming a lot of time, oil and developed in a few months. After and highly efficient.” labour. Earlier he had once had a simulation of the detector the There we met Professor Choe an idea of developing a fish detec- researchers tested its actual per- Kyong Chol, head of a laboratory tor which would be able to scan all formance at some units for nearly of the centre, who said, “The fish directions simultaneously. Now 60 days, finally confirming its detector we developed recently is he decided to make it. He knew he efficiency. a Korean-style one to the last had to do a lot of scientific and Thanks to their efforts, the detail. It ensures accuracy of fish technical tasks because he had to trial fish detector came off in finding in a large area of sea with make it capable of carrying out nearly a year. Building on this, a multifunctional performance both horizontal and vertical de- the researchers continued with like automatic recording of detec- tections for a much less time the project with an innovative eye tion images and multi-detection.” based on multifunctional opera- to surpass the world’s advanced Then, he told us the following tion. His colleagues volunteered products. Finally they developed story. to help him. Models 1 and 2 of fish detector, One evening some years ago Researcher Ri Ui Hwan, who which is able to search 1 600 me- Choe received a letter from one of was in charge of general design- tres horizontally and 1 000 metres his alumni, who was working as ing of antenna, advanced an opti- vertically. captain at the abovementioned mum mode of construction to im- They are conducting their station. He said in the letter that prove efficiency with a less research work to develop varieties the station was having a competi- amount of elements. Researcher of detectors and tracking devices tion to catch more fish but little Jon Chang Ju, who took charge of of an ultra-modern level, and increase; fishing boats equipped making a device which was used their achievements contribute to with vertical fish detectors were to process signals for the monitor, development of the nation’s fish- in full operation but the result developed a program which could ing industry. was not satisfactory; he requested remove false signals from the Pak Yong Il

28 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 Authorities on Clinical Medicine

ECENTLY MY INSTI- ter, using natural minerals richly and practical foundations steadily “R tute has gained valuable found in Korea. This drinking by conducting studies of advanced achievements that contribute to water is becoming popular with curative techniques and different development of the nation’s sportspeople and workers doing experiments. health technology. We are all jobs of heavy physical burdens, as The abdominal surgery de- determined to play the role of it plays a great role in reducing partment is also making an up- pioneer in developing the clinical hepatic and digestive troubles due surge in their studies. They suc- medicine,” says O Hak Chol, di- to physical activities. Deputy ceeded in the operation of remov- rector of the Clinical Institute, Director Kim Mu Nam says that ing invagination and fixing the Pyongyang Medical College, they are making fuller studies of appendix using the laparoscope, Kim Il Sung University. the water to further improve the which is one of the most difficult The institute was established effect. abdominal operations. Their in 1962 staffed with a small The researchers of the leu- method makes it possible to leave number of researchers in some coderma department are register- a minimum scar and get well very departments like surgical and ing successes in the studies of fast after operation while ensur- pediatric ones. Later it set up leucoderma, an obstinate disease, ing a high cosmetic value of the quite a few departments such as by introducing advanced diagnos- scar. The researchers also made a those of leucoderma, abdominal tic and curative methods in accor- success of the manufacturing of a surgery, microplastic surgery and dance with the trend of modern miniature trocar for operation of rheumatism, and has expanded medical development and by com- abdominal cavity. This instru- the realm of research continu- bining the modern and the tradi- ment is very simple in structure ously. In the course of this it has tional Korean medicine closely. and costs much less than before, achieved a lot and is now recog- By making a profound research thus popular with the surgeons. nized as an authoritative estab- they introduced a new remedy, Thanks to the great courage of lishment. which is based on the combination the researchers who are strug- Recently the microplastic sur- of surgical and medicinal treat- gling to beat the world, the insti- gery researchers succeeded in ments, into the clinical treatment tute is producing novel results of developing with their own efforts and thus ensured upwards of 80 high value without interruption. and technology a no-damage nee- percent of efficiency. Along with dle which had been the monopoly this they are laying theoretical Sim Hyon Jin of only a few countries as an essential material for Researchers render service to development microplastic surgery. of the health technology of the nation. This brought a great progress in the field of microplastic surgery. Meanwhile, the researchers developed surgical methods of high difficulty including the technique of transplant- ing a bone with nutri- tional vessels and the one of elongating limbs, and applied them to treatment, thus bringing a lot of people back to normal conditions. The researchers of the digestive system department developed Saengmyong (life), which is a natural active mineral-supplementing wa-

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 29 Fruits of Effort

HE MINISTRY OF the training on a more scientific suit all members. At the same T Commerce Sports Club is footing. time they intensified the research achieving successes at domestic The coaches of the club are work to develop new training and international competitions. developing new perfect scientific apparatuses by themselves. They They ranked among the top three and tactical systems based on created a lot of apparatuses like in the 9th Asian tumbling their achievements and experi- the one for improving the back- (juvenile) championships 2015, ence. Meanwhile, they are study- bone strength and the one for the Chinese Taipei open athletics ing fortes of the opponents and handstand. An apparatus for ex- tournament 2016 and the 25th steadily introducing unique train- tending the thigh joint which is world tumbling championships. ing methods and knacks to outdo effective in events that require In 2016 the club snatched 90 odd them. In the course of reviewing flexible movements, and a multi- medals at home and international contests and exercises they found functional apparatus for building contests. All these successes are that they could further improve up the strength of the upper body attributable to the sports club’s the effectiveness of the training if were appreciated at the 20th na- effort to rapidly apply modern they updated some parts of the tional sporting sci-tech festival scientific and technological professional physical training 2016. achievements and experience to apparatuses. Not content with this, they suit the condition of the club and By pooling their wisdom and conducted the research project the constitutional characteristics effort they carried out the work to named Study on Popular Method of the sportspersons and conduct renovate training apparatuses to of Health Management by New

Sportspersons intensify physical training and pol- ish technical movements.

Reflex Therapy of Korean Style, which everyone can do easily at any place. This won first place at the 31st national sci-tech festival. A device for rating the efficiency of training and a measuring device for selecting reserve players have brought about wonderful results. Merited Athlete and Coach Pak Sun Nyo who was chosen as one of the best ten coaches of last year, says, “The ►

30 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017

Player No. 20

schoolboys playing football in the test her techniques when she took playground. Now she joined the part in the FIFA U-17 Women’s game without hesitation. She was World Cup 2012. Making the most pretty better than boys in beating of her forte, she scored three goals opponents and passing the ball. A in five matches. She scored goals sports teacher of the school called as a forward and made good her and asked if she wanted to chances for goal in the field. Her join the football circle. She said, “I action caught the eye of football want to be an excellent football experts. player so as to have our national She displayed her techniques ERITED ATHLETE KIM flag fly over the sky of foreign to the full at the FIFA U-20 M So Hyang, footballer of the countries.” Women’s World Cup 2016. In the Sobaeksu Sports Club, left an This was how So Hyang be- group league match with the indelible impression on experts came related with football. The Swedish team she contributed to and spectators at the FIFA U-20 school organized a schoolgirls’ the victory by creating chances of Women’s World Cup 2016. Sin football team with her as head. scoring with fast passes and at- Myong Chol, her coach, says, “It’s Later she was admitted to tacks. She was well known to the her forte to head into the net as a Ryongsong District Juvenile experts when she got a hat trick forward after she breaks through Sports School and learned basic in the match with the Papua New the defence line. If she passes the football techniques. She improved Guinean team. She displayed her ball from the side, it makes a goal her skill while training in the attainment to the full as seed without fail. Her treatment of the professional club. She shed more player in the quarterfinal, semifi- ball is really fascinating.” sweats than others trying to pos- nal and final matches. So Hyang was born of a sess extraordinary techniques The Koreans still remember worker’s family in Ryongsong and studied hard to absorb special So Hyang, No. 20 player who ran District, Pyongyang. She had an knowledge of football. She im- all over the field. She was selected uncommon sense of football. One proved her forte as a forward at as one of the ten DPRK players of day when she was a fourth-year several national games. the year 2016. pupil of primary school she saw Finally she got a chance to Sim Hyon Jin

► secret of our players’ win at doing the players fulfil their as- boxing and marathon. The mestic and international competi- signed training target and act in coaches and sportspersons of the tions lies in scientific training concert with each other. She set club, which produced famous methods and their competitive tasks of difficult movements and players including Pak Sung Jin, a zeal.” made an exact demand on the central forward who demon- Balance and speed are impor- players to perform them perfectly. strated the mettle of Korea at the tant factors of tumbling which Now the players paid attention to 8th World Cup Football Champi- demands graceful rhythms and the accuracy and speed in making onship in England in 1966, are exquisite technical movements. As movements. And they redoubled exerting themselves to be masters the performance is done by team- their effort in training and vied of sports competent enough to work, not by individuals, a with one another to improve their exalt the honour of the country. player’s mistake may cause an skills. The painstaking efforts of The sports club, established in irreparable result. Coach Pak the players bore fruit; they have December 1956, set up a target of mapped out a new training pro- registered good records at domes- being a champion in the events it gramme in accord with the consti- tic matches this year. can excel, and other events. Their tutional characteristics of each The campaign to outdo the effort will bear gratifying results. player and the technical features. leading ones is also held in the Based on it she put stress on help- training grounds of trampoline, Kim Hyon Ju

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 31 Dig Your Own Area

HE DEPARTMENT OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY tion. T and head and neck surgery of Pyongyang Mu- O, however, noticed that there was an obvious nicipal People’s Hospital No. 1 is one of Korea’s difference between clinical practice and the special- leading medical groups as the centre of the relevant ists’ opinions, and volunteered to solve the problem. research society of the Ministry of Public Health. During his career as a teacher he had already been The head of both the department and the society engrossed in the relevant research, wondering about is O Ju Hyon who was appointed to the post seven the problem. years ago after working as a teacher at the Pyongy- O says, “Whenever such a difficult problem arose ang Medical College of Kim Il Sung University. in treating patients I could hardly be indifferent to their pains. And I keenly felt I should be responsible for pioneering a part of the medical field.” He made a model of the syndrome, and on the basis of the model, intensified the basic and clinical research to know its pathogenesis and find the way to improve its diagnosis and treatment. In the course of this, he discovered that the pathogenesis is not a complication, but a simultaneous attack of the diseases. And he found out an effective method of the treatment, that is, he confirmed that the syndrome requires not a local treatment based on a particular medicine, but a compound method of treating the affected area and the rest of the body at the same time. He also invented a necessary diagnostic device, and the result of the research was verified in clinical New therapies are practice. developed perfectly. Timely application of the compound treatment resulted in no During his over ten-year-long ca- cases in which the diseases became reer as a teacher he had already chronic or returned. He then newly acquired relevant cyclopedic defined the syndrome as an ac- knowledge and rich clinical experience. And his quired syndrome that causes inflammatory changes mother was the experienced head of the similar de- in paranasal sinus, bronchus and lung simultane- partment of a central hospital. This enabled him to ously. For his scientific explanation of the concept take the shortcut to the attainments of his. and incidence of the syndrome and the selection of On the basis of his knowledge and experience O is the rational method of its treatment, O received a steadily venturing into the unknown world in his doctorate in April 2015. And in April 2016 he ob- field. During his treatment of patients he noticed tained a DPRK certificate of invention for inventing that among patients with both sinusitis and bron- a thermal ear-nose-throat-treating device. He also chitis there were those who continued to show signs has several certificates of contrivance. of bronchitis and would relapse into the disease even O’s enterprising and enthusiastic way of work after their sinusitis had been treated. The diseases has helped other members of the department prepare referred to as sinobronchitis syndrome were recog- themselves to be able surgeons. Recently the number nized as a new disease syndrome at the end of last of those with academic degrees or titles in the de- century. partment has rapidly increased, and the department The pathogenesis of the syndrome had not been has received three state patents in two months. clearly explained across the world, and there was no Their achievements were often highly estimated at correct method of diagnosing the syndrome. Besides, national health sector’s scientific and technological no rational method of treating it was published. Ac- achievements exhibitions and national medical ap- cording to the relevant specialists, the syndrome was pliances exhibitions. a complication—lasting sinusitis gave rise to bron- The department head says, “No mistake is toler- chitis and vice versa—and it had become the recog- able in treating patients. We can fulfil our duty as nized fact that bronchitis did not occur if sinusitis engineers of human life only when we dig our own was treated in time. They also said that peculiar area.” medicines were effective in treating the complica- Rim Ok

32 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 Winners of Special Award

N MARCH 2017 THE 10TH IZHEVSK It was an arduous march and I had to overcome a I International Acrobatic Festival was held in Iz- lot of difficulties and failures in training to perfect hevsk, the Republic of Udmurtiya, Russia. Famous the act. I once walked tens of miles at night to get acrobats from more than ten countries including the new equipment for the training, and I sometimes DPRK, Russia, China, Germany, Italy and Spain collapsed due to hard training. We spent a lot of took part in the festival. The DPRK acrobats gave a nights writhing in agony as we had difficulties in surprise to acrobatic experts and spectators with keeping step with one another. However, we finally their physical acrobatics “Diverse Aerial Trapeze” in perfected the act through five years of hard training which they performed a high-level aerial stunt per- in close cooperation. I could not express my feeling fectly. They received a special award, the highest with any words at the time. It would have been im- prize of the festival. Recently a Korea Today reporter possible to make a success if we had had no confi- met them. dence in our ability. Merited Artiste Han Ho Song Secret of success Girl full of dreams It was known that an act of five backward somersaults in aerial trapeze was too much for human I was fond of acrobatics from childhood. When physical ability. We tried to execute the act, when there was an acrobatic programme on TV I was so most people argued we couldn’t do it. However, we excited that I clapped my hands. I used to pester my turned impossibility into possibility beyond their parents for a visit to the acrobatic theatre every expectation. Five acrobats had to keep step with one Sunday or holiday. Acrobatics came to be a part of another, and, moreover, any trivial mistake could my life, and I used to tell people that I would be an lead to an irretrievable accident because we had to aerial stunt performer flying in the sky in the future. execute the act in the air. At that time I was given Then they saw me as a daydreamer. I wanted to the leading part in the act, and I was restless with prove that my dream was far from empty. little confidence. Then my colleagues gave me cour- Later I became an aerial stunt performer as I age, saying, “There has been nothing impossible for wished. At the time I said that my second dream was us to do when we decided. We can overcome our dif- to be a world-famous acrobat by winning victory at ficulties when we pool our wisdom and efforts. Your international acrobatic festivals. This made them decision and practice are the most important.” dumbfounded. Now I realized my second dream, too. I have another dream—becoming the queen of acrobatics by Efforts are directed to further executing an act of four backward somersaults. I improvement of stunts. know I’ll fulfil my dream. Acrobat Kim Un Ha

People’s Artiste Choe Myong Su, the coach, says, “We got the Gold Prize at the world acrobatic festival ‘Idol-2016’ held in Moscow in September 2016. At the recent festival we won the top award. Without being satisfied, we’ll redouble our effort to reach a higher level of stunt.” Pooling their collective wisdom, the acrobats are training hard to lead the acrobatic world by per- forming a still higher level of aerial stunt.

Kim So Yong

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 33

Progress in Tourism

ECENTLY, AS THE not only Koreans but also foreign- (2 750 m), the highest mountain R Democratic People’s Repub- ers, for it has more than 100 sites in the country, Mt. Myohyang, lic of Korea has established a lot of of historical importance, several Mt. Kumgang and Mt. Chilbo. It tourist facilities with an excellent bathing resorts, natural lakes and has a lot of rivers and streams service condition, the number of spas whose water is good for treat- and a long coastal line. The East, tourists both at home and from ing stomach troubles. West and South seas of Korea are abroad is increasing. Now dozens The DPRK noted for its scenic linked with the Pacific Ocean. It of areas including Pyongyang, beauty provides services for gen- has four distinctive seasons, and Kaesong, Mt. Kumgang and Mt. eral tour, cultural tour, sports its mountains and streams are Myohyang have tourist facilities. tour and so on so as to meet the beautiful in any season. The Wonsan area, a tourist at- increasing demand of Korean and So tourists from many regions traction located in an ecologically foreign tourists. and countries can fully enjoy favourable region, is a good exam- Korea is a peninsular country themselves in the DPRK. In re- ple. It has newly established the located in the east centre of the cent years, the country has Kalma Hotel, Saenal Hotel and Asian continent. It borders on mapped out its strategy for sus- Masikryong Hotel that can accom- China and Russia on the north tainable development of tourism modate thousands of visitors. and is bounded on the other three and is focusing state concern and Hotels in the vicinity of Mt. sides by the sea. About 80 percent investment on the relevant pro- Kumgang can accommodate a lot of its whole territory consists in jects. Having planned to increase of tourists. The area is attracting mountains including Mt. Paektu the number of tourists the coun- ►

34 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 travel company receives tourists from many regions like China, Russia, Southeast Asia and Europe, and provides them with varieties of services including those for general tour, cultural tour and sports tour. In March last air line from Pyongyang to Dandong was opened providing convenience to a lot of people who wish for a tour of Korea. The airliner departs from Pyongyang at 9 a.m. on every Tourists spend an enjoyable time. Tuesday and Friday and arrives in Dandong at 9:50 a.m. (9:20 a.m. ► try takes positive measures to trains specialists for development local time), and it departs from establish modern tourist facili- of tourism, and the tourist faculty Dandong at 10:50 a.m. (10:20 a.m. ties. In summer last year Pyongy- at universities of education in local time) and arrives in Pyongy- ang Taedonggang Beer Festival every province, too, trains tourist ang at 11:40 a.m. 2016 was held in Pyongyang and workers in a far-sighted way. Under the ideal of independ- in September there took place a Dozens of travel companies in- ence, peace and friendship, the lot of functions including Wonsan cluding Korea International DPRK is putting continuous ef- International Friendship Air Fes- Travel Company and Pyongyang forts in developing tourism in tival 2016 in Wonsan, deeply im- Koryo International Travel Com- order to develop cooperation and pressing tourists. pany have been organized to en- exchange with many countries Meanwhile, the country is sure the convenience of tourists and provide the people with op- making positive efforts to lay a from home and abroad. Korea portunities for rich cultural and material and technical foundation International Travel Company, leisure activities. for development of tourism. Py- which was established on August ongyang College of Tourism 24, 1953, is a typical example. The Pak Thae Ho

The Masikryong Hotel.

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 35 Warmhearted Woman

N NOVEMBER 2016 THERE story. from a machine operator to a I took place the 15th National One autumn day in 2006, not workteam leader, a technical in- Singing Contest of Working Peo- long after Kang had been ap- structor and then a workshop ple. The winner of the contest’s pointed as general manageress of leader. In the course of this I fin- family category was the family of the factory, she was busy ac- ished the study-while-working Kang Song Hwa, general manag- quainting herself with the situa- course of the Kanggye University eress of the Kanggye Knitwear tion of its operation as a whole. of Technology. Now I’ve become Factory in Kanggye City. The While looking round a workshop the general manageress of the audience was amazed to see her she was informed that students of factory. This inspires me to do family of 26 children appearing on the then Kanggye Orphans’ Mid- more things for the sake of society the stage. What was more sur- dle School came to the factory to and the collective.” Later 15 of the prising was the fact that all the give an artistic performance. graduates of the orphans’ middle children were graduates of a mid- Their performance was done suc- school were assigned to the fac- dle school for orphans. cessfully, greatly inspiring the tory. Many people often ask the workers to make further progress Kang, however, found it not manageress how she could take in production. Afterwards, the easy for her to take care of them. care of such a number of children, children often visited the factory. Everyday she was busy dealing not just a few. Then she replies, When it was time for them to with all sorts of affairs of the fac- “I’ve done nothing special for leave the school the manageress tory, but she never failed to show them. They owe their develop- wanted to help them keep leading concern for them. Whenever she ment to the socialist system of our a happy life at her factory. So she had spare time during the day she country in which all people create went to see a senior official of the would go to their workplaces to a happy life while helping and city and told him about her idea. teach them how to operate ma- leading one another.” Saying that it was a good idea but chines or have a technical study During my recent visit to the not an easy job, the official ad- session organized for them to factory Kim Yong Sim, a work- vised her to consider it again. improve their technical skills as team leader of the finishing Now she said, “I was born a fourth soon as possible. In the evening workshop, said, “My mother is daughter of an ordinary worker’s she stayed at their hostel looking busy with her work, but she al- family. Under the care of the after their life. Whenever seasons ways thinks of how to help us country I graduated from school changed she would stay awake all enjoy our life as well as others.” before beginning to work at the night trying to prepare clothes for Then she told me the following knitwear factory. I was promoted them all at a time. And when she obtained special food she took it to General Manageress Kang Song Hwa (fourth left). them first. Whenever she came back from a business trip, she would bring necessities of life to them. She was really a warmhearted mother to them. She, however, did not connive at their mistakes. Yong Sim once made an error in operating her machine. When her workshop manager criticized her, she re- fused to admit her wrong and said she would move to another factory. Having heard of this Kang reproached her, saying, “What are you complaining about? Do you think you will be able to make a career if you leave this family of people who have grown up under the warm care of the [Workers’ ►

36 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 Short Story Spring

Wishing to calm the poet’s soul By Ri Myong

1 nese control. Then he was shot by with his big eyes inflamed. “It a Jap.” He was struck dumb with seems I have got hemorrhage in K RA HYON FOUND anger. His words came as a shock my eyes.” Ra Hyon found his big O the patient lying motionless, for Ra Hyon. Now she could un- eyes blood shot. She took him into over half his face covered with a derstand what was the gloomy the clinic and examined them for piece of whitish bedclothes in the sense of foreboding she had had a good while. dimly lit room. He was in comma, and why the old man had posi- “Your eye capillaries are a the face pale, the pulsation faint tively called her. Earlier in the little ruptured,” she said. “Maybe and the fever high. morning she had heard the you’ve worked too hard. Please “I know I don’t have to keep “special crime” from U Sang Gi, a drop eye lotion into your eyes and nothing secret…. He’s bled too detective. have a rest for a few days, and it’ll much after a bullet pierced Ra Hyon was rather suspi- be Okay.” through his thigh,” murmured the cious when Sang Gi came to see “Rest? Oh no… it’s impossi- old carter, holding a small dish of her in her hospital in the early ble.” thin rice gruel. He had been wait- morning. He had never been there “Are you so busy?” Ra Hyon ing on the patient. “Bullet?” Ok so early though he was a regular asked. She was always on frank Ra Hyon, director of Jahye Hospi- case. He used to be a gentleman terms with him as he had been tal, echoed unintentionally while with clean clothes on, wearing a her classmate when they went to unwinding a scrap around the dark blue woolen suit, a soft hat private school. patient’s right thigh. and nice sheepskin shoes, but now Sang Gi would not open his “Yesterday night,” the old man he looked tired with an exhausted mouth, with his face cast with a said, “he saved a lot of people on face. shadow as though he had some- the verge of hell in the secret “Miss Ok, could you please thing unpleasant in his mind. For construction site under the Japa- examine my eyes?” said Sang Gi a while he said nothing. Only after ►

► Party of Korea]? Go if you really each of them was to be married Her loving care for them knew no mean it. I don’t want a child like she, with the help of the factory’s bound. you.” Then the mother went up- employees and officials of the city, The children she adopted and stairs to her office. The image of prepared for him or her not only brought up for over ten years her in anger made the girl regret wedding dress but also household number more than 80, and they her act. Yong Sim followed to the articles, furniture and even sincerely hold in respect their office, where she found Kang kitchen utensils. And when her mother, who is a deputy to the tearful. She flung herself into her children had a child she prepared Jagang Provincial People’s As- arms, bursting into tears. clothes, quilts and even diapers sembly and a merited person in The mother’s sincere concern for the baby. the Songun era. for the children never faded Last year nine of her children Kim Myong Sim though they got on in years. When got married under her blessing.

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 37 ► a nurse got out of the room, he their righteous behaviour. Any- hospital to his daughter who was whispered to her, “There hap- how I have to give him the first on the eve of graduation from pened a special incident last night. aid. According to the wound, his Severance Medical School. A Japanese garrison was annihi- bones are alright. Ra Hyon believed that a doc- lated by bandits in a sudden Returning to her sense of duty, tor should look after any patients, strike. According to the informa- she deftly sterilized and inserted rich or poor, devoting selfless tion, the head of the bandit group a wick in his wound which was mercy, medical skill and sincerity was seriously wounded and he already infected with reddish with clear conscience. However, hasn’t yet escaped from our dis- tinges. She decided she had no she faced the reality in which she trict. Miss Ok, it’s quite probable time to delay in the cottage. She found it difficult to keep her prin- that he would ask you for help.” hurriedly got out as soon as she ciple. “Shut up, please,” she blurted finished treatment. A man in a critical condition in surprise. who committed the special crime Sang Gi continued with his She hardly slept that night. is asking for my help. How can I words while eyeing her in a pa- Only near to dawn she lapsed into deal with the case? Crime is dif- tient yet sharp manner. sleep, but wet her bed with sweat ferent from life. Crime is an affair “It’s not only my argument. as she had a nightmare. All of a that concerns such people as Sang Last night we got information of sudden she hit upon an idea. Gi. Different people have different not only big and small private “Alas, how could I forget it? I duties before society and con- hospitals but also pharmacies, should have told the old man to science, so I, as a doctor, have a doctors, and even charlatans in apply a cold compress on the professional duty to take care of the town. Jahye Hospital is under wound so as to check further in- lives in general. my control. If you show any sym- fection. Possibly he could fill cold Having come to these points, pathy for the crime in this emer- water into a rubber bag and apply Ra Hyon knew why she had been gency situation….” it.” lost into embarrassment. She Then he stopped short. Now All day she was unhappy that would no longer give up her prin- Ra Hyon perceived that he was she had kept her fear ahead of the ciple. not at the hospital for the treat- serious wound. She could hardly She had to visit the patient ment of his eyes alone. His words rid herself of the idea, working who was on the verge of death. meant a certain threat to her for busily in the hospital. She thought that Sang Gi would the seriousness of the situation, It was getting dark, and there help her if she fell into an unde- and also his care for her protec- were few patients after she al- sirable situation. Finally she de- tion. Ra Hyon was feeling that he lowed the nurse to return home. cided to visit the patient after she had uncommon emotion towards Ra Hyon was sitting alone to wavered between her conscience her. have a rest in an empty room. and actual reality. Struggling to The reddish evening glow avoid thinking what would be- Ra Hyon was at a loss what to streamed in through the window come of her, she got to the hut do with the patient who was in a and dyed the front wall red. A outside the town. comma due to hemorrhage. She scroll was hanging there on which The patient was still uncon- was suffering from the hallucina- her father had written with a scious. Sometimes he gave out an tion as if the police were pouncing stroke of brush. imperceptible moan. Ra Hyon on her. “Medicine is charity!” smoothed up his tangled hair “Please! Save his life, Miss,” Her father majored in medical stuck to his forehead with sweat. begged the old man. Ra Hyon science while worshipping Chris- Suddenly she was surprised to see shivered. She thought: How is it tianity, when he was young. He his face—it looked so familiar. that the old carter who spared no did not believe in existence of God The protruding forehead, the pains all his life could make such but religious doctrine. He said straight nose, the thick, cracked a heart-rending request? Is it that the bible was an encyclopedia lips, the wan face with a stump because the patient saved a lot of of human culture. He established mustache. She dropped the innocent people? Indeed, even a hospital named Jahye with the tweezers to the floor. She was bandits, who kill people without meaning of love and benevolence stifled with unexpected happiness hesitation for valuables, some- for poor people. Two years before and sadness. times surprise the world with he had died after he gave up the (To be continued)

38 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 National Intangible Cultural Heritage (10)

Ssirum

SIRUM IS BOTH A muscular men wearing a thigh the application of a lot of technical S national sport and a folk band and same shorts on the bare points and methods of connecting game of Korea. As a type of wres- body and contending for strength different techniques. tling, it can be played by anyone with a firm grip of each other’s Ssirum techniques are largely in any place at any time. It helps band. Next to the two wrestlers divided into those tricks based on cultivate perseverance, fighting stands an old umpire with a grey the use of hand, leg and body. And spirit and great strength through hair lock, who, holding a stick in according to the ages and different kinds of techniques and his hand, seems to be watching strength of the contenders compe- methods. For this merit, they the entire process of the match titions were divided into children, enjoyed the sport at the edge of and estimating the result. junior and senior classes. the field, on the grass, and in the Ssirum took place with a The wrestling ground is usu- sand beaches along the river and greater participation as a popular ally laid in the middle of a yard, sea during a break of work. On sport during the periods of Koryo the floor spread with sand or cov- folk holidays ssirum matches took (918–1392) and the feudal Joson ered with a mat. place at scenic spots by different dynasty (1392–1910). Pyongyang Ssirum is helpful in improving age groups ranging from children was famous for ssirum competi- the muscles in the arm and leg to grownups. tions that took place in the yard and the whole body at large, so it Ssirum took shape during the of the Yongmyong Temple on contributes to the physical train- time of Koguryo (277 BC–AD 668). Moran Hill and in the open land ing and improvement. At that time they wore a uniform outside the South Gate of the Now Korea annually arranges thigh band and shorts and had a Inner Fort. a Grand Bull prize national match in compliance with the Some ancient records intro- ssirum tournament on the occa- umpire’s instruction and supervi- duce ssirum competitions which sion of Chusok, a folk holiday. The sion. Murals in the Ssirum Tomb attracted great public interest as tournament offers opportunities (dating back to the late 4th cen- well as different kinds of ssirum to display diversified ssirum tac- tury) and Jangchon Tomb No. 1, techniques. Korean wrestling tics and techniques, which are which are both Koguryo’s relics appears to be simple, but as it is developing year by year. found in Jian, Jilin Province, based on the use of the thigh band China, have vivid scenes of two it has multifarious features with Rim Ok

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 39 Eight Famous Scenes on Mt. Paektu (1)

OCATED BETWEEN THE EXPANSIVE Recently the beautiful scenes of Mt. Paektu have L Asian continent and the Pacific Ocean, Mt. been consummated as Eight Famous Scenes on Mt. Paektu magnificently stands 2 750 metres high on Paektu, bringing its superb natural attractions into the Paektu Lava Plateau, 1 950 metres above sea bold relief. level, on the northern borderline of Korea. The natural spectacles in Mt. Paektu are largely related to the Sunrise on Mt. Paektu physiographical features like volcanic activities of the mountain and the related climate conditions. The What is of paramount importance in the Eight mountain body took shape after a lava plateau came Famous Scenes on Mt. Paektu is the sun rising over into existence in the late tertiary-early quaternary of the mountain. After driving away the darkness early the Cenozoic era (nearly 3.8-2.2 million years ago). in the morning, it rises brilliantly and dyes the whole The present mountain was formed some 500 000 world red. years ago. With large and small volcanic eruptions, Sunrise is a natural phenomenon which is to be the crater came, which was later filled with water. seen everywhere in the world as the earth turns Around 1 000 years ago the volcano erupted for the round the sun in its orbit. Yet it is not of the same last time, leaving a lot of pumice. The foundation of scenic value in all places. the mountain consists of different strata of rocks and The higher you stand on the earth, the earlier you is covered with a stratum of white pumice. So, when can see the sun rise, enjoying its magnificence and you see the mountain from afar, it looks capped with brilliance. The earliest moment of the sunrise on Mt. snow. Paektu around the year comes at 05: 03 a.m. When The Korean people counted the local scenic won- all other mountains are still in darkness, the clusters ders, which represent the magnificent, miraculous of stars disappear slowly from the sky over the and superb qualities of nature, as paramount of all Paektu, when the first rays of the grand sun appear series of Eight Scenic Wonders in Korea. For this Mt. in the horizon like the point of the needle. Then the Paektu is seen as the first of the Six Famous Moun- rays become larger and larger to dye the eastern sky tains of Korea. There are a lot of poems and legen- red over the vast expanse of forests and reach the dary tales about its boasts. peaks of the mountain. Presently, the furiously ►

40 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 Sunrise on Mt. Paektu.

► burning sun comes up through a sea of cloud and raculous, graceful and magnificent qualities of na- shines light on the ancestral mountain as a whole, ture, and that he felt as if seeing the victory of the illustrating the majestic features which have been revolution when he enjoyed the sunrise on the formed through millions of years. mountain. The sunrise on the mountain feels different in Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un instructed that different seasons and weathers, and it is also varying they should keep as red and strong a faith as the according to your position, thought and sentiments. sunrise on Mt. Paektu if they were to follow the long Chairman Kim Jong Il said that he always loved and arduous way of the revolution to the end. the sunrise on Mt. Paektu, that the emotions and charm emanating from it represent the most mi- Pak Thae Ho

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 41 Historical Relics in Kaesong (2)

Manwoltae away from Kaesong—for the construction of the royal palace. ANWOLTAE IS THE SITE OF THE The site is also characterized by the fact that the M royal palace of Koryo dynasty (918–1392) in structure of the royal palace and the layout of major Songak-dong, Kaesong. The palace, erected in 919, buildings in it retain strong cultural influence from had some characteristics in architecture. Koguryo. The structure of the palace bears a close It was magnificent and imposing with a total area resemblance to those of Koguryo. The Walled City of of 1.25 million square metres. The royal district Pyongyang, capital of Koguryo, consisted of inner, alone occupied 390 000 square metres. Both the gov- central and outer forts. The inner fort belonged to the ernment district and the royal district were impos- royal district, the central to the government district ing—each had four main gates to the four cardinal and the outer to residential quarters. The division of directions and several minor gates inbetween. Typi- Koryo’s royal palace into the royal and the govern- cally Sinbong Gate of the royal district, consisting of ment district was part of the heritage of Koguryo’s two storeys, was a big gate with three passages. It is culture. So was the layout of the major buildings. said that the king and government officials used the The Anhak Palace, Koguryo’s royal palace, had the gatehouse to see polo games, religious functions and central architectural group in its centre, and palace lantern festivals, and inspect military troops. buildings were found in the west and east. The site of The central group of buildings in Manwoltae was Manwoltae had a similar layout. Buildings in the placed on a spectacular embankment. It looks soar- Anhak Palace were arranged in the cross shape, and ing overwhelmingly as it has 33 stone stairs con- the major buildings in Manwoltae were of the same structed precipitously. layout. It is to be easily understood how magnificent the On June 23, 2013 Manwoltae was registered in royal palace was when the roofing tiles are studied. the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage as it is At that time green tiles were transported by oxen valuable cultural heritage that shows the Korean from the southern coastal areas—400 kilometres people’s creative wisdom and talent.

Sungyang School

Located in Sonjuk-dong, Kaesong, the Sungyang School is a leftover from the feudal Joson dynasty (1392–1910). It was established on the site of the house of Jong Mong Ju (1337–1392), a high-ranking official of Koryo. The present building was rebuilt in ►

Manwoltae.

42 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 ing a typical style of school building arrangement and architectural structures.

Nam Gate of Kaesong

Located in Pugan-dong, Kaesong, the gate was erected between 1391 and 1393 and repaired in 1899. Burnt down due to the US imperialists’ barbarous bombing in December 1950 during the Korean war, it was restored to the original state in 1954. It consists of an embankment, which was piled up methodically with rectangular granite blocks, and a gatehouse built on it. In the middle of the embankment there is an arched gateway which was constructed by putting big stones on both basements and then piling smaller stones in a half circle like a fan. The battlement rims the top of the embankment, whose four corners are outlets for rainwater. The gatehouse is 13.63 metres in width and 7.96 metres in length. Supported by wooden pillars based on stone ones, it is painted gorgeously in red and blue with a hip-saddle roof. In the gatehouse hangs the Bell of the Yonbok Temple. Decorations on its outer surface are elegant Sungyang School. and graceful, and its ringing sound is so beautiful and clear that it can be heard even over 40 kilome- ► 1573. It was called Munchung Hall before it was tres away, it is said. The copper-alloy bell is one of renamed Sungyang School in 1575. Against the the five famous bells of Korea, and testifies to the background of Mt. Janam, its buildings stand sym- high metal casting and toreutic art of Koryo. metrically on the southeastern slope of the moun- On June 23, 2013 it was registered in the tain. Just enter the yard, and you will find dormito- UNESCO list of world cultural heritage as it is a ries of students—Tongjae and Sojae facing each valuable historical relic representing a high level of other—and a lecture hall linked with them. The architecture of Korea. lecture hall is 12.79 metres in width and 6.96 metres Kim Yu Jin in length with a hip-saddle roof. Pass the lecture hall, and you will see a shrine, Nam Gate. which is located on a higher terrace. It is 9.43 metres in width and 4.83 metres in length with a gable roof. It was used to hold a memorial service for high-ranking officials of Koryo including Jong Mong Ju and Kaesong-born figures like So Kyong Dok (1489–1546) and Kim Yuk (1580– 1658) who were famous scholars during the feudal Joson dynasty. Along with education, it was also used to propagate Confu- cian ideas by putting forward eminent Confucian scholars. The school was awfully destroyed by the US imperialists during the Korean war but later restored to the original state. On June 23, 2013 the Sungyang School was registered in the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage as it is a valuable cultural relic of historical interest preserv-

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 43 Koguryo’s Advanced Technology

OGURYO, THE FIRST gether is still a task, but the of Koguryo is to be seen in more K feudal state of Korea, made Koguryo people knew how to do it than 1 000 fortresses erected in a rapid progress in productivity a thousand and hundreds of plain and mountain areas to de- relying on the advanced socio- years ago and used it to make fend the country. economic system. An important arrowheads and other things. Koguryo also developed textile aspect of the progress reflected a Koguryo also had a high ar- and dyeing techniques to a con- remarkable technological stride. chitectural technology, which is siderably high level. In the Mt. Most striking was the metal- to be verified in remains of the Taesong area in Pyongyang there lurgical and metalworking tech- royal palaces, Buddhist temples, was unearthed a piece of silk nology. Koguryo turned out as fortresses, bridges, tombs and cloth whose thread and surface much ironwork as to be exported. other kinds. The Anhak Palace are admirably smooth, and in A number of historical relics and and the Taedonggang Wooden Jian, China a piece of elaborate remains tell that in its early Bridge belong to typical national silk cloth with a flower pattern years the country obtained steel cultural heritage that displays on it. This is eloquent proof of the in the complete melting state at the Koguryo people’s technology level of the weaving technology of the temperature of 1 540ºC. of wooden architecture. Dating Koguryo. The merits of Koguryo’s back to the 5th-6th century the Koguryo people dyed cloth or metal-processing techniques are Anhak Palace used to occupy a printed patterns on it using fine to be seen in precision castings of total area of nearly 380 000 techniques, and wore clothes intricate patterns, the carving on square metres. It had magnifi- made to suit the national taste. the metal surface with different cent wooden buildings whose To say nothing of the aristocrats, kinds of chisels, and various sorts total floor space amounted to even commoners wore clothes of of artefacts whose gilding is still 31 458 square metres. The Tae- different colours and patterns. intact although they have been donggang Wooden Bridge, about This is to be seen in tomb murals, buried in earth for a thousand 375 metres long and some nine which give a good hint at the de- and hundreds of years. Koguryo metres wide, was one of the old- velopment of Koguryo’s dyeing people skilfully rolled steel, est and largest bridges in the technology. which was believed to be difficult world, which was rare to be seen Pottery, weaponry, navigation at the time. Using steel pieces at that time. For the constitution and other fields also reached a rolled two millimetres thick, they of the skeleton of the bridge they high level of technological devel- made a lot of coats of iron mails used thick, square timber which opment for the time. and helmets to clothe people and was eight to ten metres long, 38 The advanced technology of even horses. Cavalrymen and centimetres wide and 26 centime- Koguryo led to technological pro- horses clad thoroughly with mails tres thick for each piece. No iron gress in brother states like were usually called Cholgi, or things like nails or dog anchors Paekje and Silla and neighbour- armoured cavalry. Koguryo mobi- were used to join the wooden ing countries during the time of lized as many as 5 000 armoured parts, which were all connected Three Kingdoms. And its influ- cavalrymen in the war against strongly by dovetailing all the ence lived long in later years. foreign invaders in 246. joints. Fusing two metal things to- The architectural technology Sim Chol Yong

44 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 Hostile Policy Ends up in Failure

ECENTLY, COMMENTING to its independent decision and the Gulf War in 1991, and that R on the fierce DPRK-US con- secured the self-defensive nuclear the Trump administration’s dis- frontation, the world media and deterrent in view of the vital re- cussion on the matters of the civil experts asserted that the policy quirement to safeguard its dignity defence measures and anti- Trump has pursued towards the and the right to live. In conclu- terrorism in Guam shows the DPRK boomeranged and that if sion, the US pushed Korea to imminence of the “pre-emptive the US commits another provoca- become a nuclear state, and there nuclear strike against north Ko- tion in future, that confrontation is no legal basis of the interna- rea.” will be ended in the DPRK’s vic- tional law to find fault with Ko- Now the US is brandishing the tory, too. The media in the West- rea’s nuclear possession. “diplomatic punishment plan” ern countries including Germany What is clear now is that the forcing all countries to break dip- and Spain reported that the DPRK’s abandonment of nuclear lomatic relations with the DPRK Trump administration has been weapons is the last thing to hap- or lower the level of diplomatic defeated in the politico-military pen and that its strategic position relations. Meanwhile, Trump confrontation with the DPRK, is unassailable. While the US is himself bustled about the South- thus getting into a scrape. spending time playing with words east Asian and European coun- The new American govern- about “instability,” the DPRK is tries to urge them to join the anti- ment is suffering disgrace and steadily stepping up the diversifi- DPRK front for diplomatic pres- defeat in the confrontation with cation and upgrading of its nu- sure. Along with this, the US is Pyongyang from the start because clear force. Voices are rising even placing a closely-knit net of sanc- of its absurd DPRK policy. It in the US about the story that tions in the border, sea and sharply criticized Obama’s DPRK Korea will have had more than monetary circulation channels policy of “strategic patience” as 100 nuclear weapons by 2020 if it around the world lest even a gram failure. Having racked their goes ahead at the present speed. of fuel and even a penny would brains to make options for solu- The fact that the US, neglecting flow into Korea. It is threatening tion of the “nuclear programme of such a historic reality, denies the and blackmailing other countries, north Korea” for months it an- DPRK’s nukes is interpreted as no using the programme of the nounced the four-point keynote more than self-deception and self- “secondary boycott” aiming to policy as follow-up to its north consolation. It proves that it is impose sanctions on enterprises of Korea policy, which is to be char- incapable of making the DPRK the third countries that are deal- acterized by “maximum pressure give up nuclear weapons. ing with the DPRK. and engagement.” The four-point The second item of the keynote The reality, however, is not in keynote policy is that the US will policy is that the US will scale up favour of the US. The “American not recognize the DPRK as a nu- all sanctions and pressure. This is dream” which had been represen- clear state, scale up all sanctions another version of the sanctions tative of the paradise of liberty and pressure, seek “no regime and pressure card that the pre- and prosperity was already bro- change in north Korea,” and fi- ceding administrations, obsessed ken long ago, and the US is in the nally settle issues through dia- with anachronism and expansive hell of chronic financial distress logue. delusion, had pursued only to fail and severe gap between the rich The keynote policy the US to attain. However, the swollen- and the poor, its national treasury came up with is just the repeat of headed Trump administration is going dry owing to crazy wars of the preceding administrations’ hurling huge armed forces into aggression. On the contrary, the polices, fully revealing the limit of the Korean peninsula and its more the enemy’s sanctions grow the Trump administration’s intel- vicinity and applies military pres- in intensity, the stronger the lectual faculty and narrow vision. sure and high-intensity sanctions DPRK gets in direct proportion to The first point of the policy to bring the DPRK to submission. it, and the greater pressure is put, that the US will not recognize the An American commentator on the higher the country springs up. DPRK as a nuclear state is infea- politico-military affairs said that The military power of Korea cen- sible and impracticable for no dispatching two nuclear-powered tring on the nuclear forces is scientific calculation. The DPRK carrier-based strike forces and threatening the US proper while has attained nukes not because it over 100 F-16 fighters and F-35 mercilessly frustrating the mili- wanted any acknowledgement. It stealth fighters to the Korean tary moves for war, and the econ- withdrew from the International peninsula and its vicinity for omy of the country is making Atomic Energy Agency according drills reminds him of the eve of headway at the speed of Mallima ►

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 45 ► by dint of its own national re- is inverted, it means that if Py- DPRK and the US had all kinds of sources and technology. The ongyang does not give up the nu- open and closed negotiations. In American campaign of “sanctions clear programme, the US would the course of this different agree- and pressure,” which is an ex- launch aggression and even pur- ments and statements were pression of its self-complacency sue an overthrow of system un- adopted with difficulty between and ignorance about its counter- hesitatingly. Such high-handed the two sides. Typical of them part, is now bringing ruin to the threat and blackmail can evi- were the DPRK-USA joint state- Americans. dently have no effect on the DPRK ment in June 1993, the DPRK- Earlier some of the high- which is possessed of powerful USA Agreed Framework in Octo- profile figures of the current ad- weapons and nuclear striking ber 1994, the DPRK-USA joint ministration requested the DPRK means of the Korean make that communiqué in October 2000, the to believe it when they said they can bring tremble, terror and September 19 joint statement in would seek no change of govern- death to the aggressors who try to 2005, and the February 13 agreement. And this became the third harm Korea’s sovereignty and ment in 2007. But the tragedy is of the four points of the recent system. that none of them has been im- American policy towards the The US argument for settle- plemented so far. The reason is DPRK. To make the argument ment of issues through dialogue, that the US abused the negotiat- sound credible, the US should the last of the four points in the ing table as means of threatening stop being hostile to the DPRK’s keynote policy, is a revelation of and blackmailing its counterpart, socialist system, show the atti- the dilemma of the current US and as the leverage to have it tude of admitting and tolerating administration. US high-ranking open its fist with empty talks. it, and discontinue joint military officials tell media one after an- It is the standpoint of the exercises involving nuclear- other that they would lead the DPRK that as long as the US powered carrier-based strike DPRK to dialogue and keep the views dialogue as extension of forces and special forces. At this door of negotiation open while pressure, deludes itself that the very moment, however, US com- urging Pyongyang to take a rea- DPRK’s nukes are something for mandos sharpen the sword of sonable option of coming to the bargaining and refuses to with- provocation against the DPRK negotiating table for denucleari- draw the dagger hidden under the allegedly for “beheading opera- zation. By this they are trying to coat, there could hardly be com- tion,” while the CIA, the den of all impress the world that they are munication between the human evils, has formed a special group “interested in dialogue.” Their cry being and the beast even if they for removing the supreme for dialogue is a palpable lie—just held dialogue. leadership and is hell-bent on like a honey tongue, a heart of The keynote policy sounds like breeding plots to carry out state- gall. What the Americans are the scream that the US’s strategy sponsored terrorism using bio- seeking underhand is to bring the of world supremacy has failed chemical substances. Conse- DPRK to its knees with the impo- owing to the DPRK’s nukes, a quently, the argument for no sition of maximum pressure and powerful sword of safeguarding change of government in the sanctions according to the princi- peace, and that its own destiny is DPRK is nothing but the Ameri- ple of pressure first and negotia- exposed to danger. At the moment cans’ awkward deception. Putting tions next, force it out to the ne- US politicians and experts in the the matter of whether to invade a gotiating table and make it sur- DPRK affairs are warning that sovereign state or change its gov- render. the inconsistent and unpredict- ernment in the keynote policy This is clear from the fact that able policy of the Trump admini- openly is nothing but a clearer coming out of the White House, stration is likely to cause an uni- demonstration of the US’s arro- the US Department of State and maginable disaster. gance and high-handedness. Congress are such remarks that Last May the DPRK succeeded The morbid hatred against the precondition for dialogue is in the test-fire of the ground-to- and deep-rooted denial of the “north Korea’s change” of atti- ground intermediate-range stra- DPRK’s socialist system are the tude, that to this end the US tegic ballistic rocket Hwasong 12, malignant, incurable disease of should put pressure in coopera- which was followed by the suc- the US imperialism. The reason tion with the international com- cessful test launch of ICBM Hwa- why the US is making an issue of munity at present and that song 14 in July. This boosted the Korea’s nuclear possession alone Trump himself is telling south country’s comprehensive power when it is conniving at other Korea not to make haste for dia- and strategic status up to a higher countries’ nuclear possession is logue but cooperate with the US phase, while graphically illustrat- that the socialist Korea is the in the effort to pressurize Py- ing the complete failure of the bulwark of independence against ongyang since it is time to main- American policy towards the the US. When the US advocacy for tain pressure and sanctions. DPRK. exclusion of change of government Over the past decades the Kim Yong Un

46 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 Japan’s Sinister Intention of Fanning up the US War Fever

APAN IS NOW ADDING it would suffer the most damage if years since the Japanese imperi- J fuel to the US’s reckless moves a war breaks out in the Korean alism was defeated in the war. for war in the Korean peninsula, peninsula, frantically creating a However, the ambition of the thus aggravating the situation in wartime atmosphere and warpho- militarist maniacs has never the region to extremes. From the bia in the country. When the US changed, rather it has revived outset of this year the Japanese carried out an indiscriminate pre- frantically thanks to their de- reactionaries including the pre- emptive strikes against Syria for scendents. Far from making apol- sent ruler, availing themselves of the absurd charge of Syria’s “use ogy and compensation for the all occasions like the telephone of chemical weapons,” Japan sup- crime-ridden past the ultra-right dialogue and talks with the US ported it actively. And it further reactionary forces in Japan pay President, the American vice amplified the hostile atmosphere reverence to the war criminals as president’s visit to Japan, and the against the DPRK and feelings of the souls of the “departed war three-party negotiation of the US, crisis in the society, making a fuss heroes” and go so far as to be south Korea and Japan held in that Korea could also turn to proud of their being descendents Tokyo, argued for raising the chemical weapons using missiles. of the war dead, wishing to make intensity of pressure against the The Japanese government made a military power and achieve the DPRK, finding fault with the public the procedure of evacuation “great cause” of overseas aggres- latter’s nuclear programme and of citizens in case of the DPRK’s sion that their ancestors had launch of rockets which it de- “missile attack and large-scale failed to fulfil. scribed as a grave “threat” to the terror” and conducted relevant The samurai descendents global peace and security. exercises in the nationwide scale have sharpened the sword of re- In March and April last, the to “ward off calamity and critical invasion over the years, and their United States conducted the Key situation.” This was the first ever persistent ambition for a military Resolve and Foal Eagle 17 joint incident since the end of World power should no longer be over- military exercises in south Korea, War II, which was intended to looked. Today the Japanese au- all-out nuclear war drills against arouse the fear that war is immi- thorities are resorting to revision the DPRK which were unprece- nent. of the present constitution. Ja- dented in scale, intensity and Regarding the frantic cam- pan’s constitution is its supreme mode of execution, and came out paign the world public opinion code of laws blocking the road to a with the idea of “military option” says that it is a “dirty move of low military power and overseas ag- and “pre-emptive” strike. Quite grade” and a reckless undertaking gression by stipulating the eter- pleased, Japan “welcomed” the that has “harmful influence on nal abandonment of war based on US frenzy for war, and its politi- peace and stability in the region” mobilization of state power and cians including the Defence Min- and demands that Japan refrain the act of threat by force of arms, ister asserted the “dispatch of the from its seditious scheme of over- possession of no armed forces Self-Defense Forces” for the emphasizing “Korea’s threat and including land, naval and air “rescue of the Japanese” in south uneasiness.” Japan’s sinister at- forces and approval of no right of Korea, overtly revealing their tempt to further expand the the- belligerency. scheme of reinvading the Korean ory on Korea’s “threat” and the Nevertheless, the successive peninsula. Actually, the insular “contingency in the Korean pen- Japanese reactionaries have used nation waged joint naval exer- insula” is aimed at, first of all, every trick such as arbitrary cises with the US nuclear- seeking a “justification” for its “interpretation” of this “pacifist powered carrier-based strike force scheme to make a military power constitution” and enforced legiti- which had been headed for the of the country and realize its am- mate and administrative meas- Korean peninsula, and US-Japan bition for overseas aggression ures one after another contrary to aerial exercises as well as joint without fail. the constitution, thus rushing to military drills with the US, the In the past the Japanese im- become a military power. Some of UK and France, thus accelerating perialists, clamouring for the acts of violation of the constitu- preparations to join the US-led “Greater East Asia Co-prosperity tion are: the Self-Defense Forces’ allied forces in case of a contin- Sphere,” occupied Korea and possession of three services; gency in the peninsula. many other Asian countries as its adoption of the national security Nowadays the Japanese au- colony, plundered a huge amount law which guarantees overseas thorities, by mobilizing the gov- of labour and material resources dispatch of troops and armed ernment-patronized media, are and committed extra-villainous intervention; massive increase in widely spreading the opinion that inhuman crimes. And it is over 70 military expenditure; and devel- ►

KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 47 ► opment of latest offensive weap- ing forward to a war in the Korean waging a “joint struggle” against ons and equipment. They have all peninsula to repeat the history of the Abe cabinet. The public rate of crumpled the “pacifist constitu- aggression, their real intention. At supporting the present regime is tion” and reduced it to a dead the moment the Japanese econ- continuously falling down for document. There is no need to do omy is teetering on the brink of some unstable factors revealed something about such a nominal “lost three decades” after the “lost currently, typically the ruler’s constitution, but a full revision of two decades.” The fixed overpro- family relating to the scandal over it to open up a gate to a military duction structure is constraining the Moritomo kindergarten, an power is the principal target of the reduced demand, blocking the issue of re-installation of the US the revision that the Japanese business cycle and spreading the army base in Hutenma, a pro- authorities are desperately re- overall shrinkage in fund, equip- longed economic crisis, all sorts of sorting to. ment and labour, thus resulting in uninterrupted labour disasters In early May last, the present the stagnation of the whole do- and social evil practices, and the Japanese chief executive, mark- mestic economy. The present cabi- delayed rehabilitation of earth- ing the 70th anniversary of the net, pursuing an absurd policy quake-affected areas in Eastern enforcement of the constitution, called Abenomics, is maintaining Japan and Kumamoto. uttered that he would have the its existence with difficulty while Nervous about this develop- constitution revised at any cost making a desperate attempt to ment, the present ruler of Japan and put in force by 2020. This check the fall of stock prices by is scheming to prolong his stay in shows that the revision of the dint of the public fund and the power by means of spreading the constitution, the “long-cherished” [Central] Bank of Japan. Standing tendency of the Rightist devia- desire of the Japanese reactionar- on the bubble economy which is tion. To this end he is instigating ies, is getting into the final stage likely to burst off at any moment, social apprehension and seeking a of countdown. Now the ruling they are anxiously waiting for a closer tie-up with right-wing Liberal Democratic Party, on the mega event like war. Conse- forces while making the most of pretext of the DPRK’s nuclear quently, the reactionaries of Ja- his “forte of authority on secu- programme and launch of rockets, pan are seeking to escape from the rity.” The point of his undertaking is asserting that they should get economic crisis by means of a is to push the Japanese public rid of the restriction of the wartime boom like what happened opinion to turn to the “theory on “pacifist constitution” which bans during the Korean war. the crisis in the Korean penin- retaliatory strike by the SDF. And In September last year the sula.” His long-term office does MPs from ruling and opposition Japanese government revised an not simply mean the right-wing parties visited the US vyingly and agreement for mutual providing forces’ maintenance of the power. vociferated that the latter should of goods and labour with the US, It leads to the extension of the not rule out any choice of actions and in mid-April last when the reactionary policies such as the including a military attack situation in the Korean peninsula revision of the constitution, turn- against the DPRK. This is aimed was on the verge of war, the Diet ing into a military power, consoli- at intentionally emphasizing the finally approved the agreement. dation of the Japan-US military “crisis of the Korean peninsula” to This is eloquent proof of Japan’s alliance and revitalization of the justify the need to revise the con- evil intention, and it is natural economy through war. Today the stitution—and finally fulfil their that the world media comment mass media of Japan and many scheme of becoming a military that Japan is waiting for early other countries are expressing giant and overseas aggression. outbreak of war in the Korean great apprehension, saying that Japan’s backing of the US’s peninsula to get new munitions the chief executive of Japan “is war frenzy to lead the situation of orders, and that it further wishes openly using the ‘crisis in the the Korean peninsula to the brink to stimulate its economy and re- Korean peninsula’ in his domestic of war is based on a crafty and store it back to life. government.” fraudulent plan inherent to the Japan’s frenzied claiming of All these facts are clearly country. In the 1950s when the the “crisis in the Korean penin- proving that the Japanese reac- Korean war broke out, Japan, sula” has another hidden aim: to tionaries are fanning up the US’s taking it as a golden opportunity, direct the domestic attention to reckless moves for war against turned the whole of its territory Korea to calm down the anti-Abe the DPRK to take it as a golden into a sortie base, a supply base tendency and create a favourable opportunity to make a military and a logistics base of the US condition for a long-term tenure. power and realize the dream of military, and made a colossal sum In October last year the Japanese overseas aggression. Japan al- of money through munitions or- ruler succeeded in expanding the ready underwent a bitter war, ders and logistic support—it is a term of the LDP president to and its gamble for war against well-known fact. With that profit three terms for nine years, thus Korea, a military giant, will result it achieved a high rate of growth. he can remain in office until 2021. in its irreversible, total ruin—this As they cannot forget the But there is dissatisfaction with is a unanimous opinion of experts. “blessings of prosperity,” the Abe’s “one-man rule” within the Japanese reactionaries are look- LDP, and opposition parties are Kim Il Ryong

48 KOREA TODAY No. 9, 2017 Pubyok Pavilion

HE PUBYOK PAVILION IS LOCATED ON ing his ability. The half poem goes as follows: T Moran Hill in Pyongyang on the Taedong River. Built in 393 during the period of Koguryo (277 A river meanders along the long wall. BC–AD 668), the first feudal state of Korea, it was Hills are standing east of the plain. called Yongmyong Pavilion as it was attached to the Yongmyong Temple. Early in the 12th century it was The poem written on a panel is hung on a pillar of rebuilt and renamed Pubyok Pavilion to the effect the Ryongwang Pavilion. that it seems to be floating over Chongnyu Cliff that The Pubyok Pavilion is 14.58m wide and 7.68m is skirted by the crystal-clear and blue water. long. It is a fascinating one with a hip-saddle roof It was burned down by the Japanese aggressors supported by tapering pillars. It was used as a mili- during the Imjin Patriotic War (1592–1598) and tary commanding post, for it was a general’s terrace rebuilt in 1614. This existed until it was destroyed in of the North Fort of the Walled City of Pyongyang. the bombing of the US imperialists during the Ko- During the Imjin war the volunteer army stationed rean war (June 1950–July 1953). Through repairs in in the pavilion launched a surprise attack against 1956 and 1959, it was restored to the original state. the enemy position under cover of pitch-dark night The pavilion is harmonious with the beautiful when swarms of enemy troops were wandering scenery of Moran Hill. Thus, enjoying the full moon around unable to cross the Taedong River to attack rising over the Pubyok Pavilion was well known as Pyongyang. The army gave a critical blow to the one of the eight famous scenes in Pyongyang. Kim enemy and achieved a great victory. Hwang Won, a poet of Koryo which was a feudal The Pubyok Pavilion is well preserved as it is not state of Korea that existed from 918 to 1392, tried to only a proud structure displaying the Korean na- compose a poem about the Pubyok Pavilion. When he tion’s high architecture but also valuable national had done a half of it he found it impossible for him to cultural heritage permeated with patriotism of the contain all the beautiful scenery around the pavilion Koreans for national defence. in his poem, so he gave up his poem halfway lament- Kim Hyon Ju

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