KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 KOREA TODAY Monthly Journal (721) Printed in English, Russian and Chinese

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 51 Campaign to Create Mallima Speed

OW IN THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S debris of the three-year-long Korean war, and sur- N Republic of Korea a campaign to create Mallima mounted ordeals vigorously by waging the popular speed is in full swing to implement the decisions innovation movement dynamically including the made at the Seventh Congress of the Workers’ Party Chollima movement which culminated in the victory of Korea. of socialism. They have hastened socialist construc- The campaign is a movement based on mass tion by working miracles. heroism to be displayed in changing all difficulties In the run-up to the Seventh Congress of the into a springboard of upswing on the strength of the WPK the Korean people made a prelude to the ideological and spiritual might of the single-hearted movement for creating Mallima speed by increasing unity whereby the whole Party, the entire army and the industrial output 1.6 times compared to the same all the people share the same idea, air and pace with period of last year through the 70-day campaign. the Party Central Committee. And it is an all-people Now they are waging struggles to develop the ideo- grand march of self-reliance to bring about radical logical, technical and cultural revolutions onto a changes and leaps—as required by the effort to build higher level and effect radical improvement in the a powerful socialist nation—in all spheres of the national power, and social features and the people’s economy, culture and life on the strength of science qualities by continuously displaying the spirit and technology under the banner of self-development; heightened by the Seventh Congress of the WPK to it is also a socialist emulation campaign to effect create Mallima speed, and by speeding up the ad- uninterrupted offensives, progress and innovations to vance to the maximum. implement the decisions of the Seventh Congress of Thanks to the campaign to create Mallima speed the Party at the highest possible level in the shortest which is sweeping the country like a prairie fire, the period of time, by creating new standards and models politico-ideological and military might of Korea is and learning after and overtaking one another. going up ever higher, and the country is rising vigor- In the past the Korean people completed the so- ously into a sci-tech power, an economic giant and a cialist industrialization in a matter of 14 years on the civilized state.

52 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 KOREA TODAY Monthly Journal (721) Printed in English, Russian and Chinese

C O N T E N T S

On the Strength of Science and Technology ············································································· 3

Meticulous Concerns ············································································································ 6

Sure Guarantee for Building of Powerful Nation ······································································ 7

Promising Young Researchers ······························································································· 8

Researchers Break Old Idea ·································································································10

For Implementation of Decisions of the Seventh WPK Congress

Relying on Their Own Efforts ······························································································11

The Secret of Their Success ·································································································12

Putting Science and Technology in the Lead ··········································································14

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 1

Walking Footpaths Endlessly ·················································· 16

Korea’s Munitions Industry: Some Seventy Years Ago ················ 18

During Wartime ···································································· 21

Respect and High Regard for Women ········································ 23

Fruition of Efforts ································································· 26

Educational Environment Improves ········································· 28 Front Cover: The Chollima Statue Jangsu Koryo Pharmaceutical Plant ········································ 30 Photo by An Yong Chol Medicinal Database ······························································ 31

North Hwanghae Provincial Taekwon-Do Team ························· 32

Top Prize Winners ································································· 34

Couples of Young Teachers ····················································· 35

A Scientist’s Family Seen in Album ·········································· 36

Woman Driver Serving the People as Deputy ····························· 37

Immortal Youth ···································································· 38

Pyongyang Cultural Exhibition House ······································ 40

National Food Culture Thrives ················································ 42

Wang Kon, Founder of Koryo ·················································· 43

Back Cover: Victory tradi- tionally belongs to Korea (at Mt. Kumgang (1) ··································································· 44 the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum) Fanatically Hostile Policy ······················································· 46

Photo by Ra Jin Hyok The US Destined for Defeat ···················································· 47

13502 ㄱ-68213 Voices of Wrath ····································································· 48

HE WORKERS’ PARTY OF T Korea set science and technology as one of the three pillars of the policy of building a thriving country. This is a sign of the Party’s intention to secure the cause of building a thriving nation by means of science and technology as required by the developing reality where the position and role of science and technology is growing rapidly in their importance. Today the Korean cause is making head- way by dint of not only the firm The Sci-Tech Complex is a great public resort. faith in socialism and patriotic devotion of the people but also advanced science and country. He initiated revolutionary policies for de- technology. velopment of science and technology including those of putting all sectors on a scientific footing and Giving importance to science and genius making all people well versed in science and technology by establishing more firmly the habit of the To develop all sectors on the strength of science whole Party and all people giving priority to science and technology and build a paradise of the people is a and technology. He is wisely carrying out the efforts lofty intention of Chairman Kim Jong Un of the to implement the policies. Workers’ Party of Korea. The leader advanced the Kim Jong Un made sure that a national confer- classic formula that single-hearted unity and invin- ence of scientists and technicians was held in 2013 so cible military might plus the industrial revolution in as to make it a significant event in developing the new century together make a thriving socialist science and technology of the country. In January ►

Sci-tech diffusion rooms are in good operation.

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 3 ► 2014 he inspected the State Academy of Sciences and form, was held splendidly. Kim Jong Un cut the red advanced tasks of crucial importance for scientific tape to signal the opening of the all-people study research, saying that that year should be glorified as house in the new century on Ssuk Islet, the islet of year of successful scientific and technological re- science. Looking round the complex, he said— searches. He clarified that in the present time when meaningfully—that the gate to the new year when the standard and tempo of economic and social de- the Seventh Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea velopment are determined by scientific and techno- was slated to be held was opened with the power of logical progress, the economic giant the nation in- science. tends to build should be the one with a knowledge- Kim Jong Un is giving wise guidance to the based economy whose motive power is science and scientists and technicians so that they display their technology. He also suggested definite tasks and wisdom and ability to the full. Thanks to his lofty ways to carry them out. idea of giving priority to science and genius, apart- On January 1, 2016 the inaugural ceremony of ment houses for teachers of Kim Il Sung University the Sci-Tech Complex, a gigantic edifice of an atomic and the Kim Chaek University of Technology, Mirae Shop, Wisong Scientists Residential District, Unha Scientists Street, Mirae Scientists Street, Yonphung Scientists Holiday Camp and the Sci-Tech Complex went up as monuments to the time. He preferentially treats the scientists and technicians who displayed the nation’s level of space science and technology and its general potentials by successfully launching artificial earth satellites with their own efforts and technology. He encourages other scientists as well to achieve successes in researches by keeping their feet A teacher’s family moves into a new firmly planted on their land and looking out over the home in the Mirae Scientists Street. world. He always visits science and technology diffusion rooms whenever he inspects factories and enterprises in various sectors of the national economy. And when he sets tasks of modernization at local units, he emphasizes the need to furnish the science and technology diffusion rooms well as required by the era of knowledge-based economy. Thus, every factory and enterprise furnish the science and technology diffusion rooms well as a centre of new technology diffusion, education and technical exchange, and keep them in good operation. As the passion for learning science and technology rises the number of Scientist couples enjoy themselves at the Yonphung Scientists Holiday Camp. students attending distance learning is increasing and the popular campaign of technical innovation is vigorously being waged.

A pillar and powerful driving force

The WPK firmly believes that science and technology are the only recourse to build an economic giant befitting the new century and securely defend socialism by smashing to bits all the manoeuvres of the imperialists who are engaged in an attempt to suffocate Korea by means of their monopoly of ad- The Mirae Shop. vanced technology. ►

4 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016

► The nation is vigorously carrying out the construction of a thriving country on the strength of science and technology in accordance with the WPK’s plan, and this is effecting a lot of achievements. Last year alone, scientific and technological problems which are of crucial importance in developing the economy and improving the people’s standard of living were solved with the nation’s own efforts, technology and resources. Some examples can be enumerated: the CNC-based modernization of the main production processes of the Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex, the realization of an integrated production system of the Huichon Power Station, the establishment of a system of breeding and producing better species of egg-laying chickens and the development and introduction of the technology of laying seamless rails with the use of a special welder. A lot of successes have been achieved in the basic research and latest science and technology. Scientists at the State Academy of Sciences pioneered and systema- tized the theory on linear and non-linear optics in nano-metal materials, and established basic theories for development of advanced technology such as the one of rapid optical communications, the one of su- perspeed spectroscopic analysis and the one of manufacturing high-sensitive materials. They set up the mode of systematical construction which would help to perfectly realize the automation and unmanned process at factories and enterprises and established both direct and indirect medical service systems. What’s more, airplanes and subway cars which are of 100 percent Korean make fly and run above and under the ground, and the earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong-4 was launched successfully. On the strength of these scientific and technological achievements Korea is now developing an inde- pendent economy on the principle of making the most of modern equipment with its own effort while home- producing fuel and raw and other materials badly needed for the construction of an economic giant. Kim Jong Un said in his New Year Address this year that the Workers’ Party of Korea is steadfast in its determination and will to solidify the foundations of a thriving country by dint of science and technology and, with them as the engine, achieve national prosperity. Upholding his plan and intention, a vig- orous campaign is going ahead to make a leap forward and innovations in all sectors and units with Kwangmyongsong-4, earth observation satellite made with the power of science and technology. Korea’s own efforts and wisdom, Yom Song Hui soars up.

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 5

Meticulous Concerns

For Creating a New Farming should be attached to the program if there is an Method to Counterwork the image input function, that it should be good to see Abnormal Weather Conditions as The Stamps of Korea is an electronic publica- tion, but it is still better to print necessary data NE DAY IN JANUARY 1975, PRESIDENT immediately, and that as it is a stamp program, it should have a colour printing function. Then he Kim Il Sung visited the Academy of Agri- O saw the E-dictionary of Korea’s Place Names, cultural Science in the face of the biting cold Koryo Celadon—an Oriental Treasure and The of midwinter. He walked into the national agricul- International Friendship Exhibition House. And tural science exhibition house. It had over ten he heard the explanation of Sanak, a 3D designing halls like the halls of soil, kinds of rice, and maize program. cultivation, where hundreds of species of agricul- Praising that it was good enough to have de- tural crops and data on scientific research veloped 3D programs in a short span of time, the achievements were on display. After listening to Chairman warned the developers against self- an agricultural scientist’s explanation about the complacency. He added that some developed coun- data on the analysis of the crop fields, the tries were now introducing 4D programs, that President said that the academy should intensify besides many sectors of the national economy, the its research work to overcome the abnormal art and literature sector should introduce 4D pro- weather conditions before everything, and that grams to ensure fine stage lighting and print elec- cold-bed rice seedlings and humus-cake maize tric photos with less costs, and that 4D programs cultivation should be introduced in full measure. should be developed to make people feel as if they When he heard that a new method of cultivat- were living in another planet. ing rice seedlings was developed by applying microelement fertilizers to rice-seedling beds, he said Motherly Care that it might be good to raise rice seedlings by using microelement fertilizers, but that it could Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the Workers’ not keep the normal temperature in rice-seedling Party of Korea, made a round of the apartment beds. He explained that humus soil would help to houses for teachers of Kim Il Sung University in warm up the earth of the fields and so when it was September 2013, shortly before they were put into put into the cold beds for rice seedlings and the commission. He walked into Flat No. 1 on the Sec- humus cakes for maize seedlings, it would be pos- ond Floor of Staircase No. 2. Looking around the sible to cultivate healthy seedlings of rice and walls as if he were looking for something on them, maize even in chilly weather of spring, and that he pointed to the wall on the right side and said humus soil should be produced to make the rice that a mirror should be hung there on the wall of and maize seedlings grow fast so as to protect the the passage way to the drawing room, and that the crops from the harmful effects of the cold front. shoe chest was too far off the doorway. Seeing a That day he gave instructions in detail to raise large TV stand in the living room, he said that he high-yielding and fast-growing varieties of crops would see to it that a large-sized LCD TV suited to that could be proof against wind and rain in view the stand be supplied to every family, and that all of the country’s conditions that spring comes late necessary things should be arranged in the apart- and autumn comes earlier under the influence of ment houses for their new occupants. Then he the abnormal climate. inspected all rooms of the house, stating that nothing should be spared for teachers and re- At a Program Exhibition searchers of Kim Il Sung University. Coming outside, he looked up again at the In February 1998 Chairman Kim Jong Il of exterior of the apartment houses distinctively the DPRK National Defence Commission visited decorated with colour tiles and hard glass, and the 8th national programs contest and exhibition said that the apartment houses for teachers of hall. On display were new programs developed by Kim Il Sung University were the best of all the educational institutions like Kim Il Sung Uni- existing apartment blocks, adding that the apart- versity and scientific research institutes. Seeing a ment houses were designed superbly and flaw- multimedia program, The Stamps of Korea, the lessly as models of dwelling houses. That day he Chairman asked the experts unexpectedly earnestly stated that as the current age was an age whether it had a printing function. One of them of the knowledge-based economy and brain war, answered that they had not considered it. Then, scientists should be given prominence. the Chairman said that the output function Ri Chung Ho

6 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 Sure Guarantee for Building of Powerful Nation

O DEVELOP ALL SECTORS RAPIDLY AND none other than the popular masses. This statement T build a people’s paradise by means of science and refers to the revolutionary philosophy that anyone of technology—this is the determination and will of the the people can become an able person and that the Workers’ Party of Korea. Kim Jong Un, Chairman training of able personnel should be based on the of the WPK, put forward a policy of making all people people. well versed in science and technology. The policy The DPRK has an excellent socialist educational means training all people as competent personnel system that makes it possible to develop all people as with a rich stock of sci-tech knowledge and high masters of science and technology. In the country, creative ability. there is a fully-prepared system under which the In the 1980s the Party set a task of making the WPK and the State take full responsibility for all the whole society intellectual and pushed ahead with it. people to learn to their heart’s content according to The goal of intellectualization of the whole society their own aptitude, hope and ability. Irrespective of was to turn all members of the society into compre- their age all children and grown-ups are involved in hensively-developed people with a cultural and tech- relevant educational systems including pre-school nical level equivalent to that of the college graduate. instruction, schooling, and different sorts of social So the government of the Democratic People’s Re- and adult educations. Educational expenses hold a public of Korea directed a great effort to the educa- big proportion in the state budget and are increasing tional work; it increased the number of higher edu- systematically year by year. Under the socialist cational institutions, strengthened the social educa- educational system all the Korean people can have tion and made sure a revolutionary habit of study education while on the job and continue to study all settled all across the country. This went a long way their life. to the campaign to improve the working people’s The country also has a solid foundation for and standard of general knowledge, technology and cul- rich experience in preparing a legion of intellectuals. ture. In this course, the intellectualization of the Since its liberation from the Japanese military occu- whole society made successful progress. pation in August 1945, it has always paid primary The 21st century is the age of IT and knowledge- attention to the training of national cadres, so it now based economy. As required by the developing real- has got a huge force of national cadres. ity, the WPK set the goal of turning all members of Kim Jong Un’s wise leadership is the decisive the society into talent with sci-tech qualifications factor in successfully attaining the goal of making all and creative ability enough to solve all problems people well versed in science and technology. His arising in the building of a powerful nation on the idea of attaching importance to science, technology highest possible level. This is to make all people well and able personnel and his leadership based on the versed in science and technology, that is, to train not idea are vigorously pushing the work to attain the only those who receive higher education but also goal. He saw to it that modern libraries were built in ordinary workers who finish the general education all provinces, and also took revolutionary measures course as the technologically prepared persons, or to enforce the universal 12-year compulsory educa- knowledgeable people, so as to help them carry out tion so as to develop the educational system and their tasks by relying on the latest science and tech- methods to the highest possible level. nology. Though not long, his idea of making all people The WPK already set ideology, arms and science well versed in science and technology is now display- and technology as the three pillars of the building of ing a great vitality in reality. Sustained by the spirit a thriving nation. The shortest and surest way to a of attaching importance to science sweeping the thriving socialist nation is to hasten the effort to whole society, the effort for timely introduction and make all people well versed in science and technology general dissemination of latest science and technol- as required by the age of knowledge-based economy. ogy all across the society is going full-steam ahead. The idea of making all people well-informed in terms The enthusiasm for learning is sweeping the country of scientific and technological knowledge is an over- involving all people. Libraries have an endless all and scientific representation of the Juche- stream of people, and all units are engaged in the oriented viewpoint of and attitude to the training of strong campaign to establish sci-tech diffusion bases the revolutionary talent and the actual condition and and keep them in good operation. Whether in town or possibility to carry it out. country, science and technology are surely given As is case with any other efforts, the success in foremost importance and the mass-based technical rearing and expanding the rank of competent per- innovation movement is in progress. sonnel depends largely on how the popular masses All the Korean people are convinced that the task are involved in it. President Kim Il Sung and of making all people well versed in science and tech- Chairman Kim Jong Il maintained that the popular nology will surely come to success under the wise leadership of their respected leader . masses are the most intelligent and powerful and Kim Jong Un that if there is an almighty being in the world, that is An Chol Ho

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 7 Promising Young Researchers

N RECENT YEARS, BY signed to work at the plant tissue genetic analysis, he came to know I making a deeper study of the culture institute Ro Chol Min that genetic analysis together stem cell, scientists of the Bioen- proposed a research task of grow- with morphological and physio- gineering Branch under the State ing by bioengineering method chemical analysis is an important Academy of Sciences not only saplings of peaky persimmon index in sports science regarding opened a vista to grow good trees that bear quite sweet fruits accurate selection of reserves. One breeds of domestic animals but popular with the people. Though year later hundreds of genes were also succeeded in obtaining supe- the tissue culture of the persim- announced around the world in rior spores needed for production mon tree is more difficult than relation to the sports ability and of mushrooms on the basis of se- any other plants, the institute more than 20 genetic markers lecting and determining high- assigned him the task. Through were used basically in relation to yielding mushrooms. They also the study of general physiological selecting sports reserves. On the pushed ahead with the work of conditions of all kinds of persim- basis of this information, he made wider introduction of feed addi- mon trees, deep analysis of the up his mind to establish a method tives for fish farming and animal problems that had arisen in culti- of genetic analysis to put the se- husbandry, developed the tech- vation, and scores of tests and lection of sportspeople and their nology of examining and measur- experiments in close contact with reserves on a scientific basis after ing gene variation, made an anti- men of long-standing experience, making a comprehensive analysis tumour immunity-causing agent, he finally solved sci-tech problems of the Koreans’ constitutional developed the technology of turn- of growing virus-free tissue- qualities. After nearly one year of ing B-type blood into O-type one, cultured seedlings of the peaky painstaking efforts, he developed and bred a salt-resistant high- persimmon tree and succeeded in a method to comprehensively ana- yielding species of rice for stable getting virus-free individuals in lyse and estimate the problems farming in paddy field in re- late April last. of selection of reserve athletes claimed tideland and a variety of Pak Chung Sam, researcher of and professional sportspeople. His corn that has a greater resistance the genome institute, made it success saved some analysing cost to blight and harmful insects. possible to select sportspeople in a and time needed for genetic Young scientists in their 20s scientific way by making a deep analysis of sports ability in child- and early 30s played great roles study of how to rate the instinctive hood and opened a vista to select in achieving abovementioned aptitude for sports through ge- events appropriate to reserve ath- successes. netic analysis. In 2013 he buckled letes’ constitution and apply the In 2014 soon after he was as- down to this task. While studying most reasonable method in train- ►

Researchers of the Microbiological Genetic Engineering Institute. Research into genetic

8 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 Researchers at the Plant Tissue Culture Institute.

► ing from childhood. Informed of the decision on hold- on our road, we are reminded of Jong Song Il, researcher of the ing the Seventh Congress of the the value of many of our things microbiological genetic engineer- Workers’ Party of Korea, we anew.” ing institute, says, “The main thought we had to do something It is quite worth expecting point of my successful research is valuable. Though we were faced what the young bioengineering the home production of insulin. It with difficulties in our project, we researchers will produce to every- was not an easy job because at succeeded in the home production body’s amazement, working with that time only a few countries of insulin in April last with con- all their ambition and ardour. produced it and we had no condi- certed efforts and through re- tion to request technical transfer. peated experiments. Looking back Sim Yong Jin analysis is under way. Biochip has been developed by the Korean method.

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 9 Researchers Break Old Idea

OME DAYS AGO I VISITED THE KIM S Chaek Iron and Steel Complex, for news coverage, when I heard some workers talk in front of a blast furnace just before tapping. One said, “I’m afraid the amount of molten iron is less than before.” Another worker disagreed, “No, it is enough for the casting. Our valuable scale never fails to exactly measure.” Our valuable scale meant a skip scale used in charging the material. It was told that since they started to use the scale the actual extract rate and quality of cast products rose and that the Scales equipped with newly developed weight-sensing element of the scale had been newly weight-sensing elements. made by Korean scientists in their own way to be admired for its high accuracy. Now I decided to go to method through repeated failures; and a researcher see the researchers of electronic measuring devices completed a new control program of a heavy-duty at the Control Machinery Institute of the State weighing device that required great accuracy. Academy of Sciences. Their painstaking efforts began to bear fruit. A Various kinds of weighing elements were used in variety of digital weighing devices were developed. production and the supply of most of them depended The static electronic carriage scale with the device in on import. And it was mostly thought unrealistic to it turned to be of considerable accuracy and much manufacture them because it was costly and re- cheaper than the former ones, so it won first place at quired high technology of processing. The impor- the National Quality Control Achievement Exhibi- tance of weighing elements that play the key role in tion in 2009 on the 60th anniversary of the establish- heavy-duty scales, including truck scales, freight ment of the national quality supervision system, car scales and crane scales, was steadily rising. As when it received a diploma and a gold medal. unmanned production processes continued to in- Yet the researchers did not rest content with crease and more kinds of products of higher quality their achievement. By making a strenuous effort were demanded, the home-production of various they established the system of deciding the optimum kinds of weighing elements was unavoidable. Un- structural values in manufacturing the sensing ele- derstanding the reality the relevant researchers felt ment, thus opening a road to make weighing devices an urge to open a new road putting an end to the old for random use at will. idea. The scales they developed on the basis of their What was the most important in the weight- achievement are praised as the best at national sci- sensing device is the elastic item. It had to be de- tech festivals, such as the national machinery design signed to sustain the maximum transformation ac- festival, for their high accuracy, simplicity in manu- cording to the weight of a burden—it was a trail yet facture and effectiveness. And they have been widely to be blazed. And no one had tried the task with introduced in a lot of factories including the Pyongy- home-made alloy steel as its material. ang Children’s Foodstuff Factory to be highly appre- But section chief Ham Song Chol and his team ciated as the key element that ensures the quality in decided to set an amazing goal to develop cheap all processes from feeding to packing. weighing devices equal to the imported ones in its Ham says, “This does not mean either the first quality by solving all problems. Though it became achievement of my section or the accomplishment of more difficult year by year, the researchers never the research project. The final aim is to home- gave up. A researcher read through many technical produce all the measuring devices by ourselves.” books to study the elastic material in a unique way; some researchers established a scientific designing Chae Kwang Myong

10 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 For Implementation of Decisions of the Seventh WPK Congress Relying on Their Own Efforts

OT LONG AGO, THE certed efforts. In recent years N Sunchon Thermal Power alone, a hundred and scores of Station made a display to widely technical inventions and ingen- introduce in thermal power sta- ious ideas have been introduced tions across the country the in production and equipment methods of producing cast steel renovation, making a great con- balls by metal mould of packaged tribution to raising the power rotating cylinder and the crushed production to the highest level. stone plate by iron mould. When- This year, for the introduction ever asked by many people about of homemade equipment, a digi- the reason for developing new tal thermometer of the main methods in the power station, transformer was devised on the chief engineer Ham Hi Jun would basis of the development of a new say, “We have been inspired by semiconductor temperature sen- the determination to carry out sor and introduced in production, the intention of the Workers’ opening up vistas for turning all Party of Korea that everyone thermometers of the power sta- should solve the sci-tech prob- tion into digital ones by their own lems arising in practice by efforts and technical designing. studying hard modern science Along with this, the air con- and technology and by the faith denser system of the generator that everything can be done by was boldly remodelled to boost relying on our own efforts.” the efficiency of the generator, In 1983 when the power sta- while several original technical tion was inaugurated, it had less contrivances were made for the than scores of technicians who normal operation of the boilers. had graduated from relevant Further, more momentary power technical colleges. But now their was produced by increasing the number has increased nearly air pressure at the exhaust port. four times and a growing number Won In Sok, a technician of workers have completed the famous for his four state- study-while-working course. patented inventions and 18 tech- They solve many sci-tech prob- nical contrivances, is always on lems arising in the operation of the scene of work. He could in- the power station by their con- troduce many technical contrivances while striving to solve the Scientific and technical attainments go up. problems arising in production without delay together with workers on the production site. Worker Ri Yong Chol of the turbine workshop who is attending the distance learning college made many devices and so is well -known as a worker-inventor in the power station. At present, all the employees of the power station are achieving unprecedented successes in power production by making more than one technical innovation in order to carry out the tasks set out at the Seventh Con- gress of the WPK. An Nam Hui

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 11 For Implementation of Decisions of the Seventh WPK Congress

The Secret of Their Success

12 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 ODAY THE HWANGHAE the steel within the fixed time, They worked day and night. Tired T Iron and Steel Complex is they had to find out a way of as they were, nobody thought of advancing by leaps and bounds as sharply increasing the capability resting from work. Their burning an enterprise playing the central of the heating furnace in the ardour made it possible to set up role in the metallurgical industry crude steel workshop. In the past in a short time a new anthracite of Korea. The outrageous sanction the heating furnace required no gas generator at last, shortening applied to Korea by the US impe- small amount of heavy oil, so they the heating time markedly. As a rialists at the beginning of this had devised an anthracite gas result, on the first day of the op- year was indeed suffocating the generator which was suited to eration of the new gas generator, complex larger than any other the country’s conditions and in- the production of rails grew 1.2 ones. It suffered from a short sup- stalled it to use the gas heat from times higher than in the past ply of everything—fuel, facilities it for operating the heating fur- when heavy oil was used. and materials. But it did not stop nace. Furthermore, in the flames of production even for a day. Rather, But whenever an urgent task the massive technical innovation it creditably carried out the enor- arose, they would use heavy oil campaign, new equipment such as mous tasks assigned to it by the along with the gas heat to shorten a horizontal rectifier were in- state. This was attributable to the the heating time. Now, however, vented and manufactured and the patriotic zeal of the workers of the they could not expect heavy oil actual output increased 1.3 times. complex who overcame all diffi- any more. In view of the actual General Manager Kim Chung culties in the spirit of self-reliance circumstances, it appeared evi- Gol said, “The appeal of the work- and self-development. dent to everybody that the colos- ers of my complex sent to all their Last February they were as- sal task was impossible to carry fellow workers across the country signed the task of producing a out. Nevertheless, the workers of in December last year has a pas- huge amount of heavy-duty rails the complex were above vacilla- sage, ‘Self-reliance represents the in a short span of time for the tion. They told themselves: “We way of our living and the key to construction of broad-gauge rail- have the tradition of supporting working miracles. The enemy’s ways between Hyesan and Samji- our country for decades with steel attempts to suffocate us have yon. The production of steel of- without vacillation at any eco- come to extremes, but the faith of fered no problem thanks to the nomic upheavals.” They boldly set our workers in self-reliance and establishment of the Juche iron a goal to install another gas gen- self-development is growing ever production system which was free erator to raise the heating capac- stronger.’ This is the secret of our from the use of imported fuel. But ity while they kept on with pro- success.” to produce heavy-duty rails with duction. It was not an easy job. Kim Chol Ung

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 13 For Implementation of Decisions of the Seventh WPK Congress

Putting Science and Technology in the Lead

ROM ANCIENT TIMES acid and lecithin contained in the factories have gone up across the F the Korean people used soya paste help prevent arteriosclero- country, rendering positive ser- beans to make various condi- sis and heart diseases. It is well vice to the people’s eating habit. ments, like soy sauce and soybean known to the world that condi- One of them is the Pyongyang paste, for their diet. The soybean ments like the bean paste make Condiments Factory. Though it is paste contains essential amino foods tasty and increase their not so large, it provides the Py- acids, sugar, vitamins B₁ and B₂ nutritive value. ongyang citizens with soybean and other substances. Linoleic In Korea lots of condiments paste, soy sauce and monosodium ►

The lecithin production process. The vitamin E production process.

The edible oil packing process.

14 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016

The soy bean paste packing process.

► glutamate. The products of the factory are popular with the consumers. With all production processes modernized, it turns out various kinds of products at will on the basis of the integrated production system. While pushing ahead with the research work to make production processes automatic, unmanned and germ-free and improve the quality of products, it developed industrial methods of producing vitamin E and researchers of the factory conducive to raising the vitamin and lecithin. launched the project to obtain content, the bottleneck in the All these achievements are vitamin E from waste beans after research. Thanks to the devoted attributable to the factory’s effort extraction of oil. Vitamin E has effort of the researchers and to implement the policy of giving several functions such as retard- workers the vitamin E production priority to science and technol- ing the ageing, controlling blood process was established in a short ogy. It has a sci-tech diffusion sugar and re-energizing metabo- period of time. Hwang says, “The room, an e-reading room, a dis- lism, so it is indispensable to success we achieved with our own tance learning room and a li- health improvement, particularly effort and technology without brary, so scientists, technicians for children, women and the eld- difficulty is attributable to our and all other employees learn erly. However, it was not an easy solid scientific and technological latest science and technology. In job as the process involved very foundation. And the close combi- particular, a large number of sensitive nation of sci-tech research and workers attend distance-learning sci-tech problems. production has brought us much lectures given by relevant col- The research team led by Kim more profit.” leges of the Kim Chaek Univer- Hye Suk, head of the factory’s Building on the success the sity of Technology, the Pyongy- industrial laboratory, and Hwang factory is now waging a dynamic ang Han Tok Su University of Kum Chol, head of the oil work- campaign to mass-produce leci- Light Industry and other central shop, pooled their wisdom and thin and lysine. Now all the em- universities. Such a study-while- conducted experiments and tests ployees of the factory are striving working system was evidently time and again to extract vitamin day and night to bring earlier the useful. An example is the laying E. Finally they found out a proper future when they will have a bet- of the vitamin E production production process. Hwang, ter life. process. graduate from a distance learning A few years ago the managers college, found a decisive solution Pak Yong Il

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 15 Walking Footpaths Endlessly

VERY YEAR WHEN THE perimental farm. a new crop was planted in the E month of July comes round, With the agriculturalists the place. Observing its growth, he the Korean people recall President walked around the gar- studied how to cultivate it and the President Kim Il Sung. They den and came to the wheat-barley way of research on it. remember with great affection patch. Turning to them, he said that he devoted his whole life to that in order to solve the grain The Story About a the solution of the people’s food problem in the country which has Rice-planting Machine problem walking footpaths in the a limited area of cultivated land, fields. it was necessary to raise two crops In May 1973, the President a year and that to do so, the se- heard that a rice-planting ma- The Pond Filled in lection of crop species was impor- chine was completed by scientists tant, and taught them how to and technicians and visited a co- In May 1964, some agricultu- cultivate different kinds of wheat operative farm where the ma- ralists transplanting rice seed- and barley and the ways of their chine was going to be tried out. lings in an experimental field study for the future. Coming to the rice field, he got from early morning were sum- There was a story about the informed all about the perform- moned by the President. They experimental patch of wheat and ance of the machine and told the were led to his residence. They barley. Arranging the experimen- persons concerned to start it. Af- could not help admiring as they tal plots for various crops in the ter a moment it planted rice seed- entered the garden. It was a veri- garden, the President found out lings in check rows as if spreading table grove thick with various the fact that there was no vacant a green carpet. With his face kinds of trees of great economic ground for experimenting the beaming all the time, he watched value and fruit trees. It was also double cropping of wheat and the machine working before he an experimental plot with sign- barley. So he proposed to fill in said in high glee that now the posts standing in good order, the small pond in the garden to farm workers would be able to which was planted with various plant the crop. As the officials felt straighten their bent backs. kinds of grain crops such as very sorry to hear that, he said Soon the sky became star- spring barley, naked barley, rye, why he should need to take a spangled and it got chilly. The broad beans and medicinal plants, stroll alone here on the shore of officials suggested that he should vegetables and fodder crops grow- the pond when he could find re- now leave the place. But he said it ing fresh and green. It closely laxation among the people. So, wouldn’t be an easy job freeing the resembled a comprehensive ex- finally the pond was filled up and farming population from tough ►

16 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 ► work, adding that he wanted to President came out to the Tae- been applied to it. Then, he saw a see the rice planter’s operation a song District Co-operative Farm small orchard beyond the road little longer. With this, he urged in Pyongyang in disregard of the and went towards it. There Py- that the field should be lit up with sultry weather of the summer to ongyang white apricots were rip- headlights of cars. study how to cope with the dam- ening. He picked one and exam- The machine had a story about age of drought. When he saw the ined its aroma, telling the officials its advent. The President had vegetables including cabbage, that now was the season of plums, assigned a task to some scientists cucumber, eggplant and so on sweet cherries and strawberries to make a rice planter by them- thriving vividly green in spite of and asking them how the fruits selves. Then he would ring them a long spell of dry weather, his were supplied to the children. up in an early morning to know delight knew no bounds. Then Listening to the answer of an how matters stood with its mak- he moved slowly towards the official, he said he was very happy ing, sometimes he would invite middle of the vegetable garden as to see the children eating fruit the machine designers to have if he found something novel. wherever he went and added that consultations with them, and at There were simple sprinklers the country would prosper when other times he would come to the spraying water all over the vege- the children were well-fed and factory to give them hints about table field. healthy. the structure, operation, appear- Seeing a short porous vinyl Before leaving, he again in- ance and even colour of the ma- pipe on Y-shaped sticks sprin- structed the officials to introduce chine. And when the first rice kling water over the vegetables, the Y-shaped sprinkling device in planting machine was made on an he said it was very good and all co-operative farms. As he was experimental basis, he came out asked who had devised it. A apparently reluctant to leave the to see it in spite of the rain and member of the farm’s manage- farm, he gazed at the vegetable said in great delight how happy ment staff replied that it was field and orchard for a long while the farm workers would be when made collectively. The President before he bent his step towards the machine was completed. Un- said this watering method was his car. But he halted again and der his care to relieve the farm simple and economical and that it again to look back at the farm workers from hard work even a seemed better than the one he folks, waving his hand warmly for little, many kinds of farm ma- had seen a few days before. He them. That was Kim Il Sung’s chines including rice harvesters, went on to say that this way of last field guidance to the agricul- to say nothing of the rice planters, sprinkling water would make it tural sector. From the time of were manufactured and provided fully possible to water all maize national liberation to the end of to the co-operative farms. fields with less materials and his life, he gave field guidance to labour by using the existing irri- roughly 20 600 units, spent 8 650 His Last Guidance gation facilities. Turning his eyes days on it, and travelled 578 000 towards the maize field, he km for it. On June 23, 1994, the learned how much fertilizer had Sim Chol Yong

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 17 Korea’s Munitions Industry: Some Seventy Years Ago

Kim Il Sung at state trial firing of a submachine gun in 1948.

18 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016

Kim Il Sung designates the site of a new munitions factory.

ODAY THE KOREAN T people are reliably safe- guarding their country’s sover- eignty and peace and stability in the Korean peninsula by checking ceaseless aggressive manoeuvres of the hostile forces by dint of their powerful military potenti- alities provided by the solid self- supporting defence industry. The defence industry of Korea, A model board of the Phyongchonri Munitions Factory. however, was little different from null and void 70-odd years ago ists, who occupied the southern Korea, went to the then Phyong- when the country was just half of Korea militarily in Sep- chon field and designated the site liberated from the military occu- tember 1945, organized different of an ordnance factory, the first of pation of the Japanese imperial- kinds of military force in south its kind in Korea. When the con- ists (August 15, 1945). The Korea and accelerated the prepa- struction of the factory finished, Phyongchon Revolutionary Site ration for a war of aggression on a he gave the workers of the factory in Phyongchon District, Pyongy- full scale in an attempt to domi- a task to make a submachine gun ang, shows how President nate the whole Korea. Unless the by themselves. He also sent them Kim Il Sung paved the way of nation built regular armed forces a sample of submachine gun, pro- the arms industry in Korea at and established the defence in- duction facilities, technicians, that time. dustry to frustrate the American specialists as well as skilled Following national liberation, moves, the Korean people might workers. the country was in a crisis of divi- be reduced to colonial slaves of In the revolutionary museum sion, and this raised the urgent the imperialists again. of the Phyongchon Revolutionary demand to build the nation’s de- One day in early October 1945, Site is preserved the submachine fence capacity. The US imperial- Kim Il Sung, leader of a new gun (dummy) the leader sent. ►

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 19 The submachine gun test site.

Having drawn up the design ► of submachine gun by disassem- bling it and forged the heated workpiece by the hammer and filed it smooth, the workers and technicians of the factory manufactured a sample of submachine gun in no more than twenty days, although they had no experience. Seeing the first submachine gun manufactured by the Korean workers, Kim Il Sung stroked it time and again, saying that it had been made very well although it the Korean workers was very times, giving instructions in de- was the first thing they had ever good for its high rate of hits and tail. Thanks to his warm care, the made and that he wished they concentration, that they could do factory expanded and developed had had such weapons during the anything when they decided to, in a short period into the one of armed struggle against the Japa- that it was important to keep the producing not only submachine nese imperialists. spirit of self-reliance, and that the guns but also mortars, hand gre- Some days later, he went to factory’s manufacture of a sub- nades, bullets and even shells. It the firing range at the factory. machine gun was the first victory produced lots of weapons and When officials asked him to try in the history of the nation’s ar- ammunitions during the Korean the first firing, he said that it mament industry and a proud war started by the US imperial- must be done by those who had achievement in the building of a ists, thus making a great contri- manufactured the weapon and new country. bution to the victory. then told an official of the factory In the firing range at the Now the Phyongchon Revolu- to do it first. Only after the offi- revolutionary site there are en- tionary Site stands witness to cial finished his test-firing, the shrined the firing table and the the great exploits of President leader sat in the firing position wand used by the President as Kim Il Sung who put forward and shot a submachine gun. they were. the line of building an independ- Then he went up to the wand The country’s armament in- ent defence industry and devoted and studied the bullet holes one dustry made its first step like all his life to the implementation. by one. He highly praised that the this. Later Kim Il Sung visited submachine gun manufactured by the factory more than twenty Sim Yong Jin

20 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 During Wartime

HE KOREAN WAR STARTED BY THE northern mountain regions including the Rangnim T American aggressors on June 25, 1950 was a and Pujonryong mountain ranges to the east and fierce confrontation of the Korean people liberated west seas of Korea were harnessed. from the Japanese imperialists’ military occupation The day when the meeting was closed, he called only five years before, the two-year-old Democratic the Jangjagang Power Station construction com- People’s Republic of Korea, and the Korean People’s pany’s management staffs. Coming into the meeting Army founded only two years before as a regular room where he had met the commanders of the army army against the US imperialists who boasted of corps and divisions, the company’s management being “the most powerful” in the world because they staffs in humble working clothes took their seats. had been ever-victorious in more than 110 wars of The construction of the power station started in 1949 aggression, plus the armies of 15 of their satellite to supply electric power to construction sites in the states, south Korean stooge army and the Japanese country. But it came to a halt owing to the war. Con- militarists. However, the US and its servile forces fronted with the stern situation where the enemy were too stupid to know anything about Korea. troops came into the region, most of the builders of the power station volunteered for military service His operation plan and went to the front. Listening to their words that many technicians had gone to the front, he said seri- In November 1950 a meeting of commanders and ously that he would arrange matters to send them political commissars of the combined units of the back. Shaking hands with them, he continued to say that enough preparations should be made without dispersing the builders for the construction of the power station after winning the war. This was how the military operation to smash the US imperialists’ “Christmas general offensive” and the preparation work for the construction of the Jangjagang Power Station were pushed ahead

with simultaneously. ►

Seoul citizens welcome the People’s Army soldiers with hearty cheers.

KPA was held in Oryu valley, Yonha-ri, Kosan Sub-county, Man- pho County, to smash the US imperialists’ new general offensive. Supreme Commander Kim Il Sung who had been making preparations for the meeting all through the night came out to the yard at dawn. Looking in the direction of the Jangja River, he said that it would be possible to build many power stations like the Jangjagang Power Station if all rivers and streams flowing down from the country’s

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 21 ► His special order His zero hour

A volunteer corps soldier became a DPRK Hero A war correspondent wrote in his note about the in 1951 when he was 18 years old. He had shot down liberation of Seoul: five enemy planes in a month or so after joining the “On my way to the front line, I stopped by the aircraft hunters’ team. Kim Il Sung inquired about front command in Seoul. I wanted to find out the his family and came to know that his parents and situation on the battle line and collect detailed data brothers were living in the enemy-controlled area not about the liberation of Seoul. I interviewed Front far from Kaesong. Thinking back on the days of the Commander Kim Chaek. Over a meal with me, he anti-Japanese armed struggle when he would often informed me of the situation at the front and then arrange for evacuating guerrilla army soldiers’ fami- told me in detail about the battle for the liberation of lies from the enemy-controlled areas to the guerrilla Seoul. Human history records many wars but does zones for a secured life, he ordered a regiment to take not know an event of the enemy’s capital captured the soldier’s family out of the enemy’s rear and three days after the start of war. briefed them about the rescue operation. He told “Why was the zero hour for the battle to liberate them to carry away all the household goods and Seoul fixed at 5 a.m.? he went on to say. The chattels including an old farming implement dear to Supreme Commander feared that a charge into Seoul the aged and even a besom. Within the night of the at night could cause injuries on the citizens and dam- day, not only his family members and all their furni- age the cultural relics in the city such as the Kyong- ture and effects but also the worn-out broom in the bok and Toksu palaces and Changgyong Garden, and open shed and sheaves of rice and soy beans in the so ordered to attack Seoul after daybreak though fields were taken off across the battle line. somewhat disadvantageous. That was how zero hour This fact was given prominent coverage by the was set at five o’clock after light on June 28.” news agencies of many countries at the time under In March 1952, a member of the International the titles: “The Supreme Commander of the Korean Democratic Lawyers’ Association’s fact-finding team People’s Army mobilized a regiment to evacuate the expressed his view after ten-odd-days’ stay in Korea, family of a soldier from behind the enemy’s line,” “The Korean people are fighting a victorious war. It “The Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s is as clear as day that America will lose the war to Army holds an ordinary soldier dearest,” and them.” “Victory belongs to north Korea.” Ri Chung Ho

A hall of the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum dedicated to the show of the defeat of the US imperialists.

22 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 Respect and High Regard for Women

N KOREA RESPECT FOR WOMEN DOES NOT I mean merely their preferential treatment and protection and security of their interests and rights. Its true sense lies in regarding them as legitimate masters of society and an important motive force of social development and taking care of and boosting them as true revolutionary comrades. The beginning of the history of respect and high regard for women and efflorescence and development of the Juche-oriented women’s movement in Korea are unthinkable apart from the wise leadership of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il. Already at the outset of his anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle, Kim Il Sung set it out as an important task to realize the social emancipation of The Breast Tumour Institute of the women and equality of the sexes and roused the Pyongyang Maternity Hospital. women to the revolutionary struggle. In compliance with his great idea, the Korean women turned out in the bloody struggle to crush the Japanese imperial- the Korean revolution!” and “ Long live the emanci- ists, breaking away from the centuries-old yoke of pation of women!” at her last moment. restraint and contempt, singing the song of women’s Therefore, President Kim Il Sung wrote in his emancipation. Among them was a fighter who reminiscences “With the Century”: “My assertion shouted “I can still see victory in the revolution!” that women push forward one wheel of the revolution though she had lost her eyes to the enemy, and a is not an abstract notion. It is based on the history of fighter who died a heroic death crying out “Long live the bloody revolutionary struggle against the Japa- ►

The workers’ dormitory of the Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill.

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 23 Women workers enjoy worthwhile life as Women scientists devote all heroes of the time and model workers. their energy to research.

► nese and on my own actual ex- it unfinished after dawdling over although the Japanese imperial- periences as a direct participant it for ten years long. In the days ists had wrecked it entirely. So in the emancipation of Korean when the Song of Women was you need not worry about it and women, as well as an eyewitness ringing out all across the country, everything will go well after the to their struggle.” women who had been former war.” It was also an ordinary ru- The Law on Sex Equality nursemaids or kitchen maids ral grandmother who, when the promulgated (July 1946) after became well-known innovators, factionalists were playing tricks liberation of the country (August able officials and representatives behind the scenes after the war, 1945) brought about a period of who took part in state control. faithfully said to him, “We sup- full flourish and zenith of pros- Kim Ku, one of the leaders of port you, dear Premier, although perity in the women’s movement the nationalist movement of Ko- the factionalists are talking criti- of Korea. The law was drawn rea in the past, attended the cally about the people’s living.” up by the President himself. It north-south joint conference in He said on every occasion that put an end to the feudal notion 1948, when he could not help the women accounting for half the that had denied the women’s suf- admiring the reality. He said, population are the main force that frage and social equality. The “Indeed the achievements in the turns one of the wheels of the women who had been confined to building of a democratic nation in revolution, that socialism could home ties staying indoors out of north Korea are marvellous, and I not be constructed if the women the sunlight were now able to am really struck with wonder at were ignored and their strength stride on the land of the liberated the fact that women, formerly was doubted, that prominence country with merry laughter, and objects of disdain and a symbol of should be given to women in all even secluded mountain villages the weak, should discuss state affairs in future, and that they were ringing with cheerful sing- affairs on a par with men, and should be helped to remain ever ing voices of women. take active part in all social af- blooming flowers of the revolu- In the month when the law fairs, living happily without any tion. Under his loving care, a star was promulgated there was a worries.” on the ice remembered by the great sensation caused by the The mettle and pride of the world’s sports circles, a forerun- latent energies of the women to women grew year by year after ner of the multi-machine operat- startle the world. In the Pothong that. It was an ordinary woman ing campaign and the first woman River improvement work, the first member of the Workers’ Party of pilot made their appearance. project to harness nature after Korea (WPK) who in the days Chairman Kim Jong Il who liberation, the Korean women of the severe Fatherland Libera- opened up the new era of Songun rose up unanimously under the tion War (1950–1953) encouraged led the Korean women step by slogan Let us build high the bank Kim Il Sung by saying, step to discharge their duties in of patriotism by our own efforts “Reconstruction will be out of the carrying out the cause of the and made a great contribution to question if only we win the war. Songun revolution and building a finishing it in 55 days, whereas We reconstructed the country in thriving nation. In his works in- the Japanese colonialists had left two or three years and lived well cluding Women Are a Powerful ►

24 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 The women footballers who won the EAFF Women’s East Asian Cup 2015.

► Force Which Pushes Forward the prises—were reported day after responsible for building up mili- Revolution and Construction, he day. They also made the whole tary power. He highly compli- elucidated scientifically the posi- society replete with revolutionary mented them on the services they tion and role of women in the optimism and harmony, managed rendered by valuing state affairs revolution and construction, en- household affairs diligently in above household affairs and sac- hancing the dignity of women to keeping with the requirements of rificing silently their youthful the highest degree. He infused the the revolutionary and military dreams and ideals and happiness whole country with the social culture in spite of hardships, and of their family life for the buildup spirit of esteem for women, prais- brought up their children to be of military power. Whenever he ing them for their immeasurable true revolutionaries loyal to the met women soldiers and pilots in devotion and efforts because they Party and revolution. Thanks to the course of inspection of the had supported the Party while revolutionary women like them, front line, he was so pleased and sparing no pains in all affairs of the Korean revolution could ad- would call them by the honour- household and society, enduring vance briskly full of animation able name of real women revolu- all difficulties silently. Under his and vitality through a spell of tionaries and, remembering the care, the Korean women led a trials and difficulties. simple request of an ordinary worthwhile life as heroines of the Now, under the leadership pilot, he named her baby at the era and labour innovators loved of the supreme leader site of a meeting. and respected by society and the Kim Jong Un, the dignity and Under his scrupulous care, the masses. Wives of ordinary mili- pride of the Korean women are Breast Tumour Institute of the tary officers were placed hon- rising ever higher everyday. In Pyongyang Maternity Hospital ourably in front of the country 2012, though busy administering and the dormitory of the Pyongy- and the people as true patriots the state affairs, he took steps to ang Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill and trustworthy revolutionary call the 4th National Mothers’ were built as grandly as palaces women of the Songun era. Meeting, and ensured that the in a short space of time and state During the Arduous March day the President made a speech and social benefits for women and the forced march when the at the First National Mothers’ increase day after day. country faced grim trials, the Meeting was instituted as Thanks to his care for and Korean women displayed a high Mother’s Day. He posed for a trust in women, the history of spirit of supporting the army photo with the participants in the respect and high regard for without the slightest vacillation Second Meeting of Activist Wives women will continue forever and and held out the revolutionary of Servicemen, saying that under the women of Korea will bloom posts assigned to them by the the special care and love of the more beautifully and more stoutly Party. The news about miracles great leaders, the housewives of as performers of miracles and performed by women every- the service personnel became flowers of the times, who give where— at socialist cooperative reliable daughters-in-law of the shape to all dreams of the people farms, scientific research insti- country and a great force of in this land. tutes, factories and other enter- women revolutionaries partly Ri Song Chol

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 25 Fruition of Efforts

HE COLLEGE OF cal attainments to be learned at instruction which was devoid of T Technology of Hwangbuk the college. Thus, not only teach- cultivation of the practical ability University is famous across the ers but also good students from of application. Now the teachers country for having trained a large every faculty were selected for the got a new idea to invent a general number of personnel who contrib- work. Some students, however, experimental device for the stu- ute to the development of the were at a loss when they faced dents. Earlier, the students had nation’s industries. The visitors to problems in designing the inside done their practice regarding the college are surprised to see it and outside of the generator, as- what they had learned only on one furnished with all kinds of ex- certaining the condition of gen- subject. Thanks to veteran pro- perimental apparatuses although eration and making parts. At this, fessors, equipment for all subjects it is not so large. Pak Phil Won (63), Kim Kyu Sop taught in the faculty were made The teachers often look back (66) and Kim Tae Won (71), influ- one by one. Whenever they were on their past days. Once they ential professors in the faculty of advised to take it easy as they had ► were given a task to make a wind- electronics, were driven generator for the Sariwon thoughtful. They Chicken Farm. Even if it was not decided it was a great job the apparatus was a the aftermath of complex of all theories and practi- the stereotyped

26 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 ► been working day and night, they by the veteran professors was ing contests. Also, students answered they sincerely hoped to adopted by the whole college. spearheaded the effort to put the hand over all their knowledge to Students majoring in civil engi- process control in the Jongbang- students so that they could de- neering, electricity and mechani- san General Foodstuff Factory on velop into talented personnel of cal engineering developed meth- the CNC basis and to manufac- practical ability. ods by which to immediately ture an automatic control device The general experimental grasp even a trivial problem of the control panel of the Rye- device turned out quite efficient. which might appear in the course songgang Power Station. Students developed a lot of proof practice including designing of The college developed a grams, and applied them to the a structure, supplying of power plasma-used seed-processing ma- use of the device. They acquired and processing of machines. They chine that contributes greatly to the ability to solve scientific and vigorously carried out the work to agricultural production, and es- technical problems without diffi- apply their methods to experi- tablished a modern methane pro- culty by doing practice of connect- mental equipment. Thus, the ducing base, said Jong Kwan Sun, ing sub-circuits and measuring college produced not a few win- the rector, and added, “When we them. ners of the Student’s Scientific hear the news of successes our The teaching method created Research Award, and took first graduates achieved, we teachers place at national accept it as our greatest and most program contests beautiful memory in our life. Be- and exhibitions cause the successes are the sum- and architectural mary of our effort and conscience.” students’ design- Kim Un Chol

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 27 Educational Environment Improves

Kwang Min of the national women’s football team who are commanding respect as a powerful team in the women’s football world, and Sol Kyong, a judoist who has made a good record in international contests. Whenever she saw this, however, headmistress Ho Kum Sok fell into deep thought. It is true that schools come to be famous for their good graduates, and yet we aren’t allowed to be content with our old achievements when we’re in the time of rapid development. She finally made up her mind to refashion her school by putting education on a modern and IT basis as required by the time of knowledge-based economy. All administrators and teachers supported her determination. A primary attention was given to the The physics laboratory. effort to make all classrooms multifunctional. It was difficult to HE MUNHUNG SENIOR athletes it has produced. The acquire facilities and teaching T Middle School in Taedong- teachers and administrators used aids necessary for all the class- gang District, Pyongyang, is fa- to be proud of their graduates, rooms numbering scores, and to mous for a good many excellent including senior coach Kim set up an intranet that could ►

The driving simulation. The chemical laboratory.

28 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 ► manage the multifunctional classrooms. But the school was not daunted. They solved problems one by one with the help of relevant institutions like the Grand People’s Study House and supporters’ organizations. In less than half a year all facilities and teaching aids were prepared for all classrooms and a program for intranet was developed with their own efforts. Based on this, the school established a system to supply data from the national network to all classrooms. This The cooking practice room. made it possible for all students to read wide-ranging data necessary rooms including those for cooking many visitors that they had often for their study in the classrooms and driving IT-based. An emula- to tell them their experience and and consolidate what they are tion drive went ahead among lessons. taught by watching experiments departments and teachers to pre- It was not all. Students of the and practices related to the con- pare necessary teaching aids and school made wonderful showings tent of their lessons. produce good ideas to attain the at several national contests of Still, the headmistress was end, bringing more and more academic ability. Last year not content with the success. One successes. Some teachers volun- alone, the number of the July 15 day when she inspected a class in teered to acquire several driving Honour Student Prize winners a driving practice, she was disap- simulation devices connected and students who passed pointed. Though there were some with computer, when others com- college entrance examinations modern instruction furnishings, pleted a driving program incor- increased double. The headmis- the practice room was in disorder porating an original idea. Thanks tress said, “We feel proud. Of as the students vied to see the to all administrators and teach- course, my tremendously changed teacher’s model movements better ers’ sincere efforts, all facilities school is valuable for us than others. Quite a few of them needed were set up to show in teachers. But more valuable is shook their head even after the real time, record and reproduce the students’ improved academic practice. the whole process of practice. The ability.” She set a higher goal— to school became a model unit na- make all experiment and practice tionwide and the teachers had so Chae Kwang Myong

The foreign languages lab.

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 29 Jangsu Koryo Pharmaceutical Plant

HE JANGSU KORYO creatitis made from siris leaves. myocardial infarction and cere- T Pharmaceutical Plant in The management staff and re- bral thrombosis. Pothonggang District, Pyongy- searchers of the plant encouraged Immediately, steps were taken ang, is not so big. However, it is and helped her with their whole to produce the medicine in a serial well known across the country as hearts. What was stimulating to way and supply it to the people. A it is producing plenty of Koryo her was the fact that there were campaign was launched in the medicines good for the improve- inexhaustible resources for whole plant to learn from her high ment of people’s health. Its prod- manufacturing the medicine in enthusiasm and stubborn activ- ucts include Omija seed medicine the country and that their plant ism. As a result, the production of for relieving fatigue, barrenwort had modern pharmaceutical Koryo medicines has increased tonic pills, Omnamu antineural- equipment. Soon the research over twice as much as before gia pills, Kyolmyong seed nutri- work was started in good earnest. when only 15 kinds were turned tion powder, and gingko leave In spite of repeated failures, she out. pills for preventing arteriosclero- did not lose heart. Now she met In this course, the number of sis. Especially popular among the with a difficulty in raising the employees who were awarded people are gingko leave pills, the content of flavonoid. After re- invention certificates, sci-tech demand for which is growing eve- peated experiments, she found success certificates, and national ryday. out that it was possible to in- sci-tech festival certificates in- General Manager Ri Ho Gol crease the content of flavonoid by creased markedly. recollected the bygone days. One raising the strength of alcohol. General Manager Ri Ho Gol year, chief engineer Ri Song Hui After that her research work ad- says, “Today all the employees of participated in the Pyongyang vanced rapidly and, at last, in less our plant say in one voice that Spring International Trade Fair. than a year she succeeded in they feel happy seeing the people There a foreign medicine at- making gingko leave pills with enjoy good health by taking the tracted her attention. Its small gingko leaves abundant in Korea medicines they have made.” trademark showed it was a medi- which proved a specific remedy cine for the aged. The saleswoman for arteriosclerosis, stenocardia, Kang Hye Ok told her that it was gingko pills good for the treatment of cerebral thrombosis, a geriatric disease. The medicine, she said, was in- ternationally well received and its continuous users attested to its great efficacy. But it was difficult to manufacture, and so was introduced only in a few countries, she added. Back home from the fair, she found herself unable to forget the medicine she had seen at the fair. So, she decided to make the medicine by herself. She had experience in making cordial pills from peach leaves and pills for pan-

30 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 Medicinal Database

ATE LAST YEAR I L heard that yaksaem (medicinal wellspring), a comprehensive clinical medicament information program, was developed by teachers and researchers of the Pyongyang Medical College of Kim Il Sung University. When I visited the college and met the head of the laboratory U Song Chun, he introduced the researchers to me, saying that they were promising young developers of yaksaem in their 20s and 30s. He led me to the computer of teacher Han Mu Rim of the inter- nal diagnostics department, which showed the global trend of medicine and the data tending to give a correct understanding of yaksaem. The kinds of medicines of data and huge economic invest- people, Koryo medical prescrip- and their uses grow more varied ments. Most of the countries in tions and Koryo medicines. The and the scale of diagnosis and the world do not have the clinical guide to clinical medicament treatment are extended so that medicament information service treatment related with clinical the clinical activity in the world in their own languages except for medicament information gives turns the doctor’s overburdened special diseases and medicines. detailed information on medica- treatment system to a new treat- But yaksaem makes it possi- ments. Checking up the interac- ment system under which the ble to read all contents of infor- tions of medicines, one can fully doctor diagnoses and decides on mation in Korean language and see the positive and negative ac- the direction of treatment and the check and read a large quantity of tions of more than two kinds of clinical pharmacist, according to data. The clinical medicament medicines taken together at a the doctor’s diagnosis, carries out information service consists of time. Then the concrete explana- the most reasonable medicament three parts—clinical medicament tion of folk remedies and the data treatment including selecting information, guidance for clinical on relevant prescriptions give medicines, incompatible drugs medicament treatment and inter- great help to medical workers and and managing medical applica- actions of medicaments. The enable common people to treat tion in the body. In addition, clinical medicament information their own diseases. wrong medicaments have brought and the guidance for clinical me- So, the teachers and research- about great losses in human dicament treatment are respec- ers of the college have established health and materials. This is why tively made up of two parts— a clinical medicament informa- the clinical medicament informa- traditional Koryo medicine and tion service system for the first tion service is economically of modern medicine. Checking up time in Korea. When I said, turn- great significance. information, one can see the ing my eyes away from the com- It is said that when someone names of medicines and drugs puter, that they had done a great invests one dollar in space indus- and diseases and their symptoms, deed in three years, the labora- try, the most profitable field of the and read data on information of tory head answered, “Our success economy, he can gain eight dol- medicines and drugs and Koryo has been won because we medical lars, but when he invests one and modern medicines. The guide workers in charge of the people’s dollar in the clinical pharmaceu- to modern treatment gives de- health had faith in the truth of tical practice based on the clinical tailed explanations of diseases our motto: Believe in our own medicament information service, and their symptoms according to ability and technical skills. This he can get 16 dollars. Though the the modern medical classification will be a great stimulus to us in clinical medicament information of diseases and the correct meth- increasing the information data service is now widely carried on in ods of treatment. The guide to and putting them on a more sci- the world by using Internet, some Koryo medicine shows in greater entific and specialized basis.” advanced countries hold a mo- details the Koryo medical materi- nopoly of it with a large quantity als widely used by the Korean Kim Un Chol

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 31 North Hwanghae Provincial Taekwon-Do Team

AN SONG MIN WON A the North Hwanghae Provincial Republic of Korea in 2015. Han’s H gold medal and was given Taekwon-Do Team were all glad win meant the fourth gold medal the Best Performer award at the at the news that he was awarded at the Taekwon-Do World Cham- 19th Taekwon-Do World Champi- the title of People’s Athlete and pionships snatched by performers onships held in Bulgaria last listed as the Best Ten Taekwon- trained by the provincial team. year. The coaches and trainees of doists of the Democratic People’s When Ji Jae Su was appointed ►

32 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 ► the deputy chief of the team in their characteristics and making charge of technical affairs, he physical training apparatuses found it not so good at training which can develop physical the reserves. He decided to put strength uniformly for trainees of the training and instruction on a different ages. Effective training more scientific footing as he knew methods were established on the well that good crops come from basis of scientific analysis of the good soils. extent of the trainees’ physical From that time on, coaches exhaustion, recovery of energy, redoubled their study to complete ability to judge their strength and a new tactical system based on speed, and control of emotion. the experience and lessons from And emphasis was put on im- their matches in the past. The provement of the diet for better stereotyped daily training routine nourishment. was changed with a completely As a result, the trainees ac- Han Song Min, one of the new one; coaches applied novel quired difficult techniques like a ten most valuable Taekwon- doists of the DPRK in 2015. training methods and modes one 180˚-turn side kick in the air, a after another to make the train- 360˚-turn spin kick in the air and ees hone their special techniques a back spin kick in the air; the her forte in demonstrating 360˚- suited to their constitutional mer- power of fist- and foot-using turn spin kick in the air. its. They also pushed ahead with strikes was near the top level. The The team has produced so the work of strengthening proper atmosphere of the team was full of many People’s Athletes and Mer- muscles for each event to suit vigour day by day. In those days ited Athletes as well as those

Mun Hyok and Choe Song Il selected as the top ten Taekwon- brought the team’s first wins at doists of the DPRK. Still, Song international contests—from the Min’s coach Ri Kwang Hyok and 6th World Junior Taekwon-Do other coaches make exact Championships in 2004— and demands on their trainees, other performers won gold medals sternly repeating their words, at the 3rd Asian Taekwon-Do “Elementary skills lead to suc- Championships in 2006 and the cess. To attain them you have to 4th Asian Taekwon-Do Champion- keep a high level of mental con- ships in 2008. Coach An Yun Mi centration and great effort.” The once said to a journalist that her team is now intensifying their victory at an international com- training with an ambition to win petition when she was a per- a greater thing. former is partly attributable to Kim Kwang Myong

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 33 Top Prize Winners

HE PHYSICAL ACROBAT- Since her childhood at the kin- said to her neighbours, “Frankly T ics “Three-stage Trapeze dergarten, she was very fond of speaking, I thought a lot of my Flight” presented by the acrobats dancing. For her pretty face, she daughter’s future, but I didn’t from the Democratic People’s aroused her neighbours’ interests know the country was more con- Republic of Korea was given the in her future. Her mother decided cerned to develop my daughter.” Presidential Award of the Repub- to bring her up into a dancer. lic of France, the top prize of the After finishing kindergarten, Does She Have Wings? 24th Massy International Circus she entered primary school. One Festival which was held in Massy, Sunday she was taken to the Ko- The girl, who performed the France, in January. The perform- rea University of Physical Educa- triple backward turns and then ers were Kim Kwang Chol, Ri Un tion by her mother’s sister who double turns in the air, is Jo Hyon Hyok, So Ju Hyok and Pak worked there. There she saw Hui. Does she have wings? Kwang Hyok—they were the sup- some children about her age The spectators are mesmerized port—and the women acrobats learning elementary movements when she performs stunt flying Kim Su Jong, Jo Hyon Hui, Ri of gymnastics on the bar. As she several times in the air. When- Myong Ok and Kim Kwang Bok, couldn’t help being attracted to ever they close and open eyes at who performed the main feats. them, she went to the corner of every thrilling moment of the They are introduced below. the training room and imitated performance, they find her still their acts. performing her movements. “Great, She Is Very Brave” A coach there watched her In fact she had a lot of difficul- practising acts—with a smile on ties in performing such difficult During the whole period of the his face. Seeing her performance movements in the last period. The festival, the spectators gave a as well as the trainees, he found a movement of triple backward thumbs-up to the Korean girl gymnastic bud about her. turns and continuous double acrobat who performed several After that Su Jong began to turns is regarded as movement acrobatic movements before mak- learn the ABC of heavy gymnas- with a high degree of difficulty. ing backward quadruple turns tics under his guidance, and after Though she had fully learned and then going over to other secondary school course, entered elementary movements of gym- movements in the air. They ex- an acrobatic school at the Na- nastics through the course of pri- claimed, “Great, she is very tional Circus and then became an mary and secondary school, juve- brave. The Korean circus is the acrobat who performed such diffi- nile sports school as well as acro- best.” cult movements as backward batic school, she found such The performer is Kim Su Jong, quadruple turns in the air. movements in the air quite differ- actress at the National Circus. A few years later her mother ent from those on the ground. To perfect those movements, she jumped up and down hundreds of times and never gave up though she was exhausted. Seeing her wonderful performance the spectators could hardly contain themselves for joy. In addition, there are two other aerial stunt-performing girls—Ri Myong Ok who performs triple sideward turns in the air and Kim Kwang Bok who performed the item “Fly Higher” at the 14th Wu- qiao International Acrobatic Fes- tival. The acrobats are working hard to perform movements of higher artistic merit. Sim Chol Yong

34 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 Couples of Young Teachers

Song Myong Song and his wife Kim Yong Gum. Choe Chung Song and his wife Kim Jong.

OT LONG AGO I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY “OK, I’ll do my best to get the better of you.” N to meet young teacher couples at the mineral As agreed upon, they became teachers. Now on mining engineering department of the Kim Chaek their starting line, they are full of enthusiasm to University of Technology. attain the goal of their life with honour.

Their mutual agreement Thinking and working alike

“My wife cut a conspicuous figure as a bright girl The textbook Mining Process Computer Design in her faculty,” Song Myong Song, 35, said with a Support System, reference book Modern Digital smile, whereas his wife Kim Yong Gum, 34, a teacher Mining Technique, scores of papers related to mining of the analytical mathematics department of the engineering, and certificates of national sci-tech applied mathematics faculty, spoke with a blush, paper readings, new teaching method registration “Seeing him finish the university course with hon- and invention—all of them belong to Choe Chung ours, I couldn’t but respect him.” Song, 31, a teacher of the mineral mining engineer- They were rivals from their university days. They ing department. His wife is Kim Jong, 29, a lecturer made friends when they were freshmen. They com- of the education department of the Grand People’s peted with each other for a greater stock of sci-tech Study House. They studied in the same faculty of the knowledge to apply to practice. They were diligent university. They also decided to devote their life to students working hard day and night. In these days, teaching and became teachers after graduation. Kim they received many sci-tech achievement certificates, Jong is noted for her adept lectures on the mining invention certificates and program registration cer- industry including those on three-dimensional ma- tificates. They were prides of their classes and the chine designing program and sci-tech information university. given to people of all strata at the study house. With Soon the day of graduation came. “Yong Gum, the her help, Chung Song could easily get acquainted country needs more talented people,” Song said. “We with the latest sci-tech information. have studied on scholarships and so we have to com- Kim Jong played a great role in remodelling the pensate for our indebtedness. I think I’ll stay on with classrooms into multi-functional ones and establish- the university as a teacher.” To this, Yong Gum an- ing computer network to make the teaching contents swered, “I’ve also made up my mind to be a teacher comprehensive, modern and useful. Working to- rearing the students into pillars of our thriving gether in scientific researches, Choe and his wife country.” wrote many valuable theses, modernized the mining So, now they came to a mutual agreement: “Then processes and computerized the control and moni- let’s compete with each other once again to bring up toring of equipment by realizing the three- more able pillars of the country.” dimensional visualization of mine designs. They ►

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 35 A Scientist’s Family Seen in Album

AST MARCH I, AS REPORTER OF KOREA with honours. Hyon Suk explained to me her hus- L Today, came to learn about An Yong Il, labora- band often took out the photo and studied it with tory head of the Mechanical Engineering Research deep emotion, before telling me a story. An Yong Il Institute of the State Academy of Sciences, while and Cha Hyon Suk were schoolmates. When they looking round the inflated feed production process at had finished senior middle school, they happened to the Pyongyang Catfish Farm. An who had already work together unexpectedly. They learned at the completed the general designing of this process and then Chongjin Specialized High School of Designing, the making of its main equipment was known as an and after graduation worked at the same designing authority on mechanical engineering who is wanted company. Later An attended the postgraduate course whenever a research task of national importance was as a member of a branch of the State Academy of brought up. Sciences. At that time he achieved a great success of Some time ago, I found an opportunity to call at practical significance and won the primary academic An’s house. His home was Flat No. 1 on the sixth floor degree. Hyon Suk fell in love with him for his passion of staircase No. 1, Neighbourhood Unit No. 22, and progressive spirit of scientific research and fi- Wisong-dong in Wisong Scientists Residential Dis- nally decided to marry him. Years later, she could no trict. As I rang the door bell Cha Hyon Suk, An’s wife, longer pursue her studies due to her illness, but she opened the door to greet me. At the time An was away has been a good advisor and supporter of her hus- from home for a research task. When she was told the band, wishing to go the way of science together with purpose of my visit, Cha pleasantly agreed with my her husband. request. I said to her that the flat was pleasantly I turned over leaves of album. He had photo- large to live in, when she said, “In the past, too, we graphs taken when he won the Doctorate in 2006 by had little inconvenience with our flat which was developing a method to judge durability of some provided by the State exclusively for the scientists. important parts of machines; he was awarded the We are greatly grateful for this new house.” February 16 Prize of Science and Technology in 2009 I looked into the four-roomed flat, and what was by inventing a multipurpose wire-controlled seabed most striking was the walls hung with so many cer- robot. When Cha had asked An if he was really tificates of official commendations and certificates of happy when he had photographs taken, he said, “It is applications of science and technology. I appreciated because I find my own image so wonderful.” that An had done a lot of things. Then Cha led me Remembering the second time she heard him into a room to have a conversation. I found a family mentioning about his image, Cha turned back to the album opened on a table—it seemed she had been first page of the album I had skipped. I could see a looking it through. The photo she had left open was photo of An’s first house built by the State for scien- that of her son who was in the army. A letter from tists in 1998 in spite of the difficult economic situa- him was also put between leaves of the album. It tion. When I turned over to the last page I could see read that his comrades were envious of him for his the full picture of An’s apartment at the moment. father who was a scientist when they learned that After all, the family had an invariably happy home. his family had moved into a new, magnificent flat in An Yong Il had once dreamed of becoming an the Wisong Scientists Residential District, and that artist as student, Cha said, and told what An had he decided to be a venerable scientist like his father. said: “The more we achieve in scientific research the The album also had a photo of An in his child- more pictures the album has got and the happier we hood. It had been taken against the background of a become. Our home is getting larger day by day.” small primary school in a mountain village in North Hamgyong Province when he graduated from school Chae Kwang Myong

► always went out to mines and other places together, tional university students’ exhibition of the informa- and in the course of applying the research successes, tion science and technology achievements. they made it possible to take accurate measurements of mineral ore deposits and save production facilities To my comment that the sight of the young cou- and materials as much as possible. ples of teachers is very encouraging, an official of the The technicians who attended lectures in the university replied, “Such teachers will help to bring study house have greatly increased production, and about a talents power before long.” the students are making good showings in the na- Kim Un Chol

36 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 Woman Driver Serving the People as Deputy

she did her best to help the passengers spend useful time in the bus. Moved by her selfless exertions, many scientists turned out to help her. This made her acquainted with all the scientists, teachers and researchers who use that bus route. In answer to her request, Pak, too, gave lectures to the passengers more than once on the subject of superiority of the Korean language and beautiful use of words. Before he concluded his story, the bus came to the stop near Kaeson Youth Park. The front door opened for disabled ex-soldiers and mothers with babies to get on. Seeing this, Jang Myong Il, worker of the Kaeson Youth Park Pleasure Ground Management OME TIME AGO I GOT ON A TROLLEY- Station, said that the driver looked like a kind mother S bus before Pyongyang Railway Station in the taking care to see people home after they had a merry evening. The bus was plying between the station time at the pleasure ground on holidays and week- plaza and Ryonmotdong. Its driver was a woman. ends till late at night. A grandma among the passen- When the bus stopped before the Pyongyang gers who said that she knew the driver better than Grand Theatre, a batch of passengers boarded it. anyone else cut in, “She is so kind that she seems to Among them was a promising new actress, who came be my own daughter. Once I got off at the terminal forward to the driver and addressed her, “Thank you, with a heavy luggage. She was anxious about me and sister. I’ve been loudly applauded at today’s per- came after me to carry my luggage, saying she was formance thanks to your help.” now off duty. Last year when she was put up as a “Oh no, not at all. It gives me great pleasure if candidate for deputy to the municipal assembly, I you bring a joy to many people,” said the driver. recognized her at once and hit my knee for joy.” According to the actress, she was worried on her The grandma continued to say that the woman way back home in the evening of the day before that driver’s husband was a co-driver of the trolleybus, she would be short of time even if she took the first that their couple was given a letter of thanks by morning bus to the theatre because she needed more Chairman Kim Jong Il for full operation of their rehearsal early in the morning in order to give per- bus when everything was in short supply during formance successfully. And when she came to the bus the Arduous March, and that the respected leader stop in the early morning that day, the bus was Kim Jong Un came out personally to the constitu- waiting for her. Her story was interrupted by the ency and cast his vote for her last year. While I was loud voice from the speaker in the bus when it hearing the grandma talking boastfully of the stopped near the Grand People’s Study House. “Mr. woman driver as if she was her own daughter, the Pak Kil Man, please come forward. There’s a vacant bus came to the last stop. The passengers, I among seat,” the driver called. them, got off hearing the driver’s kind voice from the Dr. Pak was the head of the Linguistics loud speaker saying good-bye. Department of the Literature College affiliated to It was enough to know her working faithfully for Kim Il Sung University. He told a story about the the people. With a conviction that my reports about woman bus driver from his experience. During the her will continue while she serves the passengers Arduous March and the forced march when the with devotion, I wrote down in my notebook, “Woman country was undergoing difficulties, she repaired so driver Ho Myong Gum, a deputy to the municipal many disabled cars by improving her own technical assembly.” skills to bring them back into full operation. Further, Ri Kum Chol

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 37 Immortal Youth

(Continued from the last issue)

NE SNOWY MORNING WHEN 1974 WAS O drawing to a close a written instruction came from the then Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Committee of Korea to the February 8 Sports Team. According to the instruction coaches Hwang Kon Dong and Kang Nung Ha, and players Jo Yong Ho and Pak Yong Sun were summoned to join the national team’s training for the preparation of the 33rd World Table Tennis Championships in 1975. Pak couldn’t hold her excitement. Hwang Kon Dong and Kim Hui Jin took charge of the women’s team while Kang Nung Ha was put in charge of the men’s team. The general training went full-steam ahead under the supervision of the table tennis association. Kim Hui Jin set a high target of training so that the players could hardly overcome the limits of their physical ability unless they had the self- sacrificing spirit and pushed ahead with it boldly. He handkerchief to wipe tears that welled up in her eyes put much emphasis on perfecting Yong Sun’s drive, unawares. Reading her excited mind Kim said to her Cha Kyong Mi’s slice and Pak Yong Ok’s forehand to calm down, “It is very good not to forget your na- stroke to make them their tactical and technical tive home, teachers, friends and parents. When I was fortes while frequently organizing matches between in your hometown Sakju, all of them were pleased themselves. that you were admitted to the sports team of the The training was intensive, perhaps too much for army. And they asked me to train you as a table the players to bear. And yet Pak Yong Sun managed tennis ace without fail. How kind-hearted they are! to overcome moments of hard training and, more We should live up to their expectations this time.” than that, she tenaciously ran 4 km every morning “Sure,” she said courageously. Keeping the reced- as part of her physical training. ing sky of the motherland in their mind, they made At the end of January 1975 the DPRK’s table up their determination once more to win the cham- tennis team, consisting of Son Kil Chon and Kim pionships. Pyong Gon as its head and deputy head respectively, The plane flied through Southeast Asian coun- coaches Kang Nung Ha and Kim Hui Jin, and play- tries and, finally, arrived in Calcutta in eastern In- ers Pak Yong Sun, Jo Yong Ho and Yun Chol, left dia. Calcutta, the venue of the 33rd World Table Ten- Pyongyang Airport for the championships. When nis Championships, was a port city located on the their airplane reached the sky over the Amnok River, Hooghly River that discharges into the Bay of Ben- Pak Yong Sun addressed Kim Hui Jin, “Mr. Coach, gal. Landing at the international airport in the look out of the window. We can see the Amnok River. northern suburb of the city, the DPRK’s table tennis That is Sakju County where I come from.” team was received by the chief secretary of the In- Raising his backrest Kim looked down at what dian Table Tennis Association, and ushered to a Yong Sun was pointing to. “Right,” he agreed. With a hotel in downtown. It was a tourist deluxe hotel nod, he wore an expressive smile. Pak took out her where the participating teams checked in. Several ►

38 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 ► teams of different countries had already arrived the national champion, and an experienced defender there, having their own training. The indoor sta- with a long career, who had won the women’s doubles dium, a training-cum-game venue of the champion- at the European championships. From the start the ships, was not so far from the hotel, so it was con- French, underestimating that Pak, a girl of small venient for the players. stature, was a newcomer, tried to take the initiative As it was a tropical climate the fragrance of flow- in the match while combining slice and strike. She, ers wafted in the street, which was a clear indication however, was discouraged by Pak’s accurate and of the advent of spring though it was late January. powerful defence. She was confused when she lost From the next day the DPRK players went to the scores at Pak’s counterstroke. stadium to have warm-up training. Kim Hui Jin and Now she was mentally disturbed. She usually Song Tok Bong—who had already been in the coun- found it difficult to have a game with Asian players, try as table tennis advisor—became Pak Yong Sun’s so when Pak concentrated her strike on the right opponents, making a scrupulous arrangement for her with high balls, she was at a loss how to tackle it, to deal with offensives and counterstrokes from her going over to the defensive. Pak won the first round world-famous rivals. Kim prepared Pak Yong Sun 21–14. against offensives based on forehand stroke and In the second round Pak felt easier and more drive while Song further trained Pak’s drive with his confident. The French opponent failed to cope with forte of shake-hand grip-based slicing defence. Song’s Pak’s twist, losing the game 10–21. In the third slicing defence and sudden forehand stroke were round Pak’s powerful drive against the French similar to the methods of the winners of the previous player’s defence continued. In desperation, the championships, Alexandru of Romania and Jong French ventured to change her tactics; she aban- Hyon Suk of south Korea, so they turned out to be doned defence and started forehand stroke in left much helpful to Pak’s preparation. and right sides in turn. She, however, couldn’t cope On February 6, five days after the DPRK team’s with Pak’s deliberate counterstroke and perseverant arrival, the 33rd World Table Tennis Championships drive-based defence. She lost scores one after an- opened in the indoor stadium crowded with specta- other, and lost the round 13–21. At last, the match tors. The opening ceremony was attended by over ended in favour of Pak with the score of 3–nil. 100 players from scores of countries. The DPRK In the afternoon Pak went to the indoor stadium players and coaches made a round proudly, flying the to have another match at five o’clock. Her opponent national flag and holding the signboard of the na- was a Hungarian. The Hungarian was already in the tionality. stadium doing warm-up exercise. When Pak stepped Daring Goal in, she glared at Pak in an attempt to launch a war of nerves and disturb her opponent’s mental condition. The championships began with the team event in But her eyes betrayed anxiety as well as aggressive- which the Chinese team won the gold medal. The ness. As she had once won the European champion- Chinese women players who participated in the ships, she was determined to snatch the champion- women’s team event also took part in the singles ship. She was a shake-hand grip player, but her forte which meant they were all opponents of Pak Yong was to make offensive using left and right drive. Sun. The south Korean and Japanese players were Pak was also a player of offensive style, so it was also far from those Pak could beat with ease. Formi- a close match. The Hungarian, too, took the offensive dable world aces were there to challenge Pak. actively. Short and sturdy, she made drives from It was sultry in the stadium as it was 40℃ out- either the left or right, her eyes open sharp and side, and Kim Hui Jin thought it was over 33℃ in- straight. Pak, however, made the most of her forte, side. carrying on counterstrokes with powerful drives. Pak Yong Sun approached the table. When a tall Finally she won, beating her rival in the fifth round French player saw Pak at first she seemed confident, to qualify for the quarterfinal. for she thought Pak was a novice. The French was (To be continued)

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 39 Pyongyang Cultural Exhibition House

HE PYONGYANG CUL- paintings, embroidery, calli- honoured cultural traditions es- T tural Exhibition House is graphic works and ceramics, tablished by the Korean people of situated in Taedonggang District, which are dedicated to the show of the same blood for 5 000 years Pyongyang. Inaugurated in Sep- the development of the Korean through ancient, middle and tember 1998, it consists of a main art. modern times. Among them are exhibition hall with different Among them, the Korean pictures of a dolmen of Ancient kinds of works— photographs, painting “Mangyongdae in the Joson, an astronomical chart books, objects of fine art and Morning” attracts the visitors’ Chonsangryolchabunyajido edited handiworks, etc—and an inter- attention particularly. The work, in the late 14th century, the 80 000 view room where the participants created in 2015 by Kim Chun Blocks of the Complete Collection can see videos and have various Yang, an artist at the Samjiyon of Buddhist Scriptures made in meetings, a lounge as well as Art Studio, is greatly liked by the the period of Koryo dynasty and a a teashop. In particular, there visitors for its soft gradation rain gauge invented by feudal are on display President technique of the Korean painting. Joson dynasty. Kim Il Sung’s reminiscences The Korean paintings, “A Tiger in Now a large number of for- With the Century and other Mt. Paektu,” “A Pine Tree and a eigners visit the exhibition house classic works of the President, Goshawk” and “The Munsu Water year after year and write in the Chairman of the National Defence Park” are popular, too. The oil visitor’s book what they have seen Commission Kim Jong Il and paintings “Kim Jong Il’s Birth- and felt. Opening the book, guide Chairman of the Workers’ Party place in the Paektusan Secret Kim Sol Hui says, “The members rd of Korea Kim Jong Un as well as Camp” by Merited Artist Hwang of the 3 Russian tourist group various books of different lan- Chol, the Korean painting commented that the objects dis- guages on the Korean people’s “Chongnyu Cliff in Winter” by played in my house are very thoughts and feelings and their Kim Sang Ho and the embroidery beautiful and that the oil paint- living manners. Also to be seen “A Pine Tree and a Crane” show ings are no less truthful than there are videos, postcards, hand- well the artistic eye and ability of photographs. Then they made an outs, picture albums and maga- the artists. entry in the visitor’s book as fol- ► zines that give profound knowl- There can be seen some ar- edge of the optimistic, cultural life chaeological materials which of the Korean people. prove that the Taedong River In the central hall on the first basin centring on Pyongyang was floor, there can be seen various a cradle of the ancient human artistic objects and handiworks, civilization, and a mural painting including Korean paintings, oil which gives a view of the time-

40 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 ► lows: The Korean painting ‘A Tiger in Mt. Paektu’ shows well the Korean art and culture; we studied it carefully and even touched it to see whether a tiger hide was pasted or treated by an industrial method; and we con- firmed it is really a painting as vivid as a living tiger, particularly the hair. The Korean painting is excellent indeed.” Now the exhibition house is being reconstructed expansively to be a better centre of cultural exchange with the world.

Kang Hye Ok

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 41 National Food Culture Thrives

OME TIME AGO A KOREA S Today reporter interviewed Ko Chang Hyok, department head of the Cooks Association of Korea. I think the public is getting more interested in the work of your association in recent years. As you know food and health are very closely related with each other, and the people’s desire for quality food is increasing along with the developing reality. Our primary and consistent concern is to wonderfully develop national dishes through proactive encouragement. Accordingly we make sure that all the members of the association have deep understanding of the Korean dishes, keep their characteristics alive, st and help catering establishments The 21 Cooking Festival in celebration of the Day of the Sun. to put their cooking on a scientific and standard basis. flavour, distinctive shape and well there are a great number of We often organize cooking colour and cuisine, but also with local specialities while looking competitions, dish shows, cookery medicinal value, and specialities around the show, and that he courses and practices to help of different provinces which were deeply understood the superiority cooks and waiters and waitresses favourably commented upon by of the national dishes while he steadily improve their culinary visitors. cooked them personally. skills and methods of service. We In the festival dishes, desig- I would like to know your as- also promote the use of the Ko- nated dishes and inventive dishes sociation’s direction of activity. rean Dishes magazine and the categories the spectators were My association will map out book Compendium of Korean amazed by the nimble hand practical plans and take relevant Dishes, and other reference books movements and elaborate proc- measures to fully meet the ever- on cookery, which introduce the essing skills of the cooks. Sinsollo growing demand of the people for merits of the national dishes to prepared with dexterously proc- good food. We are going to hold the general public. Dishes of essed meat, fish, vegetables, wild cooking competitions frequently unique colours are presented an- plants and fruits won popularity, with stress on traditional dishes nually to the cooking festival held and the Pyongyang cold noodle in keeping with the reality that in celebration of the Day of the and the Taedonggang mullet catering establishments specializ- Sun (President Kim Il Sung’s soup, which are well known ing in national dishes are set up birthday) and the cookery compe- among the people, potato pancake across the country. And we will tition on the Day of the Shining and kimchi pickled with wild publish books conducive to the Star (Chairman Kim Jong Il’s vegetables struck experts and development of food culture, and birthday), which offer great amateurs with admiration for organize local specialities shows, occasions for exchanging experi- their deep national flavour. exhibitions of cooking sci-tech ence. The dishes from different achievements, and technique and Last year the national tradi- provinces retained their local skill competitions of cooks and tional food show was a great pub- characters, showing the scientific waitresses so as to disseminate lic interest, I think. standard and artistic value of the good experience. Along with this, Sure. The show was held in traditional foods which have we will improve cooperation with November. It drew more than 150 developed remarkably. The chief cooks associations of other coun- units including public and exter- engineer of the Pyongyang Noodle tries, participate in international nal catering establishments in Restaurant (it presented over ten cookery competitions and conduct Pyongyang and provinces. Put on dishes at the show including the a dynamic work to exchange culi- display were traditional dishes maize noodle and the mustard nary skills through courses and not only with original taste and kimchi) said that now he knew visits.

42 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 Wang Kon, Founder of Koryo

ANG KON (877–943) IS had been a great power in the Koryo, thus accomplishing the W the founder of Koryo (918– nation’s history. In January 919, unification of the Three King- 1392), the first unified state in he moved the capital from Chol- doms in the long run. Korea. As he was good at martial won to Kaesong (Kaeju at that Later, he advanced northward art from his early age, he was time). Afterwards, he set it as the to win back the old territory of appointed as Sijung, the highest main task to unify Later Paekje Koguryo. Restoring Koguryo’s government post of Thaebongguk and Later Silla, which were the territory was one of the main (901–918) in 913. The tyranny of states of the same nation, and domestic and foreign policies he Kung Ye, king of the country, directed efforts to this end. He pursued from the first years of reached the extreme, so antipathy launched a powerful military the country. While putting efforts towards him ran unprecedentedly offensive against Later Paekje in the construction of Sogyong high. At last, in June 918, Wang while wining over the declining (Pyongyang) he concentrated the Kon carried out a coup to topple Silla. In May 935, when force on regaining the northwest- him. Kyonhwon (867–936), king of ern region south of the Amnok After founding a new dynasty Later Paekje who had been River. When Palhae, a state of the Wang Kon renamed the country ousted in his son Singom’s coup, Korean nation which existed from Koryo intending to succeed surrendered to Koryo, Wang Kon the late 7th century to the early th Koguryo (277 BC–AD 668) which offered him special treatment. In 10 century, collapsed attacked November 935, when Koryo’s by foreign aggressors, and its power was steadily growing, the prince came to Koryo with a hun- king of Silla also surrendered to dred thousand of the Palhae sur- Koryo. Wang Kon intensified the vivors, Wang Kon accepted him, military offensive against Later allowing them to live in the Paekje; in September 936, he northwestern area. As a result, he finally defeated the Later Paekje could establish the first unified army in the battle of Illichon country in the history of the (Sonsan in North Kyongsang Korean nation. Province) and annexed it to Ri Song Chol

The Mausoleum of King Wang Kon.

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 43 Mt. Kumgang (1)

T. KUMGANG STRETCHING OVER M Kosong and Kumgang counties of Kangwon Province is one of the eight scenic wonders of Korea from olden times for its varied, magnificent, graceful and strange natural scenes of myriad shapes. The mountain is as beautiful as a picture scroll spread out with its soaring twelve thousand jagged peaks, various fantastic-shaped rocks, gigantic cliffs, abysmal ravines with so many deep pools and ponds, crystal- clear water rushing down round cliffs and rocks, many waterfalls forming rainbows, and variegated fauna and flora. It is an aggregate of scenic beauties—alpine beauty, ravine beauty, tableland sceneries, panoramic views, lake sceneries, seascapes and shorescapes. This is why the Korean people from of old have called the mountain by various names— Phungak, Kaegol and Pongnae and so on. In spring with its fragrant flowers it was called Kumgang-san likening it to a jewel; its scenery in summer with white clouds hanging about its peaks and cliffs and its thick forests, singing birds and roaring waterfalls gave rise to its name Pongnae-san; its autumn scenes with crimson foliage and flowing streams gave it the name of Phungak-san; and its winter views covered with snow and icicles earned it ► Kuryong Falls.

The Manphokdong Ravine.

44 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 The monument to St. Sosan and sari stupas. The Myogil Buddhist Statue.

► the appellation of Kaegol-san. As the mountain has stone monuments and Buddhist stupas. During their ever-changing scenes by season, time and climate, military occupation of Korea (1905–1945), the Japa- people used to say, “This place appears to be an ag- nese imperialists not only plundered a great many gregation of superb scenic beauties of the world with cultural assets and plenty of underground resources its rocks performing a myriad magic tricks, its water like tungsten in Mt. Kumgang but also destroyed its playing no end of charming tricks, and its woods beautiful landscape by felling its timber at random rustling humbly.” including hundreds of years-old trees. From ancient times, the Korean people have In the Korean war (June 25, 1950–July 27, lived in and around Mt. Kumgang which rises over 1953), cultural relics and assets in the mountain rivers, seas and fields. Mt. Kumgang was opened up were burnt down by barbarous indiscriminate bomb- by the creative struggle of the local people for con- ings and bombardments of the US imperialists and quering nature going across the high mountains of many beautiful scenic spots also destroyed. the Thaebaek range, and it came to be widely known Thanks to the DPRK’s policy of preserving na- at home and abroad after the late 7th century. Re- tional cultural legacies, Mt. Kumgang has now been garding the mountain as a pride of the nation, the developed into a fine pleasure ground furnished with Korean people built many Buddhist temples there facilities of cultural recreation and public service for and left behind cultural assets like sculptures and the people and a world-famous mountain for sight- images of Bud- seeing. dha, pagodas, Pak Un Yong

The Phyohun Temple.

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 45 Fanatically Hostile Policy

N RECENT YEARS THE INTER-KOREAN went so far as to cook up a law on the north’s human I relations have been in the worst ever condition rights to accomplish her human rights plot against and the Korean peninsula has been harassed by a the DPRK. Not content with this, she has made des- hair-trigger situation which could lead to an perate efforts to ratchet up the anti-DPRK sanctions outbreak of war at any time. Nobody could tell how and pressure. long this grave situation will continue and what it In April last she took part in a summit conference will end up in. on nuclear safety held in the US, when she brought Nevertheless, the south Korean authorities are up for discussion the nuclear issue of the DPRK doggedly pushing ahead with the “trust-building which is irrelevant to the agenda of the meeting, and process in the Korean peninsula,” a hostile policy peddled anti-DPRK propaganda while asking other against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, countries to do their best to apply sanctions and driving the situation into an ever more dangerous pressure on the north so that it could “realize that it fix. The so-called “trust-building process in the Ko- can never exist without nuclear abandonment.” The rean peninsula” is a policy initiated by the south mass media around the world ridicule her crazy Korean ruler against the DPRK, as an imitation of abuse and shameful manner referring to her as a the “Helsinki process” pursued by the US-led West- mad bitch, and the Korean people condemn scath- ern bloc during the Cold War. Simply speaking, the ingly in unison that her humiliating behaviour in the policy is aimed at “guiding the DPRK” to nuclear international arena is a disgrace to the nation and abandonment by changing it in the name of “trust- the treacherous act that sells off the nation’s dignity building” and at turning to “economic cooperation” and honour. with the DPRK when it has given up its nukes and The present ruler of south Korea also intention- changed its system. In the final analysis the policy is ally brought to disruption north-south talks that oriented to confrontation and war against the north- were held thanks to the DPRK’s sincere efforts and ern half of the peninsula to conquer it by disarming magnanimity, typically the ones held in June 2013 the north and extending south Korea’s “liberal de- and February 2014. Subservient to the US, her re- mocratic system” after destruction of the north’s gime waged anti-DPRK joint war drills ceaselessly, system. It is also a traitorous policy contrary to the thus completely foiling the inter-Korean dialogue mode of reunification—federation—suggested in the and overtly revealing the true colours of inter- June 15 North-South Joint Declaration adopted in Korean confrontation maniac. In March and April June 2000 in recognition of the Korean nation’s last she mobilized huge forces to conduct Key Resolve unanimous desire. and Foal Eagle 16 joint war rehearsals of the US and The chief executive of south Korea, stressing south Korea, leading the situation in the Korean undisguisedly its bellicose character, said that the peninsula to the brink of war without discretion. And “trust-building process in the Korean peninsula” is what was more serious was that her clique conducted “far from an appeasement policy” and is “based on those exercises while openly talking about their in- the military deterrent of the US-south Korea alli- tention to “remove the headquarters of north Korea” ance” and that she would “resolutely cope with the and “occupy Pyongyang,” discarding their stereo- north’s provocations by means of the US-south Korea typed pretext of “annual and defensive” ones. cooperation.” This was why the plan was rejected as Owing to the obstinate and vicious policy of con- soon as it was made public, by the entire nation and frontation with the DPRK the inter-Korean relations derided at home and abroad as “mistrust-building have fallen into an irreversible catastrophe and the process,” “confrontation-inciting process” and Korean nation is exposed to the constant danger of “disappointing process.” nuclear war. In April 13 last the “Saenuri Party” However, in order to realize the misguided policy, suffered a heavy defeat in the “National Assembly” the south Korean authorities have engrossed them- election, which meant the public antipathy towards selves in the scheme of confrontation against the the ruler of south Korea. The south Korean mass DPRK, resorting to whatever they could do. Wher- media commented unanimously that the election ever she was, whether at home or abroad, the ruler signalled the public judgment on her. heaped vicious slanders and calumnies on the north’s It is a common law that the fate of traitors re- righteous policy of pushing the economic construc- jected by the people cannot last long. The more fran- tion and the nuclear buildup simultaneously. She tic the south Korean authorities become over the brought into Seoul a UN office which deals with the anti-DPRK engagement that brings harm alone to north’s human rights—the move that her predeces- the nation, the stronger the resistance of the whole sors did not dare to make, scared at the strong pro- nation will grow. test and denunciation at home and abroad—and Pang Song Un

46 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 The US Destined for Defeat

HE US IMPERIALISTS UNLEASHED A WAR confrontation. T against the Democratic People’s Republic of In January 1968 when its armed spy ship Pueblo Korea on June 25, 1950, taking advantage of their was captured red-handed by the Korean People’s numerical and technical superiority. The war, how- Army in the territorial waters of the DPRK, the US ever, ended in the Americans’ signing an armistice threatened Pyongyang with measures for military agreement on July 27, three years later. For the war retaliation. But it ended up giving way to the DPRK’s the US mobilized one third of its land force, one fifth tough stand and writing an apology for the first time of its air force, most of its Pacific fleet, and as many in its history. as two million troops including those from 15 of its In 1993 the US, making a fuss about the vassal countries, the south Korean puppet army and “suspicion of the DPRK’s nuclear development,” the Japanese militarists. Over 73 million tons of pressed the DPRK to receive the IAEA’s “ad hoc munitions and US$165 billion of war expenditure inspection” and took hard-line measures against were squandered. All of them, however, failed to save Korea while taking Team Spirit 93 joint military the destiny of the US from the defeat. drill. At that time, too, it could not but succumb to Clark, the then commander of the “UN forces,” the harder-line countermeasure of the opponent, signed the armistice agreement on July 27, 1953, only to sign the DPRK-US Agreed Framework whose lamenting that he gained the unenviable distinction kernel was to provide light-water reactors and alter- of being the first United States Army Commander in native energy to the DPRK. history to sign an armistice agreement without vic- In 2014 the Pentagon proclaimed that it would tory by carrying out instructions of his government. put the DPRK under its control by force of arms and He said he felt everything had gone wrong. has resorted to an unimaginably harsh policy of po- The Korean war was the first to bring stigma of litical and military isolation, suffocation and block- defeat to the US and July 27 was marked as the most ade against the country. In March last alone, the US ignominious day in the American history. On July presented threat to Korea by mobilizing all its infa- 27, 2009, the US declared July 27 as the day of the mous nuclear war equipment and means for the Key nation’s defeat and put out flags draped in black at Resolve and Foal Eagle 16 joint military exercises government organs like the White House, the Capitol aimed at examining the feasibility of its “OPLAN and the State Department and other major buildings 5015” which includes the “beheading operation” to mourn the GIs who had “laid down their lives for geared to remove the leadership of the DPRK, sur- liberty and democracy.” prise landing operations to conquer strategic points Nevertheless, in 2013 marking the 60th anniver- and the preemptive strike operations to destroy the sary of the conclusion of the armistice agreement, the DPRK’s nuclear means of strike. American Congress passed a resolution on fixing Pyongyang, on its part, made public the success- 2013 as the year of the “martyrs in the Korean war” ful test-firing of top-notch weapons capable of strik- and set up a Korean war memorial hall in the Pen- ing any point on the earth, demonstrating its ability tagon, clamouring that the war should be reassessed to attack the American mainland as it warned ear- as the so-called forgotten victory. However hard the lier, and striking terror into the US. Americans try to deceive the international commu- MNC TV of Mongolia reported, “History shows nity and turn its already-recognized defeat into vic- that the DPRK does not make an empty talk. It’s tory, they can never erase the disgrace and humilia- high time the US had to reconsider the safety of its tion from the defeat. mainland.” Numerical and technical superiority does not Having suffered repeated disgrace and defeats in immediately mean victory in war. The US’s defeat the confrontation with the DPRK, the US is heading in the Korean war was not a strategic or tactical for the doomsday—collapse of the country. This is mistake but inevitability, as has been fully proved the plight of the US at the moment. by what has happened later in the DPRK-US Kang Chol Jin

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 47 Voices of Wrath

S THERE ANY WOMAN escort, where we were loaded on cember last year in order to solve “I willing to live as a sexual seven warships together with the problem of sex slaves of the slave inferior to animals for mil- thousands of girls. Until we found Japanese army “finally and irre- lions of money, divesting herself ourselves in Singapore, we had a versibly.” As far as the of any youth or dignity?” “Is there naive idea that we would be “agreement” is concerned, it was any Korean woman willing to nurses in the Japanese denounced by masses of all strata travel herself to such a place to mainland.” including victims of the sex slav- ruin her own life? Are there any Last year a declassified Thai ery of the Japanese army and the parents in the world willing to document on information re- related organizations, opposition send their daughters to such a vealed a list of captured sex slaves parties, citizens’ organizations, terrible place?” of the Japanese army. The list of religious people, youths and stu- These are some of reactions of sex slaves of the Japanese army dents as “negotiation on exchang- victims to the shocking action of confined to a Thai POW concen- ing the dignity of the victims with the Japanese authorities persis- tration camp wrote that there had money” and “traitorous agree- tently denying the past crime of been around 1 500 Korean women ment that has given acquittal to forcible sex slavery. in the camp and directly named Japan.” Condemnation and pro- Ro Hyon Hwa, one of the vic- over 460 of them. Shortly before test rose high at rallies, demon- tims of sex slavery, testified as their defeat in August 1945 the strations, interviews and declara- follows: The first evening I was Japanese military gave a secret tions on the situation. Joint dem- driven to a so-called “comfort order to change the registration of onstrations took place in different centre,” a Japanese army officer the status of sexual slaves as cities of the US and European shouted, “From now on, you must assistant nurses because they countries insisting dead negotia- obey the Japanese officers with- were afraid of their anti-human tion; the international community out question. You Korean women crimes being disclosed. voiced a strong denunciation that shall die when you are disobedi- Nevertheless, the present the negotiation was the result of a ent”; When I resisted he beat me Japanese authorities insult the plot made under the American relentlessly and satisfied his sex- victims of sex slavery of the Japa- pressure and the Japanese ap- ual appetites. nese army as victims of “slave peasement. Won Ryong Hwa, who had trade,” “prostitutes” and The more outrageous the been driven to sex slavery when “collaborators of the Japanese Japanese challenge is getting she was a teenager and suffered army.” Recently they filed their against the international commu- for a dozen years, testified: “The official stand to the UN that no nity, the more opposed the reac- Japanese army subjected us Ko- evidences had been discovered tion is turning. The essence of the rean women to such an unimag- regarding the argument that the matter of sex slavery of the Japa- inable maltreatment. They Japanese imperialists took Ko- nese army is to bring the Japa- treated us like beasts instead of rean women for sex slaves by nese government to account for humans, and young women were force. the crimes of forcing a huge num- beaten and fell ill to death.” Their brazen act is causing an ber of women into sexual slavery. Yun Kyong Ae testified: “The international outcry. In March It is the common international Japanese told us Korean girls last the UN committee against opinion that Japan should recog- that they would introduce us to a sexism issued the result of its nize its past crimes of sex slavery, good job so that we could eat well, final deliberation, declaring that and choose thorough apology and be dressed well and make a lot of the claim based on the victims’ reparation, proper education in money. They took us to a labour stand was not fully considered in history and punishment of related exchange. Then we were taken to the “agreement” made between criminals. Pusan under Japanese police Japan and south Korea in De- Kim Hyon Ju

48 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 Sogwang Temple

HE SOGWANG TEMPLE, stream one is on the Taeung Hall. and then the Yongwol Pavilion T situated in Kosan County, The first gate to the temple is facing south. Centring on the Kangwon Province, Korea, was Puri Gate. Erected in 1751, it is Taeung Hall there stood the built in the closing days of Koryo shaped like a cosy cottage on an Mangung House and the Simgom (918–1392) and later during the arch-shaped stone bridge across House against each other to the period of Feudal Joson Dynasty the stream flowing in front of the east and west respectively. The (1392–1910). The Ungjin Hall temple. Musang House, Hungbok House was erected in 1386, the first of The next gate is Jogye Gate, and Solsongdong Pavilion were the building of the temple, and in rebuilt in 1783. The ceiling was located in the east while the Hae- the age of Feudal Joson Dynasty gorgeously decorated with the jang House, Phalsang Hall, more than 50 big and small struc- pictures of phoenix, dragon, fairy Myongbu Hall, Pomyong House tures were constructed. The Sog- and so on. and Munhan Pavilion were in the wang Temple belongs to valuable The Taeung Hall was situated west. cultural heritages conveying a far to the north of the central axis The Ungjin Hall, one of the peculiar art of architecture and of the downstream division. The main halls of the temple, stood to talents of the Korean ancestors in main structure of the temple, the north of the main axis of the different ages. rebuilt in 1731, was painted in upper part of the temple. It was a Two main axes were laid fac- luxurious colours, with the grille gabled house on a relatively high ing south in a deep valley which engraved finely with geometric embankment representing the stretches to the east, with the patterns, so it was almost a luxu- architecture in the closing days of structures of the temple arranged rious and splendid art work as a Koryo. The inside was colourfully harmoniously with the natural whole. Inside, there were pictures painted in red and blue, and features. The upstream architec- of Sakyamuni on the wall and there was enshrined a statue of tural division is centred on the nine Buddhist images. In front of Ungjin Hall while the down- the hall there stood Hoji Gate The Jogye Gate.

Sakyamuni Tathagata in the centre and images of 500 Buddha’s disciples. The Sogwang Temple was burnt down, except a few gates and pavilions including Puri and Jogye gates and a few buildings, during the Korean war (June 25, 1950–July 27, 1953) by the indiscriminate bombings of the US imperialists. Thanks to the proper State policy for preserva- tion of national cultural heritage the remnants of the temple have been well kept, and the area has turned into a popular recrea- tional resort. Pak Thae Ho

KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016 49 50 KOREA TODAY No. 7, 2016