WPK Vice Chairman for Intelligence and South Korean Affairs Kim Yong Chol (right) attends a house warming with the family of a Ministry of Railways employee after they moved into their new apartment in North Hamgyo’ng Province (Photo: Korean Central News Agency).

View of a ceremony opening apartment housing constructed in North Hamgyo’ng after floods in late August destroyed residences (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Apartment housing for 19,000 families whose homes were destroyed by floods this past August were opened ceremoniously by Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Vice Chairmen during November 19 (Saturday) and November 20 (Sunday).  Ceremonies, at which WPK Vice Chairman delivered speeches and local citizens were presented residency certificates and moved into their new homes were held in Hoeryo’ng, Musan County, Yo’nsa County, Onso’ng County, Kyo’ngwo’n County and Kyo’nghu’ng County.

View of a rally opening apartment housing as part of flood recovery efforts in North Hamgyo’ng Province (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Views of ceremonies opening residential units in North Hamgyo’ng Province as part of flood recovery efforts (Photos: Rodong Sinmun/KCNA).

Views of North Hamgyo’ng citizens moving into their new apartments (Photos: KCNA/Rodong Sinmun).

(L-R) A family hangs a slogan poster in their new apartment; WPK Vice Chairman for Workers’ and Social Organizations Choe Ryong Hae, WPK Vice Chairman for Propaganda and Agitation Kim Ki Nam and WPK Vice Chairman for Science and Education Choe Thae Bok visit families after their move-in (Photos: Rodong Sinmun/KCNA).

Dispatched from Pyongyang to attend these ceremonies were WPK Vice Chairman for Workers’ and Social Organizations Choe Ryong Hae [Ch’oe Ryong-hae], WPK Vice Chairman for Propaganda and Agitation Kim Ki Nam [Kim Ki-nam], WPK Vice Chairman for Science and Education and Supreme People’s Assembly Speakers [chairman] Choe Thae Bok [Ch’oe T’ae-pok], WPK Vice Chairman for International Affairs Ri Su Yong [Ri Su-yo’ng], WPK Vice Chairman for Cadres’ Affairs Kim Phyong Hae [Kim P’yo’ng-hae], WPK Vice Chairman for Munitions Industries Ri Man Gon [Ri Man-ko’n], WPK Vice Chairman for Economic Affairs O Su Yong [O Su-yo’ng], WPK Vice Chairman for Planning and Finance Kwak Pom Gi [Kwak Pom-ki], WPK Vice Chairman for Intelligence and South Korean Affairs Kim Yong Chol [Kim Yo’ng-ch’o’l], along with North Hamgyo’ng WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Jon Sung Hun [Cho’n Su’ng-hun], North Hamgyo’ng Provincial People’s Committee Chairman Ri Sang Gwan [Ri Sang-kwan], local residents, Korean People’s Army [KPA] personnel and DPRK Government officials involved in flood recovery and reconstruction efforts.

WPK Vice Chairman for International Affairs Ri Su Yong (2nd L) talks with a family whilst attending a house warming (Photo: KCNA).

WPK Vice Chairman for Munitions Industry Ri Man Gon presents a gift whilst attending a house warming in North Hamgyo’ng Province (Photo: KCNA).

WPK Vice Chairman for Cadres’ Affairs Kim Phyong Hae attends a house warming (Photo: KCNA).

In their remarks, the WPK Vice Chairman said that “Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) made an important decision to set it as their major thrust of the 200-day campaign to recover from the flood damage in the northern part for the people in the flood-hit areas of North Hamgyo’ng Province and conducted the gigantic operation to win miraculous victory in turning adversity into a favorable situation.”  Stress was placed in their remarks that “all party members, service personnel and other people should Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) in high esteem with loyalty keeping in mind the steadfast faith that the people’s happy life would be firmly defended and brought into full bloom as long as there are the warm care of Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) and the best advantageous socialist system centered on the popular masses.”

WPK Vice Chairman for Planning and Finance Kwak Pom Gi (right) applauds whilst attending a house warming in North Hamgyo’ng Province (Photo: KCNA).

WPK Vice Chairman for Economic Affairs O Su Yong (left) talks with a girl whilst attending a house warming in North Hamgyo’ng Province (Photo: KCNA)

The WPK Vice Chairmen, who are also members of the WPK Executive Policy Bureau (among other positions), “called upon all the builders of the northern part [of the country] to conduct the steady offensives to certainly attain the 200-day campaign purpose in the same spirit with which they created miracles in turning adversity into favorable conditions of North Hamgyo’ng Province, and thus glorify this year in which the Seventh Congress of the WPK was held as the year of great victory to be recorded forever in the history of the country.”  After the speeches, residency certificates were distributed.  The WPK Vice Chairman visited with the families after they moved into their new homes and “shared the pleasure with inhabitants who were excited after receiving dwelling houses [for] free and handed over daily necessities as souvenirs of their visits.”

Kim Jong Un visits the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace of the Sun on January 1, 2017. Also in attendance are: DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho [a]; WPK Central Committee Department Director An Jong Su [b]; DPRK Premier and State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman Pak Pong Ju [c]; State Planning Commission Chairman and DPRK Vice Premier Ro Tu Chol [d]; Supreme People’s Assembly Presidium President Kim Yong Nam [e]; WPK Central Committee Department Senior Deputy Director Ri Pyong Chol [f]; Jong Un’s wife, Ri Sol Ju [g]; WPK Vice Chairman and WPK Central Committee Department Director Ri Man Gon [h]; Pyongyang City WPK Committee Chairman Kim Su Gil [i]; WPK Vice Chairman and WPK Central Committee Department Director Ri Su Yong [j]; KPA General Political Department Director and State Affairs Vice Chairman VMar Hwang Pyong So [k]; WPK Vice Chairman and WPK Central Committee Department Director Kim Phyong Hae [l]; WPK Vice Chairman and State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman Choe Ryong Hae [m]; WPK Vice Chairman and WPK Central Committee Department Director Kim Yong Chol [n]; Chief of the KPA General Staff VMar Ri Myong Su [o]; Minister of State Security Gen. Kim Won Hong [p]; Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. Pak Yong Sik [q]; Minister of People’s Security Gen. Choe Pu Il [r] (Photo: KCNA/NKLW).

KJU’s last observed media appearance was his delivery of the New Year’s address. KJU’s last observed physical appearance was joint concert by the Moran Bong Band and the Merited State Choir.

DPRK state media reported on January 1, 2017 (Sunday) that chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), chairman of the State Affairs Commission (SAC), and supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju visited the Ku’msusan Palace of the Sun “on the occasion of the New Year.” Among those in attendance were:  Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) Presidium President Kim Yong Nam, KPA General Political Department Director and SAC Vice Chairman VMAR Hwang Pyong So, DPRK Premier and State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman Pak Pong Ju, WPK Vice Chairman and SAC Vice Chairman Choe Ryong Hae, Chief of the KPA General Staff VMAR Ri Myong Su, Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. Pak Yong Sik, WPK Vice Chairman and WPK Central Committee Department Director Kim Ki Nam, WPK Vice Chairman and SPA Speaker Choe Thae Bok, DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho, WPK Central Committee (CC) Department Director An Jong Su, State Planning Commission (SPC) Chairman and DPRK Vice Premier Ro Tu Chol, , WPK CC Department Senior Deputy Director Ri Pyong Chol, WPK Vice Chairman and WPK CC Department Director Ri Man Gon, Pyongyang City WPK CC Kim Su Gil, WPK Vice Chairman and WPK CC Department Director Ri Su Yong, WPK Vice Chairman and WPK CC Department Director Kim Phyong Hae, WPK Vice Chairman and WPK CC Department Director Kwak Pom Gi, WPK Vice Chairman and WPK CC Department Director O Su Yong, 1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Col. Gen. So Hong Chan, Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff Col. Gen. Pak Jong Chon, former WPK Secretary for Munitions Industry Pak To Chun, immediate past WPK CC Director Ju Kyu Chang, DPRK Vice Premier Im Chol Ung, WPK CC Department Director Kim Yong Su, WPK CC Department Director Ri Yong Rae, WPK Vice Chairman and WPK CC Department Director Kim Yong Chol, Minister of State Security Gen. Kim Won Hong, and finally Minister of People’s Security Gen. Choe Pu Il.

In the hall where the statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, a floral basket was placed at the statues in the name of Kim Jong Un. Separate floral baskets were also placed “in the joint name of the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the SAC, the Presidium of the SPA, and the Cabinet. Kim Jong Un and other officials “paid high tribute to the great leaders before their statues.”

In the “hall of immortality where Kim Il Sung lies in state”, Kim Jong Un and the other officials “made New Year greetings to Kim Il Sung in humblest reverence.” He then “went round the room where orders Kim Il Sung received are on display.”

In the “hall of immortality where Kim Jong Il lies in state”, Kim Jong Un and the other officials “made New Year greetings to Kim Jong Il in the humblest reverence.” He then “went round the room where orders Kim Jong Il received are on display.”

View of participants at an April 8, 2017 central report meeting commemorating the 24th anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s election as chairman of the National Defense Commission (Photo: KCNA)

A central report meeting commemorating the 24th anniversary of late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il’s (Kim Cho’ng-il) election as chairman of the National Defense Commission [NDC] was held at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang on April 8 (Saturday).  The central report meeting was attended by senior Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] cadres, senior DPRK Government officials and senior officials of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] and internal security officials, Cabinet Ministers and Commission Chairs, various cadres and functionaries from national institutions, cadres of the WPK Central Committee and Pyongyang citizens.

Senior DPRK officials file onto the platform at the April 8, 2017 central report meeting (Photo: Korean Central Television).

View from the platform of the April 25 House of Culture, venue of the April 8, 2017 central report meeting (Photo: KCNA).

Senior officials attending the event from the platform included: Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (Kim Yo’ng-nam), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and KPA General Political Department Director VMar Hwang Pyong So (Hwang Pyo’ng-so), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju (Pak Pong-chu), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and WPK Vice Chairman for Workers’ and Social Organizations Choe Ryong Hae (Ch’oe Ryong-hae),  Korea Social Democratic Party Central Committee Chairman and SPA Presidium Member Kim Yong Dae (Kim Yo’ng-tae), Chief of the KPA General Staff VMar Ri Myong Su (Ri Myo’ng-su), Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. Pak Yong Sik (Pak Yo’ng-sik), WPK Vice Chairman for Propaganda and Agitation Kim Ki Nam (Kim Ki-nam), WPK Vice Chairman for Science and Education and SPA Chairman (speaker) Choe Thae Bok (Ch’oe T’ae-pok), WPK Vice Chairman for International Affairs Ri Su Yong (Ri Su-yo’ng; a.k.a. Ri Chol), SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop (Yang Hyo’ng-sop), WPK Vice Chairman for Munitions Industries Ri Man Gon (Ri Man-ko’n), Minister of the People’s Security Gen. Choe Pu Il (Ch’oe Pu-il), WPK Vice Chairman for Cadres’ Affairs Kim Phyong Hae (Kim P’yo’ng-hae), WPK Vice Chairman for Planning and Finance Kwak Pom Gi (Kwak Pom-ki), WPK Vice Chairman for Intelligence and South Korean Affairs Kim Yong Chol (Kim Yo’ng-ch’o’l), State Planning Commission Chairman and DPRK Vice Premier Ro Tu Chol (Ro Tu-ch’o’l), Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho (Ri Yo’ng-ho),  Central Public Prosecutors’ Office Director Jang Pyong Gyu (Chang Pyo’ng-kyu), DPRK Central Court President Kang Yun Sok (Kang Yun-sok), WPK Organization Guidance Department Senior Deputy Director Jo Yon Jun (Cho Yo’n-chun), WPK Munitions Department Senior Deputy Director Ri Pyong Chol (Ri Pyo’ng-ch’o’l), Kimilsungist-Kimjongilist Youth League Central Committee Chairman Jon Yong Nam (Cho’n Yo’ng-nam), Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea Central Committee Chairman Kim Chang Yop (Kim Ch’ang-yop), General Federation of the Trade Unions of Korea Central Committee Chairman Ju Yong Gil (Chu Yo’ng-kil), Korean Democratic Women’s Union Central Committee Chairwoman Jang Chun Sil (Chang Ch’un-sil), KPA General Political Department Deputy Director and head of the KPA General Propaganda Department Lt. Gen. Ryom Chol Song (Ryo’m Ch’o’l-so’ng) and KPA General Political Department Deputy Director and head of the KPA General Organization Department Lt. General Jo Nam Jin (Cho Nam-chin).

A TEL and ballistic missile from a photo presentation about KJI’s accomplishments which aired during KCTV’s coverage of the central report meeting (Photo: KCNA/KCTV).

KJI and the late Yon Hyong Muk [a] during an on-site visit in a photo which appeared in a slide show presentation which aired during KCTV’s coverage of the April 8, 2017 central report meeting commemorating the late leader’s election as chairman of the NDC (Photo: KCTV/KCNA).

WPK Vice Chairman and SPA Chairman Choe Thae Bok presides over the April 8, 2017 central report meeting (Photo: KCTV).

Choe Thae Bok presided over the meeting.  VMar Hwang Pyong So delivered the report.

Late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il along with retired senior KPA officials Marshal Hyon Chol Hae [a] and Gen. Pak Jae Gyong [b] at a military inspection in a photo which accompanied KCTV’s coverage of the central report meeting (Photo: KCTV/KCNA).

VMar Hwang Pyong So delivers the report (Photo: KCNA).

According to KCNA, VMar Hwang said:

Kim Jong Il’s election as NDC chairman marked a historic event of epochal significance in the struggle for carving out the destiny of the people and achieving the prosperity of the DPRK.

Kim Jong Il brought about a new turn in building a powerful socialist country under the uplifted banner of So’ngun (military-first) in the period of steering overall state affairs, shouldering upon himself the heavy responsibility as NDC chairman.

Under the complicated international political situation, Kim Jong Il firmly adhered to the independent stand and led the DPRK to consistently embody the principle of independence in politics, self-support in the economy and self-reliance in national defense.

He fully equipped the army and people with the revolutionary idea of the party and consolidated the single-minded unity of the leader, the party, the army and the people as firm as a rock, thus building political forces so that the DPRK could maintain a strong independent stand in its activities.

He regarded it as a firm principle to accelerate the building of a powerful socialist country by dint of self-reliance and self-development and made sure that all issues arising in the revolution and construction were solved by our own efforts and with indigenous technology and locally available resources.

He reliably defended the socialist cause with the original So’ngun (military-first) politics and turned the DPRK into an invincible military power and nuclear weapons state which no formidable enemy dare attack.

He glorified the DPRK as a socialist state centered on the popular masses, the state governed by the Chuch’e-oriented viewpoint on the people and people’s philosophy.

Under his leadership, there came the June 15 era of reunification in which the Koreans were making a dynamic advance, guided by the idea of “By Our Nation Itself” and the DPRK’s international prestige and influence rapidly rose.

His ardent and patriotic desire for a powerful country is being translated into reality under the guidance of respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n).

The present era going by the august name of Kim Jong Un will be glorified as the era of great succession in which Kim Jong Il’s patriotic desire for a powerful country is coming true in all aspects and the great era of prosperity in which the DPRK steadily prospers and its people’s dream and ideal are coming true.

(Photo: NK Leadership Watch/Korean Central Television)

Supreme People’s Assembly Vice Chairs An Tong Chun and Ri Hye Jong carry a floral basket to the foot of the Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il statues on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang on April 10, 2017 (Photo: KCNA).

Members of the DPRK central leadership, joined by deputies of the Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA], placed floral baskets and bouquets in front of the statues of the late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so’ng) and late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il) in front of the Korean Revolution Museum in Mansu Hill in central Pyongyang on April 10 (Monday).  Members of the central leadership placing flowers included: SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (Kim Yo’ng-nam), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju (Pak Pong-chu), Workers’ Party of Korean [WPK] Vice Chairman and SPA Chairman (speaker) Choe Thae Bok (Ch’oe T’ae-pok), Chief of the KPA General Staff VMar Ri Myong Su (Ri Myo’ng-su), Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. Pak Yong Sik (Pak Yo’ng-sik), SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop (Yang Hyo’ng-sop), Minister of People’s Security Choe Pu Il (Choe Pu-il), WPK Vice Chairman for Cadres’ Affairs Kim Phyong Hae (Kim P’yo’ng-hae), WPK Vice Chairman for Munitions Industries Ri Man Gon (Ri Man-ko’n), WPK Vice Chairman for Intelligence and South Korean Affairs Kim Yong Chol (Kim Yo’ng-ch’o’l), WPK Vice Chairman for Planning and Finance Kwak Pom Gi (Kwak Pom-ki), WPK Vice Chairman for Economic Affairs O Su Yong (O Su Yo’ng), State Planning Commission Chairman and DPRK Vice Premier Ro Tu Chol (Ro Tu-ch’o’l), DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho (Ri Yo’ng-ho), DPRK Vice Premier Im Chol Ung (Im Ch’o’l-u’ng), WPK Munitions Industry Department Senior Deputy Director Ri Pyong Chol (Ri Pyo’ng-ch’o’l), South P’yo’ngan WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Pak Thae Song (Pak T’ae-so’ng), North P’yo’ngan WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Kim Nung O (Kim Nung-o), Pyongyang WPK City Committee Chairman Kim Su Gil (Kim Su-kil), WPK Organization Guidance Department Senior Deputy Director Jo Yon Jun (Cho Yo’n-chun), WPK Munitions Industry Department Deputy Director Hong Sung Mu (Hong Su’ng-mu), WPK Propaganda and Agitation Department Deputy Director Kim Pyong Ho (Kim Pyo’ng-ho) and WPK Finance and Accounting Deputy Director and Office #39 chieftain Jon Il Chun (Cho’n Il-chun).

Senior members of the DPRK central leadership and Supreme People’s Assembly deputies stand in front of the Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il statues on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang on April 10, 2017 (Photo: KCNA).

The senior DPRK officials and SPA deputies presented their flowers at the base of the statues and bowed.

Supreme People’s Assembly deputies visit the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery on Mount Taesong in Pyongyang on April 10, 2017 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Later the same day, SPA deputies who are in Pyongyang to attend the 5th session of the 13th SPA on April 11 (Tuesday), visited the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery on Mount Taesong. They placed flowers and paid their respects in front of the memorial to Kim Jong Suk (Kim Cho’ng-suk), Kim Il Sung’s first wife and grandmother to current leader Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n).  After this, they walked through the cemetery.  SPA deputies also went on tours of the Pyongyang Bag Factory and Pyongyang Primary School for Orphans.

Overview of the venue and platform for the April 14, 2017 national report meeting commemorating the 105th birth anniversary of late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

A national report meeting commemorating the 105th birth anniversary of late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so’ng) was held at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium in central Pyongyang on April 14 (Friday).  Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) sat on the platform for the meeting which was also attended by senior cadres and officials of the state, army and party, officers of the KPA and Korean People’s Internal Security Forces [KPSIF], Cabinet Ministers and officials, functionaries and employees of various national institutions and productions units, merited DPRK citizens, Pyongyang citizens, people who met or interacted with Kim Il Sung, the families of revolutionary heroes and martyrs, various Korean and foreign delegations visiting the DPRK, foreign diplomats, NGO reps and defense attaches based in the DPRK and the head of the Pyongyang Mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front.  Report meetings were also held in provincial capitals, counties and at production units.

Those attending the meeting on the platform included:  SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (Kim Yo’ng-nam), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and KPA General Political Department Director VMar Hwang Pyong So (Hwang Pyo’ng-so), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju (Pak Pong-chu), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Vice Chairman for Workers’ and Social Organizations Choe Ryong Hae (Ch’oe Ryong-hae), Chief of the KPA General Staff VMar Ri Myong Su (Ri Myo’ng-su), Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. Pak Yong Sik (Pak Yo’ng-sik), WPK Vice Chairman for Propaganda and Agitation Kim Ki Nam (Kim Ki-nam), WPK Vice Chairman for Science and Education and SPA Chairman (speaker) Choe Thae Bok (Ch’oe T’ae-pok), WPK Vice Chairman for International Affairs Ri Su Yong (Ri Su-yo’ng; a.k.a. Ri Chol), WPK Vice Chairman for Munitions Industry Ri Man Gon (Ri Minister of People’s Security Gen. Choe Pu Il (Choe Pu-il), SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop (Yang Hyo’ng-sop), WPK Vice Chairman for Cadres Affairs Kim Phyong Hae (Kim P’yo’ng-hae), WPK Vice Chairman for Planning and Finance Kwak Pom Gi (Kwak Pom-ki), WPK Vice Chairman for Economic Affairs O Su Yong (O Su-yo’ng), WPK Vice Chairman for Intelligence and South Korean Affairs Kim Yong Chol (Kim Yo’ng-ch’o’l), State Planning Commission Chairman and DPRK Vice Premier Ro Tu Chol (Ro Tu-ch’o’l) DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho (Ri Yo’ng-ho), DPRK Vice Premier In Chol Ung (Im Ch’o’l-u’ng), South P’yo’ngan WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Pak Thae Song (Pak T’ae-so’ng), Pyongyang WPK City Committee Chairman Kim Su Gil (Kim Su-kil), North P’yo’ngan WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Kim Nung O (Kim Nung-o), WPK Organization Guidance Department Senior Deputy Director Jo Yon Chun (Cho Yo’ng-chun), 1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. So Hong Chan (So Hong-ch’an), Guard Command Director Gen. Yun Jong Rin (Yun Cho’ng-rin), KPA Reconnaissance General Bureau Director Colonel-General No Kwang Chol (No Kwang-ch’o’l), WPK Control Commission Chairman Hong In Bom (Hong In-pom), SPA Presidium Vice President and Korean Democratic Social Party Central Committee Chairman Kim Yong Dae (Kim Yo’ng-tae), Raso’n WPK City Committee Chairman Rim Kyong Man (Rim Kyo’ng-man), Ryanggang WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Ri Sang Won (Ri Sang-wo’n), North Hamgyo’ng WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Jon Sung Hun (Cho’n Su’ng-hun), Namp’o City WPK Committee Chairman Kang Yang Mo (Kang Yang-mo), Kangwo’n WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Pak Jong Nam (Pak Cho’ng-nam), South Hwanghae WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Pak Yong Ho (Pak Yo’ng-ho), Jagang WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Kim Jae Gyong (Kim Ch’ae-kyo’ng), North Hwanghae WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Pak Thae Dok (Pak T’ae-dok), South Hamgyo’ng WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Kim Song Il (Kim So’ng-il), KPA General Political Department Deputy Director Lt. Gen. Ryom Chol Song (Ryo’m Ch’o’l-so’ng), KPA Navy Commander VAdm Kim Myong Sik (Kim Myo’ng-sik), Dean of the Faculty of the Kim Il Sung Military University Post-Graduate School VMar Kim Jong Gak (Kim Cho’ng-kak), Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Col. Gen. Yun Tong Hyon (Yun To’ng-hyo’n), Korean Democratic Women’s Union Central Committee Chairwoman Jang Chun Sil (Chang Ch’un-sil), Kimilsungist-Kimjongilist Youth League Central Committee Chairman Jon Yong Nam (Cho’n Yo’ng-nam) and General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea Central Committee Chairman Ju Yong Gil (Chu Yo’ng-kil).

SPA Presidium President and WPK Political Bureau Presidium Member Kim Yong Nam delivers the report (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

WPK Vice Chairman and Director of the WPK Propaganda and Agitation [publicity and information] Department Kim Ki Nam presided over the meeting.  SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (Kim Yo’ng-nam) delivered the report.  According to KCNA, the report said:

April 15, Chuch’e 1 (1912) when President Kim Il Sung was born, was the day of the greatest fortune in the history of the Korean nation and a great revolutionary auspicious day when the Korean nation greeted a peerlessly great man.

The President is the peerlessly great man who steered the extremely arduous and trying Korean revolution, providing the treasures of eternal value for ever-lasting victory and prosperity of Chuch’e Korea.

Born into the Mangyo’ngdae family, revolutionary and patriotic down through generations, the President embarked upon the road of the revolution in his teens with the great intention to save the destiny of the country and the nation.

He clarified the principle of Chuch’e that a revolution should be carried out by the strength of the people to suit the actual conditions of their country and the principle of the So’ngun (military-first) revolution that strong armed forces guarantee independence of the nation and the victory of the revolution, and fathered the immortal Chuch’e idea, the So’ngun (military-first) idea.

From the firm stand of Chuch’e, he comprehensively clarified the theoretical and practical problems at various stages of the revolutionary struggle and in all the fields and sectors of socialist construction.

He defeated the Japanese imperialists under the worst conditions where there were neither state rear nor backing from regular armed forces to achieve the historic cause of liberating the country. He victoriously led the grim Fatherland Liberation War (Korean War), which could be called confrontation between rifle and A-bomb.

He successfully carried out the historic cause of founding the party, state and army and developed them into the powerful political weapons for socialist construction as required by the developing revolution.

Regarding the national reunification as the greatest patriotic cause and the supreme task of the nation, he had devoted his all to the work for independent reunification of the country until the last moments of his revolutionary life.

Through his energetic external activities, he remarkably raised the international position and influence of the DPRK and boosted its foreign relations and sincerely helped peoples of different countries struggling for independence and socialism against imperialism and steered the struggle for accomplishing the human cause of independence.

His greatest feat is that he successfully settled the issue of succession to the revolutionary cause to provide a sure guarantee for accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Chuch’e.

The revolutionary cause of Mt Paektu started by the President had made a steady advance thanks to leader Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il) and now it is greeting a fresh historic turning phase under the stewardship of respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.

Let us advance the Korean revolution on a higher stage and accomplishing the socialist cause with the idea and exploits of Kim Il Sung as an eternal cornerstone!

Kim Jong Un speaks at a joint expanded meeting of the WPK Central Committee and KPA WPK Committee at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un’s last observed appearance was his visit to Kim Cho’ng-suk Textile Mill

Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) “guided” an expanded joint meeting of the Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Central Committee and the Korean People’s Army [KPA] WPK Committee at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang on February 2 (Tuesday) and February 3 (Wednesday).  Attending the meeting were members and alternate (candidate) members of the WPK Central Committee, members of the KPA WPK Committee and observing the meeting were party guidance cadres of government ministries, commissions, provincial and local governments, and KPA officials.

Among those on the rostrum were: VMar Hwang Pyong So (Director of the KPA General Political Department), Kim Kyong Ok (Senior Deputy Director of the WPK Organization Guidance Department), Jo Yon Jun (Senior Deputy Director of the WPK Organization Guidance Department), Kim Ki Nam (WPK Secretary and Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department), Choe Ryong Hae (WPK Secretary for Workers’ and Social Organizations), Choe T’ae Bok (WPK Secretary for Science and Education and Chairman of the Supreme People’s Assembly), Kim P’yo’ng-hae (WPK Secretary and Director of the Cadres’ Affairs Department), Kim Yong Chol (Secretary and Director of the United Front Department) and O Su Yong (WPK Secretary for Light Industry).

Among the DPRK elites attending the meeting were: Gen. O Kuk Ryol (Vice Chairman of the National Defense Commission [NDC]; VMar Ri Yong Mu (Vice Chairman of the NDC); Kim Yo Jong (Jong Un’s sister and deputy director of the WPK Propgaganda and Agitation Department), Ri Jae Il (Senior Deputy director of the WPK Propaganda and Agitation Department); Ri Man Gon (Director of the WPK Machine-Building Industry Department [munitions industry department]), Gen. Choe Pu Il (Minister of People’s Security); Lt. Gen. Ryom Chol Song (Director of the KPA General Propaganda Department/deputy director of the KPA General Political Department); Gen. Jo Kyong Chol (Director of the Military Security Command), Ri Pyong Chol (Senior Deputy Director of the WPK Organization Guidance Department) and Han Kwang Sang (Director of an NDC Department).

View of the platform of the expanded joint meeting of the WPK Central Committee and KPW WPK Committee held at the April 25 House of Culture on February 2 and February 3, 2016 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Platform at the expanded WPK CC and WPK KPA Committee meeting: Kim Ki Nam (1); Jo Yon Jun (2); Kwak Pom Gi (3); Choe T’ae Bok (4); Hwang Pyong So (5); Choe Ryong Hae (6); Kim Yong Chol (7) ; O Su Yong (8); Kim P’yo’ng-hae (9); and Kim Kyo’ng-ok (10) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Prior to formally opening the meeting, Jong Un “noted that it is the first time in the history of the WPK” to hold a joint meeting of the Party Central Committee and the KPA WPK Committee.

Kim Jong Un confers with a personal aide during the joint expanded meeting of the WPK Central Committee and KPA WPK Committee (Photo: KCTV screen grab).

According to KCNA, the meeting “had an in-depth discussion on the principled issues arising in further strengthening the WPK into the glorious party of President Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so’ng) and leader Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il) as required by the developing revolution on the occasion of the 7th WPK Congress [Party Congress] to be recorded as a new landmark in the history of the Party.”  The discussion at the two-day meeting “criticized mainly the practices of seeking privileges, misuse of authority, abuse of power and bureaucratism manifested in the party and proposed tasks and ways for thoroughly overcoming them.”

View of participants and venue at an expanded meeting of the WPK Central Committee and KPA WPK Committee (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Yong Chol speaks during the joint expanded meeting of the WPK Central Committee and KPA WPK Committee (Photo: KCTV screengrab).

A report and speeches at the meeting noted that it “is a historic event in further developing the WPK into the powerful political staff of the So’ngun (military-first) revolution and a motherly Party sharing its fate with popular masses and consolidating the integrated whole of the Party and the people as firm as a rock true to the leadership of Kim Jong Un.”

Kim Jong Un addresses a joint expanded meeting of the WPK Central Committee and KPA Party Committee at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang (Photos: KCNA).

DPRK elites attending the joint expanded meeting: Ri Man Gon (a); Kim Jong Im (b); VMar Ri Yong Mu [c]; Gen. O Kuk Ryol (d); Gen. Choe Pu Il (e); Gen. Jo Kyong Chol (f); Kim Yo Jong (g); and Ri Pyong Chol (h) (Photo: KCTV screen grab).

Kim Jong Un delivered concluding remarks.  According to KCNA he said that “the meeting is of weighty significance in further strengthening the Party organizationally and ideologically, rallied close around its Central Committee with one thought and purpose, with the whole party moving as one under its monolithic leadership.”  Jong Un “set forth the tasks and ways for intensifying the work to imbue the whole society with Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism and thoroughly establishing the monolithic leadership system of the Party.”  He said that “our revolutionary faith will grow stronger as our revolution which started with struggle and advances with it is faced with manifold difficulties and ordeals.  Nobody in the world can block our way.”

View of Pyongyang citizens in Kim Il Sung Square in central Pyongyang on February 8, 2016 during a mass rally celebrating the launch of the Kwangmyo’nso’ng rocket (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

An Army-People mass rally celebrating the launch of the Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-4 [KMS-4] was held in Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so’ng) Square in central Pyongyang on February 8 (Monday).  According to KCNA the rally was attended by “over 150,000 people full of national pride and self-esteem of masters of the space power who demonstrated the dignity and might of the great Kim Il Sung’s, Kim Jong Il’s (Kim Cho’ng-il) and Kim Jong Un’s (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) Korea and the overall might of Chuch’e Korea.”

Pyongyang citizens gathered in front of the Chuch’e Tower in east Pyongyang on February 8, 2016 as they gather for a mass rally celebrating the launch of the Kwangmyo’ngso’ng (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

WPK Secretary Kim Yong Chol (right) and WPK Organization Guidance Department Senior Deputy Director Jo Yon Jun (2nd right) with other senior DPRK officials at the mass rally on February 8, 2016 (Photo: KCTV screengrab).

Among the DPRK central leadership attending the rally from the platform overlooking KIS Square were: Kim Yong Nam (President of the Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium); Pak Pong Ju (DPRK Premier); VMar Hwang Pyong So (Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department); Choe T’ae Bok (Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Secretary for Science and Education and Chairman of the SPA); Kim Ki Nam (WPK Secretary and Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department); Yang Hyong Sop (Vice President of the SPA Presidium); Gen. Pak Yong Sik (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces); Gen. Ri Myong Su (immediate past Minister of People’s Security and former Director of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau); O Su Yong (WPK Secretary for Light Industry) ; Kim Yong Chol (WPK Secretary and Director of the United Front Department); Kwak Pom Gi (WPK Secretary and Director of the Planning and Finance Department); Kim P’yo’ng-hae (WPK Secretary and Director of the Cadres’ Affairs Department); Gen. Kim Won Hong (Minister of State Security); Ri Su Yong (Minister of Foreign Affairs); Jo Yon Jun (Senior Deputy Director of the WPK Organization Guidance Department); Ro Tu Chol (Chairman of the State Planning Commission and DPRK Vice Premier); Kim Yong Dae (Chairman of the Korean Social Democratic Party Central Committee);  Col. Gen. So Hong Chan (1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces);  Col. Gen. Yun Tong Hyon (Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces); Col. Gen. Ro Kwang Chol (Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff); Lt. Gen. Ryom Chol Song (deputy director of the KPA General Political Department and director of the KPA General Propaganda Department); Gen. O Kum Chol (Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff); Kim Su Gil (Chairman of the Pyongyang WPK Committee); Jang Chol (President of the State Academy of Sciences); Ri Chol Man (DPRK Vice Premier); Kim Yong Jin (DPRK Vice Premier); Kim Jong Sun (Chairwoman of the Korean Democratic Women’s Union); Ri Myong Gil (Chairman of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea Central Committee); and, Jon Yong Nam (Chairman of the Kim Il Sung Youth League).  Also on the platform were senior civilian and military officials involved in the launch of the KMS-4.

DPRK Premier Pak Pong Ju reads a report about the KMS-4 launch from the DPRK National Aerospace Development Agency at a mass rally in central Pyongyang on February 8, 2016 (Photo: KCTV screengrab).

Choe Tae Bok presided over the rally.  DPRK Premier Pak Pong Ju read out a report from the DPRK National Aerospace Development Agency [NADA] which was followed by speeches from leading officials of the party, military, science community and youth league.

WPK Secretary Kim Ki Nam gives a congratulatory speech at a mass rally celebrating the KMS-4 launch in central Pyongyang on February 8, 2016 (Photo: KCTV screengrab).

Kim Ki Nam, speaking on behalf of the WPK, said that “the US imperialists and the forces following them are making provocation, calling the successful launch of the satellite a ‘challenge’ and ‘violation’ but satellites of Chuche’s will continue to fly into the blue sky of the country.”

KPA service members applaud during a February 8, 2016 mass rally celebrating the successful launch of the KMS-4 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Colonel General Yun Tong Hyon reads congratulatory remarks at the February 8, 2016 mass rally (Photo: KCTV screengrab).

Col. Gen. Yun Tong Hyon said that “the complete success of Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-4 proved that the great Kim Il Sung’s and Kim Jong Il’s Korea is a scientific and technological power and a space power.”

President of the State Academy of Sciences Jang Chol delivers a speech on behalf of DPRK scientists during a mass rally on February 8, 2016 (Photo: KCTV screen grab).

Jang Chol, according to KCNA, “pledged to solve at the fastest speed and level scientific and technological problems for increasing the defense capabilities of the country, building an economic power and improving people’s standard of living and put all the fields of science and technology on the up-to-date basis with the revolutionary faith of Paektu, the spirit of the blizzards of Paektu and the spirit of self-reliance and self-development.”

DPRK citizens gathered in Kim Il Sung Square for a mass rally celebrating the launch of the KMS-4 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Il Sung Youth League Central Committee Chairman Jon Yong Nam delivers a congratulatory speech at the February 8, 2016 mass rally (Photo: KCTV screen grab).

Jon Yong Nam said that “the speed of advance of the large contingent of youths bringing earlier the bright morrow of prosperity in close unit around Marshal Kim Jong Un will be more accelerated and whoever tries to dare infringe upon the independent dignity and the legitimate right of Korea will never evade the powerful punishment of Korean youths.”

Kim Jong Un speaks at a banquet hosted for personnel who participated in the launch of the Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-4 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un’s last observed appearance was his observation of the launch of the Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-4 on February 7

Kim Jong Un hosted a banquet and concert for the personnel involved in the launch of Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-4 [KMS-4] at the Mokran House in central Pyongyang on February 14 (Sunday).  Also attending the banquet were Kim Yong (Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium President),  VMar Hwang Pyong So, Pak Pong Ju (DPRK Premier), Kim Ki Nam (Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Secretary and Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department), Choe T’ae Bok (WPK Secretary for Science and Education and SPA Chairman) Gen. Pak Yong Sik (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Gen. Ri Myong Su (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Yang Hyong Sop (Vice President of the SPA Presidium and Vice Chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea), Gen. Kim Won Hong (Minister of State Security), Kwak Pom Gi (WPK Secretary and Director of Planning and Finance), O Su Yong (WPK Secretary of Light Industry), Kim P’yo’ng-hae (WPK Secretary and Director of the Cadres’ Affairs Department), Kim Yong Chol (Secretary and Director of the United Front Department), Gen. Choe Pu Il (Minister of People’s Security), Ro Tu Chol (Chairman of the State Planning Commission and DPRK Vice Premier), Jo Yon Jun (Senior Deputy Director of the WPK Organization Guidance Department), along with other WPK, KPA and DPRK Government officials.

Kim Jong Un arrives and attends a banquet at the WPK Central Committee’s Mokran (peony) House in central Pyongyang on February 14, 2016. The banquet was hosted for personnel who participated in the successful launch of the Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-4 on February 7, 2016 (Photos: KCNA/Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un was accompanied to the banquet by his wife Ri Sol Ju (Ri So’l-chu) and after arriving at Mokran House reviewed a KPA honor guard of the three service branches and the Worker-Peasant Red Guard.

At the banquet Jong Un delivered a congratulatory speech.  According to KCNA he said:

The decision to launch the earth observation satellite for the destiny and dignity of the country with the approach of the historic 7th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea under the complicated situation, in which the hostile forces were getting evermore frantic to suffocate the DPRK, was made on the basis of deep trust in the scientists faithful to the Party, genuine patriots.  The credit for the present great success goes to the strength of the close relationship between the Party and you scientists, in which the former believes in the latter and vice versa.

The course of conquering space was for the purpose of the revolution and independence rather than for that of science, and it was a fierce struggle to defend the peace and sovereignty from the hostile forces as well as to implement the behests of the great leaders. Today’s great success was recorded as a glorious page in the history of our Party and country as it gave confidence and courage to our people and dealt a telling blow to the enemies seeking to block the advance of our country.

This is an age of science and technology and to develop science and technology is an important matter decisive of the nation’s future and destiny. In order to accelerate the advance speed of the great Paektusan (Mt. Paektu) nation outpacing the world while demonstrating the might of independence, So’ngun (military-first) and socialism, it is necessary for the front of science to exert its most strength and to show the mysterious strength of Chuch’e-based science.

Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju (top right) along with KMS-4 personnel and senior DPRK officials watch a concert by the Moranbong Band following a banquet at Mokran House in central Pyongyang on February 14, 2016 (Photos: Rodong Sinmun/KCNA).

Kim Jong Un “called for turning out in the scientific researches to hit a higher target with the present great success as a springboard for greater victory and thus launch more working satellites of Chuch’e Korea in the future.”  After Jong Un’s speech, the Moranbong Band gave a performance “celebrating” the KMS-4’s launch.

Overview of a national report meeting held at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on February 15, 2016 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Kim Jong Il (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

View of the venue of the February 15, 2016 central report meeting marking the birth anniversary of Kim Jong Il (Photos: KCNA).

A central report meeting was held at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on February 15 (Monday) to commemorate the birth anniversary of late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il).

Chief of the KPA General Staff General Ri Myong Su (A), National Defense Commission Vice Chairman VMar Ri Yong Mu (B) and National Defense Commission Vice Chairman General O Kuk Ryol [C] on the platform for the central report meeting marking KJI’s birthday (Photo: KCTV screen grabs).

Among those attending the meeting from the platform were Kim Yong Nam (President of the Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium), VMar Hwang Pyong So (Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department), Pak Pong Ju (DPRK Premier), Kim Ki Nam (WPK Secretary and Director of the Propaganda and Agitation), Choe T’ae Bok (WPK Secretary for Science and Education), General Pak Yong Sik (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), General Ri Myong Su (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Yang Hyong Sop (Vice President of the SPA Presidum), General Kim Won Hong (Minister of State Security), VMar Ri Yong Mu (Vice Chairman of the National Defense Commission [NDC]), General O Kuk Ryol (Vice Chairman of the NDC), Kwak Pom Gi (WPK Secretary and Director of Planning and Finance), O Su Yong (WPK Secretary of Light Industry), Kim Yong Chol (WPK Secretary and Director of the United Front Department), Kim P’yo’ng-hae (WPK Secretary and Director of the Cadres’ Affairs Department), Ro Tu Chol (Chairman of the State Planning Commission and DPRK Vice Premier), Jo Yon Jun (Senior Deputy Director of the WPK Organization Guidance Department), Kim Yong Dae (Chairman of the Korean Social Democratic Party Central Committee), General Yun Jong Rin (Director of the Guard Command), Jo Chun Ryong (Chairman of the Second Economy Commission [Second Economic Committee]), Col. Gen. Yun Tong Hyon (Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Lt. Gen. Ryom Chol Song (deputy director of the KPA General Political Department and head of the KPA General Propaganda Department), Kim Jong Sun (Chairwoman of the Korean Democratic Women’s Union Central Committee), Jon Yong Nam (Chairman of the Kim Il Sung Youth League Central Committee), Jang Chol (President of the State Academy of Sciences) along with other senior DPRK leadership overseas Korean delegation representatives and senior National Aerospace Development Agency personnel involved in the Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-4 launch.

View of a February 15, 2016 national meeting at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Members of the DPRK National Aerospace Development Agency attend the central report meeting (Photo: KCTV screen grab).

Also in attendance were personnel who participated in the launch of the Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-4, foreign diplomats stationed in the DPRK, members of DPRK friendship organizations, invited foreign guests, people give awards or who interacted with KJI and various DPRK citizens.

WPK Secretary Kim Ki Nam presides over a February 15, 2016 national meeting commemorating the birth of late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il (Photo: KCTV screen grab).

Kim Ki Nam presided over the meeting.  Kim Yong Nam delivered the meeting report.

SPA Presidium President Kim Yo’ng-nam delivers the report at a February 15, 2016 national meeting to commemorate the birth anniversary of Kim Jong Il (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Yong Nam delivers the report at a February 15, 2016 national meeting to mark KJI’s birthday (Photo: KCTV screengrab).

According to KCNA, the report said:

The birth of Kim Jong Il as the Shining Star of Mt. Paektu meant a great fortune for Korea as it provided a bright future for the revolutionary cause of Chuch’e, and marked a worldwide event which promised a rosy future of the cause of human independence.

Kim Jong Il was a legendary great man and the eternal leader of revolution as he performed the greatest feats to shine long in the annals of the country despite the most arduous ordeals in history during the whole period of his revolutionary life.

He comprehensively reviewed the 100-year history of thought of the preceding working class and made a scientific clarification of the profundity, originality and great role of the revolutionary idea of President Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so’ng) in bringing about changes and thus made the Chuch’e idea throw its rays as the guiding idea in the era of independence.

He developed in depth the President’s idea of attaching importance to arms into the So’ngun (military-first) revolutionary idea and So’ngun (military-first) political theory and put forward the theory of building a thriving socialist nation.

He gave encyclopedic answers to the theoretical and practical issues raised by the times, revolution and history, remarkably developing and enriching the treasured house of the Chuch’e idea and indicating the road of accomplishing the cause of the Korean revolution and the cause of global independence.

He developed the Workers’ Party of Korea, state and army into the ones of the President.

He successfully carried forward the President’s idea of attaching importance to youth and built the young people as the heroes of the times and the reliable reserves of the party and thus made the DPRK demonstrate its might as the youth power without an equal in the world.

He built the DPRK into a matchless military power. This is the eternal feat he performed for the country and revolution.

He ushered in a new era of the country’s prosperity unprecedented in the national history spanning five thousand years with a grand plan to build the DPRK into the most dignified and rich and powerful socialist nation in the world.

The historic June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration were provided and an epochal phase of the movement for national reunification advancing in the idea of By Our Nation Itself was opened thanks to his So’ngun (military-first) politics of love for the country, nation and people.

He developed the foreign relations of the country onto a new high stage under the uplifted banner of independence, peace and friendship and thereby consolidated the international position of So’ngun (military-first) Korea and made a great contribution to accomplishing the cause of human independence.

He successfully settled the issue of succession to the leadership for accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Chuch’e as required by the times and desired by the people. This is the greatest feat he performed for the party and revolution, the country and its people.

Let all the service personnel and people to bring about new great changes in all fields of the revolution and construction and bring earlier the building of a thriving socialist nation, true to the lifelong intention and desire of Kim Jong Il.

His revolutionary career and feats will throw their rays forever and the DPRK will turn into the best country to fully demonstrate its dignity and might as Marshal Kim Jong Un is standing at the helm of the So’ngun (military-first) revolution.

View of the platform at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on April 14, 2016 for a central report meeting commemorating the 104th birth anniversary of late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

A central report meeting marking the 104th birth anniversary (Sun’s Day) of late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so’ng) was held at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium during the afternoon on April 14 (Thursday).  Report meetings were also held in the provinces and at DPRK factories and worksites.

View of participants at a central report meeting held at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on April 14, 2016 to mark the birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung (Photo: KCNA).

View of the venue of a central report meeting commemorating Kim Il Sung’s 104th birth anniversary (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Attending the meeting from the platform were Kim Yong Nam (President of the Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium), Vice Marshal Hwang Pyong So (Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department), Pak Pong Ju (DPRK Premier), Choe Ryong Hae (Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Secretary for Workers’ and Social Organizations), Vice Marshal Ri Myong Su (Chief of the KPA General Staff), General Pak Yong Sik (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Choe T’ae Bok (WPK Secretary for Science and Education and SPA Chairman), Kim Ki Nam (WPK Secretary for and Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department), General Kim Won Hong (Minister of State Security), Yang Hyong Sop (SPA Presidium Vice President), Vice Marshal Ri Yong Mu (National Defense Commission Vice Chairman), General O Kuk Ryol (National Defense Commission Vice Chairman), Kwak Pom Gi (WPK Secretary for and Director of Planning and Finance), Kim Yong Chol (WPK Secretary for and Director of the United Front Department), General Choe Pu Il (Minister of People’s Security), Kim P’yo’ng-hae (WPK Secretary for and Director of Cadres’ Affairs), O Su Yong (WPK Secretary for Light Industry), Jo Yon Jun (Senior Deputy Director of the WPK Organization Guidance Department), Colonel-General So Hong Chan (Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff), Lieutenant-General Ryom Chol Song (head of the KPA General Propaganda Department and deputy director of the KPA General Political Department), Jang Chol (President of the State Academy of Sciences), General Yun Jong Rin (Director of the Guard Command), Colonel-General Yun Tong Hyon (Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Kim Jong Sun (Chairwoman of the Korean Democratic Women’s Union Central Committee), Jon Yong Nam (Chairman of the Kim Il Sung Youth League Central Committee), Kim Su Gil (Chief Secretary of the Pyongyang WPK Committee) and many others.

View of participants at a central report meeting at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on April 14, 2016 (Photos: KCNA).

Also in attendance were cadres and functionaries of the WPK, KPA and DPRK Government, various institutions and workers’ and social organizations, service members and officers of the KPA and Korean People’s Internal Security Forces [KPISF], managers and functionaries of Pyongyang factories, family members of revolutionary heroes, people who met and interacted with Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, DPRK citizens, visiting Korean delegations, foreign diplomats and defense attaches stationed in the DPRK and representatives of international nongovernmental organizations.

Supreme People’s Assembly Presidium President and nominal DPRK head of state Kim Yo’ng-nam reads a report at the central report meeting marking Kim Il-so’ng’s birth anniversary held in Pyongyang on April 14, 2016 (Photo: KCNA).

Choe T’ae Bok presided over the meeting and Kim Yong Nam delivered the report.  According to KCNA, Kim said:

April 15 when President Kim Il Sung was born is the most significant and greatest auspicious day for the party, the country and the people and a revolutionary holiday common to mankind which will shine forever with the century.

Kim Il Sung was the most prominent leader and peerlessly great man who is always alive in the hearts of the Korean people and other progressive people of the world, the reporter noted, referring to the exploits performed by him on behalf of the country and its people, times and history.

From the very day he started the revolution he clarified the revolutionary principle that a revolution should be made independently and creatively by believing in the strength of the people and relying on them and the independence and sovereignty of the nation and the victory of the revolutionary cause are guaranteed by arms of revolution, thereby founding the immortal Chuch’e idea, So’ngun (military-first) idea.

He made an overall clarification of the theoretical and practical issues arising at every stage of revolution and construction and in all their fields, exploring new areas in the development of revolutionary idea and enriching the ideological and moral treasure house of mankind.

After the liberation of Korea he founded the party, state and army on the basis of the experience and traditions established during the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle.

It was thanks to his So’ngun (military-first) leadership that the servicepersons and people of the DPRK defeated the most ferocious enemies, US and Japanese imperialists, and emerged the permanent masters of their destiny and won successive victories in the protracted fierce confrontation with the US imperialists.

He laid down an original line of socialist construction and led the two-stage social revolution and socialist construction to victory, freeing the Korean people from exploitation and oppression for good and building a socialist power independent in politics, self-supporting in economy and self-reliant in national defense.

He perfectly settled the issue of succession to the revolution fundamental to carrying forward the revolutionary cause.

Thanks to his advancement of the three charters for national reunification, a firm foundation was laid for the Korean people in the north, the south and abroad to form a powerful driving force for the national reunification and terminate foreign interference by the concerted efforts of the nation and bring earlier the independent reunification of the country.

He conducted energetic external activities, making an immortal contribution to the development of the world socialist movement, victory in the cause of independence against imperialism, the establishment of independent and fair international relations and global peace and security.

Let us hold the great leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in high esteem as the sun of Chuch’e for all ages and successfully carry forward and accomplish the revolutionary cause of Chuch’e generation after generation under the leadership of Marshal Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n).

The service personnel and people of the DPRK will frustrate all sorts of challenges and moves of the anti-reunification forces inside and outside Korea and build a highly dignified prosperous reunified powerful country on this land under the banner of By Our Nation Itself, true to the noble patriotic will and behests of the great leaders.

The DPRK will boost its foreign relations in the idea of independence, peace and friendship, protect the peace and stability in Asia and other parts of the world as a responsible nuclear weapons state and positively promote the cause of global independence.

View of participants at an April 8, 2017 central report meeting commemorating the 24th anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s election as chairman of the National Defense Commission (Photo: KCNA)

A central report meeting commemorating the 24th anniversary of late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il’s (Kim Cho’ng-il) election as chairman of the National Defense Commission [NDC] was held at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang on April 8 (Saturday).  The central report meeting was attended by senior Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] cadres, senior DPRK Government officials and senior officials of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] and internal security officials, Cabinet Ministers and Commission Chairs, various cadres and functionaries from national institutions, cadres of the WPK Central Committee and Pyongyang citizens.

Senior DPRK officials file onto the platform at the April 8, 2017 central report meeting (Photo: Korean Central Television).

View from the platform of the April 25 House of Culture, venue of the April 8, 2017 central report meeting (Photo: KCNA).

Senior officials attending the event from the platform included: Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (Kim Yo’ng-nam), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and KPA General Political Department Director VMar Hwang Pyong So (Hwang Pyo’ng-so), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju (Pak Pong-chu), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and WPK Vice Chairman for Workers’ and Social Organizations Choe Ryong Hae (Ch’oe Ryong-hae),  Korea Social Democratic Party Central Committee Chairman and SPA Presidium Member Kim Yong Dae (Kim Yo’ng-tae), Chief of the KPA General Staff VMar Ri Myong Su (Ri Myo’ng-su), Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. Pak Yong Sik (Pak Yo’ng-sik), WPK Vice Chairman for Propaganda and Agitation Kim Ki Nam (Kim Ki-nam), WPK Vice Chairman for Science and Education and SPA Chairman (speaker) Choe Thae Bok (Ch’oe T’ae-pok), WPK Vice Chairman for International Affairs Ri Su Yong (Ri Su-yo’ng; a.k.a. Ri Chol), SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop (Yang Hyo’ng-sop), WPK Vice Chairman for Munitions Industries Ri Man Gon (Ri Man-ko’n), Minister of the People’s Security Gen. Choe Pu Il (Ch’oe Pu-il), WPK Vice Chairman for Cadres’ Affairs Kim Phyong Hae (Kim P’yo’ng-hae), WPK Vice Chairman for Planning and Finance Kwak Pom Gi (Kwak Pom-ki), WPK Vice Chairman for Intelligence and South Korean Affairs Kim Yong Chol (Kim Yo’ng-ch’o’l), State Planning Commission Chairman and DPRK Vice Premier Ro Tu Chol (Ro Tu-ch’o’l), Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho (Ri Yo’ng-ho),  Central Public Prosecutors’ Office Director Jang Pyong Gyu (Chang Pyo’ng-kyu), DPRK Central Court President Kang Yun Sok (Kang Yun-sok), WPK Organization Guidance Department Senior Deputy Director Jo Yon Jun (Cho Yo’n-chun), WPK Munitions Department Senior Deputy Director Ri Pyong Chol (Ri Pyo’ng-ch’o’l), Kimilsungist-Kimjongilist Youth League Central Committee Chairman Jon Yong Nam (Cho’n Yo’ng-nam), Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea Central Committee Chairman Kim Chang Yop (Kim Ch’ang-yop), General Federation of the Trade Unions of Korea Central Committee Chairman Ju Yong Gil (Chu Yo’ng-kil), Korean Democratic Women’s Union Central Committee Chairwoman Jang Chun Sil (Chang Ch’un-sil), KPA General Political Department Deputy Director and head of the KPA General Propaganda Department Lt. Gen. Ryom Chol Song (Ryo’m Ch’o’l-so’ng) and KPA General Political Department Deputy Director and head of the KPA General Organization Department Lt. General Jo Nam Jin (Cho Nam-chin).

A TEL and ballistic missile from a photo presentation about KJI’s accomplishments which aired during KCTV’s coverage of the central report meeting (Photo: KCNA/KCTV).

KJI and the late Yon Hyong Muk [a] during an on-site visit in a photo which appeared in a slide show presentation which aired during KCTV’s coverage of the April 8, 2017 central report meeting commemorating the late leader’s election as chairman of the NDC (Photo: KCTV/KCNA).

WPK Vice Chairman and SPA Chairman Choe Thae Bok presides over the April 8, 2017 central report meeting (Photo: KCTV).

Choe Thae Bok presided over the meeting.  VMar Hwang Pyong So delivered the report.

Late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il along with retired senior KPA officials Marshal Hyon Chol Hae [a] and Gen. Pak Jae Gyong [b] at a military inspection in a photo which accompanied KCTV’s coverage of the central report meeting (Photo: KCTV/KCNA).

VMar Hwang Pyong So delivers the report (Photo: KCNA).

According to KCNA, VMar Hwang said:

Kim Jong Il’s election as NDC chairman marked a historic event of epochal significance in the struggle for carving out the destiny of the people and achieving the prosperity of the DPRK.

Kim Jong Il brought about a new turn in building a powerful socialist country under the uplifted banner of So’ngun (military-first) in the period of steering overall state affairs, shouldering upon himself the heavy responsibility as NDC chairman.

Under the complicated international political situation, Kim Jong Il firmly adhered to the independent stand and led the DPRK to consistently embody the principle of independence in politics, self-support in the economy and self-reliance in national defense.

He fully equipped the army and people with the revolutionary idea of the party and consolidated the single-minded unity of the leader, the party, the army and the people as firm as a rock, thus building political forces so that the DPRK could maintain a strong independent stand in its activities.

He regarded it as a firm principle to accelerate the building of a powerful socialist country by dint of self-reliance and self-development and made sure that all issues arising in the revolution and construction were solved by our own efforts and with indigenous technology and locally available resources.

He reliably defended the socialist cause with the original So’ngun (military-first) politics and turned the DPRK into an invincible military power and nuclear weapons state which no formidable enemy dare attack.

He glorified the DPRK as a socialist state centered on the popular masses, the state governed by the Chuch’e-oriented viewpoint on the people and people’s philosophy.

Under his leadership, there came the June 15 era of reunification in which the Koreans were making a dynamic advance, guided by the idea of “By Our Nation Itself” and the DPRK’s international prestige and influence rapidly rose.

His ardent and patriotic desire for a powerful country is being translated into reality under the guidance of respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n).

The present era going by the august name of Kim Jong Un will be glorified as the era of great succession in which Kim Jong Il’s patriotic desire for a powerful country is coming true in all aspects and the great era of prosperity in which the DPRK steadily prospers and its people’s dream and ideal are coming true.

(Photo: NK Leadership Watch/Korean Central Television)

Supreme People’s Assembly Vice Chairs An Tong Chun and Ri Hye Jong carry a floral basket to the foot of the Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il statues on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang on April 10, 2017 (Photo: KCNA).

Members of the DPRK central leadership, joined by deputies of the Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA], placed floral baskets and bouquets in front of the statues of the late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so’ng) and late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il) in front of the Korean Revolution Museum in Mansu Hill in central Pyongyang on April 10 (Monday).  Members of the central leadership placing flowers included: SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (Kim Yo’ng-nam), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju (Pak Pong-chu), Workers’ Party of Korean [WPK] Vice Chairman and SPA Chairman (speaker) Choe Thae Bok (Ch’oe T’ae-pok), Chief of the KPA General Staff VMar Ri Myong Su (Ri Myo’ng-su), Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. Pak Yong Sik (Pak Yo’ng-sik), SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop (Yang Hyo’ng-sop), Minister of People’s Security Choe Pu Il (Choe Pu-il), WPK Vice Chairman for Cadres’ Affairs Kim Phyong Hae (Kim P’yo’ng-hae), WPK Vice Chairman for Munitions Industries Ri Man Gon (Ri Man-ko’n), WPK Vice Chairman for Intelligence and South Korean Affairs Kim Yong Chol (Kim Yo’ng-ch’o’l), WPK Vice Chairman for Planning and Finance Kwak Pom Gi (Kwak Pom-ki), WPK Vice Chairman for Economic Affairs O Su Yong (O Su Yo’ng), State Planning Commission Chairman and DPRK Vice Premier Ro Tu Chol (Ro Tu-ch’o’l), DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho (Ri Yo’ng-ho), DPRK Vice Premier Im Chol Ung (Im Ch’o’l-u’ng), WPK Munitions Industry Department Senior Deputy Director Ri Pyong Chol (Ri Pyo’ng-ch’o’l), South P’yo’ngan WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Pak Thae Song (Pak T’ae-so’ng), North P’yo’ngan WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Kim Nung O (Kim Nung-o), Pyongyang WPK City Committee Chairman Kim Su Gil (Kim Su-kil), WPK Organization Guidance Department Senior Deputy Director Jo Yon Jun (Cho Yo’n-chun), WPK Munitions Industry Department Deputy Director Hong Sung Mu (Hong Su’ng-mu), WPK Propaganda and Agitation Department Deputy Director Kim Pyong Ho (Kim Pyo’ng-ho) and WPK Finance and Accounting Deputy Director and Office #39 chieftain Jon Il Chun (Cho’n Il-chun).

Senior members of the DPRK central leadership and Supreme People’s Assembly deputies stand in front of the Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il statues on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang on April 10, 2017 (Photo: KCNA).

The senior DPRK officials and SPA deputies presented their flowers at the base of the statues and bowed.

Supreme People’s Assembly deputies visit the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery on Mount Taesong in Pyongyang on April 10, 2017 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Later the same day, SPA deputies who are in Pyongyang to attend the 5th session of the 13th SPA on April 11 (Tuesday), visited the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery on Mount Taesong. They placed flowers and paid their respects in front of the memorial to Kim Jong Suk (Kim Cho’ng-suk), Kim Il Sung’s first wife and grandmother to current leader Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n).  After this, they walked through the cemetery.  SPA deputies also went on tours of the Pyongyang Bag Factory and Pyongyang Primary School for Orphans.

Overview of the venue and platform for the April 14, 2017 national report meeting commemorating the 105th birth anniversary of late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

A national report meeting commemorating the 105th birth anniversary of late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so’ng) was held at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium in central Pyongyang on April 14 (Friday).  Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) sat on the platform for the meeting which was also attended by senior cadres and officials of the state, army and party, officers of the KPA and Korean People’s Internal Security Forces [KPSIF], Cabinet Ministers and officials, functionaries and employees of various national institutions and productions units, merited DPRK citizens, Pyongyang citizens, people who met or interacted with Kim Il Sung, the families of revolutionary heroes and martyrs, various Korean and foreign delegations visiting the DPRK, foreign diplomats, NGO reps and defense attaches based in the DPRK and the head of the Pyongyang Mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front.  Report meetings were also held in provincial capitals, counties and at production units.

Those attending the meeting on the platform included:  SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (Kim Yo’ng-nam), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and KPA General Political Department Director VMar Hwang Pyong So (Hwang Pyo’ng-so), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju (Pak Pong-chu), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Vice Chairman for Workers’ and Social Organizations Choe Ryong Hae (Ch’oe Ryong-hae), Chief of the KPA General Staff VMar Ri Myong Su (Ri Myo’ng-su), Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. Pak Yong Sik (Pak Yo’ng-sik), WPK Vice Chairman for Propaganda and Agitation Kim Ki Nam (Kim Ki-nam), WPK Vice Chairman for Science and Education and SPA Chairman (speaker) Choe Thae Bok (Ch’oe T’ae-pok), WPK Vice Chairman for International Affairs Ri Su Yong (Ri Su-yo’ng; a.k.a. Ri Chol), WPK Vice Chairman for Munitions Industry Ri Man Gon (Ri Minister of People’s Security Gen. Choe Pu Il (Choe Pu-il), SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop (Yang Hyo’ng-sop), WPK Vice Chairman for Cadres Affairs Kim Phyong Hae (Kim P’yo’ng-hae), WPK Vice Chairman for Planning and Finance Kwak Pom Gi (Kwak Pom-ki), WPK Vice Chairman for Economic Affairs O Su Yong (O Su-yo’ng), WPK Vice Chairman for Intelligence and South Korean Affairs Kim Yong Chol (Kim Yo’ng-ch’o’l), State Planning Commission Chairman and DPRK Vice Premier Ro Tu Chol (Ro Tu-ch’o’l) DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho (Ri Yo’ng-ho), DPRK Vice Premier In Chol Ung (Im Ch’o’l-u’ng), South P’yo’ngan WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Pak Thae Song (Pak T’ae-so’ng), Pyongyang WPK City Committee Chairman Kim Su Gil (Kim Su-kil), North P’yo’ngan WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Kim Nung O (Kim Nung-o), WPK Organization Guidance Department Senior Deputy Director Jo Yon Chun (Cho Yo’ng-chun), 1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. So Hong Chan (So Hong-ch’an), Guard Command Director Gen. Yun Jong Rin (Yun Cho’ng-rin), KPA Reconnaissance General Bureau Director Colonel-General No Kwang Chol (No Kwang-ch’o’l), WPK Control Commission Chairman Hong In Bom (Hong In-pom), SPA Presidium Vice President and Korean Democratic Social Party Central Committee Chairman Kim Yong Dae (Kim Yo’ng-tae), Raso’n WPK City Committee Chairman Rim Kyong Man (Rim Kyo’ng-man), Ryanggang WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Ri Sang Won (Ri Sang-wo’n), North Hamgyo’ng WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Jon Sung Hun (Cho’n Su’ng-hun), Namp’o City WPK Committee Chairman Kang Yang Mo (Kang Yang-mo), Kangwo’n WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Pak Jong Nam (Pak Cho’ng-nam), South Hwanghae WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Pak Yong Ho (Pak Yo’ng-ho), Jagang WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Kim Jae Gyong (Kim Ch’ae-kyo’ng), North Hwanghae WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Pak Thae Dok (Pak T’ae-dok), South Hamgyo’ng WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Kim Song Il (Kim So’ng-il), KPA General Political Department Deputy Director Lt. Gen. Ryom Chol Song (Ryo’m Ch’o’l-so’ng), KPA Navy Commander VAdm Kim Myong Sik (Kim Myo’ng-sik), Dean of the Faculty of the Kim Il Sung Military University Post-Graduate School VMar Kim Jong Gak (Kim Cho’ng-kak), Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Col. Gen. Yun Tong Hyon (Yun To’ng-hyo’n), Korean Democratic Women’s Union Central Committee Chairwoman Jang Chun Sil (Chang Ch’un-sil), Kimilsungist-Kimjongilist Youth League Central Committee Chairman Jon Yong Nam (Cho’n Yo’ng-nam) and General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea Central Committee Chairman Ju Yong Gil (Chu Yo’ng-kil).

SPA Presidium President and WPK Political Bureau Presidium Member Kim Yong Nam delivers the report (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

WPK Vice Chairman and Director of the WPK Propaganda and Agitation [publicity and information] Department Kim Ki Nam presided over the meeting.  SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (Kim Yo’ng-nam) delivered the report.  According to KCNA, the report said:

April 15, Chuch’e 1 (1912) when President Kim Il Sung was born, was the day of the greatest fortune in the history of the Korean nation and a great revolutionary auspicious day when the Korean nation greeted a peerlessly great man.

The President is the peerlessly great man who steered the extremely arduous and trying Korean revolution, providing the treasures of eternal value for ever-lasting victory and prosperity of Chuch’e Korea.

Born into the Mangyo’ngdae family, revolutionary and patriotic down through generations, the President embarked upon the road of the revolution in his teens with the great intention to save the destiny of the country and the nation.

He clarified the principle of Chuch’e that a revolution should be carried out by the strength of the people to suit the actual conditions of their country and the principle of the So’ngun (military-first) revolution that strong armed forces guarantee independence of the nation and the victory of the revolution, and fathered the immortal Chuch’e idea, the So’ngun (military-first) idea.

From the firm stand of Chuch’e, he comprehensively clarified the theoretical and practical problems at various stages of the revolutionary struggle and in all the fields and sectors of socialist construction.

He defeated the Japanese imperialists under the worst conditions where there were neither state rear nor backing from regular armed forces to achieve the historic cause of liberating the country. He victoriously led the grim Fatherland Liberation War (Korean War), which could be called confrontation between rifle and A-bomb.

He successfully carried out the historic cause of founding the party, state and army and developed them into the powerful political weapons for socialist construction as required by the developing revolution.

Regarding the national reunification as the greatest patriotic cause and the supreme task of the nation, he had devoted his all to the work for independent reunification of the country until the last moments of his revolutionary life.

Through his energetic external activities, he remarkably raised the international position and influence of the DPRK and boosted its foreign relations and sincerely helped peoples of different countries struggling for independence and socialism against imperialism and steered the struggle for accomplishing the human cause of independence.

His greatest feat is that he successfully settled the issue of succession to the revolutionary cause to provide a sure guarantee for accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Chuch’e.

The revolutionary cause of Mt Paektu started by the President had made a steady advance thanks to leader Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il) and now it is greeting a fresh historic turning phase under the stewardship of respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.

Let us advance the Korean revolution on a higher stage and accomplishing the socialist cause with the idea and exploits of Kim Il Sung as an eternal cornerstone!

View of participants at an April 8, 2017 central report meeting commemorating the 24th anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s election as chairman of the National Defense Commission (Photo: KCNA)

A central report meeting commemorating the 24th anniversary of late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il’s (Kim Cho’ng-il) election as chairman of the National Defense Commission [NDC] was held at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang on April 8 (Saturday).  The central report meeting was attended by senior Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] cadres, senior DPRK Government officials and senior officials of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] and internal security officials, Cabinet Ministers and Commission Chairs, various cadres and functionaries from national institutions, cadres of the WPK Central Committee and Pyongyang citizens.

Senior DPRK officials file onto the platform at the April 8, 2017 central report meeting (Photo: Korean Central Television).

View from the platform of the April 25 House of Culture, venue of the April 8, 2017 central report meeting (Photo: KCNA).

Senior officials attending the event from the platform included: Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (Kim Yo’ng-nam), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and KPA General Political Department Director VMar Hwang Pyong So (Hwang Pyo’ng-so), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju (Pak Pong-chu), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and WPK Vice Chairman for Workers’ and Social Organizations Choe Ryong Hae (Ch’oe Ryong-hae),  Korea Social Democratic Party Central Committee Chairman and SPA Presidium Member Kim Yong Dae (Kim Yo’ng-tae), Chief of the KPA General Staff VMar Ri Myong Su (Ri Myo’ng-su), Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. Pak Yong Sik (Pak Yo’ng-sik), WPK Vice Chairman for Propaganda and Agitation Kim Ki Nam (Kim Ki-nam), WPK Vice Chairman for Science and Education and SPA Chairman (speaker) Choe Thae Bok (Ch’oe T’ae-pok), WPK Vice Chairman for International Affairs Ri Su Yong (Ri Su-yo’ng; a.k.a. Ri Chol), SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop (Yang Hyo’ng-sop), WPK Vice Chairman for Munitions Industries Ri Man Gon (Ri Man-ko’n), Minister of the People’s Security Gen. Choe Pu Il (Ch’oe Pu-il), WPK Vice Chairman for Cadres’ Affairs Kim Phyong Hae (Kim P’yo’ng-hae), WPK Vice Chairman for Planning and Finance Kwak Pom Gi (Kwak Pom-ki), WPK Vice Chairman for Intelligence and South Korean Affairs Kim Yong Chol (Kim Yo’ng-ch’o’l), State Planning Commission Chairman and DPRK Vice Premier Ro Tu Chol (Ro Tu-ch’o’l), Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho (Ri Yo’ng-ho),  Central Public Prosecutors’ Office Director Jang Pyong Gyu (Chang Pyo’ng-kyu), DPRK Central Court President Kang Yun Sok (Kang Yun-sok), WPK Organization Guidance Department Senior Deputy Director Jo Yon Jun (Cho Yo’n-chun), WPK Munitions Department Senior Deputy Director Ri Pyong Chol (Ri Pyo’ng-ch’o’l), Kimilsungist-Kimjongilist Youth League Central Committee Chairman Jon Yong Nam (Cho’n Yo’ng-nam), Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea Central Committee Chairman Kim Chang Yop (Kim Ch’ang-yop), General Federation of the Trade Unions of Korea Central Committee Chairman Ju Yong Gil (Chu Yo’ng-kil), Korean Democratic Women’s Union Central Committee Chairwoman Jang Chun Sil (Chang Ch’un-sil), KPA General Political Department Deputy Director and head of the KPA General Propaganda Department Lt. Gen. Ryom Chol Song (Ryo’m Ch’o’l-so’ng) and KPA General Political Department Deputy Director and head of the KPA General Organization Department Lt. General Jo Nam Jin (Cho Nam-chin).

A TEL and ballistic missile from a photo presentation about KJI’s accomplishments which aired during KCTV’s coverage of the central report meeting (Photo: KCNA/KCTV).

KJI and the late Yon Hyong Muk [a] during an on-site visit in a photo which appeared in a slide show presentation which aired during KCTV’s coverage of the April 8, 2017 central report meeting commemorating the late leader’s election as chairman of the NDC (Photo: KCTV/KCNA).

WPK Vice Chairman and SPA Chairman Choe Thae Bok presides over the April 8, 2017 central report meeting (Photo: KCTV).

Choe Thae Bok presided over the meeting.  VMar Hwang Pyong So delivered the report.

Late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il along with retired senior KPA officials Marshal Hyon Chol Hae [a] and Gen. Pak Jae Gyong [b] at a military inspection in a photo which accompanied KCTV’s coverage of the central report meeting (Photo: KCTV/KCNA).

VMar Hwang Pyong So delivers the report (Photo: KCNA).

According to KCNA, VMar Hwang said:

Kim Jong Il’s election as NDC chairman marked a historic event of epochal significance in the struggle for carving out the destiny of the people and achieving the prosperity of the DPRK.

Kim Jong Il brought about a new turn in building a powerful socialist country under the uplifted banner of So’ngun (military-first) in the period of steering overall state affairs, shouldering upon himself the heavy responsibility as NDC chairman.

Under the complicated international political situation, Kim Jong Il firmly adhered to the independent stand and led the DPRK to consistently embody the principle of independence in politics, self-support in the economy and self-reliance in national defense.

He fully equipped the army and people with the revolutionary idea of the party and consolidated the single-minded unity of the leader, the party, the army and the people as firm as a rock, thus building political forces so that the DPRK could maintain a strong independent stand in its activities.

He regarded it as a firm principle to accelerate the building of a powerful socialist country by dint of self-reliance and self-development and made sure that all issues arising in the revolution and construction were solved by our own efforts and with indigenous technology and locally available resources.

He reliably defended the socialist cause with the original So’ngun (military-first) politics and turned the DPRK into an invincible military power and nuclear weapons state which no formidable enemy dare attack.

He glorified the DPRK as a socialist state centered on the popular masses, the state governed by the Chuch’e-oriented viewpoint on the people and people’s philosophy.

Under his leadership, there came the June 15 era of reunification in which the Koreans were making a dynamic advance, guided by the idea of “By Our Nation Itself” and the DPRK’s international prestige and influence rapidly rose.

His ardent and patriotic desire for a powerful country is being translated into reality under the guidance of respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n).

The present era going by the august name of Kim Jong Un will be glorified as the era of great succession in which Kim Jong Il’s patriotic desire for a powerful country is coming true in all aspects and the great era of prosperity in which the DPRK steadily prospers and its people’s dream and ideal are coming true.

(Photo: NK Leadership Watch/Korean Central Television)

Supreme People’s Assembly Vice Chairs An Tong Chun and Ri Hye Jong carry a floral basket to the foot of the Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il statues on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang on April 10, 2017 (Photo: KCNA).

Members of the DPRK central leadership, joined by deputies of the Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA], placed floral baskets and bouquets in front of the statues of the late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so’ng) and late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il) in front of the Korean Revolution Museum in Mansu Hill in central Pyongyang on April 10 (Monday).  Members of the central leadership placing flowers included: SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (Kim Yo’ng-nam), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju (Pak Pong-chu), Workers’ Party of Korean [WPK] Vice Chairman and SPA Chairman (speaker) Choe Thae Bok (Ch’oe T’ae-pok), Chief of the KPA General Staff VMar Ri Myong Su (Ri Myo’ng-su), Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. Pak Yong Sik (Pak Yo’ng-sik), SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop (Yang Hyo’ng-sop), Minister of People’s Security Choe Pu Il (Choe Pu-il), WPK Vice Chairman for Cadres’ Affairs Kim Phyong Hae (Kim P’yo’ng-hae), WPK Vice Chairman for Munitions Industries Ri Man Gon (Ri Man-ko’n), WPK Vice Chairman for Intelligence and South Korean Affairs Kim Yong Chol (Kim Yo’ng-ch’o’l), WPK Vice Chairman for Planning and Finance Kwak Pom Gi (Kwak Pom-ki), WPK Vice Chairman for Economic Affairs O Su Yong (O Su Yo’ng), State Planning Commission Chairman and DPRK Vice Premier Ro Tu Chol (Ro Tu-ch’o’l), DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho (Ri Yo’ng-ho), DPRK Vice Premier Im Chol Ung (Im Ch’o’l-u’ng), WPK Munitions Industry Department Senior Deputy Director Ri Pyong Chol (Ri Pyo’ng-ch’o’l), South P’yo’ngan WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Pak Thae Song (Pak T’ae-so’ng), North P’yo’ngan WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Kim Nung O (Kim Nung-o), Pyongyang WPK City Committee Chairman Kim Su Gil (Kim Su-kil), WPK Organization Guidance Department Senior Deputy Director Jo Yon Jun (Cho Yo’n-chun), WPK Munitions Industry Department Deputy Director Hong Sung Mu (Hong Su’ng-mu), WPK Propaganda and Agitation Department Deputy Director Kim Pyong Ho (Kim Pyo’ng-ho) and WPK Finance and Accounting Deputy Director and Office #39 chieftain Jon Il Chun (Cho’n Il-chun).

Senior members of the DPRK central leadership and Supreme People’s Assembly deputies stand in front of the Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il statues on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang on April 10, 2017 (Photo: KCNA).

The senior DPRK officials and SPA deputies presented their flowers at the base of the statues and bowed.

Supreme People’s Assembly deputies visit the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery on Mount Taesong in Pyongyang on April 10, 2017 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Later the same day, SPA deputies who are in Pyongyang to attend the 5th session of the 13th SPA on April 11 (Tuesday), visited the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery on Mount Taesong. They placed flowers and paid their respects in front of the memorial to Kim Jong Suk (Kim Cho’ng-suk), Kim Il Sung’s first wife and grandmother to current leader Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n).  After this, they walked through the cemetery.  SPA deputies also went on tours of the Pyongyang Bag Factory and Pyongyang Primary School for Orphans.

Overview of the venue and platform for the April 14, 2017 national report meeting commemorating the 105th birth anniversary of late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

A national report meeting commemorating the 105th birth anniversary of late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so’ng) was held at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium in central Pyongyang on April 14 (Friday).  Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) sat on the platform for the meeting which was also attended by senior cadres and officials of the state, army and party, officers of the KPA and Korean People’s Internal Security Forces [KPSIF], Cabinet Ministers and officials, functionaries and employees of various national institutions and productions units, merited DPRK citizens, Pyongyang citizens, people who met or interacted with Kim Il Sung, the families of revolutionary heroes and martyrs, various Korean and foreign delegations visiting the DPRK, foreign diplomats, NGO reps and defense attaches based in the DPRK and the head of the Pyongyang Mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front.  Report meetings were also held in provincial capitals, counties and at production units.

Those attending the meeting on the platform included:  SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (Kim Yo’ng-nam), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and KPA General Political Department Director VMar Hwang Pyong So (Hwang Pyo’ng-so), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju (Pak Pong-chu), State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman and Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Vice Chairman for Workers’ and Social Organizations Choe Ryong Hae (Ch’oe Ryong-hae), Chief of the KPA General Staff VMar Ri Myong Su (Ri Myo’ng-su), Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. Pak Yong Sik (Pak Yo’ng-sik), WPK Vice Chairman for Propaganda and Agitation Kim Ki Nam (Kim Ki-nam), WPK Vice Chairman for Science and Education and SPA Chairman (speaker) Choe Thae Bok (Ch’oe T’ae-pok), WPK Vice Chairman for International Affairs Ri Su Yong (Ri Su-yo’ng; a.k.a. Ri Chol), WPK Vice Chairman for Munitions Industry Ri Man Gon (Ri Minister of People’s Security Gen. Choe Pu Il (Choe Pu-il), SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop (Yang Hyo’ng-sop), WPK Vice Chairman for Cadres Affairs Kim Phyong Hae (Kim P’yo’ng-hae), WPK Vice Chairman for Planning and Finance Kwak Pom Gi (Kwak Pom-ki), WPK Vice Chairman for Economic Affairs O Su Yong (O Su-yo’ng), WPK Vice Chairman for Intelligence and South Korean Affairs Kim Yong Chol (Kim Yo’ng-ch’o’l), State Planning Commission Chairman and DPRK Vice Premier Ro Tu Chol (Ro Tu-ch’o’l) DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho (Ri Yo’ng-ho), DPRK Vice Premier In Chol Ung (Im Ch’o’l-u’ng), South P’yo’ngan WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Pak Thae Song (Pak T’ae-so’ng), Pyongyang WPK City Committee Chairman Kim Su Gil (Kim Su-kil), North P’yo’ngan WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Kim Nung O (Kim Nung-o), WPK Organization Guidance Department Senior Deputy Director Jo Yon Chun (Cho Yo’ng-chun), 1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. So Hong Chan (So Hong-ch’an), Guard Command Director Gen. Yun Jong Rin (Yun Cho’ng-rin), KPA Reconnaissance General Bureau Director Colonel-General No Kwang Chol (No Kwang-ch’o’l), WPK Control Commission Chairman Hong In Bom (Hong In-pom), SPA Presidium Vice President and Korean Democratic Social Party Central Committee Chairman Kim Yong Dae (Kim Yo’ng-tae), Raso’n WPK City Committee Chairman Rim Kyong Man (Rim Kyo’ng-man), Ryanggang WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Ri Sang Won (Ri Sang-wo’n), North Hamgyo’ng WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Jon Sung Hun (Cho’n Su’ng-hun), Namp’o City WPK Committee Chairman Kang Yang Mo (Kang Yang-mo), Kangwo’n WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Pak Jong Nam (Pak Cho’ng-nam), South Hwanghae WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Pak Yong Ho (Pak Yo’ng-ho), Jagang WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Kim Jae Gyong (Kim Ch’ae-kyo’ng), North Hwanghae WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Pak Thae Dok (Pak T’ae-dok), South Hamgyo’ng WPK Provincial Committee Chairman Kim Song Il (Kim So’ng-il), KPA General Political Department Deputy Director Lt. Gen. Ryom Chol Song (Ryo’m Ch’o’l-so’ng), KPA Navy Commander VAdm Kim Myong Sik (Kim Myo’ng-sik), Dean of the Faculty of the Kim Il Sung Military University Post-Graduate School VMar Kim Jong Gak (Kim Cho’ng-kak), Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Col. Gen. Yun Tong Hyon (Yun To’ng-hyo’n), Korean Democratic Women’s Union Central Committee Chairwoman Jang Chun Sil (Chang Ch’un-sil), Kimilsungist-Kimjongilist Youth League Central Committee Chairman Jon Yong Nam (Cho’n Yo’ng-nam) and General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea Central Committee Chairman Ju Yong Gil (Chu Yo’ng-kil).

SPA Presidium President and WPK Political Bureau Presidium Member Kim Yong Nam delivers the report (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

WPK Vice Chairman and Director of the WPK Propaganda and Agitation [publicity and information] Department Kim Ki Nam presided over the meeting.  SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (Kim Yo’ng-nam) delivered the report.  According to KCNA, the report said:

April 15, Chuch’e 1 (1912) when President Kim Il Sung was born, was the day of the greatest fortune in the history of the Korean nation and a great revolutionary auspicious day when the Korean nation greeted a peerlessly great man.

The President is the peerlessly great man who steered the extremely arduous and trying Korean revolution, providing the treasures of eternal value for ever-lasting victory and prosperity of Chuch’e Korea.

Born into the Mangyo’ngdae family, revolutionary and patriotic down through generations, the President embarked upon the road of the revolution in his teens with the great intention to save the destiny of the country and the nation.

He clarified the principle of Chuch’e that a revolution should be carried out by the strength of the people to suit the actual conditions of their country and the principle of the So’ngun (military-first) revolution that strong armed forces guarantee independence of the nation and the victory of the revolution, and fathered the immortal Chuch’e idea, the So’ngun (military-first) idea.

From the firm stand of Chuch’e, he comprehensively clarified the theoretical and practical problems at various stages of the revolutionary struggle and in all the fields and sectors of socialist construction.

He defeated the Japanese imperialists under the worst conditions where there were neither state rear nor backing from regular armed forces to achieve the historic cause of liberating the country. He victoriously led the grim Fatherland Liberation War (Korean War), which could be called confrontation between rifle and A-bomb.

He successfully carried out the historic cause of founding the party, state and army and developed them into the powerful political weapons for socialist construction as required by the developing revolution.

Regarding the national reunification as the greatest patriotic cause and the supreme task of the nation, he had devoted his all to the work for independent reunification of the country until the last moments of his revolutionary life.

Through his energetic external activities, he remarkably raised the international position and influence of the DPRK and boosted its foreign relations and sincerely helped peoples of different countries struggling for independence and socialism against imperialism and steered the struggle for accomplishing the human cause of independence.

His greatest feat is that he successfully settled the issue of succession to the revolutionary cause to provide a sure guarantee for accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Chuch’e.

The revolutionary cause of Mt Paektu started by the President had made a steady advance thanks to leader Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il) and now it is greeting a fresh historic turning phase under the stewardship of respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.

Let us advance the Korean revolution on a higher stage and accomplishing the socialist cause with the idea and exploits of Kim Il Sung as an eternal cornerstone!