KIM JONG UN INSPECTS COMMAND OF KPA UNIT 534

Pyongyang, January 12 (KCNA) -- Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and first chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, inspected the command of KPA Unit 534. He was greeted by Col. General So Hong Chan, first vice-minister of the People's Armed Forces, and commanding officers of the unit. He encouraged the officers and soldiers of the unit who are devoting all their wisdom and enthusiasm and making devoted efforts to improve the living standards of service personnel in hearty response to the slogan of the Party that supply service precisely means a battle for defending socialism, and had a photo taken with them. He looked round the room devoted to the education in the revolutionary history. He recalled that Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il regarded it as an important requirement for army-building to improve the living standards of service personnel, underscoring the need for the unit to wage a dynamic drive to improve their material and cultural living standards so as to firmly preserve the undying feats performed by the Generalissimos. He said he visited the unit to make 2014 a year of a radical turn in supply service to the People's Army and bring about a signal victory in defending socialism, adding that it is a main link in the whole chain for strengthening the affairs of the People's Army to improve the living standards of its service personnel. He called on the People's Army to launch a high-pitched drive in bean farming, fishing and stockbreeding this year. The unit plays a very important role in improving the living standards of the service personnel, he said, calling on the unit to take the lead in doing so. He underlined the need to bring about a radical turn in improving the living standards of the service personnel and organize a meeting of logistic personnel of the KPA late this year, adding that they should proudly come to the meeting with successes and experience gained in the efforts to improve the living standards of service personnel. He went round an e-library of the unit and looked at data on scientific and technological achievements. He appreciated a performance given by the unit's art squad at the soldier's hall and gave a precious instruction as regards its performing activities. He was accompanied by KPA Vice Marshal Choe Ryong Hae, director of the KPA General Political Bureau, Kim Kyong Ok, first vice department director of the C.C., the WPK, and Hwang Pyong So, vice department director of the C.C., the WPK.

KIM JONG UN VISITS KUMSUSAN PALACE OF SUN

Pyongyang, January 1 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, together with Ri Sol Ju, visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on Wednesday to pay tribute to President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il on the occasion of the New Year 2014.

Kim Jong Un entered the hall where statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il stand.

A floral basket in the name of Kim Jong Un was placed before the statues. Also laid before them was a floral basket in the joint name of the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the WPK, the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly and the DPRK Cabinet.

He together with the participants paid tribute to the statues in humble reverence. Then he entered the hall where Kim Il Sung lies in state. He together with the participants made New Year greetings to Kim Il Sung in deep reverence. Then he entered the hall where Kim Jong Il lies in state. He together with the participants made New Year greetings to Kim Jong Il in deep reverence.

He was accompanied by senior party, state and army officials including Kim Yong Nam, Pak Pong Ju, Choe Ryong Hae, Ri Yong Gil, Jang Jong Nam, Kim Ki Nam, Choe Thae Bok, Pak To Chun, Kim Yong Chun, Yang Hyong Sop, Kang Sok Ju, Kim Won Hong and other members of the leadership organ of the WPK Central Committee in Pyongyang City, leading officers of the armed forces organs and officials of ministries, national institutions and the WPK Central Committee.

KIM JONG UN VISITS NEW AQUATIC PRODUCTS REFRIGERATING FACILITIES

Pyongyang, January 7 (KCNA) -- Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and first chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, visited the Aquatic Products Refrigerating Facilities newly built by KPA Unit 534.

He went round various refrigerating facilities to learn in detail about their construction and the refrigeration of aquatic products. He highly praised the unit for building a breakwater and very large modern refrigerating facilities with a wharf in a brief span of time. The fisheries field of the People's Army made big fish hauls last year, he said, adding that it should continue to take the lead in fishing in the future, too.

He underscored the need to make the flames of the innovation drive in the fisheries field of the People's Army rage furiously in the fisheries across the country.

He said he visited there to discuss the possibility of supplying fishes to the baby homes, orphanages, orphans' primary and secondary schools and old folks' homes across the country, adding it is a firm resolution and will of the Party to make all children there stoutly grow up free from sorrow over being orphans to become successors to the revolution and backbone of the revolution.

He personally calculated in a memo what quantities of fishes are required yearly to provide 300 grams of fish to each of them a day. Noting that the slogan "Let the People's Army take charge of both national defence and socialist construction!" is very good, he called on the People's Army to carry out the task of supplying fishes to the baby homes, orphanages, orphans' primary and secondary schools and old folks' homes all the year round.

He issued on the spot an order of the supreme commander of the KPA to the KPA to set up a fisheries station which will specialize in supplying fishes to the above-said baby homes, orphanages, schools and homes. He gave an instruction to finish the construction of the fisheries station before the Day of the Sun and start the fish supply from coming autumn.

He expressed expectation and belief that all commanding officers and officials would make big fish hauls this year wherever they work. Accompanying him were Choe Ryong Hae, So Hong Chan, Pak Jong Chon, Jo Nam Jin, Hwang Pyong So and Kim Pyong Ho.

KIM JONG UN WATCHES BASKETBALL GAME OF DPRK, AMERICAN PLAYERS

Pyongyang, January 8 (KCNA) -- A basketball game was played by the American basketball team of ex-NBA stars and Korean players of the Hwaebul team of the DPRK at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on Wednesday. The American team is now on a visit to the DPRK for sports exchange.

The match was watched by sports fans, people from all walks of life and youth and students. Among the spectators were foreign diplomatic envoys, representatives of international bodies, military attaches and their wives, staff members of various embassies, foreign guests and overseas Koreans staying in the motherland.

Supreme leader Kim Jong Un came out to the stadium together with Ri Sol Ju to watch the game. He was warmly greeted by Dennis Rodman, American ex-NBA star. Kim Jong Un welcomed the American basketball players' visit to the DPRK and said that the game served as a good occasion in promoting the understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

Rodman presented Kim Jong Un with a gift he prepared with the deepest respect for him. In his speech made before the match, he said he felt the Korean people were respecting Kim Jong Un while staying in the DPRK. He sang a song reflecting his reverence for Kim Jong Un, touching the spectators.

The first two rounds of the match were held between Hwaebul Team of the DPRK and the team of ex-NBA stars and its last two rounds were played as a mixed game of players of the two countries. Dennis Rodman also played in the match, revving it up. The Hwaebul Team beat the team of ex-NBA stars 47:39 and the White Team trounced the Green Team 63: 54.

Commemorative cups and medals were awarded to the players of the two teams. At the end of the match, Kim Jong Un met the players of the two teams. Kim Jong Un said he watched a good match and wished the American basketball players pleasant days in the DPRK. He had a photo taken with the American basketball players.

Pak Pong Ju, Choe Ryong Hae and Kang Sok Ju watched the match together with their wives.

Global Interest: Tour of the DPRK

Currently, the number of tourists to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is on constant increase, and the global interest in touring the country is showing a growing tendency.

It is, first of all, related to abundant tourist resources in this country.

The DPRK, called a “Land of Morning Calm” from time immemorial, is rich in natural resources for tourism.

In the northern part of the country there is Mt. Paektu (2 750 metres) which is capped with snow in all seasons, demonstrating its grandiose natural beauty. On it is Lake Chon, the largest of its kind in the world. The area of the mountain has been registered as an international biosphere reserve as it presents mysterious and singular natural phenomena and splendid sights of myriads of fantastic rocks and various species of fauna and flora in the primeval forests.

Mts. Kumggang and Chilbo strike visitors with admiration for their beautiful scenery of valleys, mountains and seashore on the east coast. And Mts. Myohyang and Kuwol located in the western region are also scenic spots that can never be missed by tourists.

Cerebrated mountains and scenic spots in the country not only preserve their natural beauty but also are free from environmental pollution.

There are many historical relics and remains in the country which is honoured with the history of 5 000 years.

Typical examples include the Mausoleum of King Tangun where the remains of Tangun, founding-father of the Korean nation, are preserved; Mausoleum of King Tongmyong, founder of Koguryo (277 B.C.-A.D. 668), the strongest nation in the medieval East; the 80 000 Blocks of the Complete Collection of Buddhist Scriptures, the oldest of its kind in the world; mural tombs of the period of Koguryo that have been registered as world cultural heritage; and the historical relics and remains in Kaesong.

There are also numerous structures of lasting value showing the aspects of the age and development of contemporary Korea, including the Tower of the Juche Idea (170 metres), which is the highest of its kind in the world; the Arch of Triumph, which is the largest of its kind in the world; and the 8-km-long West Sea Barrage, which is bigger than the Rance Tidal Power Station in France. The Rason Economic and Trade Zone, which is emerging as a hub of international trade and investment, and the world-standard ski resort on Masik Pass are also focusing tourists’ attention.

Second, the country offers diversified and interesting forms of tourism.

Of late, it has developed specialized tourist modes of various themes such as culture, sports, medical treatment, ecology, aviation, cycling, mountaineering, driving by means of private cars and visit to economic objects, to say nothing of ordinary sightseeing tour.

Aviation tour, composed of seeing, photographing and boarding of full-sized airplanes of different types that the country possesses, is enjoying special popularity among tourists. They are expressing their admiration to the fact that the country still has various types of civilian airplanes high in technical conditions and excellent in preservation of their appearance in spite of their old vintage and long flight service, and that it is one of the few countries in the world which is capable of keeping old-fashioned airplanes on the highest degree of safety.

Cultural tour which enables tourists to obtain a better understanding of the country’s history and culture is also welcomed; the tour includes enjoying the performance by the National Symphony Orchestra, visiting a world-ranking art studio, looking round the Pyongyang Folk Park, a miniature of the 5 000-year-long history of the country, tasting the peculiar Korean dishes and experiencing folk customs.

Medical treatment by spa, mud and mineral water leaves a deep impression on visitors.

Tour of visit to economic objects such as a modern ostrich farm and the Taedonggang Combined Fruit Farm stirs up interests of tourists as they present the real aspects of production activities of the Korean people who are striving to build a thriving nation.

Tourists can also tour the country while driving their own cars.

A wide variety of tourist itineraries, ranging from one day to 15 days according to courses, are available in the country. The itinerary, if wanted, may be limitless.

Third, conditions for tourism in the country have constantly been improved.

The country, which attaches importance to developing tourism, has been laying out in a more excellent way the areas of scenic beauty, including Wonsan and Mt. Chilbo, and the sightseeing courses linking these areas are in the development stage.

In 2013 alone, a large number of modern sports and cultural facilities, such as a ski resort in the region of Masik Pass in the eastern part, and the Munsu Water Park and Mirim Riding Club in Pyongyang, have mushroomed around the country for the development of tourism.

Majon Hotel, Hyangsan Hotel, Yombunjin Hotel and many other hotels have been built or renovated so as to ensure satisfactory service to tourists.

With renovation of the Rajin Port-Wonjong road, traffic for the tour of Rason Economic and Trade Zone has been improved, and charter train service for the tour of Mt. Chilbo started to provide convenience to tourists. In 2013 irregular airlines from Shanghai, Harbin, Xian and Yanji, China, and between Kuala Lumpur and Pyongyang were opened.

The country has taken a series of measures to simplify the exit and entry procedure for the convenience of travellers and to render satisfactory service by interpreters and vehicles.

It is channelling its efforts to expanding cooperation with World Tourism Organization, Asia-Pacific Tourism Association and other international travel organizations, and state-travel agencies and companies in many countries of the world. In 2013 the Second DPRK-China Economic, Trade, Culture and Tourism Expo was held in Dandong, a border city of China, as part of cooperation project.

As is generally known, the country possesses a strong, reliable war deterrent. This enables it to guarantee peace and stability indispensable to tourism.

Go to the DPRK, a mysterious country in the East, a country not widely known to many tourists.

Social Phenomena Characteristic of the DPRK

Foreigners can witness in the DPRK social phenomena characteristic of the country.

People Unaware of House Rent

Foreigners who look round Changjon Street, newly built in Pyongyang, are struck with wonder because most of the householders are common people and they are utterly unaware of house rent. They rather asked about the price of a flat in the West. In fact, if a worker in the West wants to buy such a wonderful house, he must save all his earnings for 100 years. Compared to the reality in the West where many people have to live in rented houses, the reality in the DPRK cannot but be surprising for the people in West.

Residents under Care of Doctors in Charge

The section doctor system has been established in the DPRK. Each doctor in charge of a certain number of households take responsible care of the residents’ health.

In capitalist society the logic that life and money form a functional relation has become ingrained in the minds of the people. So, it is hard for them to understand the fact that the people of the DPRK have their household doctors gratis, which is possible only for the rich in the West.

The resident representative of the World Health Organization to the DPRK said that there is no such a country in the world as the DPRK where the public health system is coordinated so efficiently. Though the West is picking a quarrel with the human rights issue of the DPRK, it has already established a genuine system for human rights which protects the lives of the people free of charge.

Free Education

In 2012 the DPRK announced the enforcement of universal 12-year compulsory education at the Sixth Session of the 12^th Supreme People’s Assembly.

Attention should be paid to the fact that it is a free education system. This country has so far given schooling to students and children free of charge since 1959 when the universal free education system was enforced. After passing through the course of 12-year compulsory education, students are also given free access to such courses of higher education as university and post-graduate school.

The people are filled with a feeling of gratitude to Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, who established this system, and Kim Jong Un, who is developing it further.

No Unemployment

Sudden Increase in Suicide of the Youth from the Failure of Employment, this is the title of an article carried in Yomiuri Shimbun of Japan; it reported in detail the reality of Japan, where the number of the youths in their teens and twenties who attempt suicide after failing to get jobs is on increase.

However, there is no unemployment in the DPRK. There are neither a signboard Labour Exchange nor application for jobs on newspapers and Internet, to say nothing of vagrants on the streets. In this country, the state is entirely responsible for assigning graduates from senior middle schools and universities to suitable jobs.
  In this country people choose their jobs out of the moral sense, not egoism; as this has become a trend of society, it is natural that there will be no one who fails to get a job.

Women with High Dignity

Women in capitalist society take it for granted that they fall prey to a man's lust for money. This is the reality of that society which makes a fuss about civilization and prosperity. It is not abnormal that in that society women sell their chastity for money.

On the contrary, women in the DPRK are leading a dignified life as proud masters of the country and society, some as deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly where they discuss state affairs and some others as managers of factories and enterprises. First-time visitors to the country, enslaved by their way of thinking, try to look for prostitutes in hotels and streets. Those who come in sight are only women going to workplace with a bright smile on their faces.

Society Where Forlorn Crime Cannot Be Found

Crimes often committed in capitalist society are due largely to the social system pursuing personal comfort and pleasure and the view of value that money is almighty. Hair-raisers infested in capitalist society lead to more serious social evils with the accumulation of revengeful psychology.

The DPRK can be called the only country which is free from forlorn crimes. The reason is that the country provides the working people with all sorts of social conditions for leading an abundant life in keeping with the nature of human being; in this society people enjoy an independent and creative life as masters of the state and society.

The people possess the view of value that their activity for the good of the collective and society is valuable and regard it as the highest honour to sacrifice themselves for the sake of others. This is the mental character peculiar to them.  

It is evident that the forlorn crimes cannot be committed in this country in which the people learn and work to their heart’s content and their dignity is guaranteed under the care of society since their birth.

Nothing to Be Angry with

Anti-government demonstrations are an everyday occurrence in capitalist society.

In the DPRK, however, the voices of supporting the country and devoting themselves to society ring out more loudly, instead of indignation and curse.

It is because there is nothing to be angry with. The people in this country are free from the heavy burdens of school registration fee, doctor’s fee, house rent and taxes common in other parts of the world; they enjoy the benefits of the genuine people-oriented policies.

The slogan “Everything for the people and everything by relying on them!” is embodied in all activities of society. Its reality greatly differs from that of the mammonish capitalist world where the law of the jungle governs.