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History and Historiography in North Korea (1)

(1998 - April 2000)


Brisk Restoration and Preservation of Cultural Relics in Korea

Pyongyang, April 27 (KCNA) -- April is a "month of protection of cultural relics" every year in Korea. This month working people in different parts of the country are actively pushing ahead with the work to restore and reconstruct or preserve cultural relics in their original state. According to information available at the bureau for management and preservation of cultural relics under the Ministry of Culture, many buildings, hanging boards, monuments, tombstones, forts and graves at historical sites such as Ulmil pavilion and Chilsong gate in Pyongyang, Paeksang pavilion in Anju, Onmu pavilion in Nyongbyon and walled town of Jongju were painted, repaired and renovated in a way best suited to seasonal features.

In South Hwanghae Province, the restoration of Samsong temple on Mt. Kuwol is nearing completion. Samsong temple is an ancient temple where people held memorial services for the three saints, that is Tangun and his grandfather and father. The temple consists of 6 buildings. They boast of peculiar Korean national architecture. Restoration is also under way on the principle of historicism at Ryongthong temple in Kaesong. This temple is directly associated with renowned Korean Buddhist Uichon (1055-1101).

The temple is divided into a main temple, graves in the northeastern portion and the northwestern building area. Scores of buildings are now under construction there in ancient temple style architecture. A lot of historical relics such as King Tangun's mausoleum, King Tongmyong's mausoleum, King Wang Kon's mausoleum, Pohyon Temple on Mt. Myohyang, Kwangbop Temple on Mt. Taesong, Songbul temple on Mt. Jongbang, Inphung pavilion in Kanggye and Thonggun pavilion of Uiju took on their original appearance thanks to the policy of the Worker's Party of Korea on preserving national cultural heritages. The Korean Central History Museum, history museums in all provinces of the country and the Korean Folklore Museum, etc. were built splendidly to convey the resourcefulness and patriotic soul of the nation to generations to come.

Foundation of Regular Revolutionary Armed Forces

Pyongyang, April 25 (KCNA) -- The Worker's Party of Korea accomplished the historic cause of army building by re-organizing the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA) which was founded on April 25, 1932 into regular revolutionary armed forces, while leading the building of a new society after liberation. The President Kim Il Sung laid down the principle of building a regular revolutionary army with sons and daughters of workers and peasants and other working people, anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters being its backbone, in his speech made before military and political cadres on august 20, Juche 34 (1945).

Wreaths Laid Before Statue and Grave of Kang Pan Sok

Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- Senior party and state officials, working people and servicemen visited the statue of Kang Pan Sok at the Chilgol Revolutionary Site and her grave in Mangyongdae this morning to lay wreaths before them on the occasion of the 108th anniversary of her birth. Kang Pan Sok was an indomitable revolutionary fighter and an outstanding leader of the Korean communist women's movement. Seen at the statue and grave were wreaths from General Secretary Kim Jong Il. Yang Hyong Sop and Choe Yong Rim were among those present at the wreath-laying ceremonies. Laid amid the playing of music were wreaths in the name of the WPK Central Committee, the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly and the DPRK cabinet, commissions and ministries of the cabinet, national institutions, working people's organizations, KPA units and party and power bodies, farms and schools in Pyongyang.

Mass Movements Staged for Building New Society

Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- The Worker's Party of Korea (WPK) staged vigorous mass movements in the early period of the building of a new society. Right after the country's liberation a lot of Korean people were not freed from the outdated ideological survivals and custom left over from the colonial society of the Japanese imperialists. Some officials did not believe in the people's strength as they indulged in bureaucracy and were affected by flunkeyism. All this adversely affected the building of a new society. As a result, at least 18,700 peasants participated in the patriotic rice-donating movement in the agricultural field only at the end of December Juche 35 (1946).

History of Nationalization of Major Industries

Pyongyang, April 14 (KCNA) -- A work for the nationalization of major industries was energetically pushed ahead with in Korea after the liberation of the country in August Juche 34 (1945).  The building of new democratic Korea could be sped up and an independent development of the national economy ensured only when the working class of Korea owned the key economic branches which had been held by the Japanese imperialists. The Worker's Party of Korea defined in a unique manner objects, principle and method of the nationalization in conformity with the specific conditions at that time. The principle was to confiscate without compensation all factories, mines, railways, communications, banks, trade and cultural establishments, etc., which had been in the hands of the Japanese imperialists and comprador capitalists.

Pyongyang Boasts its Ancient History

Pyongyang, April 12 (KCNA) -- Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, has an ancient history and civilization. It existed as a capital of 3 dynasties of Kojoson (ancient Korea) for nearly 3000 years from the time when Tangun set up the first ancient state, Kojoson, and chose Pyongyang as its capital more than 5000 years back to the early 30th century B.C. to 108 B.C. After the fall of Kojoson, the city became the capital of Rakrang State set up by the people of fallen Kojoson. It was a political, economic and cultural hub in the north-western part of Korea. The position and role of Pyongyang were carried forward by Koguryo, a powerful state that existed for 1000 years after the collapse of Kojoson. Koguryo shifted its capital to Pyongyang in 427 as the nation's ancient history and culture originated from this city. Koryo, which emerged as the first unified state on the Korean peninsula with an idea of rebuilding great Koguryo, pressed ahead with the building of Pyongyang from the very day of its foundation. The rehabilitation of Pyongyang was the first job done by Wang Kon, the first king of Koryo, right after his foundation of the state in 918.

All these facts are clear evidence that Pyongyang was the cradle of the Korean nation and the capital city of Tangun's Korea. There are in Pyongyang King Tangun's mausoleum, father of Koguryo King Tongmyong's mausoleum, the Mt. Taesong castle and the walled city of Pyongyang and many other historical relics which bear witness to its 5000-year long history. Today Pyongyang is known as the capital of Juche Korea and a time-honoured sacred place.

Foreigners visit Paeksong Revolutionary Site

Pyongyang, April 11 (KCNA) -- Officials in charge of cultural and friendly relations of foreign embassies here visited the Paeksong Revolutionary Site on Monday on the occasion of Sun's Day, the birth anniversary of the President Kim Il Sung. The site is situated in Phyongsong, South Phyongan Province. It is where Kim Il Sung University was located during the Fatherland Liberation War. In April, Juche 41 (1952) President Kim Il Sung called at the university and gave confidence in victory to its teachers and students and unfolded a grand plan for postwar rehabilitation and construction and socialist construction. The visitors laid bunches of flowers before the President's statue at the site and paid their respects to him. They looked round the place where the President made a historic speech before the teachers and students at that time, the Paeksong Revolutionary Museum, the then main university quarters, mess hall and others.

Revolutionary Battle Sites in Area of Mt. Paektu

Pyongyang, April 3 (KCNA) -- There are many revolutionary battle sites in the area of Mt. Paektu in Korea. Over ten secret camps have been restored to the status quo on Mt. Paektu, Saja Hill, Mt. Kom, Mt. Kanbaek and so on. The secret camp on Mt. Paektu was a revolutionary fortress where the main force of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army was active in the latter half of the 1930s and the first half of the 1940s and a guiding centre of the Korean revolution.

Agrarian Reform in the DPRK

Pyongyang, April 6 (KCNA) -- After the liberation of Korea from the Japanese colonial rule in August Juche 34 (1945) the Worker's Party of Korea made the agrarian reform, a top priority for the building of a new society. The WPK worked hard for the successful agrarian reform, true to the class policy of relying on the poor and hired peasants, isolating the rich peasants by allying with the middle peasants and liquidating the landlords. The historic task of the agrarian reform was carried out in a matter of some 20 days.

Kojoson ( ancient Korea ) and its Influence

Pyongyang, April 5 (KCNA) -- Kojoson (ancient Korea) was the first ancient state established by Tangun, the ancestral father of the nation, early in the 30th century B.C. Before its foundation a tribe called Pakdal(paedal) living in the western part of Korea with Pyongyang as its center merged with its neighboring tribes to form a united tribe. As their community gained in its scope and property increased, it was not possible to maintain and manage it by a political tool based on a primitive system of democracy.

New stamps

Pyongyang, March 30 (KCNA) -- The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunictions has recently issued three stamps (setenant) featuring Pongsan masque dance, a Korean folk dance of antiquity. This masque dance originated in northwestern Korea centring on Pongsan (Sariwon) towards the end of Koryo dynasty (918-1392). It further developed to meet the Korean people's evolving aesthetic tastes before it greeted its glory days in the late 19th century through the turn of the 20th century. Depicted are chuibari, ryangban and malttugi masque dances. The dance is a precious heritage of Korean folk dance.

South Korean Authorities Assailed

Pyongyang, March 28 (KCNA) -- A "cenotaph" to the GIs killed in the Korean War is expected to be erected near River Rimjin flowing through Phaju close to Panmunjom under "full cooperation" from the South Korean authorities. The erection of the "cenotaph" is reportedly meant to mark 50 years since the U.S. launched a war of aggression against the Korean people.

Rodong Sinmun today in a commentary describes this as a burlesque to call back the departed soul of the GIs who died a dog's death in the war of aggression. It is intended to embellish the U.S. aggressors and incite a second war to invade the DPRK, the commentary notes, and goes on: The South Korean authorities decided to erect the "cenotaph" to the U.S. war dead in South Korea which is dyed with the blood of those fellow countrymen killed by them and are keen on the project at a time when all the countrymen are shaking with burning hatred against the U.S. imperialist ogres and their pledge to take revenge upon them. This is an intolerable treachery. This thrice-cursed crime can be committed only by flunkeyists, war servants and traitors without equal who are keen on currying favour with the U.S. and Japan, their masters, even by selling off the national pride and dignity. History and the nation will never pardon and connive at this insult and mockery.

Military Attaches Corps Visits Revolutionary Sites

Pyongyang, March 24 (KCNA) -- The military attaches corps visited the Hakdanggol Revolutionary Site and Sunhwa school on March 23 on the occasion of the 83rd anniversary of the inauguration of the Korean National Association (anti-Japanese underground revolutionary organization) by Kim Hyong Jik.

The Hakdanggol Revolutionary Site (located in the centre of Pyongyang) is a place where Kim Hyong Jik inaugurated the Korean National Association. Members of the military attaches corps looked round the revolutionary site, being briefed on the dynamic struggle waged by him to achieve the independence of the country by the Koreans themselves. They also visited Sunhwa school (Mangyongdae district) which is associated with his patriotic educational activities. He was the father of the President Kim Il Sung and an indomitable revolutionary fighter and outstanding leader of the anti-Japanese national liberation movement in Korea.

Origin of Koreans

Pyongyang, March 22 (KCNA) -- Korea is well known to the world as one of the cradles of human civilization. The Korean nation originated from the Korean peninsula with Pyongyang as its center. This was scientifically explained and proved by historians. But Japanese government-patronized historians distorted the history by describing the Korean nation as a tribe of mixed blood made up of emigrants from Siberia or southeast Asia. So, it was necessary to explicitly clarify the origin of the Korean nation from the Juche-oriented stand...

Idea of Aim High

Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- Kim Hyong Jik, an indomitable revolutionary fighter, set forth the idea of "Jiwon" (aim high) in the early 20th century. This is a precious spiritual heritage for the Korean people. "Jiwon" means to have a lofty aim. Kim Hyong Jik said: If I fall in battle, my son will continue the fight, if my son cannot accomplish the cause, my grandson must fight until we win our nation's independence. These words carry the idea of "Jiwon." This idea served as banner held aloft by the Korean National Association, which was a pivotal organization of the anti-Japanese national liberation movement from the latter half of the 1910s to the middle of the 1920s, and a guideline in leading its all activities.

DPRK Foreign Ministry memorandum on GI mass killings

Pyongyang, March 22 (KCNA) -- The DPRK Foreign Ministry issued a memorandum yesterday documenting the truth about the U.S. troops' mass killings of innocent Koreans during the Korean War (June 1950-July 1953).

Cultural relics under excellent protection

Pyongyang, March 21 (KCNA) -- In Korea, significant efforts are channelled into preservation of historical heritages despite serious economic downturn. The Pyongyang cultural heritage management company repainted the Ryongwang Pavilion (early 16th century) and other cultural relic units last year and installed a new hammer and support for the Pyongyang bell in February this year. The Pyongyang bell, at Taedongmun-dong in central district, Pyongyang, was cast in bronze in 1726 over a period of four months.It measures 3.1 metres in height and 1.6 metres in diameter and weighs 13.513 tons, and harbors a variety of patterns and an inscription of its history.

It had been rung for emergency alarms and clocking chimes until the 1890s and normally at 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. with its 28 ringing blows at 10 p.m. four gates of the inner wall of Pyongyang were shut down simultaneously to bar the passage of people and vehicles, before they were opened with the bell's 33 blows at 4 a.m. in the event of foreign invasion, it rang in ceaseless rounds. The hammer, a recent imitation of the original, is 2.5 metres in length and 0.2 metre in diameter, while the support is a three-piece one. The aforesaid company and similar bodies across the country are now bracing for the upcoming "month of cultural relics protection" in April.

Songs Dating Back to Period of Enlightenment Discovered and Studied

Pyongyang, March 17 (KCNA) -- The DPRK has made many achievements in the in-depth study of songs dating back to the period of enlightenment. In recent years the central committee of the Korean Musicians Union and the national music research room of Pyongyang University of Music and Dance have discovered and studied hundreds of songs dating back to the period of enlightenment, including new folk songs "Song of Yongchun" and "Korean Tharyong" and children's song "Half Moon." Those songs appeared in the middle of the 19th century as part of a campaign for new culture. They were disseminated after taking formal shape as a new variety of music in the 1920s-1930s.

Family of Film Artistes

Pyongyang, March 16 (KCNA) -- People's Artiste O Hyang Mun, 79, at the Korean Film Studio is a broad favorite of the public with a nearly 30-year-long career of dubbing-in recital. He is far better known by his voice than by his face. Originally a drama actor, he earned a speedy appeal because of the distinctive charm of his voice and intonation. Later he was taken on by the Korean Film Studio and had since been preoccupied with dubbing imported foreign films. His premiere cue was the dubbing-in for the leading character of the former Soviet feature film "King Lear".

Historic Meeting on Mt. Wangjae

Pyongyang, March 10 (KCNA) -- A historic meeting of weighty importance in the struggle to liberate the country from the Japanese colonial rule took place on March 11, Juche 22 (1933). The President Kim Il Sung advanced into the Onsong area, the northern border area of Korea, leading a unit of the guerrilla army, and convened a meeting of chiefs of underground revolutionary organisations and political workers in the Onsong area on Mt. Wangjae.

At the meeting he made a historic speech "to spread and develop the armed struggle into the homeland." He put forward the tasks of revolutionary organisations in the homeland to spread and develop the armed struggle into the homeland, firmly unite the whole nation into a political force under the banner of anti-Japanese national united front based on worker-peasant alliance and push ahead with mass movement and preparations for party founding. His speech served as an action program and guidelines for struggle of the Korean communists and other people in expanding and developing the Korean revolution as a whole centering around the anti-Japanese armed struggle.

The guerrilla base built in broad area on the River Tuman, the northern tip of Korea, after the meeting made it possible to secure the fountainhead of the Korean revolution, a military strategic base and supply base of the anti-Japanese people's guerrilla army with which to develop the Korean revolution as a whole centering around the anti-Japanese armed struggle. Preserved in the original status in the Onsong area are the meeting place and other revolutionary sites that show the achievements made under the leadership of the President and his exploits in the struggle. Standing there are the grand monument to the meeting on Mt. Wangjae with the statue of the President, the Wangjaesan revolutionary museum and the monument to revolutionary activities on Mt. Wangjae to convey his revolutionary exploits to posterity for all ages.

Papers Observe Anniversary of March 1st Popular Uprising

Pyongyang, March 1 (KCNA) -- Papers here today dedicate editorials to the 81st anniversary of the March 1st Popular Uprising, a resistance of all the Korean people against the brigandish Japanese imperialists. The uprising was an all-people resistance and a nationwide patriotic struggle against the brigandish Japanese aggressors which was waged in every corner of the country and even overseas where Koreans resided with the massive anti-Japanese demonstration held in Pyongyang as a torch. Rodong Sinmun says that the March 1st Popular Uprising showed the Korean people are the people with steadfast independence who do not want to become slaves to others and the brave and patriotic people who wage stubborn struggle against the aggressors without flinching from sacrifices. The paper says that the desire of the demonstrators has been realized only in the half of the country but the outsiders' colonial rule continues in South Korea as yet. The paper goes on: The Korean nation should get the foreign forces withdrawn from South Korea and accomplish the cause of the country's reunification to realise the national sovereignty throughout the country.

Fundamental Question of Juche Philosophy

Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) -- A fundamental question of philosophy means the most basic one that serves as a starting point among the questions which the philosophy should answer to fulfil its mission. The former philosophy presented the correlation between matter and consciousness, between being and thinking as the fundamental question of philosophy. But the Juche philosophy raised from a new angle the relations between the world and man, and man's position and role in the world as the fundamental question of philosophy. 

The fundamental question of the Juche philosophy indicates a most right path of shaping man's destiny. Since man lives and develops in the world his destiny is hewed out in the relationship with the world. Therefore, the popular masses should dominate and transform the world to hew out their destiny and have a correct understanding of and view on the world. For this, it is necessary to correctly know what is the essential characteristics of man and what kind of force dominates, transforms and develops the world. Hence, the Juche philosophy raised from a new angle the relations between man and the world as its fundamental question alone can give a correct answer as to who is the master of the world and what is the motive force for transforming and reshaping it.

The human history of philosophy has thus been enriched with a philosophy which has raised man's position and role in the world as its fundamental question different from the former one which takes relations between matter and consciousness as its fundamental question. The Juche philosophy's clarification of this fundamental issue marked a miracle in the history of human thinking as it ushered in an era guided by the man-centred philosophy.

Bust of Kim Chaek Erected

Pyongyang, February 23 (KCNA) -- A bust of a communist revolutionary fighter Kim Chaek was erected at the Kim Chaek Air Force University. Kim Chaek (1903-1951) was a true communist of Korea, who embarked on the revolutionary struggle in his early days and devoted himself to the liberation of the country, people's happiness, prosperity and development of the country and the victory of the Juche revolutionary cause under the leadership of the President Kim Il Sung.

He participated in the anti-Japanese armed struggle organized and led by the President and greatly contributed to the final victory of the anti-Japanese war. After the liberation of the country he made a distinguished contribution to the cause of the building of the party, country and army, true to the President's intention to build a new country. During the Fatherland Liberation War he greatly contributed to the victory of the war by acting as a front commander. The President saw to it that a city, a university, a unit of the Korean People's Army and military schools were named after him to shine his exploits down through generations. An unveiling ceremony of the bust was held at the university on Tuesday. A wreath sent by General Secretary Kim Jong Il was laid before his bust. Wreaths were laid in the name of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces, the Kim Chaek Air Force University, bereaved family and others. Minister of the People's Armed Forces Kim Il Chol made a speech.

NORTH KOREANS CELEBRATE THEIR LEADER'S BIRTHDAY

Segodnya's Natalia Roslova reported that on February 15, on the eve of DPRK leader Kim Jong-il's 58th birthday, DPRK servicemen pledged to be faithful to him.  The event took place at one of Pyongyang's squares, where DPRK Minister of People's Armed Forces Kim Il-cher addressed 6000 troops.  There is little hope to see Kim Jong-il himself at the official events.  According to the official version, he was born in "a hidden camp" in the mountains of Korea during the anti-Japanese resistance war, but another version says he was born in a Siberian village in the USSR. Segodnya's Natalia Roslova ("NORTH KOREANS CELEBRATE THEIR LEADER'S BIRTHDAY," Moscow, 4, 02/16/00)

Attempt to Twist History of Japan's Occupation of Korea

Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article rails against the Japanese reactionaries for asserting that the Japanese imperialists' occupation of Korea was not one by military forces. Pointing out that they cited the "treaties" and "agreements" fabricated by the Japanese imperialists between 1905 and 1910 to support their argument, the article dismissed this as a brazen-faced attempt to justify their military occupation of Korea.

Mass Foundation for Party Building

Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- The mass foundation for building the Worker's Party of Korea was laid and consolidated during the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle (1925-1945). Korean communists worked hard to awaken the masses to consciousness and unite them in organizations in the rigorous period of the armed struggle, the main trend of revolution at that time.

Foreign Guests Visit Revolutionary Museum

Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- The economic and commercial counsellors' corps here visited the revolutionary museum at Kim Il Sung University yesterday on the occasion of the birthday of General Secretary Kim Jong Il. They looked round historic materials and relics with deep attention, being briefed on the ideological and theoretical exploits Kim Jong Il performed through his energetic pursuit and thinking after joining the university and on the wise leadership he provided to develop the university into one of the President Kim Il Sung.

Rodong Sinmun on Different Linguistic Situation

Pyongyang, February 8 (KCNA) -- The north and the south of Korea stand in sharp contrast in the use of language which may decide the rise or fall of a nation, said Rodong Sinmun on Monday in a signed article. History of each nation's rise or fall is just that of its language's rise or fall, the paper noted, stressing that this has been proven by the history of the Korean nation and the present-day realities of the north and the south of Korea.

Foreign Guests Visit Revolutionary Museum of Ministry of Culture

Pyongyang, February 4 (KCNA) -- Diplomatic envoys and embassy officials of Arab countries in Pyongyang visited the Revolutionary Museum of the Ministry of Culture on Thursday on the occasion of the auspicious holiday of February.  The guests looked round historic relics and materials, being briefed on the fact that the great leader Kim Jong Il set forth the unique idea for the development of the Juche-based literature and art and has wisely led it. And they went round the mock-up location streets of the Korean film studio.

Birthday Table Sent to Professor Pak Si-hyong 

Pyongyang, January 24 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il sent a birthday table to academician, professor and doctor Pak Si Hyong on his 90th birthday. It was conveyed to him on January 16, who is "Kim Il Sung Prize" winner and labour hero. Kim Jong Il was so gracious as to send him birthday tables on his 70th and 80th birthdays, too. Pak is a researcher of the faculty of history at Kim Il Sung University. He has devoted himself to scientific researches and the education of the younger generation at the university and the Academy of Social Sciences for more than 50 years. He is author of at least 30 textbooks and reference books, including "Korean History of Ancient and Middle Ages," "Korean History of Land System" (two volumes), "Monument To the Mausoleum of King Kwanggaetho" and "History of Palhae." He has trained scores of students as doctors and masters.

Recent Collections of Cultural Relics

Pyongyang, January 22 (KCNA) -- The Korean Folklore Museum now displays a recent collection of cultural relics from Koryo (918-1392) and the Ri dynasty (1392-1910). The collection gives a glimpse of Korean customs and craftsmanship

Revolutionary Anecdotes about Kim Jong Suk

Pyongyang, December 21 (KCNA) -- In North Korea there are a number of anecdotes about revolutionary activities and noble personality of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk. An anecdote "secret of marksmanship" says that she cultivated the skill of marksmanship in the period of the anti-Japanese armed struggle to remain intensely loyal to the President Kim Il Sung.    

60th Death Anniversary of O Jung Hup Commemorated

Pyongyang, December 17 (KCNA) -- Today commemorates the 60th death anniversary of O Jung Hup, a communist revolutionary fighter. O Jung Hup was a hot-blooded loyal subject who distinguished himself in devotedly defending the leader in the period of the arduous anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle and a competent commanding officer of the Korean people's revolutionary army. He died a heroic death during a battle in northeastern part of Mt. Paektu on December 17, Juche 28 (1939).

Biggest Gilded Bronze Statue of Buddha Made by Korean

There is the world's biggest gilded bronze statue of Buddha at Todai Temple in Nara Prefecture, Japan. "Great statue of Buddha in Nara" is 16 metres high and 380 tons in weight and his finger is as big as the height of a man. It took 14 years for a Korean called Kuk Ma-Ryo to make the statue after he began working on it in 743.

Reconstruction of Ryongthong Temple

The research group including the archaeological institute of the Academy of Social Sciences and the office for the study of the architectural history of Pyongyang University of Construction and Building Materials finished the design for Ryongthong Temple reconstruction on the basis of survey of the temple site at the foot of Mt. Ogwan in Ryonghung-ri, Kaesong, and historical data related to it.

U Chi-son - Famous Ceramic Artist

U Chi-son, who was interested in the clay art in his early days, tried to become a ceramic craftsman by all means but his simple hope could never be achieved during the colonial rule by the Japanese. It was only after the liberation of the country (August, 1945) that his hope and talents could come true. At that time, Koryo celadon was being extirpated without technique of making it handed down. He succeeded in restoring the secret method of making Koryo celadon with painful pursuit and efforts while working at the Koryo ceramic institute and pottery factories.

Paleolithic Cave Unearthed

Pyongyang, November 15 (KCNA) -- A Group for the Study of the History of Human Evolution of Kim Il Sung University recently unearthed a cave belonging to the Paleolithic age at a quarry in Kumok-ri, Sungho district, Pyongyang.

Meeting of scholars from North, South and overseas for reunification

A meeting of scholars from the North, South and overseas was held in Beijing from Oct. 26 to 27. On the basis of the Juche-oriented view on the historical background against which the problem of the country's reunification was raised and its root cause and the core and nature of the reunification issue, they stressed that the country must be reunified according to the three-point charter of national reunification.

Statue of Kim Chol-ju Erected

Kim Chol Ju was born on June 12, Juche 5 (1916) in Mangyongdae. Receiving revolutionary education from his parents and guidance from the President Kim Il Sung, he nurtured anti-Japanese patriotic idea and high class awareness and grew up to be an indomitable communist revolutionary fighter possessed of noble revolutionary spirit and virtue

North Korea's Educational Policy

Education in North Korean "revolutionary tradition," which in fact refers to the history of Kim Il-sung's anti-Japanese struggles in the 1930s, began in 1961 following the decision of the 4th Workers Party Congress in September that year.

"All North Korean History Books are Mere Tools to Promote the Personality Cult of Kim Il-sung..." 

Until North Korean dictator Kim Il-sung declared the Juch'e (Self-reliance) Idea as the guiding principle for his rule in 1955, studies of Korean history in the North had been active in terms of new periodization and interpretation based on the orthodox Communist view. But after Kim established his inflexible dictatorship in the late 1960s, North Korean historians had to rewrite Korean history itself in such a way as to promote the personality cult of Kim and his relatives.

"Kim Jong-Il's Historical Lessons"

At the seminar a student asked a question about the emergence of various factions which had existed in the Korean communist movement such as the "Shanghai group'', ''Irkutsk group'', ''Tuesday group'', "Seoul group'' and about the origin of these names. In other words, he wanted the details of the history of factions. Silence reigned in the room...

Personality Cult in North Korea

Kim Il-sung University in Pyongyang maintains 6 departments specializing in Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. They include the Department of Kim Il-sung's Revolutionary History, the Department of Kim Jong-il's Revolutionary History, the Department of Kim Il- sung's Works, and the Department of Kim Jong-il's Works.


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