Kim Jong Un applauds during the Moranbong Band concert. Also in attendance are Kim Yo Jong (1st L), Choe Ryong Hae (2nd L), Ri Sol Ju (3rd (L), VMar Hwang Pyong So (2nd R) and Kim Ki Nam (right) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).
DPRK state media reported on 20 May (Tuesday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) attended a concert by the Moranbong Band at the 25 April House of Culture in Pyongyang to congratulate participants in the 9th national meeting of artistes. Also in attendance was Ri Sol Ju (KJU’s wife), VMar Hwang Pyong So (Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department), Kim Ki Nam (Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Secretary and Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department), Choe T’ae Bok (KWP Secretary and Chairman of the Supreme People’s Assembly), Choe Ryong Hae (KWP Secretary and Director of the Workers’ Organizations Department), Kim Yo Jong (KWP Department Senior Deputy [1st Vice[ Director and KJU's sister), along with senior KWP and KPA officials and participants in the artistes' meeting.
Moranbong Band gig at the 25 April House of Culture in Pyongyang to congratulate participants in the 9th national meeting of artistes (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).
After arriving to cheers from the audience, Kim Jong Un “warmly acknowledged the enthusiastic cheers of the audience.” According to KCNA he “shook hands with persons of merit in the field of literature and arts who made contributions to the development of Chuch’e-based literature and arts, true to the guidance of President Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so’ng) and leader Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il) and highly praised their feats.” The performance began with the DPRK national anthem and the playlist included “Thought of Love,” “The Sound of a Horse’s Hooves in Mt. Paektu,” “Thinking of the General” “Series of World Famous Music, “Dash Toward the Future,” and “People are United in Single Mind.” According to KCNA the Moranbong Band players “truthfully represented the profound reverence for Kim Jong Un who glorifies the undying leadership feats Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il performed by giving origin to the revolutionary literature and arts and providing their precious tradition and ushers in a heyday of Chuch’e-based literature and arts in the new century.” The band also “impressively dealt with the stirring reality of the times in which a dynamic drive for creating the Korean speed is in full swing, the harmonious whole between the leader and the people based on love and affection and the high pride and self-esteem of the people creating high socialist civilization.” When the performance was complete KJU beckoned the band member to him, “congratulated them on their successful presentation” and waved to the audience.
Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol Ju greet members of Moranbong Band after their concert (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).
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