Kim Jong Un delivers a congratulatory address at a banquet hosted on 21 December 2012 by the KWP Central Committee for scientists and personnel who participated in the 12 December 2012 launch of the U’nha-3 rocket and Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-3 satellite. (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)
DPRK state media reported on 21 December (Friday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) and his wife Ri Sol Ju (Ri So’l-chu) attended a banquet honoring Korean Committee for Space Technology personnel who contributed to or participated in the 12 December 2012 launch of the U’nha-3 rocket. The banquet was held at central Pyongyang’s Moknan House, the hexagonal-shaped banquet hall for Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Central Committee and DPRK Government functions. KJU’s last reported public appearance was his visit to Ku’msusan Memorial Palace to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of his father, Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il). Attending the banquet with KJU and RSJ were Kim Yong Nam (Supreme People’s Assembly Presidium President) Choe Yong Rim (DPRK Cabinet Premier), Gen. Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department [bureau]), Jang Song Taek (Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission and Director of the KWP Administration Department), Gen. Hyon Yong Chol (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Gen. Kim Kyok Sik (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces) Kim Kyong Hui (KJU’s aunt and KWP Secretary and Department Director) Pak To Chun (KWP Secretary of Machine-Building Industries), Ju Kyu Chang (Director of the KWP Machine-Building Industry Department) and Choe Chun Sik (President of the Second Academy of Natural Sciences and a leading official in the U’nha-3 launch).
Kim Jong Un (4th L) and his wife Ri Sol Ju (3rd L) applaud during a performance by the Moranbong Band at a banquet celebrating the 12 December 2012 launch of the U’nha-3 rocket. Also in this image are: Jang Song Taek (L), Choe Ryong Hae (2nd L), Choe Chun Sik (4th R), Kim Yong Nam (3rd R), Choe Yong Rim (2nd R) and Pak To Chun (R) (Photo: KCNA)
A view of the banquet (Photo: KCNA)
Mokran House (also known as Banquet Hall #9) (Photo: Google image)
Also in attendance were Members and Alternates (candidate members) of the KWP Political Bureau: Kim Ki Nam (KWP Secretary and Director of the Propaganda and Agitation [publicity and information] Department), Choe Tae Bok (KWP Secretary and SPA Chairman), VMar Kim Yong Chun (NDC Vice Chairman and Director of the KWP Civil Defense Department), Kang Sok Ju (DPRK Cabinet Vice Premier), VMar Hyon Chol Hae (1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces and Director of the KPA General Logistics Department), Gen. Kim Won Hong (Minister of State Security), Gen. Ri Myong Su (Minister of People’s Security), Kim Yang Gon (KWP Secretary and Director of the United Front Department), Kim Yong Il (KWP Secretary and Director of the International Affairs Department), Kim P’yo’ng-hae (KWP Secretary and Director of Cadres Affairs), Kwak Pom Gi (KWP Secretary and Director of the Finance and Planning Department), Mun Kyong Dok (Chief Secretary of the Pyongyang City [municipal] KWP Committee), Ro Tu Chol (DPRK Cabinet Vice Premier and Chairman of the State Planning Commission), Col Gen. Ri Pyong Sam (Director of the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces’ Political Bureau) and Jo Yon Jun (Senior Deputy [1st Vice] Director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department].
During the banquet, the Moranbong Band gave a performance which KCNA said “sang high praises of the undying revolutionary exploits Kim Jong Il performed for accomplishing the cause of building a space power and expressed profound thanks to Marshal Kim Jong Un” and “emphasized that the ardent patriotism of the scientists, technicians, workers and officials who fully displayed their fervent enthusiasm and creative wisdom for the successful lift-off of the satellite would be recorded as a brilliant exploit in the history of building a thriving nation.”
A view of the dining room at Mokran House as Kim Jong Un delivers a congratulatory speech to Korean Committee for Space Technology personnel who participated in the launch of the U’nha-3 carrier rocket on 12 December 2012 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)
Kim Jong Un delivered a congratulatory speech during the banquet. According to a gist in KCNA, KJU said:
The successful launch of the satellite, an aggregate of latest science and technology, is a great event specially recorded in the 5 000-year-long history of the Korean nation which was provided by the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il and the Workers’ Party of Korea’s policy of attaching importance to science and technology and a great auspicious event of all people, a product of the painstaking efforts and heroic struggle of you present here.
Long ago Kim Jong Il laid down strategic policies for developing carrier rockets and satellites true to the noble intention of President Kim Il Sung who set forth the great idea of conquering space and explored an untrodden path, laying a strong springboard from which to radically develop the nation’s space science and technology.
Scientists and technicians wound up the scientific research for improving the reliability and precision of the carrier rocket and the satellite in a short span of time through persevering inquiry and painstaking efforts. They successfully launched off the satellite despite severe cold in winter without exerting any influence on neighboring countries and thus powerfully demonstrated our space science and technology at the ultra modern level before the whole world.
Satellite Kwangmyo’ngso’ng 3-2 which the scientists, technicians and workers successfully launched is a Chuch’e satellite as everything including designing, manufacture, assembly, lift-off and monitoring devices after the blast-off was indigenously produced 100 percent.
The successful satellite launch is the greatest gift our people presented to Kim Jong Il and a shining review of the heroic struggle of the party and people this year.
The launch on which hinged the dignity of the nation was a grand declaration that demonstrated the DPRK’s independent and legitimate right to use space for peaceful purposes before the world and a historic event that showed the over-all national power of Military-First (so’ngun) Korea.You successfully launched the satellite, true to the behests of Kim Jong Il on the historic day when President Kim Il Sung conducted a test-fire of the first submachine gun manufactured in the country. So you are genuine soldiers and disciples of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and the most admirable heroes of the country. Our country is strong and the revolutionary cause of the party is steadily making victorious progress as we have such genuine patriots as you.
Our party and people will never forget the heroic feats you performed by bringing about the great auspicious event of today but brilliantly record them in the history of dignified Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il’s Korea for all ages.
It is the fixed determination and will of our party to achieve the final victory of the revolution under the uplifted banner of Chuch’e and build the strongest power, people’s paradise looked up by the world on the 3 000-ri (11, 781 km; 7, 320 miles) land.
Our party believes all present here as the most loyal comrades-in-arms and expects that you would continue to play a pioneer role in the general charge for building a thriving nation.
The present era is the age of science and technology and the age of knowledge-based economy and the national power is decided by the level of the development of science and technology. The position and prospect of the country and the nation hinge on it.
Our party pays deep attention to developing space science and technology which constitute the acme of ultramodern science and technology and regards the possession of satellites and carrier rockets as an important issue in building a great prosperous and powerful nation.
Cherish the party’s idea and intentions, further raising the hot wind of pushing back the frontiers of the latest science and technology to occupy space and thus glorifying our country as a space power admired by the world.
You should develop and launch a variety of more working satellites including communications satellite and carrier rockets of bigger capacity with the same spirit and stamina with which you successfully launched satellite Kwangmyongsong 3-2.
You will tower high over the world by waging a campaign of brains and a campaign of ability under the uplifted motto of looking at the world, keeping their feet planted on the ground and demonstrate the honor of the country and the resourcefulness of the nation before the world.
Only victory and glory are in store for the Korean people dynamically advancing amid blessings of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
No force on earth can block the advance of the powerful country unshakable in ideology and strong thanks to science and technology and the great people united close around the party.
Let us leap forward higher and faster on swift horses of science and technology for the prosperity of the great Mt. Paektu (Paektusan) nation and the happiness of the people.
Let us make redoubled efforts to bring earlier the day when we will fly the red flag of victory on the eminence of a thriving nation.
After KJU’s remarks, KCNA reported that “the scientists, technicians, workers and officials broke into rousing cheers, looking up to him who congratulated them on the success though he made indefatigable, devoted efforts for the satellite lift-off.”
Earlier on Friday (21 December), KCST personnel toured the Pyongyang Cornstarch Factory. At the end of the tour they danced with factory workers “ rejoiced over launching the first scientific and technological satellite by their own efforts and technologies and successfully carrying out the behests of leader Kim Jong Il.” The KCST personnel also visited the Ice Rink in central Pyongyang where they watched a hockey game and, according to KCNA, “enjoyed skating after the match.’
KCST personnel tour the Pyongyang Cornstarch Factory (L) and look at some of the factory’s products (R) (Photos: KCNA)
KCST personnel watch an ice hockey game at the Ice Rink in central Pyongyang (Photos: KCNA)
Filed under: Administration Department, Cadre Affairs, Central Committee, Central Military Committee, Choe Ryong Hae, Choe Tae Bok, Choe Yong Rim, Col. Gen. Ri Pyong Sam, colonel general, critical infrastructure, DPRK Cabinet, DPRK Premier, Finance and Accounting, Financial Planning Department, Gen. Kim Kyok Sik, Gen. Kim Won Hong, Gen. Ri Myong Su, General Affairs, gsd, gsob, Guard Command, Hyon Yong Chol, International Department, Jang Song-thaek, Jo Yon Jun (OGD), Kang Sok Ju, Kim Jong Un Visits, Kim Jong-il, Kim Jong-un, Kim Ki Nam, Kim Phyong Hae (Cadres/NPYPPC), Kim Yang Gon, Kim Yong Il (IAD), Kim Yong Nam, KJI Personal Secretariat, KKH, Korea Committee for Space Technology, Korean People's Army (KPA), Korean Workers' Party (KWP), KPA General Political Bureau, KPA General Political Department, KPA General Staff, kpif, Kwak Pom Gi, Kwangmyongsong-3, KWP Science and Education Department, Light Industry Department, ministry of people's security, Ministry of State Security, Ministry of the People's Armed Forces (MPAF), Mokran House, MPAF GPB, National Defense Commission (NDC), North Korean press, Organization and Guidance Department, Pak To Chun, Political Bureau, Propaganda and Agitation Department, Provincial Party Committees, Provinicial People's Committee, Ri Sol Ju (Kim Jong Un's wife), Ro Tu Chol, Second Economic Committee, Second Economy Commission, Secretariat, Sohae Space Launching Station, State Academy of Sciences, State Planning Commission (SPC), State Science and Technology Commission, State Security Department, Supreme People's Assembly, United Front Department, VMar Kim Yong Chun, Working Organizations
