North Korea marked the Day of Songun (August 25) by showcasing Kim Jong Il’s military strengthening initiatives and highlighting the leadership of Kim Jong Un, the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party.
The Workers’ Party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, published an article on August 25 titled, August 25: A Pivotal Day in History. The piece emphasized that this date marked a significant turning point in bolstering the revolutionary armed forces and advancing the Juche revolutionary cause.
The Day of Songun commemorates Kim Jong Il’s visit to the 105th Tank Division on August 25, 1960. This unit was the first to enter Seoul during the Korean War. The day was designated as a public holiday in 2013, marking its 50th anniversary.
The newspaper recounted that on August 25, 1960, the great leader Kim Jong Il took his first steps in guiding our revolutionary forces, leaving an indelible mark on the steel-clad tank division. Further highlighting that day set a revolutionary milestone, establishing the army as a force deeply loyal to the Party and our Supreme Leader Kim Il Sung and the vivid memories of that profound moment still stir strong emotions.
The article referenced key historical events, including the USS Pueblo incident (January 23, 1968), the downing of a U.S. Navy EC-121 reconnaissance aircraft (April 15, 1969), and the Korean axe murder incident (August 18, 1976). These were portrayed as critical confrontations that determined the balance of power in the region. The paper asserted that its nation’s consistent victories stem from the exceptional foresight, courage, and military acumen of the great leader Kim Jong Il, coupled with the invincible might of its armed forces cultivated under his guidance.
The newspaper also claimed that the Kim Jong Il-ization of the entire military was fundamental in transforming the Korean People’s Army into a formidable revolutionary force loyal to the Party.
In conclusion, the article lauded Kim Jong Un’s leadership, crediting him with molding the army into a potent political and ideological force. It claimed that under his guidance, the military has developed absolute loyalty to the Party’s ideology, mastered the Juche combat methods, and acquired the experience necessary to effectively respond to any modern warfare scenario.