Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, attended a concert commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Central Military Band of the Ministry of National Defense.
The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party, reported in its Wednesday front-page article that Kim observed the anniversary concert held the previous day.
The event drew a large audience, including Defense Minister No Kwang-chol, Kim Seong-gi, director of the General Political Bureau of the Army, military commanders, Party Central Committee officials, representatives from Pyongyang’s institutions and enterprises, artists from military and civilian art groups, and soldiers of the Korean People’s Army.
The newspaper reported that the concert opened with the national anthem of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and featured military-themed revolutionary music pieces.
After the performance, Kim met with the performers and praised the Central Military Band, stating that the achievements of the Central Military Band of the Ministry of National Defense have inspired the military through revolutionary music throughout its illustrious history.
He further remarked that where the sounds of military music resound, invincible courage takes flight, adding that the Central Military Band represents the nation and symbolizes the Korean People’s Army, according to the report.
Notably, Kim emphasized that the band should maintain loyalty to the Party, the homeland, and the people, while inspiring the military’s march with revolutionary music through their high artistic skills. In response, the band pledged to motivate the military and the people’s progress in accordance with the decisions made at the Party’s 9th Congress through their performances, the newspaper reported.
The Central Military Band of the Ministry of National Defense has been a key player in major military-related events in North Korea for eight decades, beginning with its first performance at Pyongyang Academy shortly after the country’s liberation.