Kim Jong Un Attends Ri Ul Sol’s wake
Kim Jong Un pays his respects at the casket bier of MAR Ri Ul Sol at the Central Hall of Workers in Pyongyang on November 8, 2015 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).
KJU’s last observed appearance was a photo-op with participants of the 7th National Meeting of KPA Military Education Officers at Ku’msusan Palace of the Sun
Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) attended the wake for MAR Ri Ul Sol (Ri U’l-so’l) at the Central Hall of Workers in Pyongyang on November 8 (Sunday). Earlier the same day Jong Un had a floral wreath delivered to MAR Ri’s casket. Also in attendance with Kim Jong Un were: VMar Hwang Pyong So (Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department), Gen. Pak Yong Sik (Minister of the People’s Armed Forces), Gen. Ri Yong Gil (Chief of the KPA General Staff) and other members of the KPA high command.
Kim Jong Un and members of the KPA’s high command bow at the body and casket of MAR Ri Ul Sol at the Central Hall of Workers in Pyongyang on November 8, 2015 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).
Jong Un and those accompanying him paid respects by bowing to Ri Ul Sol’s casket. According to KCNA, he “paid silent tribute to Ri Ul Sol, an escort who had defended the party and leader at the cost of his life in the first line of safeguarding the leader after growing up to be a revolutionary fighter possessed of the revolutionary spirit of Paektu and a competent military officer under the special love and care of the peerlessly great persons of Mt. Paektu, and a veteran anti-Japanese fighter who had performed distinguished feats in strengthening the KPA into the driving force of the Military First (so’ngun) Revolution.”
The body of MAR Ri Ul Sol, a former bodyguard to late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung and former member of the KPA high command. At the foot Ri’s casket are various state awards, titles and gift watches presented to him over the course of his seven decade career (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).
Kim Jong Un looked at Ri Ul Sol’s casket “with the bitter grief over the death of a veteran revolutionary loyal to the party.” According to KCNA, Jong Un remarked that “the death of Marshal Ri Ul Sol, a revolutionary solider intensely loyal to President Kim Il Sung (Kim Il-so’ng) and a revolutionary comrade-in-arms of leader Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il) is a great loss to the party, the army and the people of the DPRK. Ri devotedly defended Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il politico-ideologically and with arms in the most grave period of the revolution and left his clear traces of life in the development of the revolutionary armed forces of Chuch’e. All the party members, servicepersons and civilians should learn from Ri’s loyalty and revolutionary faith, always remembering his brilliant life as veteran revolutionary who remained intensely loyal to the party, the country and the revolution.
Kim Jong Un greets members of MAR Ri Ul Sol’s family after paying his respects to Ri (Photo: KCNA).
After this, Jong Un greeted members of Ri’s family “to express his deep sympathy and consolation.”
