Kim Jong Un Attends Merited State Choir Anniversary Concert
Kim Jong Un, senior DPRK officials and members of the State Merited Chorus (Merited State Choir) pose for commemorative photograph in the lobby of the People’s Theater in Pyongyang on February 22, 2017 in a photo which appeared top-center of the front page of February 23, 2017 edition of the WPK daily organ Rodong Sinmun.
KJU’s last observed appearance was his visit to Samch’o’n Catfish Farm
Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) attended the 70th anniversary concert of the State Merited Chorus (Merited State Choir) at the People’s Theater in central Pyongyang on February 22 (Wednesday). Also in attendance with him were Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department Director and State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman VMar Hwang Pyong So (Hwang Pyo’ng-so), Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Vice Chairman for Workers’ and Social Organizations and State Affairs Commission Vice Chairman Choe Ryong Hae (Ch’oe Ryong-hae), WPK Vice Chairman for Propaganda and Agitation Kim Ki Nam (Kim Ki-nam), along with members of the KPA high command, DPRK musicians and songwriters, DPRK journalists, authors and editors and members of the KPA’s press.
The anniversary concert began with the country’s national anthem and among the tunes performed were “Forever with the Leader and the Party,” “Serial Songs of Guerrillas,” “Greeting Spring on Jong Il Peak,” “Let’s Defend Socialism,” “Our March” and it concluded with “We Will Go along the Road of Loyalty.” According to state media reporting the “performers made an impressive artistic representation of the majestic appearance of the revolutionary army’s art troupe” and the performance was “replete with the indomitable revolutionary idea of the WPK, the revolutionary spirit of Mt. Paektu and the invincible might great Kim Il Sung’s (Kim Il-so’ng) and Kim Jong Il’s (Kim Cho’ng-il) Korea.” The concert, according to state media, “full demonstrated the faith and will of the army and people to win the final victory without fail in accomplishing the socialist cause of Chuch’e, united close around respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un just as they had dynamically made a long journey of revolution, holding President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il in high esteem.” The concert was “highly acclaimed by the audience as it brought about a fresh phase of music representation through a combination of Korean-style orchestra, chorus and colorful vocal numbers.”
Kim Jong Un expressed “great satisfaction over the revolutionary and militant performance staged by the State Merited Chorus and warmly congratulated all members of the Chorus on its 70th founding anniversary.” Jong Un also expressed his “belief that the Chorus would fully discharge its mission and duty as the core unit and engine of the Korean revolution and distinguished guerrilla bugler of the present times.” He then sat for a commemorative group photo-op with composers, songwriters, singers and members of the choir.
