Central Report Meeting Commemorates Foundation Day

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) holds a meeting to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of its founding at the 4.25 Cultural Hall in the capital of Pyongyang, Sept. 8, 2010, in this picture released by the country's KCNA news agency on Wednesday. (Xinhua/KCNA)

The DPRK leadership congregated at the 25 April House of Culture Tuesday night, one day ahead of the 62nd anniversary of the country’s official foundation (9 September).  During his report, DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim said that boosting economic development “to improve people’s living standards was of utmost importance,” which is likely one major theme underscoring the 3rd Party Conference which may begin by week’s end.

At a national meeting to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the founding of the DPRK, Choe said the army and people should vigorously develop light industry and agriculture, and fight to promote the production of metal, electricity, coal and railway transport.

Choe said the Korean Peninsula was still in a tense situation that could erupt at any moment because of the confrontationist policy and military provocation of the United States and South Korea.

He said the DPRK would like to improve north-south relations under the “June 15 Joint Declaration,” adding that his country would “beat back with all its power, including nuclear deterrent” the United States and South Korea, if they persisted in igniting war on the peninsula.

Choe also said the two recent visits by top leader Kim Jong Il to China contributed greatly to the peace and stability in northeast Asia and the world, and significantly encouraged the people of the DPRK to construct a great, prosperous and powerful nation.

There have been no indications as to whether the Party Conference has begun, but the gathering at the foundation central report meeting is a sign that all the necessary personalities are local.  There was a report earlier this week that the Party Conference would be held at the 25 April House of Culture.  Kim Jong Il and Jang Song Taek appreciated a performance by KPA Unit 963, which is linked to the Guard Command, but KCNA neither indicated the Party Conference nor the country’s foundation in its report.  The last time KJI attended one of the Guard Command’s performances, Ri Je Gang did not make it home safely from the after party.

General Secretary Kim Jong Il together with servicepersons enjoyed a performance given by the art squad of KPA Unit 963.
The squad put on the stage mixed chorus “Please Receive Our Salute”, female vocal solo “O. Mother Party”, female quintet “Party Represents Care of the General” and other numbers of diverse genres.

Through the performance replete with the revolutionary soldier spirit the performers successfully represented the invincible might of the KPA which has grown to be a matchless army under the loving care of the great brilliant commander and the firm faith and will of the servicepersons to devotedly defend the headquarters of the revolution and accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche with arms, always remaining true to the Party.