Left Holding Kim Il-sung, Right Criticizing Park Geun-hye: A Major Exposé of North Korea’s Magazine *Choson*

▲ Monuments praising Kim Il-sung are structures that can be seen everywhere in North Korea.

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

For the people of North Korea (DPRK), the most important focus in life is undoubtedly the Kim family—Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and Kim Jong-un. Whether it's refraining from any disrespectful behavior toward the portraits or monuments of the leaders, or even avoiding critical comments online.

In addition to the omnipresence of portraits of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il across North Korea, every village and school also erects a “Tower of Immortality.” The towers bear Korean inscriptions reading “Great Leader Comrade Kim Il-sung is always with us,” allowing the people to commemorate their eternal founding leader at all times.

Moreover, villages visited by Kim Il-sung, bays where he fished, and even mineral spring water sources he drank from are considered among the most important local attractions. On North Korea’s state television—Korean Central Television—various news reports about activities related to the leadership can also be seen.

According to information provided by readers, aside from TV broadcasts, a magazine called *Choson* not only covers industrial development within North Korea and stories of exemplary citizens, but its primary content also focuses on a series of reports about the Party, the state, and the deeds and activities of Kim Il-sung’s leadership. It is also translated into Chinese for foreign visitors. In the articles, whenever Kim Il-sung’s name is mentioned, the font is enlarged as a sign of respect. Every word and sentence in the articles also reflects the highest reverence of the North Korean people for the Kim family.

▲ Articles published in the magazine *Choson*. (Photo / Provided anonymously by a reader, the same below)

In a series of photos provided by readers, one can see in the magazine *Choson*, in an article titled *On Every Victory Day*, a veteran wrote:“It was only by supporting Great Marshal Kim Il-sung that our army and people could achieve the 20th-century military miracle of defeating the U.S. imperialists, who boasted of being the ‘strongest’ in the world. Comrade Kim Il-sung said, the American devils misjudged the Korean people—we will show them what Koreans are capable of. Comrade Kim Il-sung’s incomparable boldness and ambition gave our army and people the confidence to win, inspiring us to summon a hundredfold courage.”These words praise Comrade Kim Il-sung’s heroic deeds during the Korean War, and conclude with:“On July 27, Juche 42 (1953), we received the surrender document from the U.S. imperialists.”Achieving ultimate victory.

In another article, *Laying a Solid Foundation for the Juche-based Industry*, the author begins with:“It has been 20 years since the passing of Great Leader President Kim Il-sung. During his more than 80 years of revolutionary life, he devoted himself heart and soul, sparing no effort, to the prosperity of the nation, the happiness of the people, and the victory of the socialist cause, carrying out vigorous activities. Today, millions of soldiers and civilians in Korea deeply realize that having him as our leader is a great fortune and honor for the nation, and they cherish his memory even more, never forgetting his benevolence.”One can say that every word and phrase reflects the lofty status of Kim Il-sung in the hearts of the North Korean people.

▲ The magazine also covers North Korea’s views on the Sewol ferry disaster.

Of course, aside from glorifying the Kim family, the magazine *Choson* also features commentary articles on current affairs. In an article discussing the South Korean Sewol ferry disaster, the author criticizes the South Korean government:“The sinking of the Sewol ferry in April this year and the visit of U.S. President Obama to South Korea have further inflamed the anger of the South Korean people toward the puppet group of Park Geun-hye. From the beginning of her rule, Park Geun-hye implemented anti-people policies, turning the entire South Korea into a barren land for human rights and a living hell. Due to the ferry disaster, the whole of South Korea became a house of mourning, yet Park Geun-hye ignored the victims and their families, instead inviting her American master to flirt and flatter him, engaging in acts that harm her own people.””

The article also concludes that:“South Korean online news outlets have published a large number of satirical images and cartoons, harshly criticizing the unprecedentedly demonic Park Geun-hye for fawning over her American master and turning a house of mourning into a celebration. This has resonated with the public. Public opinion is the will of heaven. Park Geun-hye’s puppet group goes against the people’s desire for reunification, peace, and stability, and she will surely face divine retribution—the end is just around the corner.”” conclusion.

Although many people still do not fully understand the still rather closed society of North Korea, from its infrastructure, social atmosphere, and propaganda content, one can discern the differences between a communist society and a democratic one, as well as the profound influence of the Kim family in North Korea. Perhaps it is this unique society that is the biggest draw for many people wanting to explore North Korea in recent years.

▲ A variety of articles allow one to understand Kim Il-sung’s past achievements and his lofty status in the hearts of the North Korean people.

Original text of *On Every Victory Day*. Author: Chi Yongchun

I still cannot forget the gratitude I felt that day, looking up at the steel commander, the great Comrade Kim Il-sung—who won every battle—and shouting ‘Long live!’ with the joy of a victor.

It was only by supporting Great Marshal Kim Il-sung that our army and people could achieve the 20th-century military miracle of defeating the U.S. imperialists, who boasted of being the ‘strongest’ in the world.

Comrade Kim Il-sung said, the American devils misjudged the Korean people—we will show them what Koreans are capable of. Comrade Kim Il-sung’s incomparable boldness and ambition gave our army and people the confidence to win, inspiring us to summon a hundredfold courage.

The original and unique strategies, tactics, and methods proposed by Comrade Kim Il-sung at every stage of the three-year war enabled our army to shatter the enemy’s numerical and technological advantages, always maintaining the initiative in the war.

In the fierce years of war, Comrade Kim Il Sung always shared weal and woe with our soldiers and people, composing an epic of unity. His fervent comradely care and trust, along with his wise leadership, served as a unifying banner that inspired millions of soldiers and civilians to rise up for the sacred battle to defend the homeland, and as the nourishment that enabled them to achieve unparalleled feats of glory.

As a result, our People's Army soldiers went on to create miracle after miracle: repelling enemy attacks and liberating Seoul within just three days; sinking an enemy heavy cruiser with just four torpedo boats at sea; and shooting down jet fighters with propeller-driven planes in the sky.

Back then, we held fast to our vows made to Comrade Kim Il Sung on shell-riddled heights, resolutely defending every inch of our motherland, using our chests to block enemy firepower positions, and charging fearlessly into battle.

Guerrilla squads and Young Pioneer Corps were organized across the country, delivering fatal blows to the enemy, while people in the rear tilled the fields under gunfire and turned belts by hand to ensure the supply of wartime military necessities.

In fact, just five years after liberation and less than two years after the founding of the Republic, the Korean people had no hesitation in standing up to the ringleader of imperialism, U.S. imperialism — this in itself was a heroic feat. Moreover, on July 27, Juche 42 (1953), they received the surrender document from U.S. imperialism, and victory fireworks lit up the sky — truly an unprecedented military miracle in the history of world wars.

U.S. imperialism deployed one-third of its army, one-fifth of its air force, most of its Pacific Fleet, and a total of over 2 million troops from fifteen satellite nations, including Japan and the South Korean puppet army, squandering enormous military expenditures — yet they ended up kneeling and surrendering before the Korean people.

During the war, U.S. imperialism suffered losses nearly two to three times greater than those of the four-year Pacific War, marking their first shameful and devastating defeat in over 100 years of overseas aggression.

The pride and emotions of us war veterans who followed the two great marshals on the march to victory are beyond description.

I am confident that the new generation, which firmly inherits the spirit of defending the leader to the death and the spirit of safeguarding the homeland, will unite the aspirations of us war veterans, drive away the enemies who madly wreak havoc on this land in an attempt to reignite war of aggression, and will surely achieve the reunification of the homeland.