Young Koreans performed great feats by conducting daring combat actions against invaders in the rear and behind the enemy lines during the Fatherland Liberation War.
Rodong Sinmun carried on February 11 1951 an article about the resistance of the Kilju Children’s Guards. Among the wartime songs is Song of Child Guerrillas praising their activities which got intense at that time.
According to information available, about 60 children’s guards and child guerrilla units were formed between October and November 1950.
Considering that such a unit consisted of 5 to 30 members, several hundred or several thousand children fought against the aggressors on a nationwide scale.
Typical of them was the Jo Ok Hui Children’s Self-Defence Force that won fame as they were active in North and South Hwanghae provinces throughout the war. It was a powerful para-military organization equivalent to a company of the regular army in the light of military equipment, discipline and feats of arms.
Its members captured armed spies who raided their school, delivered a schoolmarm from captivity and fought against many saboteurs while defending the sea coast.
Premier Kim Il Sung highly appreciated their military feats and arranged a conference of the Hwanghae provincial model children’s union members. He also saw to it that Kim Hyong Bong, head of the self-defence force, was awarded a high state commendation and sent him a pistol as a gift.
Rodong Sinmun carried on July 11 1951 a decree of the Standing Committee of the DPRK Supreme People’s Assembly on conferring the Order of National Flag 3rd Class on a member of the children’s union and the Medal of Merit on four others who rendered distinguished services in the war.
The resistance of the Jo Ok Hui Children’s Self-Defence Force and other union members who cherished in their hearts the ardent love for the country made a great contribution to hastening the day of victory in the war.
Child guerrillas are seen in the group sculptures at the Monument to Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War which remind the people of the brilliant feats performed by the defenders of the country in the 1950s.
Lao foreign minister leaves Pyongyang
Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and his party left Pyongyang on November 15
November 17, 2025
Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and his party left Pyongyang on November 15
