Late on New Year’s Eve in Juche 37 (1948), Premier Kim Il Sung got together with Vice-Premier Kim Chaek and looked back upon the year.
He said: This year we founded the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea as a banner of freedom and independence of the Korean people, and carried out the task of building the country’s revolutionary armed forces into regular ones. The year 1948 will shine as the founding year in the annals of the nation, he added.
He continued that back home after the country’s liberation, Kim Chaek took the lead in the efforts to found the Party and army and also fought well in the struggle for building the state, and the founding of the DPRK that year was a historic event that marked the birth of the first independent sovereign state in the colonialized East.
As both of us were busy with work, we have not yet had a chance to have a photo taken together, he said calmly.
Time went by and the bells were about to ring out the old year.
Looking at this watch, Kim Il Sung stood up and asked Kim Chaek about taking a photo to send out the unforgettable year, telling they say a photo evokes fond memories in life.
Kim Chaek was so pleased, and Kim Il Sung called a cameraman. Both posed for the camera.
He told the cameraman that he would not have the photo taken in his capacity as the Premier of the Cabinet with his deputy but he would like to do it in a personal capacity and in a comradely manner, so he hoped it would be a good shot.
“Yes, Premier, I got it. I’ll take a good shot for you to see it for a long time,” said the cameraman in a choked voice.
With utmost sincerity he pressed the shutter to capture the historic moment.
This was how the historic photo was taken. As the cameraman said, President Kim Il Sung had seen the photograph keeping it in a safe for over 40 years till the last moments of his life.
This was how the historic photo was taken. As the cameraman said, President Kim Il Sung had seen the photograph keeping it in a safe for over 40 years till the last moments of his life.
Kim Wi Hyok
More From Naenara (En)
The third-year projects for implementing the regional development policy in the new era is being conducted on a full scale, under
February 02, 2026
The third-year projects for implementing the regional development policy in the new era is being conducted on a full scale, under
A new dormitory has been built at Hamhung College of Medical Sciences in the DPRK. The dormitory, consisting of two blocks built
February 02, 2026
A new dormitory has been built at Hamhung College of Medical Sciences in the DPRK. The dormitory, consisting of two blocks built
Modern dwelling houses have appeared in Jonsung-ri of Phyonggang County and Kaechon-ri of Ichon County, Kangwon Province of the
February 02, 2026
Modern dwelling houses have appeared in Jonsung-ri of Phyonggang County and Kaechon-ri of Ichon County, Kangwon Province of the
A tree nursery has been successfully built in Kaesong Municipality of the DPRK. The tree nursery, located in a place favourable
February 01, 2026
A tree nursery has been successfully built in Kaesong Municipality of the DPRK. The tree nursery, located in a place favourable
North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK renovated Sariwon Kye Ung Sang University of Agriculture. The university has a main building,
February 01, 2026
North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK renovated Sariwon Kye Ung Sang University of Agriculture. The university has a main building,
The Third People’s Art Festival for Celebrating February 16 will be held in Pyongyang and other parts of the DPRK.The festival to
February 01, 2026
The Third People’s Art Festival for Celebrating February 16 will be held in Pyongyang and other parts of the DPRK.The festival to
Modern dwelling houses have appeared at the Mandal Vegetable Farm in Sungho County and the Wahyon Farm in Phyongsan County, North
February 01, 2026
Modern dwelling houses have appeared at the Mandal Vegetable Farm in Sungho County and the Wahyon Farm in Phyongsan County, North
One day in January 2014, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un inspected a seafood refrigerating facility newly built by a unit of the
February 01, 2026
One day in January 2014, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un inspected a seafood refrigerating facility newly built by a unit of the
January 31 this year marks the 80th founding anniversary of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea (UAWK). After Korea was
January 31, 2026
January 31 this year marks the 80th founding anniversary of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea (UAWK). After Korea was
North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK completed a project for expanding the capacity of the Kyongam Cement Factory. The
January 31, 2026
North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK completed a project for expanding the capacity of the Kyongam Cement Factory. The
Modern houses have been built at rural villages in Sinchon and Pongchon counties, South Hwanghae Province of the DPRK. The houses
January 31, 2026
Modern houses have been built at rural villages in Sinchon and Pongchon counties, South Hwanghae Province of the DPRK. The houses
One day in August 2024, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un paid a congratulatory visit to a helicopter unit of the Air Force of the
January 31, 2026
One day in August 2024, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un paid a congratulatory visit to a helicopter unit of the Air Force of the
A conference of the Headquarters of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea was held on January 28 amid the
January 30, 2026
A conference of the Headquarters of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea was held on January 28 amid the
North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK has remodelled the Unpha Cement Factory and the Unpha Corrugated Paper Factory. Their
January 30, 2026
North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK has remodelled the Unpha Cement Factory and the Unpha Corrugated Paper Factory. Their
Several industrial establishments increase their production by recycling different kinds of wastes. The Namhung Youth Chemical
January 30, 2026
Several industrial establishments increase their production by recycling different kinds of wastes. The Namhung Youth Chemical
A large number of Korean people work devotedly for their country with a clear conscience whether they are acknowledged or not.
January 30, 2026
A large number of Korean people work devotedly for their country with a clear conscience whether they are acknowledged or not.
Modern houses have appeared at the Churung Farm in Samchon County and the Sinhwanpho Farm in Jaeryong County, South Hwanghae
January 30, 2026
Modern houses have appeared at the Churung Farm in Samchon County and the Sinhwanpho Farm in Jaeryong County, South Hwanghae
Over the past five years, the policies of the Workers’ Party of Korea for rising generation were thoroughly implemented in any
January 29, 2026
Over the past five years, the policies of the Workers’ Party of Korea for rising generation were thoroughly implemented in any
North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK newly built the Kyongam Wood Processing Factory in Sariwon City. The construction of this
January 29, 2026
North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK newly built the Kyongam Wood Processing Factory in Sariwon City. The construction of this
The Pyongyang Catfish Farm boasts a high level of scientific and intensive production. It produces a large quantity of catfish all
January 29, 2026
The Pyongyang Catfish Farm boasts a high level of scientific and intensive production. It produces a large quantity of catfish all
More Articles
