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)
Construction projects for 2026 for the regional development policy began with due ceremonies in the area of the Sinuiju Combined
February 05, 2026
Construction projects for 2026 for the regional development policy began with due ceremonies in the area of the Sinuiju Combined
A booth drew unusual attention at the advanced science and technology and products exhibition-2025. At the event, the high-tech pr
February 05, 2026
A booth drew unusual attention at the advanced science and technology and products exhibition-2025. At the event, the high-tech pr
A research team of the Earth Science and Technology Faculty of Kim Chaek University of Technology has developed an outdoor gamma
February 05, 2026
A research team of the Earth Science and Technology Faculty of Kim Chaek University of Technology has developed an outdoor gamma
The astronomical chart carved on a stone was made between the late 5th century and the early 6th century in the period of Koguryo
February 05, 2026
The astronomical chart carved on a stone was made between the late 5th century and the early 6th century in the period of Koguryo
Modern houses have been built at the Kayang Farm in Unnyul County of South Hwanghae Province and the Kyejong Farm in Kumchon
February 04, 2026
Modern houses have been built at the Kayang Farm in Unnyul County of South Hwanghae Province and the Kyejong Farm in Kumchon
A national photo exhibition, “Under the uplifted banner of self-reliance”, opened to celebrate the 84th birth anniversary of
February 04, 2026
A national photo exhibition, “Under the uplifted banner of self-reliance”, opened to celebrate the 84th birth anniversary of
One day in August 2024, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited a flood-hit area in North Phyongan Province. That day he told
February 04, 2026
One day in August 2024, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited a flood-hit area in North Phyongan Province. That day he told
One day in December 2025, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited regional- industry factories in Sinyang County nearing
February 04, 2026
One day in December 2025, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited regional- industry factories in Sinyang County nearing
Korea has 24 seasonal subdivisions based on the 24-part division of the earth’s orbit around the sun. February has two
February 04, 2026
Korea has 24 seasonal subdivisions based on the 24-part division of the earth’s orbit around the sun. February has two
Hwang Tok Man, PhD, Prof. and researcher of the Life Science Faculty of Kim Il Sung University has established a new method of
February 04, 2026
Hwang Tok Man, PhD, Prof. and researcher of the Life Science Faculty of Kim Il Sung University has established a new method of
The Ryonggang County Hospital opened on February 1. On hearing the news of the opening of the hospital, many residents in the
February 03, 2026
The Ryonggang County Hospital opened on February 1. On hearing the news of the opening of the hospital, many residents in the
The Hwangchoryong Spring Water Bottling Factory has been built in South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. The factory with automated
February 03, 2026
The Hwangchoryong Spring Water Bottling Factory has been built in South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. The factory with automated
One day in April 2024, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Hwasong Taedonggang Beer House on Rimhung Street prior to its
February 03, 2026
One day in April 2024, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Hwasong Taedonggang Beer House on Rimhung Street prior to its
South Hamgyong Province’s Kumya County has a wide expanse of wetland areas rich in water resources, plants and animals, which
February 03, 2026
South Hamgyong Province’s Kumya County has a wide expanse of wetland areas rich in water resources, plants and animals, which
Posters for the Third People’s Art Festival for Celebrating February 16 have been produced in the DPRK. The posters carry
February 03, 2026
Posters for the Third People’s Art Festival for Celebrating February 16 have been produced in the DPRK. The posters carry
Fairyland villages picturing the beautiful future of the countryside have appeared one after another at farms in South Hwanghae
February 03, 2026
Fairyland villages picturing the beautiful future of the countryside have appeared one after another at farms in South Hwanghae
February 2 is World Wetlands Day. Wetlands are regarded as valuable resources indispensible for human existence and sustainable
February 03, 2026
February 2 is World Wetlands Day. Wetlands are regarded as valuable resources indispensible for human existence and sustainable
Myogil statue of Mt Kumgang, or Mahayon Myogil statue, is located in Naegumgang-ri, Kumgang County of Kangwon Province. Carved on
February 03, 2026
Myogil statue of Mt Kumgang, or Mahayon Myogil statue, is located in Naegumgang-ri, Kumgang County of Kangwon Province. Carved on
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
More Articles
