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 Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea announced its decision on
March 05, 2026
The Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea announced its decision on
The central election committee was organized for the election of deputies to the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the
March 05, 2026
The central election committee was organized for the election of deputies to the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the
Korea was liberated from the Japanese imperialists’ military occupation on August 15, 1945. One day in October that year the
March 05, 2026
Korea was liberated from the Japanese imperialists’ military occupation on August 15, 1945. One day in October that year the
On March 5, 1946, the Law on Agrarian Reform was adopted in Korea. The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung saw the agrarian reform as
March 05, 2026
On March 5, 1946, the Law on Agrarian Reform was adopted in Korea. The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung saw the agrarian reform as
The first full moon day (January 15th by the lunar calendar) came around, adding pleasure and optimism to the DPRK people. The
March 05, 2026
The first full moon day (January 15th by the lunar calendar) came around, adding pleasure and optimism to the DPRK people. The
Jo Jin Mi of the DPRK bagged a bronze medal in the diving women’s 10-metre platform event at the World Aquatics Diving World Cup
March 04, 2026
Jo Jin Mi of the DPRK bagged a bronze medal in the diving women’s 10-metre platform event at the World Aquatics Diving World Cup
Greater efforts are being made in the DPRK to rev up the recycling drive. A wide range of research projects is under way for
March 04, 2026
Greater efforts are being made in the DPRK to rev up the recycling drive. A wide range of research projects is under way for
A grand artistic performance “Song to the Motherly Party”, which significantly commemorated the Ninth Congress of the
March 04, 2026
A grand artistic performance “Song to the Motherly Party”, which significantly commemorated the Ninth Congress of the
In March the air of spring is distinctly felt all over in the DPRK. The month has Kyongchip and Chunbun , two of the 24 seasonal
March 04, 2026
In March the air of spring is distinctly felt all over in the DPRK. The month has Kyongchip and Chunbun , two of the 24 seasonal
DPRK players Jo Jin Mi and Kim Mi Hwa bagged silver medals in the diving women’s 10-metre synchronized platform event at the
March 03, 2026
DPRK players Jo Jin Mi and Kim Mi Hwa bagged silver medals in the diving women’s 10-metre synchronized platform event at the
March 3 is World Wildlife Day (WWD). In December 2013 at the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, March 3 was
March 03, 2026
March 3 is World Wildlife Day (WWD). In December 2013 at the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, March 3 was
Paektu is the highest mountain in the DPRK, rising 2 750m above sea level in the northern part of Samjiyon City, Ryanggang
March 03, 2026
Paektu is the highest mountain in the DPRK, rising 2 750m above sea level in the northern part of Samjiyon City, Ryanggang
A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK issued the following press statement on March 1:Israel’s military attack on Ir
March 02, 2026
A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK issued the following press statement on March 1:Israel’s military attack on Ir
The chief secretaries of city and county committees of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the chairpersons of city and county
March 02, 2026
The chief secretaries of city and county committees of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the chairpersons of city and county
There took place a short course for the participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang, the
March 01, 2026
There took place a short course for the participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang, the
A Pyongyang military-civilian meeting and a public procession took place with splendour at Kim Il Sung Square on February 27. The
March 01, 2026
A Pyongyang military-civilian meeting and a public procession took place with splendour at Kim Il Sung Square on February 27. The
A reception was given at the Mokran House on February 27 for the special guests who were invited to the celebrations of the Ninth
March 01, 2026
A reception was given at the Mokran House on February 27 for the special guests who were invited to the celebrations of the Ninth
The participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea conducted various political and cultural activities. While
March 01, 2026
The participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea conducted various political and cultural activities. While
The 39th Sci-tech Festival of Kim Il Sung University took place in the DPRK from February 25 to 27. Presented to the festival held
March 01, 2026
The 39th Sci-tech Festival of Kim Il Sung University took place in the DPRK from February 25 to 27. Presented to the festival held
Youth and students had a gala evening at Kim Il Sung Square on February 27. Among the spectators were Pak Thae Song, member of the
March 01, 2026
Youth and students had a gala evening at Kim Il Sung Square on February 27. Among the spectators were Pak Thae Song, member of the
More Articles
