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)
Workers and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea (GFTUK) met at the Central Hall of Workers on February 11 t
February 13, 2026
Workers and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea (GFTUK) met at the Central Hall of Workers on February 11 t
A team involving scientists and researchers at Pyongyang University of Mechanical Engineering and research institutions has
February 13, 2026
A team involving scientists and researchers at Pyongyang University of Mechanical Engineering and research institutions has
In recent years, modern consumer goods production bases conducive to improving the people’s standard of living have been newly
February 13, 2026
In recent years, modern consumer goods production bases conducive to improving the people’s standard of living have been newly
The Mausoleum of King Kogugwon, also known as Anak Tomb No. 3, is located in Oguk-ri, Anak County, South Hwanghae Province.
February 13, 2026
The Mausoleum of King Kogugwon, also known as Anak Tomb No. 3, is located in Oguk-ri, Anak County, South Hwanghae Province.
A national book and art exhibition opened in the DPRK to celebrate the forthcoming Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea
February 13, 2026
A national book and art exhibition opened in the DPRK to celebrate the forthcoming Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea
Vladimir Topeha, charge d’affaires ad interim of the Russian embassy in the DPRK, hosted a reception at the Taedonggang
February 12, 2026
Vladimir Topeha, charge d’affaires ad interim of the Russian embassy in the DPRK, hosted a reception at the Taedonggang
One day in August 2021, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the construction site of the Pothong riverside terraced houses
February 12, 2026
One day in August 2021, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the construction site of the Pothong riverside terraced houses
Soldier-builders of the Korean People’s Army completed the first damming project at the second district of Taedongman Tideland
February 12, 2026
Soldier-builders of the Korean People’s Army completed the first damming project at the second district of Taedongman Tideland
A week-long film show opened in the DPRK to celebrate February 16, the birthday of Chairman Kim Jong Il . Documentary films
February 12, 2026
A week-long film show opened in the DPRK to celebrate February 16, the birthday of Chairman Kim Jong Il . Documentary films
The Jonchon fir grows at the foot of a mountain 640 metres above sea level in Waun-ri, Jonchon County, Jagang Province.This tree w
February 12, 2026
The Jonchon fir grows at the foot of a mountain 640 metres above sea level in Waun-ri, Jonchon County, Jagang Province.This tree w
Scientists at the green architecture institute of the State Academy of Sciences have successfully worked on a project for
February 12, 2026
Scientists at the green architecture institute of the State Academy of Sciences have successfully worked on a project for
Grand construction began in Hwaphyong, Phyonggang, Riwon, Myonggan and Samsu counties of the DPRK to build regional-industry
February 11, 2026
Grand construction began in Hwaphyong, Phyonggang, Riwon, Myonggan and Samsu counties of the DPRK to build regional-industry
The 11th National Pencil Drawing Festival opened in the DPRK to celebrate the 84th birth anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il .
February 11, 2026
The 11th National Pencil Drawing Festival opened in the DPRK to celebrate the 84th birth anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il .
The Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport Sports Club has a general aquatic sports training hall and hostel for athletes on the
February 11, 2026
The Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport Sports Club has a general aquatic sports training hall and hostel for athletes on the
The Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in January 2021 set forth a line on building up the national defence
February 11, 2026
The Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in January 2021 set forth a line on building up the national defence
The architectural materials institute under the State Academy of Sciences has recently developed a new paint for preventing metals
February 11, 2026
The architectural materials institute under the State Academy of Sciences has recently developed a new paint for preventing metals
The Song and Dance Ensemble of the Ministry of National Defence of the DPRK gave a music and dance performance at the Ponghwa Art
February 10, 2026
The Song and Dance Ensemble of the Ministry of National Defence of the DPRK gave a music and dance performance at the Ponghwa Art
Greeting Army Founding Day, a proud holiday of socialist Korea, all the service personnel and people pay the highest tribute to
February 10, 2026
Greeting Army Founding Day, a proud holiday of socialist Korea, all the service personnel and people pay the highest tribute to
Officials, service personnel, working people, youth and students in the DPRK visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and
February 10, 2026
Officials, service personnel, working people, youth and students in the DPRK visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and
Regional construction for this year has been launched across the DPRK in a three-dimensional way and on a full scale,
February 10, 2026
Regional construction for this year has been launched across the DPRK in a three-dimensional way and on a full scale,
More Articles
