All the people of the DPRK pay high praise and noble tribute to the officers and men of the overseas military operations units of the Korean People’s Army who demonstrated the might of the elite revolutionary army before the world by displaying the matchless fighting spirit, bravery and indomitable self-sacrificing spirit upon the honour of the glorious Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The second ceremony of awarding the state commendations to the commanding officers and combatants of the overseas military operations units of the KPA was held on August 29.

Attending the ceremony were the bereaved families of martyrs who died a heroic death, performing distinguished feats in overseas military operations.

The national anthem of the DPRK was played.

Pak Jong Chon, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea and secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, made a speech.

He said that the ceremony is being held at the headquarters building of the Central Committee of the WPK to award the title of the DPRK Hero to the bereaved families of martyrs in the name of the commanding officers and combatants of the overseas military operations units who demonstrated the absolute dignity of the great state and the might of the ever-victorious KPA before the world and set a new record of victory in the history of the heroic struggle of the DPRK people.

He noted that it is a solemn oath sworn by all the service personnel to carry out the orders of the Party and the country even at the cost of their lives and it is their duty to remain true to the pledge of faith.

However, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un said that our every soldier is a precious being and his flesh and blood that can never be bartered for anything in the world and he spent all the days and months after their participation in the operations with worry about the combatants and the boundless loving care for them, he stressed.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of Kim Jong Un who spent days and nights to bring back to the homeland the fallen heroes most respectfully and solemnly and to bring the greatest glory to their immortal life and soul, the martyrs could have a reunion with the people in the homeland and their beloved families as the most proud and honourable image, covered with the glorious national flag, and their names and images be shined at the highest level along with the memorial wall built at the headquarters building of the Party Central Committee, unprecedented in history, he said.

He noted that the gold star medals of the DPRK Hero that the families of the martyrs are to receive on behalf of their beloved sons, husbands and fathers are the reflection of the unanimous respect and high appreciation of the Party, state and people for the martyrs who glorified the dignity of the country at the cost of their precious lives and youth and their bereaved families.

A decree of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK on conferring the title of DPRK Hero on the servicemen who performed feats in overseas military operations was conveyed.

The title of DPRK Hero, Gold Star Medal and Order of National Flag 1st Class were awarded to the bereaved families.

The life of the martyrs will be immortal under the care of the great motherly Party which respects and honours the proud sons who devoted their precious lives to the prosperity of the country and the happiness of all generations to come.

KCNA