This year’s February 8 marks the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army, the revolutionary regular armed forces of the DPRK.
The Army Founding Day is celebrated every year but it evokes unusual memories and emotion for me. It is probably because I am a veteran of the great Fatherland Liberation War (June 25, 1950-July 27, 1953).
What happened on February 8, 1951 is still vivid in my memory.
Front newspapers issued special editions, while letters of encouragement flooded in from the rear.
We made musical instruments in spare time while fighting, and playing them, we sang and danced to celebrate the event. We arranged a humble party with dishes made with bean sprouts we had grown in the tunnel of our height and the foods sent from the people in the rear, and drank toasts to victory in the war.
Everyone was excited. Some boasted about the feats they had performed to become a hero and an exemplary combatant after joining the KPA in order to defend the motherland that put them forward as the masters of land and factories. After the recreation party, we had a chat through the night, hardly getting to sleep.
Even on the grim war day we could enjoy the holiday in such a significant and pleasant manner since we were all convinced that we would surely emerge victorious in the war as we were led by the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung .
In the flames of the war I keenly realized the fact that we could defend our country and families and ourselves and guarantee the happy future of posterity only when we have strong arms. After the war, I continued to do my military service.
Today our KPA is demonstrating its might as the revolutionary armed forces firmly defending the dignity and honour of the DPRK, as it is led by the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , an ever-victorious and iron-willed commander.
I am sure that led by him, we will surely win the showdown with imperialism in the future as well, just as we did under the leadership of Kim Il Sung in the 1950s.
Choe Won Bom, war veteran living in Sangsin-dong, Sosong District, Pyongyang
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
