Kim Jong Eun has extended his whirlwind tour of the country’s top military units to the decorated Air Force Unit 378, according to reports from the Rodong Shinmun on January 28.
Kim has now toured six different military installations since the first day of this year, when he paid a visit to the Ryu Gyung Su 105th Tank Division. Five of the six have been officially decorated by the government as ‘O Jung Hup 7th Regiments’.
Being an ‘O Jung Hup 7th Regiment’ is among the highest military honors in North Korea. The country claims that O Jung Hup 7th Regiment was responsible for protecting Kim Il Sung with their lives during his anti-Japanese guerilla days. Hoping to make more members of the military want to be like the fabled regiment, North Korea began touting the ‘O Jung Hup 7th Regiment title movement’ during the 1990s, with those in contention for the decoration first having to undergo an evaluation of their political loyalty.
Confining his visits almost exclusively to military units which have received this title is not a coincidence on Kim Jong Eun’s behalf – it is most likely related to his recent emphasis to the military to ‘arm’ itself with ideology.
The Rodong Shinmun reported that Kim Jong Eun was visiting Air Force Unit 378 for the first time in just 53 days, after visiting with his father, Kim Jong Il, on December 3.
According to the newspaper, Kim Jong Eun received a guard of honor before inspecting security at the base, after which he then coordinated a flying exercise.
According to a translation from the KCNA, Kim told officers that “No enemy dares intrude into Songun Korea, our country is standing high as an invulnerable bulwark and socialist fortress and the sky above it will always remain clear and blue as its territorial air is being defended by the dependable and proud pilots.”
Kim toured facilities for pilots at their base, including their quarters, mess room and lecture theatre among others, as well as listening to problems about heating at the complex and discussing the provision of particular foods such as cheese and chocolate.
Kim reportedly raised instructions left by Kim Jong Il during his visit to Unit 378 in December, telling commanders they need to “help the men feel the love and consideration of the Dear General by stocking cheese and feeding it to them.”
“Commanders must complete fighting preparations, and be prepared to run until the studs in their boots wear out in order to solve any issues which might arise in the military lives of their men,” Kim was also claimed to have said.
The paper added that Kim observed a parachute drop from members of the West End Air Club and a competition involving remote-controlled planes, before posing for commemorative photographs with the unit.
Also on hand to observe were vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission, Jang Sung Taek, party secretary Park Do Chun, Military Security Command chief Kim Myung Gook, as well as Generals Kim Won Hong and Park Jae Gyung.
