 Image: Rodong SInmun |
Kim Jong Eun made an onsite visit to an
airfield runway to meet with females pilots under the Chosun People’s Army Air and Anti-Air Force, according to a Rodong Sinmun report
published on November 28th.
In a two-page spread, the report stated
that the leader went to congratulate the female pilots, named Jo Kum Hyang and
Rim Sol, on their successful flight.
“I am very satisfied and pleased to
see the emergence of excellent pursuit airwomen and their brave flight in a
matter of just a few months after I gave an instruction to train them,” Kim stated, after the pilots finished their training drills.
He went on note that during the drill, the pilots
displayed “ Korean women’s indomitable will and stamina
to the full,” adding that in addition to technique and
strength, “their ardent patriotism and high spirit of
defending the country as well as their strong revolutionary awareness with
which they chose a difficult path of life for themselves” were key to their success.
“Kindly asking the airwomen about their
birthplaces and parents’ jobs, he said their parents would be very happy to
know about their growth into pursuit pilots representing the Korean women,” the report when on to say of Kim’s activities, adding that he also took photos of female pilots before posing with
them for a group shot.
This is the first time North Korea’s state media has depicted the young leader personally snapping photos.
After the photo session, Kim expressed his
hope that “they would intensify flight drill in good
health to train themselves as competent combat airwomen and thus glorify their
worthwhile life in defending the blue sky of the country as befitting the
filial daughters of heroic Korea,” according to the
daily.
The program for pursuit airwomen was
established in February 1993, by both Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, who felt
that the “tenacious nature of Chosun women enables them
to fly planes as adeptly as men.”
Accompanying Kim Jong Eun to the airfield were Hwang Pyong So, Jo Kyong Chol, O
Kum Chol, O Il Jong and Han Kwang Sang.
