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“As I join the honorable Chosun Juvenile’s Group… I pledge that I will become reliable supporter (backup) of the of communism construction”(Chosun Juvenile’s Group Pledge)
When the juvenile perform in the special events in North Korea, we often see them holding their right hand on their forehead and shout, “Always ready!” They are the Chosun Juvenile’s Group, also known as the “red neckties.”
Chosun Juvenile’s Group was established in June 6, 1946 with the objective of educating outstanding youth to become excellent members of Socialist Working Youth League and party members. It consists of the children from age seven to thirteen, and all the students enrolled in elementary and middle schools are obliged to join the group. It has Section-Platoon-Company-Regiment structure with its members of about three millions.
Composition of the Chosun Juvenile’s Group is there is there one Chosun Juvenile’s Group training teacher, one group commissioner, and 4 to6 committee members in each school. In each grade level, there is one group leader, one class leader with 3 to 5 committee members. In each class, there are many small groups of the Chosun Juvenile’s Group, and each small group is made of one leader and 3 to7 members.
The Chosun Juvenile’s Group follows the military system and stars are given according to the rank. The students who become commissioners enjoy exercising a great amount of power. They form patrol groups and proudly control even the adults in the streets, and hold artistic performances in cooperative farms or factories to encourage farmers and workers.
The red triangular shaped neckties signify blood of the communists who fought against the Japanese colonialist rule. The brooch and the necktie must be worn everyday to school since they are proof of membership, and it is evaluated whether they are worn correctly at the gate of the school.
Although the children are to be joined in the Chosun Juvenile’s Group on the second grade of the elementary school, but not everybody is automatically joined. Few are joined at a time in different levels. The ceremony of joining the Chosun Juvenile’s Group is held on important national holidays such as on February 16, April 15, and June 6.
In order to join the Chosun Juvenile’s Group, qualified students first have to memorize the pledge and prepare the red necktie and Chosun Juvenile’s Group badge.
The reason why the Chosun Juvenile’s Group always shouts out “Always ready!” is known to be due to the order from Kim Il Sung in 1958. He ordered, “The Chosun Juvenile’s Group must become the supporter (backup) for construction of communism, educated of intellect, virtue, and fashion (manner). The present slogan the Chosun Juvenile’s Group shouts out is “Let’s become three million bombs.”
Starting in 1964, the Chosun Juvenile’s Group have been involved in numerous political campaigns such as the National Exemplary Eager Chosun Juvenile’s Group member competition, Kim Il Sung Birthday Celebration Chosun Juvenile’s Group Pyongynag City Cooperative Conference and Following Kim Il Sung Movement.
Entering the 1960s, with a clear one-man dictatorship established, the Chosun Juvenile’s Group have been utilized as a political tool and it became more so with the Kim Jong Il’s succession to power. In other words, the loyalty movement following the hereditary line heavily burdened the Chosun Juvenile’s Group.
The Chosun Juvenile’s Group is under the supervision of Communist Worker’s Young Adults Alliance. They set infant five year plan or infant six year plan, where the children are “involved in the economic activities,” mainly to raising rabbits, picking plants and metal recycling to earn foreign currency.
When one successfully completes the Chosun Juvenile’s Group activities, not only himself but his group receives an award. If they obtain the red flag, they are given opportunity to enter camping areas. There they can enjoy sports and cultural activities, boating, swim, fishing or hiking.
Following is the text of the Chosun Juvenile’s Group pledge.
“As I join the honorable Chosun Juvenile’s Group graced by the loving grandfather Kim Il Sung Grand Sovereign and Revered Father Kim Jong Il leader , I pledge that I will always at everywhere think in accordance to the Grand Sovereign and the Leader’s teachings, pass on the Juche’s revolutionary achievements to next generational and grow strong to become reliable supporter (backup) of the of communism construction.”
