DPRK Commemorates 28th Anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s Death

KOMPAS.com – The citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and some organizations abroad commemorated the 28th anniversary of the demise of the national founder Kim Il Sung on July 8, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

Kim Il Sung, who founded the country in 1948, led the nation until he passed away in 1994. Annual memorial events have been held to pay tribute to him.

Others also cherish good memories of him in their own way as Kim established good friendships with many foreigners, including the Indonesians.

“President Kim Il Sung met with about 70,000 foreigners and kept a close relationship with many of them in his lifetime,” said a statement from the DPRK Embassy in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 12.

This included his close relations with an Indonesian family. This started when the late president visited Indonesia in April 1965. At the time, among the officials who welcomed the leader was the then charge d’affaires ad interim of the Indonesian embassy in the DPRK. The kindness he had shown left a deep impression on the Indonesian diplomat.

After his return to Pyongyang, the diplomat’s wife gave birth to their baby. He hoped the DPRK leader would suggest a name for his daughter.

Having learned about that, Kim sent the diplomat an autographic note, saying: “I recommend Chinsonnyo Moran.”

Several years later, as Chinsonnyo wanted to meet Kim in person she wrote a letter to him in February 1983.

Very pleased to read her letter and see her photos, the President recalled her father with deep emotion. Then he sent a reply and gifts to her and the family.

In September, she visited the DPRK with her mother on the occasion of the 35th founding anniversary of the DPRK.

President Kim then told them that Chinsonnyo means friendship between the two countries, while Moran means a beautiful peony flower.

Seven years later, upon hearing that Chinsonnyo was going to get married, President Kim sent her wedding gifts.

Indonesia, DPRK bilateral ties

Indonesia and DPRK have established good bilateral ties since the 1960s following the good friendship of the first Indonesian President Soekarno and President Kim Il Sung. The two former leaders visited each other in 1964 and 1965.

According to Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry website, the two countries establish cooperation in the areas of economic and trade, political, and cultural.

Indonesia has a very good image in the eyes of the government and the people of DPRK. Products from Indonesia such as food, beverages, and household are very popular there.

Besides, the Embassy of Indonesia had the honor to showcase orchids during the previous Kimilsungia Flower Festival in Pyongyang.

Back in 1965, President Soekarno presented President Kim Il Sung with orchids as a gift during his visit to the botanical garden in Bogor Palace on the outskirts of Jakarta. The flower has become the symbol of friendship between the two nations ever since.