Organization Guidance Department · Propaganda and Agitation Department
North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un supervised an artillery firing competition of the Western Front Large Combined Unit on the 20th and instructed to strengthen the training of artillery units according to the situation, reported by the Korean Central News Agency on the 21st. Kim's appearance was revealed by Central TV on the 21st.
The two core organizations of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Organization Guidance Department and the Propaganda and Agitation Department, recently paid a congratulatory visit to an artillery battalion that won the artillery shooting competition. It is highly unusual for officials from these departments to visit a military unit. This is interpreted as a move to boost the morale of the troops, demonstrate the determination to protect the regime, and strengthen internal unity.
The North Korean state media, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), reported on the 26th, "On the 24th, officials from the Organization Guidance Department and the Propaganda and Agitation Department of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea paid a congratulatory visit to the artillery battalion that won the artillery shooting competition."
The report stated, "The officials of the Party Central Committee warmly congratulated the soldiers honored as the 'famous marksmen battalion' under the blessing of the Baekdu-born commander, reading letters of encouragement in front of the squad commanders and soldiers, and deepening the bonds of kinship while listening to the pride of the artillerymen blossomed during their service days."
They especially urged, "The artillery battalion should continue to uphold the Party's principle of training first and foremost and keep shining the honor of the one-man army field artillery at the forefront of the entire army."
The Party Central Committee officials delivered many welfare supplies to the artillerymen and also visited soldiers' families, encouraging "the military families who are devoted to defending the homeland and improving the lives of soldiers," KCNA added.
The visit by officials from the Organization Guidance Department and the Propaganda and Agitation Department to the military unit took place amid North Korea's all-out campaign against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). It is seen as an effort to stabilize the unsettled internal atmosphere caused by the economic difficulties compounded by the COVID-19 situation.
Photos released by North Korean media on the day suggest that Ri Yong-sik, the Party's First Deputy Director, attended the visit. However, Kim Yo-jong, the Workers' Party's First Deputy Director and younger sister of State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, who is reportedly recently transferred from the Propaganda and Agitation Department to the Organization Guidance Department, was not seen.
Earlier, on the 20th, Chairman Kim Jong-un personally supervised the artillery shooting competition of artillery units under the Western Front Combined Forces, including the 3rd Corps, 4th Corps, and 8th Corps.
The 3rd Corps is stationed in Nampo Special City, defending the capital Pyongyang, the 4th Corps has its headquarters in Haeju, South Hwanghae Province, near the Demilitarized Zone, and the 8th Corps is stationed in Yangdok, South Pyongan Province.
Chairman Kim expressed satisfaction with the 3rd Corps artillerymen's shooting, saying, "It looks like hitting the target board scores with a sniper weapon," and personally inscribed the award certificate given to the 3rd Corps artillery battalion with the words, "I am amazed by the battalion's remarkable combat power. I am very satisfied and give special thanks."
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