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A few years ago I had an unforgettable experience of walking through
the battlefields of the first days of the Korean War as it was
experienced by retired General Paek Son-yop, who was the commander of
the 1st ROK Army Division that was stationed in the Munsan corridor,
the main avenue of North Korea's attack. It was the soldiers of his
division who are immortalized as human bombs in the War Memorial (and
in many other venues). As a soldier myself the story or its heroic
version resonates at a very simple level that is repeated through all
time and all places in the history of war. There are innumerable
accounts of soldiers who willingly sacrifice their lives, sometimes for
idealistic reasons, but mostly for humanistic reasons, for the sake of
their comrades. I do not know the true circumstances of the motivations
of the actions of these soldiers, but it seems reasonable to me to
assume that it was the result of their sense of the immediate soldierly
and ultimately humanistic emotions that led to their actions. There are
similar actions committed by soldiers from all armies through all time.
That these soldiers are now immortalized as heroes in South Korea
echoes what Sheila Miyoshi Jager wrote about, the impulse to highlight
heroic martial masculinity to emphasize Korean identity, patriotism and
subjectivity. <br>
<br>
Jiyul Kim<br>
Colonel, US Army<br>
Director of Asian Studies, US Army War College<br>
<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:Afostercarter@aol.com">Afostercarter@aol.com</a> wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid283.86efb44.315e716c@aol.com" type="cite"><font
face="arial,helvetica"><font back="#ffffff"
style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" ptsize="12"
family="SERIF" face="Times New Roman" lang="0" size="3">Dear all,<br>
<br>
Ruediger poses a very interesting question. Or possibly two.<br>
<br>
<br>
A. For information: Searching the ever-useful nk-news.net finds<br>
174 uses of the phrase "human bomb" on KCNA in the past decade.<br>
<br>
Rhetoric is one thing, action another. Searching "save + portrait"<br>
yields a far smaller sub-set (6) of a fascinating variant: heroes who<br>
saved pictures, busts etc of the Leaders at the cost of their own lives.<br>
<br>
I append these stories. In some cases the details are a bit obscure.<br>
But clearly, the Leaders' image is more important than your own life.<br>
<br>
There also seems an implication that preserving this inanimate object<br>
takes precedence over saving the real human lives of your comrades<br>
(if forced to choose). But I'm not quite sure if that inference is
correct.<br>
<br>
Again the same questions arise: Is this unique to North Korea? and/or<br>
where did this come from?<br>
<br>
<br>
B. The other, wider issue is raised in Ruediger's final sentence.<br>
I take this as an invitation to <i>Methodenstreit</i>, and - as with
another <br>
Frank recently - feel impelled to rise to the bait.<br>
<br>
</font><font back="#ffffff"
style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" ptsize="10"
family="SANSSERIF" color="#000000" face="Arial" lang="0" size="2">but
of course back in my mind I expect to find one more instance showing
that <br>
North Korea is part of something earthly, not an alien entity from Mars.</font><font
back="#ffffff" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"
ptsize="12" family="SERIF" color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"
lang="0" size="3"><br>
<br>
1.What exactly is being claimed here? Of course North Korea is on the
same<br>
planet. Also of course we all seek explanation, and everything has its
cause. <br>
<br>
2. But if there is a further implication that the DPRK regime is
somehow normal<br>
- statistically, politically, morally - in its structures, discourses,
and behaviours,<br>
then that is something else entirely. Not only would I dispute this,
but I can't see<br>
why anyone would want to argue this - except, perhaps, as an
epistemological<br>
category-mistake when what you really mean is to assert (1) instead.<br>
(Then again, who would deny [1]?)<br>
<br>
<br>
This one could run and run...<br>
<br>
cheers<br>
Aidan<br>
<br>
AIDAN FOSTER-CARTER<br>
Honorary Senior Research Fellow in Sociology & Modern Korea, Leeds
University <br>
Home address: 17 Birklands Road, Shipley, West Yorkshire, BD18 3BY, UK <br>
tel: +44(0) 1274 588586 (alt) +44(0) 1264 737634
mobile: +44(0) 7970 741307 <br>
fax: +44(0) 1274 773663 ISDN: +44(0) 1274 589280<br>
Email: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:afostercarter@aol.com">afostercarter@aol.com</a> (alt) <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:afostercarter@yahoo.com">afostercarter@yahoo.com</a>
website: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.aidanfc.net">www.aidanfc.net</a><br>
[Please use @aol; but if any problems, please try @yahoo too - and let
me know, so I can chide AOL]<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
__________<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>Korean Women Model after Kim Jong Suk </b> [2005]<br>
Pyongyang, September 21 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Suk, an anti-Japanese
war hero and woman commander of Mt. Paektu, is the great paragon for
the Korean women. She showed the spirit of defending the leader with
her very life, revolutionary comradeship and great love for the rising
generation. Her noble traits have served as a priceless heritage which
all the Korean women should follow generation after generation. <br>
In an interview with KCNA, Pak Kum Ju, vice-director of a
department of the Central Committee of the Korean Democratic Women's
Union, said the women are striving hard to model after Kim Jong Suk so
as to train themselves as female revolutionaries. Union members are
holding study meetings and gatherings for expressing impressions on
books dealing with her immortal exploits and other colorful activities
for following her noble traits. <br>
Such campaign proves effective in practice. <br>
Ri Kum Bok residing in Rakwon County and Sin Mun Ok in Hamhung City
of South Hamgyong Province protected the portraits of the three
generals of Mt. Paektu from natural disasters that hit their
residential quarters. <br>
Yu Chun Hwa in Orang County of North Hamgyong Province saved
workers by shielding a stone rolling down at a power station
construction site. Sin Hye Yong in Jongphyong County, South Hamgyong
Province, pulled out a fellow's child from drowning ahead of her own
one. <br>
So Hye Suk in Pyongyang, Ri Hui Sun in North Hamgyong Province and
Pak Myong Bok in South Phyongan Province are bringing up many orphans
in their houses. This has become a social trait in the country.<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>Title of Hero of Republic Posthumously Awarded to Student</b>
[2005]<br>
Pyongyang, June 30 (KCNA) -- The title of the Hero of the Republic
was posthumously awarded to Yu Kyong Hwa, former student of Kim Chol Ju
University of Education for fully displaying the spirit of devotedly
defending the leader and revolutionary comradeship. Early in January
last when there broke out fire all of a sudden, she protected the
portraits of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il and saved her
revolutionary comrades from the flames at the cost of her life. <br>
The Title of the Hero of the DPRK and Gold Star Medal and the Order
of the National Flag First Class posthumously awarded to her were
conveyed to her bereaved family at an awarding ceremony held Wednesday.
<br>
At the ceremony speakers referred to the brilliant life of her who
always lived with rare desire and hope to be a true daughter of Songun
Korea, adding that was why she displayed to the full the intense
loyalty and noble comradeship to the last moments of her life.<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>Army Full of Spirit of Guarding Leader</b> [2005]<br>
Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- "Let us defend the headquarters of
the revolution headed by the great Comrade Kim Jong Il with our lives!"
is a slogan reflecting all the Korean servicemen's unswerving oath. The
slogan is based on their belief that they will always emerge victorious
under the command of Kim Jong Il. <br>
The servicemen, who regard guarding the leader as their life and
soul, carry this slogan into practice. <br>
It was proved by what eleven servicepersons belonging to Kim Ji
Song unit of the Korean People's Army did some time ago. <br>
Their ship met an accident on a mission. <br>
At this critical moment they took measures to protect portraits of
President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il hung in the cabin and
badges bearing the image of the President before diving into the
roaring sea. <br>
Such spirit is displayed by officers and men of the three services
of the KPA. <br>
A pilot would have saved his life if he escaped from the burning
plane as ordered by his commander. But he nosed his plane into the sea
to protect the headquarters of revolution. Soldiers covered
hand-grenades with their bodies before explosion to protect portraits
of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. And servicepersons plunged themselves
into raging flames to protect trees bearing slogans written by
anti-Japanese guerrillas without hesitation. <br>
It is the servicepersons of the 73-year old KPA that unhesitatingly
sacrifice their lives and youth for their supreme commander.<br>
<br>
<br>
P<b>yongyang Kangdong senior middle school renamed</b> [2001]<br>
Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- Pyongyang Kangdong senior middle school was
renamed Hero Kangdong Senior Middle School. <br>
This school has produced a dozen heroes of the republic and labour
heroes from among its graduates, including Ri Chun Do who protected the
portraits of the President Kim Il Sung and Marshal Kim Jong Il and
saved many revolutionary comrades from the explosion of a hand-grenade
with his body and now enjoys an eternal life. <br>
Informed of this school that has produced many heroes, Kim Jong Il
showed such loving care for them as seeing to it that the school was
renamed "Hero Kangdong Senior Middle School."<br>
A ceremony of renaming the school was held on May 17. <br>
<br>
<br>
<b>Noble spirit of People's Army soldiers </b> [1997]<br>
Pyongyang, June 16 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Gun and Hong Gyong Il, officers
of the Korean People's Security Forces, were awarded the title of hero
of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea a few days ago. Kim Jong
Gun and other servicemen and crewmen were hit by a strong typhoon while
on duty in the sea. They wrapped up in vinyl sheets portraits of
President Kim Il Sung and Secretary Kim Jong Il which were hanging at
the cabin and set them with a life-belt afloat on the sea before
meeting their doom. The life-belt was found in the Korean West Sea off
Sinmi Islet on May 2, 20 days after. The spirit of defending the leader
at the risk of their lives is in full play among the soldiers of the
Korean People's Army. Choe Pong Su, an officer of the KPA, and his
soldiers braved the fire which broke out at a building in October,
1992. They secured a plaster bust of the President and over 200
portraits from the file with superhuman power. Mun Ghang Bok, a hero of
the DPRK, safeguarded a portrait of the President hung at a barrack and
saved tens of servicemen by covering a handgrenade with a safety ring
free with his body in October, 1990. Pilot Kil Yong Jo, a hero of the
DPRK, is one of the servicemen who devoted his youth to defending the
leader. In December 1993 engine of his plane was out of order all of a
sudden while in flight and he had 25 seconds enough to bail out. But he
took a firm hold of the control lever and defended the top echelon of
revolution at the risk of his life in 25 seconds. KPSF soldiers Kim
Chol Jin, Kim Gyong Chol and Jong Kwang Son and a KPA soldier Kim Yong
Il defended the dignity of the Supreme Commander in the spirit of human
bombs in defiance of all appeasement behind the enemy line and came
back home. This is the spirit of the servicemen prevailing in the KPA
under the flag of the Supreme Commander.<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>Servicemen, fishermen faithful to leaders </b> [1997]<br>
Pyongyang, June 5 (KCNA) -- Another example of devotedly defending the
leader was set in Korea, deeply moving people. Servicemen and fishermen
who were aboard the fishing boat "8115" belonging to the Korean
People's Security Forces (KPSF) saved portraits of President Kim Il
Sung and Secretary Kim Jong Il under unexpected circumstances,
defending their revolutionary faith and obligation to the last moment
of their lives. Since the boat left Nampo port on the West Sea of Korea
on April 3, its whereabouts had been unknown. On May 2, fishermen of
the Roha Cooperative Farm, Sonchon county, North Phyongan Province,
happened to find a bag floating off Sinmi island. Contained in the bag,
wrapped water-tight in a vinyl sheet, were portraits of President Kim
Il Sung and Secretary Kim Jong Il, a logbook and a letter. It is by the
logbook and letter that their heroic death has become known to the
people. When the boat was sailing back, it was wrecked by a typhoon at
around 2 a.m. April 13. The servicemen and crew made desperate efforts
to save the boat, but to no avail. What they worried about just before
the boat was submerged was not themselves but the portraits. They
wrapped the portraits, which had been hung in the cabin, in a clean
vinyl sheet, put them into a bag and set afloat the bag tied with a
life belt. The letter says that, at the last moment, they sang the song
"No motherland without you" praising Secretary Kim Jong Il, looking up
to the sky above Pyongyang. Secretary Kim Jong Il sent gifts to their
families and honored them with certificates of bereaved family of a
Martyr. KPSF officers Kim Jong Gun and Hong Kyong Il were awarded
titles of the DPRK hero and the master of the boat, Yun Chun Gyong, and
seven others the order of National Flag First Class. Their heroic death
shows well how steadfast the servicemen and people of Korea are in the
spirit of devotedly defending the leader, becoming human bombs and
making suicide attack.<br>
<br>
____________<br>
<br>
In a message dated 31/03/2006 11:16:36 GMT Standard Time,
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:rfrank@koreanstudies.de">rfrank@koreanstudies.de</a> writes:<br>
<br>
</font><font back="#ffffff"
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family="SANSSERIF" color="#000000" face="Arial" lang="0" size="2"><br>
<blockquote type="CITE"
style="border-left: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 255); margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 5px;">Subj:<b>[KS]
Human Bombs </b><br>
Date:31/03/2006 11:16:36 GMT Standard Time<br>
From:<a href="mailto:rfrank@koreanstudies.de">rfrank@koreanstudies.de</a><br>
Reply-to:<a href="mailto:Koreanstudies@koreaweb.ws">Koreanstudies@koreaweb.ws</a><br>
To:<a href="mailto:koreanstudies@koreaweb.ws">koreanstudies@koreaweb.ws</a><br>
<i>Sent from the Internet </i><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Dear list,<br>
<br>
my warmest thanks to all who have so kindly shared their knowledge on
the<br>
question of North Korea's population in 1945. I really appreciate your
support.<br>
<br>
On another issue: After having read Sheila Miyoshi Jager's book
(Narratives of Nation<br>
Building in Korea: A Genealogy of Patriotism), where she mentioned the
Statue of Brothers,<br>
I felt like visiting the Korean War museum in Seoul a few months ago.
Inside, I think it<br>
was the second floor, I<br>
was intrigued to see another, much smaller bronze statue honoring three
(or was it four?)<br>
ROK "human bombs" during the Korean War. Obviously due to my ignorance,
I had previously<br>
associated this term only with North Korea (in particular in connection
with slogans like<br>
"let's turn into human bombs" etc., often quoted by Western media with
at least indirect<br>
reference to 9-11). Among the latest instances was the Jan. 2006 New
Year Joint Editorial.<br>
<br>
Now I read a post on another list about Japanese "human bullets" during
the Russo-Japanese<br>
War (Tadayoshi Sakurai. Human Bullets: A Soldier's Story of the
Russo-Japanese War), and<br>
then of course the kamikaze etc. a few wars later came to my mind, as
did the stories +<br>
comics that I read during my childhood in the Soviet Union about Red
Army heroes who<br>
personally delivered a hand grenade to a German bunker, although I do
not remember the<br>
term "human bomb". A quick google search of "human bomb" reminded me of
the suizide<br>
bombings in the Near and Middle East and Sri Lanka.<br>
<br>
Clearly, the concept of "human bomb" or "human bullet" seems to have
been known with a<br>
positive connotation to other (East) (Asian) nations during various
periods, although I was<br>
not able to find any reference to these terms in connection with China.
Is anyone out<br>
there who has done some serious research on that issue, or, more
general, on<br>
self-sacrifice as a virtue and as a military concept in East Asia and
Korea? I am just a<br>
curious individual, but of course back in my<br>
mind I expect to find one more instance showing that North Korea is
part of something<br>
earthly, not an alien entity from Mars.<br>
<br>
All the best,<br>
<br>
Ruediger Frank<br>
<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
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