A ceremony took place at the Patriotic Martyrs Cemetery in Sinmi-ri, Pyongyang, on the afternoon of May 22 to bid farewell to the late Marshal of the Korean People’s Army Hyon Chol Hae, general adviser to the Ministry of National Defence of the DPRK.
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, attended the ceremony.
Present there were Choe Ryong Hae, Jo Yong Won, Kim Tok Hun, Pak Jong Chon and Ri Pyong Chol, members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, members and alternate members of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, members of the WPK Central Military Commission, leading officials of the Ministry of National Defence and other members of the State Funeral Committee, officials of the WPK Central Committee, servicepersons of the KPA and the bereaved family members of the deceased.
Flags were flying at half-mast at the cemetery and the colours and honour guards of the KPA lined up there.
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received the coffin of the late Hyon Chol Hae at the entrance of the cemetery, together with members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee.
He climbed the cemetery with members of the state funeral committee and the bereaved family members following the remains of the deceased.
Kim Jong Un paid noble tribute to the martyrs buried at the cemetery before the ceremony.
With the declaration of the start of the ceremony the national anthem of the DPRK was solemnly played.
Pak Jong Chon, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau and secretary of the WPK Central Committee, made a eulogy.
A ceremony for burying the remains of the late Hyon Chol Hae was held.
A volley of 180 shots were fired for the deceased out of bitterness upon parting forever from the prominent political and military activist who made an immortal contribution to the Party, revolution, country and people at a historic time when the Korean people win a great victory full of confidence and vitality.
Kim Jong Un spread earth on the remains, repressing his sorrow over the last parting with a precious veteran of revolution whom he heartily respected and dearly treasured.
The members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee and bereaved family members spread earth on the remains.
Warmly recollecting the sincere and devoted life of the veteran revolutionary who upheld the Party and leader with faith, conscience and obligation all his life, free from affectation and inconstancy, the General Secretary was overwhelmed with bitterness.
A wreath in the name of Kim Jong Un was laid at the grave amid the playing of the wreath-laying music.
Wreaths were also placed there in the name of the WPK Central Committee, the WPK Central Military Commission, the Standing Committee of the DPRK Supreme People’s Assembly and the DPRK Cabinet.
Kim Jong Un, together with all the participants in the ceremony, paid silent tribute in memory of the late Hyon Chol Hae who became the firm root of the great state with his revolutionary life and undying achievements.
Saying that whenever recollecting the arduous Songun march made by Chairman Kim Jong Il, he comes to think about Hyon Chol Hae first who always remained faithful to the Chairman as his closest political and military aide, Kim Jong Un stressed that the life of a revolutionary soldier shining in the sacred history of the leader is the most vivid expression of the most worthwhile life.
He said that though the veteran revolutionary passed away, the name of Hyon Chol Hae would be always remembered along with the august name of Kim Jong Il and his noble soul and spirit would be immortal along with the cause of the Party winning victory after victory with each passing day and remarkable development of the great state and armed forces of the DPRK.
Hyon Chol Hae, a steadfast revolutionary who remained boundlessly faithful to the revolutionary idea and cause of the Party Central Committee till the last moments of his life, will always be kept in the noble memory of the great leader and in the mind of the Korean people and servicepersons who are vigorously advancing towards the final victory of the Juche revolution.
KCNA
