It was almost at twilight on an August day last year when the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited a shelter for the flood victims in Uiju County, North Phyongan Province.
He stepped into a tent, and asked the accompanying officials to bring clothes and confectionery to give to children. Then he told them to gather all the children from other tents. As they came, he stroked some children’s heads, asking what their names were, where they were from and how they travelled. He himself handed sweets and cakes over to them.
He held and tried a white dress to a girl to see if it would be fit for her. After that he made the children change into the new clothes.
It was a heartwarming sight.
The officials were well aware of the stories behind the clothes.
Since he was told that North Phyongan Province was hit by flood, he was most anxious for children there.
He inquired in detail into how many children there were among the victims—the number of girls and boys respectively. He ensured that officials were dispatched to relevant units to prepare excellent clothes for the children and that the Party Central Committee took charge of the work to make the clothes. When the clothes were made, he checked their colours, shapes and quality by himself. And when he left for the flood-stricken area he took the measure of carrying them to the area by his train.
As the officials were recollecting this with deep emotions, his voice rang out: I feel encouraged to see every one of the children bright and cheerful. Seeing them, I realize more keenly what we should struggle for and what we must be strong to defend. …
Even after he returned to his train, he visualized the children who were happy with their new clothes and the children who would be shedding tears for missing the happy moments. Then he told the officials to provide the rest of the new clothes to all the children from the stricken area without exception.
He gave detailed instructions on sorting out clothes in advance according to sex, height and physique so that every child could be given a fit one.
Accordingly, the officials of the Party Central Committee who accompanied him, stayed up all night categorizing the clothes according to sex and size. The following day, a moving scene was unfolded.
Officials were busy checking if clothes fitted and suited the children and if they and their parents were satisfied. Girls romped happily with new dresses and socks and pretty flower-shaped ribbons, while boys in new clothes were standing imposingly. Parents were moved to tears to see them.
After a while, Kim Jong Un came there with a broad smile.
With loud cheers of “hurrah!” children dashed towards him.
“Father!” they called him.
