A State of Mind Page #5

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In essence, Juche preaches self reliance.

Self-reliance is, in a word...

...no matter whether or not we are

provided with assistance...

...by ourselves, with our own strength...

...even if the state can't provide something...

...we make what we don't have.

For example

agricultural tools, like hoes

if the state can't provide them...

...we have to forge them ourselves

at the blacksmiths...

...since we have to do our farming.

So if we have no petrol for an engine...

...we have to see how it works and

make it work at all costs...

...even by running it on gas.

This kind of thing is self-reliance.

Because we're former soldiers...

...there's no excuse for saying,

"we don't have this"...

...or "there isn't enough of that."

I think it's in the nature of us Koreans

to totally devote ourselves...

...completely to carrying out

whatever task we do.

There is no knowing when these

comrades will next meet.

At this time, Asia is gripped

by the SARS epidemic.

Worst affected is Beijijng, Pyongyang's main

point of contact with the outside world.

Even though North Korea is served by

just six international flights per week,

the state is alarmed.

As a result of the threat of SARS, North Korea

becomes the only country in the world

to completely seal its borders.

No-one knows when

North Korea will re-open.

North Korea is the last country to

lift SARS restrictions

even though it has had no confirmed

cases of the virus.

It opens three weeks after the outbreak

is declared over.

Are you going to gymnastic lesson now?

I've washed this.

Then I put it in the travel bag.

But then, you know

There were chocolates in the bag.

So it got a stain from chocolates.

It won't come off.

You know what? I lost my school badge.

I'll get told off by the teachers.

I lost it.

I took it off to wash my shirt.

Then it was gone, the Moran Bong

school badge.

- It must have gone into a drain.

- Maybe...

Why isn't the bus coming?

lt'd better some soon.

I've got a heat rash here

and it really hurts...

Let me have a look.

The authorities have postponed

the July Mass Games.

They will be held in September, to

commemorate 55 years of the founding

of the Republic.

For Song Yon, there has been a major

change in the dynamics of family life.

It's been one month since my eldest

sister went to join the army.

When my eldest sister went out to

the army she left her room to me

and told me to leave her Taekwondo

training clothes...

...and everything else as they were.

However she went out to

guard the General...

...so I will wait for her, even though I miss her.

But It's nice to have my own room!

The schools have broken

up for the summer

and despite the postponement there

is no respite from practice.

Every detail of the September performance

has been finalised

and now it is up to each group to

hone their moves to perfection.

Next, spring your stomach.

Next movement. Keep the line.

For the ten weeks prior to the performance

practice will be held all day

from eight in the morning until six in the

evening, with two hours break for lunch.

Sometimes Mass Games training is hard.

Other children play in the blazing Sunlight.

but we train and dedicate huge energy...

...in order to give happiness

to the dear General.

Behind your ears like this.

Now our moves have nearly been perfected.

When the dear Generalissimo

comes to watch the Mass Games...

...I will definitely perform

with perfect moves.

Pyongyang Indoor Gymnasium

With less than two months to go to the

performance the girls' practice area

is relocated

to the Pyongyang Indoor Gymnasium, where

the actual performance will be held.

All the disciplines of

Mass Games will practice here.

Each group is driven hard to ensure they

achieve the standard required.

Even experienced gymnasts like Hyon Sun

who has three Mass Games to her credit

are beginning to feel the pressure.

Since we're coming to the

time of the event...

...it's gradually getting harder.

So I've started to hate it sometimes

There is no room for sentiment.

The organisers are unhappy with

the quality of the torch girls.

Shortly after being filmed, these girls were

informed that, having failed to reach the

standard, they would be replaced by boys.

The postponement of the Mass Games

presents Hyon Sun and Song Yon with a

chance of a life-changing experience

a trip to Mount Paekdu, a 31 hour

train ride from Pyongyang.

The girls are accompanied by a revolutionary

history teacher from their school.

Our school selected a group of

excellent students who study hard...

...and took them to Mount Paekdu

I had the honour of being selected

along with Song Yon...

...and other friends, and came

to Mount Paekdu.

Mount Paekdu is considered holy to all

Koreans, both North and South

In legend, the Korean nation was born out

of Mount Paekdu's volcanic Lake Chon.

Our people all have great

respect for Mount Paekdu.

As Mount Paekdu is the place

where the beloved Great Leader...

...Kim II Sung carried out

the anti-Japanese armed struggle...

...and where the General

Kim Jong II was born.

So we Koreans all admire it as a

sacred mountain of revolution...

...and as the true home of our hearts.

Mount Paekdu, sacred mountain

of the revolution. Kim Jong II

Every North Korean is expected to make the

pilgrimage to Paekdu at some point in their lives.

Look, look at that!

Wow, It's amazing.

It would be great in winter.

I want to swim in Lake Chon.

Hey, it looks like it's frozen.

The water must be quite cool.

I was surprised when I saw Lake Chon.

I pictured Mount Paekdu only in my mind...

...as I heard the explanation

from my teacher.

However when I saw it with my own eyes...

I was more than surprised and thought,

"Wow, what a fascinating and

magnificent view it is!"

Look, look at Hyon Sun.

The moment I saw Lake Chon,

its pure and crystal clear water...

...I made up my mind.

I will live as the daughter of the

General and of Mount Paekdu.

I'm scared.

This is the second tallest

statue in our country.

Admiration to the Great Leader.

Those lectures made me think a lot.

Teacher, why don't you come in too?

When I go back home I will tell

these stories to my friends...

...so they can grow up...

...as daughters of the General

and Mount Paekdu.

Come quickly.

It's so cold!

When I go back, I will participate in

Mass Games with my friends.

When I face the difficult and hard tasks...

...during my practice for Mass Games...

...I will always discipline my mind

picturing Mount Paekdu.

Jong II Peak

The girls return to Pyongyang in

time for July 27th

Considering it is the 50th anniversary of

what is seen as a great victory over an

imperialist aggressor

Pyongyang is strangely muted.

Kim II Sung's statue is the focus of

remembrance as it was he who led

the nation through the War.

Pride of place goes to a bouquet sent

personally by his son Kim Jong II.

The city bursts into life that evening

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