The use of soldiers returned from deployment in Russia as propaganda tools has begun spreading into schools. The soldiers are being sent on lecture tours targeting students and parents, with the apparent goal of glorifying soldiers who fight for the state and its leadership. Reporting Partner B met with a mother who had attended one such lecture. (JIRO Ishimaru Jiro / KANG Jiwon)
◆ Alma Mater Designated as "School of Heroes"
Reporting Partner B, based in the northern part of the country, met with a mother in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province, whose son attends a senior middle school (the equivalent of high school). The mother described a recent lecture by returned soldiers that she had attended.
— Where was the event held, and how many soldiers came?
According to the mother, two soldiers first visited their own alma mater in Kilju County and gave a lecture to students there. A "Heroes' Board" — a display introducing the heroes — was installed at the school, which was officially designated as the alma mater of heroes. After that, an event was held at the county seat hall in Kilju, to which parents were also invited. Senior middle school students and their parents from across the county attended.
◆ Soldiers Speak in Tears, Expressing Gratitude for "the Marshal's Care"
— What was the content of the event?
The event lasted about an hour. The two soldiers spoke in tears, expressing gratitude for the care shown by the Party and Marshal (Kim Jong-un). They said they were moved to have been invited to Pyongyang and praised as heroes, when all they had done was carry out their orders as soldiers.
Following the soldiers' remarks, three students and two parents delivered pledges and personal reflections. These had been prepared in advance and were read aloud. The event closed with the entire audience chanting slogans: "Give our lives to defend the Party Central" and "Let us become bombs."
※ "Party Central" refers to Kim Jong-un and the Korean Workers' Party leadership.
— Was there any mention of why the soldiers were sent to Russia, or of casualties?
The mother said there was nothing of that kind. The soldiers spoke only of being deployed to the operational zone on orders and fighting well, as befits soldiers of the Marshal.
