Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, visited the Mansudae Art Studio on January 25 to guide the creation of sculptures to be erected and displayed at the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations.

He was accompanied by leading officials of the Central Committee of the WPK and No Kwang Chol, minister of National Defence of the DPRK.

Comrade Kim Jong Un was courteously greeted on the spot by leading officials of the Mansudae Art Studio.

He learned about the progress of creation while looking at a symbolic tower, a main thematic group sculpture, sub-thematic group sculptures, decorative engravings for outer walls, etc.

He expressed satisfaction over the fact that the overall work for the creation of sculptures has been conducted on the principle of ensuring the monumental value and symbolism at the highest level true to the intention of the Party to build the memorial museum as a creation of lasting value conveying forever the legendary feats and glorious life of admirable sons of Korea, the defenders of honour.

He said with great satisfaction that the symbolic tower of the museum was depicted well in detail.

Many statues of heroes produced in the war for defending the country in the 1950s such as Ri Su Bok, Jo Kun Sil and Kang Ho Yong have been erected in different parts of the country so far, but today figures of ordinary soldiers of this country, who can be seen everywhere, stand imposingly on the platform of honour, the pedestal of dignity, embodying the political and ideological mightiness peculiar to the Korean People's Army, he said, adding: This is the precious reality proving not only the succession but also the victory of our cause. Distinguished heroism of the victorious wartime generation has been developed into mass heroism of the whole army, and herein lies a proud review of our Party's long history of building a politically and ideologically powerful army.

Saying that the KPA proved before the times the law of strength, the immutable truth that those strong in spirit always emerge victorious, and that this is the exclusive absolute strength of the KPA that no other countries’ armies can possess, he underscored the need to ensure lofty artistic portrayal and exquisite perfection in all details so that every visitor to the memorial museum can engrave in their mind the truth behind sure victory told by the passionate heroic soldiers in front of each sculpture, and can keep a lasting memory of them.

He indicated the orientation and ways for completing the creative work at the highest level, including the issues arising in more vividly symbolizing in every group sculpture the militant stamina, fierce offensive spirit, noble comradeship and ardent patriotism of the KPA and in highlighting in a distinctive way the respects the country and the people pay to the heroic biographies and sacred soul of the brave soldiers, the issue of ensuring formative refinement in the distribution and arrangement of substantial elements in depiction of sculptures and the issue of sustaining the museum's characteristics as a monument by harmoniously unifying the sculptural forms and architectural structures.

He expressed expectations and belief that the creative group of the Mansudae Art Studio would present splendid creations with utmost sincerity in reflection of the eternal gratitude of the Party, government, army and people to the genuine patriots and their respects for them.