Korean Children's Union

The Korean Children's Union (KCU, Young Pioneer Corps, Korean: 조선소년단; Hanja: 朝鮮少年團, Chosŏn Sonyŏndan) is the precursor to the Kimilsungist-Kimjongilist Youth League of North Korea contributing to North Korean youth movement and pioneer movement. It is for children aged six to fifteen and is a political organisation linked to the Workers' Party of Korea. Its uniformed branch is known as the Young Pioneers (which also includes cadets from the Red Flag Mangyongdae Revolutionary School), which admits children and pre-teens ages nine to 15. The organization operates chapters in elementary and secondary schools nationwide. It teaches children about the Juche Idea, and the ideologies behind the North Korean system. Youth above age 15 may join the Kimilsungist-Kimjongilist Youth League.[1]

Korean Children's Union 조선소년단 Chosŏn Sonyeondan
Emblem of Korean Children's Union, with motto "Always ready!" (항상 준비!)
Founded	6 June 1946
Headquarters	Pyongyang, North Korea
Ideology	Juche Songun
Mother party	Workers' Party of Korea

Member of Korean Children's Union at Mangyongdae Children's Palace

New children usually are formally welcomed on an important public holiday such as the Day of the Sun, the Military Foundation Day, or the Day of the Foundation of the Republic. It is considered an important occasion in a child's life.[2] On such days, kindergarten-grade children are officially admitted and red neckerchiefs and pins handed out. Third graders from primary schools are usually welcomed to the YPC-KCU on investiture ceremonies on these days.

See also

• Kimilsungist-Kimjongilist Youth League
• Ernst Thälmann Pioneer Organisation
• Vladimir Lenin All-Union Pioneer Organization

References

1. http://countrystudies.us/north-korea/63.htm
2. Hunter, Helen-Louise (2008). "The Society and Its Environment". In Worden, Robert L. (ed.). North Korea: A Country Study (Fifth ed.). Washington: Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress. p. 85. ISBN 978-0-8444-1188-0.

Further reading

• Kim Jong-un (2017). Let KCU Members Become the True Sons and Daughters, Young Revolutionaries, of the Socialist Country (PDF). Pyongyang: Foreign Languages Publishing House.