벼는 익을수록 고개를 숙인다

The riper the rice plant, the more it bends its head.

Potonggang, December 21st, 1949

Victory in China had come as a matter of great pride and the exultation of great faith in the brotherly cause of liberation. The Korean Volunteer Army, sent abroad, had grown to truly titanic proportions by the end of the conflict - tens of thousands of Koreans performing vital security duties, logistics, and even frontline combat duty under the command of the People's Liberation Army. Thus it was with great fanfare that the men of the KVA, released from their duty in that war, marched over the Yalu River Bridge sporting fresh equipment, fresh uniforms, and gleaming commendations from the commanders of the Revolutionary Military Committee of the People's Republic of China. Kim Tu-Bong and Mu Chong led their troops across into Sinuiju, before leading the troops east, then south towards Pyongyang.

It was in the district of Potonggang, already a hive of military activity as the Korean economy in the north rapidly expanded, that a grand ceremony of reception was planned. There, the head of military forces in the north, Choe Yong-gon, waited alongside Kim Il-Sung, the chairman of the Worker's Party of Korea, and more than a dozen representatives from the various branches of the People's Committee and the Korean Constabulary.

The morning of the 21st dawned frigid, but the cold winds from the west died down in time for a brilliant sun to shine over the triumphator's return. A huge crowd had been marshaled along the Sinuiju highway to witness the return of so many brothers, fathers, cousins, and heroes. Kim Tu-Bong and Mu Chong, in deference to the extraordinary struggle of their troops in the long war against the NRA, marched on foot at the head of their troops. Each trooper kept their weapons proudly displayed - the once motley mix of Soviet, Japanese and even American weapons had been replaced by hundreds of Korean-produced Type 49 submachine guns and thousands more Soviet Papushkas. The appearance was one of modern and efficient military might. It was in this spirit that the parade of returning veterans was one of the seminal events of 1949 in the north of Korea. Film crews were out in full force to film the event.

As the army marched into view the cheer of the crowd went up. Fighter planes of the aviation divisions flew overhead and the new tanks of the armoured training regiments stood with their guns at salute. The crowd wept tears of joy, seeing their countrymen return in full, victorious regalia. Kim Il-Sung and Choe Yong-gon presided joyously over the occasion, barely restraining their smiles.

Each soldier, in addition to the rewards bestowed by the People's Liberation Army, was awarded the Brotherhood Liberation star in bronze. The officers were awarded the Order of International Socialist Bravery in silver, and the generals were awarded the Order of Freedom and Independence. The jewelers in the north had done brisk business in the time leading up to the grand parade, with some of the more elaborate medals contracted to foreign jewelers.

"The Sun Shines in Korea today!" Mu Chong was heard to shout to Kim Tu-Bong as the two joined Kim Il-Sung upon the review platform. Indeed, it was a wonderful day for the north of Korea. An army had returned, in time for the fight for complete liberation of the peninsula.