Personally Proposing Issue of Awarding Title of Hero of Republic
One day in April １９５１, President
It was a document proposing state commendations for commanding officers and soldiers of the People’s Army.
The President read the document in deep thoughts.
After calling an official of the army to his office, the President asked why they had recommended only Order of National Flag First Class for Chae Jong Bo.
The official was at a loss for an answer.
The then Ministry of National Defence appreciated the services made by Chae Jong Bo, who was the chairman of the shipbuilding committee and performed great feats during the war, and nominated him for a winner of Order of National Flag First Class.
However, reading the recommendatory document of state commendations, the President cared to rate his feats higher.
The President reminded the official that Chae sank twelve ships of various types including the enemy destroyer by laying mines with different ships seized in the enemy-controlled area, that he killed and captured over ６００ enemy soldiers in the period of the strategic temporary retreat, and that he died in a decisive battle to break through the enemy’s encirclement.
He continued that he surely deserved the title of a hero for the merits he performed in the battles.
The President noted that Chae also contributed greatly to the establishment of our navy fleet and stressed that he helped much toward building the base for training cadres of the navy in the difficult situation right after the liberation and providing material and technical foundation for shipbuilding in our country.
The official felt a lump in the throat.
As a matter of fact, Chae’s contributions to the development of naval force were unthinkable apart from the warm care of the President.
It was the President who picked him out and trained him into a core element for building our navy with great trust and love.
Upon hearing that he died after creditably fulfilling the operational plan of the supreme headquarters, the President felt the greatest agony.
Looking at the official wrapped in thought, the President taught Chae was truly faithful to the Party and country and they had to award the title of Hero of the Republic to him.
Thanks to the noble revolutionary obligation of the President, the feats performed by Chae Jong Bo were evaluated over and he received the title of the Hero of the Republic after death.
This story is another touching episode conveying to the posterity the endless love and benevolence of the President for revolutionary soldiers.
Rodong Sinmun