North Korea has awarded a large number of artists from the Mansudae Art Studio for their contributions to the construction of a memorial dedicated to troops deployed to Russia.

The Korean Central News Agency reported that party and state awards were presented yesterday to the creative units, officials, and artists of the Mansudae Art Studio who played a significant role in building the Memorial for Combat Merits in Overseas Military Operations.

The Mansudae Art Studio serves as a production base for propaganda art, responsible for creating major statues and propaganda materials in North Korea.

Party Secretary Ju Chang-il extended his congratulations to the artists and staff of the Mansudae Art Studio, who contributed to making the memorial a "synthesis and collection of our architectural and artistic creation levels."

Secretary Ju emphasized that "all officials, creators, and employees must arm themselves firmly with the Workers' Party of Korea's independent literary and artistic ideology and theory, and achieve practical results by creating more masterpieces."

After the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly was delivered, the sculpture creation unit and others were awarded citations from the General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Order of the National Flag 1st Class—considered one of the highest honors in North Korea—and the title of Merited Creative Unit.

Kim Chun-ryong was awarded the Order of Kim Jong-il, and Kim Myong-chol received a watch engraved with the name of the late Chairman Kim Jong-il.

Citations in the name of Chairman Kim Jong-un were awarded to Ryang Ui-chol, Kim Hyon-chol, and Ryu Yong-son.

Jo Gwang-sik, Ri Sun-myong, and Jang Ryong-ho were granted the title of People's Artist, while Ho Se-yong, Kim Chung-guk, Im Yong-bin, and Choe Hak-chol received the title of Merited Artist.

In addition, the Order of the National Flag 1st Class (2 recipients), the Order of Labor (3 recipients), the Order of the National Flag 2nd Class (5 recipients), the Order of the National Flag 3rd Class (9 recipients), and Merit Medals (18 recipients) were also awarded.

Chairman Kim broke ground on the memorial in October last year in the Hwasong district, a new town in Pyongyang, to commemorate the sacrifices and activities of the troops deployed to Russia. The memorial, which was completed in April, also houses the remains of the fallen soldiers.

(Photo: Yonhap News)