Plan of Celebrations Declined 

  It was when various celebrations were under preparation to celebrate the 60th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung.
The whole country, nay, the whole world was in the festive mood to celebrate the birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung, whom the Korean people had greeted and acclaimed for the first time in their 5 000-year-long history, as a grand, auspicious event of the nation and the common festival of mankind.
Senior officials of the Party and state asked the President to ratify the plan for holding celebrations.
However, he refused arranging the celebrations in relation to his birthday and did not agree to the plan of national functions.
As the officials repeatedly requested him to ratify the documents, he said that if they eagerly wanted to do so, he would go to a rural village and spend the day quietly there.
Unable to give up their determination, the officials asked the anti-Japanese war veterans for a help.
To the anti-Japanese war veterans, Kim Il Sung said: As we are so busy now, it is of no significance to celebrate my 60th birthday in a grand style. I don’t want to do so. I will be happy if I could spend the day quietly.
Though they had gone through fire and water to carry out his order, they did not readily abandon their request for this time.
They said that as they were making the request as a reflection of the feelings of all the people, they would be happy if he gratified the people’s desire.
After a good while he said: If you wish it so sincerely, then let’s pose for a photo together and enjoy an artistic performance prepared by students.
As a result, most of the celebrations scheduled to mark the 60th birthday of the President could not be held.