Korean Children's Union

Korean Children's Union
조선소년단
Chosŏn Sonyeondan
Founded6 June 1946
HeadquartersPyongyang, North Korea
Ideology
Mother partyWorkers' Party of Korea
Korean Children's Union
A member of the Korean Children's Union at Mangyongdae Children's Palace
Korean name
Chosŏn'gŭl
조선소년단
Hancha
朝鮮少年團
Revised RomanizationJoson Sonyontan
McCune–ReischauerChosŏn Sonyŏndan

The Korean Children's Union (KCU) is the precursor to the Socialist Patriotic 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 Pioneer Corps (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 Juche, and other ideologies behind the North Korean system. Youth above the age of 15 may join the Socialist Patriotic Youth League.[1]

Prospective members are usually welcomed formally 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 into the KCU on investiture ceremonies on these days.

  1. ^ "North Korea - MASS ORGANIZATIONS".
  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.