April 28, 2004

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  Many Died Saving Kims' Portraits in Blast

  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  Wed Apr 28,10:33 AM ET

  
  

  
  

  SEOUL (Reuters) - Many North Koreans died a "heroic death" after last week's train explosion by running into burning buildings to rescue portraits of leader Kim Jong-il and his father, the North's official media reported on Wednesday.
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  Portraits of Kim and his late father, national founder Kim Il-sung, are mandatory fixtures in every home, office and factory in the hardline communist state of 23 million. All adults are required to wear lapel pins bearing images of one or both Kims.
  

  
  

  Last Thursday's blast in the town of Ryongchon, near the Chinese border, killed at least 161 people and injured 1,300, according to international relief agencies.
  

  
  

  The dead included workers and teachers who died clutching the portraits of the country's ruling family, said KCNA news agency.
  

  
  

  "Many people of the county evacuated portraits before searching after their family members or saving their household goods."

  
  

   

  • 3:44 pm
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