Their repatriation to their much longed-for homeland marked a great turning point in their lives.

Under the loving care of President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il many of them became deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly and to power organs of various other levels, recipients of Order of Kim Il Sung, Kim Il Sung Prize winners, labor heroes and heroines, recipients of state citations and academic degrees and titles, honorary titles and emerged officials of party, administrative and economic institutions.

Labor hero, Academician, Prof. and Dr. Ri Ryong Am, researcher at the Institute of Coal Mining Engineering of the Coal Mining Science Branch under the State Academy of Sciences, is one of those who were given new flats after being repatriated to the homeland by the first ship in December Juche 48 (1959). He grew up to be such renowned scientist under the particular care of the President and Kim Jong Il.

Had Kim Pyong Hwa remained in Japan he could not have realized his hope and brought his talent into bloom.

The President and Kim Jong Il brought him up to be chief of the creating staff and chief conductor of the prestigious State Symphony Orchestra in the socialist homeland and enabled him to glorify his life as a Kim Il Sung Prize winner, deputy to the SPA and People's Artiste.

The same can be said of Jo Chong Mi who was born in Japan and repatriated to the homeland. As an actress of the Phibada Opera Troupe she played a main role in the revolutionary opera "The Sea of Blood," emerging People's Actress loved by the people and winner of an international concours.

Prof. and Dr. Ri Tong Gyu is researcher at the Sports Science Institute under the Academy of Sports Science, well known to the Korean people as a famous "TV soccer commentator". Now he is over 70 but is still contributing full of energy to the nation's soccer development.

The President was very pleased to hear the news that a baby was born aboard the second repatriation ship and personally named him Kim Kuigukdong. He grew up under the blessings of the President to be secretary of the Primary Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea of the Food Administration Centre of Hoesang District, Hamhung City. He is now working hard to repay the profound loving care shown by the President.

Ryu Sun Ryol, rector of the Information Science and Technology College of Kim Chaek University of Technology, has greatly contributed to the education of the rising generation and the development of the nation's information science and technology under the loving care of the great teacher. He and Kim Se Chal, chief engineer of the Ryuwon Shoes Factory, and many other returnees from Japan are now devoting their wisdom and energy to achieving the prosperity of the country to live up to the Party's profound trust with great results.

The returnees from Japan are looking back with deep emotion on the years during which they have led a worthwhile life under the Korean-style socialist system centering on the popular masses, while observing the above-said anniversary in the significant period when a landmark phase is being brought about in the drive for building a thriving nation.