Joguk Janyŏ
| Sons and Daughters of the Homeland 조국 자녀 Joguk Janyŏ | |
|---|---|
| File:Joguk Janyo Flag.png Flag of the Joguk Janyŏ | |
| Chairman | Ri Sŏng-jae (2014-present) |
| Secretary General | Kim Gyŏng-ja (2018-present) |
| Founded | August 10, 1989 |
| Preceded by | April Pioneers |
| Headquarters | 2452 Munhwa-ro, Donggyong |
| Ideology | State socialism Menghean nationalism |
| Mother party | Menghean Socialist Party |
| Newspaper | Uri Jŏnjinga |
| Website | www.jogukjanyo.mh |
The Joguk Janyŏ (Menghean: 조국 자녀 / 祖國子女), usually translated as Sons and Daughters of the Homeland or Fatherland's Sons and Daughters but better-known under its shorter Menghean name, is a patriotic children's organization in the Socialist Republic of Menghe. It is open to children between the ages of 6 and 15, after which they become eligible to enter the Youth Vanguard. Like the Youth Vanguard, it is run by the Menghean Socialist Party, and is similar in structure and role to Pioneer movements in other communist countries.
History
In 1965, the Democratic People's Republic of Menghe established the "April Pioneers" (Salwŏl Sŏngakja), named after the month in which the Menghean War of Liberation was declared a victory. Modeled after the Young Octobrists in the Federation of Socialist Republics, the organization was designed to spread Communist values among the population. Members wore red neckerchiefs, much like those used today, and both the flag and shoulder patch consisted of a golden shield with a red star and bonfire behind.
After the Decembrist Revolution, the new national leadership disbanded the Red Guards of the Revolution, and re-organzied them entirely as the Youth Vanguard. As the April Pioneers had played a much more minor role in opposing traditionalism, they were allowed to continue their previous operations, albeit under new leadership and with revised guidelines. In 1989, the April Pioneers were formally re-designated the Sons and Daughters of the Homeland, or Joguk Janyŏ.
Membership
Membership in the Joguk Janyŏ is open to all permanent residents of Menghe after they reach the Standard age of 7, equivalent to 6-7 in conventionally reckoned years. Members then remain in the organization until they reach the Standard age of 15, at which point they either leave or graduate upwards into the Youth Vanguard the following summer. This age range corresponds to the time spent in Primary school and Middle school under Menghe's education system.
While membership is not mandatory, it is nearly universal, as entry requirements are minimal and entry is strongly encouraged. Children who fail to enter the organization or who are expelled from its ranks also face social stigma later in life, as this reduces their chances of entering the Youth Vanguard and, by extension, the Socialist Party. In October 2016, the organization's official register counted 48.3 million members, corresponding to almost 98% of eligible children in the 7-15 age range.
Uniforms and symbols
In contrast with the Youth Vanguard, whose colors were changed to azure and gold to distinguish them from the DPRM's "Red Guards of the Revolution," the Joguk Janyŏ retain their distinctive red flag and red neckerchiefs, a nod to tradition and to other Young Pioneer organizations.
In addition to the neckerchief, Joguk Janyŏ members wear a white button-down shirt, and sometimes a white cap. Boys wear black knee-length shorts, and girls wear black skirts. During regular school activities, children may wear the red neckerchief on top of their regular school uniform. Children are expected to treat the neckerchief with respect and reverence, as its color symbolizes the blood shed by heroes who fought in service of the country.
The flag of the Joguk Janyŏ consists of a red background with a golden torch and ten rays of light in the center. The torch represents the guiding ideal of Socialism and Choe Sŭng-min Thought, and the ten rays represent the ten principles a member is expected to follow.