Korean Children's Union

The Korean Children's Union (KCU) is a North Korean organization to which all children aged seven to fourteen belong. A pioneer movement, it is a political organization linked to the Workers' Party of Korea. Its uniformed branch, which admits children ages 9 through fifteen, is known as the Young Pioneer Corps. The organization operates chapters in elementary and secondary schools nationwide. It teaches children about Juche and other aspects of the state ideology. It is a precursor to the Socialist Patriotic Youth League.^[1] Its officers play a role similar to that of student body leaders in South Korean schools, but with a military-style rank structure.^[2] Among its activities are raising funds for weapons: in 2023 it donated rocket launcher vehicles to the armed forces.^[3]

Korean Children's Union 조선소년단 Chosŏn Sonyeondan
Emblem of Korean Children's Union, with the motto "Always ready!" (항상 준비!)
Flag of the Korean Children's Union
Founded	6 June 1946
Headquarters	Pyongyang, North Korea
Ideology	Communism Kimilsungism–Kimjongilism Korean nationalism
Mother party	Workers' 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 Romanization	Joseon Sonyeondan
McCune–Reischauer	Chosŏn Sonyŏndan

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.^[4] 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 Young Pioneers in investiture ceremonies on the same days.

See also

• Socialist Patriotic Youth League
• Ernst Thälmann Pioneer Organisation
• Vladimir Lenin All-Union Pioneer Organization