JOINT STATEMENT OF PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS OF FRIENDS OF KOREA
c/o 170 Wandsworth Road, London SW8 2LA.
January 13, 2011 (Juche 100)
We would like to give warm support to the Joint New Year Editorial carried by Rodong Sinmun, Joson Inmingun and Chongnyon Jonwi, leading newspapers of the DPRK on New Year’s Day: “Bring about a Decisive Turn in the Improvement of the People’s Standard of Living and the Building of a Great, Prosperous and Powerful Country by Accelerating the Development of Light Industry Once Again This Year”.
As well as being an inspiration to all throughout the world who wish the DPRK well, it gives the lie to the disinformation peddled here in Britain and elsewhere about the DPRK, its leadership, its economic and political situation, and its future prospects.
A major milestone in the life of the nation during 2010 was the Conference of the Workers’ Party of Korea, convened to greet the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Party. This was an event that captured the imagination of the world, demonstrating that the WPK and the Korean people are of one mind, determined to defend in every way the sovereignty of the DPRK and the path the people themselves have chosen.
The great upsurge which took place during 2010 further opened the path for improving the people’s living standards. For example, in the light industry, chemical industry and metal industry, modernisation projects made possible the mass production of steel, artificial fibres and fertiliser; hundreds of major projects in the infrastructure of the country, such as power stations and land reclamation, were brought to completion.
In the sphere of art and culture, the people gave free rein to their thoughts and feelings in order to produce works of art, literature and music which are mass-based and of high ideological and artistic quality.
Although these advances were carried out under an extremely tense international situation and in the teeth of vicious sanctions, the Workers’ Party of Korea remained pro-active, true to its revolutionary nature. The guidance provided by General Kim Jong Il proved invaluable. In particular, his two visits to China created an environment favourable for the revolutionary cause of the DPRK, and hence for progressive humanity.
The Korean people are faced with the immediate task of consolidating and further developing the successes already achieved in raising the people’s standard of living to a level commensurate with the DPRK’s being a prosperous and powerful country. This is the most important issue, the highest goal of the Party and people’s struggle.
To improve economic management is becoming ever more pressing at this time of the revitalisation of the national economy of the DPRK. In conjunction with this, the quality of education becomes crucial, and excellence in the spheres of literature and the arts, health care and sports is spurred on by the upsurge to accomplish a thriving nation-building project.
Even in the face of the vicious challenges of those who would like to keep the Korean nation permanently divided, the movement for national reunification made dynamic progress in 2010. The 10th anniversary of the June 15 Joint Declaration and the 30th anniversary of the proposal for founding the Democratic Federal Republic of Koryo were marked significantly in the north, south and abroad. Humanitarian activities were conducted between the north and south despite the schemes of the conservative authorities and outside forces.
In this connection, we would also like to fully support the January 5 joint statement of the DPRK government, political parties and organisations at a joint meeting convened as regards the grave situation prevailing on the Korean Peninsula. Important proposals to the south Korean authorities, political parties and organisations were put forward in this joint statement reflecting the sentiment of all Koreans for peace and reunification.
The January 5 joint statement makes important proposals for wide-ranging dialogue and negotiations, for letting bygones be bygones and for discussing and solving important matters pertaining to the Korean nation. We assess that the immediate offer for the north and south to refrain from slanders and provocative acts is a very just, timely and sincere proposal. In common with all progressive forces who cherish justice, truth and peace, we extend the proposals our warm support and fervently hope that the south Korean authorities, political parties and organisations will respond positively to them.
We in Britain are uplifted by the optimism of the Joint New Year Editorial. The Korean people, rallied around the Central Committee of the WPK headed by General Kim Jong Il, do not make light of the difficulties and sacrifices on the road ahead. But the onward march of the revolutionary forces is an engine of great innovation to overcome the obstacles and provide solutions to the problems of opening the path to a great, prosperous and powerful society in the DPRK, and to a new society on a world scale.
Our Struggle Is One!
Strengthen the Unity between the Working People of Britain and the DPRK!
Victory to the Korean People’s Revolutionary Nation-Building Project!
Communist Party of Great Britain (Marxist-Leninist)
European Regional Society for the Study of the Juche Idea
UK Korean Friendship Association
New Communist Party of Britain
Revolutionary Communist Party of Britain (Marxist-Leninist)
Socialist Labour Party
