by Workers Weekly correspondent
“Celebrating the Outstanding Achievements of the DPRK” was
the title of a friendship and solidarity meeting held on Saturday, October 13th.
It was organised at the John Buckle Centre by the Friends of Korea (FoK), and
marked the 67th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which fell on
October 10th. The FoK has the aim of combating the disinformation peddled by
those who wish the DPRK ill, and accuse it of all the crimes that imperialism
is itself responsible for. To this end it seeks to unite all friends of Korea
in Britain in taking a stand in favour of the DPRK, and to encourage all to
investigate the truth about the DPRK, its achievements and social system, and
to defend the right of the DPRK to its independence and sovereignty and the
right of its people to chart their own destiny.
In the DPRK
today, the people fully benefit from universal free medical care, guaranteed
under the Socialist Constitution and the Public Health Law. The system of
taxation was abolished 38 years ago, with the national economy on a firm
footing being the source of the state income.
Of note
recently has been the care of the rising generation. This is not only evident
in the guaranteed right to education, but the organisation of children into the
Korean Children’s Union representing the hope and future of the DPRK. In the
DPRK there is universal 11-year compulsory education. There are also a huge
number of large and small colleges.
The
government of the DPRK is a genuine people’s government with local organ’s of
power, as well as the Supreme People’s Assembly.
The Korean
people receive such social benefits as free housing, and to constantly improve
the people’s living standards is the central aim of the organisation of the economy.
As an example, spectacular new tower blocks of flats have been erected in the
past year in Changjon Street in Pyongyang, changing this area of the capital
beyond recognition, including public service amenities and parks, in addition
to modern dwellings.
At the
meeting, Michael Chant, as Secretary of the FoK, welcomed all the participants
who filled the hall. He especially welcomed Mun Myongsin as guest from the
Embassy of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in London. The meeting
opened with the showing of a film on Kim Jong Il and the significance of his
Songun politics, following which a talk was given by Dr Hugh Goodacre on the
history of the Workers’ Party of Korea. A period of discussion followed, and
extracts from messages to the meeting from Andy Brooks, Chair of FoK, and
Dermot Hudson, Vice-chair, were read out.
In
conclusion, it was pointed out the importance of the DPRK’s finding a place in
the hearts of working people in Britain, in the spirit of friendship and
proletarian internationalism.
Solidarity messages
To the Supreme Leader of the
Korean People,
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un
October 13, 2012 (Juche 101)
Dear
Comrade Kim Jong Un
This
friendship and solidarity meeting convened to celebrate the 67th anniversary of
the foundation of the Workers’ Party of Korea conveys to you its warmest
greetings. The meeting also marks the important 15th anniversary of the
election of Comrade Kim Jong Il as the General Secretary of the Party and on
this occasion we also pay tribute to Comrade Kim Jong Il as Eternal General
Secretary of the WPK.
The
Workers’ Party of Korea is imbued with a humanity and concern for the whole of society.
It serves to unite the people around the cause of independence and socialism,
in contrast to the aggression and brutality of imperialism which stands for war
and outright reaction.
The
progressive forces in Britain are duty bound to combat the disinformation of the
enemies of the DPRK. We are fighting together against the imperialist forces
that would turn back the world to medievalism in pursuit of their neo-liberal
agenda. But the common cause of the people is that of the defence of
independence and sovereignty of peoples and nations, and our common conviction
is that humanity will achieve a world where the people are the masters of their
own destiny.
May
we wish you on this occasion good health and long life, and assure you that we
stand shoulder to shoulder with you in our common cause of building a new
world, the world of peace, independence and socialism.
Co-ordinating Committee of Friends of Korea
c/o 170 Wandsworth Road, London SW8
2LA.
Respected Comrade Kim Jong
Un
First Secretary of the
Workers' Party of Korea,
First Chairman of the
DPRK National Defence Commission
Supreme Commander of the
Korean People's Army
9th October 2012
Dear Comrade Kim Jong Un,
The
New Communist Party joins with millions of Koreans and working people all
over the world celebrating the 15th anniversary of the election of
Comrade Kim Jong Il to the
general-secretaryship of the Workers Party of Korea and the 67th
anniversary of the founding of the Workers Party of Korea.
Over the decades the Workers Party
of Korea has faced hardship and war to lead the Korean people to victory. In
recent years the Workers Party of Korea has won great victories too. Natural
disasters have been overcome. Diplomatic isolation has been broken and the
intrigues of US imperialism and their south Korea puppets have been exposed.
The Korean revolution is an
inspiration to all communists and freedom-fighters throughout the world. The
Korean people, determined to preserve their independence and socialist system,
have closed ranks around the Workers Party of Korea and the government of the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the face of new threats
from American imperialism.
The achievements of Democratic Korea
today are based on the sacrifices of generations of Koreans in the past and the
tireless work of the leadership of the Workers Party of Korea that follows in
the footsteps of your country’s great revolutionary leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim
Jong Il.
We have no doubt that the Korean
masses, who are building socialism in the north and struggling for freedom and
re-unification in the south, will be victorious in the struggles to come. And
we are confident that with you at the helm the Korean people will achieve the
end of partition and the re-unification of the Korean peninsula.
Wishing
you good health, a long life and success in your work,
Yours fraternally,
Andy Brooks
General Secretary
