A glimpse of the future

by John Maryon    

Amid the doom and gloom of capitalism's decline the rise of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea can inspire the working class. Dermot Hudson, of the Korean Friendship Association, spoke enthusiastically about his experiences in that socialist country at the latest meeting of the Ipswich New Worker Supporters Group. Members  of a number of left wing parties, religious groups and Palestine supporters joined the event intended to both increase awareness of the  New Worker and to build left unity.

The speaker described how the country is rapidly developing, with building work transforming Pyongyang, as despite harsh sanctions the economy continues to grow. The sanctions were imposed at the behest of the United States to punish Korea for defending itself. There can be no doubt that without its nuclear deterrent People's Korea would have suffered the same fate as Iraq, Syria and Yugoslavia or be exposed to the threats faced today by Iran, Venezuela and Cuba. 

The appalling propaganda from the Western media, including decades of lies, misinformation and snide remarks by the ‘British Brainwashing Corporation’ shows their fear and hatred of the DPRK.  Not because of some supposed military action but the fear that a successful non- capitalist state is creating a beautiful and prosperous new form of society. 

The meeting also discussed the capitalist crises in Britain and overseas. Of particular concern was the rise of the far right supported by  less well educated groups of former Labour supporters. It was agreed that the next meeting of the Ipswich New Worker Group would be devoted to this issue with the aim of developing an effective strategy for creating a more progressive society. Future topics will also include the international situation and Green issues. The newly established Ipswich New Worker Group continues to develop and gain in strength. It's ultimate goal to put the Red flag over Ipswich!

Kim Jong Il – an outstanding Korean leader!

by New Worker correspondent

NCP leader Andy Brooks joined other Korean solidarity campaigners in south London last weekend to look at the development of the DPR Korea’s nuclear deterrent and  the other outstanding achievements of Kim Jong Il when he was at the helm. Achievements spelt out in a paper sent by the DPRK embassy in London which said that “the US went successively to war with Iraq, Yugoslavia and Afghanistan and went on to place the DPRK on the list of ‘targets of pre-emptive nuclear strike’ and make it a policy to use nuclear weapons and deal a pre-emptive strike to the country, while intensifying military threats to it with huge armed forces. But no war broke out in the Korean peninsula because Chairman Kim Jong Il (1942-2011) frustrated the US' attempts at aggression by strengthening the country's defence capabilities in every way”.
The Korean Friendship Association (KFA) meeting at a community centre just a stone’s throw from Brixton station brought a number of seasoned campaigners together while a hundred more from this country and all over the world watched the proceedings on YouTube. 
Dermot Hudson, the KFA chair, opened on the theme of why the DPRK was right to have a nuclear deterrent which was taken up by other speakers which included Andy Brooks and Theo Russell from the NCP as well as Ly Kimlong of the KFA Cambodia, who is currently studying in the United Kingdom.
Dermot said that Kim Jong Il stands in history as a strong figure who faithfully upheld and creatively developed Juche-based socialism – the great idea first pioneered by President Kim Il Sung. Juche is not just an abstract theory; it is a people-centred philosophy that places political independence, economic self-reliance and self-defensive national security at the heart of state-building. Under Kim Jong Il's leadership, Juche was transformed into a powerful guiding force capable of defending socialism in one of the most hostile geopolitical environments in the world.
Closely linked to Juche is the historic role of the Korean People's Army (KPA). The KPA is not merely a military force; it is the pillar of the revolution, a defender of the Korean people and a symbol of national sovereignty. Through decades of confrontation, war threats and military encirclement, the KPA has stood firm ensuring that the DPRK remains unconquered and respected.
The KFA chair also denounced the American and south Korean puppet regime moves to "denuclearise " the DPRK pointing out that “recent developments and ongoing events have proved the DPRK's stance on nuclear weapons to be a 100 per cent and a 1,000 per cent correct”.