Korea’s Shining Star

Andy Brooks at the embassy

By New Worker Correspondent

IN DEMOCRATIC Korea Kim Jong Il’s birthday has long been known as the Day of the Shining Star and throughout the world overseas Koreans, progressives and communists held their own events in honour of Kim Jong Il, who was born on 16^th February 1942 and died at his post on 17^th December 2011. In London a number of events were held over the past two weeks to commemorate the life and times of Kim Jong Il, culminating at a reception at the DPRK embassy last week.

New Communist Party leader Andy Brooks joined others in laying floral tributes in front of the portraits of the great leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at the opening of the reception, which brought together communists, diplomats and many of those actively involved in solidarity with Democratic Korea in London and across the country.

Kim Jong Il’s entire life was devoted to serving the Korean people. Following Kim Il Sung’s footsteps, Kim Jong Il led the Workers Party of Korea into the 21^st century to build a strong and prosperous socialist republic. Kim Jong Il was a leading Marxist thinker who made an important contribution to the modern communist theory as well as an astute statesman who led the Korean people through thick and thin to overcome natural disasters, imperialist blockade and diplomatic isolation.

While ensuring the DPRK’s defence against the threats and provocations of US imperialism and its lackeys, Kim Jong Il worked tirelessly to ease tension on the Korean peninsula to pave the way towards the peaceful reunification of Korea.

Now the Korean people are racing ahead at a new fast speed of socialist construction, upholding the slogan put forward by the young leader, Kim Jong Un:  "Let us raise a fierce wind of making a fresh leap forward on all fronts of building a thriving country filled with confidence in victory!"

Down with oppression in south Korea!

Andy Brooks with other comrades at the picket

by New Worker correspondent

DESPITE sub-zero temperatures and a bit of snow Korean solidarity activists picketed the south Korean puppet embassy in London last week to denounce the suppression of a leading opposition party and the arrest of pro-reunification activists.

New Communist Party leader Andy Brooks joined comrades and friends from the Korean Friendship Association to protest at the banning of the Unified Progressive Party and demand the release of Ro Su Hui, the jailed veteran peace campaigner, and other south Korean political prisoners.

Dermot Hudson of the KFA opened the picket by condemning the repression of fascist puppet Park Geun Hye regime, which is dragging south Korea back to the era of the Yushin fascist dictatorship of her father Park Chung Hee. General Park came to power in a military coup in 1961 and ruled with an iron fist until he was assassinated by the head of his own intelligence service during a power struggle in 1979.

Dermot took the microphone to denounce the dissolution of the Unified Progressive Party in south Korea, which is the third largest party in south Korea with elected representatives and a 100,000 members.

Picketers took turns in reading statements supporting the campaign while others gave out a new KFA info leaflet during the two-hour picket. One passer-by joined the KFA on the spot – showing activism and campaigning works.

 The picketers, fortified by hot soup, coffee and a little drop of Scotch, ended their protest at 5.30, vowing to return in the near future if the prisoners are not released.

The UK Korean Friendship Association (KFA) regularly organises solidarity meetings and protest pickets in London throughout the year. The KFA also works side by side with the Friends of Korea committee which also holds regular events in London.

The Shining Star of Korea

 by New Worker correspondent

Michael Chant speaking

FRIENDS of the Korean revolution marked the 73^rd anniversary of dear leader Kim Jong Il at the John Buckle Centre in London on Monday.

  Andy Brooks, the chair of the Friends of Korea committee that organised the meeting, welcomed everyone to the event to honour the memory of the Korean communist leader who died at his post in December 2011.

In his opening the New Communist Party leader said Kim Jong Il had made an immense contribution to the arts as well as the theory and practice of the world communist movement. This was followed by other tributes from Michael Chant of the RCPB (ML), Dermot Hudson of the Korean Friendship Association and  DPRK Ambassador Hyong Hak Bong

Kim Jong Il steered the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea through the difficult times that followed the death of great leader Kim Il Sung in 1994.  He devoted his entire life to serving the Korean people in the cause of building a human-centred society, a cause that is espoused by the democratic and anti-imperialist forces the world over.

Following Kim Il Sung’s footsteps, Kim Jong Il led the Workers Party of Korea into the 21^st century to build a strong and prosperous democratic republic. Kim Jong Il was a leading Marxist thinker who made an important contribution to the modern communist theory as well as an astute statesman who led the Korean people through thick and thin to overcome natural disasters, the imperialist blockade and diplomatic isolation.

This was followed by a full-length DPRK film about the achievements of the Korean people under its new young leader, Kim Jong Un.

In Democratic Korea Kim Jong Il’s birthday has long been known as the Day of the Shining Star. This year it is being celebrated at a time when the Korean people are racing ahead at a new fast speed of socialist construction led by Kim Jong Un who is faithfully following the footsteps of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at the helm of the Workers Party of Korea.

The Co-ordinating Committee of the Friends of Korea brings together all the major movements active in Korean friendship and solidarity work in Britain today. It is chaired by Andy Brooks and the secretary is Michael Chant. The committee organises meetings throughout the year, which are publicised by the supporting movements and on the Friends of Korea blog.

Dedicated to the Korean people

 

Dermot Hudson and Yu Kwang Song

By New Worker correspondent

NEW COMMUNIST Party leader Andy Brooks joined Juché supporters and Korean solidarity activists in paying tribute to the life-time achievements of dear leader Kim Jong Il at a solidarity meeting in London last weekend.

The meeting, at the Marchmont Centre in central London, was organised by the Juché Idea Study Group as part of a round of events in February to mark the birthday of Kim Jong Il who led Democratic Korea through the turbulent times that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s.

Dermot Hudson opened the meeting, saying that Kim Jong Il was a true son of the people who was never apart from them and this was the theme that ran through all the contributions, which included a tribute from a member of the DPRK embassy in London.

Kim Jong Il said: “Reality is a fine school and the masses are teachers,” Dermot said pointing out that the whole raison d’etre of the Juché Idea is the people are the masters of everything and everything should be done for them.

            Andy Brooks spotlighted Kim Jong Il’s early work in the reborn Korean film industry and his efforts to raise the standards of proletarian culture in literature and the arts. Kim Jong Il also led the Workers Party of Korea’s efforts in developing the non-aligned movement and strengthening the international communist and workers’ movement.

Working side-by-side with great leader Kim Il Sung he then made significant contributions to the development of the Juché Idea. Kim Jong Il asserted that, in understanding the relationship between the Juché idea and Marxism-Leninism, the originality of the former should be viewed as fundamental in combination with its inheritance of the latter. 

            This was taken up by Shaun Pickford who spoke about the revolutionary activities of the new leader, Kim Jong Un, who is following the footsteps of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il to face the challenges of the 21^st century.

Yu Kwang Song from the DPRK embassy said that Kim Jong Il is alive in the hearts and minds of the Korean people and the peoples of the world and the work started by the dear leader continues today. Comrade Yu denounced the slanders against the DPRK and the imperialists’ bogus “human rights” campaign against the DPRK and thanked the audience and all the friends of the Korean revolution in Britain for their efforts in setting the record straight.

The Korean comrade then took questions from the audience which developed into a wide ranging discussion which continued over refreshments until the session ended.

DPRK Leader Marshal Kim Jong Un’s New Year Address

 On January 1st 2015 (or Juche 104 in the DPRK calendar), Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army, made a New Year address for 2015.

He began by saying that 2014 marked a year “in which we clearly demonstrated the spirit and might of the great DPRK that advances by leaps and bounds” and the new year was full of hope for 2015. He recognised “the boundless loyalty of all the service personnel and people … who are striving with devotion for the dignity and prosperity of the country with revolutionary faith and patriotic enthusiasm”; and he then paid “the highest tribute” and offered New Year greetings to President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il, “the eternal leaders of our people”. He also wished the families throughout the country his warmest affection, wishing “our lovely children” a bright future.

He sent greetings to “the compatriots in the south and abroad who are fighting for national concord and reunification and to the progressive peoples of the world and other foreign friends who aspire after independence and peace”.

Kim Jong Un spoke of the army training under combat conditions and that this enabled everyone to “became strong in ideas and faith and prepared as an invincible army capable of discharging operational and combat missions proficiently in any circumstances and conditions”. He said that “iron military discipline was established in the entire army” and unprecedented successes were made in the improvement of soldiers’ living conditions.

He said that the DPRK has developed its defence industry sector and has made various improvements to its military strike capacity, and this has led “to the qualitative growth of the revolutionary armed forces”. He said that “last year we made great progress in the building of a socialist economic giant and civilised nation by the joint operation of the army and people”.

He said that “the new year 2015 will be a year of great significance, in which we will mark the 70th anniversaries of national liberation and founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Greeting this significant year, our people are looking back with great pride and dignity upon the glorious 70-year history of our Party and homeland which have achieved shining victories under the wise leadership of the President and the General; they are full of confidence and optimism with a determination to follow the Party and achieve final victory in the Juche revolution pioneered on Mt. Paektu.” It is important to “thwart the challenges and manoeuvres by hostile forces and score a signal success in the struggle to defend socialism and on all fronts of building a thriving nation”. He said, “we should celebrate the 70th anniversaries of national liberation and the founding of the Party, as revolutionary, auspicious events”.

After elaborating on the country’s defence capability, Kim Jong Un spoke of the Party’s line of promoting two fronts simultaneously. He said the need was for the defence industry sector to step up its efforts to make the munitions production Juche-oriented, modern and scientific, and to proactively develop and perfect powerful cutting-edge “military hardware of our own style”.

He that this year they would make the building of a socialist economic giant and civilised nation, emphasising science and technology, the main focus. He said that “it is a determination and will of our Party to rapidly develop all sectors and build a people’s paradise by dint of science and technology. He said they would defeat the sanctions and encourage all sectors of the economy to make rapid headway; especially in the area of scientific research.

He spoke of the potential and necessity to maintain the self-supporting economy. He talked of the need to “resolve the food problem of the people and improve their dietary provision to a higher level with agricultural production, animal husbandry and fishing as the main thrusts”.

Further on, speaking of giving a vigorous spur to the building of a civilised socialist nation, Kim Jong Un emphasised the necessity of bringing about a radical improvement in education in the new century. He said that the sector of art and literature should produce larger numbers of contemporary masterpieces which inspire the masses to further efforts, and the public health sector should improve the hygienic and anti-epidemic work and preventive and curative medical care and boost pharmaceutical production.

Further on, Kim Jong Un underlined that “seventy years have passed since our nation was divided by outside forces”.

“In those decades,” he said, “the world has made a tremendous advance and the times have undergone dramatic changes, but our nation has not yet achieved reunification, suffering the pain of division. It is a deplorable fact known to everyone and it is lamentable to everyone. No longer can we bear and tolerate the tragedy of national division that has continued century after century.

“Last year we put forward crucial proposals for improved inter-Korean relations and national reunification and made sincere efforts for their implementation. Our efforts, however, could not bear due fruit owing to the obstructive moves by the anti-reunification forces within and without; instead the north-south relations have been on a headlong rush to aggravation.”

Kim Jong Un said that the slogan of struggle which the entire Korean nation can uphold is: Let the whole nation join efforts to open up a broad avenue to independent reunification in this year of the 70th anniversary of national liberation!

Kim Jong Un condemned the large-scale war games held every year in south Korea as the root cause of the escalating tension on the peninsula and the danger of nuclear war. “It is needless to say that there can be neither trustworthy dialogue nor improved inter-Korean relations in such a gruesome atmosphere in which war drills are staged against the dialogue partner,” he said.

He went on to call on the United States, which has divided the Korean nation into two and has imposed the suffering of national division upon it for 70 years, to desist from pursuing an anachronistic policy hostile towards the DPRK and switch its policy.

“The north and the south should refrain from seeking confrontation of systems while absolutising their own ideologies and systems but achieve great national unity true to the principle of By Our Nation Itself to satisfactorily resolve the reunification issue in conformity with the common interests of the nation,” Kim Jong Un said. He continued, “If they try to force their ideologies and systems upon each other, they will never settle the national reunification issue in a peaceful way, only bringing confrontation and war. Though the people-centred socialist system of our own style is the most advantageous, we do not force it on south Korea and have never done so.”

They should briskly hold dialogue, negotiations and exchanges, Kim Jong Un emphasised, and make contact to relink the severed ties and blood vessels of the nation and bring about a great turn in inter-Korean relations.

Kim Jong Un declared, “Nothing is impossible if our nation shares one purpose and joins efforts. On the road for reunification the north and the south had got such charter and great programme for reunification as the July 4 Joint Statement, the historic June 15 Joint Declaration and the October 4 Declaration, thus demonstrating to the whole world the nation’s determination and mettle to reunify the country.” There is no reason, he explained, why a summit meeting should not be held if the atmosphere and environment for it are created.

Kim Jong Un continued, “Last year, in the international arena, hostilities and bloodshed persisted in several countries and regions due to the imperialists’ outrageous arbitrariness and undisguised infringement upon their sovereignty, which posed a serious threat to global peace and security. Especially, owing to the United States’ extremely hostile policy aimed at isolating and suffocating our Republic, the bulwark of socialism and fortress of independence and justice, the vicious cycle of tension never ceased and the danger of war grew further on the Korean peninsula.”

He stressed, “The present situation, in which high-handedness based on strength is rampant and justice and truth are trampled ruthlessly in the international arena, eloquently demonstrates that we were just in our efforts to firmly consolidate our self-reliant defence capability with the nuclear deterrent as its backbone and safeguard our national sovereignty, the lifeblood of the country.”

Kim Jong Un concluded by pointing out that the Workers’ Party of Korea and the government of the DPRK will consolidate the bonds of solidarity with the world’s progressive peoples who love peace and aspire after independence and justice, and will strive to develop good neighbourly relations with all the countries that respect the DPRK’s national sovereignty.

“Final victory undoubtedly belongs to us!” he declared, wishing all families across the country every happiness in 2015.

DPRK Leader Marshal Kim Jong Un’s New Year Address

On January 1, 2015 (or Juche 104 in the DPRK calendar), Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army, made a New Year address for 2015.

He began by saying that 2014 marked a year “in which we clearly demonstrated the spirit and might of the great DPRK that advances by leaps and bounds” and the new year was full of hope for 2015. He recognised “the boundless loyalty of all the service personnel and people … who are striving with devotion for the dignity and prosperity of the country with revolutionary faith and patriotic enthusiasm”; and he then paid “the highest tribute” and offered New Year greetings to President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il, “the eternal leaders of our people”. He also wished the families throughout the country his warmest affection, wishing “our lovely children” a bright future.

He sent greetings to “the compatriots in the south and abroad who are fighting for national concord and reunification and to the progressive peoples of the world and other foreign friends who aspire after independence and peace”.

Kim Jong Un spoke of the army training under combat conditions and that this enabled everyone to “became strong in ideas and faith and prepared as an invincible army capable of discharging operational and combat missions proficiently in any circumstances and conditions”. He said that “iron military discipline was established in the entire army” and unprecedented successes were made in the improvement of soldiers’ living conditions.

He said that the DPRK has developed its defence industry sector and has made various improvments to its military strike capacity, and this has led “to the qualitative growth of the revolutionary armed forces”. He said that “last year we made great progress in the building of a socialist economic giant and civilised nation by the joint operation of the army and people”.

He said that “the new year 2015 will be a year of great significance, in which we will mark the 70th anniversaries of national liberation and founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Greeting this significant year, our people are looking back with great pride and dignity upon the glorious 70-year history of our Party and homeland which have achieved shining victories under the wise leadership of the President and the General; they are full of confidence and optimism with a determination to follow the Party and achieve final victory in the Juche revolution pioneered on Mt. Paektu.” It is important to “thwart the challenges and manoeuvres by hostile forces and score a signal success in the struggle to defend socialism and on all fronts of building a thriving nation”. He said, “we should celebrate the 70th anniversaries of national liberation and the founding of the Party, as revolutionary, auspicious events”.

After elaborating on the country’s defence capability, Kim Jong Un spoke of the Party’s line of promoting two fronts simultaneously. He said the need was for the defence industry sector to step up its efforts to make the munitions production Juche-oriented, modern and scientific, and to proactively develop and perfect powerful cutting-edge “military hardware of our own style”.

He that this year they would make the building of a socialist economic giant and civilised nation, emphasising science and technology, the main focus. He said that “it is a determination and will of our Party to rapidly develop all sectors and build a people’s paradise by dint of science and technology. He said they would defeat the sanctions and encourage all sectors of the economy to make rapid headway; especially in the area of scientific research.

He spoke of the potential and necessity to maintain the self-supporting economy. He talked of the need to “resolve the food problem of the people and improve their dietary provision to a higher level with agricultural production, animal husbandry and fishing as the main thrusts”.

Further on, speaking of giving a vigorous spur to the building of a civilised socialist nation, Kim Jong Un emphasised the necessity of bringing about a radical improvement in education in the new century. He said that the sector of art and literature should produce larger numbers of contemporary masterpieces which inspire the masses to further efforts, and the public health sector should improve the hygienic and anti-epidemic work and preventive and curative medical care and boost pharmaceutical production.

Further on, Kim Jong Un underlined that “seventy years have passed since our nation was divided by outside forces”.

“In those decades,” he said, “the world has made a tremendous advance and the times have undergone dramatic changes, but our nation has not yet achieved reunification, suffering the pain of division. It is a deplorable fact known to everyone and it is lamentable to everyone. No longer can we bear and tolerate the tragedy of national division that has continued century after century.

“Last year we put forward crucial proposals for improved inter-Korean relations and national reunification and made sincere efforts for their implementation. Our efforts, however, could not bear due fruit owing to the obstructive moves by the anti-reunification forces within and without; instead the north-south relations have been on a headlong rush to aggravation.”

Kim Jong Un said that the slogan of struggle which the entire Korean nation can uphold is: Let the whole nation join efforts to open up a broad avenue to independent reunification in this year of the 70th anniversary of national liberation!

Kim Jong Un condemned the large-scale war games held every year in south Korea as the root cause of the escalating tension on the peninsula and the danger of nuclear war. “It is needless to say that there can be neither trustworthy dialogue nor improved inter-Korean relations in such a gruesome atmosphere in which war drills are staged against the dialogue partner,” he said.

He went on to call on the United States, which has divided the Korean nation into two and has imposed the suffering of national division upon it for 70 years, to desist from pursuing an anachronistic policy hostile towards the DPRK and switch its policy.

“The north and the south should refrain from seeking confrontation of systems while absolutising their own ideologies and systems but achieve great national unity true to the principle of By Our Nation Itself to satisfactorily resolve the reunification issue in conformity with the common interests of the nation,” Kim Jong Un said. He continued, “If they try to force their ideologies and systems upon each other, they will never settle the national reunification issue in a peaceful way, only bringing confrontation and war. Though the people-centred socialist system of our own style is the most advantageous, we do not force it on south Korea and have never done so.”

They should briskly hold dialogue, negotiations and exchanges, Kim Jong Un emphasised, and make contact to relink the severed ties and blood vessels of the nation and bring about a great turn in inter-Korean relations.

Kim Jong Un declared, “Nothing is impossible if our nation shares one purpose and joins efforts. On the road for reunification the north and the south had got such charter and great programme for reunification as the July 4 Joint Statement, the historic June 15 Joint Declaration and the October 4 Declaration, thus demonstrating to the whole world the nation’s determination and mettle to reunify the country.” There is no reason, he explained, why a summit meeting should not be held if the atmosphere and environment for it are created.

Kim Jong Un continued, “Last year, in the international arena, hostilities and bloodshed persisted in several countries and regions due to the imperialists’ outrageous arbitrariness and undisguised infringement upon their sovereignty, which posed a serious threat to global peace and security. Especially, owing to the United States’ extremely hostile policy aimed at isolating and suffocating our Republic, the bulwark of socialism and fortress of independence and justice, the vicious cycle of tension never ceased and the danger of war grew further on the Korean peninsula.”

He stressed, “The present situation, in which high-handedness based on strength is rampant and justice and truth are trampled ruthlessly in the international arena, eloquently demonstrates that we were just in our efforts to firmly consolidate our self-reliant defence capability with the nuclear deterrent as its backbone and safeguard our national sovereignty, the lifeblood of the country.”

Kim Jong Un concluded by pointing out that the Workers’ Party of Korea and the government of the DPRK will consolidate the bonds of solidarity with the world’s progressive peoples who love peace and aspire after independence and justice, and will strive to develop good neighbourly relations with all the countries that respect the DPRK’s national sovereignty.

“Final victory undoubtedly belongs to us!” he declared, wishing all families across the country every happiness in 2015.

Article Index
- See more at: http://www.rcpbml.org.uk/wwie-15/ww15-01.htm#lead

DPRK Leader Marshal Kim Jong Un’s New Year Address

On January 1, 2015 (or Juche 104 in the DPRK calendar), Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army, made a New Year address for 2015.

He began by saying that 2014 marked a year “in which we clearly demonstrated the spirit and might of the great DPRK that advances by leaps and bounds” and the new year was full of hope for 2015. He recognised “the boundless loyalty of all the service personnel and people … who are striving with devotion for the dignity and prosperity of the country with revolutionary faith and patriotic enthusiasm”; and he then paid “the highest tribute” and offered New Year greetings to President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il, “the eternal leaders of our people”. He also wished the families throughout the country his warmest affection, wishing “our lovely children” a bright future.

He sent greetings to “the compatriots in the south and abroad who are fighting for national concord and reunification and to the progressive peoples of the world and other foreign friends who aspire after independence and peace”.

Kim Jong Un spoke of the army training under combat conditions and that this enabled everyone to “became strong in ideas and faith and prepared as an invincible army capable of discharging operational and combat missions proficiently in any circumstances and conditions”. He said that “iron military discipline was established in the entire army” and unprecedented successes were made in the improvement of soldiers’ living conditions.

He said that the DPRK has developed its defence industry sector and has made various improvments to its military strike capacity, and this has led “to the qualitative growth of the revolutionary armed forces”. He said that “last year we made great progress in the building of a socialist economic giant and civilised nation by the joint operation of the army and people”.

He said that “the new year 2015 will be a year of great significance, in which we will mark the 70th anniversaries of national liberation and founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Greeting this significant year, our people are looking back with great pride and dignity upon the glorious 70-year history of our Party and homeland which have achieved shining victories under the wise leadership of the President and the General; they are full of confidence and optimism with a determination to follow the Party and achieve final victory in the Juche revolution pioneered on Mt. Paektu.” It is important to “thwart the challenges and manoeuvres by hostile forces and score a signal success in the struggle to defend socialism and on all fronts of building a thriving nation”. He said, “we should celebrate the 70th anniversaries of national liberation and the founding of the Party, as revolutionary, auspicious events”.

After elaborating on the country’s defence capability, Kim Jong Un spoke of the Party’s line of promoting two fronts simultaneously. He said the need was for the defence industry sector to step up its efforts to make the munitions production Juche-oriented, modern and scientific, and to proactively develop and perfect powerful cutting-edge “military hardware of our own style”.

He that this year they would make the building of a socialist economic giant and civilised nation, emphasising science and technology, the main focus. He said that “it is a determination and will of our Party to rapidly develop all sectors and build a people’s paradise by dint of science and technology. He said they would defeat the sanctions and encourage all sectors of the economy to make rapid headway; especially in the area of scientific research.

He spoke of the potential and necessity to maintain the self-supporting economy. He talked of the need to “resolve the food problem of the people and improve their dietary provision to a higher level with agricultural production, animal husbandry and fishing as the main thrusts”.

Further on, speaking of giving a vigorous spur to the building of a civilised socialist nation, Kim Jong Un emphasised the necessity of bringing about a radical improvement in education in the new century. He said that the sector of art and literature should produce larger numbers of contemporary masterpieces which inspire the masses to further efforts, and the public health sector should improve the hygienic and anti-epidemic work and preventive and curative medical care and boost pharmaceutical production.

Further on, Kim Jong Un underlined that “seventy years have passed since our nation was divided by outside forces”.

“In those decades,” he said, “the world has made a tremendous advance and the times have undergone dramatic changes, but our nation has not yet achieved reunification, suffering the pain of division. It is a deplorable fact known to everyone and it is lamentable to everyone. No longer can we bear and tolerate the tragedy of national division that has continued century after century.

“Last year we put forward crucial proposals for improved inter-Korean relations and national reunification and made sincere efforts for their implementation. Our efforts, however, could not bear due fruit owing to the obstructive moves by the anti-reunification forces within and without; instead the north-south relations have been on a headlong rush to aggravation.”

Kim Jong Un said that the slogan of struggle which the entire Korean nation can uphold is: Let the whole nation join efforts to open up a broad avenue to independent reunification in this year of the 70th anniversary of national liberation!

Kim Jong Un condemned the large-scale war games held every year in south Korea as the root cause of the escalating tension on the peninsula and the danger of nuclear war. “It is needless to say that there can be neither trustworthy dialogue nor improved inter-Korean relations in such a gruesome atmosphere in which war drills are staged against the dialogue partner,” he said.

He went on to call on the United States, which has divided the Korean nation into two and has imposed the suffering of national division upon it for 70 years, to desist from pursuing an anachronistic policy hostile towards the DPRK and switch its policy.

“The north and the south should refrain from seeking confrontation of systems while absolutising their own ideologies and systems but achieve great national unity true to the principle of By Our Nation Itself to satisfactorily resolve the reunification issue in conformity with the common interests of the nation,” Kim Jong Un said. He continued, “If they try to force their ideologies and systems upon each other, they will never settle the national reunification issue in a peaceful way, only bringing confrontation and war. Though the people-centred socialist system of our own style is the most advantageous, we do not force it on south Korea and have never done so.”

They should briskly hold dialogue, negotiations and exchanges, Kim Jong Un emphasised, and make contact to relink the severed ties and blood vessels of the nation and bring about a great turn in inter-Korean relations.

Kim Jong Un declared, “Nothing is impossible if our nation shares one purpose and joins efforts. On the road for reunification the north and the south had got such charter and great programme for reunification as the July 4 Joint Statement, the historic June 15 Joint Declaration and the October 4 Declaration, thus demonstrating to the whole world the nation’s determination and mettle to reunify the country.” There is no reason, he explained, why a summit meeting should not be held if the atmosphere and environment for it are created.

Kim Jong Un continued, “Last year, in the international arena, hostilities and bloodshed persisted in several countries and regions due to the imperialists’ outrageous arbitrariness and undisguised infringement upon their sovereignty, which posed a serious threat to global peace and security. Especially, owing to the United States’ extremely hostile policy aimed at isolating and suffocating our Republic, the bulwark of socialism and fortress of independence and justice, the vicious cycle of tension never ceased and the danger of war grew further on the Korean peninsula.”

He stressed, “The present situation, in which high-handedness based on strength is rampant and justice and truth are trampled ruthlessly in the international arena, eloquently demonstrates that we were just in our efforts to firmly consolidate our self-reliant defence capability with the nuclear deterrent as its backbone and safeguard our national sovereignty, the lifeblood of the country.”

Kim Jong Un concluded by pointing out that the Workers’ Party of Korea and the government of the DPRK will consolidate the bonds of solidarity with the world’s progressive peoples who love peace and aspire after independence and justice, and will strive to develop good neighbourly relations with all the countries that respect the DPRK’s national sovereignty.

“Final victory undoubtedly belongs to us!” he declared, wishing all families across the country every happiness in 2015.

Article Index
- See more at: http://www.rcpbml.org.uk/wwie-15/ww15-01.htm#lead

DPRK Leader Marshal Kim Jong Un’s New Year Address

On January 1, 2015 (or Juche 104 in the DPRK calendar), Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army, made a New Year address for 2015.

He began by saying that 2014 marked a year “in which we clearly demonstrated the spirit and might of the great DPRK that advances by leaps and bounds” and the new year was full of hope for 2015. He recognised “the boundless loyalty of all the service personnel and people … who are striving with devotion for the dignity and prosperity of the country with revolutionary faith and patriotic enthusiasm”; and he then paid “the highest tribute” and offered New Year greetings to President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il, “the eternal leaders of our people”. He also wished the families throughout the country his warmest affection, wishing “our lovely children” a bright future.

He sent greetings to “the compatriots in the south and abroad who are fighting for national concord and reunification and to the progressive peoples of the world and other foreign friends who aspire after independence and peace”.

Kim Jong Un spoke of the army training under combat conditions and that this enabled everyone to “became strong in ideas and faith and prepared as an invincible army capable of discharging operational and combat missions proficiently in any circumstances and conditions”. He said that “iron military discipline was established in the entire army” and unprecedented successes were made in the improvement of soldiers’ living conditions.

He said that the DPRK has developed its defence industry sector and has made various improvments to its military strike capacity, and this has led “to the qualitative growth of the revolutionary armed forces”. He said that “last year we made great progress in the building of a socialist economic giant and civilised nation by the joint operation of the army and people”.

He said that “the new year 2015 will be a year of great significance, in which we will mark the 70th anniversaries of national liberation and founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Greeting this significant year, our people are looking back with great pride and dignity upon the glorious 70-year history of our Party and homeland which have achieved shining victories under the wise leadership of the President and the General; they are full of confidence and optimism with a determination to follow the Party and achieve final victory in the Juche revolution pioneered on Mt. Paektu.” It is important to “thwart the challenges and manoeuvres by hostile forces and score a signal success in the struggle to defend socialism and on all fronts of building a thriving nation”. He said, “we should celebrate the 70th anniversaries of national liberation and the founding of the Party, as revolutionary, auspicious events”.

After elaborating on the country’s defence capability, Kim Jong Un spoke of the Party’s line of promoting two fronts simultaneously. He said the need was for the defence industry sector to step up its efforts to make the munitions production Juche-oriented, modern and scientific, and to proactively develop and perfect powerful cutting-edge “military hardware of our own style”.

He that this year they would make the building of a socialist economic giant and civilised nation, emphasising science and technology, the main focus. He said that “it is a determination and will of our Party to rapidly develop all sectors and build a people’s paradise by dint of science and technology. He said they would defeat the sanctions and encourage all sectors of the economy to make rapid headway; especially in the area of scientific research.

He spoke of the potential and necessity to maintain the self-supporting economy. He talked of the need to “resolve the food problem of the people and improve their dietary provision to a higher level with agricultural production, animal husbandry and fishing as the main thrusts”.

Further on, speaking of giving a vigorous spur to the building of a civilised socialist nation, Kim Jong Un emphasised the necessity of bringing about a radical improvement in education in the new century. He said that the sector of art and literature should produce larger numbers of contemporary masterpieces which inspire the masses to further efforts, and the public health sector should improve the hygienic and anti-epidemic work and preventive and curative medical care and boost pharmaceutical production.

Further on, Kim Jong Un underlined that “seventy years have passed since our nation was divided by outside forces”.

“In those decades,” he said, “the world has made a tremendous advance and the times have undergone dramatic changes, but our nation has not yet achieved reunification, suffering the pain of division. It is a deplorable fact known to everyone and it is lamentable to everyone. No longer can we bear and tolerate the tragedy of national division that has continued century after century.

“Last year we put forward crucial proposals for improved inter-Korean relations and national reunification and made sincere efforts for their implementation. Our efforts, however, could not bear due fruit owing to the obstructive moves by the anti-reunification forces within and without; instead the north-south relations have been on a headlong rush to aggravation.”

Kim Jong Un said that the slogan of struggle which the entire Korean nation can uphold is: Let the whole nation join efforts to open up a broad avenue to independent reunification in this year of the 70th anniversary of national liberation!

Kim Jong Un condemned the large-scale war games held every year in south Korea as the root cause of the escalating tension on the peninsula and the danger of nuclear war. “It is needless to say that there can be neither trustworthy dialogue nor improved inter-Korean relations in such a gruesome atmosphere in which war drills are staged against the dialogue partner,” he said.

He went on to call on the United States, which has divided the Korean nation into two and has imposed the suffering of national division upon it for 70 years, to desist from pursuing an anachronistic policy hostile towards the DPRK and switch its policy.

“The north and the south should refrain from seeking confrontation of systems while absolutising their own ideologies and systems but achieve great national unity true to the principle of By Our Nation Itself to satisfactorily resolve the reunification issue in conformity with the common interests of the nation,” Kim Jong Un said. He continued, “If they try to force their ideologies and systems upon each other, they will never settle the national reunification issue in a peaceful way, only bringing confrontation and war. Though the people-centred socialist system of our own style is the most advantageous, we do not force it on south Korea and have never done so.”

They should briskly hold dialogue, negotiations and exchanges, Kim Jong Un emphasised, and make contact to relink the severed ties and blood vessels of the nation and bring about a great turn in inter-Korean relations.

Kim Jong Un declared, “Nothing is impossible if our nation shares one purpose and joins efforts. On the road for reunification the north and the south had got such charter and great programme for reunification as the July 4 Joint Statement, the historic June 15 Joint Declaration and the October 4 Declaration, thus demonstrating to the whole world the nation’s determination and mettle to reunify the country.” There is no reason, he explained, why a summit meeting should not be held if the atmosphere and environment for it are created.

Kim Jong Un continued, “Last year, in the international arena, hostilities and bloodshed persisted in several countries and regions due to the imperialists’ outrageous arbitrariness and undisguised infringement upon their sovereignty, which posed a serious threat to global peace and security. Especially, owing to the United States’ extremely hostile policy aimed at isolating and suffocating our Republic, the bulwark of socialism and fortress of independence and justice, the vicious cycle of tension never ceased and the danger of war grew further on the Korean peninsula.”

He stressed, “The present situation, in which high-handedness based on strength is rampant and justice and truth are trampled ruthlessly in the international arena, eloquently demonstrates that we were just in our efforts to firmly consolidate our self-reliant defence capability with the nuclear deterrent as its backbone and safeguard our national sovereignty, the lifeblood of the country.”

Kim Jong Un concluded by pointing out that the Workers’ Party of Korea and the government of the DPRK will consolidate the bonds of solidarity with the world’s progressive peoples who love peace and aspire after independence and justice, and will strive to develop good neighbourly relations with all the countries that respect the DPRK’s national sovereignty.

“Final victory undoubtedly belongs to us!” he declared, wishing all families across the country every happiness in 2015.

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Democratic Korea calls for peace

                 Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, outlines the DPRK’s call for the peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsula in his New Year address on 1^st January 2015.

 SEVENTY years have passed since our nation was divided by outside forces.

    In those decades the world has made a tremendous advance and the times have undergone dramatic changes, but our nation has not yet achieved reunification, suffering the pain of division. It is a deplorable fact known to everyone and it is lamentable to everyone. No longer can we bear and tolerate the tragedy of national division that has continued century after century.

    Last year we put forward crucial proposals for improved inter-Korean relations and national reunification and made sincere efforts for their implementation. Our efforts, however, could not bear due fruit owing to the obstructive moves by the anti-reunification forces within and without; instead the north-south relations have been on a headlong rush to aggravation.

    However complicated the situation may be and whatever obstacles and difficulties may stand in our way, we should unfailingly achieve national reunification, a lifetime wish of the President [Kim Il Sung] and the General [Kim Jong Il] and the greatest desire of the nation, and build a dignified and prosperous reunified country on this land.

    "Let the whole nation join efforts to open up a broad avenue to independent reunification in this year of the 70th anniversary of national liberation!" – this is the slogan of struggle the entire Korean nation should hold up.

    We should remove the danger of war, ease the tension and create a peaceful environment on the Korean peninsula.

    The large-scale war games ceaselessly held every year in south Korea are the root cause of the escalating tension on the peninsula and the danger of nuclear war facing our nation. It is needless to say that there can be neither trustworthy dialogue nor improved inter-Korean relations in such a gruesome atmosphere in which war drills are staged against the dialogue partner.

    To cling to nuclear war drills against the fellow countrymen in collusion with aggressive outside forces is an extremely dangerous act of inviting calamity.

    We will resolutely react against and mete out punishment to any acts of provocation and war moves that infringe upon the sovereignty and dignity of our country.

    The south Korean authorities should discontinue all war moves including the reckless military exercises they conduct with foreign forces and choose to ease the tension on the Korean peninsula and create a peaceful environment.

    The United States, the very one that divided our nation into two and has imposed the suffering of national division upon it for 70 years, should desist from pursuing the anachronistic policy hostile towards the DPRK and reckless acts of aggression and boldly make a policy switch.

    The north and the south should refrain from seeking confrontation of systems while absolutising their own ideologies and systems but achieve great national unity true to the principle of By Our Nation Itself to satisfactorily resolve the reunification issue in conformity with the common interests of the nation.

    If they try to force their ideologies and systems upon each other, they will never settle the national reunification issue in a peaceful way, only bringing confrontation and war.

    Though the people-centred socialist system of our own style is the most advantageous, we do not force it on south Korea and have never done so.

    The south Korean authorities should neither seek "unification of systems" that incites distrust and conflict between the north and the south nor insult the other side's system and make impure solicitation to do harm to their fellow countrymen, travelling here and there.

    The north and the south, as they had already agreed, should resolve the national reunification issue in the common interests of the nation transcending the differences in ideology and system.

    They should briskly hold dialogue, negotiations and exchanges and make contact to relink the severed ties and blood vessels of the nation and bring about a great turn in inter-Korean relations.

    It is the unanimous desire of the fellow countrymen for both sides to stop fighting and pave a new way for reunification by concerted efforts. They should no longer waste time and energy over pointless arguments and trifling matters but write a new chapter in the history of inter-Korean relations.

    Nothing is impossible if our nation shares one purpose and joins efforts. On the road for reunification the north and the south had got such charter and great programme for reunification as the 4^th July Joint Statement, the historic 15^th June Joint Declaration and the 4^th October Declaration, thus demonstrating to the whole world the nation's determination and mettle to reunify the country.

    We think that it is possible to resume the suspended high-level contacts and hold sectoral talks if the south Korean authorities are sincere in their stand towards improving inter-Korean relations through dialogue.

    And there is no reason why we should not hold a summit meeting if the atmosphere and environment for it are created.

    In the future too, we will make every effort to substantially promote dialogue and negotiations.

    The entire Korean nation should turn out together in the nationwide movement for the country's reunification so as to glorify this year as a landmark in opening up a broad avenue to independent reunification.

    Last year, in the international arena, hostilities and bloodshed persisted in several countries and regions due to the imperialists' outrageous arbitrariness and undisguised infringement upon their sovereignty, which posed a serious threat to global peace and security.

    Especially, owing to the United States' extremely hostile policy aimed at isolating and suffocating our Republic, the bulwark of socialism and fortress of independence and justice, the vicious cycle of tension never ceased and the danger of war grew further on the Korean peninsula.

    The United States and its vassal forces are resorting to the despicable "human rights" racket as they were foiled in their attempt to destroy our self-defensive nuclear deterrent and stifle our Republic by force.

    The present situation, in which high-handedness based on strength is rampant and justice and truth are trampled ruthlessly in the international arena, eloquently demonstrates that we were just in our efforts to firmly consolidate our self-reliant defence capability with the nuclear deterrent as its backbone and safeguard our national sovereignty, the lifeblood of the country, under the unfurled banner of Songun.

    As long as the enemy persists in its moves to stifle our socialist system, we will consistently adhere to the Songun politics and the line of promoting the two fronts simultaneously and firmly defend the sovereignty of the country and the dignity of the nation, no matter how the international situation and the structure of relations of our surrounding countries may change. On the basis of the revolutionary principles and independent stand, we will expand and develop foreign relations in a multilateral and positive way, giving top priority to the dignity and interests of the country.

    Our Party and the government of our Republic will solidify in every respect the bond and solidarity with the world's progressive peoples who love peace and aspire after independence and justice, and strive to develop good neighbourly relations with all the countries that respect our national sovereignty and are friendly to us.

    No force in the world can check the advance of our army and people who are rushing forward like the blizzards of Paektu filled with rock-firm revolutionary faith and mettle of invincibility under the leadership of the great Party, and final victory undoubtedly belongs to us.

    Let us all staunchly strive to glorify this significant year as a year of great victories and revolutionary, auspicious events, rallied more closely behind the Party and singing aloud the march of final victory.

    Greeting the hope-filled NewYear 2015, I wish all the families across the country happiness.