84th Birth Anniversary
Chairman Kim Jong Il
On the Occasion of the 84th Birth Anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il - Laying Secure Foundations for Building a Powerful and Prosperous Country
Chairman Kim Jong Il accomplished the immortal exploits in the effort to lay firm foundations for building a powerful and prosperous country. With the passage of time the Korean people cherish the memory of his ennobling life in their mind.
In the mid-1990s, when they had to undergo a hard time of Arduous March as the destiny of their country was at stake, the Chairman opened up a wide avenue for the building of a prosperous country, always sharing weal and woe with the people.
By putting forth a new line of economic construction on developing the defence industry on a priority basis while developing light industry and agriculture simultaneously, he clearly indicated the direction and ways for the building of an economic giant.
To Bring the People’s Ideals into Reality
1. Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
2. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un gives on-site guidance over the construction of Ryomyong Street in March 2016.
3. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un attends the inauguration ceremony of Ryomyong Street and cuts the inauguration tape in April 2017.
4. Ryomyong Street.
5. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un awards the leading officials the flag of the headquarters of the construction of 50 000 flats in Pyongyang at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of 10 000 flats in Pyongyang in March 2021.
6. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un looks round the construction site of 10 000 flats in the Songsin and Songhwa areas nearing completion in March 2022.
7. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un attends the inauguration ceremony of Songhwa Street and cuts the inauguration tape in April 2022.
8. Songhwa Street.
9. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un looks round the construction site of the Pothong riverside terraced houses district in March 2021.
10. The Pothong riverside terraced houses district in the evening.
11. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un attends the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new street in the Sopho area in Pyongyang and shovels the first spadeful of earth in February 2023.
12. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un attends the inauguration ceremony of Jonwi Street in May 2024.
13. Jonwi Street.
14. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un attends the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of 10 000 flats in the Hwasong area in February 2022.
15. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un looks round the construction site of 10 000 flats at the second stage in the Hwasong area nearing completion in April 2024.
16. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un in April 2025 attends the inauguration ceremony of 10 000 flats at the third stage in the Hwasong area and meets the working people and the elderly who would move into new flats.
17. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un in February 2026 attends the inauguration ceremony of 10 000 flats at the fourth stage in the Hwasong area and meets the working people who received new houses.
18. Some of the apartment houses in the Hwasong area.
19. 10 000 flats in the first-stage section of the Hwasong area.
20. Rimhung Street.
21. 10 000 flats in the third-stage section of the Hwasong area.
22. 10 000 flats in the fourth-stage section of the Hwasong area.
23. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un attends the inauguration ceremony of Saeppyol Street and cuts the inauguration tape in February 2026.
24. Saeppyol Street.
25. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un looks round the construction sites of the city of Samjiyon in October 2018.
26. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un gives on-site guidance over the construction of the city of Samjiyon in July 2024.
27. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un looks round the newly-built Ikal Hotel in the Samjiyon Tourist Resort in December 2025.
28. Samjiyon, a modern mountain city.
29. Ski tour in the area of Samjiyon.
30. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un gives on-site guidance at the hot spring area in Yangdok County, South Phyongan Province, in August 2018.
31. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un attends the inauguration ceremony of the Yangdok Hot Spring Resort and cuts the inauguration tape in December 2019.
32. Outdoor bath at the Yangdok Hot Spring Resort.
33. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un gives on-site guidance over the construction of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area in July 2024.
34. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un looks round the inaugurated Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area in June 2025.
35. Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area, a tourist attraction on the eastern coast of Korea.
36. Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area in the evening.
37. Bathing beach in the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area.
38. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un looks round the inaugurated Onpho Working People’s Holiday Camp in January 2026.
39. Onpho Working People’s Holiday Camp.
40. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un looks round the newly-built Ryugyong General Ophthalmic Hospital in October 2016.
41. Ryugyong General Ophthalmic Hospital.
42. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un in February 2025 looks round Pyongyang General Hospital whose construction has been completed.
43. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un attends the inauguration ceremony of Pyongyang General Hospital and cuts the inauguration tape in October 2025.
44. Pyongyang General Hospital.
45. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un looks round in October 2025 Kangdong County Hospital whose construction is nearing completion.
46. Kangdong County Hospital.
47. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un looks round the inaugurated Kusong City Hospital in December 2025.
48. Kusong City Hospital.
49. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un gives on-site guidance at the newly-built Kwangchon Chicken Farm in January 2024.
50. Kwangchon Chicken Farm.
51. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un learns about the production of dairy produce at the newly-built Samgwang Livestock Farm in February 2026.
52. Samgwang Livestock Farm.
53. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un presides over a meeting for the preparation for the construction of the Sinpho City Offshore Farm in July 2024.
54. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un gives on-site guidance at the inaugurated Sinpho City Offshore Farm in December 2024.
55. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un attends the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Ragwon County Offshore Farm and shovels the first spadeful of earth in February 2025.
56. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un looks round the inaugurated Ragwon County Offshore Farm in August 2025.
57. Sinpho City Offshore Farm.
58. Ragwon County Offshore Farm and the fishermen’s village.
59. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un attends the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the regional-industry factories in Songchon County and shovels the first spadeful of earth in February 2024.
60. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un looks round the inaugurated Sinpho City Foodstuff Factory in December 2025.
61. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un unveils the monument to the inauguration of the regional-industry factories and leisure complex in Jongphyong County in December 2025.
62. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un looks round the inaugurated Unsan Paper Mill of South Phyongan Province in December 2025.
63. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un looks round the inaugurated Kangdong County Leisure Complex in December 2025.
64. Inauguration ceremony of regional-industry factories in Jaeryong County.
65. Regional-industry factories in Hamju County.
66. Kangdong County Leisure Complex.
67. Jongphyong County Leisure Complex.
68. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visits Jungphyong-ri, Kyongsong County, North Hamgyong Province, in July 2018 with a plan to have a large-scale vegetable greenhouse farm built there.
69. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un looks round the inaugurated Ryonpho Greenhouse Farm in October 2022.
70. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un looks round the inaugurated Kangdong Greenhouse Complex in March 2024.
71. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un gives on-site guidance over the construction of the Sinuiju Combined Greenhouse Farm in October 2025.
72. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un attends the inauguration ceremony of the Sinuiju Combined Greenhouse Farm and cuts the inauguration tape in February 2026.
73. Jungphyong Greenhouse Farm and North Hamgyong Provincial Tree Nursery.
74. Ryonpho Greenhouse Farm and houses for its employees.
75. Kangdong Combined Greenhouse Farm.
76. Sinuiju Combined Greenhouse Farm.
77. Sinuiju Combined Greenhouse Farm.
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Inspects
Munitions Industry Enterprises
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, gave field guidance at several munitions industry enterprises on May 11.
He was accompanied by Jo Chun Ryong, secretary of the WPK Central Committee, Kim Jong Sik, first deputy department director of the WPK Central Committee, Pak Jong Chon, advisor to the Ministry of National Defence, Kim Kang Il, vice-minister of National Defence and director of the General Armaments Bureau, Yu Chang Son, director of the Artillery Bureau of the General Staff, Kim Myong Son, director of the Armaments Examination Bureau of the Ministry of National Defence, and Kim Yong Hwan, president of the Academy of Defence Sciences.
Comrade Kim Jong Un visited several munitions industry enterprises to learn about the implementation of munitions production assignments for the first half of the year 2026.
He expressed thanks for the patriotic devotion of the workers in the munitions industry, who are making a great contribution to boosting the combat capability of the DPRK armed forces by achieving record growth in the production of various shells and bullets, true to the decisions of the First Plenary Meeting of the Ninth Central Committee of the WPK, and gave encouragement to them.
Referring to the defects still latent in the structure, production system and facilities of the munitions industry, he stressed the need to concentrate on modernization, including the practical upgrading of the production structure and the rational arrangement of production lines, and to wage a dynamic struggle for optimizing the management of technology, talents and workforce and for steadily increasing the efficiency of production.
He also underlined the need for the munitions industry enterprises to further modernize the product inspection process and system and to subdivide the inspection indices in a more scientific way and thoroughly establish a habit of strictly adhering to them.
He pointed to the necessity to consistently hold fast to the modernization of munitions production equipment and the improvement of production environments and conditions and the supply service for the employees.
Acquainting himself with the production at a bullet factory that day, he set forth an important task for establishing a production system to meet the demands for high-precision multi-purpose bullets, special-function bullets and training bullets according to different calibres.
He repeatedly stressed the need to strengthen the mortar and howitzer forces and advanced a series of important tasks for setting up a specialized complex and factory producing artillery and small arms to meet the prospective demand of the armed forces and for improving the production structure and the level of modernization and specialization of bullet and shell factories.
He expressed expectations and belief that the officials and workers in the munitions industry sector would make strenuous efforts to achieve the higher goal of boosting the defence capability with redoubled self-confidence and inexhaustible creativity, true to the spirit of the Ninth Congress of the WPK and the tasks set forth at the congress.
The tasks and important instructions, which Comrade Kim Jong Un gave during his field guidance at the enterprises, are scientific and important guidelines indicating the quickest and most correct way to the modernization of the country's munitions industry, and serve as an important milestone for bringing about a radical turn in implementing the Party's policy of building up national defence by further speeding up the qualitative, quantitative and technical transformation in munitions production.
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un's Speech at Ceremony of Presenting
Military Hardware
The workers in the munitions industry have prepared the most valuable present for a glorious congress of the Workers' Party of Korea.
I propose giving warm applause, as a token of gratitude, to the workers and officials of the major munitions enterprise, who have come to the glorious Party congress with powerful military hardware.
You have performed really great feats.
The valuable fruition of your loyal labour struggle is an expression of your absolute support to and trust in the Party's cause and a meaningful success that highlights the historic significance of the Party congress.
It is a source of pride for the congress of our Party to greet this inspiring event at the most crucial and responsible moment.
As I see the military hardware standing in a line array, I really cannot but admire the strength and technology of our workers in the munitions industry and describe them as miraculous products.
I extend my warmest gratitude to the workers, technicians and officials of the factory and all other workers and scientists in the munitions industry who have prepared the greatest and most significant creation for the Party congress by waging a strenuous struggle for increased production with the warm and sincere loyalty they have cherished.
The weapon we are seeing is called the 600mm super-precision multiple rocket launcher system.
This is really a great weapon system.
As was outlined by the mass media some days ago, this is a focused strike weapon most powerful in the world. The precision and power of tactical ballistic missile and the multiple launching functions of tubes are perfectly combined in this weapon.
Obviously, it is a multiple rocket launcher system, but it can be said to be a weapon that has virtually no difference from a high-precision ballistic missile in terms of precision and power.
It is really a wonderful and attractive weapon.
There is no need to further explain about its destructive power and military value.
This is because it can reduce the aimed target to ashes through surprise and simultaneous attack by housing its destructive energy.
Those who have plausible knowledge may know that no other nations have got this kind of weapon system.
Appropriate for a special attack, that is, for accomplishing a strategic mission, it incorporates AI technology and compound guidance system. This large-calibre super-precision multiple rocket launcher system, the one and only weapon in the world, has completely changed the role and conception of artillery accepted by modern warfare.
As I have already said, I am sure that no other countries in the world would be able to attain the technology that can match this class of weapon system within several years to come.
I am not allowed to talk about the principle and mode of using this weapon system.
Yet, I dare say it is more than clear that once this weapon is used, our belligerents' military infrastructure and command system will break down all at once.
When this weapon is used actually, no force would be able to expect God's protection.
Self-reliant defence capability is our lifeline and a source of our strength, and uninterrupted upgrading and rapid reinforcement of the means is our invariable target.
We will continue to demonstrate our achievements in defence technology that our geopolitical opponents will be greatly afraid of.
As I have mentioned several times, it will, on its own terms, be a responsible posture in exercising our deterrent.
It is undoubtedly a law and core principle that the most powerful offensive capability constitutes the most reliable deterrent.
We must prepare such capability in reality and assure it with our own abilities, not in any spoken or written words.
To keep in mind a steadfast outlook on the enemy, build up the strongest military muscle and maintain a thoroughgoing offensive mode of counteraction—herein lies the basic guarantee for our state's security environment.
Availing ourselves of this meaningful opportunity, we have embedded the confidence in our more upgraded and developing defence technology as well as the will to modernize defence capabilities, which will be unshakable in any circumstances.
On the basis of this success, the Ninth Congress of our Party will make clear the next-stage plan and goal for strengthening the self-reliant defence capabilities.
Our undertaking for consistently upgrading the military strength capable of forcefully containing any threat and challenge by outside forces will be further accelerated, and this honourable struggle demands that our research group in the sector of national defence and our working class in the munitions industry work harder and make greater efforts.
I firmly believe that they will achieve more successful and inspiring successes in carrying out their important mission for meeting the demands of the revolution and remodeling the Party's strategic plan.
The Ninth Party Congress will extend warm respect and gratitude to our heroic defence scientists and working class in the munitions industry, who are boundlessly faithful to the cause of the Workers' Party of Korea.
I once again express my thanks for this meaningful ceremony.
Thank you.
Ceremony of Presenting 600mm-calibre Multiple Rocket Launchers Held
The workers in the munitions industry of the DPRK are providing a sure guarantee for a continuous development and radical dramatic leap forward of the self-reliant defence capability, giving a boost to invincibility and mightiness of our state, at the outpost of the national defence industry revolution in the new era energetically led by the great Workers' Party of Korea. In this course, they presented 600mm-calibre multiple rocket launchers, which embody their spirit of death-defyingly implementing the Party's policies and fervent patriotism and loyalty, to the Ninth Congress of the WPK.
The workers of a major munitions enterprise, who have taken the lead in implementing the Party's idea of self-reliant defence on defending the state, the people and the revolutionary cause by rational efforts and its strategic lines on the development of the national defence, prepared the main strike military hardware injecting the strongest power into the heroic Korean People's Army through their indomitable struggle for creation and increased production as the most valuable and precious gifts dedicated to the Party congress.
A ceremony of presenting 600mm-calibre multiple rocket launchers to the Ninth Congress of the WPK by the workers of the munitions industry sector was held in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK, on February 18.
The absolute weapons, fully reflecting the patriotic soul of the soldiers in the national defence sector who had worked with devotion for the accomplishment of the historic mission to consolidate the self-reliant defence capacity to be strongest in the world and symbols of the definite military superiority of the armed forces of the DPRK, were lined up in line array at the plaza of the April 25 House of Culture, demonstrating their might.
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, attended the ceremony.
When he appeared at the venue, all the participants extended the highest respect and glory to the ever-victorious, iron-willed commander who has opened up a new realm of development of national defence of Korean style and is reliably defending the prestige and security of the state and people with his far-sighted wisdom, outstanding leadership ability and unexcelled courage, guiding the great cause of increasing the national defence capability.
Present at the ceremony were the participants in the Ninth Congress of the WPK and officials, scientists, technicians and workers of the munitions industry sector.
An official of the major munitions enterprise made a presentation report.
He respectfully reported to Kim Jong Un on presenting to the Ninth Congress of the WPK the fifty 600mm-calibre multiple rocket launchers the workers of his enterprise additionally produced in two months, out of their mind to uphold the Party's cause of building a powerful army with their boundless patriotism and loyalty.
He courteously presented to Kim Jong Un the written donation reflecting the pledge of unshakable faith and loyalty of all the workers in the munitions industry to uphold the revolutionary cause of the WPK with miraculous successes in the production of military hardware.
Expressing thanks for that, Kim Jong Un made a reply speech.
Saying that the workers in the munitions industry prepared the most precious gifts to be presented to the WPK congress, he courteously suggested giving warm applause, as a token of thanks, to the workers and officials of the major munitions enterprise, who have come to the venue of the glorious Party congress with the powerful military hardware.
It is a source of pride for the congress of our Party to greet such an inspiring event at the most crucial and responsible time, he said, referring to the military value and efficiency of the focused strike weapon, most powerful in the world, and the invariable will of the WPK to modernize the national defence capabilities.
Saying that the main guarantee for ensuring the national security environment lies in thoroughly maintaining the resolute outlook on the enemy, building up the most powerful military muscle and applying the offensive mode of response, he expressed belief that the national defence research group and the workers in the munitions industry would attain more wonderful and inspiring successes in carrying out their important mission for meeting the demands of the revolution and remodeling the Party's strategic plan.
He awarded the Order of Kim Il Sung to the enterprise which has performed distinguished feats in carrying out the WPK's policy of defence industry revolution in the new era.
He presented the written donation of 600mm-calibre multiple rocket launchers to the chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army.
He personally drove a launcher vehicle, reviewing the weapons, symbols of absolute power, which were lined up in the plaza of glory.
Thunderous cheers reverberated through the plaza that witnessed an exciting event to be specially recorded in the WPK's history of leadership for accomplishing the great historic cause of building a rich country with a strong army.
Repeatedly expressing his satisfaction that the 600mm-calibre multiple rocket launchers are really admirable military equipment making it possible to successfully carry out the strategic plan for rapidly developing the war deterrent of the DPRK, he highly praised the workers in the munitions industry as the greatest revolutionaries and patriots who staunchly uphold the Party's cause with their thoroughgoing ideological and spiritual strength and inexhaustible creativity.
The venue of the ceremony was filled with boundless gratitude to and reverence for the great teacher and benevolent father who called those who had left proud footprints of loyalty and feats true to the mission they shouldered before the Party and the country to the venue of the historic Party congress, and put them on the platform of glory admired by the whole country.
The workers in the munitions industry sector were full of ardent enthusiasm to make a dash to attain the higher goals of bolstering up the national defence capabilities to be indicated by the Ninth Party Congress by dint of the invincible strength of trust, greater confidence and inexhaustible creativity with which they follow their Party only.
After the ceremony was over, the delegates to and observers of the Ninth Party Congress looked round the super-powerful military hardware presented to the congress by the workers in the munitions industry.
The ceremony of presenting to the Ninth Congress of the WPK the military hardware produced by the workers in the munitions industry will be recorded in history as a significant occasion for redoubling the unshakable will of all the people across the country to dynamically advance toward a new victory of the revolution, rallied as one under the red flag of the WPK with firm faith in the validity and invincibility of their cause and absolute confidence in the future of their country which will be powerful and prosperous forever.
Ninth Congress of WPK Opens with Splendour
All the Party members, and other people in the DPRK, absolutely convinced that the Korean revolution would always emerge victorious thanks to the outstanding ideas, strong fighting efficiency and seasoned leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea, are extending the highest tribute and warm congratulations to the Ninth Congress of the WPK, a political event to be specially recorded in the Party's history of ever-victorious leadership.
The Ninth Congress of the WPK opened with splendour in Pyongyang, the capital of the revolution, on February 19.
The Party Central Committee, which has perseveringly guided the first-stage pioneering struggle for transformation aimed at achieving the comprehensive development of socialism by holding higher the banner of the ideal of "The people are God," single-hearted unity and self-reliance, convened the Party Congress, the ninth of its kind in the history of the WPK, to review its work in the period under review and set scientific struggle objectives and policies in line with the requirements of the new stage of the revolution.
The Ninth Party Congress, convened to indicate a new bright prospect in the dynamic period faced with the crucial changes and the era of great prosperity unprecedented since the founding of the Party and the state, is a manifestation of the solemn intention of the WPK to remain boundlessly faithful to the general will of the people and vigorously guide the cause of Juche to a fresh victory and steady upsurge.
The past five years, which witnessed the forward movement along the milestone of the struggle set up by the Eighth Congress of the WPK, were the most responsible and acute process decisive of the long-term development of the Party and the state, and the Party powerfully demonstrated the prestige and heroism of the state and the people by maintaining its definite strategic ridge and accelerating the advance of socialism in the grim situation characterized by unprecedented enthusiasm and fierceness.
Thanks to the revolutionary and scientific leadership of the WPK, the state and the people entered the phase of radical turn in the overall national development with historic delight, brought about a great transformation practically proving the socialist cultural efflorescence and won a great victory of providing a decisive guarantee for the next-stage upsurge.
For the WPK which proves the mightiness and invincibility of the cause of Juche with realities of a rich country with a strong army under the banner of the great Kimilsungism-Kimjongulism, it is the most sacred duty entrusted by the country, revolution and people to unveil a blueprint for the continuous, new victory of Korean-style socialism on behalf of the destiny, future, faith and truest relatives of millions of Party members and tens of millions of people.
Delegates of the whole Party entered the venue of the Ninth Party Congress with active enthusiasm to faithfully perform and exercise the honourable mission and rights they have assumed before the Party and the revolution.
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, took the platform of the Congress together with members of the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee.
All the participants raised stormy cheers of "Mansei!" looking up to him, who is leading the revolutionary cause of Juche along the road of victory with his gifted idea-theoretical wisdom and extraordinary leadership practice and giving the Party and people the dignity and honour that will shine for all ages.
Present at the Congress were members of the eighth-term Party central leadership and delegates and observers elected from organizations at all levels of the whole Party.
Kim Jong Un delivered an opening address at the Ninth Congress of the WPK.
He said that the past five years since the Eighth Congress of the WPK was a proud period when the whole Party and all the people brought about an epochal turn in accomplishing the socialist cause of a Korean style on the strength of solid unity. We convened the Eighth Congress of the WPK five years ago with the conviction, will and determination to break through the worst difficulties, facing the revolution by our own efforts, and usher in a new era of advance and development without fail, but we are here at the Ninth Congress filled with optimism and confidence in the future, he said, adding that this is a great change and development as well as a success we can be proud of at the present stage.
He declared the Congress open, solemnly pledging on behalf of all the participants, that the Congress will be absolutely faithful to the great Kimilsungism-Kimjongulism.
The national anthem of the DPRK was solemnly played.
Upon authorization of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, Jo Yong Won presided over the Congress.
The Congress elected its presidium.
The presidium of the Congress is as follows:
Kim Jong Un
Pak Thae Song, Choe Ryong Hae, Jo Yong Won, Ri Il Hwan, Pak Jong Chon, Ri Hi Yong, Jo Chun Ryong, Kim Tok Hun, Choe Tong Myong, Choe Son Hui, No Kwang Chol, Ri Yong Chol, Jong Myong Thak, Ri Yong Gil, Kim Jae Ryong, Pak Jong Gun, Kim Jong Gwan, Ju Chang Il, Kim Hyong Sik, Han Kwang Sang, Ju Chol Gyu, Kim Song Nam, Ri Chol Man, Ri Chang Dae, Pak Thae Sop, Kim Chol Sam, Kim Se Bok, Kwang Yun Sok, Jon Sung Guk, Kim Myong Hun, Jang Myong Su, Kim Jong Suk, O Il Jong, Kim Jong Sik, Kim Yo Jong, Ko Pyong Hyon, Ri Yong Mo and Choe Kun Yong
The Congress recommenced members of the platform.
The platform of the Congress was taken by the chief secretaries of the provincial committees of the WPK, members of the Party central leadership who faithfully fulfilled their duties in implementing the decisions of the Eighth Congress of the WPK, and officials who performed distinguished feats, amid enthusiastic applause of the participants.
Present there at invitation were Kim Ho Chol, chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party, and Ri Myong Chol, chairman of the Central Committee of the Chondoist Chongu Party.
The Congress elected its secretariat.
The secretariat of the Congress is as follows:
Kim Pong Chol, Ju Im Chol, Sin Chol Man, Choe Chang Hak and Choe Hak Gun
The Congress approved the following agenda items:
- Review of the work of the WPK Central Committee
- Revision of WPK Rules
- Election of the central leadership of the WPK
The Ninth Congress of the WPK started the discussion of the first agenda item amid the extraordinarily high political awareness and enthusiasm of all the delegates.
KCNA
Opening Address at Ninth Congress of Workers' Party of Korea
Kim Jong Un
Today, we are opening the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, which will set up another new milestone in the sacred struggle for the development of our Party and socialist construction.
The past five years since the Eighth Congress of the WPK was a proud period when the whole Party and all the people brought about an epochal turn in implementing the socialist cause of our own style on the strength of solid unity.
Our socialist construction spanning long years has not been plain sailing, but never has there been such a period as this one, in which we achieved so great successes despite the severity of trials and difficulties.
When we convened the Eighth Party Congress, the subjective and objective conditions of our revolution were literally so harsh that we could hardly maintain our own existence.
The hostile forces grew more malicious in their schemes for harsh blockade and sanctions against us, and we were also confronted with successive natural calamities and the global public health crisis. This severely hindered the development of all our sectors, and it also seriously threatened the security of our state and the safety of our people.
Worse still, economic work in the country was being conducted in transitional and temporary ways just as it had been since several decades ago, all economic sectors were struggling to maintain the status quo without the standard of their development.
Consequently, we were compelled to conclude the seventh term of the Party Central Committee as we fell fairly short of attaining the goals of the five-year strategy for national economic development that had been decided upon by the Seventh Party Congress.
However, everything has fundamentally changed today, five years from then.
The Eighth Party Congress critically reviewed and analyzed the unrealistic nature of the above goals that had been pursued during the seventh term Party Central Committee, before resolutely scrapping all that had gone out of date. Even for those circumstances, it clarified the objectives of its work for the coming years and the direction for its development, and to this end put forward reasonable policies as regards the major theoretical and practical matters.
The plans for all the sectors were ambitious yet clear.
The work plans were drawn up and decided upon through strict scientific review and discussions, and they were based on the principle that we should achieve all that was within our power at the moment and do so without fail by making the seemingly impossible possible.
Even though they were facing difficult circumstances, the Party, the people and the army hardened their determination and made proactive efforts to this end, by successfully carrying out the Party's decisions in all realms such as politics, the economy, national defence, culture and diplomacy, they achieved notable, comprehensive and radical successes, and in the course of this, they substantially increased our country's internal forces.
In particular, the economic sector, which is the major front of socialist construction, fulfilled the five-year plan for national economic development in the main and made dynamic progress in reinforcing and readjusting the technical infrastructure and functions of the key industries. As a result, not a few sectors of our economy have freed themselves from the protracted obsolescence and stagnation, and instead built up their foundations and potentials to achieve significant growth under a plan.
And gigantic plans for transforming the capital city and the regions simultaneously and bringing about a substantial improvement in the people's living standards were pushed forward vigorously by the Party and the state; thus, the expected successes were achieved in those undertakings and a correct direction was confirmed for carrying them out more proactively.
In view of the external relations, too, the position of our state was firmly consolidated as an irreversible one, bringing about a great change in the global political landscape and in the influence on our state. This created favourable conditions and circumstances for giving a greater spur to our socialist construction.
Now all the people are witnessing every moment of the day the reality changing at a speed incomparable with that of the past, and have a clear understanding of and conviction about the road they should take and the prospect of the development of our state.
Five years ago we convened the Eighth Congress of the Party with the conviction, will and determination to break through the worst difficulties facing the revolution by our own efforts and usher in a new era of advance and development without fail, but today we are here at its Ninth Congress, filled with optimism and confidence in the future.
This is indeed a great change and development, as well as a success we can be proud of at the present stage.
Moreover, the precious successes achieved and monumental structures erected in the course of the efforts to greet this Congress with high political enthusiasm and labour achievements rounded off the struggle of the past five years, thereby making this a congress that signifies a success and promises a greater success, both in name and reality.
All the successes achieved during the period under review are a good gain from the devoted struggle our Party members, working people and service personnel have waged supporting the Party's lines and policies unyieldingly with one mind in the face of all difficulties.
I extend my heartfelt and warmest thanks to all the Party members, working people, service personnel and citizens, for having turned the eighth term of the Party Central Committee into a period of great upsurge in socialist construction and made contributions to greeting the Ninth Party Congress as a precious text of reviewing, a glorious one, with a staunch and proactive pioneering spirit and indomitable fighting spirit.
I also pay rounding tribute to the revolutionary comrades and martyrs who dedicated their valuable lives in the sacred cause of achieving the prosperity of the country and the happiness of the people during the period under review.
And my warm greetings go to Chongryon (General Association of Korean Residents in Japan) and other overseas compatriots' organizations and all the overseas compatriots that share will and mind for the prosperity and development of their socialist homeland.
This Congress will correctly review and analyze the work done during the period of the eighth term of the Party Central Committee, establish the lines and policies for developing our socialist construction onto a higher stage, and take organizational and institutional measures for readjusting and consolidating the Party's leadership ability.
Today, our Party is faced with heavy and urgent historic tasks of boosting economic construction and the people's standard of living and transforming all realms of state and social life as early as possible. This requires us to wage a more active and persistent struggle without allowing even a moment's standstill or stagnation.
In particular, the period of the new long-term plan is a crucial period when we should push forward full steam with the regional development policy in the new era, the rural revolution programme and other intermediate- and long-range plans are adopted and have launched to realize the centuries-old desire of the people.
In contrast, not a few serious shortcomings and negative elements, such as deep-rooted defeatism, irresponsibility, conservatism, formalism and immaturity in leadership ability, are latent at present in the work of the Party and government organs and officials, and this constitutes an artificial obstacle to the work of our Party and state which aspire to rapid development in all fields.
Therefore, we should not only take pride in the successes we achieved during the period under review but also review shortcomings from a critical and developmental point of view, work out the struggle plan for the next stage in an elaborate and scientific way and strengthen the leadership forces capable of leading the implementation of the plan.
Therefore, in preparing the Ninth Party Congress, the Party Central Committee focused on correctly drawing experience and lessons from the successes and shortcomings during the period under review and taking appropriate measures accordingly.
In order to make substantial preparations for the Party Congress, the Party Central Committee organized a non-permanent preparatory committee for the Congress, set up necessary panels and dispatched fact-finding groups according to directions and sectors, to get them to gain a full understanding of the five-year work of the relevant sectors and units and to make a correct analysis of problems and their root cause.
And on the basis of their activities, it assessed how the members of the eighth-term Party Central Committee played their role and whether they correctly guided the development of their sectors and units.
Each field and unit vectorized the work of scientifically setting the goals and working out the plans for development to be achieved in the period of the new long-term plan and forwarding them to the preparatory committee, and the departments of the Party Central Committee also forwarded innovative and detailed suggestions on the future plans and measures for carrying them out.
And there was an in-depth study of the issues arising in further enhancing the leadership functions of the Party in line with the requirements of the five-point Party building line in the new era, including the issues related to the revision of Party Rules and the reorganization of the leadership forces of the Party.
In the run-up to the Party Congress, Party organizations at all levels reviewed the work of their leadership bodies by focusing on correctly sharing experience and lessons, and the election of delegates to the Party Congress and the examination of observers were also completed.
Accordingly, the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee carried out a rigorous final examination of the qualifications of the delegates to the Party Congress who had been elected at provincial Party conferences.
The result of the examination appeared that all the comrades elected as delegates are fully qualified as they are core elements of our Party who have so far achieved marked results in improving the work of their sectors and units and who are capable of playing a significant role in the struggle to implement the decisions of the Ninth Party Congress in the future.
Participating in this Congress are 5 000 delegates in total: 224 members of the eighth term Party central leadership and 4 776 delegates elected by all Party organizations.
Among them are 1 851 delegates of Party and political workers, 747 delegates of state administrative and economic officials, 414 delegates of service personnel, 32 delegates of officials of working people's organizations, 521 delegates of officials in the sectors of science, education, public health, sports, culture and art and the mass media, and 1 435 delegates of officials and hard-core Party members involved in field labour.
Of them 415 are women.
The Congress is also attended by 2 000 observers, nominated by Party organizations at all levels, including officials from the departments of the Party Central Committee.
We are met at this significant venue with the high honour and heavy mission of being delegates to the Party Congress, entrusted by all the Party members in reflection of their organizational will.
So great are the concerns and expectations of all the Party members and other people across the country for the Ninth Party Congress, which will mark another watershed in our Party's sacred struggle to realize the rights, interests and long-cherished desires of the people. And all of us have shouldered a heavy mission of making sincere, active and responsible efforts to ensure that the Congress does its work satisfactorily.
Solemnly pledging, on behalf of all the participants in this Congress, the ninth of its kind in the glorious history of the Workers' Party of Korea, that the Congress will be absolutely faithful to the great Kimilsungism-Kimjongulism,
And fully convinced that the Congress will be a significant, historic occasion vigorously guiding the victorious advance of the revolutionary cause of Juche thanks to the high political consciousness and enthusiasm of all the delegates, I declare the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea open.
The character and nature of the Workers' Party of Korea, which exists for the people and offers devoted service to them, have been more highlighted over the past ten odd years in its 80-year history, especially in the term of its Eighth Central Committee.
This period has witnessed the enforcement of a multitude of lines and policies for the well-being of the people including the policy on building 50 000 flats in Pyongyang, new childcare policy, socialist policy measure for students and programme for effecting a rural revolution in the new era.
The Regional Development 20×10 Policy speaks volumes about it. The policy is unprecedented in the history of the DPRK in terms of the scope, depth and duration of change.
The local media describe the policy as the first of its kind since the founding of the WPK on October 10, 1945 and of the DPRK on September 9, 1948.
The policy adopted in January 2024 is aimed at unfailingly carrying it out as a policy-oriented task to build modern regional industry factories in 20 counties every year so as to radically improve the basic material and cultural living standards of the people in all cities and counties, or the entire population of the country, within ten years. This reveals the intention of the WPK to achieve a simultaneous, balanced and rapid development of regional industry at the earliest possible date and on a nationwide scale.
In late February last year, the first groundbreaking ceremony was held in South Phyongan Province's Seongchon County, an intermediate, mountainous area in the country, to kick start the project for the implementation of the policy. In less than a year since then, modern regional industry factories have sprung up in 20 cities and counties.
The 11th Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the WPK held in late December 2024 decided to officially include in the regional development policy the building of three essential projects—advanced healthcare facilities, science complexes and grain storage facilities—in addition to the construction of regional industry factories.
As for the project for advanced healthcare facilities alone, it is said that models will be built on a pilot basis in Kangdong County, Kusong City and elsewhere in 2025 to accumulate experience and such facilities will be built in 20 cities and counties every year starting in 2026.
A new model base for offshore farming has been built in Sinpho City on the coast of the East Sea of Korea, and a more peculiar and advanced fishing base and fishermen's village have popped up in Riwon County.
Such fishing bases are expected to be built one after another in the future.
for the public health modernization drive
In September Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, addressed the 10th Session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK.
In the important speech he stated that to lay the foundations for achieving prosperity by dint of self-reliance had been included in the long-term plan at the First Session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly held six years previously, now those foundations have been built up definitively in all realms, and the comprehensive development of socialist construction, which had been regarded as an ideal in those days, has already entered a solid phase.
He defined what is much more important and powerful than these achievements as the spiritual strength of the people, the major force, and the preparedness of the public's ideological favor.
Over the past years, the country has made stunning progress in all fields, including the economy, culture and national defence in the face of the continued sanctions of the hostile forces, global health crisis and severe natural disasters. Far from giving in to the challenges, they made united and patriotic efforts to break through the difficulties, thus bringing about such remarkable achievements.
What made them an indomitable people who deal with hardships more courageously, the more the challenges, are!
Their success is attributable to the scientific and realistic advance plans set forth by Kim Jong Un and his energetic guidance and love for and selfless devotion to them.
Under his leadership the construction of 50 000 flats in the capital city and of modern rural houses and the Regional Development 20×10 Policy have been promoted in real earnest although the country is still in difficulties. All his policies for public benefit will become a source of the people's conviction in their future.
Last year heavy flood hit the northern part of North Phyongan Province. He visited the dangerous place threatened with rapidly rising muddy water and stayed there until he confirmed that everyone was safely evacuated. He also toured the flood-stricken area aboard a small rubber boat, unfolding a plan to provide the victims with new, excellent houses. Seeing him, the Korean people must have been convinced that he is really their father who takes responsible care of the destiny of their own and of their children to the last.
No doubt the successive inaugurations of modern regional industry factories, advanced healthcare facilities and leisure complexes would reinforce their conviction in their rosy future.
History proves that the might of the people who are convinced of their own strength and future has no limit.
In the aforesaid speech, Kim Jong Un also said that he was proud of the fact that the people's pride in and love for their country have never been so good as today in the history of the Republic spanning nearly eight decades.
His remark heavily portends a greater victory to be won in the DPRK.
KCNA
Inaugural Ceremony of Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area Held with Splendour
Thanks to the firm revolutionary will of the Workers' Party of Korea to bring about shining efflorescence of socialist civilization on our land in our own way and with our own resources, entities for a new life and for new well-being are being created one after another in different parts of the country. In these days of rejuvenation, a modern coastal resort has been developed on the Kalma peninsula, famous for its beautiful coastal scenery, greeting the auspicious moment of its inauguration.
In the Wonsan Kalma area hundreds of buildings of modern beauty and in various forms have been built in harmony with the scenery of the coastal area widely known for its outstanding landscape from olden times, achieving a perfect artistic compatibility and connectivity. The zone is a coastal resort town of our own style without an equal in the world both in name and reality.
From among the hotels that can accommodate nearly 20 000 persons, the tourists from home and abroad can choose any one to stay according to their tastes. The tourist area has service facilities for various sports, amusement, commercial and public catering facilities fully equipped with all the necessary conditions, as well as facilities for other cultural and leisure activities, which can offer all-year-round the real taste of the sea-resort, presenting a wonderful picture of a 4km-long stretch of beach white-beaded with the people every year.
The transformation of the Wonsan Kalma area, a great auspicious event of the whole country, is a brilliant fruition of the profound thinking and inexhaustible efforts of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, who unfolded a grand blueprint for building a world-class cultural resort and saw to it that all the architectural structures were perfectly built raising the dignity of our state and the honour of our generation. It is also a prelude to a new era of our country's tourism that was ushered in by the great spirit of service of the Workers' Party of Korea which is steadily carving out new spheres of socialist civilization and important cultural progress that sets up an epochal milestone in the building of the tourist industry of our own style.
The inaugural ceremony of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area, a proud and inspiring creation that unleashes the patriotic enthusiasm of our people to lead the world, was held with splendour on June 21.
The venue of the inaugural ceremony was full of pride of the builders, who triumphantly built a wonderful tourist resort for the people by upholding the noble intention of the great Party Central Committee with a vigorous struggle and extraordinary merits of creation, and the joy of the working people, who came to witness the birth of the proud coastal resort town of national value.
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un attended the inaugural ceremony. When Kim Jong Un arrived, stormy cheers of "Mansei!" resounded far and wide. All the participants paid the highest tribute to Kim Jong Un, the great artist of creation and construction and the dear father, who is ushering in a new era of prosperity and development, filled with happy laughter of the people, with an ardent desire to provide his beloved people with a brighter and richer new life and civilization and with his brilliant wisdom and energetic leadership practice.
Present at the ceremony were members of the central leadership of the WPK including leading cadres of the Party and the government, officials of ministries and national agencies, military and civilian builders, officials and employees of the units in charge of construction and operation and officials, working people and youth and students in Kangwon Province and the city of Wonsan.
The ambassador and staff members of the Russian embassy in the DPRK were invited as special guests.
The national anthem of the DPRK was played.
Pak Thae Song, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, made an inaugural address.
The inauguration of the coastal resort, which has emerged on the beautiful Kalma peninsula as a masterpiece of Korean-style tourism, demonstrating the tremendous might and rapid development of our state, is clear proof of the inexhaustible creative and vigorous executive abilities of socialist Korea which steadily writes new chapters of history of gigantic transformations and civilization, the premier said, extending warm gratitude on behalf of the Central Committee of the WPK and the government of the DPRK to all the builders who have powerfully demonstrated the mettle of the country that proudly paves the way for an eye-opening development towards the future with such a precious asset.
He went on:
The Kalma peninsula, which can be called a coastal scenic spot with the best ecological environment, has assumed a new elegant and modern appearance; this is an epochal transformation that can be brought about only by our Party. It is a symbol of the great dignity and wellbeing of the people created thanks to the people-first politics of our Party and the socialist system of our own style. Herein lies the real meaning of the coastal resort and charm peculiar to us and the noble height no other tourist attractions can reach.
He said that Kim Jong Un energetically led the work of making sure that the worldwide grand construction project for providing our people with the most civilized resort in the world was dynamically pushed ahead with a Party-wide and national drive.
The speaker noted that Kim Jong Un broadened the vision of the officials while giving meticulous guidance for thousands of designs, saw to it that all the structures in the resort were completed at the highest level and gave detailed solutions to all the problems including those of developing unique service methods and capabilities, stressing that his important instructions are a great encyclopedia that comprehensively encapsulates the orientation and ways for building a tourist industry in the new era, and he continued:
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the windy construction site several times a year, calling upon the builders to present a resort attraction without an equal in the world to the people by building it into a cultural recreation ground. His ardent appeal enkindled the loyalty and patriotic faith of all the builders and powerfully encouraged them to a heroic labour struggle. Taking to heart their sacred mission of implementing the intention of the great Party Central Committee on the road of opening a new realm of tourist culture, the builders successfully set up grand miraculous edifices, creating an amazing construction speed, advanced building methods and exemplary experiences one after another.
The creation of the world-level coastal resort town, the most wonderful maritime park, by our own efforts is a source of valuable honour and worth of our generation holding in high esteem the great leader who is writing a new chapter of history of rejuvenation and prosperity in which every month, mountain, river and street are undergoing change beyond recognition through a dynamic construction revolution. The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area will shine as a monument to the people-first idea and leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea.
The eye-opening transformation in the Kalma peninsula made with an indomitable pioneering spirit and fortitude represents a new watershed for comprehensive rejuvenation to be surely reached by our state and people despite all difficulties. The premier then called upon all the people to make a dynamic advance with higher ideals and desires for the future of our state which will be turned into a paradise for the people along the road indicated by the Party Central Committee, Kim Jong Un and the inaugural tags.
Enthusiastic cheers were raised, fireworks of celebration set off and balloons released, beautifully decorating the clear and blue sky over Myongsasipri.
Together with leading officials of the Party and the government, Kim Jong Un went round various places of the resort including the Myongsasipri Water Park, Kalma Hotel, Haegumgang Hotel and Myongsasipri Hotel.
Enjoying a bird's-eye view of the coastal tourist town presenting a wonderful scene, he said with great satisfaction that what he most wanted to do for the people and to which the Party devoted a great deal of effort for a long time with cherished desire were translated into a brilliant reality, and that our inexhaustible pioneering spirit was fully demonstrated once again through the gigantic construction project.
Noting that all the structures in the Wonsan Kalma area are monumental edifices that comprehensively represent the mature phase of our architecture which has made a rapid leap forward with each passing year, he expressed his deep emotion over the building of an eye-opening entity to be recorded as one of the greatest successes for this year of rounding off the implementation of the decisions of the Eighth Congress of the WPK.
Saying that the coastal resort should play a leading role in establishing our tourist culture, he stressed the need for all the units in charge of its operation to provide all tourists to the scenic spot on the east coast with the highest level of convenience and leisure space in order to help them spend pleasant and satisfactory days.
Noting that in our country with diverse and rich tourism resources and political stability and institutional durability peculiar to us, its tourist industry is of great perspective significance as a master power promoting the efflorescence and development of the cultural field and the advancement of the relevant regions and contributing to the overall economic growth of the state, he indicated an important orientation for expanding and developing our style of tourism on a large scale.
He said that development of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area is the proud first step on the road of implementing the policy of the Party and the government on the development of cultural tourism and the Ninth Congress of the WPK will confirm an important plan for developing large promising tourist resorts of various types in different regions in the shortest time possible on the basis of the successes and experiences gained in the development of the Kalma peninsula.
An art performance was given to celebrate the inauguration of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area.
The night of celebration was full of jubilation with famous songs portraying the stirring spirit of the prosperous times, in which every dream and ideal are being translated into a brilliant reality along with the efflorescing socialist civilization, the fervent hope for the future and the burning patriotic enthusiasm, as well as with gorgeous fireworks.
Kim Jong Un expressed belief that the palace of happiness to be turned in the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area will shine its attractive name as a world-level tourist resort, heralding the future of paradise to be built in different parts of the country.
The eye-opening landscape of civilization and sea change on the beautiful beach on the east coast, achieved thanks to the most people-oriented view of the WPK on the development of the state, will shine long as a cultural treasure that brings the people's laughter into full blossom year after year, demonstrating the inexhaustible development potential and valiant pioneering spirit peculiar to our state that is confidently ushering in a promising new era of prosperity.
The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area will start service for the domestic tourists on July 1.
KCNA
Law Guarantee Children's Rights in DPRK
Nothing Special for Children
It is a consistent policy of the DPRK to treat greatness by children and to ensure their rights and interests on a preferential basis.
True to Article 8 of the Law of the DPRK on Children's Rights, the country provides every possible thing, best and special, necessary for the children's health, education and life on the principle of "Best Things to Children".
Article 21 of the law stipulates that a child has the right to receive the universal 12-year compulsory education that is given free of charge. This education system ensures a systematic period from pre-school course to primary and middle school courses. Under this system, the Korean children learn to their heart's content provided by the state with uniforms, satchels, footwear, school things and others.
Children's palaces, halls and camps are seen in good places and scenic spots across the DPRK. There is the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace in the capital city of Pyongyang. After-school children go to such facilities to conduct extracurricular activities according to their tastes and hopes. The Songdowon International Children's Camp on the east coast of the country and other camps elsewhere are good centers for children.
A flock of Korean and Russian children had a good time at the Songdowon International Children's Camp in July last year. "Everything in the camp is arranged in such a way that it suits our mind and it is not so much a camp but a palace," said a member of the Russian camping group. As the camp we came to know more clearly that the DPRK is a children's paradise," said another member.
Along with the right to receive education, the right to receive medical care is part of the vital children's rights that have direct influence on their growth and development.
According to the Law of the DPRK on Children's Rights, a child has the right to receive free medical care. The state bears all the expenses for the prevention and treatment of diseases and this benefit goes to the children across the country. For example, there is Okryu Children's Hospital in Pyongyang which is equipped with exquisite latest medical facilities.
It is true that the DPRK is so rich that it unsparingly invests a huge amount of money for the children. The Workers' Party of Korea and the DPRK government are determined to show more sincerity to the children even if the condition becomes worse and to take dynamic steps forward towards the future of communism by dint of that love.
DIU AND KIM IL SUNG
In the middle of the 1920s, the imperialists' colonial enslavement policy toward other countries and nations was at its height. Eminent all the countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America were reduced to their colonies. The Korean people were suffering under the colonial yoke as their country was occupied militarily by Japan (1905–1945).
The Japanese imperialists, while managing their colonial ruling machinery in order to stamp out the anti-Japanese struggle of the Korean people, reacted and enforced various evil laws such as the Maintenance of Public Order Act. Meanwhile, the Korean communist movement and national liberation struggle were experiencing complicated difficulties.
At this time, Kim Il Sung (1912–1994) embarked on the road of revolutionary struggle to save his country and fellow people in sun 1926. The innocent psychology of young Kim Il Sung, who had just been awakened to social consciousness, encountered agony and anguish. In these days, the nationalist movement was waning and a socialist movement was on the rise. After making an analysis of these two social movements, he came to a conclusion that national liberation could never be achieved by fighting without any correct political slogan, and without relying on the strength of the masses.
He believed that in order for the Korean revolution to be developed in a lush way, it should be carried out independently through the efforts of all the people of the country. Noteworthy is that Kim Il Sung had struck others with wonder by dint of his extraordinary personality and intelligent insight into social phenomena from his early age.
A man who was teaching at Fusong Primary School No. 1 recollected, "As the days went by, we felt Kim Song Ju (Kim Il Sung's childhood name) was not an ordinary person though he was young. At that time, he was not only a pupil with intelligence and integrity but also a political activist with a high ambition and political view. To be frank, he was better than us, teachers, in understanding and analyzing things."
In order to realize his long conceived plan for forming a militant revolutionary organization, he convened a preparatory meeting at Huadian, Huadian School in Manzhou, northeast China. Young revolutionaries sharing the same will as his attended the meeting. At the meeting he clarified the necessity of the revolutionary organization and its mission, name and character, fighting programme and the regulations of its activity. All the participants unanimously supported his proposal.
On October 17, 1926, a week later, he founded the Down with Imperialism Union (DIU). As its name implies, it was an organization for overthrowing imperialism in general. The immediate task of the DIU was to defeat Japanese imperialism and achieve the liberation and independence of Korea, and its final objective was to build socialism and communism in Korea and, further, destroy all imperialism and build communism throughout the world.
A Short History of Korean Revolutionary Movement Overseas, a book published in Seoul after Korea's liberation, reads: "Expectations of Kim Il Sung were high and the activities of these organizations were brisk. The support of the public for Kim Il Sung, a man of passion and justice, was great. It was more than support... Kim Il Sung, a key revolutionary, enjoyed the undivided love from the people as their beloved son or younger brother, and he made a pledge to sever them in good faith."
"He always breathed the same air with the people and his comrades, too, found themselves among the people. "Reared based on the masses, he struggled to remove various rotting social maladies, so as to awaken them and enhance their awareness and took measures to gradually reform various fields of society. "He focused on the elimination of remnants of persistent feudalism, emulation of dispute between native landlords and Korean tenants, development of peasants' knowledge and movements of youth and women and recorded a remarkable success in this effort."
The Korean revolution which dawned with the formation of the DIU started to develop in full steam under the leadership of Kim Il Sung. Kim Il Sung liberated Korea and built a people's country through a 20 year long anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle and consolidated the country into a people owned socialist state by leading his people to win one victory after another in its decades long confrontation with imperialist allied forces, including the Korean war (1950–1953). The history of the Korean revolution can be said to be the one in which the fighting programme of the DIU was realized. The significance of the DIU in the Korean revolution is profound, indeed. This, year is a meaningful year which marks the 98th anniversary of the formation of the DIU.