1 Validity of Juche Idea and Justness of Report at 8th Congress of WPK, and Experience and Lessons for Activities in Promoting Juche Idea

Dr. Dermot Hudson.

Chairman, British Group for the Study of the Juche Idea;

Chairman, UK Korean Friendship Association.

Today the Juche idea, which was pioneered by the great leader comrade KIM IL SUNG and developed in depth and systematised by the great leader comrade KIM JONG IL, is showing it’s great vitality and correctness with each passing day. A manifestation of the justness and superiority of the Juche idea was the successful holding of the 8th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in January this year.

The 8th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) was held amidst the high expectations of the Korean people and world progressive people including Juche idea and Songun idea followers.

The 8th Congress of the WPK was held at a time when the imperialist world was (and still is) suffering from the catastrophe of Covid 19. During the period that the WPK Congress was held, disorder erupted in Washington, the capital of the USA, the metropolis of world imperialism and international reaction, due to the internal contradictions of US imperialism. Nevertheless, People's Korea based on the great Juche idea and single-hearted unity was able to hold a massive political event involving more than 4,000 people. The 8th Congress of the WPK was also held despite the extreme and harsh sanctions imposed by the hostile forces.

The 8th WPK Congress adopted as one of its main slogans ‘Self-reliance’ (and also ‘Believing in the people as in heaven and single-hearted unity).

At the Congress respected Marshal KIM JONG UN stressed the need to increase the DPRK’s nuclear deterrent, the DPRK is not going to fall into the trap that Libya fell into, namely giving up its nuclear programme in its infancy or the USSR which under Khruschov melted down tanks and guns and later under Gorbachov scrapped hundreds of ICBMs. At the same time Marshal KIM JONG UN showed that the DPRK has no illusions about US imperialism as he declared that ‘whoever takes power in the US, its entity and the real intention of its policy toward the DPRK would never change’. This is indeed true. The DPRK will not bow down to the imperialists and unilaterally disarm.

The imperialists and reactionaries have denounced the 8th Congress of the WPK because instead of opting for so-called reform and ‘opening up’, the Congress instead stressed self-reliance as well as increasing the unified guidance of the state. As respected Marshal KIM JONG UN said “The independent, planned and people- oriented characters of the national economy should be strengthened. To this end, it is necessary to raise the functions of the state that organizes economic affairs, and ensure unified management of products on the principle of making sure that the fruition of the economic activities is channelled into promoting the well-being of the people”.

A people-orientated economy cannot be a market economy nor can it be a dependent economy. Increasing the role of planning in the economy is rational because an economy like nature needs to be controlled and harnessed for the benefit of humans.

Some say that the DPRK should open up but this begs the question open up to what and to whom? Is it not a fact that if you leave the door of your home open , then thieves and robbers can enter the home and steal valuables or vandals can come in and trash the place?

Self-reliance is a vital necessity not only to beat the sanctions of the imperialist hostile forces but to maintain socialism and achieve prosperity. The DPRK will further reduce imports.

Marshal KIM JONG UN wisely postulated that “The main seed and theme of the plan are, as always, self-reliance and self-sufficiency.

“From the requirements of our developing revolution and from the urgent requirements of socialist construction, self-reliance during the period of the new long-term plan should develop into nationwide, planned and scientific self- reliance.”

As well as making a powerful declaration of self-reliance and socialist planning the 8th Congress of the WPK also called for a struggle to eliminate anti-socialist and non- socialist elements. This is a very good and correct policy. In the past some socialist countries neglected the struggle against anti-socialist and non-socialist practices, worse 3 still the revisionists actively connived at anti-socialist and non-socialist elements with the terrible result that capitalism was restored in some socialist countries and the socialist camp disappeared. Under the banner of the 8th Congress of the WPK, People’s Korea, guided by great Marshal KIM JONG UN, will be steadfast as a bastion of authentic socialism.

Reading the report of respected Marshal KIM JONG UN and the other materials of the 8th Congress I felt very excited, the 8th Congress of the WPK is a powerful manifesto for building Juche socialism. I am sure that the DPRK will advance more speedily down the great road of self-reliance laid down by the 8th Congress of the WPK.

There is no doubt that the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea will be the springboard for a new leap forward in building Juche-based socialism. The Korean people can look forward to a happier and prosperous life under the people-first policies of the Workers’ Party of Korea led by great Marshal KIM JONG UN. The members of the British Group for the Study of the Juche Idea were very inspired by the holding of the 8th Congress of the WPK and the speech made by dear respected Marshal KIM JONG UN. It is an important task devolving on Juche idea followers in Britain and the rest of the world to widely publicise the historic programme and the slogans of the 8th Congress of the WPK. There is no doubt that the 8th Congress of the WPK once again demonstrated the truthfulness and validity of the great Juche idea, we must give publicity to this fact. Moreover, at the same time, it is very important to demolish slanders against People’s Korea and also refute anti-self-reliance, anti-Juche propaganda being spread by the imperialists and their lackeys. We must constantly stress that self-reliance is the only way out, the only way to achieve independent development.

Let us make bigger efforts to disseminate the great Juche Idea inspired by the banner of the 8th Congress of the great Workers’ Party of Korea!

Long Live Juche!

Long Live People’s Korea!

Long Live the Workers Party of Korea!

Long Live dear respected Marshal KIM JONG UN!