Korea: Ever-Victorious with Independence

ON behalf of the Uganda National Committee on the Study of Juche Idea, allow me Comrades taking part in this historical event as we celebrate the 75th anniversary since the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea.

I send compliments to H.E Comrade Kim Jong Un, Supreme Leader of the DPRK for having been an outstanding leader of his people.

In regard with the theme of this discussion, I would prefer to narrate my personal experience to elaborate the truth about the victorious and indeed independent DPRK.

When my visit to the DPRK was confirmed I was so exited because there was the first time for me to visit to the country as an adherent to Juche idea. Even though I knew the fact that the DPRK had been ever-victorious with independence and people centred socialist country I was so eager to witness the reality of what the country was indeed.  It reminded to me Seeing is believing at that time.

The day came to me to check what my imagination was. I set off my visiting to the DPRK on the 6th of September 2016.

Three of us had been invited for the Juche (the guiding philosophy of the Workers’ Party of Korea which places premium on the centrality of man in socio-economic transformation) conference in Pyongyang, but for some reason, I made the journey alone.

My exiting visit to the DPRK began on 8th of September 2016 when I arrived at Pyongyang International airport.

It was so impressive moment when I first landed my first foot to the country.  I was greeted by a very cordial team from the Korean Association of Social Scientists (KASS). I was allocated an interpreter by the names of Ri who turned out to be not only an incredible professional but also a very amiable character who was always handy and made my stay in the DPRK memorable.

Then we entered Pyongyang city. My immediate impression was that it was arguably one of the cleanest and least polluted and least traffic jammed cities in the world. I still hold the same view.

Pyongyang is a well-planned city with wide boulevards, massive apartments with huge spaces between them. It has a vibrant skyline with 20- 40 stored high-rise apartment buildings.

Despite experiencing long pressure and blockade of hostile forces against the DPRK, Pyongyang continues to make demonstrable progress in infrastructure development.

There is massive construction of apartment blocks and other public buildings especially along Ryomyong Street.

Apartments are free and allocated according to one’s workplace. There are neither homeless people nor beggars in Pyongyang.

In this city, things work. The public electric buses provide free transport to hundreds of residents to and from their work stations.  The metro is integral to the transport system of Pyongyang.  A network of tunnels ensures the streets are relatively free of human traffic.

Locally manufactured vehicles are common on the street I learnt that the automobiles are manufactured by Sungri and Pyonghwa enterprises.

The residents of Pyongyang generally exude a deep sense purpose and orderliness as they go about their day to day lives.  Patriotism songs bellow from the numerous loud speakers littered all over the city.

You get the sense of a people prepared and determined to respond to the slightest act of provocation. The ordinary person is unfazed about threat of danger and appear always prepared for any situation.

Social harmony is evident, for my eight days of interaction; I don’t remember any incident of confrontation.

Integrity too seems to be abundant among the DPR of Korean citizens. A story is told of diplomatic whose 100 dollar bill slipped out his wallet during a transaction in a souvenir shop. The attendant who found it reported to her supervisors and the owner was traced for several days until he was found and returned to him.

SOCIAL SERVICES:
The key pillars the DPRK’s socialism are; Universal Healthcare for all citizens and Free Education. The two pillars are largely responsible for the Life expectancy of 70 years.

Education is universal and state funded. The national literacy rate for citizens at the age of 15 and older is almost 100%. I learnt that it is unthinkable for a Korean child of school going age to be out of school.

LEISURE AND RECREATION
The mushrooming state of the art recreation and sports facilities, in Pyongyang speak to the premium. Marshal Kim Jong Un places on sports and recreation.

What make the DPRK ever-victorious?

It is explained from the line and its existence of the WPK. The WPK, to the present since it had a hammer, a sickle and a writing brush embroidered in its flag, has guided Korea along the path to victory and prosperity with confidence by unvaryingly maintaining the line of independence in the unprecedented crucible and challenges of the times.

In the meantime, it is worth to note that the WPK, with its peculiar mode of existence that is to share the destiny with its people and make selfless, devoted efforts for the good of the people, has won people's unreserved support and trust as well as enjoying the respect and admiration of the world progressive people.

What could be another one of keys behind this magnificence which the DPRK shows?

The most important thing to note is that achieving economic independence is very important and an urgent task for guaranteeing development and socio-economic stability of a country.  A soverign country must build the economy that progresses without being dependent on other countries. This same idea has led the DPRK to serving its own people and it has developed into a self-reliant economy  by relying on its own resources and technology.

Indeed Self-reliance is the principle that people of each country should maintain to expedite the building of independent national economies which relies on the local domestic resources to lay firm material and technological foundations.

As we celebrate today, its important to also note that back in Uganda, the President is already fasttracking local socialist programs aimed at uplifting the social well being of citizens. Such programs include Operation Wealth Creation. This provides good seeds, livestock, feeds and guarantees market for the produce as a way of supporting the farmers in accumulating wealth. In other programs, the government is encouraging its population to open and manage local savings and credit associations (villege banks) locally known as SACCOs through which government provides money grants to help people occupied in carpently, mechanics, construction, beauty services to get capital to run their businesses. We hope in the near future, this approach will make a great difference in the socio-economic status of the people of Uganda.

Happy celebrations.

Long live Comrade H.E Kim Jong Un
Long live the Workers’ Party of Korea

Thank you.