Korean Socialism Celebrated and Kim Jong Il Remembered in Birmingham

CPGB ML Birmingham Kim Jong Il's Commemoration 2014On Saturday 20 December the CPGB-ML and Red Youth held a public meeting in Birmingham to celebrate the successes of the Korean revolution and reaffirm our solidarity with the Korean people in their stand against imperialism. We were joined by two representatives of the DPRK embassy, who among other things informed us about the progress made since the death of Kim Jong Il three years ago — numerous housing, infrastructure and recreational projects have been completed over the past few years. It is clear that despite setbacks and continued imperialist threats and blockade, the Korean people remain determined to build a prosperous socialist country. A representative from Red Youth also read out our message to the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, which is reproduced below, and after the meeting our members got to chat with our Korean comrades over some food and drink.


Dear comrades,

Red Youth send our warm greetings and a militant red salute to comrades of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League on the occasion of the third anniversary of the passing away of comrade Kim Jong Il.

It is with great sorrow that we remember the loss of one of Korea’s finest sons and loyal pupil of comrade Kim Il Sung. But it also gives us the chance to remember the astounding achievements made by the Korean people under the leadership of the Worker’s Party of Korea, guided during extremely dark and difficult times by comrade Kim Jong Il.

After the successful liberation and socialist reconstruction of Korea under comrade Kim Il Sung, the Workers Party of Korea and the Korean masses continued to wage a brave fight against imperialism and comrade Kim Jong Il was in the front line. Of particular importance in the DPRK’s ongoing struggle against imperialist aggression and interference was the development of its nuclear deterrent – a crowning achievement of Democratic Korea’s scientific progress.

The importance of the DPRK’s nuclear capability has been clearly demonstrated by world events in recent years; with US and NATO imperialists invading, bombing and seeking to subjugate those nations who dare to stand up to imperialisms plunder of the world – Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria are just the latest victims of imperialisms destructive deeds.

Kim Jong Il’s leadership in the period following the collapse of the USSR and in conditions of a resurgent imperialist offensive proved to be correct. The Korean People’s Army has proven to be a capable defender of socialist Korea’s sovereignty and the freedom of the Korean people. Without a doubt the imperialists will not dare to raise a hand against the DPR Korea, fearful as they should be of a strong rebuke.

CPGB ML Birmingham Kim Jong Il's Commemoration 2014

Today, thanks to comrade Kim Jong Il’s guidance, the DPR Korea stands as a beacon of hope in a world that has seen two decades of unbridled imperialist aggression. It proves to the people of the world that imperialism is a paper tiger, that it can be defeated by the effort of the world’s oppressed people and that a future free of exploitation, misery and war is possible.

Comrade Kim Jong Il is an especially shining example to the youth – not only the youth of Korea but the world over, including the revolutionary minded youth in Britain. Like his father before him, comrade Kim Jong Il became politically active at an early age and dedicated his whole life to serving his people and greatly contributing to the global struggle against imperialism.

Red Youth will always support the right of the youth and the masses to determine their own future, free from imperialist interference, and we take inspiration from the struggle to build a unified socialist country. In our drive to educate the youth of this country in the science of Marxism Leninism, we also do what we can to counter the lies spread by the imperialist media to the people of Britain. Little by little our people too are starting to see through the veiled imperialist propaganda, to reckon with the double standards and hypocrisy of “our” ruling class.

Red Youth will continue to educate our members on the history and present day reality of Korea, teach them about the achievements of the Korean masses led by the Worker’s Party of Korea and explain how they represent the victories of progressive humanity as a whole! The history of the DPRK is living proof that workers and peasants can overthrow their oppressors, seize power and take control of their lives. Imperialism is a decaying system; it is ready to be placed in the museum of antiquities. Socialism is alive and well today thanks to the Korean people’s ongoing efforts and represents the future of all humanity!

Long live the fraternal relations between Red Youth and Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League!

Glory to the memory of Kim Jong Il!

Death to imperialism!

DPR Korea Ambassador – US threatening North Korea with Nuclear War!

In this short video, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korean Ambassador and extraordinary plenipotentiary to the UK, Hyon Hak Bong, thanks British workers for their solidarity and support during this time of heightened tension on the Korean peninsula.

The cause of the tension, he explains, is not the North Korean people or government, but the provocative and aggressive stance of the USA, which has threatened the DPRK with nuclear attack since the 1950s, and has again stepped up its aggression in the vain hope of bullying the North Korean state to give up its newly acquired nuclear deterrent.

Ambassador Bong explains that his country’s stance is one of peace, and defense against the unbelievably aggressive stance of the USA, that since murdering 4 million Koreans in the genocidal war it waged between 1950 – 53, has staged relentless military hostilities to subvert the sovereignty and security of the tiny North Korean nation, culminating in its current exercises involving more than 200,000 military personnel and simulated nuclear attack on major cities in the DPRK using B2 stealth and B52 nuclear bombers as well as F22 stealth fighters.

The DPRK is unbowed and will never submit to this outrageous and provocative action of US imperialists and its puppets, the right wing south korean regime. It has the support of the peace loving peoples of the world, who understand that the only language the US understand is the logic of force.

Hands off Korea!
No to US Nuclear warmongering!
Korea is one!

Photos from the event:

DPRK Ambassador

cpgb-ml speaker

Latest edition of Pyongyang Times now available to download

Pyongyang Times

Red Youth enjoys excellent relations with our comrades organised in the Kim il Sung Socialist Youth League, in the same way that the Communist Party of Great Britain (Marxist-Leninist) enjoys warm relations with the Korean Workers Party. As part of our ongoing solidarity work, we’ll keep trying to publish The Pyongyang Times and Korean Today, here online at redyouth.org.

Download the latest edition of the Pyongyang Times here Issue number 03 PT

Why not also read, Korea Today, here’s February’s edition Korea Today

What are North Korean’s really like? Watch one here:

Red Youth to mark the anniversary of the passing of Comrade Kim Jong Il

We publish here a number of important documents and materials relating to Korea and the life of Comrade Kim Jong Il as our way of marking the anniversary of his death last year.

Article: Report from a recent CPGB ML delegation to DPR Korea

Article: Korean communists determined to maintain socialist road

Article: Eye witness to socialism in Korea

Article: 60 years of Korean socialism

Updates:

Floral Basket to Statues of Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il from British Political Party

Pyongyang, December 18 (KCNA) — A floral basket was sent to the statues of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il on Mansu Hill from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Great Britain (Marxist-Leninist) on the occasion of the first anniversary of demise of Kim Jong Il.
The floral basket was laid before the statues on Tuesday.”

Kim Jong Il’s Work Given Publicity by Swedish Magazine

Pyongyang, December 19 (KCNA) — A detailed gist of leader Kim Jong Il’s work “Abuses of Socialism Are Intolerable” was carried by the No. 4 issue of the Swedish magazine “Korean Information”.

The magazine in its preface said that General Secretary Kim Jong Il in his work published on March 1, 1993 scientifically proved that the imperialists and reactionaries’ accusation that socialism is “totalitarian,” “barracks-like” and “administrative and commanding” is sheer sophism and clarified the scientific accuracy of socialism, inevitability of its victory and ways for dynamically advancing the cause of socialism.”

Xinhua report from DPRK, 29 December 2011 plus KCTV footage


From BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhuanet) — A national memorial service has been held for the DPRK’s late leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang. This is the final day of the country’s official mourning period. A sea of people attended the service, taking the last chance to pay respects to the late DPRK leader.

A nation in deep mourning for its dear leader – Tens of thousands of people gathered at the Kim Il Sung Square to pay tribute. Kim Jong Il was heralded for being a “revolutionary”, and “leading a noble life.”

During speeches to the crowds, top officials said Kim Jong Un, now the supreme leader of the DPRK will carry on his father’s legacy.

A three minute silence was also held, and was followed by all trains, ships and other vehicles sounding their sirens in unison.

This is the last day of the official mourning period for Kim Jong-il. On Wednesday, a three hour funeral procession took place amid falling snow in Pyongyang.

Local newscasters described the weather as “heaven’s tears”. State television showed people weeping and wailing as the funeral cortege passed.

Kim Jong Un was the head mourner on Wednesday, walking with one hand on the hearse for the first part of the journey.

Kim Jong Il was the supreme leader of the country from 1994 to 2011. His body will rest permanently in the Kumsusan Memorial Palace.

Ends

Read the CPGB-ML statement
Watch the report back from the CPGB-ML delegation to Korea

Watch this from summer 2011: