editorial

The 1990s was the period of severe trials for the DPRK and its people.

In the period, the moves of the imperialist allied forces to stifle socialism of the DPRK reached extremes.

At this juncture, Chairman Kim Jong Il held high the arms of Songun, a treasured sword for shaping the independent destiny at the crossroads of history, in which the country and people had to decide whether they would safeguard their independence or be reduced to the slaves of imperialism.

With the will that if the country and nation had weak military power, they could not defend the national sovereignty and the cause of socialism they had won at the cost of blood, he administered the original Songun politics of strengthening the driving force of the revolution and victoriously advancing the overall socialist construction with the Korean People's Army as the core and main force.

The untiring efforts and continued long journey of devotion of the Chairman for bolstering up the defence capabilities of the country cannot be explained with only a few words. Among them are his field inspection tour along the road across the sharp cliff to Mt Osong which is called the mountain of Songun, through the high waves to Cho Island, along the rugged path to Chol Pass in heavy snowstorm and those of the training grounds of the People’s Army units full of determination to annihilate the enemy.

The People’s Army was further strengthened as an army strong in ideology and faith and the invincible revolutionary armed forces and the country’s defence industry was turned into a Juche-oriented and modern one.

Thanks to Songun politics, the dignity and security of the country and people were reliably defended and Korean-style socialism won victory after victory.

The Chairman named the ideological spirit, displayed by the KPA service personnel who remained faithful to the country and people, were strong in revolutionary spirit and had a strong sense of organization and discipline, the revolutionary spirit of soldiers and made sure that the People’s Army would perform undying feats in socialist construction as well as in national defence.

The work to learn from the revolutionary soldier spirit was widely conducted throughout society and the unity in ideology and fighting spirit was achieved between the people and the army to boost the army-people unity, the mainstay of the Songun revolution. As a result, the Kanggye spirit was created and the torch of Songgang was kindled in such a hard time, bringing about an upswing and turn on all fronts of socialist construction.

The exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il who defended and added brilliance to socialism by dint of Songun will be immortal.