Juche and Me -Entry to KFA UK Literary Competition George Hadjipateras member of the Korean Friendship Association – Greece

                                                                         

I first came across Juche in the ancient Greek writings of Aristotle’s “ Politika “ where he writes about “ Autarkeia “ or autarchy .

The first documented reference to Juche as an ideology appeared in 1955 in a speech given by Kim Il Sung entitled "On Eliminating Dogmatism and Formalism and Establishing Juche in Ideological Work". In his speech he says “To make revolution in Korea we must know Korean history and geography as well as the customs of the Korean people. Only then is it possible to educate our people in a way that suits them and to inspire in them an ardent love for their native place and their motherland” and further In his 1965 speech "On Socialist Construction in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the South Korean Revolution" given on 14 April 1965, Kim Il Sung outlined the three fundamental principles of Juche: Political independence ( 자주), Economic self-sufficiency (자립) and Military self-reliance ( 자위). 

And this to this day is one of the two core principles in the DPRK the second being Songun meaning “ Military First Politics “ . All around the world there are groups dedicated to Juche study , thought and in practice . No other country can claim to have so completely used Juche as an actual model  that incorporates all parts of Korean life . In my own life I have tried to use Juche as a way of self reliance , not relying on the Western systems of education , media and governance . Finding my own path with the guidance of the works of the Great Kim Il Sung , the Dear Kim Jong il and Marshal Kim Jong Un . Long may Juche thrive and prosper and be taken up all over the World . Long Live the DPRK , Long Live the brave People of the DPRK , Long Live Juche and Songun !! Manse !!

George Hadjipateras member of the Korean Friendship Association – Greece