On The 45th Anniversary of the Founding Congress of the International Institute of the Juche Idea
The 1960s and 1970s were a time when the forces of socialism and anti-imperialism were gathering strength and were going on the offensive. Throughout Asia, Africa, and Latin America the parties and movements that aspired after national liberation made tangible progress. Interpretations of Marxism-Leninism current during those decades were limited in their applicability, there were either of a right opportunist or leftist nature. As is known the two major centres of international socialism, the USSR and Peoples China, the CPSU, and the CPC were at loggerheads in the 1960s over questions of Marxist theory, and revolutionary movements had to choose one way or the other in this dispute.
Socialist Korea and its ruling party, the Workers' Party of Korea, trial blazed a path of innovative socialist development avoiding the pitfalls of revisionism and dogmatism. This was due primarily to the Juche Idea. The diversity of forms in the struggle for national and social liberation was a theme of the 1960s and 70s. A pressing necessity for those involved in the fight to overcome the old social order and build a new society. The number of those in different parts of the world studying the Juche Idea grew in number and scope. Motivated by a need for an organized study of Juche, a Group for the Study of the Works of Comrade Kim IL Sung was established on April 15th, 1969 in Mali. It was fitting that the very first Juche Idea Study Group was formed in Mali, with the African continent being at the forefront of the anti-imperialist struggle.
Throughout the 1970s, the Juche Idea Study Groups came to be founded in many countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. International seminars on the Juche Idea began to be organized at the start of the 70s, with these conferences being held in Beirut, (December 1971), in Lome (October 1974), in Antananarivo (September 1976), and in Pyongyang (September 1977). At all these global gatherings of the Juche Idea adherents, a common thread developed, the call for an international body to be established to guide and coordinate activities on a regional and worldwide basis. A nine-member organizing committee to facilitate the initiative for an international institute had been formed after the 1977 Pyongyang seminar.
On April 9th, 1978, in Tokyo, Japan the inaugural congress of the International Institute of the Juche Idea took place. Present at the congress were 800 attendees, delegates from 10 countries, and delegations from 130 Juche Idea Study Groups. Professor Kaoru Yasui of Hosei University was elected by the Congress as the Director-General of the IIJI.
In the first part of the declaration, it is mentioned that the history of humanity is the chronicle of the struggle for independence. That in other words, the popular masses desire an independent existence, a true life without oppression and exploitation. In the second part of the declaration, it is stressed that the Juche Idea created by President Kim IL Sung is a guiding idea, theory, and method of revolution. The Juche Idea according to the declaration is a revolutionary doctrine formulated within the revolutionary practice. It is an ideological and theoretical summing up of the protracted historical struggle of the working masses for emancipation. The declaration gave a comprehensive explanation of the Juche Idea, such as its philosophical principles, and its independent and creative stand. In practical terms, the concepts of independence in politics, self-sufficiency in the economy, and self-reliance in defence. It is when the Juche Idea is applied to the reality that the popular masses can free themselves from subjugation and become the masters of society. The declaration in its third part refers to the Juche Idea spreading far and wide. Mention is made of the tremendous significance of the Juche Idea's creation meant the fulfilment of the historical task longed by mankind for centuries, to achieve independence, creativity, and consciousness. Proclaiming to the international community the inauguration of the IIJI has been announced for increasing the study of the Juche Idea.
Forty-five years after its inauguration the IIJI has been at the vanguard of the Juche research and dissemination. Many international, regional, and national seminars were organized in various nations by the IIJI. The IIJI has been instrumental in assisting and consolidating the work of the national Juche Idea Study Groups. We in the British Group for the Study of the Juche Idea had the privilege of attending many seminars held by the IIJI over the years, particularly memorable was the World Juche Idea Congress in April 2012. It was with immense affection that our study group members recall meetings with the IIJI Secretary-General Ogami Kenichi, Professor Edmond Jouve, and of course, with the renowned Vishwanath ( who had been for several decades the Director-General of the IIJI). A great deal has been accomplished by the IIJI in these four and half decades. In keeping with the innovative spirit of Juche, the IIJI should keep abreast of developments in technology and social/cultural changes. The methods of working which were appropriate in the 1980s may not be advantageous for the 2020s, the IJJI may have to avoid slipping into inertia and repeating the old formulas. It is hoped that IIJI should take note of the new forms of social movements and political activism so as to engage with them. In every kind of social media, the IIJI should become the go-to place for Juche dissemination and information for the younger generations.
Wishing the IIJI, the Regional Juche Study Societies, and the Juche Idea adherents further success on this significant 45th anniversary of the International Institute of the Juche Idea. There is more than ever a pressing demand for the Juche Idea and the inspiration provided by this ideology in the realization of the ideals of independence, anti-imperialism, and socialism. Let us redouble our efforts in the promotion and study of the Great Juche Idea!!
Long Live Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism!
Long Live The Juche Idea!
Forward To Global Independence!
Shaun Pickford
Secretary-General
British Group for the Study of the Juche Idea
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