Thursday 7 March 2024

Answers of Dr Dermot Hudson to the 6th Joint Songun Q and A and study session



Question: are the features of the Juche idea as independence, consciousness and creativity, were they developed in the process of historical development of society or are they features inherent in human beings?



Independence , creativity and consciousness are the features of human beings according to the philosophical principle of the Juche idea .


In his work published on the 31st of March 1982 the great leader comrade KIM JONG IL defined independence , creativity and consciousness as a the intrinsic features of man , pointing out that “ Man holds a special position and plays a special role as master of the world because he is a social being with independence, creativity and consciousness.”


All three are interlinked ; without independence there can be no creativity and without creativity there can be no independence and one has to have consciousness of both .


Whilst independence , creativity and consciousness are intrinsic features of human beings it does not mean that man is automatically born with them , far from it . The Juche idea is a philosophy that is firmly rooted in materialism and not idealism.Such qualities are the attribute of a social being . In other words they formed only in society as a result of social interaction . Here is an example ; there are several different accounts of feral children  or wolf boys who were raised by animals as a result they walked on all fours , ate with their hands or simply bit into the food and could not speak . 


It is correct to say that independence , creativity and consciousness have developed s throughout history ,although such not always in a smooth and steady manner . They have developed as a result of the struggle of humans to master nature and in the struggle against different exploiting systems such as slavery ,feudalism and capitalism . As comrade KIM JONG IL said “As history advances, man’s position and role as master of the 

world is strengthened, and the extent of people’s domination over 

the world increases daily through their independent, creative and 

conscious struggle. In our time the masses of the people have 

emerged as the masters of the world, and through their struggle 

the world is being changed more and more to serve the masses. 

Today the position and role of the masses of the people as 

masters of the world are becoming stronger than ever before. 

This reality proves more patently the validity and vitality of the 

principle of Juche philosophy that man is the master of 

everything and decides everything.”




Independence , creativity and consciousness will fully flower under Juche-oriented socialism .


I recommend the following ;

Anglo-People's Korea/Songun: JUCHE IDEA -ANSWERS TO A HUNDRED QUESTIONS (juche007-anglo-peopleskoreafriendship.blogspot.com)


The section titled “Philosophical Principle “ in the work “On the Juche Idea “ is strongly recommended and also the collection of works titled “On the Juche Philosophy






Question :Does People ́s Korea have freedom of Travel into another country. For example, can a DPRK-citizen visit South Africa or Brasil or some other country


Article 75 of the DPRK Socialist Constitution states that “. Citizens have freedom of residence and travel


DPRK citizens do indeed travel abroad and not only travel but sometimes work  ,live or study abroad . I have met many DPRK citizens who have visited foreign countries. Also I have seen many DPRK citizens leaving the DPRK either on the plane or the train .


Recently a delegation of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League of the DPRK left to participate in the World Festival of Youth and Students in Russia .


Our guide in 2012 Professor Ri Mu Il , of KIM IL SUNG University had actually lived in Britain , in Faversham ,for a few months as part of an exchange course with the University of Kent . Professor Ri had even visited Poundland and said ‘ where would British people be without Poundland?


It should be remembered that some countries like the US actually ban the entry of DPRK citizens  and others restrict the entry of DPRK citizens to their countries.In 2017 the resolution of the UN Security Council  actually banned DPRK citizens from working abroad. Also considerations of cost and currency conversion tend to limit the ability of DPRK citizens to travel abroad .




Question;Can workers in the DPRK travel abroad?  

    a.  If so under what conditions? 

    b.  If workers are somewhat restricted do workers understand the need for careful approach to worker travel?

     c.  Is it clear when these conditions might be relaxed



This is partly answered by the question above . I would also say that there is a false distinction made by  certain hostile forces noticeably NKNews and that ilk , made between workers and party officials in the DPRK with talk of the elite etc . In fact the Workers Party of Korea has millions of members and most of its members are workers.


Workers in the DPRK do travel abroad as part of delegations of trade unions and other organisations such as the youth league or sports or cultural delegations .


It seems to be something thrown at the DPRK by so-called critics that people in the DPRK allegedly cannot travel abroad but I would throw this back at such people ,firstly , why so much emphasis on travelling abroad , secondly , remember that most Americans do not have passports and only a minority of Americans travel abroad and by the way has anyone ever seen a black American tourist abroad ?




Question ;My understanding is that workers retire at 55/60 and that retired life is secure and good (Healthy food, healthcare, recreation, etc which many pensioners in our country don't have even at 67) but little extra income unless you have the higher pension of super-contributors (liberation war veterans, party officials, recognised contributors...). Is this correct? If not, can you basically explain the size of the pension income compared to regular DPRK workers and what it can buy?

Also, can a worker retire with an 'official' pension but still continue working (i.e. half time) to increase their income?


Basically in addition to their old age pension ,aged people in the DPRK actually receive a lot of additional benefits . In this respect it is useful to refer to the  Report of the DPRK Human Rights Association 2014 “The aged people are the old generation, who dedicated all their wisdom and enthusiasm to development of the state and society as well as to the creation of economic and cultural wealth.

It is the DPRK policy to treat the aged people with respect and look after their life and health in a responsible manner. The state makes a steady investment in protecting the aged people and makes efforts to provide them with a civilized and happy life. It also puts emphasis on education in socialist ethics and fine traits, so that assisting, respecting and caring for the aged people become the trend of the society.

In the DPRK, the obligation of supporting the aged people is assigned to their spouses and also to their sons or daughters and grandchildren who live together or not. Their brothers or sisters can be supporters.

The aged people regularly receive pension and state aid of various kinds. Even if they have their supporters, they can receive the state support according to their requests.

The aged people have the right to possess and dispose of their personal properties as well as the right to receive health check-up and treatment on a regular basis from the health institutions in-charge and medical institutions. The aged people are entitled to be supplied with nutritional foodstuffs and tonics rich in micronutrients like vitamin and calcium on a preferential basis and according to their physiological characteristics.

They can participate in different popular sports activities and have the right to be provided with conditions necessary for normal exercises including rhythmic gymnastics and Taekwondo.

Macrobians over 100 years old receive the social benefits specified by the state. The old people, according to their hopes, can go for vacation, sightseeing, tourism and excursion in the days of spring or autumn. They, according to their will and ability, can participate in various social activities and organize and operate workteams or associations for the merited workers or the old people.

Government organs at all levels have a non-permanent protection committee for the aged people in order to accurately carry out policy of protecting the old people. “


People in the DPRK can continue to work beyond retirement age .





Question;How possible is it to switch careers? Assume you were offered a spot in mechanical engineering, you studied and qualified and began work. Then 5 years later you decide you want to work in agricultural engineering. Would it be possible?


If you are a Party member you can be sent to work in different fields . However if you are not then you can switch careers . For example , the guide for our delegation in April 2017 Miss Kil Nam Hui had originally been a translator for the DPRK  Ministry of Agriculture , however she did not like been a translator as she felt that she was a servant and not a master to use her own words so instead became a teacher of English language and life sciences at KIM IL SUNG University .





Question;Considering the possible future re-openings of UK, German and Swedish embassies in the DPRK, what chances are there that these countries will also allow DPRK embassies in their countries too? Will it entail a risk for the DPRK to accept these Western embassies in their country again, taking into consideration the possibility that they might try to harm the way of life of the DPRK? Or will it be a good chance for the DPRK to expand trading pacts?


DPRK embassies already exist in the UK , Germany and Sweden although in the case of the embassy in the UK it has a small number of staff  . DPRK embassies abroad are limited in their activities by UN Sanctions .


Whilst I think it is true that accepting Western embassies in the DPRK does pose a risk because such embassies will carry out espionage activities as well as anti-socialist subversion  and also ideological and cultural infiltration. However the DPRK knows this well and is prepared to deal with by carrying out a struggle against ideological and cultural infiltration and the DPRK’s state security and public security organs stand ready to deal with any anti-socialist subversion by imperialist and capitalist countries.


In theory the re-opening of the Western embassies in the DPRK could lead to increased trade with the DPRK but is unlikely because of the UN , US and EU sanctions . In my opinion Britain after Brexit should have torn up the sanctions and massively expanded trade with People’s Korea.



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