People Praise the Workers’ Party of Korea

Today, to mark the 70^th anniversary of its founding, the Korean people are warm in their praise of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which has taken responsibility for their destiny, defended their interests and rendered loyal service to them.

For the past seven decades since the first day of its founding (October 10, 1945), it has taken responsibility for the people’s destiny as the ruling party of socialist Korea.

Soon after the liberation of Korea from Japanese military occupation (1905-1945), it advanced the line of anti-imperialist, anti-feudal democratic revolution. It ensured that the agrarian reform was carried out to realize peasants’ centuries-old desire to till their own land and women, who had been deprived of any political right and subjected to social inequality for ages, exercised the same rights as men. It had the democratic labour law enacted to institute an 8-hour workday and ban minor labour, and the major industries nationalized to make workers masters of the factories. As a result, the Korean people led an independent, creative and worthwhile life under the leadership of the WPK for the first time in the national history spanning 5 000 years, experiencing how precious it was in their living.

How the WPK took responsibility for the people’s destiny and looked after them in their life may be illustrated by the universal free medical care system that has been maintained in the DPRK. It was during the Korean war (1950-1953) unleashed by the US imperialists that the State enforced the system at its colossal expense to give all its citizens free access to medical care, though it had to mobilize all its human and material resources to repulse the invasion by the enemy.

The universal free compulsory education system is another example. In 1956, when the people were waging a hard struggle to remove the war damage, the State enforced the universal compulsory primary education system for the first time in the East and, in April 1959, the universal free education system. With notable progress made in socialist construction, it developed the system to a higher standard, and now it has established the universal 12-year compulsory education system of the highest level in the world.

The Workers’ Party of Korea, regarding promotion of people’s well-being as the highest principle of its activities, has constantly paid close attention to building dwelling houses. In recent years Changjon Street, Unha Scientists Street, Wisong Scientists Dwelling District, apartment houses for teachers at Kim Il Sung University and Mirae Scientists Street have been built. It may be unbelievable, but it is a fact that these houses, for which a huge investment was made, have been built at the State’s expense and distributed to people free of charge.

The DPRK has freed people from the burden of taxation by abolishing the tax system more than 40 years ago.

The WPK ensures that every line and policy it works out thoroughly reflects the desires and requirements of the masses of the people, and never tolerates any regression or compromise in enforcing its people-oriented policies even though the country’s economic situation may be hard.

In the late 20^th century, when socialism collapsed in several countries in succession, the DPRK adhered to socialism. This is one of the examples that showcase the WPK’s high sense of responsibility for the destiny of the masses.

In this period the country had to experience the worst-ever trials and difficulties owing to the concentrated anti-socialist offensive of the allied imperialist forces and the successive natural disasters, but the people-oriented policies were enforced invariably; all the children learned to their heart’s content under the free compulsory education system, and all the people enjoyed free medical treatment under the universal free medical care system.

Today, holding high the banner of people-first principle, the WPK is vigorously leading the construction of a thriving socialist nation, a civilized socialist nation, where all the ideals and dreams of people will have been realized.

The consecutive successes achieved in the DPRK nowadays such as several rounds of launch of artificial satellites and nuclear tests, demonstration of the might of the leading industrial bases and scientific research bases furnished with state-of-the-art equipment like CNC machines and mushrooming modern streets and new monumental structures, are unthinkable apart from the leadership of the WPK.

As the WPK constantly plans undertakings for people’s welfare and implements them without fail, the people’s standard of living in the DPRK is improving as the days go by.

In recent years bases of public cultural activities like the Rungna People’s Recreation Ground, Munsu Water Park, Mirim Riding Club, Masikryong Ski Resort, Pyongyang Indoor Stadium and May Day Stadium have been built or renovated on the world standards. The Okryu Children’s Hospital, Ryugyong Dental Hospital and other healthcare bases have been built splendidly.

It is quite natural that people sincerely trust and follow this Party and highly praise it.

As a tree that has struck its roots deep remains unmoved in the face of any violent storm, the WPK that enjoys an absolute trust and high praise from the people will always emerge victorious.