Study of the Juche Idea

A European Regional Seminar on the Juche Idea on the subject of “Independence, Sovereignty and International Cooperation” was held in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria on September 14, 2019.

The seminar was attended by Juche idea researchers from various European countries including France, Italy, Finland, Russia, Ukraine, Austria, Romania, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and the Czech Republic as well as local Bulgarian personages.

To Bulgaria it was the first time to hold such a European regional seminar of this kind, which was prepared by the national preparatory committee for it led by Mr. Lyudmil Kostadinov, president of the Bulgarian Society for the Study of Kimilsung-Kimjongilism in collaboration with the European Regional Society for the Study of the Juche Idea（ERSSJI）．

A congratulatory address was made by Mr. Ri Song Chol, secretary general of the Korean Association of Social Scientists（KASS）．

A report to the seminar was made by Prof. Emeritus Edmond Jouve at Paris Descartes University, France, director general of the ERSSJI Board, which was followed by an address of Dr. Ogami Ken-ichi, secretary general of the IIJI and speeches by Juche idea researchers from European countries.

Prof. Emeritus Edmond Jouve, director general of the ERSSJI Board made a report to the seminar entitled “Two Political Models: EU and DPRK” with the following main contents:

“The Juche idea, Kimilsung-Kimjongilism serves as the guiding principle in the struggle for global independence at present. Guided by the Juche idea, the Korean people defeated formidable two imperialisms to defend sovereignty of the country, carry out with success the two stages of social revolution and dynamically advance the socialist construction.

“No country in the world but the DPRK ensured independence in politics, self-sufficiency in the economy and self-reliance in defence.

“On May 9, 2019, Europe greeted the 69th publishing anniversary of the Schuman Declaration which was originated in forming the European Union (EU).

“The founder of the 5th Republic and some other people refused France to be under the influence of the US, because France was a member state of NATO controlled by Washington. Thanks to these people, Europe could have autonomy to a certain extent.

“Independence of Europe today indicates large Europe tomorrow.

“Visiting the DPRK 17 times from 1983 to 2018, I witnessed how the DPRK people dearly love peace.

“The important task we should carry out while comparing the two political models is to actively realize independence, sovereignty and international cooperation in Europe. We must study and disseminate the Juche idea more actively, cherishing deep the honorable mission of being pioneers of the era, the propagators of the advanced ideology. We must consistently extend the range of the study and dissemination of the Juche idea among the broad masses of the people, thus making the masses accept the truth of Juche as their firm faith and become the active propagators, appliers of the Juche idea.”

Then Prof. Matteo Carbonelli, secretary general of the ERSSJI made a speech entitled “For Independence, Sovereignty and International Cooperation in Europe,” in the followings:

“The importance of this Seminar is essentially due to its subject, namely “Independence, Sovereignty and International Cooperation,” which puts into focus some of the most important current issues for peoples all over the world. The concepts, the object of our Seminar today are in fact quite central in the Juche idea. The Juche idea was elaborated by President Kim Il Sung and then by General Secretary Kim Jong Il, starting from the real and concrete situations in the struggle for liberation of Korea from colonialism and for its safeguard against attacks of imperialism.

“These concepts of independence, sovereignty and international cooperation still keep their value, as it is being well demonstrated in the recent developments under the leadings of Chairman Kim Jong Un.

“Independence of the country is the necessary requirement and independence and sovereignty can be considered as two sides of the same coin.

“We are undergoing a period in which numerous in the world are attacks to independence and sovereignty in various forms, from the DPRK to Cuba, Venezuela, and Libya, just to mention only some cases. Also in Europe, the real independence of states and the popular sovereignty is challenged. It is duty to respect their sovereignty and independence and develop with them relations based on international cooperation, and not on aggression, domination, hegemony, intervention or sanctions.”

Similarly, Mr. Lyudmil Kostadinov, president, Bulgarian Society for Study of Kimilsung-Kimjongilism, who played the role as chairman of the Bulgarian Preparatory Committee for the seminar made a speech entitled “Enhancing Unity with Socialist Countries Promotes Global Independence” in the followings:

“In his report to the Seventh Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in May 2016, Chairman Kim Jong Un said that socialism is the hardcore force in the fight for anti-imperialist independence and it plays decisive role in the effort to shatter the imperialist moves for aggression and war and achieve global independence.

“His visit to Vietnam, his several visits to China, his continuous activities to strengthen ties with other socialist countries including Cuba, opened a broad way for rejecting domination, interference in internal affairs, achieving international justice and propelling the cause of global independence.”

The European seminar held in Bulgaria reached a consensus freshly that only when each country in Europe makes itself independent based on Kimilsung-Kimjongilism can they realize a new communal society where they are cooperating with and helping each other on an equal footing.

Those participants unanimously shared convictions and hope as in that each country in Europe will be able to develop on the basis of establishing independence of its own and international cooperation.