Next, Pu Yong Uk, chairman of the Osaka Headquarters of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) made a guest speech. He said:

“In terms of realizing lasting peace in East Asia, it is indispensable that a peace treaty between the DPRK and the U.S. be concluded and diplomatic relations between the DPRK and Japan based on coming to terms with the past be normalized. In response to the new era that has come around, achieving the improvement of diplomatic relations between countries is an imminent task to be done.

“Let us join together in solidarity in the struggle for the improvement of the DPRK-Japan relations and the realization of a society free of discrimination.”

At the seminar, lectures were given by President Ri Yong Su of the Association of Social Scientists of the Korean Residents in Japan entitled "Kim Jong Un’s New Vision for the Near Future" and Tasneem Qaqorh, a Palestinian Ph.D, entitled "Beyond Borders: on Palestinians’ Identity".

Ri Yong Su stated as follows:

“At the end of last year, the 9th Enlarged Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) was held. Entering this year, the 10th Session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was held where Comrade Kim Jong Un delivered a policy speech.

“Through the two meetings, based on his summing up of the great achievements made in the struggle to implement the Five-Year Plan announced at the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, Comrade Kim Jong Un made clear the prospects for accelerating the struggle for the overall development of socialism and opened up a new stage for the complete victory of socialism during the next two years. In the statements he made, he raised important viewpoints that should not be overlooked.

“First, through the struggle for the past three years since the 8th Congress of the WPK, the people of the DPRK have come to have confidence that the Five-Year Plan will be able to be fully accomplished.

“Second, the DPRK has ushered in an era of the comprehensive development of socialism, in which not only national defence, but also all the economic and cultural sectors arose simultaneously, the capital and the provinces have changed all together and great changes have been made in the people’s ideological and mental aspects as well as in cities, villages, mountains and streams during the period.

“Third, the independent strength, or the internal forces in the socialist construction of the DPRK have remarkably increased, which has proved the correctness of the principle of self-reliance and self-development along with that of the all-out frontal offensive strategy to achieve a breakthrough.

“Also analyzing and assessing the gigantic geopolitical changes that have occurred in international politics and the balance of forces, the main features of the present international situation, the external perilous security environment of the Korean Peninsula region on the brink of nuclear war, and the characteristics of military confrontation measures by the hostile forces, General Secretary Kim Jong Un revealed important policy decisions.

“ ‘Kim Jong Un's New Vision for the Near Future’ is a vision that ushers in a century of great change in terms of building a world of independence where all the people live in equality and peace and of bringing about a historic transformation in all areas of social life.

“During the arduous march of the late 1990s, General Secretary Kim Jong Il said, ‘Eyes see reality, but belief sees the future,’ and the Korean people had taken those words to heart and overcame difficulties. Now, in the Kim Jong Un era, we have come to see reality and have confidence in the future. The people of the DPRK have been fighting with the following words in their hearts, ‘The sure way to predict the future is to create the future.’

“Believing in our own strength and through our own efforts, let us together create a bright future in which global independence will be achieved.”

Dr. Tasneem Quaqorh began her lecture by describing her background and the reality of her own that she is a Palestinian, born and raised in Jordan with a pride of both.

She emphasized that although Israel has deprived Palestinians of their freedom to fly their own national flag, being treated as if the Palestinians had never existed on the earth, it could have never erased the Palestinians’ history and their good and beautiful customs. Instead, they have continued to carry them forward as forms of their resistance up to now.

Further, referring to the fact that Israel's refusal to recognize Palestine puts the Palestinians in danger of becoming stateless, even in a country where they have gained citizenship, she said as follows:

“It is crucial to recognize that the tragic history of the Palestinian people has not obscured nor erased their rich identity. This identity has a deep grounding in language, culture, and literature and arts, and has been unaffected by threats from the occupation, forming a powerful force of resistance. This force of resistance could destroy the illusion spread by the Zionist movement that intends to eradicate the Palestinians’ national identity.”

The closing address was made by Mr. Suzuki Toshikazu, representative coordinator of the Tokai Region’s Council for the Study of Kimilsung-Kimjongilism. He said:

“It can be said that we can see the future if we make the Juche idea our own belief.

“Many misfortunes occurred in the world including our country, and they have continued to this day. The Palestinian people have been occupied and deprived of their sovereignty for several decades. Let us stand in solidarity with all the peoples of the world who aspire after independence.”

Art Performances

The art performances opened with a piano performance by Ikebe Yukie.

The audience was drawn into the beautiful piano melodies of her performance, including a piece “For Bringing About Happiness.”

She was followed by two performers: Toyama Yoko with songs and Kim Jong Suk accompanying her on the piano.

Toyama Yoko sang a “Song by Prof. Yasui Kaoru, the first director general of the IIJI Board,” which was originally composed by him in a style of Tanka to express his trust in the coming younger generations. The audience was mesmerized by the two's singing and piano playing in harmony.

Finally, the Osaka Korean Song and Dance Troupe performed songs and dances, including a Korean song "There is nothing envious in this world". Their performances also enlivened the audience unanimously.

The "Seminar on the Juche Idea and Peace" provided an opportunity to make a deeper understanding of the people around the world aspiring after independence, and to strengthen the resolve of the participants to realize an independent and peaceful world.