International Seminar on Juche Idea
for “Independence, Justice and Future of Mankind” Held in Pyongyang

Juche idea researchers from the world visited Pyongyang in April 2024, when it was in Spring in full bloom. It was first in five years since their visit to the DPRK due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

International Seminar on Juche Idea for “Independence, Justice and Future of Mankind”

On April 14, 2024 in celebration of the 112th anniversary of the birth of President Kim Il Sung, an International Seminar on the Juche Idea for “Independence, Justice and the Future of Mankind” was held in Pyongyang, under the auspices of the International Institute of the Juche Idea (IIJI).

The International Seminar taken place at the People's Culture Palace was attended by more than 80 people, including 30 delegates and delegations from 26 countries of the world.

The reason why the International Seminar on the Juche Idea was held on the occasion of the Day of the Sun this year was obliged to General Secretary Kim Jong Un's warm consideration for Juche idea researchers all over the world.

Prof. Ramon Jimenez Lopez, director general of the IIJI Board, contributed a paper entitled “The Juche Idea Promoting the Era of Independence” to the seminar.

The seminar was presided over by Dr. Ogami Ken-ichi, secretary general of the IIJI.

Following a congratulatory speech by Tae Hyong Chol, first vice-president of the Korean Association of Social Scientists, Prof. Matteo Carbonelli, deputy director-general of the IIJI Board made a keynote paper entitled “Realization of Independence and Justice Guarantees Bright Future of Mankind.”（It's full text here） . He said as follows:

“Today the imperialist high-handedness and intervention, aggression and infringement of sovereignty are being committed so openly that the existence of sovereign countries and the people’s rights to existence are severely being violated. Such realities prove that independence against imperialism is the justice and truth and that dignity and sovereignty, peace and security can be achieved only with independence against imperialism.

“Independence against imperialism leads the world progressive people to the road for a peaceful life and guarantees the dignity of countries and nations and the bright future of mankind.

“At present, responsibility and the role of the Juche idea researchers are very big and the importance of unity of anti-imperialist, independent forces is being emphasized in realizing the independence against imperialism and the international justice.

“Only when the anti-imperialist, independent forces advance in concerted efforts along the road of independence indicated by the Juche idea, will the cause of global independence as an ideal and the future of mankind, be realized with sure.”

The seminar also featured speeches by delegates from Japan, the DPRK, Mongolia, Mexico, the DR of the Congo, Tanzania, Russia, and the U.K.

IIJI Secretary General Ogami Ken-ichi delivered his speech entitled “Juche Idea Supports Realizing People's Aspirations for Independence and Equality”（It's full text here） . He said as follows:

“Nations and peoples have long sought a new world based on the relations of independence and equality.

“At a time when the first quarter of the 21st century has nearly past, many countries are now taking the path of independence. This has become the tendency showing the majority of the world’s population. So, it can be said that ours is the era in which mankind's aspirations for peace and prosperity is on a right track to be achieved.

“On the other hand, in the world, wars of aggression waged by weakened and increasingly violent US imperialism are forcing vast numbers of people to flee their homelands, and the merciless slaughter is being repeated at this very moment.

“The world is facing an urgent problem and is in dire need of answers on how to advance the struggle for ensuring to safeguard the dignity and sovereignty of nations and peoples and how to look forward to the future society.

“Today, the road to the world of independence and equality sought by the world's peoples is clearly shown in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the thoughts and leadership of its great leaders.

“The history of the Korean revolution and the DPRK today clearly shows the truth that the dignity of the people is enhanced, their creativity is strengthened, and the country is developed by the great leaders who puts everything into the benefit of the people.

“The reality of the DPRK clearly shows that when the political leadership is equipped with the idea of putting the people first, the people's happiness will surely be realized.

“Under the circumstances that the trend towards anti-US and anti-imperialist struggles for a fairer world order has intensified, it can be said that the decisive factor in their victory will be attributable to uphold aloft the banner of the Juche idea.

“It can be said that the study and dissemination of the Juche idea is the preceding work that accelerates the people’s struggle for anti-imperialism and independence.”

At the end of the seminar, a letter to General Secretary Kim Jong Un expressing the gratitude of all participants was unanimously adopted.

After the seminar, a banquet was hosted by the DPRK government. Prior to the banquet, Mr. Ri Il Hwan, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), and the heads of the delegations had an opportunity to have a family talk.

Mr. Ri Il Hwan made the following remarks at the government-sponsored welcome banquet（It's full text here） . He said as follows:

“Independence is the life and soul for human beings as social beings.

“It is the universal aspiration of humankind to fully realize the independence of nations and peoples and to live happily in an independent world. Apart from independence, which is the original demand of human beings, we can never think about the progress and prosperity of nations and states and their beautiful future.

“Through this international seminar, you have theoretically and deeply proved that only Kimilsung-Kimjongilism is the most scientific revolutionary doctrine that can thoroughly defend and fully realize the independence of the popular masses and that it is a militant banner that powerfully inspires and encourages the struggle of the progressive people to build an independent new world. Theoretically, it is the most scientific revolutionary doctrine that can be fully realized.”

22nd Meeting of the IIJI Board Held

The 22nd Meeting of the Board of Directors of the International Institute of the Juche Idea (IIJI) was held during their stay.

Delivered at the Board of Directors Meeting was the report concerning the study and dissemination of the Juche idea conducted for the past five years.

The Board of Directors’ meeting provided an opportunity to share experiences and information about the activities conducted by the directors of the IIJI Board in their respective countries and regions.

It was confirmed that even in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers of the Juche idea around the world have been actively engaged in the study and dissemination of the Juche idea through various methods, including Internet seminars.

A by-election was held at the IIJI Board Meeting, in which Prof. Mashbat Otgonbayar, president of the Mongolian Society for the Study of the Juche Idea was newly elected as director.

Lecture Course on Revolutionary Ideology of Kim Jong Un

During their stay, a lecture course on Kim Jong Un’s revolutionary ideology was held by the Korean Association of Social Scientists for Juche idea researchers from the world at the People’s Cultural Palace.

Lectures concerned were given by section chief and researchers at the KASS.

Prof. Kim Chang Gyong, chief, Ideo-theoretical Section of the KASS said;

“Kim Jong Un’s revolutionary ideology is, in essence, the people-first principle with the devoted service for the people as its core, and the integrated system of idea, theory and method.”

During their stay in Pyongyang, those participants in the international seminar offered flower baskets in front of the statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on Mansu Hill.

They also visited the National Hall of Gifts, where gifts sent to President Kim Il Sung, General Secretary Kim Jong Il, and General Secretary Kim Jong Un from Korean people inside and outside of the DPRK were displayed. Some of the Korean people also were visiting the National Hall of Gifts.

In celebration of the 112th anniversary of the birth of President Kim Il Sung, a joint performance by the National Circus Troupe and the National Art Troupe was held. There were performers who were not afraid of failure, and even if they failed, they boldly tried to give their best performances, and the audience warmly watched them.

Researchers of the Juche idea around the world also enjoyed the celebratory performance by the National Symphony Orchestra on the 112th anniversary of the birth of President Kim Il Sung. The audience applauded the passionate performance of the conductor and players.

The TV program showed the completion ceremony of the second phase of the construction of 10,000 households in the Hwasong district of Pyongyang. With the participation of General Secretary Kim Jong Un, the completion ceremony was grandly held, and the screen showed the joy of the working families who were able to live in their new homes.

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Their first trip to the DPRK after the end of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic made a deep impression on those Juche idea researchers around the world, and provided an opportunity to engage in the study and dissemination of the Juche idea in their own respective countries with a renewed spirit.