He stressed that North Korea, suffering from economic difficulties, should be wary of ‘materialism’ and solve the problem through the ‘spirit of revolution’ of Kim Jong-un, the general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party of Korea, published an editorial on the front page of the 12th entitled “Comrade Kim Jong-un is a great teacher who nurtures our people into strong people in the revolutionary spirit.” He is an outstanding politician who put forward as a ‘task’.”
In particular, the newspaper drew attention by emphasizing that “strategic tasks” can change from time to time and from stage to stage, but “no matter what strategy you choose, what you must never allow is materialism and economic almighty theory.” This is because it can be read to the effect that one should not seek to become materially wealthy even in the midst of economic hardship.
The newspaper said that ‘materialism’ and ‘economic omnipotence’ corrupt people mentally and morally. prepared,” he said.
“Today, a social trend that promotes extreme individualism and omnipotence is prevalent in the world,” he said. “This is a dangerous poison that destroys people mentally and morally and darkens the development of society and the future of mankind.
North Korea has not been able to fully resolve its economic difficulties due to recent prolonged sanctions, border closures due to the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19), and chronic food shortages. Emphasizing the message that we must be wary of material wealth even in this situation seems to have judged that it is advantageous to internally unite in the current situation of ‘low growth’ rather than pursuing economic ‘high growth’.
North Korea’s appearance like this can be interpreted as a lesson from the last denuclearization negotiations that pushed for external opening. At the time, North Korea was relatively tolerant of ‘external culture’ as it proceeded with denuclearization negotiations under the guise of easing or lifting sanctions against North Korea.
However, after the breakdown of denuclearization negotiations and exchanges with the outside world were suspended due to Corona 19, it is analyzed that North Korea judged that various social phenomena ‘tainted by external trends’ had a negative impact on the solidarity of the regime. In 2020, North Korea continued to strengthen its closed policy after the collapse of denuclearization negotiations, such as enacting the Act on the Exclusion of Reactionary Ideology and Culture to strongly crack down on the consumption of external culture.
As the COVID-19 situation has recently improved, North Korea is showing signs of reopening its borders, such as resuming exchanges with China and Russia. Nevertheless, the Rodong Sinmun issued a “firm” message in an editorial on the day, predicting that even if North Korea lifts its border blockade later, it will only solve “urgent problems” in the economy through a fairly low level of opening and will continue to focus on closed social and cultural solidarity. also makes it possible
The newspaper said that the past 10 years were “an arduous period in which the imperialists’ maneuvers for isolation and stifling reached the extreme, severe natural disasters and sudden public health crises overlapped, and it was a series of severe junctures in which the life and death of the people were determined.” It is our party and state that have devoted their fortunes of billions of dollars to alleviate the pain of the people, while resolutely defending the well-being of the people of Edo, pushing ahead with grandiose projects to improve the people’s welfare without interruption.”
In addition, he encouraged loyalty to him, saying that achievements in national defense and economic sectors were achieved under the leadership of Secretary-General Kim.
The newspaper emphasized, “The world will clearly see how our people, united in one mind with the leader, continue to advance and make continuous leaps to build a mighty and prosperous country.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.