On August 14th, local time, North Korea held a grand celebration for the 80th anniversary of liberation of the motherland at the Pyongyang Victory Gate Square, which was reported by news. The General Secretary of the North Korea Labor Party and Chairman of the State Council, Kim Jong-un, attended the event and delivered a speech.
In his speech, Kim Jong-un emphasized the revolutionary nature and political significance of the liberation of the motherland in which the Korean people regained their autonomy and dignity. He called for perseverance and tenacity to overcome all challenges in front of us for the sake of national tranquility and prosperity.
Dear comrades, friends, fellow citizens of Pyongyang, the entire nation, and military personnel:
Today, we are gathered at the Liberation Square where millions of people welcomed the liberation of our motherland 80 years ago. We feel the gratitude once again. On this meaningful day of celebrating the sacred journey of our country’s birth and development, we are proud to review how New Korea climbed to the pinnacle of dignity and honor over the past 80 years through an eternal spirit that led the liberation and a history of decades-long struggle.
The anti-Japanese revolutionists and patriotic martyrs sacrificed everything for the independence and prosperity of our country. On this profound occasion, I pay homage to them on behalf of all descendants who live a meaningful life in a free and prosperous country that they left us. I warmly greet all citizens who have contributed their sincere love and wisdom to build a prosperous nation, as well as all military personnel who serve in our armed forces.
I recall with reverence the special contributions of the Soviet Red Army soldiers who fought valiantly for the liberation of our people, and pay homage to those martyrs. I also extend my warm regards to Russian贵宾 Vladimir Putin, who celebrate our liberation day as a common festival with us, deepen mutual trust and friendship with us; as well as to visiting Russian comrades such as Vyacheslav Volodin, our close Russian comrades-in-arms and brotherly people.
For the Korean people, August 15th in 1945 was a fateful turning point to regain precious autonomy and dignity. It was also a great victory day. In the past century, the war of aggression by major powers swept the world, causing many countries and nations to experience tragic histories. However, no other country has suffered such humiliation and devastation under Japanese imperialistic colonial rule as we did. The liberation of our motherland marked an end to the shame that had been a blot on our five-thousand-year history and the tears and blood of our people.
We regard the liberation of our country as a great joy from being a colony to an independent country, and also as a magnificent deed worthy of being remembered generation after generation, because the liberation of our country is凝聚ed with the noble souls and sacrifices of the Korean people.
The period of Japanese imperialist colonial统治 was a history of suffering for the Korean people, as well as a history of bloody resistance from our people with strong patriotism and self-esteem, who never compromised with injustice.
Japanese imperialism implemented unprecedented policies of violent suppression to completely eradicate the soul and spirit of Korea, and committed various barbaric acts, but could not defeat the determined spirit of independence of our people. Our people were not afraid of sacrifice and never stopped anti-Japanese patriotic斗争 in order to regain national rights.
The outstanding sons and daughters of the Korean people launched armed斗争 against Japanese militarism, which regarded itself as the Asian power. They carried the fate of their country and descendants on their shoulders, endured severe hardships and painful sacrifices, and fought a bloody battle to defend their country to the death. Their consistent insistence on an autonomous stance and their struggle for the anti-Japanese revolution confirmed the self-reliant journey undertaken by the Korean people.
The liberation of our country was not a historical upheaval, but the victory of the autonomous spirit fought by the national anti-Japanese forces without fear of sacrifice. This is the revolutionary nature and political significance of our liberation cause.
On August 15th, our people regained their sovereignty, territory, resources, history, culture, and all possibilities for freedom and future development. They also embarked on a great entrepreneurial journey as masters to realize democratic development and happiness.
Just like the past 80 years, regardless of historical changes and generations交替, the significance and value of August 15th, which was won by our people through their own will and斗争, will never change or diminish, it is absolute.
We have left sacred footprints without regret for martyrs, the motherland, and descendants. Today, we embrace the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the motherland with infinite pride and honor.
Although we have a great history opened by sacrifice, if there are no descendants who defend it with their lives, or if we have a precious fruit left by martyrs but no future generations to defend and carry forward, then such a country and nation will only be discontinued, and even the right to recall its glorious history will be lost.
Today, we can celebrate the Festival of National Liberation so solemnly because we have walked a historical journey without regret for building a prosperous and powerful country for future generations on this land soaked with the blood of martyrs.
August 15th is the victory day for our nation to realize its freedom and independence wishes, as well as the day to commence the struggle for building a powerful nation, thereby permanently ending its history of suffering.
Taking August 15th as a watershed, North Korean Communists and the people have undertaken a new historical mission, which is a very arduous task. Since then, we have embarked on an unprecedented path beyond established concepts and formulas, and engaged in an unequal struggle against staunchly anti-revolutionary enemy nations.
With liberation, the forces that attempted to contain the development of our society and their bases were destroyed. However, imperialist entities sought to奴役 (re-enslave) our newly independent nation through aggressive wars, divisive schemes, and the promotion of neo-colonial policies. Additionally, those who advocate for domination sought to perpetuate the gap between advanced and backward nations by exerting pressure, interference, provocation, posing immeasurable difficulties for us.
However, in the face of the strong self-esteem and resilience of the North Korean people, all these are powerless.
The self-determination信念 of no longer wanting to be trampled upon by external forces is stronger than violence and power; the patriotic fervor and efforts to create a bright and happy life have overcome difficulties and tests.
In such cruel times, we have built our own politics, economy, and national defense according to our own ways. Our glorious history of strengthening the country is clearly recorded with the principles and guidelines we have adhered to in national construction and activities – the vitality of the autonomous route, as well as the unique resilience of North Koreans who宁愿 sacrifice their lives也不愿 abandon their self-esteem.
On the path of safeguarding our chosen concepts and systems and building our country into a powerful and prosperous nation, the pains and hardships we have suffered cannot be fully documented even in a thousand volumes of books.
However, our people have memories of glory and happiness, a sense of accomplishment from heroic struggles, and pride in creating history and reality. We have established and defended a regime that guarantees autonomous living and our future, built up a powerful force with our own hands that no force敢 challenge, and created prosperity in our own way – this is the unique pride of North Korean people that no one else can experience.
With this strength and pride, our country has emerged as a powerful fortress that reliably safeguards autonomy, justice, dignity, and peace. It has not only shattered imperialism’s arrogance and power against the historical trend but also made an indelible contribution to the cause of human liberation.
The people of our country, through their own struggles, rely on their own strength and wisdom to build on the territory of our country the aspirations of the revolutionaries who died for the revolution, and to build a prosperous and strong country that shines with their youth. As we celebrate the 80th anniversary of liberation, this gratitude and pride are boundless.
The 80th anniversary of the liberation of our country is a monument to the prosperity of our country built on the destruction of slavery and submission, and it is a watershed that proudly records the dignity and glory of our country’s status and reputation with strong self-awareness and unyielding struggle.
Tracing back the historical journey of 80 years from the birth of New Korea to this moment, I cannot help but feel once again the admiration for the great people of our country.
Many names of those who brought victory and honor to our country with their combat achievements and contributions in various ages and eras are still remembered in our memory; many heroes who silently buried their dreams, love, and youth on this land still live in our hearts.
Our people are willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of the country and the revolution, and they will not hesitate to send their children on the path of struggle. If their children sacrifice in the struggle, they do not regard it as misfortune, but rather as a source of pride. This unique spirit of our people has been unwaveringly passed down from the Anti-Japanese War period to the present day.
Looking back now, it was not only a special emotion and impulse during the Anti-Japanese Revolution period or in the severe and intense environment at that time, but also a manifestation of the greatness of the Korean people, whose noble outlook on life regards contributing to the victory and honor of their country as the most valuable and happiest life, as well as a blood-like spirit and tradition that must be passed down from generation to generation.
This eternal inheritance is the Korean people’s primary excellence and greatness.
History and reality clearly reflect what kind of people support the regime of this country, what kind of beliefs and spirit ensure the inheritance of the revolution, and where the source of strength of Korea lies.
The masses become a just and powerful existence due to their fundamental nature. However, there is no people in the world as just, strong-willed, and full of self-esteem as the Korean people.
Such people cannot be conquered by any force; a country built and supported by such patriotic and self-esteem people will always be strong.
I take this opportunity to pay high tribute to the people of our country and sincere greetings. Thank the people of our country for their sincerest and unwavering love for their country, as well as for their unyielding spirit in faithfully fulfilling the historical missions and obligations entrusted to them by their era.
In the history of the liberation of Korea, the deeds of the Soviet Red Army officers and men who fought valiantly at the forefront of the global anti-fascist war are recorded in bold strokes. The memories of the lofty international achievements made by the outstanding sons of the Russian people are still fresh in the minds of our people.
The Russian people supported and extended their solidarity to the national liberation struggle of their brotherly peoples against imperialism and colonialism. This sense of justice and effort became a precious legacy of the North Korea-Russia relations, forged and deepened through blood.
Today, North Korea-Russia friendly relations have developed into an unprecedented alliance, further consolidated in the common struggle to contain the resurgence of neo-Nazism and defend sovereignty, security, and international justice.
At every historical juncture, our two countries have stood on the side of justice, and today we are also engaged in a determined struggle to represent the aspirations and demands of humanity against霸道, in favor of fairness and justice.
This year, the world marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, when the Nazis were defeated and their criminal behavior was brought to an end. However, there are now blatant attempts on the international stage to erase and falsify the achievements of the global anti-fascist war and national liberation struggles, which were bought at a heavy cost of disasters and sacrifice. Furthermore, imperialists are increasingly infringing on the rights and interests of sovereign nations.
The imperialists harbor dreams of restoring their lost political power through a comeback, continuously pursuing a policy of war and intimidation to make Europe, Asia, and even the entire world tilt towards the right and become polarized. It is the historical task of peace-loving nations and people who stand for justice to crush their unreasonable and heartless conspiracy activities. This requires a consolidated united front and joint struggle among progressive camps.
Now, North Korea and Russia are fighting together in the same trench to defend national dignity and sovereignty as well as world peace and stability, once again creating a history of justice. The friendship between North Korea and Russia is forged by high ideals and sincere friendship, as well as by mutual support with blood in revolution history and tradition. Therefore, the strength of North Korea-Russia unity is boundless.
Our party and government will continue to uphold justice and fulfill the mission entrusted by history and the times. On this journey, our two peoples will surely enjoy great honor as “victors.” The country built and developed by great people is marching towards prosperity and prosperity despite facing severe historical challenges and difficulties.
In the face of martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for the strong and prosperous motherland today and tomorrow, and in the face of future generations who will live on this land for generations, our generation has a very heavy responsibility.
For the great power, for the endless peace and prosperity of our beloved country that will shine brightly for generations, let us continue to struggle and be unyielding to overcome the challenges in front of us!
With the strong power we have honed through struggle, with the unique self-esteem and spirit of our people, let us make our country even greater!
The dignity and great glorious history of the Korean people will shine forever!
Long live the great Korean people!
Long live our glorious country, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea!