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 have 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, dear citizens of Pyongyang, the entire nation, and the military personnel:
Today, we are gathered at the Liberation Square, where millions of people welcomed the liberation of our motherland 80 years ago, to rekindle the gratitude we felt then.
Today, as we celebrate meaningfully the sacred journey of our country’s birth and development, we are proud to look back and summarize how New Korea climbed to the pinnacle of dignity and honor over the past 80 years, focusing on the enduring spirit that led the people to overthrow oppression and decades of unyielding struggle.
The anti-Japanese revolutionaries and patriotic martyrs sacrificed everything for the independence and prosperity of our country. On this profound occasion, I pay homage to them in the name of all future generations who live a meaningful life in the freedom and prosperity they left us. I extend warm greetings to all citizens who have poured their sincere love and boundless wisdom into building a prosperous new era for our country, as well as to all military personnel who have served in our armed forces.
I recall with reverence the special contributions of the Soviet Red Army in our liberation struggle and pay high tribute to those martyrs. I also extend cordial greetings to President Vladimir Putin of Russia who has celebrated our liberation day as a common festival with us, deepening trust and friendship between our two countries, 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, 1945 was a fateful turning point to regain their precious autonomy and dignity, a great day of victory. In the past century, wars of aggression by major powers swept the world, causing many countries and nations to experience tragic histories. However, no other country had experienced such brutal humiliation under Japanese imperialist colonial rule as North Korea did during that period. The liberation of our motherland marked an end to the shame that had stained our five-thousand-year history with blood and tears.
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 recalled generation after generation. This is because the liberation of our country is凝聚d with the noble souls and sacrifices of the Korean people.
During the colonial rule of Japanese imperialism, the Korean people suffered greatly, but also fought a bloody battle for survival against the strong patriotism and self-esteem of our people who would not compromise 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 to regain national power.
The outstanding sons and daughters of the Korean people launched armed斗争 against Japanese militarism, which regarded itself as an 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 lives. Their consistent struggle for autonomy in pursuit of the anti-Japanese revolution confirms the self-reliant journey undertaken by the Korean people.
The liberation of our country is not an event catalyzed by historical floods, but a victory of the autonomous spirit achieved by the national anti-Japanese force without fear of sacrifice. This is the revolutionary nature and political significance of our liberation事业.
On August 15th, our people regained sovereignty, territory, resources, history, culture, and all possibilities for freedom and destiny 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 shame for martyrs, the country, and descendants. Today, we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of our country 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 there are no future generations who defend and carry forward the precious fruits of victory left by martyrs, 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 with such solemnity because we have walked a historical journey without shame to build a prosperous and powerful country for future generations on this land stained with the blood of martyrs.
August 15th is the victory day for our nation to realize its freedom and independence aspirations, as well as the day we began the struggle to build a powerful nation and end our history of suffering.
Korean Communists and the people took on a new historical mission with August 15th as a watershed. It was a very difficult task, walking a pioneering path beyond established concepts and formulas from the first step, and engaging in an unequal struggle against enemy countries that were dead set against the revolution.
With liberation, the forces that attempted to contain the development of our society and their bases were destroyed, but imperialist entities launched aggressive wars to奴役 (re-enslave) the newly independent nation, carried out divisive schemes, and pursued a new colonialism policy. Additionally, those who advocate for domination sought to fix the gap between advanced and backward nations by exerting pressure, interference, provocation, creating immeasurable difficulties for us.
However, in the face of the strong self-esteem and toughness of the Korean people, all these were powerless.
The self-determination信念 (belief) that no longer wanted to be trampled by external forces was stronger than violence and power; the patriotic fervor and efforts to create a bright and happy life overcame difficulties and tests.
In those cruel times, we built our own political, economic, and defense infrastructure in our own way. Our glorious history of strengthening the nation clearly records the vitality of the principles and programs we have adhered to in national construction and activities – the autonomous route – and the unique toughness of Korean people who would rather sacrifice their lives than abandon their self-esteem.
On the path of maintaining our chosen philosophy and system, and building our country into a powerful and prosperous nation, the pains and hardships we have suffered are beyond the scope of a thousand 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 established and defended a regime that guarantees autonomous living and the future on our own, built a powerful force with our own hands that no force敢 (dare) touch, and created prosperity in our own way. This is the unique pride of the Korean people that no one else can experience.
With this strength and pride, our country has emerged as a powerful fortress that reliably defends autonomy, justice, dignity, and peace, not only shattering imperialist arrogance and power that oppose historical trends but also making 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 endless.
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 from the birth of New Korea to this moment of 80 years, I cannot help but feel once again the admiration for the great people of our country.
The names of many people who brought victory and honor to our country with their combat achievements and contributions in various ages and eras remain in our memory; many heroes who silently buried their dreams, love, and youth on this land still live in our hearts.
Our people have sacrificed their lives for the country and the revolution, and have sent their children to the path of struggle without hesitation. If their children sacrifice in the struggle, they do not regard it as misfortune, but are proud of it. This unique spirit of our people has been unswervingly passed down from the era of the anti-Japanese struggle to this day.
Looking back now, it was not only a special emotion and impulse in the historical period of the anti-Japanese revolution or in the severe and intense environment at that time, but also a manifestation of the greatness of the Korean people, who regard life as the most valuable and happiest life to contribute to the victory and honor of their country, as well as a blood-like spirit and tradition that must be passed down from generation to generation.
This eternal inheritance is the first excellence and greatness of the Korean people.
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 root of Korea’s strength lies.
The masses become a just and powerful existence because of their fundamental nature, but there is no people in the world as righteous, 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 and sincere greetings to the people of our country. Thank them for their sincerest and unwavering love for their country, and for faithfully fulfilling the historical missions and obligations entrusted to them by their unyielding spirit.
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 Chinese people about the noble international achievements made by the outstanding sons of the Russian people are still fresh in our minds.
The Russian people supported and extended their solidarity to their brotherly peoples in their national liberation struggle against imperialism and colonialism. This just cause and effort became a precious legacy of the relations between North Korea and Russia, which were forged 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. Today, we are also engaged in a determined struggle to represent the aspirations and demands of humanity against霸道, yearning for equity and justice.
This year, the world marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which was a decisive battle that defeated the Fascists who attempted to enslave the world and ended their criminal behavior. 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 great sacrifices. Furthermore, imperialists are increasingly infringing on the rights and interests of sovereign nations.
The imperialists are trying to make a comeback to restore their lost political power in the historical storm, continuously pursuing a war and intimidation policy, aiming to make Europe, Asia, and even the world swing to the right and become polarized. It is a historical task for peace-loving countries and peoples who advocate justice to crush their arrogant and heartless conspiracy activities. It calls for a united front to consolidate unity and fight together.
Nowadays, North Korea and Russia are fighting together in the same trench to defend national dignity, sovereignty, world peace, and stability, creating a just history once again. The friendship between North Korea and Russia is forged by noble ideals and sincere friendships, as well as by mutual support with blood in revolutionary history and tradition. Therefore, the strength of North Korea-Russia unity is endless.
Our party and government will continue to uphold autonomy and justice, faithfully fulfill the mission entrusted to us by history and our times. On this journey, our two peoples will surely enjoy the great honor of being “victors.” The country built and developed by great people is moving forward rapidly towards prosperity despite facing severe historical challenges and difficulties.
In front of the martyrs who have sacrificed for the extremely powerful and infinitely prosperous motherland today and tomorrow, and in front of the 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 future 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 the glorious DPRK!