North Korean official talks to a child at a mass meeting of

the nation's 'Scouts,' called to celebrate Kim Jong-il's 67th

birthday, at Pyongyang, Feb. 16.

Korean Central News Agency, North Korea

Kim Jong-il: 'Greatest Leader of the Present Era'

Do we in the outside world have it wrong about Kim Jong-il? While most of the planet regards him as a ruthless totalitarian who rules the equivalent of a nation-sized concentration camp, North Korea's fanatically controlled state press tells a different story. On the occasion of the his 67th birthday, the Korean News Agency published this article lauding the historic achievements of the 'Dear Leader,' who it says miraculously protected the nation from the evil imperialists led by the United States. The article says in part:

"Every step of the way, the Korean people have smashed the hostile and desperate moves of the reactionary U.S.-led imperialist forces. In the decisive battle in defense of the country, they have thereby wrought a historic miracle and achieved the greatest victory ever won by the Songun revolutionary strategy of General Secretary Kim Jong-il."

February 13, 2009

North Korea - Korean Central News Agency - Home Page (English)

Pyongyang: The Korean people and the world's progressives are today lauding Kim Jong-il, who demonstrates the dignity and national power of socialist Korea around the world and guides the cause of victory and freedom from imperialism, as the greatest leader of the present era.

After proclaiming the immortal Juche idea as the guideline of our era, he long ago put forth his theories on every aspect of the revolution and ways of crafting leadership over the masses, laying a solid foundation for the victory of the Korean Revolution and the great human cause of independence.

He formulated the Songun principle by utilizing President Kim Il-sung's idea of giving priority to weaponry and established Songun politics as the central method for socialist politics, thus opening up a new phase for the development of the progressive ideas of the mankind.

[Editor's Note: The "Songon Line" or the Songun Ideal are said to have been introduced by Kim Jong-il in 1995 as an offshoot of the Juche Ideal, which means, essentially, "Self Reliance." The Songun Line is like Stalinist Communism on steroids. Like the Soviet Stalinists, it emphasizes the military over the quality of life of people, regarding this as a necessary stage in the nation's development. Here is an excerpt from a Korean news article that seeks to explain the Songun Ideal:

"Songun means regarding military affairs as the greatest of State affairs ... Some people ask: 'Why do north Koreans pay priority to military affairs while going hungry?' and 'Can the gun feed people?' As they say, the gun cannot give people food. But the essence of the Songun idea is that although the gun of the revolutionary army cannot make a meal, it can create something even more valuable. Those with the guns of revolution have it within their power to create ideological and political life"].

NORTH KOREAN FILM LAUDS THE 'HEROIC WORKER'

Under his energetic guidance, the Workers' Party of Korea has been strengthened and developed into a Juche-style revolutionary organization, which carries forward the lineage of Mt. Paektu [where the regime insists Kim Jong-il was born] and the Democratic People's Republic if Korea. In this way, the Workers' Party has consolidated a powerful socialist nation and a model for our times, for accomplishing the people's cause of achieving independence.

Kim Jong-il, who, with his great Songun revolutionary leadership, has ushered in this new age of Juche-oriented revolution, has seen to it that building the military and all other activities have been undertaken in strict accordance with the requirements of the Juche ideal. He has therefore developed the People's Army into an invincible revolutionary force and turned the DPRK into a nation with world-class military strength.

Kim Jong-il has developed the tradition of unity first established in Mt. Paektu in order to strengthen the ranks of the revolution into an invincible, tightly-knit group. Standing closely by the leader on the basis of comradeship and rallying around the Party, broad sections of the masses have cemented the internal force of the Korean revolution.

Every step of the way, the Korean people have smashed the hostile and desperate moves of the reactionary U.S.-led imperialist forces. In the decisive battle in defense of the country, they have thereby wrought a historic miracle and achieved the greatest victory ever won by the Songun revolutionary strategy of General Secretary Kim Jong-il.

Having with an iron faith and unbreakable will, he has unfolded a far-reaching plan for building a great, prosperous and powerful nation. During the Songun era, he has set forth a unique method of economic construction and has led the country in dedication to the revolutionary military spirit of the People's Army. On all fronts of socialist construction, he has wisely led the people in creating new miracles and innovations.

Under the tested and seasoned leadership of Kim Jong-Il, a politician rare to be seen, socialist Korea along with the strongest political and military force will shine ever-more brilliantly, and the Korean people's aspiration for a strong and rich country will be unfailingly achieved.