On President KIM IL SUNG and self-reliance by Martin M KFA Austria

                                   

Dear comrades! Dear friends! People's Korea today is the most advanced socialist nation on earth. The cultural heritage of the Korean people served as a foundation for the Juche-based socialist society that favours the collective over the individual.

 As we all know, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is surviving and improving the working and living conditions of the people. Decades long and brutal imperialist efforts to destroy the DPRK remained futile because People's Korea has a strong ideology of self reliance, founded by President KIM IL SUNG at the Kalun conference mid june 1930 and further refined by Chairman KIM JONG IL in famous works like „On the Juche Idea“, as well as single hearted unity between people, party and leader. 

 At the heart of Comrade KIM IL SUNG’s political philosophy lies self-reliance. To understand this concept, we must understand the historical context in which it was forged. Korea, long a pawn in the geopolitical games of empires, had suffered domination by external powers—first imperial China, then Japan, and later, division between the Soviet and American spheres after World War II. It was in response to this legacy of foreign domination that Juche, the idea of national self-determination and independence, emerged. 

 Generalissimo KIM IL SUNG’s doctrine of self-reliance has three fundamental pillars: political independence, economic self-sustainability, and military self-defense. 

 First, political independence. Comrade KIM IL SUNG believed that no country could achieve true sovereignty if it relied on foreign powers to determine its political path. In this, he broke away not only from imperialist influences but also asserted a level of independence even from allies like the Soviet Union and China. Juche meant that Korea would chart its own political course, free from dependency—even on those who shared its ideological commitments. 

 Second, economic self-sustainability. President KIM IL SUNG advocated for an economy that was not beholden to international markets or foreign aid. People's Korea under his leadership pursued a policy of heavy industrialization with an emphasis on domestic production. The aim was to ensure that the Korean people could provide for themselves, reducing vulnerability to foreign manipulation or sanctions. In his speeches and writings, KIM IL SUNG often emphasized the dignity of labour and the importance of mobilizing the people’s collective will to overcome hardship.

 Third, military self-defense. Given Korea’s tumultuous history of invasions, Comrade KIM IL SUNG viewed a strong national defense as essential. The Korean People’s Army (KPA) was not merely a military institution, but a symbol of Juche—the embodiment of a people’s determination to defend their homeland without relying on others. This principle was sharply emphasized during and after the Great Fatherland Liberation War, when People's Korea resisted both Western forces and ongoing external pressure. 

 President KIM IL SUNG’s idea of self-reliance was not isolationist. Rather, it was about autonomy—about engaging with the world on one’s own terms. Juche is, in this sense, both a national strategy and a materialist attitude: the belief that the Korean people, through unity and ideological clarity, could overcome all obstacles. Comrade KIM IL SUNG’s legacy also has a cultural and moral dimension. He promoted the idea that man is the master of everything and decides everything—a deeply human-centered philosophy that placed the masses at the core of history. In this way, Juche diverged from classical Marxism-Leninism. While borrowing the language of dialectical materialism, KIM IL SUNG recast it through a nationalist and voluntarist lens. The people were not merely products of history—they were its agents. So Juche adds to Marxism-Leninism a much needed materialist theory on society. 

 In our modern era, where many nations still grapple with questions of sovereignty, identity, and development, the legacy of KIM IL SUNG invites both critique and reflection. Whether one agrees with his methods or not, there is no denying the coherence of his ideological vision. In a world often dominated by external dictates— whether from international financial institutions, foreign governments, or transnational corporations—KIM IL SUNG’s insistence on national dignity and independent development resonates in many quarters of the Global South. 

 Today, the principle of self-reliance continues to be cited by political movements across the world. From Latin America to Africa to Southeast Asia, echoes of Juche can be found in calls for economic justice, national sovereignty, and cultural decolonization. In this sense, the idea of self-reliance transcends borders. It is not merely a Korean ideal—it is a global aspiration. Juche is in the hearts and minds of all true communists in the world today. 

 In conclusion, KIM IL SUNG’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the principle of self reliance. Through Juche, he articulated a vision of a nation that could stand on its own, proud and independent, guided by its own people and values. While the world has changed dramatically since his time, the questions he posed—about independence, agency, and development—remain as vital as ever. 

Let us reflect on these lessons with critical eyes and open minds, and may the spirit of self-reliance continue to inspire all those who strive for dignity, justice, and true sovereignty in our world today. 

 Down with the puppet regime in South Korea! 

 Down with the US-imperialists and their lackeys! 

 Long live the Democratic People's Republic of Korea! Long live the Worker's Party of Korea! 

 Long live comrade KIM JONG UN! 

 Thank you