PRESIDENT KIM IL SUNG AND THE PATH OF SELF-RELIANCE-contribution of KFA Hungary

 PRESIDENT KIM IL SUNG AND THE PATH OF SELF-RELIANCE

Contribution of KFA Hungary

President KIM IL SUNG, the great leader of the Korean people and founding father of socialist Korea, left a lasting mark on world history through his unwavering commitment to self-reliance, national dignity, and the struggle against imperialism. His legacy, rooted in the Juche idea, continues to inspire people across the globe who seek independence and a path free from domination.

The Development of the Juche Idea

In the mid-20th century, the Korean people emerged from the shadows of colonialism, devastated by decades of Japanese occupation and later, the division of the peninsula by external powers. Amid this crisis, President KIM IL SUNG advanced a unique ideological system — the Juche idea, which declared that the masses are the masters of the revolution and construction, and that they must solve all problems by their own efforts.

The term "Juche" first appeared in the 1955 speech "On Eliminating Dogmatism and Formalism and Establishing Juche in Ideological Work." Here, President KIM IL SUNG emphasized that every revolution must be rooted in the specific conditions of its country and led by its people. The Juche idea rejected blind following of foreign models, advocating instead for national independence in politics, self-sustenance in the economy, and self-defense in military affairs.

In essence, Juche is more than a philosophy — it is a revolutionary praxis. It provided the Korean people with a compass for rebuilding their society, resisting foreign domination, and asserting their sovereignty.

Self-Defense Against Imperialism

President KIM IL SUNG’s commitment to military self-defense was central to the survival and development of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). From the earliest days of liberation, the DPRK faced continuous threats and provocations from U.S. imperialism and its allies.

Rather than yielding to pressure, President KIM IL SUNG prioritized the development of independent defense capabilities. He transformed the Korean People’s Army (KPA) into a powerful, modern force rooted in revolutionary ideology and loyalty to the people. Military independence was not a goal of aggression, but a shield against subjugation, ensuring that socialism could be defended by the hands of the Korean people themselves.

The Patriotic liberation war (1950–1953), ignited by the imperialist ambition to destroy the young DPRK, was met with heroic resistance. Under President KIM IL SUNG’s command, the Korean people displayed unbreakable courage, fighting a coalition of over 15 capitalist nations led by the United States. Despite immense material disadvantages, the DPRK defended its sovereignty and forced the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953. This was not merely a military truce — it was a political victory for self-reliance, demonstrating that a small nation, when united and ideologically firm, could defeat even the strongest imperialist bloc.

A Victory in the Liberation War

The liberation of Korea from Japanese colonial rule was the first great accomplishment of President KIM IL SUNG’s leadership. As a young revolutionary, he founded the Anti-Japanese People’s Guerrilla Army (the forerunner of the Korean People’s Army) and led arduous armed struggle throughout the 1930s and early 1940s in the face of brutal repression.

President KIM IL SUNG’s strategy was not only military but political: he built strong ties with the people, organized mass support, and developed revolutionary bases in the face of adversity. With Japan’s defeat in 1945, Korea regained its freedom, but new threats soon emerged with the division of the peninsula.

Through the liberation war, the people of the DPRK — under the leadership of President KIM IL SUNG — defended the gains of liberation and laid the foundation for a sovereign socialist state.

Legacy of Independence and Socialist Construction

After the war, President KIM IL SUNG led the reconstruction and socialist transformation of the DPRK. In contrast to countries that became economically dependent on global powers, the DPRK under Juche built an independent industrial base, universal education, and a public healthcare system, all achieved without foreign control or exploitation.

Self-reliance became the backbone of Korean socialism. Even during the most challenging periods, such as the collapse of the socialist bloc in the 1990s, the principles of Juche and the example of President KIM IL SUNG guided the nation with resilience and confidence.

Today, the Juche idea continues to illuminate the path forward not only for the DPRK, but for all peoples fighting for true sovereignty.

Conclusion

President KIM IL SUNG was not only the eternal leader of the Korean people but a beacon of anti-imperialist resistance worldwide. His life and legacy show that self-reliance is not isolation, but the highest form of national dignity. His Juche idea, forged in struggle and nurtured in practice, remains a guiding star for all oppressed nations and peoples who seek liberation through their own strength.

KFA Hungary proudly honors the legacy of President KIM IL SUNG and reaffirms its solidarity with the DPRK in the ongoing struggle for independence, peace, and socialism.