Kim Jong Il, the peerless political veteran

The history of world politics has record many political leaders renowned for their long political career and exploits.

But there are few political veterans like Kim Jong Il, the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, who has 40-odd years of a political career, exceptional political ability and outstanding achievements.

He is a political leader who has created a shining model of independent politics.

Unless a political leader maintains independence in his politics, the destiny of the country and the people cannot be defended. Moreover, the socialist politics whose main purpose is to achieve the independence of the popular masses should be independent politics by all means.

The political philosophy of leader Kim Jong Il is the Juche idea which is entirely an idea of independence, and independence is the fundamental principle of his politics. He has always led the north Korean people from the unwavering standpoint of thinking and acting at his own discretion and solving all state affairs by relying on the strength of the people in conformity with their interests and the specific conditions of the country according to his own judgment and conviction.

In particular, the struggle of the north Korean people to defend socialism for the past ten years after the demise of President Kim Il Sung can be called a chronicle of victory won by his independent politics. To shatter the offensive of the United States to isolate and smother north Korea and defend socialism after the collapse of socialism in the former Soviet Union and other East European countries was not easy. But he did not make the slightest concession in defending the sovereignty and dignity of the country and the destiny of the people. A typical example was the confrontation between north Korea and the US which resulted from the nuclear issue. In March 1993 the US insisted on a "special inspection" of north Korea under the plea of the nuclear issue and threatened its sovereignty, leader Kim Jong Il smashed the challenge by having north Korea make a bombshell announcement of withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. And in January 2003 the Bush administration totally abrogated the north Korea-US Agreed Framework and intensified its attempt to isolate and smother north Korea, the leader took a countermeasure for north Korea to make resolute steps to completely withdraw from the NPT it had temporarily suspended. Such astounding events that a small country defended its sovereignty and dignity against the "only superpower" are the brilliant outcome of his independent politics. The US tried to eliminate socialist Korea from the earth. But this country now stands high as a fortress of socialism and a citadel of independence. Failing to firmly maintain independence in the state building and activities, certain countries have in recent years forfeited their sovereignty and suffered to crying shame and abuse. Witnessing such realities, the people of the world praise the north Korean leader's politics as a model of independent politics that firmly defend and hew out the destiny of the country and the people.

Kim Jong Il is also a political leader who created a model of benevolent politics.

Benevolence forms the foundation of his politics. If a political leader of socialism lacks ability, it will bring about the stagnation of socialism, but if he lacks benevolence it may endanger the existence of socialism itself. This is the view of Kim Jong Il. He believes that the revolution is to bring the love for the people into flower and that politics is not to rule the people but to love and look after them.

Under the slogan "Let's build a new society with confidence and love!" he has unfolded the politics of benevolence and made a new history of benevolent politics for more than forty years, and laid out a great flower garden of human love. Therefore, his politics has always enjoyed an unquestioning support and trust of the people, and the people are closely united with him as an integral whole.

This integral whole has been consolidated further over the last decade. There are numerous legendary stories about the fact that people addressed him letters swearing their allegiance to him and the leader sent them replies lavishing love and confidence on them. They inspired and encouraged each other, forcing their way through difficulties. The leader's love for and confidence in the army and the people firmly united tens of millions of them into one around him although the imperialists stepped up their offensive to smother north Korea and their maneuvers to bring it down. The love and confidence provided the motive power that defends socialism in north Korea and makes a breakthrough in its progress and prosperity.

In north Korea today the leader and the people are united as one in mind and fate. Kim Jong Il is a leading light of the political world on our planet, for he has achieved national unity no statesman on earth has ever done, converting the whole society into a large harmonious family.

He is a statesman who has opened up a new era of Songun politics.

The ability of a statesman is plainly manifested in the fact that he maps out policies to meet new demands of the times and adroitly leads the people to carry them out. Not all statesmen can establish and employ political modes to meet the demands of the changing times.

The Songun politics which attracts great attention in the international community today is the precious fruition of Kim Jong Il's special political ability. He scientifically analyzed the characteristics of the cause of socialism that advanced in the constant confrontation with the US in the mid-1990s, and the position and role of the army in the development of revolution, and on this basis, further developed the Songun politics purporting to advance the cause of socialism with the Korean People's Army as the pillar of the country and the main force of revolution. A statesman who considers only the immediate state of affairs or is versed only in either of literary and military arts would not be able to choose or realize Songun politics. Towards the end of the last century the north Korean people surmounted enormous difficulties and set the goal of building a great prosperous powerful nation because they had an omnipotent sword called the Songun politics which organically combines politics with military affairs. Its might and vitality are demonstrated more clearly with each passing day, and voices of praise for it are resounding throughout the world.