Choson Sinbo "North Korea's Firm and Unwavering Position to Accelerate National Reunification"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Choson Sinbo, the official newspaper of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), refuted South Korean experts' analysis that North Korea has abandoned the 'South Korea revolution' unification through this revision of the party charter, stating that "the Workers' Party's position to hasten national reunification is unwavering."

On the 7th, Choson Sinbo reported under the title "Consistent Line and Policy Even in the Era of Our State First-ism," saying, "Those who interpret (North Korea's state-first-ism) defensively as 'state-centered' in contrast to 'ethnic-centered' and talk about changes in line and policy are ignoring the will of the Party, government, and people of Choson to resolve ethnic issues based on strong national power."

Earlier, at the 8th Party Congress held in January, North Korea revised its charter by deleting the phrase "Our nation by itself" and changing the phrase "unify the fatherland" to "hasten the peaceful reunification of the fatherland."

Based on this, some experts analyzed that North Korea has abandoned unification based on the 'South Korea revolution theory' and adopted a state-centered line. Former Minister of Unification Lee Jong-seok also stated, "It is not true that North Korea aims for reunification, and it has also abandoned the South Korea revolution."

Today's report by Choson Sinbo is interpreted as a rebuttal to such analyses.

Choson Sinbo emphasized, "The position on inter-Korean relations and the solution to ethnic issues are clarified in the Three Principles for National Reunification put forth by President Kim Il-sung and established through inter-Korean declarations including June 15, October 4, and April 27," pointing out that the newly established state-first-ism in the 'Kim Jong-un era' does not contradict the struggle to resolve ethnic issues.

The Three Principles for National Reunification refer to ▲the three principles of national reunification?independence, peaceful reunification, and great national unity?declared in the July 4 Joint Statement of 1972, ▲the proposal for the establishment of the Democratic Federal Republic of Koryo presented at the 6th Party Congress in October 1980, and ▲the Ten-Point Program for Great National Unity adopted at the 5th session of the 9th Supreme People's Assembly in April 1993.

Choson Sinbo reported, "One of the signs of national power enhancement, the continuously increasing national defense capability, is a practical force that blocks the last desperate moves of foreign forces, the root cause of division and war, guarantees peace on the Korean Peninsula, and hastens reunification," adding, "Only when one’s own power overwhelms the opponent who pursues division can the wishes of the nation be fulfilled."

It continued, "The 'Tasks of the Struggle for National Reunification' section in the preamble of the party charter clearly states that with strong national defense, fundamental military threats will be suppressed to maintain stability and a peaceful environment on the Korean Peninsula," adding, "The unwavering position of the Workers' Party to guarantee peace and hasten national reunification by its own strength is reflected here."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.