North Korea Conducts Ideological Crackdown on Youth Day: "Let's Win the Battle Against Capitalism"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] On the 28th, North Korea marked 'Cheongnyeonjeol' (Youth Day) by seemingly launching an ideological crackdown on youth, urging them to win the confrontation against capitalism.

The Workers' Party organ, Rodong Sinmun, in a front-page editorial titled "Successors of the Juche Revolution" on page 2, stated, "The desperate efforts of imperialists to contaminate our youth, as pure as spring water, with the toxins of capitalism have reached an extreme," urging this stance.

The newspaper claimed, "The collapse of socialism in several countries during the great political upheavals of the 1990s was an inevitable result stemming from youth being contaminated by capitalist ideological toxins since the mid-20th century," calling it "a serious problem."

It added, "Threats such as water crises, resource crises, and climate crises are significant issues, but the greatest crisis facing humanity is the younger generation pursuing only pleasure and complacency, rushing down the path of corruption and decadence," appealing, "Let us win the confrontation against the capitalist claws that insult and contaminate the purity of socialist patriotic youth."

Additionally, Rodong Sinmun praised the youth and encouraged loyalty to Chairman Kim Jong-un in a front-page editorial titled "Let Us More Vigorously Demonstrate the Spirit of Patriotic Youth in the Struggle for the Comprehensive Development of Socialist Construction."

The newspaper evaluated, "Today, under the wise leadership of the respected General Secretary, the status and role of youth have become more prominent, and the Juche-oriented youth movement is unfolding its prime period of self-development," adding, "Our youth, with the great trust of the Party Central Committee, are demonstrating bravery with the spirit and courage to lift even the earth, opening a new era of vibrant national rejuvenation at every front of socialist construction."

It further emphasized, "Let us become the vanguard fighters who resolutely defend the Party Central Committee," reiterating, "Resolute defense of the leader is the fundamental core that runs through the entire history of the Korean (North Korean) youth movement."

The newspaper urged, "Our youth regard offering their youth and lives unreservedly to protect the General Secretary's safety and authority as the highest honor and most sacred duty, and to realize the Party Central Committee's plans by breaking mountains and filling seas in a single strike," calling for firm support of the Kim Jong-un regime.

Moreover, on pages 3 and 4, the newspaper encouraged youth by listing the achievements of North Korean youth since the 1950s.

North Korea claims that on August 28, 1927, President Kim Il-sung founded the Joseon Communist Youth League and has commemorated this day as 'Cheongnyeonjeol' annually since 1991.

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