On March 21, North Korea’s ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun defined the essence of the Workers’ Party of Korea’s policies as absolute people-centeredness in a front-page editorial. It justified the strengthening of nuclear capabilities and national defense as measures to ensure the life and safety of the people.
In an editorial titled, The Lifeblood of the Workers’ Party of Korea’s Policies Lies in Absolute People-Centeredness, Rodong Sinmun highlighted a statement from General Secretary Kim Jong Un that he clearly affirms that the lifeblood of the Workers’ Party’s policies lies in absolute people-centeredness, thus emphasizing that the core of the party’s policies is centered on the people.
The newspaper argued that if the party’s policies and the people become separated, the party loses its foundation and becomes as vulnerable as a candle in the wind. It stressed that the people-centered nature of its policies is directly linked to the party’s existence. The editorial outlined the core characteristics of party policy as a steadfast position that prioritizes the demands, aspirations, and interests of the people above all else, and as unconditional service that must be realized at the highest level, without exception, regardless of circumstances.
Regarding the policy of strengthening national defense, the editorial explained that it aims to guarantee the people’s independent life and livelihood by building powerful military capabilities. It asserted that military policy also serves to protect the people. The newspaper also mentioned housing construction, regional development, and rural policies, stating that the principle of prioritizing projects for the welfare of the people remains paramount.
The newspaper identified General Secretary Kim’s guiding ideology as the fundamental factor in maintaining the people-centered nature of the Workers’ Party of Korea’s policies. It emphasized that the essence of Kim’s revolutionary thought is people-first devotion, which forms the core of the party’s absolute people-centeredness. The editorial asserted that putting people first and devotion to the people is the unchanging ideology that underpins the absolute people-centeredness of the party’s policies.
It further defined the party as a servant organization that dedicates itself to the people, regardless of the nature of the tasks, explaining that the party’s raison d’être is to serve the people. The editorial also stated that in the work for the people, it doesn’t know self-satisfaction or stagnation, and it will continue to propose policies that aim for innovation and development, highlighting the sustainability of its policies.
The newspaper concluded by asserting that the policies of the Workers’ Party of Korea, due to their absolute people-centeredness, will continue to demonstrate infinite vitality and unbreakable resilience in the future, emphasizing the legitimacy and sustainability of the party’s policies.
This editorial appears to reiterate the legitimacy of policies related to nuclear and military capability enhancement by framing them not as a means of regime preservation but as a strategy to protect the people. Notably, unlike in the past where North Korea emphasized individual sacrifice for national defense, it now prominently presents life and safety as a priority.