After concluding the 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party, North Korea once again emphasized self-reliance and sought to unify the ideological stance of its citizens.
The party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, published an editorial on the March 1 titled, The Immutable Ideology of the Great Korean Workers’ Party: People-First Philosophy, Unity of Will, and Self-Reliance, asserting that socialism and self-reliance are inextricably linked.
The newspaper boasted that the struggles of the past five years have reaffirmed the formidable power of their self-reliant economy and self-defensive military industry. It claimed that their ability to respond to various crises has improved, and they have gained valuable experience and insights in sustaining development across all sectors. The paper asserted that they have further strengthened their capacity to maintain dignity and overcome challenges through their own efforts.
Furthermore, the newspaper conveyed that the principle of serving the people reflects the party’s unwavering commitment to maintaining a revolutionary party spirit. This principle serves as the foundation for party building and activities, and is considered an absolute and immutable tenet.
The editorial explained that the concepts of unity of will and self-reliance embody the ideological, theoretical perspectives and policy requirements concerning the lifeline and driving force of their revolution.
North Korea’s self-reliance strategy aims to drive economic growth using its own resources and technology, without depending on foreign assistance.
Since Chairman Kim Il Sung declared the pursuit of a self-reliant policy at the Supreme People’s Assembly in November 1961, the country has steadfastly adhered to the principle of prioritizing self-reliance. This approach was reaffirmed at the recent 9th Party Congress, which concluded on February 25.