North Korea has issued new commemorative stamps for the 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party.
The party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Thursday hat the State Stamp Issuance Bureau has created and released new commemorative stamps for the 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, including two miniature sheets and six individual stamps.
The newspaper claimed that the individual stamps visually represent the programmatic tasks presented at the 9th Party Congress. It further stated that the stamps reflect the party’s ideology of vigorously promoting the three revolutions, steadfastly upholding the principles of prioritizing the people, maintaining unity, and practicing self-reliance as the banner of struggle and progress. The stamps also embody the principles and requirements of the new era’s five-party construction program in the party’s work and activities.
In an editorial titled, The Beacon of Sangwon, on the front page, the newspaper highlighted that Kim Jong Un, the General Secretary of the Party, made his first visit to the Sangwon Cement Complex following the 9th Party Congress to offer encouragement. It proclaimed that the entire nation is now fervently embracing the spirit, vigor, and exemplary conduct of Sangwon, eager to live and fight with these ideals.
Page three reported that over 600 female members of the Women’s Union in North Hamgyong Province volunteered for socialist construction projects in the past month. It also noted that graduating high school students in North Pyongan Province and Nampo City held a grand choral performance. The newspaper added that officials and Youth League leaders attended the performance to encourage the graduates who had volunteered for national defense posts.
Page 4 emphasized the importance of climbing Mount Paektu, stating that it is essential for understanding the homeland and engaging in revolution. The newspaper claimed that reaching Mount Paektu instills an indomitable strength and courage to overcome any obstacles. It further asserted that the nation’s resolute determination to advance more vigorously and courageously toward the new goals set by the Party Congress is powerfully displayed, and that the pilgrimage to Mount Paektu, the sacred mountain of the revolution, continues endlessly.
On page 5, the newspaper reported that the Pungok Youth Coal Mine has pledged to complete its annual plan by the founding anniversary of the Republic. Regarding recent wildfire prevention efforts across various regions, it noted that frequent strong winds and persistent dry weather have occurred this year. The paper argued that the consequences cannot be attributed solely to adverse weather conditions and the misguided actions of individual residents. It pointed out that there are other causes, including work done perfunctorily and opportunistically, just enough to avoid criticism.
Page 6 criticized the Kishida Cabinet’s new fiscal policies in Japan, asserting that they reveal the current government’s intention to recklessly squander national finances on military expansion. The newspaper warned that this foreshadows an even deeper economic crisis for Japan.