Understanding the democratic development of Korea

by Esko Koskinen
Chairman, Finland-Korea Association

In Finland there was a dream for centuries that the Finnish people would
have a chance to decide their destiny by themselves, independent of the
decisions made in Sweden, where Finland was attached as a duchy. Therefore
on the main gate of the great fortress outside Helsinki it was written
“Finns, stand here on your own ground and do not rely on foreign support”.
So gradually Finland gained independency, first as a grand duchy
associated with Russia, and finally as a republic 90 years ago. Because of
this history of foreign rulers, the Finns very well understand the process
that took place in Korea during the period of Japanese rule in the first
decades of the 20th century.

 

The period of the anti-Japanese struggle in Korea from 1930s resembles
quite much the anti-Russian activities in Finland almost 40 years earlier.
Therefore we in Finland honor Kim Il Sung as an outstanding patriot who
led his people to freedom from the colonial rule.

 

It is remarkable that this great man who later became the President of the
DPRK already at his teen age founded a movement against the colonial rule.
He led the armed revolutionary guerilla warfare against the foreign
rulers. He also met the revolutionary organizations in the country and
explained his ideas of creating a country where workers, farmers, artists
and scientists would work together for a society of equal and democratic
rights to all citizens.

 

He understood that the new society should not be based on bourgeois or
socialist revolution but would sustain only when based on cohesion of all
patriotic forces. Therefore he created the great Juche idea for meeting
the interests of the Korean people and keeping them united when building
an independent democratic society.

 

The founding of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on September
9th, 1948, started the glorious period that was based on the revolutionary
political power created during the severe period of the national
liberation. President Kim Il Sung led the country in the anti-imperialist
struggle and guided the people through the rebuilding period gradually
into prosperity. The Great Leader always wanted to force the power of the
people and kept close contacts with the citizens. He took practical
measures to safeguard the political influence of the masses and to improve
their living standard.

 

When His Excellency Kim Jong Il succeeded President Kim Il Sung, the
political power of the people was equally appreciated and the principles
of the Juche idea were esteemed. Despite of hard times, the Koreans could
overcome all difficulties and demonstrate the power of the people. The
youth and the army supported the course of national policy and advanced
along the road of glory and victory. Maintaining the national sovereignty,
His Excellency Kim Jong Il and his government have paved the way to
increasing international understanding and created opportunities for
further peaceful development maintaining the people’s political power also
in the future. This course is supported as well by the peace loving people
of Finland.