In August Juche 90 (2001) during his visit to Russia, Chairman Kim Jong Il visited the Lenin Mausoleum, and under the world’s spotlight laid a wreath before it, which had remained deserted after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Then, who was Kim Jong Il who cherished a noble sense of moral obligation to Lenin, a revolutionary forerunner and founder of the first socialist state?

Iron Truth

From the late 1980s to the early 1990s, socialism collapsed in several countries, including the Soviet Union and the Eastern European countries. Taking advantage of this tragic turn of events, the imperialists clamoured about the “end” of socialism and preached the “eternity” of capitalism. This being the situation, some countries, political parties and other organizations aspiring after socialism were at a loss what to do.

At this juncture, the Chairman published "On the Fundamentals of Revolutionary Party Building" (October 10, 1992), "Abuses of Socialism Are Intolerable" (March 1, 1993), "Socialism Is a Science" (November 1, 1994), "Giving Priority to Ideological Work Is Essential for Accomplishing Socialism" (June 19, 1995) and other works, where he clearly proved scientifically and theoretically the validity of the socialist cause and the inevitability of its victory.

In particular, in his work, titled "The Historical Lesson in Building Socialism and the General Line of Our Party" and published on January 3, Juche 81 (1992), he made an analysis of the reason why socialism had been frustrated and capitalism revived in some countries, and clarified the issues arising in defending socialism. His works which proved the iron truth that socialism is sure to be victorious for its scientific accuracy and truth served as the banner of hope and struggle for the progressive peoples aspiring after socialism.

Amid the intensified struggle of mankind to achieve the socialist cause, leaders and delegates of political parties from several countries around the world gathered in Pyongyang, the capital city of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and adopted the Pyongyang Declaration "Let Us Defend and Advance the Cause of Socialism" on April 20, Juche 81 (1992). The declaration, signed by 70 political parties at that time, was signed by over 140 after half a year after its adoption and by more than 170 after a year. Today, the number increased to over 310.

For Socialism

Socialism is the lifeblood of our people. We must never abandon socialism which we have chosen and are building, whatever difficulties and trials we may face in the way–this was Kim Jong Il’s unshakable will and faith.

Therefore, in the closing years of the previous century when the destiny of his country was at stake owing to the imperialists’ schemes to isolate and stifle it and successive natural disasters that hit it, he hardened his will to staunchly defend the destiny of his country and people by raising the Korean People’s Army as the main force of the Korean revolution and to make socialism more brilliant by relying on the armed forces.

As he set out on the long journey of Songun with the inspection of the Dwarf-Pine Post on the New Year’s Day in Juche 84 (1995), he made ceaseless inspection tours of forefront posts including Chol Pass, Mt Osong, Height 1211, Cho Island and other KPA units.

With the firm belief that powerful arms alone provide a sure guarantee for the victory of the cause of independence of the masses and the socialist cause and for the prosperity of the country and the nation, he climbed high and steep mountain ranges along Chol Pass and Height 1211 and 152 bends with sharp-cut cliffs on Mt Osong dozens of times a year, continuing his ceaseless inspections of frontline units.

On his way back from a long journey for inspection of frontline units, officials ardently asked him to take care of his health.

Kim Jong Il told them: The roads may be dangerous and rugged but I have to go if it is for the sake of the safety of the country and the well-being of the people; I am fully determined to follow any rugged road if it is for the good of my country and people.

Thanks to his devoted painstaking efforts, the destiny of the country and the people was firmly safeguarded, fierce flames of a revolutionary upswing flared up in different parts of the country, opening up bright prospects for improving the people’s standard of living, and lasting foundations were laid for building a thriving nation.