Edmond Jouve,

Director-general,

European Society for the Study of the Juche Idea

Respected Mr. Ramon Jimenez Lopez, director-general of the IIJI,

Respected Mr. Kenichi Ogami, IIJI secretary-general

Mr. Pak Chol Jun, vice-President, KASS

Diplomatic representatives from the DPRK embassy in Italy,

The Juche idea followers from many countries who participated in the seminar,

Dear friends,

We have overcome the global public health crisis that lasted more than 3 years, and now we finally have a big gathering of Juche idea followers in Rome, a beautiful city of Italy.

The international seminar held under the theme of “Independence, Sovereignty and Social Development” is of great significance as it is held in the historic period of greeting the 75th founding anniversary of the DPRK which displays dignity of an independent power in today’s reality in which rapid change and serious crustal movements are made in the trend of world politics and structure of international relations.

Availing myself of this meaningful opportunity, I respectfully pray for eternality of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il who performed immortal exploits in founding, strengthening and developing the DPRK and in accomplishing the cause of global independence, out of noble respect of all participants and Juche idea followers.

I also sincerely extend glory and gratitude to the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un who achieves the world-startling development even under the increasing moves of isolation and suffocation by hostile forces and the global public health crisis and now provides us with the holding of this meaningful gathering.

Availing myself of this opportunity, I offer congratulations to all of you who participate in the seminar including the internet, and at the same time I express my gratitude especially to Mr. Ogami Kenichi of the IIJI, who travelled over continents and oceans to participate in this seminar.

I also extend my thanks to Mr. Matteo Carbonelli, secretary-general of the ESSJI and those from the DPRK embassy in Rome, who devoted their all to the successful holding of this seminar.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today’s reality proves us that it is possible for each country and nation to safeguard its sovereignty, guarantee its social development and ensure the global peace and security only when it advances independently.

Now many countries all over the world have their sovereignty cruelly trampled down and their right to development restrained and, as a result, mankind is forced to suffer from indescribable pains.

The DPRK is the only country on the globe that correctly exercises its right and dignity of a sovereign state and dynamically advances along the correct road of development.

Since it declared founding of the first people’s democratic country in the East 75 years ago, the DPRK has held fast to the principles of Juche in ideology, independence in politics, self-sufficiency in the economy and self-reliance in national defence in the whole process full of trials and difficulties.

It is inconceivable without the great President Kim Il Sung, the author of the Juche idea.

The great President Kim Il Sung clarified that independence is the lifeblood of not only a man, but also a country and nation, and ushered in the era of building an independent country.

Leader Kim Jong Il, the great successor to President Kim Il Sung, stood against the enemies’ toughness with tougher stance, with faith in independence, that force of arms guarantees existence and constant development of the country and with the outstanding political capability and saw that a glorious victory was registered in every confrontation with the imperialist forces and firmly defended the Republic, a citadel of socialism and independence.

The great leaders’ idea of independence is recorded in the DPRK history of vicissitudes. This idea, whose validity and vitality was proved through the practice of founding the Republic and through the development of its history, now becomes a banner of the progressive people’s struggle for independence.

The great exploits, performed by President Kim Il Sung and Leader Kim Jong Il in the founding, strengthening and developing the Republic and the cause of global independence, will be immortal along with the ever more increasing aspirations of mankind for independence and along with the prosperous future of the DPRK.

More brilliance is now added to the DPRK as an independent power as it has the respected H.E. Kim Jong Un.

Today the world witnesses a rapid change in the balance of international forces and is entering a turning point decisive of switching to a new structure of international relations, due to the public health crisis and the unprecedented geopolitical crisis.

The DPRK demonstrates its existence of being a world nuclear power amid the rapid change in the balance of international forces, thus concentrating focus of the world and becoming a force that cannot be ignored in deciding the switch into a new structure of international relations.

It is the fruition of the wise leadership of the respected H.E. Kim Jong Un who attached the biggest importance to the history of independent politics of the great President Kim Il Sung and Leader Kim Jong Il and regarded independence as a precious guide for progress and development of the Republic.

Cherishing the truth that independence is the only way to ensure durable peace and safe environment of the Korean peninsula and the region and to provide the people with eternal happiness, the respected H.E. Kim Jong Un put forward the line of simultaneously developing the economic construction and the up-building of the nuclear force and led its implementation with strong will, thus placing the Republic onto a position of a world nuclear power.

The respected H.E. Kim Jong Un’s ardent love for the people, absolute trust in them and selfless and devoted efforts for them brought about innovative successes of the economic development and scientific and technological progress in the Republic.

Monumental edifices and modern dwelling houses spring up remarkably everywhere of the urban and rural areas.

Ordinary citizens of the Republic enjoy all of these great creations.

The DPRK’s reality that can be called a mysterious wonder makes the world people have a clear understanding of the true meaning of the independent line that is adhered to by the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un.

The 75-year history and the future of the Republic convince the progressive people that their ideal is not just a dream, encourage all of them to the building of a new society and a new life and lead them to a correct road.

Studying the great idea of independence, the precious experiences and victorious history of the Republic becomes a strong trend of the times, and our Juche idea followers are now standing in the van of the trend.

I am convinced that this seminar will be a significant occasion that enables to activate communications among personages of the academic, public and political circles who study and disseminate the Juche idea on a world-wide scale and a significant gathering that contributes to the independent development of the world.

Congratulating all of you once again, I wish you fruitful speeches.