May 25 th is Africa Day.

More than 60 years have passed since the Organization of African Unity, precursor of the African Union, was established with the aim of promoting unity and solidarity among African countries, defending sovereignty and territorial integrity and eliminating all forms of colonialism.

On the occasion of this meaningful day, we look back on the noble sense of internationalist obligation shown by President Kim Il Sung for African countries in their anti-colonial struggle for national liberation, unity and building of a new society.

For the first time in history, President Kim Il Sung set forth the program of global independence and paid special attention to the struggles of African people for a long time, extending full support and encouragement to the establishment of the African Union and its development.

Until 1994, the last year of his life, starting from the historic May 1963 when the Organization of African Unity and “Africa Day” were proclaimed, he sent congratulatory messages of support and solidarity to the Meetings of Heads of the State and Government of the Organization of African Unity on every occasion in order to offer active encouragement to their struggles for independence and justice against colonialism and racial segregation.

During these days, he saw to it that our country, before all others, recognize the African countries which newly declared independence and establish state relations with them. He also met numerous heads of state and senior officials from Africa and discussed in detail on politics, the economy and all other sectors.

Besides, he took measures to build cultural buildings, schools, factories, and research institutes throughout Africa free of charge. He also sent necessary supplies for their agriculture and construction, thus laying foundation for them to develop on their own efforts.

Hence, politicians of African countries, charmed by his great personality through several rounds of meeting with him, unanimously said in deep emotion that they could shake off the fetter of slavery and achieve liberation thanks to President Kim Il Sung who illuminated their way ahead.

Since then, several decades have passed but the immortal exploits of President Kim Il Sung are still engraved in the hearts of African people.

African Union comprises one quarter of UN member states with the participation of more than 50 countries. Today, it is making strenuous efforts to raise the dignity of the continent and achieve genuine international justice and multi-polarization of the world under the ideal of its Charter: One’s destiny should be determined by one’s own efforts.

It is the consistent policy of the DPRK government to build a peaceful world free from interference and domination of outside forces by further developing the relations of all countries on the African Continent aspiring after independent development under the banner of non-alignment as well as independence against imperialism.

The relations between Korea and Africa, as ever, will continue to develop invariably on the basis of mutual respect, equality and reciprocity.

Korea-Africa Association