The issue of women can be claimed to be an issue of the independent life and dignity of women and their social status and role.

The position of women in the DPRK took a dramatic turn with the country’s liberation from Japanese military rule.

Before liberation, Korean women had been subjected to double and treble maltreatment and contempt due to the vicious colonial rule by the Japanese imperialists, who had occupied Korea by force of arms, and feudal fetters.

But after the country was liberated on August 15 1945 and the Law on Sex Equality was promulgated on July 30 1946, they were completely emancipated from all sorts of social inequalities and the deprivation of political rights.

The law declared that women have equal rights with men in all spheres of political, economic and cultural life.

The promulgation of the law, which stipulated that women have equal rights with men to elect and to be elected, to work and receive social insurance and education, was a great social change which gratified the long-cherished desire of women to proudly live as a full member of society and which put an end to the age-old customs and conventions.

In the democratic elections held for the first time after the promulgation of the law, many women were elected as representatives of the people and hundreds of thousands of women broke away from the bounds of their homes and turned out for building a new Korea.

As society developed and the level of civilization rose, people-oriented policies continuously increased to further elevate the social status of women and strengthen their role.

The issue of freeing women from the heavy burden of household chores became an important task of the state, children were brought up and educated at the state’s expense and huge investment was made in health institutions to improve the health of women and children.

A significant change also took place in the role of women.

In every crucial period including those of building a new Korea, the Fatherland Liberation War, the postwar rehabilitation and the great Chollima advance, they performed undying feats that would shine forever in the history of the country.

Today, too, many women win public respect and praise as they play an active part in the important posts of the state organs and in major sectors of building a powerful socialist country and the trend of respecting women prevails in the whole of society.

It is the unanimous will of the Korean women to become a powerful driving force of the revolution and construction with equal rights with men and devote their all to the prosperity of the country.