The 1990s was an arduous period for socialist Korea and its people.

President Kim Il Sung , the father of the Korean people, passed away on July 8, 1994. The imperialists intensified their attempts to isolate and stifle the DPRK and, worse still, unprecedented natural disasters hit the country one after another, worsening its economy and its people’s life. The destiny of the country was literally at the crossroads of life and death.

Many around the world including analysts were apprehensive about the future of the DPRK, saying that it could hardly stand the enormous pressure and high-handed actions by the imperialist reactionaries.

To cope with this grave situation, Chairman Kim Jong Il (February 16, 1942-December 17, 2011) wisely led the struggle to defend socialism.

When the country found itself at the crossroads of becoming guardians of independence or returning to the slaves of imperialists he opted to follow the road of giving priority to the army.

On the New Year’s Day Juche 84 (1995) he visited a unit of the Korean People’s Army.

His visit was not merely an inspection by a Supreme Commander but part of his historic journey which demonstrated his will to accomplish by force of arms the cause of the Korean revolution, which had won victories by putting forward the Korean People’s Army as the pillar and main force of the revolution.

He incessantly provided guidance to the revolutionary armed forces to build up the army as the pillar and main force of the revolution while regarding military affairs as the most important of all state affairs.

He crossed steep, rugged mountains, set sail across rough seas and went to remote military posts, to see his soldiers. Some posts were a stone’s throw from enemy positions. He frequently visited the Korean People’s Army units, sometimes even on holidays. And often a catnap in his car was all the rest he had during the long journey.

Thanks to his idea of giving importance to military affairs the Korean People’s Army grew up into invincible revolutionary armed forces and the self-reliant defence industry of the country made rapid development.

Under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il who promoted the overall socialist construction with the army as the main force and pillar, the revolutionary ideas and spirit and fighting manner of the KPA which performs innovative miracles in all fields and takes the lead in overcoming manifold difficulties and hardships pervaded the whole country.

Under his leadership the Korean people could get over economic difficulties by waging a tenacious struggle and turned adverse conditions into favourable ones, thereby building a reliable springboard for building a prosperous socialist power.

The Korean people braved the unprecedentedly grim ordeals of the trying period and made tremendous achievements. All the credit for this goes to the leadership of Kim Jong Il who continued a long journey of Songun and inspired the Korean people to turn out in the struggle to defend socialism.

Jang Chang Nam