December 12, 2025Dec 12, 2025
KCNA Pyongyang Times

‘Native language should be protected and developed’

Date: 22/02/2025 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source

Native language is a means of communication and a symbol of the culture of a relevant country and nation.

The diversity of language shows that of the history, cultures and customs of countries and nations, and therefore protecting their mother tongue means protecting their history, cultures and customs.

On February 21 1952, the inhabitants of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) held a demonstration to call for including Bengali in official languages of state and government organs.

During the demonstration, five demonstrators were shot to death.

The 56th Session of the UN General Assembly held on February 15 2002 decided to commemorate February 21 as International Mother Language Day to the memory of the inhabitants of the region who died in the struggle to regain the right to use their national language.

It was aimed at preserving the world languages, accelerating the sustainable development of diverse cultures and promoting mutual understanding among the peoples of all countries.

However, not a few languages are now disappearing in the international community and high-handed acts are openly committed to obliterate the languages of minorities.

Typical examples are the Ukrainian puppet clique’s bloody suppression of the region where Russian is used and the Japanese authorities’ moves to disturb national education of Koreans in Japan.

This is a threat to human civilization, a flagrant threat to development of language and culture.

Various activities are being conducted in different countries to preserve and develop national languages on the occasion of International Mother Language Day.

Our country, which boasts a 5 000-year history and culture, uses Korean as its language and is directing great efforts to preserving and further developing the unity, eternity and purity of Korean.

The DPRK set the cultured Pyongyang dialect as model of Korean and national language as it reflects the national character of our people most correctly and adopted “the Law of the DPRK on the Protection of Cultured Pyongyang Dialect” in an effort to establish a social trait of protecting and retaining cultured Pyongyang dialect.

Meanwhile, books helpful in further enriching language theory and improving the quality of Korean education and linguistic life are actively published and the education sector is intensifying the work to give the rising generations a deep understanding of the advantages of Korean.

The law on the protection of the overseas compatriots’ rights and interests, which was adopted at the Sixth Session of the 14th Supreme People’s Assembly, legally protects the compatriots’ right to receive democratic national education, including the learning of spoken and written Korean and the history and culture of our country, irrespective of place of residence.

All countries and nations have the right to defend and develop their languages, and when they are thoroughly defended, the culture of mankind will become richer and more beautiful.

Kim Yong Yun, director of the Korean linguistics institute of Kim Il Sung University

More From Pyongyang Times

New houses built in Pyongyang Municipality

New houses built in Pyongyang Municipality

Proud entities visually showing the rapid development of the socialist countryside flourishing day by day are being built one

December 11, 2025

Proud entities visually showing the rapid development of the socialist countryside flourishing day by day are being built one

China urges Japan to fulfil obligation as a defeated nation

China urges Japan to fulfil obligation as a defeated nation

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense of China urged Japan to fulfil its obligation as a defeated nation at a press conference

December 11, 2025

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense of China urged Japan to fulfil its obligation as a defeated nation at a press conference

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sends birthday spread to centenarian

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sends birthday spread to centenarian

Amid the growing joy of the macrobians leading a blessed life under the socialist system of the DPRK, Yonha-dong of Sinuiju City,

December 11, 2025

Amid the growing joy of the macrobians leading a blessed life under the socialist system of the DPRK, Yonha-dong of Sinuiju City,

Provincial building materials exhibition opens

Provincial building materials exhibition opens

The provincial building materials exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang on December 9.

December 11, 2025

The provincial building materials exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang on December 9.

Jangjin Potato Farina Production Factory inaugurated

Jangjin Potato Farina Production Factory inaugurated

A potato farina production factory was newly built and inaugurated in Jangjin County, South Hamgyong Province. The factory has a

December 11, 2025

A potato farina production factory was newly built and inaugurated in Jangjin County, South Hamgyong Province. The factory has a

Efforts channelled into bringing education up-to-date

Efforts channelled into bringing education up-to-date

Developing countries are paying close attention to education, regarding it as a crucial issue for achieving national prosperity.

December 10, 2025

Developing countries are paying close attention to education, regarding it as a crucial issue for achieving national prosperity.

Hungary opposes EU’s plan to ban import of energy from Russia

Hungary opposes EU’s plan to ban import of energy from Russia

The Hungarian minister of foreign affairs and trade opposed a plan of the European Union to ban the import of Russian energy throu

December 10, 2025

The Hungarian minister of foreign affairs and trade opposed a plan of the European Union to ban the import of Russian energy throu

New houses built at farms in Jagang Province

New houses built at farms in Jagang Province

Agricultural workers moved with pleasure into the modern houses newly built in farm villages of Jagang Province as part of the

December 10, 2025

Agricultural workers moved with pleasure into the modern houses newly built in farm villages of Jagang Province as part of the

Factory increases production while lowering costs

Factory increases production while lowering costs

The Kangso Sprayer Factory has produced a lot of backpack sprayers to send them to the socialist countryside this year. Among the

December 10, 2025

The Kangso Sprayer Factory has produced a lot of backpack sprayers to send them to the socialist countryside this year. Among the

Disaster management ministry delegation leaves for Russia

Disaster management ministry delegation leaves for Russia

A delegation of the Ministry of Disaster Management headed by Vice-Minister Ri Ki Chol left Pyongyang on December 8 by air to

December 10, 2025

A delegation of the Ministry of Disaster Management headed by Vice-Minister Ri Ki Chol left Pyongyang on December 8 by air to

Youth and students hold oath-taking meeting

Youth and students hold oath-taking meeting

Bearing in mind the noble soul and spirit of the revolutionary forerunners, youth and students successfully made a study tour of

December 09, 2025

Bearing in mind the noble soul and spirit of the revolutionary forerunners, youth and students successfully made a study tour of

More Articles