The people are my God, and I am their son and their servant—this was the view on the people cherished by President Kim Il Sung (1912-1994).
Once in the mid-1930s, when he was fighting an anti-Japanese armed struggle to win back the country, Kim Il Sung met a religious man. The worshipper asked Kim Il Sung if he had ever something to worship as they did, and if he had, what it was.
He replied that he also had something to worship and it was just the people, adding that “The people are my God” was his motto.
Asked by a CNN International crew on their visit to Pyongyang in April 1994, he told them that he enjoyed reading books and mixing with the people to talk with them and said: The people are the most resourceful and best-informed teachers for me; they embody a mix of philosophy, economics and literature; and consequently I always mix with them and learn from them.
Thus, he always found himself among the people and addressed all the problems by enlisting them. For instance, in 1956 when the country was in economic difficulties he visited the then Kangson Steel Plant to meet the working class there. He talked with them open-mindedly and inspired them to produce 120 000 tons of steel with a blooming mill with an annual rated capacity of 60 000 tons.
He built a people-centred socialist system in which ordinary working people are elected deputies to the state power organs to deal with state affairs and exercise their rights and duties as the masters of the state and society.
All his thoughts and activities originated from love of the people and attachment of importance to them.
When discussing a state affair and deciding a thing, he gave precedence to the interests of the people, resolutely rejected those running against their rights and interests, and spared nothing for their benefit.
As he prioritized the people’s life and safety more than anything else, he saw to it that a dangerous electric arc furnace, the only one at work in the country soon after the country’s liberation, was blown up and he initiated the Pothong River improvement project in Pyongyang as the first undertaking to harness the nature.
President Kim Il Sung was indeed the leader of the people and their benevolent father who cared for them whole-heartedly and devoted all his life to them.
Kim Hyok
More From Naenara (En)
In October last year the Intellectual Property Development Exhibition-2024 was held at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang, the
April 27, 2025
In October last year the Intellectual Property Development Exhibition-2024 was held at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang, the
Recently the products from the Pyongyang School Things Factory are drawing attention of students and parents. “Our factory has
April 27, 2025
Recently the products from the Pyongyang School Things Factory are drawing attention of students and parents. “Our factory has
Officials and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea met at the Kuksabong Revolutionary Battle Site in South
April 26, 2025
Officials and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea met at the Kuksabong Revolutionary Battle Site in South
A national meeting of members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, who have distinguished themselves in displaying
April 26, 2025
A national meeting of members of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, who have distinguished themselves in displaying
Kim Su Gyong, then a fifth-year student from Tongan Primary School in Central District, Pyongyang, stood out above the rest at the
April 26, 2025
Kim Su Gyong, then a fifth-year student from Tongan Primary School in Central District, Pyongyang, stood out above the rest at the
One March day the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un talked about Chairman Kim Jong Il with officials with deep yearning for him. After
April 26, 2025
One March day the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un talked about Chairman Kim Jong Il with officials with deep yearning for him. After
South Hwanghae Province of the DPRK has newly built the Kangnyong Wheat Processing Factory. The factory equipped with grading,
April 26, 2025
South Hwanghae Province of the DPRK has newly built the Kangnyong Wheat Processing Factory. The factory equipped with grading,
Women’s union officials and members had a story-telling meeting “We will carry forward the brilliant traditions of the
April 26, 2025
Women’s union officials and members had a story-telling meeting “We will carry forward the brilliant traditions of the
The notorious “death swans” nested in Japan. According to the US Indo-Pacific Command on April 20, several B-1B strategic
April 26, 2025
The notorious “death swans” nested in Japan. According to the US Indo-Pacific Command on April 20, several B-1B strategic
Across the globe, creators and innovators use intellectual property (IP) to translate their ideas into assets, generating economic
April 26, 2025
Across the globe, creators and innovators use intellectual property (IP) to translate their ideas into assets, generating economic
Officials of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea and agricultural workers held an oath-taking meeting at the Kuksabong
April 25, 2025
Officials of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea and agricultural workers held an oath-taking meeting at the Kuksabong
A joint meeting with the Russian embassy in the DPRK was held at Pyongyang University of Foreign Studies on April 23 to mark the
April 25, 2025
A joint meeting with the Russian embassy in the DPRK was held at Pyongyang University of Foreign Studies on April 23 to mark the
The 38th National Festival of Science and Technology opened with due ceremony at the Sci-Tech Complex on April 23 under the
April 25, 2025
The 38th National Festival of Science and Technology opened with due ceremony at the Sci-Tech Complex on April 23 under the
The 2025 Spring Garment Exhibition has closed in the DPRK with due ceremony. The exhibition held on an excellent level of
April 25, 2025
The 2025 Spring Garment Exhibition has closed in the DPRK with due ceremony. The exhibition held on an excellent level of
A library of Koryo Songgyungwan University was inaugurated with due ceremony on April 23. The library, built in harmony with the
April 25, 2025
A library of Koryo Songgyungwan University was inaugurated with due ceremony on April 23. The library, built in harmony with the
The ophthalmology department of Clinical Faculty No. 2 of Pyongyang University of Medical Sciences has recently developed a new
April 25, 2025
The ophthalmology department of Clinical Faculty No. 2 of Pyongyang University of Medical Sciences has recently developed a new
Korea was under the military occupation of the Japanese imperialists between 1905 and 1945 and was liberated from the colonial
April 25, 2025
Korea was under the military occupation of the Japanese imperialists between 1905 and 1945 and was liberated from the colonial
Ever since it was named after people, the Korean People’s Army has played a distinct role in building a thriving nation as the def
April 25, 2025
Ever since it was named after people, the Korean People’s Army has played a distinct role in building a thriving nation as the def
Kim Song Nam, who is in charge of technical affairs at the August 28 Youth Shock Brigade, obtained as many as five patents last
April 24, 2025
Kim Song Nam, who is in charge of technical affairs at the August 28 Youth Shock Brigade, obtained as many as five patents last
Korean fighters waged an arduous 10-odd-year guerrilla war to win back their country from the Japanese imperialists, which started
April 24, 2025
Korean fighters waged an arduous 10-odd-year guerrilla war to win back their country from the Japanese imperialists, which started
More Articles
