In September 1980 President Kim Il Sung met a delegation of the France-Korea Friendship Association. On that occasion he told the guests what had happened during a luncheon for the members of a delegation of the study group of the Asian and African affairs of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan who were on a visit to the DPRK.
Seeing the President smoking, a member of the Japanese delegation asked him in which country the cigarette was produced.
He replied that it was the famous Songchon tobacco produced in his country.
The Japanese guest asked him again which tobacco—Chinese or then Soviet Union’s—he would opt if any Korean cigarettes were not available.
Looking at the member, he said that he would smoke neither of them and that he would smoke Korean cigarettes.
At this, the Japanese asked what he would do if the country did not produce cigarettes.
To this question he declared: It is beyond reason that Korea has no tobacco. Why can’t we raise tobacco when other countries do? If my country does not produce tobacco, I will not smoke.
Then Kim Il Sung continued to say to the head of the delegation: A Korean saying has it that a nobleman maintains his dignity even in the face of great danger. If there’s no tobacco produced in our country, I will not smoke. Why should I smoke foreign cigarettes? Likewise, if each country holds fast to the banner of independence, it can wage a more vigorous struggle against the US and other imperialists and dominationists.
Later on, he said on various occasions: We have maintained our own style both in socialist construction and fight against the enemy. Everything will be successful only when it is done in one’s own way, not copying others.
Ko Chol Hwa
More From Naenara (En)
Grand construction began in Hwaphyong, Phyonggang, Riwon, Myonggan and Samsu counties of the DPRK to build regional-industry
February 11, 2026
Grand construction began in Hwaphyong, Phyonggang, Riwon, Myonggan and Samsu counties of the DPRK to build regional-industry
The 11th National Pencil Drawing Festival opened in the DPRK to celebrate the 84th birth anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il .
February 11, 2026
The 11th National Pencil Drawing Festival opened in the DPRK to celebrate the 84th birth anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il .
The Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport Sports Club has a general aquatic sports training hall and hostel for athletes on the
February 11, 2026
The Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport Sports Club has a general aquatic sports training hall and hostel for athletes on the
The Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in January 2021 set forth a line on building up the national defence
February 11, 2026
The Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in January 2021 set forth a line on building up the national defence
The architectural materials institute under the State Academy of Sciences has recently developed a new paint for preventing metals
February 11, 2026
The architectural materials institute under the State Academy of Sciences has recently developed a new paint for preventing metals
The Song and Dance Ensemble of the Ministry of National Defence of the DPRK gave a music and dance performance at the Ponghwa Art
February 10, 2026
The Song and Dance Ensemble of the Ministry of National Defence of the DPRK gave a music and dance performance at the Ponghwa Art
Greeting Army Founding Day, a proud holiday of socialist Korea, all the service personnel and people pay the highest tribute to
February 10, 2026
Greeting Army Founding Day, a proud holiday of socialist Korea, all the service personnel and people pay the highest tribute to
Officials, service personnel, working people, youth and students in the DPRK visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and
February 10, 2026
Officials, service personnel, working people, youth and students in the DPRK visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and
Regional construction for this year has been launched across the DPRK in a three-dimensional way and on a full scale,
February 10, 2026
Regional construction for this year has been launched across the DPRK in a three-dimensional way and on a full scale,
Dance parties of youth and students were held in the DPRK on February 8, the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Korean
February 10, 2026
Dance parties of youth and students were held in the DPRK on February 8, the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Korean
A dance party of women’s union officials and members was held at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang on February 8, the
February 10, 2026
A dance party of women’s union officials and members was held at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang on February 8, the
This year’s February 8 marks the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army, the revolutionary regular armed
February 10, 2026
This year’s February 8 marks the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army, the revolutionary regular armed
All the people and service personnel of the DPRK significantly celebrated the 78th founding anniversary of the Korean People’s
February 10, 2026
All the people and service personnel of the DPRK significantly celebrated the 78th founding anniversary of the Korean People’s
People’s delegations, composed of Party and government officials and officials of ministries, national agencies and regional Party
February 10, 2026
People’s delegations, composed of Party and government officials and officials of ministries, national agencies and regional Party
Preparations are now under way in the DPRK to successfully hold the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which will
February 09, 2026
Preparations are now under way in the DPRK to successfully hold the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which will
Groundbreaking ceremonies of construction projects for this year for the regional development policy were held in Sinphyong and
February 09, 2026
Groundbreaking ceremonies of construction projects for this year for the regional development policy were held in Sinphyong and
Ground-breaking ceremonies took place respectively in Songhwa County, a granary on the west coast, Musan County and Taean District
February 08, 2026
Ground-breaking ceremonies took place respectively in Songhwa County, a granary on the west coast, Musan County and Taean District
The Ice Sculpture Festival-2026 in celebration of February 16, birthday of Chairman Kim Jong Il , is now going on with splendour
February 08, 2026
The Ice Sculpture Festival-2026 in celebration of February 16, birthday of Chairman Kim Jong Il , is now going on with splendour
The 2026 winter aesthetic symposium in the field of land and environment protection took place at the Sci-Tech Complex in
February 08, 2026
The 2026 winter aesthetic symposium in the field of land and environment protection took place at the Sci-Tech Complex in
A KCNA journalist met officials of the organizing committee of the Third People’s Art Festival for Celebrating February 16, birthd
February 08, 2026
A KCNA journalist met officials of the organizing committee of the Third People’s Art Festival for Celebrating February 16, birthd
More Articles
