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)
New houses have appeared at the Sugye Farm in Unsan County and the Mungok Livestock Farm in Nyongwon County, South Phyongan
January 15, 2026
New houses have appeared at the Sugye Farm in Unsan County and the Mungok Livestock Farm in Nyongwon County, South Phyongan
In 2025, too, the DPRK made steady efforts to ramp up its national defence capabilities and safeguard the security of the nation
January 15, 2026
In 2025, too, the DPRK made steady efforts to ramp up its national defence capabilities and safeguard the security of the nation
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the then Pyongyang Municipal Mushroom Farm on January 9, 2015. Feasting his eyes on a
January 15, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the then Pyongyang Municipal Mushroom Farm on January 9, 2015. Feasting his eyes on a
Emperor Kojong, monarch of the feudal Joson dynasty, was poisoned to death by the Japanese imperialists on January 21, 1919.The mu
January 15, 2026
Emperor Kojong, monarch of the feudal Joson dynasty, was poisoned to death by the Japanese imperialists on January 21, 1919.The mu
Kim Song, permanent representative of the DPRK to the UN, issued the following press statement on January 13: Another unusual
January 14, 2026
Kim Song, permanent representative of the DPRK to the UN, issued the following press statement on January 13: Another unusual
The Wonsan General Fishing Implements Factory was inaugurated in Kangwon Province, the DPRK. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un
January 14, 2026
The Wonsan General Fishing Implements Factory was inaugurated in Kangwon Province, the DPRK. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un
Last year the Sangwon Cement Complex managed to increase the cement production by hundreds of thousands of tons. The complex set a
January 14, 2026
Last year the Sangwon Cement Complex managed to increase the cement production by hundreds of thousands of tons. The complex set a
In the DPRK the Worker-Peasant Red Guards constitute one of the two pillars of the country’s armed forces together with the
January 14, 2026
In the DPRK the Worker-Peasant Red Guards constitute one of the two pillars of the country’s armed forces together with the
Modern houses have been built at the Hwangju Township Farm of the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the
January 14, 2026
Modern houses have been built at the Hwangju Township Farm of the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the
A photo exhibition “Bringing up a large contingent of successors to the revolution and patriotic youth with great policy of
January 14, 2026
A photo exhibition “Bringing up a large contingent of successors to the revolution and patriotic youth with great policy of
Shuttlecock game is played by kicking the shuttlecock to perform various stunts or compete to kick it more than others.As one of t
January 14, 2026
Shuttlecock game is played by kicking the shuttlecock to perform various stunts or compete to kick it more than others.As one of t
Last year the DPRK built many public sports and leisure facilities in various places. The Ice Rink in the capital city of
January 14, 2026
Last year the DPRK built many public sports and leisure facilities in various places. The Ice Rink in the capital city of
One day in September 2020, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited Kangbuk-ri, Kumchon County, North Hwanghae Province, which
January 13, 2026
One day in September 2020, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited Kangbuk-ri, Kumchon County, North Hwanghae Province, which
The DPRK is promoting medical sci-tech exchanges. Symposiums and seminars in the field of medical sciences are held every year.
January 13, 2026
The DPRK is promoting medical sci-tech exchanges. Symposiums and seminars in the field of medical sciences are held every year.
2025 marked the final year of the implementation of the five-year plan for national economic development set forth at the Eighth
January 13, 2026
2025 marked the final year of the implementation of the five-year plan for national economic development set forth at the Eighth
At a time when new villages are springing up across the DPRK, new houses have been built at the Yaksan Farm in Songhwa County,
January 13, 2026
At a time when new villages are springing up across the DPRK, new houses have been built at the Yaksan Farm in Songhwa County,
Citizens of the DPRK conducted mass sports activities on the first day of sports for this year. Sports games were held at
January 13, 2026
Citizens of the DPRK conducted mass sports activities on the first day of sports for this year. Sports games were held at
New houses have been built at farm villages of Singye-ri, Hoeyang County and Jiha-ri, Phangyo County, Kangwon Province. The houses
January 12, 2026
New houses have been built at farm villages of Singye-ri, Hoeyang County and Jiha-ri, Phangyo County, Kangwon Province. The houses
From the outset of the new year, the present ultra-right ruling forces of Japan are adding a serious danger to the security
January 12, 2026
From the outset of the new year, the present ultra-right ruling forces of Japan are adding a serious danger to the security
Kim Yo Jong, deputy department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued the following press
January 11, 2026
Kim Yo Jong, deputy department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued the following press
More Articles
