Blessed Korean Women

The DPRK celebrates November 16 as Mother’s Day.

In the past Korea’s women lived a worthless life shackled by feudal fetters that lasted for a long period of time. Experiencing the miserable lot of an enslaved nation in the days of the military occupation (1905-1945) by the Japanese imperialists, they were deprived of their personality and dignity as women and denied the right to maternity. Worse still, they had nowhere to go to submit their complaints.

However, a dramatic change occurred in their destiny after the country’s liberation. They were called mothers, the most precious and sacred name for them, as they had the great leaders.

The great leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il elucidated the position and role of women in each period and at each stage of the development of the Korean revolution, and convened national meetings of mothers on several occasions. Out of their noble intention that the country would advance vigorously when women were filled with vigour and vitality, they made public works for the solution of the problem of women, and gave prominence to model families in the era. The great leaders made sure that enhancing the role of women in all aspects of state affairs and social life was held fast to as a consistent revolutionary task. Under their benevolent care the socio-historical roots that had restricted the freedom of women and their right to maternity for thousands of years were eliminated once and for all. They saw to it that crèches and kindergartens were built splendidly in factories and rural villages and laid down a series of social policies for the sake of women including the issue of rearing children at state expense. The Pyongyang Maternity Hospital, Changgwang Kindergarten, Kim Jong Suk Nursery and other healthcare and welfare facilities have been set up in various parts of the country. The DPRK government pursues the policy of giving priority to the convenience and interests of mothers across the country and society. As a result, airplanes are sent to save the lives of the expected babies.

Supreme leader Kim Jong Un, who has inherited noble outlook on the future and rising generations cherished by the great leaders, administers the policy of building a paradise for mothers and children unprecedented in the history. He attended a concert held to mark the international women’s day and congratulated women on that occasion. He saw to it that the Fourth National Meeting of Mothers was held in grand style on the occasion of Mother’s Day in 2012, and had a photo session with the participants in the meeting. Some of the participants were awarded high State distinctions. The Breast Tumour Institute of the Pyongyang Maternity Hospital, Okryu Children’s Hospital and other structures that have recently been built in the country are associated with the warm love bestowed by Kim Jong Un on mothers and children throughout the country.

The DPRK has consistently embodied the policy of loving and respecting women. Now the Korean women, who had been maltreated as servants and baby sitters, exercise their independent rights to the full, freely taking an active part in State and social life. They stood in the van of building a new country, including the anti-illiteracy campaign right after the country’s liberation on August 15 1945, and devoted their all to ensuring wartime production in the rear when their husbands and children waged battles against the US imperialists on the front line during the Fatherland Liberation War (1950-1953). In the days of the postwar reconstruction and socialist construction they gave the fullest play to their creative enthusiasm and activeness in several sectors of the national economy, thus becoming performers of brilliant exploits and creators of happiness.

Today as deputies to power organs at all levels, officials of the Workers’ Party of Korea, State and economic organs and public organizations, and professors, doctors, labour heroines, people’s sportspersons and people’s artistes, they render active services to building a powerful socialist country.

Amid State concern which is expressed in giving prominence to them, they will as ever vigorously advance along the road of patriotic loyalty.

Yu Song