Kim Il Sung, 'Opening Address at the Fifth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea'

OPENING ADDRESS AT THE FIFTH CONGRESS OF THE WORKERS' PARTY OF KOREA

November 2, 1970

Comrades,

During the period from the Fourth Congress of our Party to this day our party ranks were bereft of Comrade Kim Gye Rim, Comrade Kim Gyong Sok, Comrade Kang Jin Gon, Comrade Kang Yong Chang, Comrade Kim Un Sun, Comrade Li Bong Su, Comrade Kim Gap Sun, Comrade Kim Tae Gun, Comrade An Ryong Gak, Comrade Kang Sang Ho, Comrade Li Ju Yon, Comrade Kim Won Bin and other comrades who were boundlessly faithful to the Party and had fought devotedly for the revolution.

Also during the period under review a number of distinguished democrats and academicians, professors, doctors, People's Actors, People's Artists died. They include Mr. An Jae Hong, Mr. Han Dong Baek, Mr. Chong Ro Sik, Comrade Kim Ok Song, Mr. Kye Ung Sang, Mr. Hong Myong Hui, Comrade Tae Ul Min, and Mr. Won Hong Gu all of whom devoted all their energies and talents for the fatherland and the people in various political parties, democratic organizations and in the fields of science, culture and art, upholding the policies of our Party and the Government of the Republic.

During this period many revolutionary comrades fell. They includeComrade Choe Baek Gun, Comrade Cho Yong Su, Comrade Ro Bok Dong, Comrade Pak Du Jin, Comrade Choe Yong Do, Comrade Kim Jong Tae, Comrade Li Mun Gyu, Comrade Yun Sang Su, Comrade Kwon Jae Hyok, Comrade Min Hyong Gi, Comrade Kim Hong Rae, Comrade Kwon O Jong, Comrade Im Gwan Jae, Comrade Yun Ui Ro, Comrade Chon Hu Gyong and Comrade Choe Won Sok who fought heroically against US imperialism and its lackeys, for the revolution in the south of Korea and for the reunification of the fatherland, while in the southern half of the Republic.

Also in this period, Comrade Li Jung Gwan, Comrade Kim Min Hwa, Comrade Kim Byong So and other comrades who unflinchingly struggled in Japan against the US and Japanese reactionaries and for democratic, national rights, for the reunification and independence of the fatherland died.

During this period, the ranks of the international communist movement were bereft of Comrade Ho Chi Minh, Comrade D.N. Aidit, Comrade Maurice Thorez, Comrade Palmiro Togliatti, Comrade Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej, Comrade Che Guevara, Comrade Johan Koplenich and other outstanding figures. Before proceeding with the work of the present congress, I would like to propose in the name of the congress that a period of silent tribute be observed to the memory of our national and international revolutionary comrades and democrats who laid down their precious lives for the Party and the revolution, for the south Korean revolution and the reunification of the country, for the triumph of the common cause of socialism and communism.

Comrades,

The delegation of the Revolutionary Party for Reunification in south Korea led by Comrade Li Jong Hyok is here to congratulate our Party congress. Also present at the congress is the congratulatory group of the Korean residents in Japan headed by Comrade Choe Yong Gun. On behalf of this congress and our entire Party membership, I would like to offer a warm welcome to the delegation of the Revolutionary Party for Reunification in south Korea and the congratulatory group of the Korean residents in Japan. Scores of heartfelt congratulatory letters and messages have been received prior to our Party congress from fraternal Communist Parties and Workers' Parties, ruling parties of newly independent countries, revolutionary organizations in many countries of the world, international democratic organizations and individual political figures.

Allow me to express my warm gratitude to the parties and revolutionary organizations of all countries, international democratic organizations and individual political figures for having congratulated us on the convening of our Party congress.

Comrades,

We are greeting the Fifth Party Congress today against the background of high national political enthusiasm and phenomenal labour exploits, amid the absolute trust and profound love of the popular masses for our Party.

This year, our heroic working class purposefully advanced to scale the last height of the Seven-Year Plan ahead of schedule at "Kangson speed", a new Chollima speed, and worked veritable miracles in production.

The Supung Power Station, Chollima Hwanghae Iron Works, Chollima Kangson Steel Plant, Kim Chaek Iron Works, Nampo Smeltery, Munpyong Smeltery, Musan Mine, Chollima Komdok Mine, Songhung Mine, Sinchang Coal Mine, Hungnam Fertilizer Factory, Pongung Chemical Factory, February 8 Vinalon Factory, Chongjin Chemical Fibre Mill, February 8 Cement Factory, Sunghori Cement Factory, Chollima Ryongsong Machine Factory, Chollima Taean Electrical Machinery Plant, Kiyang Tractor Plant, Chollima Huichon Machine-Tool Factory, Pyongyang Textile Mill, Sinpo Fishing Station, enterprises in the fields of forestry and salt production and many other factories and enterprises and many cultural institutions including the Korean Documentary Film Studio, the Korean Film Studio and the Film Studio for Children and Science have made such innovations as to fulfil or overfulfil the Seven-Year Plan and this year's plan before the Party congress.

Meanwhile, all the factories and enterprises in the domain of the munitions industry have overfulfilled the Seven-Year Plan and the plan for this year prior to the Party congress, upholding the Party's line of stepping up the simultaneous development of our economy and defence.

Our Party members and working people have resolutely mobilized local reserves and have recently built more than 1,760 local industry factories including over 500 factories dedicated to the Party congress in a little more than half a year, and are manufacturing a range of consumer goods for the people. This is an expression of the boundless fidelity of the Party members and working people to our Party.

Our agricultural working people have unfolded an innovative struggle in order to dedicate a richest harvest to the Party congress and have gathered in a record bumper crop this year.

Our urban and rural constructors have built up the capital city of Pyongyang more splendidly and constructed Sariwon and other local towns and comfortable modern farm houses for hundreds of thousands of households on the occasion of the Party congress.

In the name of the congress I should like to extend warm congratulations to our heroic working class, toiling peasants and all other working people who have produced shining achievements on all fronts of socialist construction in honour of the Party congress, displaying unparalleled devotion and heroism with an immeasurable loyalty to the Party.

Greeting the Party congress, our People's Army, Security Forces, public security agencies have admirably carried out their assignments for combat and political training and especially the plans for large-scale military exercises and have spared no efforts to increase the nation's defence capabilities and safeguard our revolutionary gains.

In the name of the Party congress I should like to offer fervent congratulations and thanks to all the officers and men of the People's Army and of the Security Forces who have devoted themselves to the struggle for carrying through the Party's military line and to all the public security personnel who are faithfully performing their duty as the stalwart defenders of the Party.

Comrades,

During the period from the Fourth Congress of our Party to this congress, great changes have been brought about in the revolution and construction of our country. This congress will evaluate the implementation of the revolutionary tasks set out at the Fourth Party Congress and the Party Conference and will elaborate new militant tasks for stepping up socialist construction of the country and for hastening the nationwide victory of the Korean revolution.

This congress is attended by 1,734 delegates who are empowered to vote and 137 delegates who are empowered solely to participate in discussions, all of whom have been elected at the Party conference of each province (or city under the direct jurisdiction) in accordance with the rules for the election of delegates to the Party congress.

I am sure that great successes will be attained in the work of the congress with the enthusiastic participation of all the delegates present.

I now declare the historic Fifth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea open.