On the Occasion of the 77th Anniversary of the Founding of the DPRK

Speech by the respected Comrade KIM JONG UN

Dear people across the country and all service personnel of the Republic's armed forces!

Dear comrades!

Dear friends!

Now we are significantly celebrating the 77th anniversary of the founding of our motherland, tracing with emotion the proud path in which we have broken through history's first steps with blood boiling with patriotism and won one precious victory after another.

First of all, I extend warm congratulations on the national holiday to the workers, service personnel of the People's Army and families across the country who have been sharing destiny with the motherland and upholding the dignity and honor of the Republic with wise creation and faithful efforts.

I also pay lofty tribute to the heroes and patriotic martyrs who engraved truly proud feats before today and future of Korea and will live forever in the memory of the fatherland, and send warm militant salute to the generals, officers and soldiers of our army who are dispatched for overseas military operations and greeting this time far away in foreign lands, embracing the glorious national flag.

And I send warm congratulations to the overseas compatriots organizations and overseas compatriots who are greeting the national holiday in foreign lands with patriotic wishes for the prosperity of the fatherland.

We have just solemnly hoisted our sacred national flag and made an oath of loyalty to the fatherland on the occasion of the national holiday.

Why is it that indescribable emotions are boiling in every heart at this moment when we look up at the glorious national flag?

The pride and honor of having fought without yielding and won victories through the arduous history of over 70 years, stepping over countless difficulties and trials from generation to generation, are too sacred and exciting.

The 77-year-long project of building a powerful nation that started from the day the new Korea was proclaimed is now proudly summarized by the extraordinary position our state has acquired.

Now, no one and nothing can harm the absolute position and security of our state, and the vigorous flow of the prosperous era created by our own hands cannot be reversed by any force.

The dignity and might of our state, which enable us to have confidence to defeat all injustice and challenges and foresee the ideal desired by the people, are evoking intense pride and fervent love of all people in this country.

At this moment when the immortal significance of the glorious and rewarding struggle, which has turned the grand ambition to lead the whole world with the mighty force united by truth into a stark reality, rises prominently in history, a truth is engraved deep in our hearts.

It is that the socialism we have chosen was the only correct path.

It was precisely because of the power of justice and truth inherent in socialism that we could build a powerful political system and strong national strength that would not leave the destiny of one's own country to any external choice, and could greet such glory as today.

Today, everyone's belief in our-style socialism and the mighty effort to definitely defend and glorify socialism are infinitely encouraging the national development that is opening up a new stage of powerful prosperity.

Socialism is the symbol of great and beautiful Korea, the cornerstone of the eternal existence and endless prosperous development of the Republic, and an inexhaustible driving force.

As long as our-style socialism advances triumphantly, this land will be peaceful and prosperous forever, and the well-being and happiness of our people will be protected for all ages to come.

Let us hold the banner of socialism higher and advance vigorously along the only path of socialism for the immortal glory of our Korea and for our posterity who must live forever with high dignity and happiness in a powerful and prosperous country.

Let us build a brighter and happier future with unyielding struggle and pioneering efforts befitting the people of this powerful country Korea.

I warmly congratulate once again the founding day of our glorious fatherland, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and wish joy and happiness to all families in this country.

Thank you.