June 16. (IYFL Information Bureau – RSTV)   

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On May 31, the 1st Plenum of the Central Committee of the DPRK International Youth Friendship League (IYFL) was held in the format of an online conference. Members and candidate members of the Central Committee of the organization took part in its work.

The meeting was opened by Comrade Alexander Mostov, Chairman of the IYFL Central Committee. The agenda included questions on the creation of new friendship clubs, analysis of the current situation in primary cells, and approval of the decision to admit the Pioneer Organization named after Hero of the Soviet Union N.I. Kuznetsov into the IYFL in connection with the signing of the association agreement.

The main report was delivered by Comrade Ivan Kozlov, First Secretary of the IYFL Central Committee. He noted that the Youth League is developing confidently, and work on the ground is being carried out systematically. The speaker also briefly informed the participants about the situation that has developed in the Moscow branch of one of the friendly youth organizations, which has effectively banned its activists from participating in solidarity events with the DPRK. In this regard, the participants of the Plenum unanimously voted to submit to the 1st Plenum of the Central Committee of the DPRK International Solidarity Group (DPRK ISG), which will be held in the near future, a draft resolution aimed at adopting concrete retaliatory measures for the public exposure of the persons involved and blocking their participation in international events.

Commenting on the report, Comrade Mostov stressed that the current situation once again confirms the importance of the creation of the IYFL – the first international youth organization of the Juche type.

The participants of the Plenum unanimously approved the decision to admit the Pioneer Organization named after Hero of the Soviet Union N.I. Kuznetsov into the IYFL. Comrade Mark Levier was elected as its representative. Special attention during the discussion was given to the issue of organizing trips to children's summer camps for the young participants of the IYFL.

Comrade Margarita Popova, Third Secretary for Information Technology, presented a plan for the creation of a friendship club at St. Petersburg State University. She noted the overall growth in the quality of work of the primary cells, but stressed the need to improve the quality of media work: materials should look modern and resonate with the hearts of young people, rather than mindlessly repeating slogans.

Reports on activities on the ground were delivered by Comrades Sergey Mikhailov (Head of the Friendship Club at Moscow State University) and Margarita Popova (Head of the Friendship Club at St. Petersburg State University), both Secretaries of the IYFL Central Committee. Reports were also heard from permanent representatives, including Karen Shahnikyan (Armenia), Patrick Pogranz (Hungary) and Nicholas Reed (USA). Regional heads of primary cells – Marianna Ryzhkova (Sergiev Posad Socio-Economic College), Evgenia Olskaya (Chelyabinsk State University), Anna Zorich (UWC named after V.V. Zhirinovsky), Artyom Agafonov (Smolensk State University), Mikhail Prudushchenko (Voronezh State University) and participant of the Special Military Operation Maxim Zyuzin – shared their experience and plans for the future.

The representative of the North American Executive Committee, Comrade Nicholas Reed, proposed the creation of friendship clubs in the United States, particularly at the University of Chicago. He stressed that such clubs could become not only a platform for educational activities, but also a place for uniting young people seeking to learn the truth about the DPRK.

The representative of our organization in Europe informed about an attempt to organize an educational event at a leading university in Budapest. The very fact of the harsh rejection of any information about the DPRK, which is immediately branded as "communist propaganda" in the West, testifies to a deep rejection at the ideological level. Even the slightest attempts to tell the truth about the real situation in the DPRK are met with aggression and pressure.

The representative of the Armenian Executive Committee, Comrade Karen Shahnikyan, reported on the alarming situation in the republic. Due to the ongoing political processes, it is extremely difficult for activists of international solidarity to work with the broad masses, let alone hold events in higher educational institutions. Despite this, all activists of the DPRK ISG in Armenia confirmed their determination to continue their activities.

Heads of local branches in Russia also delivered reports. The Smolensk cell, despite organizational difficulties, is gradually improving its work; holding an event at the local military training center became an important success. The head of the Voronezh branch, Comrade Mikhail Prudushchenko, reported on the support from the university's teaching staff and the administration's readiness to provide assistance in holding events. Comrade Evgenia Olskaya reported on the immediate plans of the Chelyabinsk branch: the club's work has already attracted attention, and a decision was made to create a musical group "Chinson" (translated from Korean – "Friendship"). The head of the DPRK Friendship Club at Moscow State University, Comrade Sergey Mikhailov, reported on the successful holding of a concert at the university and put forward a proposal for an inter-university conference timed to coincide with the founding day of the Workers' Party of Korea.

Maxim Troshchenkov, the former head of the DPRK Friendship and Cultural Cooperation Club at the Far Eastern Federal University, was subjected to severe criticism. Based on data received from club activists, the Plenum concluded that Troshchenkov's negligent actions had caused serious damage to the reputation of our organization. It was decided to expel him immediately with no right to reinstatement.

A landmark event of the Plenum was the participation of Comrade Maxim Zyuzin – a serviceman of the Special Military Operation who had returned from guarding the state border. He handed over to Comrade Alexander Mostov, Chairman of the IYFL Central Committee, the state flag of the DPRK, signed by warriors of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. This relic became a symbol of the highest degree of trust and respect for the activities of our organization.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the "Internationale" was performed.