Historic Event Brought About by Great Independent Spirit
National liberation was not merely an auspicious event that brought a turn from a colony to an independent state.
August １５, １９４５ was for the Korean people a starting point of the turn of their destiny, when they shook off the yoke of colonial slavery and regained the independent dignity that is as precious as their life itself, and a day of great victory when new Korea began to create a new history.
It is in no way an accidental event in the course of history.
As the respected Comrade General Secretary
In those days, Korea which was totally trampled down and deprived of everything due to the Japanese imperialists’ heinous moves to make Korean people colonial slavery obedient to their fascist rule could be likened to a gigantic living hell.
Sons and daughters of the Korean people, who keenly realized the truth that the aggressors would not withdraw if they only held demonstrations and cheer and that they can liberate the country only by waging the armed struggle, not by any petition or diplomacy, took up arms and waged a guerrilla struggle.
Since there were neither state-backing home front nor assistance of a regular army, the anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters fought to the last while creating "Yanji bomb" on their own, relying only on themselves and people.
The broad sections of the anti-Japanese patriotic forces rallied under the banner of the Association for the Restoration of the Fatherland (ARF) irrespective of ideas and ideals, political views and religions, property status and social status became another powerful Juche-based revolutionary motive force for achieving national liberation.
The Korean people, bearing deep in mind that helping the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army (KPRA) was the only way to resurrect Korea, had their beloved sons and daughters join the KPRA.
They also accepted the assistance to the army as their vital needs and were not afraid of death and prison, when it came to support for the army.
Indeed, the national liberation associated with the priceless soul and sacrifices of the Korean people was clear proof of the course the Korean people pioneered to achieve independence by their own efforts.
So, August １５, ８１ years ago, when our country and people were saved from the brink of destruction was not simply a resurrection day but a great day when our country was newly born.
Another historic significance of national liberation is that our people regained all that they had lost and secured all possibilities for achieving their freedom and carving out their destiny, thus embarking with the dignity befitting masters on the road of their great pioneering cause of democratic development and wellbeing.
Our people put an end to the distress-torn history forever and turned out as one in the bold struggle for building a powerful socialist powerful country which no one would dare to provoke.
In order to build a dignified and prosperous country on this land associated with the blood shed by the revolutionary forerunners, our people made continuous advance and innovations under the uplifted banner of independent in politics, self-supporting in economy and self-reliant in national defence while unyieldingly overcoming all hardships and trials, and thus brought about numberless historic miracles and events.
With the spirit of independence infused by the President, our people brought about the national liberation, heroic myth of July ２７ and Chollima miracle, and today became able to fully demonstrate the reputation of Koran people with high dignity and honor recognized by the world.
Overflowing in the hearts of our people are the boundless glory and happiness of living and struggling, holding in high esteem at the helm of the revolution the great leaders through generations.
On the significant day of national liberation, our people are filled with the zeal for recording only victory, surmounting all difficulties, for the glorious Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, for the peace and prosperity of our state which will be prosperous forever, under the leadership of the ever-victorious Workers’ Party of Korea.
Rodong Sinmun