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[Weekely Newsletter] No.256 December 2008
[Hot Topics]
Output of Geomdeok Mine in the Second Half of the Year Doubled
Some Miners of Geomdeok Mine: A Slowdown Strike
[Food]
Yeonbak Plain--Only 4-6 Months of Supply to Farmers
[Economy]
Ongjin County, Sea Cucumbers Are Abundant This Year
Accidental Deaths of Unskilled Divers Due to Sea Cucumber Catches
Intensified Body Search at the Aluminum Factory in Bookchang, North Pyongan Province
[Politics]
A Policy to Inspect All Newly Built Houses in Deokchun City
Harsh Criticism after Insisting the Implementation of Bonus Pratice
Hamheung City: Security Office Bustling with Traders Recovering Confiscated Items
Construction Supervisor Faces a Hearing for Suspension of Power Supply
[Society]
After Harvest, Time for Getting and Paying Off Debts
Sanitary Conditions Worsen in Jeongurri Re-Education Center
Jeongurri Re-Education Center, a Police Officer Discharged Due To Sexual Assault
[Women/Children/Education]
“Government Officials! Why Don’t YOU Help Yourselves to Corn, the Health Food!”
Blind Chidren are Doing Rough Labor to Earn Food
[Accidents]
Four Hundred Fifty MT of Rice Lost in the Fire at Yeonahn Collective Farm
Explosion Accident at the Institute of Microbes of the National Sciences Academy in Pyongsung
[Commentary]
Attention Needed for Increasing Productivity and Improving Working Conditions
[Planning a Series]
Reading North Korea 2008 Through “North Korea’s Nationwide Report
(Public Lecture Materials for Party Leaders and General Public)”
In North Korea 2008, What Was Accomplished and What Was Not?
Part 4 Warnings against Moral Hazards by Party Leaders
Output of Geomdeok Mine in the Second Half of the Year Doubled
Some Miners of Geomdeok Mine: A Slowdown Strike
[Food]
Yeonbak Plain--Only 4-6 Months of Supply to Farmers
[Economy]
Ongjin County, Sea Cucumbers Are Abundant This Year
Accidental Deaths of Unskilled Divers Due to Sea Cucumber Catches
Intensified Body Search at the Aluminum Factory in Bookchang, North Pyongan Province
[Politics]
A Policy to Inspect All Newly Built Houses in Deokchun City
Harsh Criticism after Insisting the Implementation of Bonus Pratice
Hamheung City: Security Office Bustling with Traders Recovering Confiscated Items
Construction Supervisor Faces a Hearing for Suspension of Power Supply
[Society]
After Harvest, Time for Getting and Paying Off Debts
Sanitary Conditions Worsen in Jeongurri Re-Education Center
Jeongurri Re-Education Center, a Police Officer Discharged Due To Sexual Assault
[Women/Children/Education]
“Government Officials! Why Don’t YOU Help Yourselves to Corn, the Health Food!”
Blind Chidren are Doing Rough Labor to Earn Food
[Accidents]
Four Hundred Fifty MT of Rice Lost in the Fire at Yeonahn Collective Farm
Explosion Accident at the Institute of Microbes of the National Sciences Academy in Pyongsung
[Commentary]
Attention Needed for Increasing Productivity and Improving Working Conditions
[Planning a Series]
Reading North Korea 2008 Through “North Korea’s Nationwide Report
(Public Lecture Materials for Party Leaders and General Public)”
In North Korea 2008, What Was Accomplished and What Was Not?
Part 4 Warnings against Moral Hazards by Party Leaders
___________________________________________________________________________
[Hot Topics]
Output of Geomdeok Mine in the Second Half of the Year Doubled
An official of Geomdeok United Mining Factory (검덕광업련합기업소) in Danchun City of South Hamgyoung Province announced that output in the second half of the year increased by twice the size of the first half. In the case of the transportation platoon that is in charge of Geomdeok mine, where the ore is of high quality yet miners worked with point chisel (정대) and hammer due to the shortage of dynamite. Choi Yong-cheol, one platoon leader switched from a three-shift schedule to a double shift in order to increase productivity. If there were a shortage of food for the miners, he would supply the workers with nourishments from his own stockpile to encourage them to continue producing. Sometimes he beat those who were absent to force them to work. Geomdeok Mine created a teomporary shock- troop- brigade named Cha Gwang Soo death-defying corps (차광수결사대) to increase productivity. However, beginning in October the productivity is dropping off because of the increasing number of people who are leaving the mines to care for their private small patch lot farming.
Some Miners of Geomdeok Mine: A Slowdown Strike
Some miners of Geomdeok Mine are intentionally slowing down the production process by sabotaging the mining drills. It is because the compensation was not enough even though they really did their best and doubled their output since the first half of the year. Miners said, “It is not worth working for the country. I work hard, but I have not received any food for my efforts.” With the frequency of the machine breaking down, the police have warned, “Our fourth-quarter output is seriously being impacted. If we catch the person who broke the machine, we will send them to the Re-education Center.” However, miners persist to argue, “we have no choice but to take care of our bodies in order to survive if they continue to work us hard without compensation,” questioning who would not work hard if food distribution is guaranteed.
[Food]
Yeonbak Plain--Only 4-6 Months of Supply to Farmers
An official of Haejoo City, South Hwanghae Province said that this year food for farmers of Yeonbak Plain (연백벌) such as Yeonan, Baechun, and Chungdan Counties is sufficient for only 4-6months. Many farms have not finished cash distribution. Hwang Jae-soon (age 41) of Baechun County said that residents were very disappointed saying, “we did not expect for the full food-distribution, but we thought it would be better than last year because farming was good this year.” This area is known to be a rich grain district and war-frontal area (전연지대). The grains are primarily used for military rations and the remainder is taken to Pyeongyang. This is why there is never enough for the farmers. A staff of Haejoo City said, “Food production increased since last year, but there is no farm in Hwanghae Province that reached its production goals.”
[Economy]
Ongjin County, Sea Cucumbers Are Abundant This Year
It is a peak season for catching sea cucumbers for the Fishiers Enterprise in Ongjin County, South Hwanghae Province. The Fisheries Enterprises are very joyful this year because normally the actual amount harvested is only about 10% of the anticipated harvest amount. Divers catch the sea cucumbers within 10 m in depth. A diver can get catch an average of 4-5 kg of sea cucumbers in a day and can make a pretty good profit.
Accidental Deaths of Unskilled Divers Due to Sea Cucumber Catches
Because the managers of the Fisheries Enterprises have been hiring unskilled divers in order to increase sea cucumber catches in Ongjin County, the number of accidental deaths has been increasing. Even with the lack of fishing instruments, diving boats and equipment, the unskilled divers jump into the water at the risk of their lives. There were 10-20 accidents from the end of October to November. More than ten of the accidents resulted in deaths. Although the divers are aware of the dangers, they continue to dive in order to try to make a living. A diver can keep half of his catch when he catches 5 kg of sea cucumbers, which will net him a decent pay. Kim Jin-cheol (54 years), who has been diving for over 20 years, says, “No matter how much money one can make diving, these people should not be forced to work without proper diving equipment or protective measures. The Fisheries Enterprises should educate the unskilled divers better and provide more protective equipment using the profits they make from their sea cucumber sales.”
Intensified Body Search at the Aluminum Factory in Bookchang, North Pyongan Province
The aluminum factory in Bookchang, North Pyongan Province, used to be a successful factory. However, the production rate of the factory has begun to gradually decrease due to the lack of raw materials and electric power supply. The factory could distribute food rations only for three of the five months of pay for its workers this year. Although these conditions are far better than those of closed factories, the workers complain about their terrible living conditions. It has been common for the workers to hide aluminum plates under their clothes and then sell them in markets. Since they can make 900 NK Won by selling the plates, they can manage to live. Starting from mid-October, the factory has set up guard posts and has intensified body searches of the workers because aluminum plate thefts have drastically setback the production rate. Because some workers have begun to jump over the wall to avoid the guard posts, the factory, which put the glass on the wall to prevent such jumps, and the workers, who try to jump over the wall, have started a kind of a brush-fire war.
[Politics]
A Policy to Inspect All Newly Built Houses in Deokchun City
In Deokchun City, South Pyongan Province, a new policy has been established regarding inspection to all newly built houses this year. This is because a statement was reported to the central party that over a hundred houses owned by some government officials in this region spent over $5,000 in the wave of ‘build your own houses’. After an initial report was issued by the Anti-Socialist Inspection Patrol of the central party, it was then directly reported as No. 1 Report (1호보고) , and authorities enforced a policy to inspect all newly built houses. All related persons are required to give a full account of their total expenditures on building their new houses according to this policy. With this incident, the residents cannot purchase old houses or new housing construction sites hereafter.
Harsh Criticism after Insisting the Implementation of Bonus Pratice
Last November 10th, the meeting at the Association of Coal Mines in North Hamgyong Province was held in Chungjin City, North Hamgyong Province. The participants of this convention included secretaries and managers of North Hamgyong Province coal mines. The main agenda for this meeting was “to propose a plan to reach the production goal with nation’s increasing demand for coal as the weather gets cold”. They discussed the need for all coal mine needs to implement a full scale operation (100 % operation: 만가동 만부하), to exceed their production goal. A secretary of Saebyul County’s coal mine stood up and suggested an introduction of bonus practices as a proposal to reach their goal. He said, “Our current method of psychological encouragement by presenting a salutation of hard work and honoring their effort fails to motivate the workers to greater productivity. Wouldn’t our workers become more motivated if we award them bonus money in accordance with their surplus amount?” He was then heavily criticized, “Why do you want us to promote capitalist productivity management style?”
The residents of Chungjin City who received the news responded, “It is satisfactory for our mines to exceed its coal product goal for this is beneficial for the nation and this is profitable for the laborers. But every time we propose something, it gets disapproved by calling it damned capitalist so there is no way to examine the proposal”. They continued, “How can we call ourselves Democratic People’s Republic(민주주의 인민공화국) when we get criticized for suggesting any new idea?” A coal mine workers added, “With our current management style, it is hopeless to reach our production goal. Although there is nothing wrong with that secretary’s suggestion, it gets condemned immediately for its capitalist characteristic and as a result, improvement is impossible.”
Hamheung City: Security Office Bustling with Traders Recovering Confiscated Items
In Hamheung City, South Hamgyong Province, the market control has become stricter than any other city since it was assigned to an exemplary zone for the abolition of general markets. Anyone caught selling food or manufactured goods at a market by the officers got their goods confiscated on the spot. Each security office was packed with traders trying to take back their seized items. It is a common sight to find traders pleading with officers with tears in their eyes. Despite of their eager supplication, so far no one has been allowed to recover their goods.
As patrolling increases to over 10 times a day, the officer’s crackdown is getting tighter to catch those selling manufactured goods or food. In parallel with this situation, the office is becoming crowded with more and more people. Last November 15 someone wrote a critical statement “Authorities, Squeezing the People” on the wall of the office. Security agents called people caught selling goods so that they could track down the perpetrator with handwriting analysis from the writing on the wall. The citizens are actually pleased saying, “The wall says exactly what I feel”
Construction Supervisor Faces a Hearing for Suspension of Power Supply
November 15th, managers responsible for managing the Youth Power Plant in Samsoo County of Ryongang Province were reprimanded for the suspension of power supply. Water was found to be leaking from a crack at the bottom of the mud dam. Authorities are suspecting that less than standard quality mud was used for the dam and is the cause of this crack. So far, even though the plant never met its max generation capacity, there could be even less power supply for the future. Its inability to produce enough power is even affecting neighboring districts including Hyesan City. Recently, it was reported as No. 1 Report to the authorities that the dam of this plant was in seriously poor condition. As authorities began an investigation into suspicions revealed on the reports, chief supervisor and managers who were in charge of the construction were brought in for a hearing. Under North Korean system of disciplinary action, criticizing does not result in legal action, but a formal hearing always does. As a short term fix for this situation, workers pump the water out of the opening gates of the dam little bit at a time. The repair work of the dam has not yet been undertaken.
[Society]
After Harvest, Time for Getting and Paying Off Debts
As harvest season ends, people paying off high interest rate private debts or getting into new debts is increasing significantly. The residents who farmed in private small patch lots have tried to sell harvested grain to pay off their high interest rate private debts. In areas where the public markets are strictly controlled, traders get grain from farmers and then sell them in areas where the market is not yet controlled. In these ways, they pay back their loans but because they end up paying back twice and even up to three times the amount they borrowed the farmers that actually toiled to grow the food end up not having enough to get food for themselves. Households that farmed on private small patch lots are in better situation by comparison. Those who did not farm private small patch lots are borrowing more money to buy corn and rice because corn is relatively cheap these days and so they need to buy what they can to save for harder times. They also dig for cabbage roots in the now harvested farmlands and preserved them with salt or dry them, so that they can be saved for emergency next year. They make porridge with cabbage and corn even now when life should be easier after the harvests. Lee Myong-hee (34), who did not have a private small patch lot, said "We are rarely able to eat oil. Our main dish is porridge cooked with dried radish leaves and our snack is the raw root of cabbages."
Sanitary Conditions Worsen in Jeongurri Re-Education Center
The sanitary conditions in the Jeongurri re-education center in Hoeryong city, North Hamgyong Province, are worsening. According to witnesses, detainees are so badly infested with lice in their bodies that the first task they do in the morning is called 'kill lice'. In November, a doctor, who visited the center to treat a patient with uterine cancer, left without seeing the patient. A female detainee with uterine cancer was not treated in the early stages of the cancer. As complaints kept increasing about how they left the patient behind, the center called in the doctor. However the stench of the rooms as well as the detainees was so overwhelming that the doctor left without even fully examining the patient.
Jeonjurri re-education center is supposed to hold about 1,000 occupants. However, as of November 2008, 2,000 occupants (male 1,200 female 800) are staying in the center, twice the appropriate number. In July, five units for women and three units for men were newly built, but space is still a problem. Forty females sleep tightly in a small room.
They are able to wash their face at the river during summer, but in winter it is not even easy for them to wash their hands let alone face. Once the river is frozen they have to break ice to use the water, which takes a lot of effort. That is why most of them have not taken a shower since summer. In particular, women, who need to keep themselves clean, are often suffering from 'woman's disease' such as uterine cancer. Those who witnessed Jeongurri re-education center commented, "Female on menstrual period need to wash with water, but they do not have enough water to wash themselves. We do not have enough water to drink but still women need water for washing." An officer of the centerr said that, "The number of female detainees has been increasing too quickly for us to prepare proper facilities for them."
Jeongurri Re-Education Center, a Police Officer Discharged Due To Sexual Assault
In Jeongurri re-education center, sexual assault issue has emerged. From last year until now, nine police officers have been discharged after they assaulted female detainees. The center enforces strict control over sexual assualts; however, it is tough for the center to have it under control since some police officers have no respect for human rights.
[Women/Children/Education]
“Government Officials! Why Don’t YOU Help Yourselves to Corn, the Health Food!”
The audience reacted against the lecture about health food. The speech received a chilly reception from the audience when corn was mentioned as health food:"Why don’t YOU officials help yourselves to the health food?! The chief of the Department of Scientific Technology insisted corn as protein-rich food is very healthful. The chief lectured that every food that has corn in it is good for health such as corn-rice, corn-soup, and so on at the Democratic Woman Union's regulation on November 12th, 2008 at Deokchun City, South Pyoungan Province. The lecture was all part of an encouragement for promoting corn's appeal as one of the best in the world. But many members who attended the lecture made complaints about their food situation. "I am really eager to eat corn food, but I don't have money, and it’s difficult to get even corn soup. Don't advertize the health food. I can buy corn if we have money. I don't expect rice. I would rather you lecture to official officials or rich people about corn, not to us." They said with one voice. A person who was in the lecture said, "instead of corn, why don’t you suggest even alternatives such like wild greens. That’s more appropriate for us." The chief does not seem to have much answer.
Blind Chidren are Doing Rough Labor to Earn Food
There is a school for blind children in Onsung Country, Sambong District in North Hamgyong Province. It is supposed to be a school, but students are not there for studying. Because there is not enough food rations the children go out to do rough labor to make a living. In spring and fall, they can at least get some porriage three times a day by working at small patch lots or by helping with the harvest. However, it gets very tough in winter because there is no such work available. Now the harvest is over. So they are diligently doing gleaning and collecting corn stems and bean stems to be used as fuel. However, that is not good enough work to earn a meal or two for the day. As such, the mortality rate of children increases in winter. By gender, girls are more vulnerable than boys. Girls don’t get the opportunity to work for food because the tasks like small patch farm work and collecting firewood in the mountain are usually given to boys. Girls are barely surviving with a small amount of food they get by begging people to hire them to work in the kitchen.
[Accidents]
Four Hundred Fifty MT of Rice Lost in the Fire at Yeonahn Collective Farm
On the evening of November 14, a fire broke out in the 3rd work unit of the collective farm in Yeonahn County of South Hwanghae Province and burned 450 MT of rice. The rice bags containing rice that needed threshing were completely burned. Not being able to determine the cause of the fire, the security authorities arrested 3 of the workers to question them. It was reported that the three men arrested are not admitting the guilt despite severe torturing. So their lives are in danger. A farm member, Mr. Lee (age 48) said that the reason for torturing seems to be” because of the suspicion of arson." "There are many incidents like that in other places. They secretly hoard the rice with the excuse of keeping it for next year, and they set fire. They tell the government that they are unable to donate rice because it was all burned. Then there is nothing they can do. Such incidents happen so frequently they seem to assume that this incident is the same as the other cases. That’s why they are torturing people," he said.
Explosion Accident at the Institute of Microbes of the National Sciences Academy in Pyongsung
On November 8, an explosion occurred in the synthetic fertilizer research lab at the Institute of Microbes of the National Sciences Academy (국가과학원) in Pyongsung city. All six researchers at the scene died when the high-pressure steam furnace exploded. Toxic gas from the gas explosion spread to other labs and the dormitory. As a result, other researchers and their family in the dormitory lost consciousness as they suffocated. Many children fell victim of the accident among the family. With the special care of authorities in Pyongyang, they were sent directly to the Red Cross hospital. The city is making efforts to put down the fire, and dispatched two chemical defense platoons under the 3rd commanding army corps to disinfect the scene. The following day, several students from Pyongsung College of Science were promptly dispatched to a microbial biology lab to reduce the impact of the accident on the research.
[Commentary]
Attention Needed for Increasing Productivity and Improving Working Conditions
Recently, there was a discussion in the meeting at the Association of Coal Mines in North Hamgyong Province regarding plans to achieve targeted coal production. At this meeting one of the officials who proposed to give bonus payments to workers based on the amount of production was severely criticized by other executive secretaries and managers for spreading the idea of capitalism.
Around the same time, during the harvest of sea cucumbers at the Fisheries Public Enterprises in Ongjin County unskilled divers become casualties of insufficient education and training prior to being sent out to catch the sea slugs. These unskilled people are jumping into the sea despite the risk because they can make a lot of money through this kind of work.
Meanwhile, an official at Geomdeok coal mine is trying to encourage greater production by providing for the workers using his own money and beating those who do not show up to work. Although the production level has doubled compared to the first half of the year, the workers have started to sabotage the production process due to insufficient compensation. In response, the officials are threatening to send the workers to the Re-education center.
These types of problems are pervasive in North Korea. It is difficult to achieve increased production if they are unable to inspire enthusiasm among the workers to produce more. Nonetheless, the authorities only call for socialist ideas, emphasize political propagandas, and ask for unconditional sacrifice on the part of the workers. As such, the workers, who have suffered from long-term food shortages and economic hardships, have very little motivation to produce more. When the managers of the factories try to cope with difficult situation by selling some of the factory equipment and products to starving workers they often get caught by an anti-socialist inspection patrol, and is bound to receive punishment.
Even on the farms, if officials try to set aside some food for farmers they are blamed for not adhering to the plan of reserving rice for the military. One way or another, people in the workforce are caught between abiding by the orders from the Party and addressing the needs of the people. Worker causualties are continuing in the industrial workplace as well as in “Servi-Car (서비차)”companies because they are operating without heeding safe working conditions under the pressure of increasing productivity. Despite these efforts, loss of productivity is a serious problem in large factories. Furthermore, unreasonable conditions of employment and exploitation of labor are at serious levels in small businesses.
Those in charge of the economy of North Korea should resolve difficulties in the workplace and make efforts to increase production by actively incorporating suggestions from the workers. In addition, they should not neglect improving working conditions of workers and farmers and make efforts to prevent workplace accidents to encourage greater production. North Korean authorities should listen to those in charge of the economy by adopting their suggestions based on their experience in the workplace, and through decentralization. Increased production can only be attained through improved working conditions and the prevention of labor exploitation.
[Planning a Series]
Reading North Korea 2008 Through “North Korea’s Nationwide Report
(Public Lecture Materials for Party Leaders and General Public)”
In North Korea 2008, What Was Accomplished and What Was Not?
Part 1 Review of New Year’s Combined Editorial 2008
Part 2 Executive Plan on New Year’s Editorial 2008
Part 3 Making Distinction from Lee Myung-bak Regime
Part 4 Warnings against Moral Hazards by Party Leaders
Part 5 Food Crisis, To Break Through? Or To Persuade?
Part 6 Love and Hate toward United States
Part 7 What North Korea Could Accomplish; What North Korea Could Not
Accomplish;
Part 4 Warnings against Moral Hazards by Party Leaders
“Lecture Materials for Party Leaders, May Juche 97(2008) ‘On Adhering To Principles of Party and Class Struggle”
The Problem of Moral Hazards - Why Party Leaders?
In the previous issue, we reviewed the Public Lecture Materials that initiated waves of attacks on the Lee Myungbak government. Once the North Korean government broke with the Lee Myungbak government in April, they turned their attention to the moral hazards of the party leaders in May. The audience for this Lecture Material is not ‘party leaders and the general public.’ This material is meant for party leaders and party leaders only.
Why, at this point in May, did they mention the ‘Principle of Party, Principle of Class Struggle’ in the Lecture Material for party leaders?
In April, they declared war toward the South. In order to secure victory, warriors at the frontline should be examined. The warriors on the frontline of idelogical warfare are not the soldiers in military uniform, but the party leaders.
So what is the state of the party leaders? Are they in a shape that could lead them to victory? The answer is an emphatic no. The very fact that ‘Principles of Party and Class Struggle’ are mentioned is direct evidence that those principles are largely ignored.
Even though the party leaders should be the greatest contributor to a victory on the battlefields of ideological warfare and establishment of a strong nation, their behaviors seem to contradict those principles. Consequently, the party’s conclusion is that their cadres need to be reminded of the strength and solidarity of the party line.
“Principle of Party means the leaders live according to the request of the party and maintain the interests of the party.” What is the party’s request? It refers to the ‘request of the people according to the principle of democratic centralism.’
Maintaining the ‘Principle of Party’ means protecting ‘our style of socialism, the center of which is people.’ And this principle is ignored, which allows the ‘imperialists and their puppets (South Korea) to act viciously, according to the North Korean authorities.
How Should The Party Leaders Behave?
“The principle of revolution cannot be thrown away and the revolutionary struggle cannot be stopped.”
How should the party leaders behave? The above statement makes it self-evident, ‘the Party line and the execution of its policies reflect accurately the will and desires of the people. Therefore, party policies should be executed unconditionally and carried out thoroughly.’ The important point in this statement is ‘the will and desires of the people.’
The Lecture Material never uses the expression of ‘the will and desires of the Leader.’ It repeatedly uses ‘the will and desires of people only.’ It implicates that the policies and the instructions of the party are the collective request of the people, not those of the Leader.
Who then sets an example? The Leaders are the ones. ‘The Parent Leader’ and ‘The Great Leader’ are those exemplary individuals. Learning from these Leaders and living accordingly are precisely the way to maintain the ‘principles of party and class struggle and also to reflect the will and desires of the people.’
Even though the expression, ‘the policies of the Leader’ is never used, ‘learning from the Leader’ is identical to ‘following the policies of the Leader.’ In this context, ‘the collective request of the people’ is identical to ‘the request of the people’ as seen by the Leader. It is not the request of the people from the bottom but the conceptual and abstract request of the people seen by the top.
For example, take the issues of the markets and agriculture on small patches of fields. People request to have freedom for commercial activities and rights for agriculture on small plots of land so that they can survive, a request that is frequently ignored and suppressed. This shows that there is a huge gap between the real request of the people and the collective request as seen by the Leader. ’The revolutionary principle that cannot be thrown away’ and the real request of the people are not compatible. They cannot coexist and the only way left for the people to take is to to suppress their real requests and follow the policies presented by the Leader.
Moral Hazards Among Party Leaders
Specifically what are the problems of the party leaders who need to follow the Leader and learn?
Firstly, the party leaders work without passion.
Secondly, they treat state property as their own and are likely to process it illegally.
Thirdly, they use the aid materials for the people as an excuse to burden them with illegal collection of fees.
Fourthly, they break the rules and regulations in management and administration following their own self-interests.
The party leaders should apply their efforts in their assigned tasks with passion. Yet, their first complaints are about their own lives; we do not have rice, we do not have clothing, we do not have oil, etc. They do not show any confidence in the party’s policies and do not apply their sincere efforts in carrying them out. They only pretend to work hard during the initial implementation peiord and then ignore their assigned tasks.
Party Leaders treat state property as if they were the owners. Frequently they burden the people with extra fees and they take care of the interests of their own units without considering the interests of the people as a whole. This is nothing but a self-centered way of life, one focused on individualism. It is like abandoning the principles of party and class struggle.
However difficult their personal lives may be, they should never look the other way as long as ‘the enemies of revolution’ keep plotting whenever possible. The idea that striving for a good personal life and taking care of only those people who are close to you will swiftly result in complete defeat.
This is the manner in which the North Korean government warns against self-centeredness by its party leaders. In the past, they used to select some specific individuals as to be identified as negative examples. Now they do not mention any specific names of individuals. That tells us that one particular phenomenon has become widespread, so widely that it would be very difficult to pick a few individuals.
Some party leaders make comments, “the economic situation is not just difficult, but completely destroyed. We are not facing hard times, but cannot survive. The economy is destroyed. In this situation, what can the party leaders do? ‘Restoration through self-support’ is nonsense. We have to take care of ourselves first before the people.” Crises of economy and food for more than ten years have driven the party leaders to poverty, to a situation where all they could care about is themselves. This has not happened overnight. It has happened over a ten-year period.
Already Dead Are Those Who Tried To Keep the Party Principle
The Party’s requested that its leaders find ways to solve various problems of requests by their citizens according to the interests of the people, to continue the struggle maintaining the principles of party and class struggle and to refuse to negotiate when it comes to these principles.
Regarding these requests, the party leaders declared, “those who tried to keep the principles of party and class struggle are already dead. Asking us to continue to struggle in carrying them out is like telling us to accept death. Those who are still alive could survive because they did not keep those principles. This is the truth the party cannot make known to the outside world.”
[Hot Topics]
Output of Geomdeok Mine in the Second Half of the Year Doubled
An official of Geomdeok United Mining Factory (검덕광업련합기업소) in Danchun City of South Hamgyoung Province announced that output in the second half of the year increased by twice the size of the first half. In the case of the transportation platoon that is in charge of Geomdeok mine, where the ore is of high quality yet miners worked with point chisel (정대) and hammer due to the shortage of dynamite. Choi Yong-cheol, one platoon leader switched from a three-shift schedule to a double shift in order to increase productivity. If there were a shortage of food for the miners, he would supply the workers with nourishments from his own stockpile to encourage them to continue producing. Sometimes he beat those who were absent to force them to work. Geomdeok Mine created a teomporary shock- troop- brigade named Cha Gwang Soo death-defying corps (차광수결사대) to increase productivity. However, beginning in October the productivity is dropping off because of the increasing number of people who are leaving the mines to care for their private small patch lot farming.
Some Miners of Geomdeok Mine: A Slowdown Strike
Some miners of Geomdeok Mine are intentionally slowing down the production process by sabotaging the mining drills. It is because the compensation was not enough even though they really did their best and doubled their output since the first half of the year. Miners said, “It is not worth working for the country. I work hard, but I have not received any food for my efforts.” With the frequency of the machine breaking down, the police have warned, “Our fourth-quarter output is seriously being impacted. If we catch the person who broke the machine, we will send them to the Re-education Center.” However, miners persist to argue, “we have no choice but to take care of our bodies in order to survive if they continue to work us hard without compensation,” questioning who would not work hard if food distribution is guaranteed.
[Food]
Yeonbak Plain--Only 4-6 Months of Supply to Farmers
An official of Haejoo City, South Hwanghae Province said that this year food for farmers of Yeonbak Plain (연백벌) such as Yeonan, Baechun, and Chungdan Counties is sufficient for only 4-6months. Many farms have not finished cash distribution. Hwang Jae-soon (age 41) of Baechun County said that residents were very disappointed saying, “we did not expect for the full food-distribution, but we thought it would be better than last year because farming was good this year.” This area is known to be a rich grain district and war-frontal area (전연지대). The grains are primarily used for military rations and the remainder is taken to Pyeongyang. This is why there is never enough for the farmers. A staff of Haejoo City said, “Food production increased since last year, but there is no farm in Hwanghae Province that reached its production goals.”
[Economy]
Ongjin County, Sea Cucumbers Are Abundant This Year
It is a peak season for catching sea cucumbers for the Fishiers Enterprise in Ongjin County, South Hwanghae Province. The Fisheries Enterprises are very joyful this year because normally the actual amount harvested is only about 10% of the anticipated harvest amount. Divers catch the sea cucumbers within 10 m in depth. A diver can get catch an average of 4-5 kg of sea cucumbers in a day and can make a pretty good profit.
Accidental Deaths of Unskilled Divers Due to Sea Cucumber Catches
Because the managers of the Fisheries Enterprises have been hiring unskilled divers in order to increase sea cucumber catches in Ongjin County, the number of accidental deaths has been increasing. Even with the lack of fishing instruments, diving boats and equipment, the unskilled divers jump into the water at the risk of their lives. There were 10-20 accidents from the end of October to November. More than ten of the accidents resulted in deaths. Although the divers are aware of the dangers, they continue to dive in order to try to make a living. A diver can keep half of his catch when he catches 5 kg of sea cucumbers, which will net him a decent pay. Kim Jin-cheol (54 years), who has been diving for over 20 years, says, “No matter how much money one can make diving, these people should not be forced to work without proper diving equipment or protective measures. The Fisheries Enterprises should educate the unskilled divers better and provide more protective equipment using the profits they make from their sea cucumber sales.”
Intensified Body Search at the Aluminum Factory in Bookchang, North Pyongan Province
The aluminum factory in Bookchang, North Pyongan Province, used to be a successful factory. However, the production rate of the factory has begun to gradually decrease due to the lack of raw materials and electric power supply. The factory could distribute food rations only for three of the five months of pay for its workers this year. Although these conditions are far better than those of closed factories, the workers complain about their terrible living conditions. It has been common for the workers to hide aluminum plates under their clothes and then sell them in markets. Since they can make 900 NK Won by selling the plates, they can manage to live. Starting from mid-October, the factory has set up guard posts and has intensified body searches of the workers because aluminum plate thefts have drastically setback the production rate. Because some workers have begun to jump over the wall to avoid the guard posts, the factory, which put the glass on the wall to prevent such jumps, and the workers, who try to jump over the wall, have started a kind of a brush-fire war.
[Politics]
A Policy to Inspect All Newly Built Houses in Deokchun City
In Deokchun City, South Pyongan Province, a new policy has been established regarding inspection to all newly built houses this year. This is because a statement was reported to the central party that over a hundred houses owned by some government officials in this region spent over $5,000 in the wave of ‘build your own houses’. After an initial report was issued by the Anti-Socialist Inspection Patrol of the central party, it was then directly reported as No. 1 Report (1호보고) , and authorities enforced a policy to inspect all newly built houses. All related persons are required to give a full account of their total expenditures on building their new houses according to this policy. With this incident, the residents cannot purchase old houses or new housing construction sites hereafter.
Harsh Criticism after Insisting the Implementation of Bonus Pratice
Last November 10th, the meeting at the Association of Coal Mines in North Hamgyong Province was held in Chungjin City, North Hamgyong Province. The participants of this convention included secretaries and managers of North Hamgyong Province coal mines. The main agenda for this meeting was “to propose a plan to reach the production goal with nation’s increasing demand for coal as the weather gets cold”. They discussed the need for all coal mine needs to implement a full scale operation (100 % operation: 만가동 만부하), to exceed their production goal. A secretary of Saebyul County’s coal mine stood up and suggested an introduction of bonus practices as a proposal to reach their goal. He said, “Our current method of psychological encouragement by presenting a salutation of hard work and honoring their effort fails to motivate the workers to greater productivity. Wouldn’t our workers become more motivated if we award them bonus money in accordance with their surplus amount?” He was then heavily criticized, “Why do you want us to promote capitalist productivity management style?”
The residents of Chungjin City who received the news responded, “It is satisfactory for our mines to exceed its coal product goal for this is beneficial for the nation and this is profitable for the laborers. But every time we propose something, it gets disapproved by calling it damned capitalist so there is no way to examine the proposal”. They continued, “How can we call ourselves Democratic People’s Republic(민주주의 인민공화국) when we get criticized for suggesting any new idea?” A coal mine workers added, “With our current management style, it is hopeless to reach our production goal. Although there is nothing wrong with that secretary’s suggestion, it gets condemned immediately for its capitalist characteristic and as a result, improvement is impossible.”
Hamheung City: Security Office Bustling with Traders Recovering Confiscated Items
In Hamheung City, South Hamgyong Province, the market control has become stricter than any other city since it was assigned to an exemplary zone for the abolition of general markets. Anyone caught selling food or manufactured goods at a market by the officers got their goods confiscated on the spot. Each security office was packed with traders trying to take back their seized items. It is a common sight to find traders pleading with officers with tears in their eyes. Despite of their eager supplication, so far no one has been allowed to recover their goods.
As patrolling increases to over 10 times a day, the officer’s crackdown is getting tighter to catch those selling manufactured goods or food. In parallel with this situation, the office is becoming crowded with more and more people. Last November 15 someone wrote a critical statement “Authorities, Squeezing the People” on the wall of the office. Security agents called people caught selling goods so that they could track down the perpetrator with handwriting analysis from the writing on the wall. The citizens are actually pleased saying, “The wall says exactly what I feel”
Construction Supervisor Faces a Hearing for Suspension of Power Supply
November 15th, managers responsible for managing the Youth Power Plant in Samsoo County of Ryongang Province were reprimanded for the suspension of power supply. Water was found to be leaking from a crack at the bottom of the mud dam. Authorities are suspecting that less than standard quality mud was used for the dam and is the cause of this crack. So far, even though the plant never met its max generation capacity, there could be even less power supply for the future. Its inability to produce enough power is even affecting neighboring districts including Hyesan City. Recently, it was reported as No. 1 Report to the authorities that the dam of this plant was in seriously poor condition. As authorities began an investigation into suspicions revealed on the reports, chief supervisor and managers who were in charge of the construction were brought in for a hearing. Under North Korean system of disciplinary action, criticizing does not result in legal action, but a formal hearing always does. As a short term fix for this situation, workers pump the water out of the opening gates of the dam little bit at a time. The repair work of the dam has not yet been undertaken.
[Society]
After Harvest, Time for Getting and Paying Off Debts
As harvest season ends, people paying off high interest rate private debts or getting into new debts is increasing significantly. The residents who farmed in private small patch lots have tried to sell harvested grain to pay off their high interest rate private debts. In areas where the public markets are strictly controlled, traders get grain from farmers and then sell them in areas where the market is not yet controlled. In these ways, they pay back their loans but because they end up paying back twice and even up to three times the amount they borrowed the farmers that actually toiled to grow the food end up not having enough to get food for themselves. Households that farmed on private small patch lots are in better situation by comparison. Those who did not farm private small patch lots are borrowing more money to buy corn and rice because corn is relatively cheap these days and so they need to buy what they can to save for harder times. They also dig for cabbage roots in the now harvested farmlands and preserved them with salt or dry them, so that they can be saved for emergency next year. They make porridge with cabbage and corn even now when life should be easier after the harvests. Lee Myong-hee (34), who did not have a private small patch lot, said "We are rarely able to eat oil. Our main dish is porridge cooked with dried radish leaves and our snack is the raw root of cabbages."
Sanitary Conditions Worsen in Jeongurri Re-Education Center
The sanitary conditions in the Jeongurri re-education center in Hoeryong city, North Hamgyong Province, are worsening. According to witnesses, detainees are so badly infested with lice in their bodies that the first task they do in the morning is called 'kill lice'. In November, a doctor, who visited the center to treat a patient with uterine cancer, left without seeing the patient. A female detainee with uterine cancer was not treated in the early stages of the cancer. As complaints kept increasing about how they left the patient behind, the center called in the doctor. However the stench of the rooms as well as the detainees was so overwhelming that the doctor left without even fully examining the patient.
Jeonjurri re-education center is supposed to hold about 1,000 occupants. However, as of November 2008, 2,000 occupants (male 1,200 female 800) are staying in the center, twice the appropriate number. In July, five units for women and three units for men were newly built, but space is still a problem. Forty females sleep tightly in a small room.
They are able to wash their face at the river during summer, but in winter it is not even easy for them to wash their hands let alone face. Once the river is frozen they have to break ice to use the water, which takes a lot of effort. That is why most of them have not taken a shower since summer. In particular, women, who need to keep themselves clean, are often suffering from 'woman's disease' such as uterine cancer. Those who witnessed Jeongurri re-education center commented, "Female on menstrual period need to wash with water, but they do not have enough water to wash themselves. We do not have enough water to drink but still women need water for washing." An officer of the centerr said that, "The number of female detainees has been increasing too quickly for us to prepare proper facilities for them."
Jeongurri Re-Education Center, a Police Officer Discharged Due To Sexual Assault
In Jeongurri re-education center, sexual assault issue has emerged. From last year until now, nine police officers have been discharged after they assaulted female detainees. The center enforces strict control over sexual assualts; however, it is tough for the center to have it under control since some police officers have no respect for human rights.
[Women/Children/Education]
“Government Officials! Why Don’t YOU Help Yourselves to Corn, the Health Food!”
The audience reacted against the lecture about health food. The speech received a chilly reception from the audience when corn was mentioned as health food:"Why don’t YOU officials help yourselves to the health food?! The chief of the Department of Scientific Technology insisted corn as protein-rich food is very healthful. The chief lectured that every food that has corn in it is good for health such as corn-rice, corn-soup, and so on at the Democratic Woman Union's regulation on November 12th, 2008 at Deokchun City, South Pyoungan Province. The lecture was all part of an encouragement for promoting corn's appeal as one of the best in the world. But many members who attended the lecture made complaints about their food situation. "I am really eager to eat corn food, but I don't have money, and it’s difficult to get even corn soup. Don't advertize the health food. I can buy corn if we have money. I don't expect rice. I would rather you lecture to official officials or rich people about corn, not to us." They said with one voice. A person who was in the lecture said, "instead of corn, why don’t you suggest even alternatives such like wild greens. That’s more appropriate for us." The chief does not seem to have much answer.
Blind Chidren are Doing Rough Labor to Earn Food
There is a school for blind children in Onsung Country, Sambong District in North Hamgyong Province. It is supposed to be a school, but students are not there for studying. Because there is not enough food rations the children go out to do rough labor to make a living. In spring and fall, they can at least get some porriage three times a day by working at small patch lots or by helping with the harvest. However, it gets very tough in winter because there is no such work available. Now the harvest is over. So they are diligently doing gleaning and collecting corn stems and bean stems to be used as fuel. However, that is not good enough work to earn a meal or two for the day. As such, the mortality rate of children increases in winter. By gender, girls are more vulnerable than boys. Girls don’t get the opportunity to work for food because the tasks like small patch farm work and collecting firewood in the mountain are usually given to boys. Girls are barely surviving with a small amount of food they get by begging people to hire them to work in the kitchen.
[Accidents]
Four Hundred Fifty MT of Rice Lost in the Fire at Yeonahn Collective Farm
On the evening of November 14, a fire broke out in the 3rd work unit of the collective farm in Yeonahn County of South Hwanghae Province and burned 450 MT of rice. The rice bags containing rice that needed threshing were completely burned. Not being able to determine the cause of the fire, the security authorities arrested 3 of the workers to question them. It was reported that the three men arrested are not admitting the guilt despite severe torturing. So their lives are in danger. A farm member, Mr. Lee (age 48) said that the reason for torturing seems to be” because of the suspicion of arson." "There are many incidents like that in other places. They secretly hoard the rice with the excuse of keeping it for next year, and they set fire. They tell the government that they are unable to donate rice because it was all burned. Then there is nothing they can do. Such incidents happen so frequently they seem to assume that this incident is the same as the other cases. That’s why they are torturing people," he said.
Explosion Accident at the Institute of Microbes of the National Sciences Academy in Pyongsung
On November 8, an explosion occurred in the synthetic fertilizer research lab at the Institute of Microbes of the National Sciences Academy (국가과학원) in Pyongsung city. All six researchers at the scene died when the high-pressure steam furnace exploded. Toxic gas from the gas explosion spread to other labs and the dormitory. As a result, other researchers and their family in the dormitory lost consciousness as they suffocated. Many children fell victim of the accident among the family. With the special care of authorities in Pyongyang, they were sent directly to the Red Cross hospital. The city is making efforts to put down the fire, and dispatched two chemical defense platoons under the 3rd commanding army corps to disinfect the scene. The following day, several students from Pyongsung College of Science were promptly dispatched to a microbial biology lab to reduce the impact of the accident on the research.
[Commentary]
Attention Needed for Increasing Productivity and Improving Working Conditions
Recently, there was a discussion in the meeting at the Association of Coal Mines in North Hamgyong Province regarding plans to achieve targeted coal production. At this meeting one of the officials who proposed to give bonus payments to workers based on the amount of production was severely criticized by other executive secretaries and managers for spreading the idea of capitalism.
Around the same time, during the harvest of sea cucumbers at the Fisheries Public Enterprises in Ongjin County unskilled divers become casualties of insufficient education and training prior to being sent out to catch the sea slugs. These unskilled people are jumping into the sea despite the risk because they can make a lot of money through this kind of work.
Meanwhile, an official at Geomdeok coal mine is trying to encourage greater production by providing for the workers using his own money and beating those who do not show up to work. Although the production level has doubled compared to the first half of the year, the workers have started to sabotage the production process due to insufficient compensation. In response, the officials are threatening to send the workers to the Re-education center.
These types of problems are pervasive in North Korea. It is difficult to achieve increased production if they are unable to inspire enthusiasm among the workers to produce more. Nonetheless, the authorities only call for socialist ideas, emphasize political propagandas, and ask for unconditional sacrifice on the part of the workers. As such, the workers, who have suffered from long-term food shortages and economic hardships, have very little motivation to produce more. When the managers of the factories try to cope with difficult situation by selling some of the factory equipment and products to starving workers they often get caught by an anti-socialist inspection patrol, and is bound to receive punishment.
Even on the farms, if officials try to set aside some food for farmers they are blamed for not adhering to the plan of reserving rice for the military. One way or another, people in the workforce are caught between abiding by the orders from the Party and addressing the needs of the people. Worker causualties are continuing in the industrial workplace as well as in “Servi-Car (서비차)”companies because they are operating without heeding safe working conditions under the pressure of increasing productivity. Despite these efforts, loss of productivity is a serious problem in large factories. Furthermore, unreasonable conditions of employment and exploitation of labor are at serious levels in small businesses.
Those in charge of the economy of North Korea should resolve difficulties in the workplace and make efforts to increase production by actively incorporating suggestions from the workers. In addition, they should not neglect improving working conditions of workers and farmers and make efforts to prevent workplace accidents to encourage greater production. North Korean authorities should listen to those in charge of the economy by adopting their suggestions based on their experience in the workplace, and through decentralization. Increased production can only be attained through improved working conditions and the prevention of labor exploitation.
[Planning a Series]
Reading North Korea 2008 Through “North Korea’s Nationwide Report
(Public Lecture Materials for Party Leaders and General Public)”
In North Korea 2008, What Was Accomplished and What Was Not?
Part 1 Review of New Year’s Combined Editorial 2008
Part 2 Executive Plan on New Year’s Editorial 2008
Part 3 Making Distinction from Lee Myung-bak Regime
Part 4 Warnings against Moral Hazards by Party Leaders
Part 5 Food Crisis, To Break Through? Or To Persuade?
Part 6 Love and Hate toward United States
Part 7 What North Korea Could Accomplish; What North Korea Could Not
Accomplish;
Part 4 Warnings against Moral Hazards by Party Leaders
“Lecture Materials for Party Leaders, May Juche 97(2008) ‘On Adhering To Principles of Party and Class Struggle”
The Problem of Moral Hazards - Why Party Leaders?
In the previous issue, we reviewed the Public Lecture Materials that initiated waves of attacks on the Lee Myungbak government. Once the North Korean government broke with the Lee Myungbak government in April, they turned their attention to the moral hazards of the party leaders in May. The audience for this Lecture Material is not ‘party leaders and the general public.’ This material is meant for party leaders and party leaders only.
Why, at this point in May, did they mention the ‘Principle of Party, Principle of Class Struggle’ in the Lecture Material for party leaders?
In April, they declared war toward the South. In order to secure victory, warriors at the frontline should be examined. The warriors on the frontline of idelogical warfare are not the soldiers in military uniform, but the party leaders.
So what is the state of the party leaders? Are they in a shape that could lead them to victory? The answer is an emphatic no. The very fact that ‘Principles of Party and Class Struggle’ are mentioned is direct evidence that those principles are largely ignored.
Even though the party leaders should be the greatest contributor to a victory on the battlefields of ideological warfare and establishment of a strong nation, their behaviors seem to contradict those principles. Consequently, the party’s conclusion is that their cadres need to be reminded of the strength and solidarity of the party line.
“Principle of Party means the leaders live according to the request of the party and maintain the interests of the party.” What is the party’s request? It refers to the ‘request of the people according to the principle of democratic centralism.’
Maintaining the ‘Principle of Party’ means protecting ‘our style of socialism, the center of which is people.’ And this principle is ignored, which allows the ‘imperialists and their puppets (South Korea) to act viciously, according to the North Korean authorities.
How Should The Party Leaders Behave?
“The principle of revolution cannot be thrown away and the revolutionary struggle cannot be stopped.”
How should the party leaders behave? The above statement makes it self-evident, ‘the Party line and the execution of its policies reflect accurately the will and desires of the people. Therefore, party policies should be executed unconditionally and carried out thoroughly.’ The important point in this statement is ‘the will and desires of the people.’
The Lecture Material never uses the expression of ‘the will and desires of the Leader.’ It repeatedly uses ‘the will and desires of people only.’ It implicates that the policies and the instructions of the party are the collective request of the people, not those of the Leader.
Who then sets an example? The Leaders are the ones. ‘The Parent Leader’ and ‘The Great Leader’ are those exemplary individuals. Learning from these Leaders and living accordingly are precisely the way to maintain the ‘principles of party and class struggle and also to reflect the will and desires of the people.’
Even though the expression, ‘the policies of the Leader’ is never used, ‘learning from the Leader’ is identical to ‘following the policies of the Leader.’ In this context, ‘the collective request of the people’ is identical to ‘the request of the people’ as seen by the Leader. It is not the request of the people from the bottom but the conceptual and abstract request of the people seen by the top.
For example, take the issues of the markets and agriculture on small patches of fields. People request to have freedom for commercial activities and rights for agriculture on small plots of land so that they can survive, a request that is frequently ignored and suppressed. This shows that there is a huge gap between the real request of the people and the collective request as seen by the Leader. ’The revolutionary principle that cannot be thrown away’ and the real request of the people are not compatible. They cannot coexist and the only way left for the people to take is to to suppress their real requests and follow the policies presented by the Leader.
Moral Hazards Among Party Leaders
Specifically what are the problems of the party leaders who need to follow the Leader and learn?
Firstly, the party leaders work without passion.
Secondly, they treat state property as their own and are likely to process it illegally.
Thirdly, they use the aid materials for the people as an excuse to burden them with illegal collection of fees.
Fourthly, they break the rules and regulations in management and administration following their own self-interests.
The party leaders should apply their efforts in their assigned tasks with passion. Yet, their first complaints are about their own lives; we do not have rice, we do not have clothing, we do not have oil, etc. They do not show any confidence in the party’s policies and do not apply their sincere efforts in carrying them out. They only pretend to work hard during the initial implementation peiord and then ignore their assigned tasks.
Party Leaders treat state property as if they were the owners. Frequently they burden the people with extra fees and they take care of the interests of their own units without considering the interests of the people as a whole. This is nothing but a self-centered way of life, one focused on individualism. It is like abandoning the principles of party and class struggle.
However difficult their personal lives may be, they should never look the other way as long as ‘the enemies of revolution’ keep plotting whenever possible. The idea that striving for a good personal life and taking care of only those people who are close to you will swiftly result in complete defeat.
This is the manner in which the North Korean government warns against self-centeredness by its party leaders. In the past, they used to select some specific individuals as to be identified as negative examples. Now they do not mention any specific names of individuals. That tells us that one particular phenomenon has become widespread, so widely that it would be very difficult to pick a few individuals.
Some party leaders make comments, “the economic situation is not just difficult, but completely destroyed. We are not facing hard times, but cannot survive. The economy is destroyed. In this situation, what can the party leaders do? ‘Restoration through self-support’ is nonsense. We have to take care of ourselves first before the people.” Crises of economy and food for more than ten years have driven the party leaders to poverty, to a situation where all they could care about is themselves. This has not happened overnight. It has happened over a ten-year period.
Already Dead Are Those Who Tried To Keep the Party Principle
The Party’s requested that its leaders find ways to solve various problems of requests by their citizens according to the interests of the people, to continue the struggle maintaining the principles of party and class struggle and to refuse to negotiate when it comes to these principles.
Regarding these requests, the party leaders declared, “those who tried to keep the principles of party and class struggle are already dead. Asking us to continue to struggle in carrying them out is like telling us to accept death. Those who are still alive could survive because they did not keep those principles. This is the truth the party cannot make known to the outside world.”
