| The founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on September 9, 1948 was an event of great historical significance not only for the Korean people, who had won their liberation from Japanese colonialism just three years before, but for the world's people as well. On the heels of the Korean people's victory over Japan, the U.S.-installed a puppet government headed by Syngman Rhee in the southern part of Korea which they occupied and on August 15, 1948 they declared it the Republic of Korea. This divided the Korean nation, so as to smash the structures the people were putting in place to establish a new government of their choosing. The Korean people rebelled and on September 9 responded by establishing the DPRK as a bulwark against the interference of the U.S. imperialists in Korean affairs. Under the direction of the Workers' Party of Korea led by President Kim Il Sung, the DPRK had to overcome the great hardships which history presented, especially the brutal war forced on it by U.S. imperialism from 1950-1953. After the war, the DPRK carried forward the revolution and continued socialist construction through many stages under very difficult conditions. These included military threats and economic blockades imposed by the big powers led by U.S. imperialism under the aegis of the United Nations. With fidelity to their principles and profound conviction in the justness of their cause, the Korean people have prevailed over the difficulties and adversities and today they are following their chosen socialist path which puts the people at the centre stage of development. The significance of the founding of the DPRK as a factor for peace in the region becomes more evident with each passing year as it works diligently for the emergence of a united, dignified and independent Korean nation. Its steadfast refusal to submit to U.S. blackmail on the nuclear issue with the aim of expelling the U.S. imperialists and their nuclear weapons from the Korean peninsula is an affirmation of its sovereignty and a block to U.S. hegemony. |