In 1972 when I visited the DPRK as a head of the delegation of the Japan National Association of Socialist Mayors during my term of Yokohama mayor, I was received by President Kim Il Sung for the first time. I was invited to a luncheon arranged by the President.

I was moved so much by his noble personality and warm hospitality that I found something in common with him like an old friend of mine despite that it was the first time for me to meet him. I became unconscious of the time.

Completely fascinated by his magnanimity and charisma, I not only acquired deep knowledge as a statesman but was pleased to know such a person who I could have a heart-to-heart talk with.

From then on, my respect for, trust in and friendship with the President remain unchanged.

Then, what is the source of the President’s charisma?

I think the President’s unprecedentedly distinguished qualities got more seasoned and great human character of him was perfected while leading the arduous anti-Japanese armed struggle, the complex and complicated anti-imperialist struggle after liberation and the struggle for socialist construction from the time when he turned out for the cause of national liberation at the young age of 14.Particularly impressed by the President was that his trait of always finding himself among the people was quite natural for him.

He cultivated the trait during the whole period of severe struggle and in the practice of going among the people to share bitters and sweets with them and gripping their minds and relying on their strength and wisdom to brave difficulties.

I cannot but admire the President who takes affectionate care of dietary life of the workers and farmers, health of the married women, working environments of the scientists, school things of young students and so on.

The President’s warm leadership and concrete practice of the mass line are the driving force that advances the socialist construction in the DPRK.

(This article was written in 1982 by Askada Ichio, chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the Socialist Party of Japan.)