Independence in politics, the political independence, is united with internationalism and is the basis of its strengthening.
Leader Kim Jong Il said:
“Independence is not in conflict with internationalism but is the basis of its strengthening.”
Political independence is expressed in exercising complete independence and equality externally. Independence is a sacred right of all parties, all countries and all nations. There are big and small parties and countries, and economically developed and underdeveloped nations in the world, but all parties, all countries and nations are equal and independent. Therefore they should not infringe upon independence of others nor tolerate their independence to be infringed.
Political independence is united with internationalism. Just as the world revolution is inconceivable without the revolution in one’s own country, internationalism divorced from independence cannot exist.
Internationalism is not an abstract notion divorced from revolution in each country. It is closely connected with revolution in each country. So only when revolution progresses well in each country, can world revolution does as well. When people in each country promote revolution dynamically in their own country and win victory of revolution, it will hasten victory of the world revolution that much. Only when they push ahead with revolution in their own country dynamically, can they give active assistance to revolution in other countries with practical experiences and substantial strength.
Next, political independence is the basis of strengthening internationalism.
By nature, international solidarity must be voluntary and equal. In order to make international solidarity voluntary and equal, indeed, political independence should be fully provided among countries. There can never be friendship or solidarity but only be discord and feud among countries which do not respect other’s independence but t
Only when it is based on political independence, can international solidarity be voluntary and equal, genuine and durable.
Our Party and state firmly united with socialist, non-aligned and newly–emerging countries and strengthened solidarity with all countries which are friendly towards us on the principle of respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit. As a result, our Party and state have exercised complete political independence and equality in foreign relations and successfully combining political independence with internationalism.
Independence in politics--it is not “nationalism” or “isolationism”, but genuine patriotism and it is related with genuine internationalism.
