Congress of Struggle and Advance Which Will Mark Great Watershed in Overall Development of Korean-style Socialism Historic Eighth Congress of the WPK Opens

The 8th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea opened in Pyongyang, the capital of the revolution, on January 5, Juche 110 (2021) amid the great interest, expectations and aspiration of all Party members, people and service personnel of the People’s Army across the country.

The WPK Central Committee convened the congress, the eighth of its kind in the sacred history of the WPK, in order to comprehensively and rigorously review the work of the Party Central Committee, clearly reconfirm the exact orientation and duty in its struggle for winning a bigger victory in the socialist cause and take measures for substantial improvement, as required by the times when a new upsurge, gigantic transformation in the development of the Korean revolution has arrived.

The convocation of the 8th Congress of the WPK, which will indicate the new path of the Korean revolution in its struggle, is a clear expression of our Party’s self-confidence in its capability for leading the socialist cause to another stage of victory. It also serves as a political event of great significance to be etched in the glorious history of the WPK’s struggle.

During the period under review, our Party vigorously struggled for enhancing its leadership and fighting efficiency, realizing the great cause of building a prosperous country with strong army and applying the people-first principle more thoroughly to all fields of the revolution and construction, guided by the great Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism.

The 8th Congress of the WPK will discuss and decide on a fresh line of struggle and strategic and tactical policies for making a radical leap forward in the development of the Party and socialist construction on the basis of a scientific analysis of the trends of the developing revolution and the demands of the prevailing subjective and objective situations.

Our people, who have absolutely supported and trusted the WPK, the ever-victorious guide, and faithfully upheld its idea and determination, are paying the highest tribute and extending warm congratulations to its historic 8th Congress which will indicate the orientation of new development and progress in accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche.

At 9 a.m. on January 5, Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, the great head of the WPK, the DPRK and the Korean people and the outstanding leader of the Juche revolution, took the platform of the congress together with the members of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Party.

All the participants broke into stormy cheers of “Hurrah!” in reverence for Kim Jong Un who is confidently leading the Party and people to shining victory and glory with his gifted wisdom, prominent leadership and strong courage and will.

Under the outstanding and seasoned leadership of the Party Central Committee led by Kim Jong Un, the revolutionary nature of the WPK as the guiding force of the revolutionary cause of Juche has become remarkable, a new era of self-dependence and prosperity, a brilliant era of our state-first principle, has been ushered in, and the dignity of our Republic, its international prestige and overall national power have been put on a remarkably high level during the period under review.

The single-hearted unity of the Party and the revolutionary ranks has been strengthened in every way and the absolute superiority of Korean-style socialism with the people-first principle as its lifeblood and the brave spirit of Juche Korea advancing under the uplifted banner of self-reliance have been demonstrated to the world in the course of devotedly upholding the leadership of the Party Central Committee and standing and combating the unprecedentedly harsh trials and difficulties.

The congress was attended by the members of the leadership body of the 7th Party Central Committee and the delegates elected by the Party organizations at all levels.

Kim Jong Un made an opening address.

He paid the noblest respect and extended the highest glory to President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il in reflection of the boundless loyalty of all the delegates, all other Party members, and other people and servicepersons of the People’s Army.

Taking a solemn oath on behalf of all the delegates that the congress will consistently remain faithful to the revolutionary idea and cause of the President and the Chairman, the great leaders who are the founder and builder of our Party, he declared the 8th Congress of the WPK open.

The National Anthem was solemnly played, instilling fresh enthusiasm for the revolution and struggle into the participants who were gripped by boundless emotion.

Upon the authorization from the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, Kim Jae Ryong presided over the congress.

The congress elected its presidium.

The congress elected Kim Jong Un to the presidium in token of the unanimous will and desire of all the Party members and other people and service personnel across the country.

The participants in the congress gave enthusiastic cheers of “Hurrah!” in reflection of their ardent trust in and loyalty to Kim Jong Un.

Members of the presidium are as follows:

Kim Jong Un

Choe Ryong Hae, Ri Pyong Chol, Kim Tok Hun, Pak Pong Ju, Pak Jong Chon, Kim Jae Ryong, Ri Il Hwan, Choe Hwi, Pak Thae Dok, Kim Yong Chol, Choe Pu Il, Kim Su Gil, Thae Hyong Chol, O Su Yong, Kim Hyong Jun, Ho Chol Man, Pak Myong Sun, Jo Yong Won, Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Gwan, Jong Kyong Thaek, Kim Il Chol, Im Chol Ung, Ri Ryong Nam, Kim Yong Hwan, Pak Jong Nam, Yang Sung Ho, Ri Ju O, Tong Jong Ho, Ko In Ho, Kim Hyong Sik, Choe Sang Gon, O Il Jong, Kim Yong Su, Ri Sang Won, Ri Yong Gil, Kim Myong Gil and Kang Yun Sok

The congress nominated members to the platform.

Appeared on the platform were the presidium members of the 8th WPK Congress and officials of the central leadership body of the WPK and exemplary officials of principal units who have made efforts to fulfill their responsible duty in the struggle for implementing the decisions made at the 7th WPK Congress during the period under review, amid warm applause by the participants.

Invited to the platform were Pak Yong Il, chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party, Ri Myong Chol, chairman of the Central Committee of the Chondoist Chongu Party, and Pak Su Chol, chief of the Pyongyang Mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front.

The congress elected its secretariat.

The following are the members of the secretariat:

Sin Ryong Man, Ham Ryong Chol, So Kyong Nam, Kim Pong Chol, Kang Jong Gwan, Kim Jong Min and Ri Hyong Jin

The congress approved the following agenda items:

First, Review of the work of the WPK Central Committee

Second, Review of the work of the WPK Central Auditing Commission

Third, On amendments to the Rules of the WPK

Fourth, Election of the central leadership body of the WPK

A discussion on the first agenda item started at the congress.

Kim Jong Un started a report on the work of the 7th Central Committee of the WPK.

All the participants are listening to the historic report on the work of the Party Central Committee with close attention.

The congress continues.