For the independent peaceful reunification of Korea

by Kim Il Sung

English, Korean (translation)

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, History

246 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Mwansa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not expect what I found in this book. Kim Il Sung, who I did not accurately place as the first head of state in North Korea till page 10, sounds like an interesting man. He had a way of banging on the same drum in his speeches and interviews that made it very clear, long after the conversation was done, what he was talking about. A skill that is lost in modern day African Politicians. Three things that stood out for me as I read the book were

The different narrative from what is gotten about North Korea through mainstream media. It is possible that a lot has changed in the way the country runs since the reign of Kim Il Sung but one gets the feeling there is a little more to the story than is told through mainstream media. I especially wonder what he would think of this modern day when the majority of Communist regimes that he was praising. Though he would probably take the stance of the modern day advocates of "Democratic Socialism" in thinking it just hasn't been done right yet.

The solutions to a country's woes must come from within. This was a major highlight of the book for me because the modern day approach to Africa's woes it to seek aid and external funding and sponsorship. Kim Il Sung, whether only through lip service or reality, seem to espouse that the solutions must come from within. A country must seek and must be independent especially in the economic sense. Other groups will always seek to take advantage of perceived weakness and so any organisation let alone a country must be independent and thereby fight off external pressure. Or else they will be left having to answer the question of 'which master will we serve'.

The message of Patriotism. This could be a wrong view because all I have to go by is outside information and a book written by the nations biggest cheerleader but what I saw was a message of 'This is our country and we do not get another one.' Continuously beating on this drum added to the communist message of everything being for the cause of the nation (the nation pretty much becomes god) has a way of uniting people. It's one of the simplest mottos to go by but the strength found within it's simplicity is immense. Who knows.. maybe less is more

[Aaron Schuschu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super repetitive but interesting to see the other side of the story from when my uncle was there

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of speeches and interviews by Kim il-Sung from 1948-1975 regarding Korean unification. While the material is interesting and easily readable, because the subject matter is the same for all the speeches the book eventually becomes repetitive and dull.

[Stovick]

Found this in a box by the side of the road!