A delegation from the Communist Party of Great Britain (Marxist-Leninist) (CPGB-ML) visited the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) from 21-28 September at the invitation of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), further consolidating the warm fraternal relations between the two parties.
The CPGB-ML delegation, which was led by the party’s General Secretary, Comrade Zane Carpenter, and included leading members from London and the north-east of England, had detailed exchanges of views with leading officials of the WPK, as well as a meeting with Comrade Choe Tae Bok, member of both the Political Bureau and the Secretariat of the WPK Central Committee.
Besides these formal occasions, the delegation visited numerous industrial, agricultural and educational institutions and other places of interest in Pyongyang, Sariwon and elsewhere.
Whilst staying in Beijing on its way home, the delegation also held friendly talks with the International Department of the Communist Party of China.
On the evening of Saturday 9 October, Southall’s Saklatvala Hall hosted a public meeting and social organised by the CPGB-ML so that members of the delegation could report back on their visit and share their experiences of living socialism in action. The meeting was attended by some 70 people from many different communities and parts of the revolutionary and working-class movements. Guest of honour was Comrade Ja Song Nam, the DPRK Ambassador to Britain, who attended along with four of his embassy colleagues.
The meeting was chaired by CPGB-ML Chairman, Comrade Harpal Brar, who noted that it also celebrated the 65th anniversary of the founding of the WPK, the general staff of the Korean revolution, on 10 October 1945.
Comrade Harpal also spoke about the significance of the WPK’s Conference, held on 28 September, and he extended the party’s warm congratulations to Comrade Kim Jong Il, who was re-elected to the post of General Secretary of the WPK at the conference. Comrade Harpal laid stress on how highly the CPGB-ML values its fraternal relations with the WPK, relations which had been considerably enhanced by the latest visit.
Following Harpal’s opening remarks, members of the delegation, Comrade Zane Carpenter and Comrade Ranjeet Brar gave vivid accounts of their experiences in Korea. A slide presentation prepared by Ranjeet brought Korea’s realities to life for the audience – and by presenting the simple truth and plain reality constituted a stunning refutation of the slanders, lies and calumnies spread by the imperialists in their media and elsewhere against this proud, defiant but peace-loving socialist country and her people.
The speeches and slide presentation were followed by a lively discussion and wide-ranging question-and-answer session, with topics ranging from how the WPK retains its links with the masses to how young people in Pyongyang spend their free time.
Following the close of the formal part of the meeting, animated discussions continued until late over good food and drink.
Members of the delegation are available to address meetings on their experiences in Korea. If you would like to organise a meeting in your area, please contact the CPGB-ML: PO Box 110, Normanton, WF6 1XZ or info@cpgb-ml.org.
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