Korea's Peerless Patriot: Kim Jong Il
Turkey-Korea Friendship Association
EVERY revolution established by fighting for independence against imperialism has to feed itself with incessant revolutions. If history is a river, revolutions are the most exuberant moments in this river, and the barriers built in front of the river will be destroyed only with this enthusiasm.
What makes a revolution enthusiastic is the innovations it adds to it.
The Korean Revolution was established by fighting a great patriotic war against imperialism. It was both an example of international solidarity and a glorious victory of resisting forces of Korean nation against imperialism. When Kim Il Sung, the pioneer of this glorious revolution, passed away in 1994, Kim Jong Il was elected as the General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and as the President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which was established as a result of the Korean Revolution.
Kim Jong Il was born on February 16, 1942, in a secret military camp on Mount Paektu in Korea. Korea was fighting against Japanese imperialism in those days. Kim Jong Il was born in the most challenging days of the war against imperialism. He spent his childhood during Korea's war against American imperialism. The suffering and struggles of the Korean nation in these wars greatly impacted Kim Jong Il's character. Kim Jong Il has grown up in places of struggle during his infancy and childhood years.
As a young individual, he joined the struggle for socialism in the Workers' Party of Korea. He has been appointed to various positions within the party. After the Eternal President Kim Il Sung passed away in 1994, he led to Democratic People's Republic of Korea as the General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea.
After Kim Jong Il became Supreme Leader, DPRK has made great strides in various fields. Kim Jong Il led the progress of the DPRK with a holistic policy.
Economy
When Kim Jong-il became Supreme Leader in 1994, there was some problems in terms of nourishment across DPRK due to natural disasters and sanctions. It was surpassed with a fundamental industrial policy put forward by Kim Jong-il. According to this policy, DPRK implemented limited import substitution and thus overcame the nationwide problems.
DPRK, not only in the field of food, but also developed cooperation with major companies in other areas. One of them is the modernization project in Kamdok Mining Site. For this project, Turkey - Korea Friendship Association’s members Daşar Karadağ and Nazım Topçu met with the Workers’ Party of Korea and mediatized Osman Yıldız's company Selco and Korean Zinc Industries subsidiary in 2009. Kim Jong-il advocated industrialization in every field and agricultural policies that would feed this industrialization.
Defense
Before he became President of the DPRK, Kim Jong-il was appointed Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army on December 24, 1991. Before that, the duties he took in the party were usually those he was in contact with the army or was directly involved. Kim Jong-il had determined that the military is a vital need to construct a robust socialist country. It is accordant with the fundamental principles of Jucheism. As a result of this determination, a breakthrough program was implemented in the defense industry to defend the country against the increasing threat of the USA, especially in the 1990s. He integrated this breakthrough program with the policies of Songun, which means "military first.”
Thus, in spite of the negative economic and political atmosphere caused by the collapse of the USSR, he managed to keep DPRK on the path of socialism. The rank of Taewonsu (Generalissimo or Grand Marshal), given to Kim Jong Il, is the best example to understand the military successes of DPRK obtained under his wise leadership.
Culture - Art
Kim Jong-il was a great artist and art lover. One of his biggest passions was cinema. During his leadership, DPRK entered into a tremendous cultural breakthrough. Many movies have been released. DPRK cinema has emerged as a phenomenon. It is possible to read his thought from the book written by his hand and titled as “On Cinema”.
Kim Jong-il, who was also closely interested in music and fine arts, played a leading role in the realization of many plays, operas, performances, and architectural works.
His Contribution to Scientific Socialism
Since his youth, Kim Jong Il had contributed to the theoretical understanding of the idea of Juche and had produced various works. "On the Idea of Juche,” published in March 1982, provided a comprehensive and scientific understanding of the struggle led by Kim Il Sung. He later developed the idea of Juche and the struggle for socialism with his theoretical contributions, with his works such as "Historical Lesson in the Construction of Socialism and the General Line of the Party,” "The Abuse of Socialism is Not Tolerable," and "Socialism is a Science.”
Beloved Leader of DPRK
Kim Jong Il was named “Beloved Father” by the Korean nation as he pioneered the breakthrough in DPRK, deepening the idea of Juche theoretically. The birthday of the Beloved Leader of Korean nation, February 16, is celebrated as "Shining Star Day" in DPRK. The Korean nation knows that Kim Jong Il's leadership has made a tremendous revolutionary breakthrough and protects the legacy of Kim Jong Il with this understanding.
Last but not least, the poem " O Korea, I Will Add Glory to Thee” which Kim Jong Il wrote while at university, also reflects his loyalty to the homeland and the revolution. The phrase "peerless patriot,” often used by Koreans, nicely summarizes Kim Jong Il's struggle. Kim Jong Il is a great theoretical leader and a devoted revolutionary practitioner. Today, under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Un guiding the Workers’ Party of Korea, DPRK continue to develop the legacy of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Their struggle enlightens not only the route of Korea but also routes of oppressed nations. 
