Understanding North Korea’s ‘final victory’ and why it matters



Analysis Understanding North Korea’s ‘final victory’ and why it matters For top North Korean officials, the quickest way to ensure their system’s long-term survival is through reunification Benjamin R. Young September 6, 2021 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON NK News (file) \|Bronze statues commemorate those who died fighting for North Korea, Taesongsan Revolutionary Martyr's Cemetery, Pyongyang, North Korea, May 9, 2010 Two months after the Korean War began, North Korean founder Kim Il Sung sent Soviet leader Joseph Stalin a telegram that said, “We have firmly resolved to win the final victory in the struggle against the American interventionists, who are trying anew to enslave Korea.” More than 70 years after Kim first mentioned the “final victory” of reunification, the idea of a victorious Korean People’s Army (KPA) tank rolling up to the Blue House seems fantastical to the casual observer. Two months after the Korean War began, North Korean founder Kim Il Sung sent Soviet leader Joseph Stalin a telegram that said, “We have firmly resolved to win the final victory in the struggle against the American interventionists, who are trying anew to enslave Korea.” More than 70 years after Kim first mentioned the “final victory” of reunification, the idea of a victorious Korean People’s Army (KPA) tank rolling up to the Blue House seems fantastical to the casual observer. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

Understanding North Korea’s ‘final victory’ and why it matters

For top North Korean officials, the quickest way to ensure their system’s long-term survival is through reunification

Benjamin R. Young September 6, 2021

Understanding North Korea’s ‘final victory’ and why it matters

NK News (file) |Bronze statues commemorate those who died fighting for North Korea, Taesongsan Revolutionary Martyr's Cemetery, Pyongyang, North Korea, May 9, 2010

Two months after the Korean War began, North Korean founder Kim Il Sung sent Soviet leader Joseph Stalin a telegram that said, “We have firmly resolved to win the final victory in the struggle against the American interventionists, who are trying anew to enslave Korea.”

More than 70 years after Kim first mentioned the “final victory” of reunification, the idea of a victorious Korean People’s Army (KPA) tank rolling up to the Blue House seems fantastical to the casual observer.