Nodutdol | 노둣돌 Profile picture
Sep 9, 2021 15 tweets 5 min read Read on X
#OTD in 1948, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was founded.

The DPRK has survived 73 years of US imperialism. To understand the DPRK, we have to understand its revolutionary origins. This is the story of the revolution in northern Korea before the Korean War. Statue of Juche with 3 bronze figures holding hammer, sickle
From the late 1800s, Korean revolutionaries played a pivotal role in anti-colonial resistance across Northeast Asia.

Pictured here is Kim Il Sung (3rd from left) as an officer in the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army in Manchuria. 10 soldiers stand and sit in 3 rows, some of them with rifle
After WWII, these revolutionaries returned home or emerged from hiding. In the south, they organized against the US occupation; in the north, they began building a socialist society alongside the masses.
The Soviet Army ultimately defeated Japan militarily in Korea. But the revolution that followed was a genuinely Korean affair, as the oppressed masses reorganized society according to their interests.
Adapting Marxism-Leninism to a colonial & semi-feudal context, the revolution was founded on an alliance of three classes: workers, peasants, & samuwon (white collar workers).

The Workers Party of Korea includes a paintbrush with the classic hammer & sickle to symbolize samuwon Juche statue with hammer, sickle and paintbrush
In southern Korea, the US military violently disbanded the autonomous People's Committees (PC). But in the north, they continued as the democratic foundation of the state.

PC elections began in 1946. The PC's then elected a People's Assembly. Here's a look at election results: Title: People's Committees, People's Democracy Caption: In tTitle: People's Assembly Caption: After local elections, the
Land reform

On March 1, 1946, 3 million peasants marched in Pyongyang to demand land reform. A Land Reform Law passed four days later. In 25 days, local People’s Committees distributed over 2 million acres from landlords and Japanese colonizers to 700,000 peasant families. Local farmers putting up a new sign indicating agrarian refo
Literacy campaign

In 1945, 80% of Koreans had no formal schooling and 90% of women were illiterate.

In 5 years, 12,000 literacy schools were built and 92% of formerly illiterate peasants learned to read. Children studying at school with pencils and books open at t
Women's liberation

In 1946, the Provisional People’s Committee passed Korea's first gender equality laws.

Women were guaranteed equal rights, including suffrage and equal pay. Polygamy and forced marriage were banned. All mothers were entitled to 77 days maternity leave. Women and children receiving free medical care
The National Democratic Women's League, a mass organization that coordinated women's revolutionary activity, grew immensely as women became involved in civic life. By 1948, 2 million people, 2/3 of all adult women had joined the Women's League.
Initially the US & USSR agreed to host pan-Korean elections by 1948. However, the US held elections in only the south to prevent a united socialist govt.

The 1948 US elections lacked universal suffrage & most people boycotted—including thru armed struggle
On Aug 15, the ROK was founded against the wishes of the majority of Korean people. On Sept 9, the people proclaimed the DPRK with Kim Il Sung as its Premier, elected by the People's Assembly. Side by side portraits of Rhee Syngman and Kim Il Sung
The DPRK was formed from a Korean revolution—one that the US interrupted through division & invasion.

The DPRK drew its mandate from popular elections based on universal suffrage, while the ROK was born from a widely boycotted election where most people were disenfranchised. A large crowd of people waving the DPRK flag, taken close to
The US didn't occupy Korea to liberate Koreans, but to keep Koreans from liberating ourselves. Against tremendous odds, the DPRK has survived bc of its people’s determination to decide their own destiny. We must keep struggling for the day all peoples everywhere can do the same.
Want to learn more about this period? Check out the following sources:
Everyday Life in the North Korean Revolution - Suzy Kim
In North Korea - Anna Louise Strong
The Korean War - Bruce Cumings

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More from @nodutdol

Jan 5
Has north Korea abandoned reunification?

On New Year’s Eve, global media reported that Kim Jong Un no longer supports Korean reunification. But this is not true.

A thread 🧵 Collage of president Yoon of south Korea and Kim Jong Un of north Korea
Kim Jong Un recently announced major changes in north Korea’s stance towards reunification. This marks a huge breakdown in inter-Korean relations after years of US, south Korean, and Japanese aggression.

However, north Korea has NOT abandoned reunification.
In a speech made on Dec 31 at the 9th Plenum of the Central Committee of the Workers Party of Korea, Kim Jong Un rejected south Korea’s formula for “reunification by absorption”— the idea south Korea should absorb the north, overthrow its govt, and abolish its socialist system.
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Oct 20, 2023
As anti-imperialist Koreans, we stand unequivocally with Palestine, its people and its armed resistance against the Zionist occupation. This is neither a two-sided conflict nor a war: it is an occupation and a genocide.

🧵 Image
As Koreans whose homeland is divided, we know imperialism is our common enemy. Following our liberation from Japanese colonialism and the beginning of independent socialist construction in Korea, the US split our country in two and indiscriminately bombed and killed our people.
There is a reason the Nakba and the division of Korea coincided in 1948, backed by the same imperialist interests. Both Korea and Palestine are geographically strategic sites for the US empire’s grip across the world.
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Jun 25, 2023
Today marks the 73rd anniversary of the “start” of the Korean War. We've curated a list of educational resources that the US & south Korean governments desperately tried to erase from our history. In the face of blatant US propaganda, it is up to us to learn the real history 🧵
The Hidden History of the Korean War by I.F. Stone

In this new book, I.F. Stone challenges the dominant historical narrative about the Korean War and exposes the US' deliberate attempts to prolong the war.
Blowback, Season 3

Brendan James and Noah Kulwin expose US involvement in the Korean War using primary sources, vivid storytelling, and sharp historical analysis. The season also features interviews with Suzy Kim, Tim Shorrock, and Bruce Cummings.
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May 18, 2023
#OTD in 1980, the people of #Gwangju rose up against Chun Doo-hwan's military dictatorship, calling for democracy in south Korea.

In response, with a green light from the US, south Korean police & soldiers massacred 2,300 people. We will never forget the martyrs of Gwangju. 🧵 Black and white photo from the student protests. Many people are gathered holding banners and flags, and a person in the middle is waving the south Korean flag.
In Oct 1979, former President Park Chung-hee was assassinated by his own head of security. Chun Doo-hwan then seized power via military coup.

On May 17, 1980, he declared martial law, using rumors of communism to close schools, ban political activity, and censor the press. Black and white photo of Chun Doo-hwan with US President Ronald Reagan, holding glasses and toasting.
On May 18, 1980, thousands of students in Gwangju gathered to protest martial law and the closing of their universities.

Police & soldiers responded with brutal violence, beating students with clubs and rounding them up for execution. Students and bystanders alike were killed. Black and white photo of soldiers beating civilians with clubs.
Read 11 tweets
May 13, 2023
The US and south Korea started building a shooting range in Changwon — without informing the local government or residents.

Changwon is a city full of apartments, shopping centers, and industrial parks — all within a 1.5 km radius of the shooting range.

en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN202305…
The south Korean defense ministry defended its actions using the Status of Forces Agreement, which exempts US troops from following domestic laws in south Korea.

The Status of Forces Agreement is an imperialist tool that allows the US to control and suppress the Korean people.
With a US shooting range in their backyard, the residents of Changwon will face irreversible environmental, physical, and psychological damage.

From 1952-2004, the US installed a bombing range near Maehyang-ri village. At least 12 villagers were killed by stray bombs or bullets.
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May 11, 2023
💐Today is Single Mother's Day in south Korea.

🧵Single moms created Single Mother's Day to challenge "Adoption Day" — a holiday celebrated by the south Korean government on May 11. Single mothers and advocate...
In 2019, 100% of overseas adoptees from Korea were the children of unwed mothers.

The south Korean adoption agency originated by preying on poor women, unwed mothers, and sex workers. Many were coerced into giving up their children.

Single mothers face discrimination and abuse in south Korean society. On top of social stigma, the government also makes it difficult for single mothers to receive financial support.

aljazeera.com/features/2018/…
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