It is wrong to try to avoid the struggle against imperialism under the pretext that independence and revolution are important, but that peace is still more precious.

In this quote, Kim Il-sung, the founding leader of North Korea, asserts that it is wrong to avoid the fight against imperialism by prioritizing peace over independence and revolution. He challenges the idea that striving for peace is more important than the necessity of combating foreign domination. Kim emphasizes that true peace can only be achieved through the struggle for independence and the revolutionary efforts required to free a nation from the control of imperial powers.

Kim Il-sung’s statement reflects his belief in the importance of revolution and self-determination in achieving lasting peace. For him, imperialism—often associated with foreign occupation and control—denies nations their freedom and sovereignty. The fight for independence, he argues, is the only path to true peace, and any attempt to evade this struggle by claiming that peace is more important is a form of betrayal to the ideals of freedom and revolution.

The quote can be seen as part of Kim Il-sung's broader ideological framework, which emphasized the importance of resisting external domination and the need for continuous revolutionary action. In his view, peace that comes without independence is not real peace, as it compromises national sovereignty. His focus on the necessity of revolution reflects his commitment to the Korean Workers' Party and his stance on the importance of resisting imperial forces, particularly those from the United States and Japan.

Ultimately, Kim Il-sung's words challenge any notion of passive peace, asserting that the fight against imperialism and the achievement of independence through revolution are the foundational steps toward genuine peace. His stance reflects the tension between the desire for stability and the revolutionary demands of his regime, emphasizing that peace without independence is hollow and incomplete.