South Koreans who have seen and praised the mass games should remember the hardship of tearful children. Teachers drive them hard with curses and orders to repeat and repeat. When the children return home in the evening, they can hardly walk.

In this quote, Kim Il-sung reflects on the harsh realities faced by children involved in the mass games in South Korea. He urges those who have witnessed and praised the impressive performances of these games to remember the hardship and suffering that the children endure during their training. Kim highlights the physical and emotional toll the children face, including being subjected to curses and harsh orders from their teachers, demanding that they repeat difficult tasks over and over again.

Kim’s statement emphasizes the rigor and intensity of the training, portraying the children as being pushed to their limits. He paints a vivid picture of their exhaustion, with the children so fatigued by the end of the day that they can barely walk. This imagery is meant to evoke sympathy for the children and criticize the oppressive environment in which they are forced to perform.

The quote also serves as a critique of the societal pressures placed on young people in South Korea and the authoritarian systems that govern their lives. By focusing on the suffering behind the spectacle of the mass games, Kim Il-sung highlights the contrast between the outward appearance of success and the invisible struggles that fuel it. His words suggest that the glorification of these games should not overshadow the human cost involved in creating such displays.

Ultimately, Kim Il-sung’s quote is a criticism of the harsh treatment and exploitation of children in the pursuit of national pride or entertainment. It calls for a deeper understanding of the sacrifices and suffering that lie beneath the surface of highly praised performances, urging people to consider the well-being of the individuals who contribute to such spectacles.