More than 130 years have passed since May Day was instituted to honour the working people all over the world. Yet, their desire for genuine freedom and rights, free from all manner of domination and subordination, is far from being satisfied.
Once a European politician referred to crisis, unemployment and mass poverty as incurable diseases of capitalism.
According to data available, about 300 demonstrations were staged in major French cities, such as Paris and Lyons, on May Day in 2021.
Nearly 30 000 German workers converged on Berlin to protest about social inequality and destitution.
Such a mass demonstration calling for better living swept almost all capitalist countries.
Then, what about May Day in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea?
In this country May Day is a day of colourful events.
Streets in the capital city of Pyongyang and other parts of the country are bedecked with slogans and posters, and newspapers, radio and TV programmes give wide coverage to the achievements made by workers.
Across the country, art troupes give wonderful performances to add to the festive mood, and factories, coal mines, farms and institutions conduct a variety of artistic and sporting activities.
It is customary for senior Party and government officials and local authorities to meet and congratulate workers that day.
They celebrate the holiday with local workers, encouraging meritorious persons, enjoying artistic performances, and playing sports and amusement games such as volleyball and tug of war.
This is what happens on May Day in socialist Korea where the hardworking people are most valued and revered.
It is noteworthy that celebrations take place amid the deep concern of the top leader of the country.
According to local media, Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, is much concerned with May Day celebrations.
One May Day, he enjoyed an artistic performance at the People’s Theatre in Pyongyang, together with working people.
Reportedly, he visited several factories that day to congratulate workers there, and came back to Pyongyang with the manager of a factory and saw the performance with the latter seated beside him.
He made sure that a palatial hostel was built for the workers at the Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Textile Mill and a banquet was given at the hostel on May Day in 2014.
It is not without reason that the Korean workers, aware of their responsibility as the masters of the country and society, are registering remarkable achievements in their efforts to carry out the tasks for the fourth year of the five-year plan for national economic development set forth at the Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea.