March 8 International Women’s Day The 8th of March is the international holiday of the working women all over the world. In March 8, 1909, women workers in Chicago, the United States of America, rose up in the struggle against the harsh exploitation and oppression of the monopolists and demanded higher wages, improvement of their living conditions and equality of both sexes. This evoked widespread support from working women worldwide. Firm solidarity was expressed with the women workers in Chicago at the 2nd International Socialist Women’s Conference in 1910 and the same conference adopted a decision to celebrate March 8 as a holiday of working women all over the world. More than a hundred and ten years have passed since then and ensuring of women’s rights has now surfaced as one of the most pressing international issues. However, so many women across the world, far from enjoying their vested rights, are instead being subjected to discrimination, violation and crime and their dignity mercilessly trampled upon. In the DPRK however, the atmosphere of respecting women and treating them with due consideration prevails in the society and thus women of the DPRK are leading a dignified life enjoying the benefits accorded to them by the Party and government.

Pride of DPRK Women Women in the DPRK celebrated the 116th March 8, the International Women’s Day with the happiness and high pride of being Korean women. Associated with the proud achievements of last year that demonstrated the invincibility and rosy future of Korean-style socialism are the feats of our women who have devoted their pure conscience and unsparing sincerity to the sacred cause of bolstering up the national strength, laying foundation for building a powerful country and recording only victory along the course. All the people extended their hearty congratulations to Korean women who commit themselves to the honour and rosy future of the country rather than to their egoistic happiness. The patriotic life of our women, who are devoting themselves to the prosperity of the country, inheriting the fine tradition of the great socialist family and national traits, will shine forever with the prosperity of their dear great socialist family, united with virtue and affection and advances by dint of such traits.

Auspicious February Holiday Celebrated in DPRK All the people in the DPRK joyfully celebrated the 84th birthday anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il. The 11th National Pencil Drawing Festival to celebrate the 84th birth anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il was open in Pyongyang on February 9, followed by the week of film show for Celebrating February 16 on the next day. Various celebrations such as photo exhibitions and art performances took place in the theatres of the capital city and provinces. The 14th National Cooking Competition was held in various parts of the country. The Third People’s Art Festival for Celebrating February 16 opened in Pyongyang on February 13. On February 16, a dancing party of youth and students was held and a figure skating demonstration given at the Ice Rink. During the commemorative events all the people across the country paid tribute to Chairman Kim Jong Il, looking back on his immortal exploits of providing a sure guarantee for the eternal prosperity of the country and the people’s happiness.

Mt Paektu Area Registered as UNESCO Global Geopark The Mt Paektu area was registered as a UNESCO Global Geopark in the 221st session of the UNESCO Executive Board held in Paris, France, on April 2025. It boasts of geotourism resources consisting of geological sites. Characterized mainly by their magnificence, serenity and peculiarity, these resources can be used for tourist activities centred on appreciating aesthetic values. The very high and steep mountain landforms including Chongun Rock and the oddish rocks in Mt Sobaek, the deep and precipitous valleys and ravines and the rugged landforms are favorable for tourist activities like mountaineering and exploring. The scenic spots including Mt Paektu, Lake Samji and Rimyongsu and wonderful natural scenery add more to the majesty of the Mt Paektu area. The Mt Paektu area was registered as a UNESCO Global Geopark, further highlighting its geological significance and tourist value.

School Fine Arts Group Nurtures Students’ Talent Hwawon Senior Middle School No. 1 in Hwasong District, Pyongyang, helps its students cultivate good talents with efficient operation of a fine arts group. The school brings those with aptitude for fine arts in the group and teaches them basic skills. The group helps the members develop their practical abilities with better understanding of the techniques and means of depiction peculiar to fine arts such as shading, line drawing and colouring. It frequently organizes outdoor drawing sessions. Students travel around the city visiting scenic sites, modern streets and monumental edifices to draw a clear and vivid picture of the real world. In this course, they produce delicate works in terms of formative artistic representation, concreteness and presentation. With frequent displays of the works by the members, the group helps them share experience and promote their eagerness to learn new things. Thanks to such efforts, group members have high ratings at the works contest of schools in the district and win diplomas in annual national festivals related to sculpture, craftwork, sketch and calligraphy.

Spectacular New Year Scenery On the occasion of the New Year, the capital city of Pyongyang was adorned with a spectacular scenery, boosting the holiday atmosphere. Several places of Pyongyang were set out with colourful decorations to celebrate the New Year. The capital city was full of glittering light ornaments adding joy to the New Year’s eve. Happy faces of people skating and sledding at the brightly illuminated outdoor ice rink in the central part of the capital city also added joy to the night scenery.