North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has once again emphasized the importance of education while taking commemorative photos with educators who attended the national teachers' conference.

The Korean Central News Agency reported today that Kim took commemorative photos yesterday with participants of the 15th National Conference of Teachers.

At the event, Kim highly praised the dedication and contributions of the educators, stating, "Our party's vision is to ensure that all miracles and victories of national revival begin right from the classrooms across the country." He added, "The significance of this conference lies in declaring the grand expansion and deepening of the new era's educational revolution."

He emphasized, "When educators become wise teachers equipped with high capabilities and noble characters, the foundation of our country will grow stronger alongside the nurturing of reliable future generations, and the future of our cause will be endlessly bright."

Kim also expressed his expectation, saying, "The pure conscience and dedication that all teachers devote to the podium lead to the heroic deeds of students contributing to the country's wealth and power." He added, "I expect you to devote your heart and soul to effectively raising all students into steadfast and capable talents."

Kim met with a delegation of educational workers from the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) who visited Pyongyang to attend the conference.

Shaking hands with Chongryon educators, he urged them to "train and foster more competent workers and capable talents who will carry on the lineage of the patriotic cause."

Kim Sung-du, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, also met with Chongryon participants at the Pyongyang Assembly Hall.

The 15th National Conference of Teachers, held for the first time in seven years since 2019, took place in the capital city of Pyongyang for two days from September 2 to 3.

Kim also attended the opening ceremony. The conference discussed implementation measures for the "new era educational revolution" tasks, such as executing the 12-year compulsory education program and advancing higher education, as well as methodological issues to reduce the educational gap between the central government and local regions, and between urban and rural areas.

In an editorial published today, the Rodong Sinmun propagandized, "Educators are the designers and builders who establish the long-term plan of the state and revolution, and they are the main agents of the educational revolution." It added, "The bright tomorrow of our country, marching toward a brighter future by carrying on the great history and tradition, rests precisely in the hands of educators."

(Photo: Korean Central Television screen capture, Yonhap News)