North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called on propaganda officials to develop ideological work more aggressively and innovatively in keeping with changing times.

Kim said during a speech at the 3rd Workshop for Propaganda Functionaries of the Workers' Party of Korea, which opened in Pyongyang yesterday (September 18), that "only when we actively explore and implement new, novel, and highly effective means and methods of propaganda work that meet the party's demands, the demands of the times, and practical demands, will our ideological stronghold be further solidified alongside the rapid advance of our era," the Korean Central News Agency reported today.

Kim said, "Every revolutionary era and every era of struggle demands the power of ideology unique and suited to its own time," adding, "Today's ideological battle must become an innovative, creative, and offensive ideological campaign that leads the era."

He went on to say, "While following the outdated practices of the past is easy, it is very dangerous; and though creating something new that fits today is difficult, it is absolutely essential."

Kim remarked, "Now, when many changes are taking place in both subjective and objective environments and the realm of socialist construction is expanding incomparably, is precisely the time when fundamental transformation in ideological work and qualitative strengthening of the ideological stronghold are urgently needed."

He then pointed out, "It can be said that the flow of changes in the objective environment is currently faster than the changes in the means and methods of ideological work," and added, "Positive change in party ideological work must rightfully outpace the flow of the changing times, and conducting ideological work offensively and ahead of reality is a principled requirement consistently maintained by our party."

The news agency reported that party secretaries Ri Il-hwan, Ju Chang-il, and Pak Yong-il, as well as Choe Chang-hak, first vice department director of the party, along with officials in charge of relevant departments, provincial party propaganda secretaries, and propaganda officials of the Cabinet and ministries attended the workshop.

The workshop for party propaganda functionaries is North Korea's third since its inaugural session in 2022, and this marks the first time that Kim's attendance and speech details have been made public.

(Photo: Korean Central Television, Yonhap News)