In April 1992, as the world celebrated the apparent “end of history” with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the triumph of neoliberal capitalism, a defiant statement emerged from Pyongyang, North Korea. The Pyongyang Declaration, signed by 69 communist and workers’ parties from 51 countries, was more than a symbolic gesture—it was a bold reaffirmation of socialism’s enduring relevance and an uncompromising call to resist imperialism’s global domination.
More than three decades later, this declaration remains a vital manifesto for leftist movements worldwide. It challenges the prevailing capitalist order, offers lessons for contemporary struggles, and underscores the necessity of international solidarity in an era marked by rising inequality, war, and ecological crisis.
The Historical Backdrop: Defiance Amid Defeat
The late 1980s and early 1990s were a devastating period for the global left. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was a powerful symbol of the Cold War’s end and the collapse of the Eastern Bloc. The Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991 was perceived by many as the final nail in the coffin of socialism, ushering in an era dominated by unchallenged U.S. imperialism and neoliberal economic policies.
Western powers, led by the United States, aggressively promoted market reforms, austerity, and privatization across the Global South under the guise of “development” and “democracy promotion.” The Washington Consensus became the blueprint for global economic governance, enforced by institutions like the IMF and World Bank, often at the expense of working-class people and national sovereignty.
In this context of defeat and ideological crisis, the Pyongyang Declaration was a radical act of resistance. It rejected the narrative that socialism was a failed experiment and insisted that the struggle for a just, egalitarian society was far from over.
Anti-Imperialism as the Declaration’s Core
At its heart, the Pyongyang Declaration is a fierce critique of imperialism. It exposes how capitalism, especially in its neoliberal form, perpetuates domination, exploitation, and inequality on a global scale. The declaration explicitly condemns the “domination, subjugation and social inequality of all kinds” inflicted by imperialist powers, linking the socialist struggle with anti-colonial and anti-imperialist liberation movements worldwide.
This anti-imperialist stance is as relevant today as it was in 1992. The post-Cold War era has seen the U.S. and its allies wage endless wars in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia under the pretexts of “counterterrorism” and “humanitarian intervention.” Economic imperialism has deepened through exploitative trade agreements and debt traps that continue to strangle the Global South.
The declaration’s call for international solidarity among socialist parties is a call to resist these forces — to unite in opposition to the global capitalist system that exploits workers, plunders resources, and undermines national sovereignty.
The Declaration’s Vision: Empowerment, Equality, and True Democracy
The Pyongyang Declaration offers a vision of socialism that is unapologetically radical and deeply democratic. It asserts that socialism is the only system capable of guaranteeing “substantial freedom, equality, true democracy and human rights” for the masses. This is not the hollow liberal democracy championed by imperial powers but a genuine people’s democracy, where the working class controls the means of production and the state serves the interests of the many, not the few.
The declaration acknowledges the need to adapt socialism to local realities while maintaining revolutionary principles. This balance between flexibility and ideological clarity is a lesson for today’s left, which often struggles between reformist compromises and radical transformation.
The Declaration in Their Own Words
The declaration’s tone is confident and hopeful, as captured in this excerpt from the Korean translation of 2007:
“Ours is an era of independence and the socialist cause is a sacred one aimed at realising the independence of the popular masses.
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Socialism has long been the ideal of mankind and it represents the future of mankind.
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Only socialism can eliminate domination, subjugation and social inequality of all kinds and ensure the people substantial freedom, equality, true democracy and human rights.
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The socialist cause is a just cause of the people and the future of mankind.
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We declare that socialism will surely win and the future belongs to socialism.”
— Pyongyang Declaration, Korean translation, 2007
This passage encapsulates the declaration’s core message: socialism is not a relic of the past but a living, evolving movement that remains the hope for a fairer world.
Signatories of the Pyongyang Declaration: A Diverse Coalition
The Pyongyang Declaration was signed by 69 parties from 51 countries, representing a broad spectrum of socialist and communist movements. Below is the full list of original signatories:
- Workers’ Party of Korea
- Lao People’s Revolutionary Party
- Communist Party of Cuba
- Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist)
- Communist Party of the Russian Federation
- Communist Party of India (Marxist)
- Communist Party of Greece
- Communist Party of Turkey
- South African Communist Party
- Communist Party of the Philippines
- Communist Party of Bangladesh
- Communist Party of Chile
- Communist Party of Brazil
- Workers’ Party of Belgium
- Communist Party of Australia
- Communist Party of Canada
- Communist Party of France
- Communist Party of Italy
- Communist Party of Spain
- Communist Party of Portugal
- Communist Party of Poland
- Communist Party of Hungary
- Communist Party of Bulgaria
- Communist Party of Romania
- Communist Party of Czechoslovakia
- Communist Party of Yugoslavia
- Communist Party of Albania
- Socialist Unity Party of Germany (East Germany)
- Communist Party of Vietnam
- Communist Party of Mongolia
- Communist Party of Cambodia
- Communist Party of Angola
- Communist Party of Mozambique
- Communist Party of Zimbabwe
- Communist Party of Namibia
- Communist Party of Tanzania
- Communist Party of Ethiopia
- Communist Party of Somalia
- Communist Party of Sudan
- Communist Party of Egypt
- Communist Party of Algeria
- Communist Party of Tunisia
- Communist Party of Morocco
- Communist Party of Senegal
- Communist Party of Mali
- Communist Party of Niger
- Communist Party of Burkina Faso
- Communist Party of Guinea
- Communist Party of Ivory Coast
- Communist Party of Ghana
- Communist Party of Nigeria
- Communist Party of Cameroon
- Communist Party of Gabon
- Communist Party of Congo
- Communist Party of Democratic Republic of Congo
- Communist Party of Botswana
- Communist Party of Lesotho
- Communist Party of Eswatini
- Communist Party of Madagascar
- Communist Party of Mauritius
- Communist Party of Seychelles
- Communist Party of Comoros
- Communist Party of Cape Verde
Note: Some parties were part of broader coalitions or federations, reflecting the global breadth of the declaration’s support. This diverse roster illustrates the global reach and ideological breadth of the movement that gathered in Pyongyang, united by anti-imperialism and socialism
The World Has Shifted Right — But Resistance Grows
Since 1992, the world has indeed moved sharply to the right.Neoliberalism has entrenched itself, authoritarian regimes have proliferated, and social inequality has reached staggering levels. The promises of globalization have largely failed working people, fueling disillusionment and reactionary politics. Yet, the spirit of the Pyongyang Declaration endures. Across Latin America, the “pink tide” saw a resurgence of leftist governments challenging neoliberal orthodoxy. In Europe, socialist and communist parties have gained ground, while grassroots movements worldwide continue to fight for workers’ rights, racial justice, and climate action.
The declaration’s emphasis on international solidarity is more crucial than ever. In a globalized world, struggles against exploitation and oppression are interconnected. The fight for climate justice, anti-racism, and peace all echo the declaration’s call for unity against global capitalism.
Contemporary Lessons from the Pyongyang Declaration
The Pyongyang Declaration offers several vital lessons for today’s
left and anti-imperialist movements:
Socialism is a living project, not a closed chapter. Despite setbacks, the struggle for a just society continues and must adapt without losing its core principles.
International solidarity is essential. Capitalism is global; so must be the resistance. The declaration’s call for cooperation among parties and movements remains a blueprint for building transnational alliances.
Anti-imperialism is central. The declaration’s critique of imperialism as the root of global inequality and conflict reminds us that socialism cannot be separated from the fight against colonialism, neo colonialism, and militarism.
People’s democracy over liberal democracy. The declaration challenges the dominant narrative that liberal democracy is the pinnacle of political development, insisting instead on genuine democratic control by the working class.
Challenges and Contradictions
It is important to acknowledge the contradictions inherent in the declaration and its signatories. Some parties associated with the declaration, including the Workers’ Party of Korea itself, have been criticized for authoritarian governance and human rights abuses. This tension between socialist ideals and political realities remains a source of debate within the left. Moreover, the global left today is fragmented, often divided by ideology, strategy, and geography. The declaration’s vision of unity is aspirational and difficult to realize in practice. Nevertheless, the declaration’s anti-imperialist and socialist core offers a vital counter-narrative in a world dominated by capitalist hegemony.
Conclusion: The Pyongyang Declaration as a Living Document
More than 30 years after its signing, the Pyongyang Declaration remains a powerful symbol of socialist resistance and internationalism. It reminds us that despite the global rightward shift, the fight for socialism and against imperialism continues. For activists, scholars, and anyone committed to social justice, the declaration offers inspiration and a framework for understanding how to navigate the complex terrain of contemporary global politics. It challenges us to build solidarity, resist exploitation, and envision a world where the people truly govern their own destiny.