North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been re-elected as general secretary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea at the ongoing Ninth Congress, state media reported.
The decision came on Sunday, the fourth day of the congress, “in accordance with the unshakable will and unanimous desire of all the delegates”, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
Praise for Nuclear Deterrence
Under Kim’s leadership, “the war deterrence of the country with the nuclear forces as its pivot has been radically improved”, the KCNA report stated.
The party congress, held once every five years, provides a rare window into the secretive nation’s priorities, guiding everything from housing projects to defence strategies.
Kim opened the congress on Thursday by vowing to raise living standards, highlighting the economic challenges facing the sanctions-hit country.
Focus on Economy and People’s Welfare
“Today, our party is faced with heavy and urgent historic tasks of boosting economic construction and the people’s standard of living and transforming all realms of state and social life as early as possible,” Kim said in his speech.
For many years, nuclear weapons and military strength took precedence in North Korea, even amid food shortages and past famines.
Since taking power in 2011, Kim has emphasised the need to strengthen the economy alongside military capabilities.
At the previous congress in 2021, he made a rare admission of shortcomings in “almost all areas” of economic development.
Kim has indicated that this congress will reveal the next stage of the country’s nuclear weapons programme.
Party Rules Revised
State media also reported that delegates voted to revise party rules to “consolidate the Party ranks in a qualitative way” and ensure “impartiality in applying the Party discipline”.
This is only the ninth Workers’ Party congress under the Kim family’s long rule.
The congress was paused during the era of Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il, but revived in 2016 under Kim Jong Un.
The event further reinforces Kim’s firm control and the strong personality cult in the reclusive nation.
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