North Korea’s leader prioritises domestic economy at party congress, with his sister promoted to a key politburo role, signalling a focus on internal development over foreign policy shifts.
SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged to solidify and develop the country’s economy over the next five years. He delivered the speech during a major party congress where his influential sister, Kim Yo Jong, was promoted to a more senior position.
State media KCNA reported the leader’s address on the fifth day of the Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party. The gathering sets out major policy goals for the nuclear-armed nation across military, foreign policy, industry and agriculture sectors.
Kim called the next five years a “full-scale progress phase”. He demanded a revolution in thought, technology and culture to ensure new projects are well-managed over time.
The leader also warned against “dereliction of duty, irresponsibility and other ingrained maladies of seeking only immediate gains”. He stated these issues would be rooted out.
So far, the congress has not released specific foreign policy messages concerning adversaries like the US and South Korea. The focus has remained firmly on internal economic progress.
Kim has recently shunned overtures from both South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump. He appears focused instead on ties with traditional allies Russia and China.
The North Korean leader travelled to Beijing last September to attend a military parade with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Xi this week congratulated Kim on his reelection as party general secretary.
Meanwhile, Kim Yo Jong was promoted from vice-director to director of a party department. She was also reinstated as an alternate member of the Politburo, following a demotion in 2021.
Analysts suggest her new position could see her drive more outward-facing policy. She is known for regularly issuing fiery statements against South Korea through state media.
There has been no new indication that Kim’s teenage daughter, Ju Ae, is involved in the congress. Speculation persists that she is being groomed as a potential fourth-generation successor.
It remains unclear how long the current congress will last. The previous two iterations ran for four and eight days respectively.
Satellite images this month showed an apparent practice for a military parade to accompany the event. Analysts believe North Korea could use the parade to unveil new nuclear and conventional weapons.
Such a display would showcase the military capabilities built during the past five-year period.
The Sun Malaysia
