The leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, on Wednesday admitted the “failure” of his economic policies at the start of the eighth congress of the Labor Party, the first to be held in the last five years.
In a speech in Pyongyang, Kim regretted that the economic goals set had not been achieved and clarified that, although the period to implement the economic development strategy at the national level ended last year, “all sectors have fallen short when it comes to achieving their goals, “according to information from the North Korean state agency, KCNA.
The congress has started amid the expectation that North Korea will finally unveil its new economic and foreign policy policies, which includes its position against the United States and South Korea, as well as the denuclearization of the peninsula.
Describing the past five years as a period of “unprecedented trials”, Kim has urged the resistance to implement “force” in the country. “The key to overcoming the multiple existing difficulties with the greatest certainty and speed lies in consolidating our own strength, our internal strength, in all aspects,” he said.
The North Korean leader has also indicated that he will suggest “the main line of struggle and strategic and tactical policies for the cause of national reunification, promoting foreign relations and strengthening the party’s work,” he said.
His speech has focused international attention ahead of the inauguration of the president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden, scheduled for January 20, an issue on which Kim has not yet spoken.
