North Korea touts 'remarkable' success in policy implementation over past 5 years
Seoul, Feb 21
North Korea said on Saturday it has achieved "remarkable" success in implementing major policies over the past five years, as Pyongyang is holding a key party congress amid expectations that it will unveil its future policy direction.
With North Korean leader Kim Jong-un present, the country held a policy review session on Friday, the second day of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea's ninth party congress, the country's biggest political event since 2021, reports Yonhap, quoting the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
On Thursday, it kicked off the high-profile party gathering, where it will outline major policy directions for the next five years on diplomacy, defence, the economy and other areas.
The KCNA said North Korea has "successfully" carried out key policy plans "in all fields" over the past five years, calling it a period of "great transformation."
"The remarkable successes, experience and lessons, gained in the overall work of the Party and the state in politics, economy, culture, defence, diplomacy and other fields ... serve as a springboard for making leaps forward in guaranteeing greater changes and successes," the report said.
North Korea did not disclose details of its assessment of the country's policy toward South Korea and the United States.
Policymakers in Seoul and Washington have paid keen attention to this year's party congress, the highest decision-making body in North Korea, as both South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump have expressed their willingness to resume diplomacy with Pyongyang.
In a speech on the first day of the congress, Kim touted economic achievements made over the past five years and assessed the status of North Korea as being firmly consolidated as an "irreversible" one.
Kim has declared inter-Korean ties as those between "two states hostile to each other," vowing not to seek reconciliation and unification with South Korea. The North has also remained unresponsive to dialogue overtures by Lee and Trump.
— IANS
Reader Comments
"Remarkable success" while the people suffer? This sounds familiar to some political speeches we hear closer to home sometimes. 🤔 True progress should be measured by the happiness and prosperity of the common citizen, not just party declarations.
The geopolitical implications are significant. With the US and South Korea trying to engage, and North Korea refusing dialogue, it creates tension. India has always advocated for peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue. Hope cooler heads prevail.
Living in India, I see how complex geopolitics can be. North Korea's stance affects not just the region but global security. Their nuclear ambitions are a concern for everyone. The international community needs a unified approach.
Calling ties with South Korea "between two hostile states" is very worrying. As an Indian who values our diverse yet unified nation, the idea of permanent division and hostility between people of the same peninsula is tragic. Unity should be the goal, not enmity.
The article mentions economic achievements but no details. In India, we debate GDP growth, job creation, and infrastructure daily. A true assessment needs transparency. Without data, such claims ring hollow. Hope the North Korean people are actually seeing improvement in their lives.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.