North Korea Holds Politburo Meeting Attended by Kim Jong Un... No Criticism of South Korea (Summary)

"Emphasis on Self-Reliant Economic Development and Improvement of People's Livelihood"
Attention to the Role Division between Kim Jong Un and Kim Yo Jong

On the 7th, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held the 13th Political Bureau meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party, discussing measures for self-reliant economic development and improving the people's living standards, the Rodong Sinmun reported on the 8th.

North Korea, amid daily condemnations of South Korea's government for distributing anti-North leaflets and warnings of severing inter-Korean relations, held the 13th Political Bureau meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party chaired by Chairman Kim Jong-un. However, the meeting did not include any messages related to South Korea and instead discussed economic construction and measures to improve the people's living standards.

On the 8th, North Korea's state media Korean Central News Agency reported, "Comrade Kim Jong-un presided over the meeting under the Political Bureau's mandate," adding, "At the meeting, a series of important issues were deeply discussed regarding further developing the country's self-reliant economy and improving the people's living standards." This public report of Kim's activities came 15 days after he was seen presiding over the 4th enlarged meeting of the 7th Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party on the 24th of last month.

The meeting discussed the development of the chemical industry, ensuring the living standards of Pyongyang citizens, amendments to the current Party regulations, and organizational (personnel) issues, with the chemical industry being the most significant area. Chairman Kim emphasized at the meeting that "the chemical industry is the foundation of industry and the main strike front of the people's economy," and set tasks such as establishing a multifaceted production system based on domestically produced raw materials and supplies, strengthening national scientific research capabilities, and nurturing talent. The establishment of 'carbon single chemical industry' utilizing abundant coal resources in North Korea and 'kari (potassium) fertilizer industry' using domestic raw materials were also intensively discussed. Kim also specifically pointed out urgent issues to ensure the living standards of Pyongyang citizens and stressed the need to establish national measures related to guaranteeing the people's living conditions, including housing construction. Amendments to the current Party business regulations and personnel matters were also discussed at this meeting.

This meeting took place amid escalating inter-Korean tensions, with Kim Yo-jong, First Deputy Director of the Workers' Party Central Committee, and the United Front Department consecutively issuing statements criticizing the leaflet distribution and announcing the dismantling of the inter-Korean joint liaison office, yet no mention was made of South Korea-related issues. Recently, North Korea has been highlighting Kim Yo-jong's statements as if they were "messages from the supreme leader." Cadres and residents are reading and quoting her statements, and mass rallies based on them are being held. Although Kim Yo-jong had already established herself as Kim Jong-un's spokesperson, this trend is also seen as effectively positioning her as the "successor to Kim Jong-un."

Some speculate that there is a division of roles between Chairman Kim and First Deputy Director Kim. Senior Researcher Cho Han-bum of the Korea Institute for National Unification analyzed, "When Kim Yo-jong issued her first statement criticizing South Korea under her own name, the next day Chairman Kim sent a message of consolation to the South regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)," adding, "There is a division of roles between Kim Yo-jong, who issues pressure messages toward the South, and Chairman Kim, who leaves room for inter-Korean relations."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.