Kim Jong-un "Strengthening Nuclear Forces"... Kim Yo-jong "Top Fools"

8th Workers' Party Congress Concludes
Kim Jong Un Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Military Power
Kim Yo Jong Displays Strength with Criticism of South Korea

Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening military power as the 8th Party Congress concluded on the 13th.
The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 13th that General Secretary Kim Jong-un said in his concluding remarks the previous day, "We must do everything to enhance nuclear war deterrence and build the strongest military power."

Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, reiterated the deterrent power of nuclear war as he concluded the 8th Party Congress. This reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening military power. Kim Yo-jong, the party's vice department director and Kim's younger sister, who had been rumored to be demoted, demonstrated her continued influence by issuing her first statement toward South Korea this year in her own name.

On the 13th, North Korea's state media, the Korean Central News Agency, reported that the day before, General Secretary Kim said in the conclusion of the Party Congress, "We must do everything to further strengthen the deterrent power of nuclear war and build the strongest military power." No separate messages toward the U.S. or South Korea were released that day. The original text of the Central Committee's business summary report and resolution was not disclosed. Instead, Kim emphasized economic development and tightened internal discipline. He stated, "We must urgently resolve the most pressing economic problems first."

The 8th Party Congress, which opened on the 5th, concluded on the 12th after a total of eight days. It was the second-longest congress schedule since the 5th Party Congress in May 1970 (which lasted 12 days). Through this congress, North Korea announced plans to enhance its nuclear capabilities and deepen its policy of self-reliance and a frontal breakthrough, leading to assessments that the situation on the Korean Peninsula has become even more uncertain. Professor Park Won-gon of Handong Global University analyzed, "North Korea has chosen a 'difficult frontal breakthrough line' by leveraging its nuclear capabilities to compel the U.S. to effectively recognize North Korea as a nuclear state, withdraw its hostile policies, and thereby neutralize sanctions."

North Korea's Korean Central Television reported on the 7th that the second day of the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party was held at the Pyongyang April 25th Culture Hall on the 6th. The photo shows Choe Ryong-hae, First Vice Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, and Kim Tok-hun, Premier of the Cabinet, taking notes on the key points while listening to Chairman Kim Jong-un's work report. In the background, Kim Yo-jong, the Party Vice Department Director and Chairman Kim's sister, can also be seen.

During this congress, Kim Yo-jong, who had been rumored to have lost influence, suddenly asserted her presence by issuing a statement. She condemned South Korea harshly, labeling the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff's recent monitoring of North Korea's military parade as a "hostile perspective," and used vivid expressions such as "bizarre creatures hard to understand" and "top-class idiots who would be upset if they were second best." She also warned of rough roads ahead in inter-Korean relations, saying, "As I have said before, even these things must eventually be accounted for."

However, the prevailing assessment is that Kim Yo-jong's rumored demotion does not indicate a political decline or fall from power. Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies explained, "(Although Kim Yo-jong) does not hold an official position, she still oversees inter-Korean affairs," and added, "She issued the statement at this time to assert her presence amid rumors of demotion."

Meanwhile, North Korea announced on the same day that it will hold the Supreme People's Assembly, the equivalent of South Korea's regular National Assembly, in Pyongyang on the 17th. The Supreme People's Assembly is the highest sovereign body under North Korea's constitution and typically holds one regular session annually to amend the constitution and laws, appoint key state officials, and approve the budget. Considering that it will be held immediately after the 8th Party Congress, it is expected that follow-up measures such as legal adjustments regarding decisions made at the congress will be undertaken.

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