A Senior Official from the Ministry of Unification: "North Korea Keeps Multiple Options Open... It's a Calibrated Move"

Closing of North Korea's 8th Party Congress... Emphasis on Military Strengthening and Economic Development
Kim Jong-un "Strengthening Nuclear Deterrence"... Kim Yo-jong "Special Stupid People"

North Korea's Korean Central TV reported on the 13th that the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party concluded in Pyongyang on the 12th. Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Party, waved to the congress attendees while receiving applause.

A senior official from the Ministry of Unification on the 13th interpreted the recently concluded 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) on the 12th as "North Korea keeping various possibilities open." Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the WPK, reaffirmed the stance on strengthening military power at the conclusion of the 8th Congress, while his younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Party, unleashed harsh criticism toward the South, calling them "teukdeungmeojeori" (special-grade idiots).

On the day, the senior official told reporters, "Basically, this Party Congress focused on fostering internal unity," and added, "We also believe that the economic sector was discussed in some depth."

Regarding the new external messages from North Korea that were expected to be expressed through this Congress, the official assessed that various possibilities remain open.

He said, "From our standpoint, the messages toward the South and the United States were the main issues, and it seems that North Korea has kept various possibilities open." He added, "The cautious stance since June appears to be continuing," and "There are likely some watchful attitudes toward the U.S. and others as well."

Regarding North Korea’s use of strong expressions such as "nuclear force" and "teukdeungmeojeori," he interpreted, "While there seem to be somewhat strong remarks, the tone was controlled." He explained again, "It seems they moderated the tone slightly even today," and "North Korea appears to be approaching the current situation while keeping various possibilities open."

North Korea's Korean Central TV reported on the 13th that the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party concluded in Pyongyang on the 12th. Jo Yong-won (wearing a white suit), who was elected as a party secretary at this congress, is standing on the right side of General Secretary Kim Jong-un (from Kim Jong-un's perspective) on the presidium of the party congress. He is estimated to have risen to the third position in the power hierarchy.

The 8th Congress, which opened on the 5th, concluded after a total of eight days on the 12th.

General Secretary Kim Jong-un, at the conclusion of the Congress, reiterated the deterrent power against nuclear war, reaffirming the will to strengthen military power. Kim Yo-jong, whose demotion had been rumored, demonstrated her presence by issuing her first statement toward the South this year in her own name.

The Korean Central News Agency reported the previous day that Kim Jong-un said in the Congress conclusion, "We must do everything to further strengthen nuclear war deterrence and build the strongest military power."

No separate messages toward the U.S. or South Korea were issued. The original text of the Party Central Committee’s business summary report decision was not disclosed.

Instead, Kim Jong-un emphasized economic development and tightened internal discipline. He said, "We must urgently solve the most pressing economic problems first."

Kim Yo-jong, whose position was rumored to have weakened through this Congress, suddenly asserted her presence by issuing a statement.

She harshly criticized the South using vivid expressions such as "bizarre creatures difficult to understand" and "teukdeungmeojeori who would be disappointed if they were second best," labeling the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff’s recent tracking of North Korea’s military parade as a "hostile perspective."

She also warned of a rough road ahead for inter-Korean relations, saying, "As I have said before, these things must eventually be accounted for."

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