Kim Jong-un Shows Will for 'Jaryok Gaengsaeng' with Sharp Criticism... Cabinet Also Conducts Self-Criticism

Experts Point Out "Inherent Contradictions in the North Korean Regime"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, criticized the 'self-preservationism' of party officials in economic planning at the 2nd Plenary Meeting of the Party Central Committee and emphasized self-reliance through economic reform. The Cabinet also responded to Kim's criticism by engaging in 'self-criticism.'

According to the Korean Central News Agency, General Secretary Kim harshly criticized various sectoral projects during the 2nd Plenary Meeting held from the 8th to the 11th.

Kim stated, "This year's people's economic plan prepared by the Cabinet has not changed much from before," criticizing the agricultural sector for setting excessive production targets and the power sector for setting low production plans. He also pointed out electricity shortages in major factories and the agricultural sector, stating, "Production is halted because electricity is not guaranteed even in coal mines and mineral mines," and criticized the housing construction plan in Pyongyang for lagging behind its targets.

General Secretary Kim's strong criticism of the Cabinet's economic plan aims to ensure a good start from this year, the first year of the five-year economic plan. His sharp criticism also reflects an intention to emphasize unlimited responsibility in each field and to urge renewed efforts.

As the Biden administration shows a willingness to approach North Korea slowly while prioritizing consultations with allies, North Korea appears to be focusing on internal unity. Professor Park Won-gon of Handong Global University analyzed, "It reaffirms the will for a 'difficult frontal breakthrough' with the U.S. through thorough internal consolidation," adding, "Messages to the U.S. and South Korea are excluded, focusing instead on economic construction through self-reliance and ideological struggle."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

There is also analysis that Kim's criticism exposes contradictions within North Korea's closed economy system. Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies said, "The phenomenon of deviations starting from the planning stage to achieve economic goals after the Party Congress starkly reveals the contradictions of the North Korean-style self-reliance," adding, "While bureaucrats may exhibit self-preservationism, no matter how much the closed planned economy system is modified, without circulation with an open economy, there are limits."

Meanwhile, the Cabinet immediately engaged in self-criticism following Kim's criticism. On the 13th, Deputy Premier Yang Seung-ho admitted in a contribution to the Rodong Sinmun, "The fundamental reason for failing to set this year's combat goals in a development-oriented manner based on the ideology and spirit of the 8th Party Congress lies in our economic leadership workers' failure to completely eradicate self-preservationist and defeatist perspectives and their continued captivity to difficult conditions and environments."

Minister of Metal Industry Kim Chung-gul stated, "Listening to the report of the General Secretary, I reflected on our sector's work with self-reproach," and Minister of Chemical Industry Ma Jong-sun also admitted, "We failed to break away from a passive mindset and could not carry out bold operations, citing various conditions and environments."

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