Kim Jong-un "Determined to Endure a More Severe 'March of Hardship'"... Emphasizes Unity of the 'Party Organization' (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, attended the Party Cell Secretaries' Conference, the lowest-level responsible officials of the Workers' Party, and emphasized party organization unity, stating that he has "resolved to undertake an even more arduous March of Hardship." The term "March of Hardship," referring to the economic crisis of the 1990s, appeared as a measure to strengthen internal unity in North Korea, and is analyzed as reflecting the worsening economic difficulties.

On the 9th, the Korean Central News Agency reported that the 6th Party Cell Secretaries' Conference of the Workers' Party concluded on the 8th, and that General Secretary Kim stated in his closing remarks, "Starting from the Party Central Committee to party organizations at all levels, and party cell secretaries throughout the party, we have resolved to undertake an even more arduous 'March of Hardship.'"

General Secretary Kim emphasized, "A party cell that is not united on a human level cannot become a loyal cell," and added, "Making all party cells firmly united on a human level is a prerequisite for strengthening the entire party and an urgent issue that must be resolved at this time." In this regard, he also presented 10 important tasks and 12 basic qualities that party cell secretaries should possess.

The 10 important tasks presented by General Secretary Kim are: ▲ firmly arming party members and workers with the party's line and policies ▲ practical ideological education work ▲ strengthening the study of party rules and regularizing and standardizing party life ▲ establishing a conscious party life style ▲ directing cell work toward the important decisions of the Party Central Committee ▲ responsibly carrying out revolutionary tasks through the power of science and technology ▲ grasping, educating, and training prospective party members ▲ youth education ▲ human transformation work ▲ and the struggle against antisocialist and non-socialist phenomena.

Amid worsening economic difficulties in North Korea due to international sanctions, COVID-19, and flood damage, this is interpreted as a move to ideologically discipline the party internally and emphasize problem-solving through internal unity. It also appears to be an effort to enforce the decisions of the party congress and control the organization not only at the central level but also down to the grassroots organizations.

At the Party Cell Secretaries' Conference, General Secretary Kim also highlighted his 'spirit of caring for the people.' He said, "The people call and follow our party as the Mother Party without change whether they are happy or in hardship," and added, "To repay with our lives the great trust of our own people who freely call our party the Mother, we must become a true 'servant' party of the people."

Experts analyzed that the appearance of the term "March of Hardship" at this meeting reflects the harsh economic reality. Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies said, "The reappearance of the term March of Hardship reflects the recognition that domestic and international relations are not easy," adding, "With COVID-19 and sanctions continuing, and U.S. policy toward North Korea undecided, this situation, if prolonged, could cause fatigue and internal discipline problems."

Professor Lim Eul-chul of Kyungnam University also stated, "It confirms that North Korea is putting all its efforts into preventing economic difficulties and resulting public unrest," and analyzed, "In the future, regardless of sanctions, COVID-19, or relations with the U.S., North Korea's direction will increasingly emphasize internal cohesion, unity of purpose, and collectivism."

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