North Korea's Kim says economic plan failed as rare party congress begins

By Hyonhee Shin

 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks on the first day of the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this photo supplied by North Korea's Central News Agency (KCNA) on January 6, 2021. KCNA/via REUTERS

 

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his five-year economic plan had failed to meet its goals "on almost every sector" as he kicked off the ruling Workers' Party congress on Tuesday, state media KCNA reported on Wednesday.

 

The rare political gathering, which Kim last hosted in 2016, has drawn international attention as he is expected to unveil a new five-year economic plan and address foreign policy, just two weeks before U.S. President-elect Joe Biden takes office.

 

In his opening speech, Kim said the country had achieved a "miraculous victory" by bolstering its power and global prestige since the last meeting, referring to military advances that culminated in successful tests in 2017 of intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of striking the U.S. mainland.

 

But the five-year economic strategy he set forth in 2016 had failed to deliver, he said, calling for a boost in North Korea's self-reliance to tackle internal and outside challenges hindering its progress.

 

"The strategy was due last year but it tremendously fell short of goals on almost every sector," Kim said, according to KCNA.

 

On the global pandemic, Kim lauded party workers for ensuring "stable situations against the coronavirus from beginning to end."

 

They had "resolutely overcome difficulties in the face of an unprecedentedly prolonged, unparalleled global health crisis," he added.

 

North Korea has not officially confirmed any coronavirus cases, although it reported thousands of "suspected cases" to the World Health Organization.

 

South Korean authorities have said an outbreak in the North cannot be ruled out as it had active trade and people movement with China before closing its border last January.

 

The congress, the country's eighth and the second under Kim, was attended by 4,750 delegates and 2,000 spectators, Kim said.

 

In KCNA images, no one was seen wearing masks and participants did not sit apart, unlike at some other recent public events.

 

Kim was accompanied by top aides, including his sister and senior party official Kim Yo Jong, nominal head of state Choe Ryong Hae and Premier Kim Tok Hun.

 

The meeting will last some days, during which Kim is also expected to announce leadership changes - potentially involving his sister - and discuss other organisational, budget and audit issues.

 

(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; editing by Rosalba O'Brien and Richard Pullin)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-01-06

 

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No sheet Sherlock... try to be more oppressive imprison and execute more people and see if the economy will improve Mr. tyrant...

Your Fired!!!!

2 hours ago, Jeffr2 said:

Your Fired!!!!

 

and step in Kim Yo-jong!!!

 

5 hours ago, Jeffr2 said:

Your Fired!!!!

 

3 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

 

and step in Kim Yo-jong!!!

 

By North Korean tradition. one or the other of them is likely to end up tied to a stake in the impact area of an artillery range in the relatively near future!

and step in Kim Yo-jong!!!

 

You want go short time? Given the parlous state of the North Korean economy this may need to become a reality.

Please send my South Korean wife Young Mee Kwon there so that she can no longer make contact with me. Thank you very much Mr Kim????????????????????

On 1/6/2021 at 5:13 PM, Burma Bill said:

 

and step in Kim Yo-jong!!!

 

Kim Yingluck?