North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was given the title of general secretary of the Workers’ Party formerly held by his late father and grandfather, state media reported yesterday, in a move apparently aimed at bolstering his authority amid growing economic challenges.
The designation was North Korea’s latest step taken during its first ruling party congress since 2016.
During the meeting, Kim also vowed to build more sophisticated nuclear weapons, disclosed economic developmental goals and reshuffled party officials.
However, observers doubt whether such moves can offer Pyongyang any substantial solutions to difficulties that include COVID-19-related economic shocks, natural disasters and persistent US-led
Mixed signals for North Korean leader’s sister as Kim Jong-un seeks to cement power Hyonhee Shin Bookmark Please log in to listen to this story. Also available in French and Mandarin. Log In Create Free Account
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Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP
The name of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister was missing from a new list of the ruling Workers’ Party’s politburo, according to state media on Monday, raising questions about her status after several years of increasing influence.
No breakthrough ahead for nuclear talks
Posted : 2021-01-10 16:17
Deadlock in inter-Korean ties expected to continue
By Kang Seung-woo
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un s long-awaited Workers Party Congress message clarifying his steadfast will to develop his regime s nuclear program is throwing cold water on any gleam of hope for progress in the U.S.-North denuclearization talks ― even after the leadership change in Washington ― and possible developments in inter-Korean relations, according to Pyongyang watchers, Sunday.
Negotiations on North Korea s denuclearization have been stalled since the collapse of the Hanoi summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim in February 2019, and as a result, inter-Korean relations have also seen little progress as well.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un threatened to expand his nuclear arsenal as he disclosed a list of high-tech weapons systems under development, saying the fate of relations with the United States depends on whether it abandons its hostile policy, state media reported Saturday. Kim’s comments during a key meeting of the ruling party this week were seen as applying pressure on the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden, who has.