North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has commenced a crucial gathering of the nation's ruling party, as reported by state media outlet KCNA on Wednesday.
This event marks the beginning of a platform where important policy choices for the upcoming year are expected to be revealed, as per Reuters.
North Korea Convenes Key Meeting Before 2023 Ends
The ninth Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea marked the end of a year filled with noteworthy developments for the isolated nation. Notably, North Korea solidified its nuclear policy by incorporating it into its constitution.
Moreover, the country achieved successful milestones such as the launch of a spy satellite and the test-firing of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
In recent years, the days-long assembly of party and government officials has served as a platform for making significant policy announcements.State media has made public the speech delivered by Kim Jong Un on New Year's Day.
During the inaugural day of the meeting on Tuesday, participants engaged in discussions surrounding six significant agenda items. These topics encompassed various aspects such as the policy and budget implementation for the current year, the presentation of a draft budget for the year 2024, and strategies to strengthen the party's leadership, as reported by KCNA.
Kim Jong Un has described 2023 as a year of significant transformation and progress. In various domains such as the military, economy, science, and public health, Kim has praised the advancements made, despite acknowledging certain deviations.
According to a statement from KCNA, Kim Jong Un provided an extensive report that focused on various indicators of the national economy. The report highlighted the progress being made in the comprehensive development of socialist construction.
North Korea Nuclear Plan
According to the statement, the country has been propelled into a position of military power due to the development of new strategic weapons, such as the reconnaissance satellite.
In recent weeks, tension has resurfaced as North Korea conducted a test of its latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The purpose of this test, according to North Korea, was to assess the preparedness of its nuclear forces in the face of increasing hostility from the United States.
Kim reiterated that Pyongyang would respond with a nuclear attack if provoked by an adversary wielding nuclear weapons.
In response to North Korea's missile test, the United States, South Korea, and Japan have jointly expressed their condemnation.
Additionally, they have taken immediate action by activating a system designed to detect and evaluate North Korea's missile launches in real-time. Furthermore, the three nations have come together to establish a comprehensive, multi-year plan for conducting trilateral military exercises.
The country's recent advancements in strategic weaponry, such as the reconnaissance satellite, have elevated its status to that of a military power. In a recent statement, Kim reiterated that Pyongyang would respond with a nuclear attack if provoked by an adversary wielding nuclear weapons.
In a united front, the United States, South Korea, and Japan have voiced their condemnation of the recent missile test conducted by North Korea.
Taking swift action, the three nations have activated a sophisticated system designed to detect and evaluate North Korea's missile launches in real-time. Additionally, they have come together to establish a comprehensive multi-year plan for trilateral military exercises.
