North Korean leader Kim Jong-un acknowledged Tuesday that his country is facing the “worst situation in its history” during a speech to thousands of grassroots members of the ruling party during a major political conference. and Pyongyang.
Experts say Kim has before her what is perhaps her most complicated moment in nearly a decade in power, with coronavirus isolation causing more problems in an economy already devastated by decades of mismanagement and crippling head-on sanctions. by the United States for its nuclear weapons program.
Kim made the remarks during the inaugural speech at a meeting of Labor Party cell secretaries, the State Central News Agency reported.
“Improving the standard of living of the population, even in the worst situation in history in which we have to overcome numerous unprecedented challenges, depends on the role played by the cells, the grassroots organizations of the party.” , noted Kim.
The president called on members to implement the decisions made at a congress in January, when he promised to strengthen his nuclear deterrent in the face of US pressure and announced a new five-year development plan. This meeting was held months after, during another political conference, Kim showed unusual frankness in acknowledging that his plans to improve the economy were not succeeding.
During Tuesday’s speech, Kim also criticized the party’s grassroots units for unspecified “deficiencies” that should be corrected immediately to ensure the “healthy and sustainable” development of the organization.
The party cells, which usually have between five and 30 members, are its smallest units of authority and oversee work and life in factories and other places. The network is an important tool for perpetuating the power of the Workers’ Party. The last conference of cell secretaries was held in 2017.
Economic setbacks have left Kim with nothing to show for her ambitious diplomacy with former U.S. President Donald Trump, who collapsed over disagreements over the lifting of sanctions in exchange for progress toward denuclearization.
For now, Pyongyang has rejected Joe Biden’s government proposal to negotiate, noting that Washington must abandon its “hostile” policies sooner, and increased pressure by resuming ballistic missile tests last month after a year. suspended.