North Korea’s Kim Jong-un acknowledges ‘grim situation’ facing economy
- State media reported that Kim used a speech marking the 76th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party to urge officials to focus on improving citizens’ lives
- There were art performances, galas and a fireworks show but no military parade, and Kim made no mention of the US or South Korea
Art performances, galas, and a fireworks show were held in Pyongyang to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea on Sunday, but no large military parade, which are sometimes held on such occasions, was reported.
North Korea’s economy has been battered by years of sanctions over its nuclear and weapons programmes, and heavy rains and floods have also taken a toll.
The country’s most vulnerable risk starvation after it slipped deeper into self-imposed isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the worsening humanitarian situation could turn into a crisis, a UN rights investigator said in report seen by Reuters last week.
The country faces “huge tasks for adjusting and developing the state economy” and accomplishing the economic goals established in recent party and government meetings, Kim said in a speech, according to state news agency KCNA.
“The only way for dynamically pushing forward the unprecedented crucial work despite grim situation is for the entire Party to get united,” he added, making no mention of the political standoff over its nuclear weapons.
