[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, appeared in public activities for the first time in about a month, but there was no message directed at the United States. North Korea has decided to convene the 3rd plenary meeting of the 8th Central Committee in early this month, and attention is focused on whether this meeting will discuss not only the review of economic policies from the 8th Party Congress but also issues related to South Korea and the United States.
The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 5th, "The 1st Political Bureau meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Party was held on the 4th at the Party Central Committee headquarters," adding, "Comrade Kim Jong-un presided over the meeting."
This is the first report of Kim Jong-un's public activity in 28 days since the news of a commemorative photo with military family art troupe members was reported by state media on the 7th of last month.
At the meeting, North Korea decided to convene the 3rd plenary meeting of the 8th Central Committee in early this month. General Secretary Kim said, "The smooth progress of state affairs is facing many challenges and constraints," but he evaluated that "many planned projects are being promoted prospectively through the ideological enthusiasm of the entire Party and people and the fighting spirit of self-reliance."
He continued, "At this point, it is necessary to convene a plenary meeting of the Party Central Committee to accurately summarize the overall state affairs of the first half of the year and to devise additional measures to promptly correct biased issues."
This plenary meeting is being held about four months after the 2nd plenary meeting, which took place from February 8 to 11. At the 2nd plenary meeting, General Secretary Kim pointed out problems in the process of establishing economic plans by the Cabinet in detail and replaced the Party's economic chief within a month, emphasizing the economy.
The upcoming 3rd plenary meeting is expected to analyze the achievements and problems of the established economic plans and find areas for improvement.
Professor Lim Eul-chul of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University said, "General Secretary Kim's greatest concern still appears to be the 'implementation of the decisions of the 8th Party Congress,' especially focusing on solving economic issues," adding, "Since the success or failure of the five-year national economic development plan presented at the 8th Party Congress depends on whether the first year's tasks are achieved, a mid-term review of implementation status is a scheduled step."
Professor Lim added, "Especially this year, due to COVID-19 and other factors, the economic situation of the people is difficult, so there is more focus on solving 'agriculture = food issues,'" and "There is a possibility that the Party and government agencies will be required to respond systematically and proactively to prevent typhoons and flood damage during the summer."
Attention is also focused on whether issues related to the United States will be discussed at this meeting. Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies said, "Holding three plenary meetings within half a year during the Kim Jong-un era is very unusual," and analyzed, "On the surface, it is to review the implementation status of major policies this year, but given the Biden administration's public North Korea policy and the situation where the ball has been passed to North Korea after the South Korea-US summit, it seems to also aim to discuss domestic and international situations."
Professor Yang said, "Whether North Korea will continue on its own path or accept domestic and international challenges to engage in dialogue and negotiations should be judged after the plenary meeting," and "a statement from Vice Director Kim Yo-jong is expected ahead of the US Independence Day on July 4, following the plenary meeting."
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