First External Message Since Biden Administration Inauguration... Kim Jong-un "Must Be Prepared for Both Dialogue and Confrontation" (Comprehensive)

Mention of Stabilizing People's Livelihoods and Improving Childcare Policies

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, emphasized at the Party Plenary Meeting that "we must be prepared for both dialogue and confrontation." This marks the first official external message since the inauguration of the Joe Biden U.S. administration. He also addressed livelihood issues such as stabilizing people's lives amid worsening food shortages and improving childcare policies.

The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 18th that "the 3rd Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Party continued on June 17," adding that "the fourth agenda item discussed the analysis of the current international situation and our Party's response direction."

General Secretary Kim stated, "To safeguard the dignity and independent development interests of our country and reliably guarantee a peaceful environment and national security, we must be prepared for both dialogue and confrontation," emphasizing, "especially for confrontation, we must be even more thoroughly prepared."

He then expressed the foreign policy stance and principles, saying, "We must focus on sensitively and promptly reacting and responding to the rapidly changing situation and steadily managing the situation on the Korean Peninsula."

The news agency explained, "The General Secretary thoroughly analyzed the policy direction of the newly inaugurated U.S. administration toward our Republic and specified accurate strategic and tactical responses and activity plans to be upheld in future relations with the U.S."

Livelihood stabilization issues were also discussed as the fifth agenda item. General Secretary Kim said, "Ensuring a stable life for the people and promptly resolving their difficulties is the highest priority activity principle of our Party and state," adding, "The Party must, especially in difficult times, deeply engage with the people, become a reliable pillar, always share joys and hardships, and devote everything to struggle for the people's welfare."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This statement reflects the fact that Kim Jong-un directly mentioned the 'food shortage,' indicating that North Korea's food situation is not favorable, and it appears to be an extension of the political ideology emphasized during the Kim Jong-un era, known as 'People-First Principle.'

General Secretary Kim said, "The core issue of this plenary meeting is to take decisive implementation measures to urgently resolve the pressing issues that the people are most concerned about and desire at this time," and issued a special order personally signed by him.

The sixth agenda item discussed improvements in childcare policy. General Secretary Kim stated, "There is no more important revolutionary task than raising the children, the future of the homeland, strong and healthy," mentioning the establishment of a Party policy to supply nutritional foods, including dairy products, to children nationwide at state expense, and presented execution goals and methods.

North Korea has been holding the Party Plenary Meeting since the 15th, and it was reported that "the meeting continues" on this day as well, indicating that the plenary meeting will proceed on the 18th.