North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly in February Next Year... Will Kim Jong-un Announce His 'Position' Again?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] North Korea will convene the Supreme People's Assembly, equivalent to South Korea's National Assembly, in February next year to discuss the new year's agenda and the national budget. Attention is focused on whether Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, marking his 10th year in power, will attend this Supreme People's Assembly as he did last September to express his domestic and international stance.

On the 15th, the Korean Central News Agency reported, "The 18th plenary meeting of the 14th Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was held on the 14th at the Mansudae Assembly Hall," and stated that the Standing Committee decided to convene the 6th session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly on February 6 in Pyongyang.

The Supreme People's Assembly is the highest sovereign body under North Korea's constitution and usually holds regular sessions around April each year. At next year's Supreme People's Assembly, this year's Cabinet work and next year's tasks, this year's budget settlement, and next year's national budget issues will be discussed. It is also expected to ratify matters decided at the 4th plenary meeting of the 8th Party Central Committee scheduled for the end of this year.

Whether General Secretary Kim will attend this Supreme People's Assembly is also drawing attention. Although Kim is not a delegate to the Supreme People's Assembly, he delivered a policy speech at the Supreme People's Assembly on September 29, where he demanded the restoration of inter-Korean communication lines and the abolition of double standards. Marking his 10th year in power on the 17th, Kim may deliver messages toward South Korea and the United States through a policy speech or issue internal unity messages based on strengthening his unique status such as 'Kim Jong-unism.'

However, since there are several opportunities for Kim to deliver messages, such as the year-end plenary meeting and the New Year's address, some analysts believe he may not necessarily attend. Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies said, "After speaking at the plenary meeting and delivering the New Year's address, he is unlikely to give another policy speech at the Supreme People's Assembly," adding, "He will weigh the importance and decide whether to attend."