North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un has urged party officials to work towards improving the living standards of its citizens, with the country reportedly facing a “grim” economic situation.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim delivered an “important speech” called “Let Us Further Improve Party Work in Line with the Demands of the Period of Fresh Development of Socialist Construction.”
In the speech, which focused largely on party matters, Kim said that North Korea faces “huge tasks for adjusting and developing the state economy” and accomplishing the economic goals established in the recent party and government meetings.
Officials should not expect special privilege or preferential treatment, and “should always consider whether their work infringe[s] upon the interests of the people or cause trouble to the people,” Kim said. He further added, “The only way for dynamically pushing forward the unprecedented crucial work despite grim situation is for the entire Party to get united.”
The leader made the request on the 76th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea on Sunday. The celebrations were held at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang and included art and dance performances, galas, and a fireworks show. No military parade, which is sometimes featured on such occasions, was reported.
In recent months, North Korea has hinted at a dire economic situation, stemming from COVID-19 induced lockdowns, which has created a famine-like situation in the country. In July, Kim told his ruling party that the country’s food situation was “growing tense,” and pictures of his significant weight loss had citizens concerned that he looked “emaciated.”
In another rare admission of economic strife in April, the leader compared the current economic crisis to the North Korean famine of the 1990s, which led to the death of around three million people. To help control the situation, the leader urged ruling party officials to wage another “Arduous March” of work and sacrifice.
Although North Korea has refused to acknowledge the existence of COVID-19 within its borders publicly, the country’s severe economic crisis is attributed to the imposition of one of the world’s most stringent lockdowns. As part of the preemptive measures, the regime even halted trade and people-to-people exchanges by sealing its borders to China last year, which is its main economic lifeline. International sanctions on Kim’s administration over its nuclear weapons programme have further strained the economy.
Against this backdrop, the United Nations’ (UN) special rapporteur on human rights in North Korea, Tomas Ojea, called for UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea to be eased in order to “facilitate humanitarian and life-saving assistance and to enable the promotion of the right to an adequate standard of living of ordinary citizens.”
North Korean Leader Kim Calls for Improved Living Standards Amid “Grim” Economic Situation
In recent months, North Korea has hinted at a grim economic situation, stemming from COVID-19 induced lockdowns, which has created a famine-like situation in the country.
October 11, 2021
SOURCE: AP