Tag: Workers’ Party

Workers’ Party Convention Gift Set Reportedly Not Popular With North Koreans

| May 15, 2016

It is not much of a gift set when people are told they have to first pay for it, especially when the items are of inferior quality:

nk flag

To celebrate its seventh congress, Pyongyang distributed one tube of toothpaste, one toothbrush and one bottle of liquor per household, the Tokyo-based Asia Press reported on Wednesday, citing sources in North Korea. Not only were the gifts sets depressingly mean – they weren’t even free.

“Collective farms near where I live refused to take the gift sets because they cost about 1,500 (North Korean) won [$1.67],” a source was quoted as saying, “and I didn’t claim them, either.”

The anonymous source added that the toothpaste distributed by the government was unpopular among the public because of its much lower quality compared to products from China. [Joong Ang Ilbo]

You can read more at the link.

Kim Jong-un Makes False Claims During Address to Workers’ Party Convention

| May 8, 2016

I wonder how many people in attendance at the Workers’ Party political convention know the extent of Kim Jong-un’s exaggerations?  The Taepodong-2 rocket launch was successful, but the satellite portion of the test was a failure.  The hydrogen bomb test has also been assessed as a failure:

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has hailed the country’s nuclear test and long-range rocket launch early this year as a success in his opening address at its first party congress in nearly four decades.

Clad in a black western-style suit and tie, Kim called the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) congress, which kicked off on Friday, a “historic landmark” for the country, according to footage aired by the communist country’s state-run TV station.

The seventh party congress, the first in 36 years, was held as the U.N. Security Council slapped tougher sanctions on Pyongyang in March over its January nuclear test and long-range rocket launch in February.

“This year, our military and people successfully carried out the first hydrogen bomb test and launched a satellite (into orbit), boosting the country’s dignity and national power,” Kim said in an opening speech, flanked by his key aides.

The party gathering is the first of its kind since October 1980 and also the first under the current leader, who assumed power in late 2011 following the sudden death of his father, Kim Jong-il.  [Yonhap]

You can read more at the link.

It’s Party Time In North Korea, Will It Conclude With No One Getting Executed?

| May 7, 2016

Kim Jong-un’s big political convention in North Korea has begun, hopefully for the attendees no one gets dragged off and executed before it is over:

North Koreans with umbrellas walk near the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang on May 6, 2016, where the congress by the Workers’ Party of Korea is being held, in this photo released by the Associated Press. (For Use in S. Korea Only & No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

North Korea kicked off its rare party congress at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang, the first in 36 years, according to foreign media reports. The North’s state media has yet to publish any reports on the gathering.

The event is the first party congress since October 1980 and also the first under the current leader, who assumed power in late 2011 following the sudden death of his father, Kim Jong-il.

“North Korea appears to seek to establish the socialist party-centered system and further consolidate the Kim Jong-un regime through the party congress,” Jeong Joon-hee, a spokesman at Seoul’s unification ministry, said at a regular press briefing on Wednesday.

The party congress, which may last for three to four days, starts with an opening speech by the North’s young leader, which will serve as a gauge for his policy directions. North Korea’s state media has not yet made public its leader’s keynote address.

Later in the day, the WPK’s central committee will hold a session to review accomplishments and discuss future plans. On the final day of the event, it is expected to elect new members to the party central committee. [Yonhap]

You can read the rest at the link, but really the only thing of interest I expect to see come out of this is if Kim Yo-jong is promoted to a higher position within the Kim regime.

Kim Jong-un Announces Date of First North Korean Political Convention in 36 Years

| April 28, 2016

Kim Jong-un has announced the date for his big political convention in an effort to bolster his grip on power in North Korea:

Facing mounting international pressure over its nuclear and missile ambitions, North Korea has set a date for its biggest political convention in decades next week that is expected to bolster young dictator Kim Jong Un’s grip on power.

The ruling Workers’ Party, led by Kim, will open its 7th congress in Pyongyang on May 6, the official Korean Central News Agency reported Wednesday.

It will be the first time the congress, the highest-level decision-making party organ, will be held since 1980, when Kim’s late father Kim Jong Il was awarded a slew of top jobs in a confirmation that he was in line to succeed his father, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung.  (……..)

South Korea’s spy service said Wednesday it expects Kim to use the congress to try to strengthen and prolong his authoritarian leadership. The National Intelligence Service said the convention would handle personnel reshuffles, review state projects and revise party regulations, according to lawmaker Lee Cheol Woo, who attended the private NIS briefing.

Kim has orchestrated a series of high-profile executions, purgings and demotions in what outside analysts say was an attempt to remove potential rivals or show he’s an absolute ruler.  [Associated Press]

You can read more at the link.