Kim Jong Un re-appointed as North Korea’s Workers’ Party leader

KABUL (Pajhwok): North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been re-appointed as secretary-general of the ruling Workers’ Party, extending his leadership of the country’s sole governing party, media reports said on Monday.

According to Al Jazeera, the decision was announced on Sunday, the fourth day of the party congress, which convenes every five years.

During the congress, members of the Central Committee were also elected and several party rules were amended, although further details were not disclosed.

In his opening address last week, Kim described the past five years as a “proud period” in advancing what he called “the socialist cause of our own style,” while acknowledging challenges including international sanctions and the global public health crisis.

He said the party faced “heavy and urgent historic tasks” in boosting economic development, improving living standards and transforming state and social systems as soon as possible, stressing the need for a more active and sustained struggle without “standstill or stagnation.”

Kim has led North Korea since the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, in 2011. In 2019, the country’s legislature approved constitutional amendments strengthening his authority over state affairs and formally recognising him as head of state.

kk/sa