Kim says he wants to jump-start economic development and improve people’s lives as he marks 10th anniversary of his leadership. Kim has used previous speeches around the New Year to make major policy announcements, including launching significant diplomatic engagements with South Korea and the US. The domestic focus of the speech underscored the economic crises Kim faces at home, where self-imposed anti-pandemic border lockdowns have left North Korea more isolated than ever before. He cited unspecified military advancements as a significant achievement of the past year and discussed “militant tasks” facing national defence in 2022. The big focus on rural development is likely a populist strategy, said Chad O’Carroll, founder of NK News, a Seoul-based website that tracks North Korea.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 01, 2022 13:59 UTC