FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
North Korea's ruling Workers' Party has re-elected Kim Jong Un as general secretary, state media reported. The decision was made during a party congress in Pyongyang, reports the BBC.
According to the state news agency KCNA, under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, North Korea has significantly improved its "military deterrence capacity," basing it on nuclear forces.
The Kim family has ruled the country since the late 1940s. Kim Jong Un took power in 2011, after the death of his father. During that time, he has invested in a nuclear program, increasing tensions with the United States and Western countries.
Despite facing years of international sanctions, Pyongyang has continued to develop nuclear capabilities and test intercontinental ballistic missiles, banned by UN resolutions. However, due to the regime's lack of transparency, assessment of real military progress remains limited.
The ninth Workers' Party Congress, which began on February 19 and is now in its fourth day, is expected to determine the next phase of its weapons program. Ahead of its opening, North Korea unveiled a series of nuclear-capable rocket launchers, according to official statements. The congress is held every five years and is considered the most important political event in the country.
According to KCNA, about 5,000 party members are taking part in the congress, which offers a rare glimpse into the country's political power structure. The meeting also saw the party's presidium, or executive committee, reorganized, with more than half of the 39 members replaced compared to the 2021 composition.
In his opening speech, Kim pledged to improve the economy and the population's standard of living, calling them "grave and urgent historical tasks."
Attention also remains on the possible presence of his daughter, Ju Ae. Earlier this month, South Korea's intelligence service said Kim had selected her as his heir. Ju Ae, believed to be about 13 years old, has increasingly appeared at official events, including missile inspections and a military parade in Beijing alongside her father.
According to Chinese state media reports, Chinese President Xi Jinping called Kim Jong Un to congratulate him on his re-election, stressing his willingness to "open a new chapter in China-North Korea friendship."
China remains Pyongyang's largest trading partner and main source of aid. However, Beijing has expressed concerns about North Korea's nuclear ambitions and its rapprochement with Vladimir Putin's Russia, developments that could affect regional stability.
Lini një Përgjigje