Kim Jong Un Urges ‘Big Leap Forward’ at Rare North Korea Congress
- Internal, external challenges undermining progress, Kim says
- North Korea starts first such party gathering in five years
This article is for subscribers only.
Leader Kim Jong Un issued a dire warning at North Korea’s first ruling party congress in five years, saying development plans fell far short of their goals and the party would explore a “new path” for making a “big leap forward.”
The days-long Workers’ Party Congress -- convened to draft a new economic plan -- began shortly after Kim skipped his usual New Year’s Day address. In opening remarks Tuesday, Kim said the party’s previous five-year development plan, which ended last year, missed its targets due to both “internal and external challenges,” according to the official Korean Central News Agency.