Rare Pyongyang meeting comes to a close

World Today

Kim Jong Un is vowing to develop the DPRK’s nuclear weapons program and its economy.

The first Workers Party congress in 36 years has come to a close in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. CCTV America’s Nathan King reports.

The DPRK’s first Workers’ Party congress since 1980 vows to continue building nuclear weapons, but also build the economy that has been hit hard by international sanctions.

An economic five year plan was announced, along with a pledge to be a responsible nuclear state and not use nuclear weapons first unless the DPRK’s sovereignty is threatened.

That pledge hasn’t allayed the concerns of any major power, including neighboring China, which is once again calling for Pyongyang to give up its nuclear ambitions.

No word yet as to if or when the DPRK will conduct its fifth nuclear test. There had been strong speculation that a test might coincide with this congress.

There’s also confirmation that Kim Jong Un has consolidated power in Pyongyang. He now also holds the title of chairman of the party. Concluding the Congress he called on all sections of society to carry out the government plan.

Kim Jong Un also called for better ties with the Republic of Korea to the south but given Pyongyang’s explicit commitment to nuclear weapons underlined this week, a thaw in relations between the two Korean states is, for now, unlikely.