DPRK leader trumpets nuclear success in opening congress

World Today

A traffic police woman stands in front of Workers’ Party flags decorating the streets on Friday, May 6, 2016, in Pyongyang, DPRK. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

DPRK president Kim Jong Un on Friday addressed the first full congress of the ruling party since 1980, saying that “unprecedented results have been accomplished” with the “great success” of its January test of a nuclear weapon and February rocket launch of a satellite into space.

CCTV America’s Nathan King reports.

State TV showed the leader being welcomed with rapturous applause on Friday, in what officials have portrayed as a showcase of the country’s stability and unity under his leadership, despite the nation facing tough new sanctions over its nuclear and missile programmes.

The event is a major political milestone for Kim Jong Un, who was not yet born when the previous congress was held 36 years ago.

In preparation, Pyongyang, the capital, has been spruced up and large groups of students and workers could be seen around the city as a light rain fell Friday preparing for parades and rallies that are to be held in conjunction with the congress.

The DPRK has held other big meetings of its ruling Workers’ Party since the 1980 congress – notably in 2010 and 2012 – but all six previous congresses came under national founder and “eternal president” Kim Il Sung, who died in 1994.

This one could provide a major opportunity for Kim, who is still largely a mystery to the outside world and has yet to travel abroad or meet any world leaders, to step out of the shadows of his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, and father, Kim Jong Il.

Story by Reuters 


International Security Expert Jim Walsh on DPRK’s political extravaganza

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