North Korea's first Workers' Party Congress in five years reflected the predicament of leader Kim Jong Un, now in his 10th year in power. In a bid to consolidate the regime, he assumed the post of general secretary, the same position held by his father and grandfather. He has also announced plans to increase the country's military capabilities and revive the economy through self-sufficiency measures, suggesting he is in danger of becoming reactionary and inward-looking.
Kim admitted that North Korea had not met the economic targets set at the last congress, saying the country "tremendously fell short of goals on almost every sector." North Korea faces a major structural issue in its shortage of production capacity. This has been compounded by the triple blow of international economic sanctions, flood damage and the novel coronavirus.
