LEADER Kim Jong-un has vowed to root out “evil” and scolded lazy officials while praising his troops fighting with Russia against Ukraine, state media said, capping a major meeting of Pyongyang’s top brass.
The three-day meeting of the regime’s central committee discussed key policy issues as well as plans for a congress of its ruling party, expected in early 2026 – North Korea’s first in five years.
Wrapping up the meeting on Thursday, Kim condemned “the wrong ideological viewpoint and inactive and irresponsible work attitude” of some officials, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said.
He called on officials to have “greater confidence in and courage for the future of our cause and struggle”.
State media did not offer specifics, though it did say the ruling party had revealed numerous recent “deviations” in discipline – a euphemism for corruption.
The North Korean leader reserved praise for Pyongyang’s soldiers fighting against Ukraine alongside Russia, of whom at least 600 have died and thousands more sustained wounds, according to South Korean estimates.
Their work, Kim said, “demonstrated to the world the prestige of our army and state as the ever-victorious army and genuine protector of international justice”.
Analysts say Pyongyang is receiving financial aid, military technology, food and energy supplies from Russia in return for sending troops.
Kim’s mention of the troops “signalled Pyongyang’s intention to maintain that deployment”, Ahn Chan-il, a researcher originally from North Korea, said.
“North Korea is also highly likely to seek a role in post-war reconstruction in Russia once... the conflict ends,” he added.
Kim also hailed efforts this year in “modernising” the country’s defences in the face of great “global geopolitical and technological changes”. — AFP
