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North Korea holds its biggest political event amid crises

6 January 2021
15572
2021-01-06 11:11

North Korea has opened the first full congress of its ruling party in five years.

The congress could be crucial, coming as it does amid what some experts see as the most fraught moment of Kim's nine-year rule. The Workers' Party congress began on Tuesday as North Korea faces what Kim has called huge challenges and difficulties brought on by an economy hammered by pandemic-related border closings, a spate of natural disasters and harsh US-led sanctions meant to stop the country from putting the finishing touches on its illicit nuclear-tipped missile program.

The meeting will also be closely watched by, and may be meant to send a message to, President-elect Joe Biden, who will be inaugurated later this month. The congress is the top decision-making organ of the Workers’ Party. During the congress, North Korea has said it will announce new economic developmental goals for the next five years.

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