Reflecting on Kim Jong Eun’s past three years in power, North Korea’s state media evaluated the execution of
Jang Song Taek in December 2013 as the highest achievement in the political
arena.
A Chosun Central News [KCNA] report on
December 15th declared that “the perennial foundation for Songun [military first] Chosun has been established
under Kim Jong Eun’s leadership during the last three years,” and went on to
enumerate his achievements by sector.
The report claimed that the young leader
has “strengthened solidarity”
in the political field, and that “a modern sect” attempting to exterminate the Party’s sole
leadership was “detected and pulverized” at the enlarged meeting of
the Chosun Workers’ Party [WPK] Central Committee Politburo in December 2013 in order to “enhance
ideological solidarity of the Party and the grand scheme of the
revolution.”
This “modern
sect’ refers, of course, to Jang Song Taek’s authority: Kim Jong Eun employed the same expression in February
of this year in his address at the 8th Conference of Ideological Officials of the Chosun Workers’ Party.
This is the first allusion by North Korea’s
state media this month to Jang’s execution; December 12th, the date marking
one year since the incident, passed without any related references.
In the military sector, the strength of the
army was touted as “at its prime” and “the revolutionary transition” achieved to “perfect battle training and combat readiness.”
The report said in addition that thanks to
the adoption of the parallel line between the nuclear and the economy at the
Party meeting last March, “Songun Chosun was able to protect the eternal
independent dignity and to expect a grand leap and innovation to becoming an
economic powerhouse and improving people’s lives.” There was, however, no mention of last February’s nuclear test.
The launch of Kwangmyongsan No. 2 and No. 3 were lauded as national achievements in the
science and technology realm.
Six other achievements were listed from various sectors : ▲establishment of an economic development zone to attract
foreign capital ▲”Masikryong Speed” created by the building of Masikryong ski
resort ▲the adoption of organic farming and success of the
cooperative farm production unit system [bunjo] ▲ introduction of overall
12-year compulsory education ▲new music from the Moranbong Band, and ▲ the nation’s successful athletic endeavors.
