Video
Publications
Issue Briefs
Publications | Issue Briefs
Analysis of the 9th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK): Emphasis on “Remarkable Achievements” and Hostile Policy Toward South Korea
Cha Du Hyeogn
2312025.01.10
From December 26 to 30, North Korea held an expanded 9th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea to evaluate the achievements of 2023 and set policy directions for 2024.
Results of the 9th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the WPK
At the Plenary Meeting, Kim Jong Un placed a significant emphasis on introducing the achievements of 2023. Unlike in the past, he declared that through the struggle of 2023, the party had “greatly increased the overall national power” and “ushered in an era of comprehensive development of socialism.” In this way, North Korea showcasing the achievements of the regime in 2023 both domestically and internationally was intended to encourage North Korean citizens, who have been forced to endure hardships due to prolonged international sanctions, while also giving the impression to the outside world that North Korea remains resilient. This was evidenced by the lack of specifics related to actual improvements in the lives of the residents.
This article is an English Summary of Asan Issue Brief (2024-02).
(‘북한 노동당 제8기 9차 전원회의 분석: ‘획기적인 성과’와 대남 적대노선의 강조’)
Cha Du Hyeogn
Vice President / Supervisor, Research and Planning / Director
Dr. Cha Du Hyeogn is a North Korea Study expert who has shown various research performances on North Korean Politics and Military, U.S.-ROK Alliance, and National Crisis Management, etc. He is the Principal Fellow of Asan Institute for Policy Studies, holding an additional post as Visiting Professor of Graduate Institute of Peace Studies in Kyung Hee University. He also has served as Adjunct Professor of University of North Korean Studies (2017~2019), Senior Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Governor of GyeongGi Provincial Government (2015~2018), Visiting Scholar of Korea Institute for National Unification (2015-2017), the Executive Vice President of the Korea Foundation (2011~2014). Before these careers, he was also a Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA, 1989~2012) and the Acting Secretary for Crisis Information to the ROK President Lee Myung Bak (2008). He has worked more than 20 years in KIDA as various positions including Director of Defense Issues Task force (2005~2006), Director of Arms Control Researches (2007), Director of North Korea Studies (2009). Dr. Cha received his M.A. and Ph.D. degree of Political Science from Yonsei University. He has written more than 100 research papers and co-authored books on diverse fields of security and International relations. He has advised for various governmental organizations.
view more
Han Ki-bum
Adjunct Senior Fellow
Dr. Han Ki-bum worked as a North Korea analyst at the National Intelligence Service over 20 years before retiring in February 2009 as the third deputy director (in charge of North Korea affairs). After retiring from the service, he worked as a visiting professor at Korea University and a visiting researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, And then served as the first deputy director of the NIS (in charge of North Korea and overseas affairs) again from April 2013 ~ February 2016. Since then, he has been working as a endowed Research Fellow at the Institute for National Unification, then as a endowed Research Fellow at the Institute for North Korean Studies, and as a Visiting Research Fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies from January 2024.
view more