Expert round-up: What to make of North Korea’s New Year’s plenum readout



Expert Surveys Expert round-up: What to make of North Korea’s New Year’s plenum readout Kim Jong Un revealed little about foreign policy and military plans for 2022, while prioritizing agriculture Chad O'Carroll \| Chaewon Chung January 1, 2022 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Rodong Sinmun (edited by NK News) \| Still from North Korea’s Dec. 2021 Plenum event Kim Jong Un has revealed major new policies in early January throughout his time as leader, either through New Year’s speeches or following large political meetings in Pyongyang. As such, many were expecting new details on Saturday relating to DPRK foreign policy, military and space exploration goals — all items touched upon last January at the Eighth Party Congress. Instead, policy analysts awoke to a report in state media that focused in large part on issues relating to North Korea’s domestic economy, agricultural situation and rural sector. The absence of foreign policy was stark: The report reserved more space © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

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Expert round-up: What to make of North Korea’s New Year’s plenum readout

Kim Jong Un revealed little about foreign policy and military plans for 2022, while prioritizing agriculture

Chad O'Carroll | Chaewon Chung January 1, 2022

Expert round-up: What to make of North Korea’s New Year’s plenum readout

Rodong Sinmun (edited by NK News) | Still from North Korea’s Dec. 2021 Plenum event

Kim Jong Un has revealed major new policies in early January throughout his time as leader, either through New Year’s speeches or following large political meetings in Pyongyang.

As such, many were expecting new details on Saturday relating to DPRK foreign policy, military and space exploration goals — all items touched upon last January at the Eighth Party Congress.

Instead, policy analysts awoke to a report in state media that focused in large part on issues relating to North Korea’s domestic economy, agricultural situation and rural sector.

The absence of foreign policy was stark: The report reserved more space

About the Authors

Chad O'Carroll

Chad O'Carroll is the founder of NK News/NK Pro and related holding company Korea Risk Group. In addition to being the group's CEO, O'Carroll is a frequent writer and commentator about the Koreas, having written about the two nations since 2010. He has visited the DPRK multiple times, worked and lived in Washington, D.C. with a focus on peninsula issues, and lived in the ROK since 2016.

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Chaewon Chung

Chaewon Chung covers U.S., Chinese, and Japanese politics and national security in relation to North Korea. She previously worked at Coda Story covering disinformation and technology with a focus on the East Asia.

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