Thousands of North Korean judicial officers gathered in Pyongyang this week to discuss an ongoing “battle” against anti-state acts and other issues to help the ruling party maintain its grip on power, according to state media Friday.

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un submitted a letter of instructions to the Seventh National Conference of Judicial Officials held from Sept. 14 to 15 — the first such conference in five years — but he did not attend, the Rodong Sinmun reported.

Kim reportedly ordered attendees to “use our laws as a political weapon … to protect the party” and country and