“Uneventful and lacking novel ideas” is how
some North Koreans are describing the first Party Congress held by leader Kim
Jong Un, as it comes to an end after a four-day run and the weeks of
mobilization ordered for its preparation, Daily NK has learned.
“Quite a lot of people had some measure of
expectation for it, since it was the first Party Congress to be held in
decades,” a source from South Pyongan Province told Daily NK on May 9. “In the
past, the event was bustling with foreign VIPs and ‘congratulatory
delegations,’ but this time there were no special invitations, so a lot of
people have criticized it for being deflated,” the source reported.
Sources in North and South Hamgyong
Provinces confirmed similar developments in those regions.
“Orders had come down for people to watch
the event on television in public, so workers were seated at state factories
from 8 a.m. on the 6th, and they just had to sit there all day and were not permitted
to go anywhere,” the source said, adding, “Although many were anticipating
something of substance to be announced at the congress, all they aired were old
documentaries, so many became annoyed.”
During the 6th Party Congress in October
1980, the North aired news from the gathering through Korean Central Television
[KCTV] and the “Third Broadcast” fixed cable radio system, providing continual
updates on what was being discussed. This was aimed at rallying the people’s
solidarity and loyalty, while founder Kim Il Sung laid out the vision for the
country and reflected upon past achievements, noted the source.
However, in stark contrast to the 6th
gathering, this year’s event saw the majority of the population kept uninformed
about developments from the very first day. Residents were also angered by the
fact that the state did not air broadcasts as was promised on the 5th (the day
before the event).
“Many had hoped the regime would adopt bold
and innovative policies at the event, given that a younger leader was at the
helm of it,” the source explained, adding that the disappointment came as no
great surprise once they started hearing the “same old” announcements on
nuclear weapons as opposed to measures for reforms.
Rumors had circulated ahead of the event,
suggesting that the gathering would be used to announce new economic policies.
Even some cadres had been debating over whether they would be ‘Chinese-style’
or ‘Vietnamese-style’ reforms, the source reported.
After hearing speeches from the event,
people have expressed disdain and uncertainty about their future, noting that
it is impossible to envision what implications the state’s 5-year economic plan
has for their livelihoods, said the source.
