"Kim said North Korea had overcome its "worst difficulties" since the last congress in 2021, held during the global economic downturn from the COVID-19 pandemic. The country was now entering a new stage of "optimism and confidence in the future," he said. "Our party is faced with heavy and urgent historic tasks of boosting economic construction and the people's standard of living and transforming all realms of state and social life as early as possible," he said."
"North Korea is one of the world's poorest and most isolated countries. Its strict information blockade obscures its true economic state. But its economy has suffered for years under Western sanctions that aim to block funding for its nuclear weapons program. Recently, however, experts suggest the country has seen some economic recovery. In 2024, the economy grew by 3.7%, according to the South Korea-based Korean Association of International Studies."
Kim Jong Un opened the ruling Workers' Party congress, a quinquennial gathering with thousands of delegates at Pyongyang's House of Culture. Party leadership is expected to set domestic and foreign policy for the coming five years. Kim praised an improving economy and regional standing, saying North Korea had overcome its "worst difficulties" since 2021 and entered a stage of "optimism and confidence in the future." He called for urgent tasks to boost economic construction, raise the people's standard of living, and transform state and social life. Recent estimates show 3.7% GDP growth in 2024, aided by closer ties with Russia despite Western sanctions.
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