North Korean leader Kim Jong Un continues to conduct local guidance visits to gauge public sentiment just before his trip to China. By focusing on internal affairs and unity before stepping onto the international stage, analysts suggest that North Korea is prioritizing immediate domestic achievements over diplomatic efforts.
The Workers’ Party of Korea’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on August 31 that Kim attended the inauguration ceremony of a fish farming facility in Rakwon County on August 30. During his visit, he not only toured the newly established fish farm but also inspected nearby housing that was built and provided free of charge to workers and residents, demonstrating his concern for their well-being.
Kim expressed that witnessing the joy of the county’s residents as they experience the remarkable transformation of their hometown fills him with immense pride and satisfaction that it has accomplished another good deed for the people. He further noted that the beauty of the Rakwonpo lies not just in its stunning scenery, but primarily in the bright faces of the people.
At the fish farm’s inauguration ceremony, Kim cut the ribbon and toured various facilities, including the product exhibition hall, science and technology dissemination room, control center, and processing areas for scallops and kelp. He listened attentively to staff explanations and provided on-site instructions, showcasing his thorough approach to the project.
During his visit to the newly constructed housing, Kim entered a two-story home, greeted a child while holding their hand, and shared photos of himself enjoying the view from a second-floor balcony, emphasizing personal connections. The newspaper also reported that he took commemorative photos with numerous residents, offering them his blessings.
On August 29, Kim met with families of war heroes who distinguished themselves in overseas military operations at Mokran Hall in Pyongyang, offering them comfort. This meeting followed a similar gathering on August 22 with families of soldiers deployed to Russia, where he personally presented portraits of the fallen, wrapped in the national flag, to the bereaved, reportedly shedding tears during the process. Four days earlier, Kim had visited the newly completed fish farming facility in Nakwon County to inspect the site. On August 27, he also checked the training conditions at a special operations base under the Korean People’s Army General Staff.
Since August 15, Kim has engaged in eight public activities, occurring approximately every two days. Despite significant regional events during this period, including U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises and summits between South Korea and Japan, as well as South Korea and the U.S., Kim has primarily focused on domestic unity and public welfare.
On August 18, while visiting the newly launched destroyer Choe Hyon at Nampo Port, Kim remarked that the joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea clearly demonstrate their hostile and confrontational intentions toward the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. However, he did not make any other notable diplomatic statements.
Notably, after announcing his first trip to China in six years on August 28, Kim’s subsequent public activities (visiting the fish farm and comforting families of deployed soldiers) were largely unrelated to diplomacy. This suggests that North Korea currently prioritizes its own agenda over diplomatic relations, particularly in light of U.S.-South Korea dynamics.
North Korea aims to complete and promote the five-year plan established during the 8th Party Congress in 2021 before the 9th Party Congress, scheduled for late this year or early next year. By highlighting the Supreme Leader’s direct involvement in related projects, the regime appears to be pushing for immediate domestic achievements.