North Korea has once again emphasized the need to reinforce Party discipline following the public reprimand of officials at the 30th Expanded Secretariat Meeting of the 8th Central Committee.
On Friday, the Workers’ Party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, referenced the expanded meeting, during which General Secretary Kim Jong Un directly criticized local officials for misconduct. The paper reported, “It has been reaffirmed that there will be no tolerance, no matter how big or small, for anything that tarnishes the essence and image of the Party.”
The article further stressed that “officials’ work methods and moral character are not merely personal matters but are directly linked to the dignity and authority of the Party.”
The newspaper criticized corrupt practices, stating, “If officials continue to engage in improper work methods, such as making decisions without clear strategies, failing to respect the public, or abusing their positions for personal gain, they will undermine the people’s revolutionary enthusiasm and trust in the Party.”
It further warned that in past socialist states, ruling parties collapsed because officials became bureaucratic and morally corrupt, diluting the Party’s revolutionary essence and losing public support and trust. The paper emphasized that every word, action, and work attitude of officials reflects the dignity and authority of the Party.
The article also noted that “improving officials’ work methods and attitudes is not a new issue; it has been emphasized since the founding of the Party” and insisted that “such improvements can only be achieved through conscious and consistent personal effort.”
The paper advised officials to never act like bureaucrats who merely issue orders to the people and that the higher their rank, the more they should humble themselves. It also stressed that maintaining people-oriented work methods and high moral character is a matter of life and death that must never be neglected or ignored for even a moment.
Earlier, at Monday’s expanded Secretariat Meeting, Kim Jong Un revealed that strict measures had been taken against more than 40 Party officials in Onchon County, Nampo, who had received hospitality involving alcohol, as well as inspectors from the agricultural oversight agency in Usi County, Jagang Province, who had violated public interests and property.
The move to publicly reprimand and decisively take action against corrupt local economic sector officials early in 2025 is an effort to tighten discipline among officials and ensure this year’s financial goals.