On Wednesday, the last day of 2025, North Korea declared this year as a historic turning point and praised the leadership of Kim Jong Un, the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party. However, while the country heavily promoted achievements in defense and construction, it notably omitted any mention of Kim’s diplomatic efforts, drawing attention.
The Workers’ Party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on its front page that it would present the revolutionary leadership record of Comrade General Secretary that illuminated this year as a historic turning point under the title, 2025: A Year of Great Dedication.
The newspaper highlighted the construction of new homes, local factories, and hospitals completed within the same year they began. It cited examples of Kim personally inspecting these new facilities across the country, stating that look at the remarkable new homes received like a dream, the new streets of the capital, and the picturesque fishing villages.
The paper further emphasized that this year began and will end with significant completions, marking an unprecedented year of achievements in our nation’s history, truly deserving to be called the Year of Completions.
It proclaimed that throughout this year, the nation advanced significantly, and the people drew closer to their ideals, adding that the country soared to new heights, with miracles and transformations occurring in rapid succession.
Alongside construction achievements, the newspaper also highlighted Kim’s contributions to strengthening national defense. It stated that the path to enhancing the defense capabilities is the one that General Secretary Comrade has traveled at maximum speed, with unwavering determination to evolve our robust national defense assets for the fate and dignity of the people.
The report particularly praised the Defense Development-2025 weapons exhibition held in October, noting that the self-reliant defense industry showcased powerful achievements once again in less than a year. It also mentioned that Kim inspected important weapon systems and shipbuilding projects at major shipyards, emphasizing his dedication to strengthening national defense.
Despite listing various achievements from the past year under Kim’s leadership, the newspaper made no mention of his significant diplomatic activities. In September, Kim made his first multilateral diplomatic appearance since taking office by visiting China to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II, where he stood alongside President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, showcasing a trilateral alliance.
On October 10, during the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party, he invited top leaders from allied countries like Laos and Vietnam to North Korea for a summit.
The absence of external affairs content in North Korea’s article promoting its annual achievements is interpreted as a reflection of an upcoming decision regarding new diplomatic policies and strategies at the 9th Workers’ Party Congress scheduled for early next year. There are indications that new proposals concerning North Korea-U.S. and inter-Korean relations may emerge during the congress.