As North Korea gears up for its 9th Party Congress, the regime is ramping up promotion of various construction achievements while finalizing projects in the economic sector.
On Tuesday, the party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on a series of completion ceremonies: the first phase of modernization at the Ryongsong Machine Complex, the Forest Research Institute, an early-stage fish farming facility in Ongjin, public and production buildings in Muncheon City, and new housing in Cheorwon County.
The paper also highlighted the completion of the Aedo tideland reclamation project in North Pyongan Province on January 15, and the opening of the Wonsan Comprehensive Fishery Factory on January 12. Earlier reports covered the nearing completion of housing construction in the Hwaseong area on January 11, and the Sinuiju Greenhouse Farm on the 3rd.
This recent flurry of promotion surrounding key economic construction projects appears to be part of a broader strategy to launch a full-scale propaganda campaign as the 9th Party Congress approaches.
The reporting patterns of North Korean media often serve as a barometer for the timing of the Party Congress. As the event draws near, state-run outlets like Rodong Sinmun and the Korean Central News Agency have begun a series of reports celebrating the completion of various economic and defense goals set over the past five years. This has led to speculation that North Korea may convene the Party Congress in February.
The decision to hold the 9th Party Congress was made during a plenary meeting of the Central Committee last June. While the regime announced that important decisions regarding the Congress were made at another plenary meeting in December, specific agenda items and dates have yet to be disclosed.