North Korea made a significant decision at the 9th Workers’ Party Congress, reversing the slogan of its late leader Kim Jong Il that it may not have candy, but it must have bullets, which symbolized his military-first policy. Analysts on Tuesday described this party congress as a pivotal moment marking the solidification of the Kim Jong Un era.
Now It Needs Both Candy and Bullets… Showcasing Confidence in National Strength
On the fourth day of the party congress, Secretary Ri Il-hwan proposed reappointing Kim as the party’s General Secretary, declaring that it has entered an era where it no longer need to debate whether defense or the economy comes first.
He asserted that the people’s belief that we may not have candy but must have bullets has now transformed into the confidence that it can create both candy and bullets if we set the minds to it.
The slogan “We may not have candy, but we must have bullets” is widely recognized as a teaching of Kim Jong Il. This phrase encapsulates his governance philosophy during the economic hardships of the mid-1990s, known as the Arduous March, when he prioritized strengthening national defense and focused on missile and nuclear development. In this context, candy represents the civilian economy, while bullets symbolize military power, suggesting that even if people are hungry, the military must be strengthened.
By overturning the teachings of his predecessor, Secretary Ri appears to aim at showcasing North Korea’s national strength. This indicates that the country has created an environment in which it can pursue all its desires. Simultaneously, it highlights that General Secretary Kim has established himself as a leader independent of his predecessor’s shadow.
North Korea has previously described the teaching of Bullets over candy by Chairman Kim Jong Il as a matter of iron will, but this party congress seems to mark a declaration that Kim has completed a unique system called the Kim Jong Un era, free from the influence of his predecessor.
Notably, during this congress, Kim introduced a permanent amendment to the party’s charter, reflecting the Five Major Construction Lines for a New Era he first proposed in October 2022. This move also signifies the establishment of a distinct Kim system, providing a basis for Secretary Ri’s remarks that counter the teachings of his predecessor.
Professor Lim Ul-chul from Kyungnam University’s Institute for Far Eastern Studies remarked that North Korea has demonstrated a high level of confidence, but added that this does not deny the legacy of the past; rather, it signifies that he intends to shape the future based on that legacy. He assessed that there is a belief that it is possible to achieve both defense and economic success based on the accomplishments of the past five years.
Party Congress Highlights Achievements, Confidence… Chances for U.S.–North Korea and Inter-Korean Talks Shrink Further
Overall, North Korea is focusing on expressing confidence in national strength and completing the Kim system during this congress. This lack of external messaging suggests that North Korea sees no immediate reason to extend an olive branch to the outside world.
Consequently, there are growing expectations that North Korea will not take any forward-looking actions toward the U.S. or South Korea in its newly decided foreign policy.
The chances for dialogue between the two Koreas, as well as the potential for a North Korea-U.S. summit or communication during President Donald Trump’s visit to China in April, appear slim.
Professor Lim noted that when there is a deficiency, the need for dialogue with the outside arises; however, it seems that such a necessity is not significant at this time, predicting that North Korea will focus on internal cohesion and enhancing its military capabilities for the foreseeable future.