North Korea, which implemented a major generational shift at the 9th Workers’ Party Congress, has swiftly initiated efforts to tighten discipline among its officials.
On Wednesday, Rodong Sinmun presented 12 Communist Traits New Era Workers Must Possess, outlining party loyalty, principled behavior, political awareness, accountability, leading by example, creativity, mass-oriented approach, humanity, integrity, optimism, morality, and incorruptibility as essential qualities for all officials.
As the Workers’ Party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun serves both as a propaganda tool for North Korean authorities and a crucial resource for officials nationwide to understand the central party’s directives. Consequently, analysts interpret this report as establishing new criteria for monitoring and evaluating officials moving forward.
Presents 12 Traits as Principledness… Compromise on Principles in Revolution Is Death
Rodong Sinmun grouped the 12 traits under the concept of principled behavior, underscoring that adhering to these traits is not only a fundamental quality for officials but also a mandatory party directive and objective.
The newspaper employed strong rhetoric, declaring that compromising principles in a revolution is tantamount to death, demanding officials’ heightened awareness. It characterized the current situation as one where, although gunfire is absent, battles against imperialists rage across political, economic, military, and cultural spheres. The report emphasized that present circumstances require officials to wield unwavering principled behavior as a constant weapon in their struggle.
Moreover, it urged officials to thoroughly study party policies presented at each stage and to sharply confront any deviations from party ideology and intentions, no matter how minor, stressing that loyalty to the party should yield tangible results.
This aligns with the broader trend of Kim Jong Un frequently criticizing officials’ complacency and publicly disciplining them, indicating North Korea’s intensified efforts to reinforce official discipline. While the report ostensibly presents ideological standards, it may signal a more nuanced and rigorous evaluation system for officials.
Learn, Explore, Strive… Push to Overcome Stagnation and Spur Generational Renewal
Rodong Sinmun also advocated for multi-talented, capable workers alongside the 12 traits. This suggests officials should possess practical skills beyond ideological preparation. The newspaper asserted that there is nothing diligent learners and explorers cannot achieve, positioning capability as a core prerequisite for fulfilling duties.
The newspaper emphasized the importance of keenly grasping the party central’s intentions, interpreted as a push for substantive results rather than superficial achievements. It labeled those with dull political acumen as obstacles to progress, potentially indicating the persistent prevalence of entrenched practices typical in North Korea’s authoritarian system.
Indeed, Kim stated in the 9th Party Congress conclusions that it cannot indefinitely retain outdated remnants, and it must boldly overcome and eradicate backwardness and malpractices.
The newspaper’s reports appear connected to North Korea’s efforts to replace older officials from previous regimes with those personally selected by Kim. This may serve as a swift and forceful warning to younger generations against emulating the survival tactics of senior officials or falling short in capabilities.