North Korea has revived a long-dormant conference format from its past leadership. This move follows the country’s unprecedented decision to send troops to Russia, which has sparked negative public sentiment. Analysts suggest that this revival is part of a broader strategy to tighten domestic control, fulfill the five-year economic development plan, and prepare for potential diplomatic challenges, particularly with the anticipated return of a more aggressive foreign policy from a second Trump administration.
On Tuesday, North Korea’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported that the 3rd National Conference of Enthusiastic People’s Unit Leaders was held in Pyongyang on Sunday and Monday. The meeting focused on discussing practical steps to modernize the work of local units in response to the new era’s needs.
In North Korea, a people’s unit is the smallest administrative level, typically consisting of 20 to 40 households. These units are the most basic form of social control, with unit leaders closely monitoring and managing residents’ activities. The latest conference gathered only the most successful leaders and enthusiasts from the country’s nationwide network of these units.
The last such conference was held in 2007, under Kim Jong Il’s leadership, before Kim Jong Un’s rise to the country’s supreme leader. This latest revival comes after an 18-year hiatus.
During the conference, Kim Jong Un emphasized reinforcing socialist values and called for intensified efforts against anti-socialism and non-socialism. The meeting also highlighted the urgency of radically innovating the work of local units to keep up with the country’s rapid development. The focus on anti-socialist struggles at a grassroots level suggests that the regime is increasingly concerned about maintaining strict control over social dynamics.
In a broader context, North Korea also held the 4th Meeting of the Korean People’s Army Battalion Commanders and Political Instructors last November—the first gathering in a decade.
Kim Jong Un reaffirmed the regime’s commitment to enhancing its nuclear forces and stressed the importance of maintaining a high state of military readiness. Experts believe this focus on military preparedness is, in part, an attempt to avoid internal unrest following the controversial decision to send North Korean troops to Russia.
This year also marks the final year of North Korea’s five-year national economic development plan, which was launched in 2021, and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party. The plan is seen as an effort to consolidate national energy and achieve significant political and economic accomplishments.
Experts also suggest that with the possibility of a second Trump administration, North Korea may prepare for another major diplomatic push similar to the one seen seven years ago. This internal consolidation effort could be interpreted as a move to ensure the regime’s internal unity and prevent any loosening of control in the face of potential external pressures.