North Korean Congress Votes for 'Qualitative and Quantitative' Development of Nuclear Arsenal

The Congress of the Workers' Party of North Korea, an institution that last convened nearly four decades ago, voted in its latest session to improve the economic situation alongside the expansion and development of the country's nuclear arsenal. The North Korean Congress ultimately endorsed the program that Kim Jong-un, the country's leader, had in mind and emphasized during a speech on Sunday. Mr. Kim had called for an economic-nuclear strategy to be adopted as it is both 'revolutionary' and 'scientific' and 'reflects the legitimate needs for creating a prosperous socialist society.' The official North Korean news agency reported on May 8 that Congress members emphasized that economic development must occur alongside 'improvement of nuclear defense capabilities, both in quality and quantity.' A day earlier, the North Korean leader stated that nuclear weapons would only be used in the event of a 'threat to territorial integrity' and expressed a desire to improve relations with countries that were previously 'hostile.' In recent months, Pyongyang has conducted new nuclear and missile tests, which have faced widespread international reactions, including criticism from Beijing, and increased sanctions from the UN Security Council. Since taking power in 2011, Kim Jong-un has also taken actions domestically to 'consolidate' his power, including the execution of a group of the most prominent figures remaining from his father's era and emphasizing the need to improve economic conditions. North Korea is also facing widespread drought, raising concerns among international organizations about meeting the basic food needs of its citizens. The seventh session of the Workers' Party Congress was held on Friday, with the previous session dating back to October 1980. It is unclear whether the convening of the Congress serves any consultative function in North Korea's political structure beyond propaganda purposes. The father of the current North Korean leader emphasized the policy known as 'Songun,' which prioritizes military development and the army above all else. The new economic-nuclear policy is referred to as 'Byungjin.' Last year, South Korea's official news agency reported that the US and China had engaged in discussions to convey the message to North Korea that its economic development would not be possible without nuclear disarmament. The US has emphasized that it and its regional allies will respond to what they call North Korea's 'nuclear and missile provocations.' Frank Rose, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, recently stated that the Obama administration is committed to developing missile defense systems worldwide, 'especially in the Korean Peninsula.' China has specifically and repeatedly criticized the deployment of the THAAD missile defense system in the peninsula, believing that this system, especially its radars, will be used to strike at its capabilities. Washington has rejected this, stating that THAAD is intended solely for defense against what it describes as 'threats' from North Korea.