“On the Tasks Facing the Government of the Republic at the Present Stage of Socialist Construction.”

Editorial by Director Jung Chang-hyun

March 25, 2026

At the First Session of the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of North Korea, a policy speech was delivered under the title: “On the Tasks Facing the Government of the Republic at the Present Stage of Socialist Construction.”

I believe this policy speech deserves very careful analysis. I am not optimistic that the grand goals set by North Korea will all be achieved. Nevertheless, unlike previous policy speeches, this one seems particularly useful as analytical material from various angles for understanding the current concerns and aspirations of the North.

The most striking aspect is that it comprehensively and concretely enumerates the everyday issues felt by the people.

It addresses the issue of the population cliff through a “population growth” initiative (raising the birth rate), lowering infant mortality, ensuring the normal provision of rest and vacation, improving the treatment of neighborhood unit leaders (inminban heads), ensuring trials and legal defense to protect citizens’ legal rights, emphasizing that improvement of people’s living standards—not numerical economic growth—should be the standard, ensuring the normal operation of hospitals and health facilities, preventing infectious diseases, pointing out that the production of low-quality goods is a waste, narrowing the educational gap between urban and rural areas, expanding medical security through a health insurance fund, and addressing the issue of administrative officials (civil servants) who impose inconvenience and burdens on the people.

Second, it signals the possibility of enormous change within North Korean society.

This is expressed succinctly as the establishment of the “system and order” of state (regime) institutions. It is uncertain whether this can be dismissed simply as “strengthening control.” The speech states:“The five demands of the times specified by the 9th Party Congress must be embodied as practical guidelines in improving and strengthening the work of state institutions.”

What are the five demands of the times?

“First, to continue deepening the work of ensuring unified action and establishing strict discipline throughout socialist construction.

Second, to break away from outdated formulas, frameworks, conservatism, and empiricism, and to continuously create and innovate.

Third, to conduct work scientifically, with foresight and practical benefit, while valuing professional competence.

Fourth, to innovate methods and styles of guidance over production and construction and to enhance the command capabilities of officials.

Fifth, to consistently uphold the principle of solving all matters through the power of ideology and the spiritual strength of the masses, and to intensify the struggle against all negative phenomena that run counter to the people-first principle.”

When I visited North Korean factories, cooperative farms, and schools in the 2000s, I observed many problems. It now appears that, rather than denying these issues, they are being openly acknowledged through the supreme leader’s speech and that active efforts are being made to seek realistic solutions.

Third, the text of this policy speech suggests, in various ways, how the so-called “Kim Jong Un-ism” is becoming visible as a structured system of ideology, theory, and method.

In this respect, this policy speech appears to be a valuable text for understanding how North Korea currently perceives the international situation, the realistic level of its economy, the everyday demands of its residents, and how it intends to address the problems of the present stage.

🌍 Source: Chung Chang-hyun, Director of the Peace Economy Research Institute

Chung Chang-hyun is Director of the Peace Economy Research Institute. He holds a master’s degree in Korean history from Seoul National University and previously worked as a senior journalist at the JoongAng Ilbo Institute of Contemporary History.