Pictured Above: Kim Jong-un’s official party photo.
UPDATE 20 (2012-4-21): 38 North has posted three articles on the Party Conference and SPA meeting in Pyongyang. Read the articles byJames Church, Aidan Foster-Carter, and Bruce Klinger.
UPDATE 19 (2012-4-19): Stephan Haggard, Luke Herman, and Jaesung Ryu on the Party conference.
UPDATE 18 (2012-4-11): In addition to honoring Kim Jong-il and promoting Kim Jong-un, KCNA also reported other party personnel changes:
Pyongyang, April 11 (KCNA) — Members of the party central guidance body were elected to fill vacancies, elected and appointed at the 4th Conference of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
Choe Ryong Hae was elected member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee, Kim Jong Gak, Jang Song Thaek, Pak To Chun, Hyon Chol Hae, Kim Won Hong and Ri Myong Su members of the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee, Kwak Pom Gi, O Kuk Ryol, Ro Tu Chol, Ri Pyong Sam and Jo Yon Jun alternate members of the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee to fill vacancies.
Kim Kyong Hui and Kwak Pom Gi were elected secretaries of the Party Central Committee.
Choe Ryong Hae was elected vice-chairman of the Party Central Military Commission and Hyon Chol Hae, Ri Myong Su and Kim Rak Gyom were elected members of the Party Central Military Commission to fill vacancies.
Members and alternate members of the Party Central Committee were elected to fill vacancies.
Kim Yong Chun, Kwak Pom Gi and Pak Pong Ju were appointed as department directors of the Party Central Committee.
Members of the Party Central Auditing Commission were elected to fill vacancies.
Previous posts on the party conference below…
UPDATE 17 (2012-4-11): KCNA reports on the Party Conference. Accomplishments include: 1. Naming Kim Jong Il as “eternal general secretary” of the WPK; 2. Revising party rules (Unspecified); 3. Naming Kim Jong-un to top position in party with the title “first secretary”.
Pyongyang, April 11 (KCNA) — The Fourth Conference of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in Pyongyang Wednesday decided to hold Kim Jong Il, the great leader of the WPK and the Korean people, in high esteem as eternal general secretary of the WPK in reflection of the unanimous will and desire of all the party members and other people.
And
Pyongyang, April 11 (KCNA) — The Fourth Conference of the Workers’ Party of Korea elected the dear respected Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of the WPK and people of the DPRK, as first secretary of the WPK, true to the behest of leader Kim Jong Il.
The Conference solemnly declared internally and externally that Kim Jong Un was elected first secretary of the WPK, reflecting the unanimous wishes of all the party members, servicepersons and all other people.
All the participants paid highest tribute and extended warmest congratulations to him, loudly shouting “Hurrah!” with immense excitement, joy and profound respect.
His election as first secretary of the WPK is an expression of absolute support for and trust in the supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army by all party members, servicepersons and other people. He has developed the revolutionary idea of the peerlessly great persons of Mt. Paektu to glorify it as Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism with his gifted wisdom and through energetic ideological and theoretical activities and put forth unique ideas and theories of the revolution and construction and all other fields including politics, military affairs, economy and culture and successfully materialized them, thus making outstanding contributions to the Juche-based army building through his energetic Songun leadership.
It also marks a great political event that demonstrates to the full the unshakable will of the army and people of the DPRK to fully preserve and glorify the immortal revolutionary exploits of Kim Jong Il and accomplish generation after generation the revolutionary cause of Juche, the Songun revolutionary cause started in Mt. Paektu, under the leadership of Kim Jong Un.
Only victory and glory will always be in store for the army and people of the DPRK advancing under the guidance of the WPK headed by Kim Jong Un and the party and country holding the great sun in high esteem will shine more brilliantly along with the new century of Kim Il Sung’s Korea.
Here is the report on North Korea Leadership Watch.
Finally, the Hankoyreh has some speculation on the party rule changes:
The details of the amendments were not announced, but analysts believe they included the addition of provisions shifting most of the general secretary’s authority to the newly created first secretary position, as well as changes to the organization along these lines. In particular, they said that provisions for the general secretary’s simultaneous status as CMC chairman were altered to give the first secretary that status.
With Wednesday’s meeting, Pyongyang appears to have wrapped up its efforts to establish the new regime. Once administrative changes and legislative amendments are completed at a Friday meeting of the Supreme People‘s Assembly, the regime will have shed its provisional character, four months after Kim Jong-il’s death.
UPDATE 16 (2012-4-10): The Daily NK reports on some of the people and families that have a big stake in the party conference.
UPDATE 15 (2012-4-9 and 10): KCNA reports that the delegates to the Party Conference have arrived in Pyongyang and visited Mangyongdae.
UPDATE 14 (2012-4-6): The Daily NK reports that Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yeo-jung, has been selected as a delegate to the upcoming 4th Chosun Workers’ Party Delegates’ Conference. According to the article:
“Kim Yeo Jung was not given the right to that position through a Party members’ election, she was given it on the recommendation of the Party Delegates’ Conference Preparatory Committee,” the source explained. “At the end of last month when elections for Party delegates were going on in the People’s Army and the provinces, cities and counties, Kim was also unanimously selected as a Party delegate by the Conference Preparatory Committee, and that was then approved by the Party Central Committee.”
However, the source noted, “There is no confirmed information about what position Kim Yeo Jung might take at the Party Delegates’ Conference. Even in the event that she is given a certain position, the North Korean authorities would probably not release it.”
According to Party regulations, Party delegates must be elected by local conferences. Even Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Eun were technically elected according to these procedures. That Kim Yeo Jung was not chosen in this way suggests that the regime is dedicated to keeping her role within the regime under wraps.
This may be because Kim’s youth, political weakness and inexperience, not unlike those of her brother, make her a propaganda problem for the North Korean authorities. In any case, there is no known domestic public record of her political activities or educational background.
However, to Kim Jong Eun she is useful in many ways. She can be trusted to manage sensitive internal affairs or make visits to security-sensitive sectors. Above all, her quiet elevation to Party delegate shows how much Kim Jong Eun learned about the tools of dictatorship from his father, who picked it up from his own father, Kim Il Sung.
Examples abound. Kim Il Sung’s brother Kim Young Joo was, until he was pushed away from the regime core by Kim Jong Il in the 1970s, both a Politburo member, a member of the Secretariat and one of Kim Il Sung’s very closest personal advisors.
Similarly, Kim Jong Il employed sister Kim Kyung Hee in multiple roles, especially following the death of his wife Ko Young Hee and even more so after he had a stroke in the summer of 2008. Kim Kyung Hee appeared by Kim’s side continuously, while simultaneously playing the role of assistant on Kim Jong Eun’s succession with her husband, Jang Sung Taek. She is a military general and a quiet force in the regime.
Thus, just as Kim Jong Eun succeeded his father Kim Jong Il, we can say that Kim Yeo Jung seems to be succeeding her aunt, Kim Kyung Hee.
UPDATE 13 (2012-4-2): The Daily NK notes that the end of the succession is drawing near:
The Chosun Workers’ Party has revealed that its 4th Delegates’ Conference is to be held in Pyongyang on the 11th, two days before the Supreme People’s Assembly in the same “revolutionary capital” on the 13th. It seems likely based on the current situation that Kim Jong Eun will succeed to the position of Party General-Secretary and then go on to become head of state through these consecutive Party and state events.
Therefore, international eyes will repeatedly turn towards North Korea during April, with the Delegates’ Conference on the 11th followed by the SPA on the 13th and the 100th anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s birth on the 15th, all falling during a period which is set to see the launch of ‘Gwangmyungsung-3’ as well. We can realistically assert that the succession of Kim Jong Eun will be complete by mid-month.
It has only been a year and seven months since the 3rd Party Delegates’ Conference on September 28th, 2010. Then, Kim Jong Eun was made Party Central Military Commission vice-chair, the main official appointment at an event convened to set the scene for his succession. It is a process that lends weight to the presumption that this time around Kim is going to take the reins of the Party general-secretaryship.
Kim Jong Il was handed the same Party position in 1997, though not via a large Party gathering such as this. He became state leader a year later via the convoluted process of abolishing the premiership and elevating the National Defense Commission to the role of leading state institution.
On the latest developments, Cheong Seong Chang of the Sejong Institute commented to Daily NK today, “In a socialist system, the Party leader concurrently holds the top state post. Because of this, Kim Jong Eun will first be raised to the leading job in the Party, the general-secretary, then to the top state job via the SPA. It’s a natural progression.”
Alluding to the possibility of the NDC being abolished in honor of Kim Jong Il, he went on, “We’ll have to wait and see whether Kim Jong Eun succeeds to the top state role of NDC chairman or to a new and different state institution via the SPA.”
UPDATE 12 (2012-4-1): April will be a big month in the DPRK. The KWP conference will be held on April 11–this will be the fourth Party Conference (Previous: 1958, 1966, 2010). Rodong Sinmun reports that the 5th session of the 12th Supreme Peoples’ Assembly will be held on April 13th. Kim Il-sung’s birthday (Day of the Sun) will be April 15th. The Spring Arts Festival will take place sometime between April 10th and 23rd. And let’s not forget the Tongchang-ri rocket launch!
UPDATE 11 (2012-4-1): Yonhap reports on Kim Jong-un’s election as a delegate to the KWP conference:
After a series of party meetings countrywide, North Korea has elected new leader Kim Jong-un as a delegate to this month’s ruling party conference, the North’s state media said Sunday, in a move seen by outside analysts as another effort to consolidate Kim’s grip on power.
The North’s ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) plans to hold a special session on April 13 and is expected to appoint the young Kim, believed to be in his late 20s, to the post of general secretary of the party. The same post was held by his late father Kim Jong-il.
The young leader became supreme commander of the North’s 1.1 million-strong military shortly after his father’s death in December, as he progressively takes more control of the communist country.
Announcing Kim as a WPK delegate, representatives “praised him as the great statesman who is wisely leading the revolution and construction as a whole with his tested leadership,” according to an English-language report by the Korean Central News Agency.
Ahead of the upcoming special session, the party meetings represented “the unanimous will and desire of all the party members and other people,” the report continued.
North Korea is preparing a grandiose celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of late founding leader Kim Il-sung, grandfather of Kim Jong-un, on April 15.
In the first international conflict since the death of Kim Jong-il, North Korea has vowed to press ahead with a plan to launch a long-range rocket, ostensibly to put a satellite into orbit, between April 12 and 16, rebuffing a chorus of international warnings.
South Korea, the United States and Japan have demanded North Korea call off the planned launch, warning it would violate a U.N. resolution that bans any ballistic missile tests by the communist country.
North Korea has refused to budge, arguing that it has a sovereign right to fire the rocket as part of its “peaceful” exploration of the space.
Here is coverage in KCNA:
Meetings Held to Elect Delegates to WPK Conference
Pyongyang, April 2 (KCNA) — Meetings of the party committees of the Korean People’s Army, all the provinces (political bureau), cities (district) and counties were successfully held to elect delegates to the Fourth Conference of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK).
The meetings elected Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of the WPK, state and army, as a delegate to the Fourth WPK Conference, reflecting the unanimous will and desire of all the party members, service personnel and people.
The meetings also elected officials and other working people who performed merits in strengthening the party and accomplishing the cause of the Juche revolution, the cause of Songun revolution, as delegates to the WPK Conference.
The Fourth Conference of the WPK will take place in Pyongyang on April 11.
The preparatory committee for the WPK Conference made it clear.
See also North Korea Leadership Watch.
UPDATE 10 (2012-3-31): Rodong Sinmun reports on more KWP delegate elections:
The WPK organizations of DPRK Cabinet, the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces and the Ministries of Railways and Culture held respectively meetings of representatives.
Participating there were representatives elected in party organizations of the units of different levels.
The participants observed a moment’s silence to the memory of leader Kim Jong Il.
The meetings discussed the election of delegates to the WPK Conference.
Addresses for electing Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of our Party and people, a delegate to the WPK Conference were made by Choe Yong Rim, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK and premier of the DPRK Cabinet, who is a representative of the party organization of the cabinet at the meeting held at the cabinet, Ri Pyong Sam, director of the Political Bureau of the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces, at the meeting held by the internal security forces, Han Chang Sam, director of the Political Bureau of the Ministry of Railways, who is a representative of the party organizations of the Wonsan Railway Rolling-stock Complex at the meeting at the ministry and Ri Myong Mo, chief secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Art of the WPK, who is representative of the institution party organization of the party committee of the ministry at the meeting held at the ministry.
Saying that all the servicepersons of the internal security forces, officials and party members absolutely respect and trust Kim Jong Un, the speakers proposed to elect Kim Jong Un a delegate to the Conference of the WPK.
Many others also spoke at the meetings.
Expressing their glory and pride in having elected Kim Jong Un a delegate to the Conference of WPK, they fully supported the proposal.
The conferences adopted with unanimous approval a decision on electing Kim Jong Un a delegate to the WPK Conference.
Other delegates to the conference of the WPK were also elected at those meetings.
UPDATE 9 (2012-3-31): KCNA reports on KWP delegate elections:
Meetings Held to Elect Delegates to WPK Conference
Pyongyang, March 31 (KCNA) — Meetings of Jagang, South Hwanghae, North Phyongan and Kangwon provinces and Rason City were held to elect delegates to the Conference of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK).
Present there were delegates elected at the party organizations of cities and counties in the provinces and those performing the same function as theirs’ and the party organizations of the provincial institutions.
The delegates paid silent tribute to leader Kim Jong Il.
The meetings discussed the election of delegates to the WPK Conference.
Addresses on electing the dear respected Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of the WPK and the Korean people, as a delegate to the WPK Conference were made at the meetings.
The addresses said that Kim Jong Il defended the socialist country and laid the foundation for the happy life of the Korean people while hewing the untrodden difficult path in the van with his iron will and superhuman energy.
Kim Jong Un is the supreme leader of the WPK and the Korean people who is leading to victory the revolutionary cause of Juche and the cause of building a thriving nation which was pioneered by President Kim Il Sung and advanced by Kim Jong Il, the addresses noted, adding that the ideological and theoretical guidelines have been provided to boundlessly glorify the Juche idea and the Songun idea and the day of victory of the revolutionary cause of Juche and the cause of building a thriving nation is coming near thanks to the energetic ideological and theoretical activities and tested leadership of Kim Jong Un.
The addresses praised him as the great statesman who is wisely leading the revolution and construction as a whole with his tested leadership and the general of Mt. Paektu style who is making the DPRK shed its rays as a military power, possessed of the distinguished quality and trait and organizational ability that no one can match.
The addresses courteously proposed to elect him as a delegate to the WPK Conference, representing the unanimous will and desire of all the party members and other people in the provinces and the city.
At the meetings speakers fully supported and approved the proposal on electing him as a delegate to the WPK Conference.
The meetings unanimously adopted decisions on electing him as a delegate to the WPK Conference.
The meetings elected delegates to the WPK Conference.
UPDATE 8 (2012-3-30): KCNA and Rodong Sinmun both report on provincial elections to select delegates for the KWP Conference:
Meetings of Provincial and City Representatives of WPK Held
Meetings of representatives were held respectively in South and North Hamgyong, Ryanggang and North Hwanghae provinces and Nampho City to elect delegates to the Conference of the WPK.
Participating there were representatives elected in party organizations of the cities and counties and other units performing the same functions as theirs in the provinces and city and the party organizations of the provincial and city institutions.
The participants with infinite reverence observed a moment’s silence to the memory of leader Kim Jong Il. The meetings discussed the election of delegates to the WPK Conference.
Addresses for electing Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of our Party and people, a delegate to the WPK Conference were made by Kwak Pom Gi, chief secretary of the South Hamgyong Provincial Committee of the WPK, who is a representative of the party organization of the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex at the meeting held in his province, Kim Hi Thaek, chief secretary of the Ryanggang Provincial Committee of the WPK, who is a representative of the party organization of Kim Jong Suk University of Education at the meeting held in his province, O Su Yong, chief secretary of the North Hamgyong Provincial Committee of the WPK, who is a representative of the party organization of the Musan Mining Complex at the meeting held in his province, Pak Thae Dok, chief secretary of the North Hwanghae Provincial Committee of the WPK, who is a representative of the party organization of the provincial People’s Committee at the meeting held in his province and Kang Yang Mo, chief secretary of the Nampho City Committee of the WPK, who is
a representative of the party organization of the Taean Heavy Machine-building Complex at the meeting held in his city.They, reflecting the unanimous will and desire of all the representatives, party members and working people of the provinces and the city, proposed to elect Kim Jong Un a delegate to the Conference of the WPK.
The floor was taken by representatives of party organizations of different units of the provincial and city level.
The meetings adopted with unanimous approval a decision on electing Kim Jong Un as a delegate to the WPK Conference.
Other delegates to the conference of the WPK were also elected at those meetings.
UPDATE 7 (2012-3-29): KCNA and Rodong Sinmun both report that Pyongyang City selects delegates for KWP conference:
A meeting of Pyongyang City representatives of the Workers’ Party of Korea was held at the People’s Palace of Culture on March 28.
Participating in it were representatives elected in party organizations of city and district party committees, other units performing the same functions as theirs in Pyongyang and party organizations of national and municipal institutions.
The participants reverentially observed a moment’s silence to the memory of Kim Jong Il, who enjoys immortality as the Songun sun of Kim Il Sung’s Korea.
The meeting elected the executive.
It discussed the issue “On electing delegates to the Conference of the WPK”.
A speech for electing Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of the WPK and the Korean people and supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army, as a delegate to the Party Conference was delivered by Mun Kyong Dok, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and chief secretary of the Pyongyang City Committee of the WPK, who is a representative of the Mangyongdae District Party organization of the WPK.
He, reflecting the unanimous will and desire of all the representatives, party members and working people of Pyongyang, respectfully proposed electing Kim Jong Un as a delegate to the Conference of the WPK.
The floor was taken by representatives of the different party organizations.
The meeting adopted with unanimous approval a decision on electing Kim Jong Un as a delegate to the WPK Conference in reflection of the will and desire of all the party members and people in Pyongyang.
The meeting also elected other delegates to the conference.
UPDATE 6 (2012-3-28): Rodong Sinmun reports:
Meeting of South Phyongan Provincial Representatives of WPK Held
A meeting of the South Phyongan Provincial representatives of the Workers’ Party of Korea was held in Phyongsong City on March 27.
Participated there were Kim Yong Nam, member of the Presidium of the Political Committee of the WPK Central Committee and president of the Presidium of the Suppreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK, representatives elected in party organizations of city and county party committees of the province, those of organs with same functions of the former and primary party committees of the units of provincial level.
The participants observed a moment’s silence to the memory of leader Kim Jong Il.
The meeting elected the executive, then discussed the election of delegates to the Conference of the WPK.
A speech for electing Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of our party and people and respected supreme commander of the KPA as a delegate to the WPK Conference, was delivered by Hong In Bom, chief secretary of the Provincial Party Committee the WPK, who is a representative of the Sunchon City Party organization of the WPK.
He, reflecting the unanimous will and desire of all the representatives, party members and working people of the province, respectfully proposed to elect Kim Jong Un as a delegate to the Conference of the WPK.
Stormy applause and cheers “Hurrah!” echoed through the meeting hall.
His speech was followed by speeches of Ryang Hung Ju, secretary of the provincial committee of the WPK, who is representative of the party organization of Phyongsong City, An Kuk Thae, chairman of the People’s Committee of the province, who is a representative of the party organization of the people’s committee of the province, Mun Chan Ho, first secretary of the provincial committee of the youth league, who is representative of the party organization of the youth league, Jang Myong Hae, director of the Provincial People’s Security Bureau, who is a representative of the party organization of the bureau, and An In Gon, rector of Phyongsong University of Coal Mining, who is a representative of the party organization of the university.
The meeting adopted with unanimous approval a decision on electing Kim Jong Un as delegate to the WPK Conference in reflection of the will and desire of all the party members and working people of the province.
The meeting also elected other delegates to the WPK Conference.
UPDATE 5 (2012-3-27): The Daily NK reports that Kim Jong Eun gets party delegate role:
Chosun Central News Agency (KCNA) and Rodong Shinmun both revealed today that Kim Jong Eun is to be a Workers’ Party delegate for the Chosun People’s Army (KPA) at the upcoming 4th Workers’ Party Delegates’ Conference, which is set to open on an as-yet unpublicized date in April.
The decision was taken at a meeting of military Party delegates at the 4.25 Culture Center in Pyongyang yesterday, according to the reports.
Delivering the news, Rodong Shinmun, the publication of the Workers’ Party, announced, “The hall was engulfed in endless delight and emotion at the taking of the Chosun Workers’ Party Central Military Committee Vice Chairman and Chosun People’s Army Supreme Commander, our Party and military’s supreme leader comrade Kim Jong Eun, as Chosun Workers’ Party Delegates’ Conference delegate.”
KPA General Political Bureau 1st Vice Director Kim Jeong Gak delivered the keynote speech at the event, alongside Chief of Staff Lee Young Ho and others.
Here is the covereage in Rodong Sinmun (2012-3-27):
A meeting of representatives of the Korean People’s Army of the Workers’ Party of Korea was held at the April 25 House of Culture on March 26.
Placed on the platform were portraits of the great President Kim Il Sung and the great leader Kim Jong Il.
Seen in the meeting place were slogans reading “Long live the Workers’ Party of Korea, which organizes and guides all victories of the Korean people!” and “Long live the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, our glorious motherland!”
Participating in the meeting were the representatives elected at the unit Party organizations at all levels of the KPA.
The participants observed a moment’s silence to the memory of Kim Jong Il, who enjoys immortality as the Songun Sun of Juche, in reflection of the ardent yearning and infinite reverence of the entire service persons of the KPA and the people for him.
The meeting elected the executive.
An issue on electing delegates to the Conference of the WPK was discussed at the meeting.
A speech for electing Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of our Party and people and respected supreme commander of the KPA as a delegate to the Party Conference, was delivered by Kim Jong Gak, first vice-director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA.
He, reflecting the unanimous will and desire of the entire KPA service persons, respectfully proposed to elect Kim Jong Un as a delegate to the Conference of the WPK.
His speech was followed by speeches of Ri Yong Ho, Kim Won Hong, Jong Myong Do and other representatives from unit Party organizations at various levels.
The meeting adopted with unanimous approval a decision on electing Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of the Party, state and army, as a delegate to the WPK Conference in reflection of the will and desire of all the service persons of the KPA.
The meeting also elected other delegates to the conference.
See also North Korean Leadership Watch.
UPDATE 4 (2012-3-25): According to KCNA:
City (District) and County Party Conferences for WPK Conference Held
Pyongyang, March 25 (KCNA) — City (district) and county party conferences were held in the run up to the Conference of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
Present there were delegates elected by party organizations of various levels including institutions, industrial establishments and co-op farms in cities (districts) and counties.
The delegates paid silent tribute to leader Kim Jong Il.
The city (district) and country party conferences discussed the matter of electing delegates to provincial (municipal) party conferences. Nominated there were candidates for delegates to the provincial (municipal) party conferences.
They nominated the officials and other party members who performed distinguished feats in strengthening the WPK and building a thriving socialist nation as candidates for delegates to the provincial (municipal) party conferences. There were elections of candidates for delegates at the conferences.
Then followed speeches.
The speakers expressed full support and approval of dispatching the candidates as delegates to the provincial (municipal) party conferences, believing that the nominated candidates will make positive contributions to strengthening the WPK into the eternal party of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and successfully carrying out the revolutionary cause of Juche and the cause of building a thriving socialist nation under the leadership of the dear respected Kim Jong Un.
The conferences elected the nominated candidates for delegates as delegates to the provincial (municipal) party conferences.
UPDATE 3 (2012-3-9): According to KCNA:
Pictured Above (KCNA): The new posters promoting the upcoming party conference.
Posters were produced in the run-up to the historic Conference of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
A poster “The highest glory to our mother party!” reflects the Korean people’s warm praise of the party founded by President Kim Il Sung and developed by leader Kim Jong Il into a powerful guiding force.
It also represents their firm pledge to defend the Central Committee of the WPK headed by the dear respected Kim Jong Un with the unshakable conviction that Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il will always be with them.
A poster “Let us greet the Conference of the WPK with high political enthusiasm and brilliant labor successes!” depicts servicepersons, workers, farmers and intellectuals safeguarding the socialist country as firm as an iron wall and working miracles in the drive to build an economic power and improve the people’s standard of living after turning out in the grandiose march in the new century of Juche.
There is a poster “Let us build waterway in South Hwanghae Province as a monumental structure in era of Songun!”
UPDATE 2 (2012-2-29): According to KCNA:
Koreans Recall History of WPK Conferences
Pyongyang, February 28 (KCNA) — Upon hearing the decision of the Political Bureau of the C.C., Workers’ Party of Korea on holding a Party conference in April, Korean people recall the history of the past conferences, which were held to settle the urgent problems of the times.
The Party conference in March 1958 reviewed the work of wiping out those engaged in factional tricks within the Party and thus marked a milestone in strengthening the unity and cohesion of the Party.
Another Party conference in October 1966 took measures to reorganize the overall work for socialist construction and step up the defence building under the situation in which the imperialists were intensifying the anti-socialist moves.
The Party conference in 2010, too, was convened to meet the demand of the developing revolution.
Decades had passed since the Sixth Congress of the WPK in Oct. 1980. In those days the invincibility of the DPRK and the superiority and might of Juche-based socialism were strikingly demonstrated under the leadership of the WPK.
The WPK guided the army and people under the banner of Songun as required by the prevailing situation to victoriously conclude the arduous march, the forced march and laid a solid foundation for the building of a thriving nation.
Great successes were made in all domains including political, military, economic and cultural fields through a fresh revolutionary surge.
After all, the Party conference took place in 2010 to further strengthen the WPK and enhance its leadership role in keeping with the fresh circumstances and thus glorify the victorious history of the Korean revolution.
The forthcoming conference will be conducive to glorifying the sacred career and undying exploits of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il and accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Songun, closely rallied around the dear respected Kim Jong Un.
UPDATE 1 (2012-2-29): According to KCNA:
Rodong Sinmun Calls for Greeting WPK Conference with High Political Enthusiasm
Pyongyang, February 29 (KCNA) — Rodong Sinmun Wednesday editorially calls upon all the people to unite close around the dear respected Kim Jong Un and greet the forthcoming conference of the Workers’ Party of Korea with a high degree of political enthusiasm and labor achievements.
The Party conference is of particular significance in the party development and accomplishment of the Juche revolution as it will open at a historic juncture when a new century of Kim Il Sung’s Korea starts, it says, and goes on:
The WPK has marked a new historic turning point in its development.
Kim Jong Un is standing at the head of the WPK and revolution.
Under his guidance the Korean revolution is making more dynamic advances and registering signal achievements in the efforts to build a thriving nation.
The party and revolution have a rosier prospect as the bloodline of Mt. Paektu is given steady continuity generation after generation and the center of the leadership and unity remains unshakable.
With Kim Jong Un at the helm of the WPK, it is shedding its rays as a steel-strong party with the greatest dynamism, a revolutionary one with a strong sense of organization and firm unity and principle and as a great mother party genuinely serving the people, deeply rooted among them.
It is the immense pride that the revolutionary comrades-in-arms of Songun are united closer around the Central Committee of the WPK, sharing thought and intention with Kim Jong Un and keeping pace with him.
The forthcoming conference of the WPK will offer an opportunity of increasing its position and role as a powerful political staff for the Songun revolution, steadfast in monolithic ideology and leadership.
ORIGINAL POST: According to KCNA (2012-2-20):
WPK Conference to Be Convened
Pyongyang, February 20 (KCNA) — The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea on Feb. 18 issued the following decision on convening the WPK Conference:
The Party members, servicepersons and all other Korean people are now dynamically pushing forward the grand advance to glorify 2012 as a year of proud victory to be recorded in the annals of the country, single-mindedly united around the dear respected Kim Jong Un, cherishing the steadfast faith that leader Kim Jong Il will always be with them.
Kim Jong Il developed the WPK into the party of President Kim Il Sung and an invincible revolutionary party with his outstanding ideas and theories and extraordinary leadership and successfully led the Korean revolution with warm love for the country and its people, fervent energy and great dedication for over half a century, thus performing undying revolutionary feats in behalf of the Party, the revolution, the country and its people.
We are now facing honorable tasks to build a thriving socialist nation by firmly defending the revolutionary ideas and line and undying revolutionary feats of the President and Kim Jong Il and successfully materializing them without an inch of deflection under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, holding Kim Jong Il in high esteem at the head of the WPK and the revolution for all ages.
The Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee decides to convene the WPK Conference in mid-April Juche 101 (2012) to glorify the sacred revolutionary life and feats of Kim Jong Il for all ages and accomplish the Juche cause, the Songun revolutionary cause, rallied close around Kim Jong Un.
According to the Daily NK:
The North Korean media has announced news of the 4th Chosun Workers’ Party Delegates’ Conference, which is to be held in mid-April, 2012.
It will be the first such major official Party conference since the 3rd Delegates’ Conference on September 28th, 2010, the event at which Kim Jong Eun was officially revealed as the successor to the late Kim Jong Il.
Workers’ Party publication Rodong Shinmun, citing the decision of the Politburo of the Party Central Committee, stated today, “Honoring for all time the sacred revolutionary life of comrade Kim Jong Il and his immortal revolutionary achievements whilst also uniting around comrade Kim Jong Eun so as to complete the work of Juche and the military-first revolution, we will convene a Party Delegates’ Conference in mid-April, Juche 101(2012).”
The conference is presumed to have been timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, which falls on April 15th. While it is unclear what the North Korean authorities are planning to achieve through the event, it is probable that it will be used to further elevate Kim Jong Eun in the ranks of the Party, possibly by endowing him with the title of Party General-Secretary.
NK Leadership Watch has more details:
Kim Jong Il’s death left vacant three senior party positions: General-Secretary, Presidium Member of the Political Bureau and [Central Military Commission] Chairman. KJU has been acclaimed with a number of honorific titles and appointed KPA Supreme Commander, but he is neither a member (or alternate) of the Political Bureau nor is he a party secretary. He is, however, CMC Vice Chairman placing him next in line to become CMC Chairman. If he is elected CMC Chairman in April, it is highly likely he will also be elected General Secretary, in accordance with the party charter revision in 2010 which made them concurrent positions. As of February 2012, there were at least six (6) vacancies on the Political Bureau, one (1) in the Secretariat and one (1) on the CMC. During the 4th Party Conference it is likely some of these vacancies will be filled. The Political Bureau may also see some upward migration in its membership (i.e. alternate to full member).
