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On
the second day of the Sixth Enlarged Plenary Meeting of the
party's 8th Central Committee, Kim reviewed the "newly created
challenging situation" on the Korean peninsula and the broader
political landscapes, the report said.
The third-generation leader set the direction for the
"anti-enemy struggle" and goals for reinforcing defence power,
it added.
"He specified the principles of foreign affairs and the
direction of the struggle against the enemy that our party and
government must thoroughly abide by in order to protect
sovereign rights and defend national interests," the official
KCNA news agency said.
"New core goals for strengthening self-defensive capabilities to
be strongly pursued in 2023 have been presented in preparation
for diverse fluctuations in the political situation."
KCNA did not provide details on those goals, but Kim's remarks
could indicate the isolated country will continue to accelerate
its military buildup.
North Korea has fired an unprecedented number of missiles this
year, and many launches were designed to develop "top priority"
strategic weapons under a five-year plan laid out at a Workers'
Party congress in early 2021.
The list includes tactical nuclear weapons, a new
intercontinental ballistic missile, hypersonic gliding flight
warheads, nuclear-powered submarines and a reconnaissance
satellite.
Tension remained high throughout this year amid the North's
constant weapons tests, and it flared again this week after five
North Korean drones crossed into South Korea, prompting Seoul to
scramble fighter jets and attack helicopters, and try to shoot
them down.
During the plenary meeting, Kim also pointed out "a series of
serious shortcomings" observed in such areas as science,
education and health this year, and suggested ways to overcome
them and raised key tasks for next year, KCNA said.
North Korean leaders previously made speeches on New Year Day,
but in recent years, Kim has called days-long party gatherings
at the end of the year to announce major policy decisions.
The economy is high on the agenda, with Kim facing mounting
pressure from international sanctions, the fallout from an
anti-coronavirus lockdown and natural disasters.
(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
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