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7th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea

7th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea

The7th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea(WPK), the ruling party ofNorth Korea, was held on 6–9 May 2016.

7th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea
Date(s) 6 May 2016 (2016-05-06)–9 May 2016 (2016-05-09)
Location(s) April 25 House of Culture, Pyongyang, North Korea
Previous event 6th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea (1980)
Participants 3,467 delegates

Background

The 7th Congress was the first Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea held since the 6th Congress in 1980, despite party rules stipulating that Congresses be held every four years.[1]

The purpose of the Congress was to review the party’s work from the time period since the 6th Congress,[2]but also to instill public loyalty toward the leadership of the country.[3]

On 30 October 2015, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea announced a decision to hold a Congress in early May 2016, saying:

The Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee decides to convene the 7th Congress of the WPK early in May Juche 105 (2016), reflecting the demand of the party and the developing revolution that witness epoch-making changes in accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche, the cause of building a thriving socialist nation.[4]

Preparations

On 17 February 2016 joint slogans were issued by Workers’ Party of Korea’sCentral Military Commissionand Central Committee, and they were published byRodong Sinmunand KCNA.[5]

The Congress was preceded by a “70-day battle” mass mobilization campaign. Human Right Watch claims that the campaign meant uncompensated and forced labor for people across the country, including children, and that the object of the campaign was to boost outputs in manufacture and agriculture and demonstrate loyalty.[6]A five-day holiday was declared for the duration of the Congress.[7]

Congress

April 25 House of Culture decorated for the Congress

April 25 House of Culture decorated for the Congress

The Congress was opened on 6 May 2016 at the April 25 House of Culture inPyongyang,[8]in the presence of 3,467 voting delegates.[9]Unlike the last congress, there were no major foreign delegations,[10]but 128 foreign journalists from 12 countries were allowed to cover the event. Reporters were kept outside of the venue, and a recording of the opening event was only televised later in the evening.[11]

The Congress opened with an address byKim Jong-un. In it, he praised the country’s January 2016 nuclear test and satellite launch.[8]After having chosen its presidium and secretariat, the Congress approved its agenda:[12]

  1. Review of the work of the 6th WPK Central Committee

  2. Review of the work of the WPK Central Auditing Commission

  3. Revision of the WPK Charter

  4. Election of Kim Jong-un to the leadership of the WPK

  5. Election of members to the central leadership organs of the WPK

The Congress continued on 7 May with Kim Jong-un’s report on the work of the 6th Central Committee. In the report,[13]Kim Jong-un reiterated the country’s nuclear policy, calling it “a responsible nuclear weapons state”. According to Kim, North Korea would not use nuclear weapons unless its sovereignty was violated. With regards to the economy, Kim announced the country’s first Five-Year Plan since the 1980s.[14]Speeches by other delegates expressed support for Kim’s report.[15]

A decision on approving Kim’s report was unanimously adopted on 9 May.[16][17]In it, the party vowed to continue building a more extensive nuclear arsenal.[16]A report on the work of the Central Auditing Commission was then heard.[17]

On the 9th, foreign journalists were briefly let in the Congress venue for the first time, during the announcement of Kim Jong-un’s election asChairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea.[18]The Congress ended on the 9th, and the day also saw a huge parade in Pyongyang in its honor.[19]

Officials elected by the Congress

On May 9, Kim Jong-un was re-elected to the leadership of the party. His title in this capacity was changed from First Secretary toChairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea,[18]a title reminiscent of that held by Kim Il-sung until 1966: Chairman of the WPK Central Committee.[20]

15 members were elected to the 7th Central Auditing Commission:[21]Choe Sung-ho, Pak Myong-sun, Kim Kyong-nam, Hwang Chol-sik, Kim Yong-chol, Ri Yong-ik, Kim Myong-hun, Kye Yong-sam, Jo Jong-ho, Kye Myong-chol, Jang Jong-ju, Pho Hui-song, Jong Pong-sok, Choe Kwon-su and Ho Kwang-uk.[22]The Commission soon convened and chose as its Chairman Choe Sung-ho and Vice-Chairwoman Pak Myong-sun.[23]

7th Central Committee

129 members and 106 alternate members were elected to the7th Central Committee, including Kim Jong-un.[21]It held its first plenum immediately after the Congress, on 10 May, and elected officials.[24]

References

[1]

Citation Link38north.orgFrank, Ruediger (20 May 2016). “The 7th Party Congress in North Korea: A Return to a New Normal”. 38 North.

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[2]

Citation Linkpiie.comHaggard, Stephan (9 May 2016). “Kim Jong Un Doubles Down I: The Opening Speech and the Central Committee Report”. Peterson Institution for International Economics. Retrieved 10 May 2016.

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[3]

Citation Linkwww.dailynk.comKim Ga Young; Kim Chae Hwan (9 May 2016). “North Korea’s ‘jangmadang generation’ questions the necessity of the Party Congress- Daily NK”.Daily NK. Translated by Natalie Grant. Edited by Lee Farrand. Retrieved 10 May 2016.

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[4]

Citation Linkwww.kcna.co.jp“Seventh Congress of WPK to Be Convened”. KCNA. 30 October 2015. Archived from the original on 12 November 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[5]

Citation Linknkleadershipwatch.wordpress.com“Joint Slogans Announced for 7th Party Congress”.North Korea Leadership Watch. 18 February 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.

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[6]

Citation Linkwww.hrw.org“North Korea: Forced Labor Underpins Party Congress: Real Reform Requires Justice for Rights Abuses”. Human Rights Watch. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.

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[7]

Citation Linkwww.dailynk.comSeol Song Ah (9 May 2016). “Foreign-currency earning companies operate despite Party Congress”.Daily NK. Translated by Jonathan Corrado. Edited by Lee Farrand. Retrieved 10 May 2016.

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[8]

Citation Linkwww.nytimes.comSang-Hun, Choe (6 May 2016). “North Korean Leader Tells Congress His Nuclear Program Brings ‘Dignity'”.The New York Times. Retrieved 7 May 2016.

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[9]

Citation Linkwww.kcnawatch.co“Kim Jong Un Makes Opening Address at Seventh Congress of WPK”.KCNA Watch. KCNA. 6 May 2016. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.

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[10]

Citation Linkwww.nzherald.co.nz“Things to know about North Korea’s first congress in decades”.The New Zealand Herald. AP. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.

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[11]

Citation Linkwww.nytimes.com“So Far, Foreign Reporters in Pyongyang See Sights, but Not Main Show”.The New York Times. Additional reporting by James Pearson; Editing by Tony Munroe and Mike Collett-White. Reuters. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.CS1 maint: others (link)

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[12]

Citation Linkwww.kcnawatch.co“Seventh Congress of WPK Opens with Splendor”.KCNA Watch. KCNA. 6 May 2016. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.

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[13]

Citation Linknkleadershipwatch.wordpress.com“WPK Central Committee Report to 7th Party Congress”.North Korea Leadership Watch. 7 May 2016. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2016.

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[14]

Citation Linkwww.washingtonpost.comFifield, Anna (8 May 2016). “North Korea announces five-year economic plan, its first since the 1980s”.The Washington Post. Retrieved 8 May 2016.

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[15]

Citation Linkwww.kcnawatch.co“Second-day Sitting of Seventh Congress of WPK Held”.KCNA Watch. KCNA. 7 May 2016. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2016.

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[16]

Citation Linkwww.reuters.com“North Korea congress adopts decision to further boost nuclear capability”. Reporting by Jack Kim; editing by Peter Cooney and G Crosse. Reuters. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.CS1 maint: others (link)

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[17]

Citation Linkwww.kcnawatch.co“Third-day Sitting of Seventh Congress of WPK Held”.KCNA Watch. KCNA. 8 May 2016. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.

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[18]

Citation Linkwww.washingtonpost.comTalmadge, Eric (9 May 2016). “N. Korean leader gets new title; 3 BBC journalists get boot”.The Washington Post. Associated Press. Retrieved 10 May 2016.

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[19]

Citation Linkwww.theguardian.com“Pink petals and cardboard missiles: North Korea ends congress with rally”.The Guardian. Contributed by Reuters and Agence France-Presse. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.CS1 maint: others (link)

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[20]

Citation Linkwww.washingtonpost.comFifield, Anna (9 May 2016). “At four-day congress, North Korean leader proves his strength”.The Washington Post. Retrieved 10 May 2016.

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[21]

Citation Linkkcna.kp“Seventh Congress of WPK Closes”. KCNA. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.

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[22]

Citation Linkwww.naenara.com.kp“Official Report of Seventh Congress of the WPK”.Naenara. Retrieved 11 May 2016.

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[23]

Citation Linkwww.rodong.rep.kp“Chairman, Vice-Chairwoman of Central Auditing Commission of WPK Elected”.Rodong Sinmun. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.

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[24]

Citation Linkkcna.kp“Official Report of First Plenary Meeting of 7th WPK Central Committee Issued”. KCNA. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.

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[25]

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[26]

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[27]

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[28]

Citation Linkweb.archive.orgKim Jong-un’s opening address

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[29]

Citation Linkweb.archive.orgText from Kim Jong Un’s Report before the Congress

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[30]

Citation Linkwww.ncnk.orgDocuments from the 7th Workers’ Party Congress

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[31]

Citation Link38north.org“The 7th Party Congress in North Korea: A Return to a New Normal”

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[32]

Citation Linkpiie.com“Kim Jong Un Doubles Down I: The Opening Speech and the Central Committee Report”

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[33]

Citation Linkwww.dailynk.com“North Korea’s ‘jangmadang generation’ questions the necessity of the Party Congress- Daily NK”

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[34]

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[35]

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Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[36]

Citation Linknkleadershipwatch.wordpress.com“Joint Slogans Announced for 7th Party Congress”

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[37]

Citation Linkwww.hrw.org“North Korea: Forced Labor Underpins Party Congress: Real Reform Requires Justice for Rights Abuses”

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[38]

Citation Linkwww.dailynk.com“Foreign-currency earning companies operate despite Party Congress”

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[39]

Citation Linkwww.nytimes.com“North Korean Leader Tells Congress His Nuclear Program Brings ‘Dignity'”

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[40]

Citation Linkweb.archive.org“Kim Jong Un Makes Opening Address at Seventh Congress of WPK”

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[41]

Citation Linkwww.kcnawatch.cothe original

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[42]

Citation Linkwww.nzherald.co.nz“Things to know about North Korea’s first congress in decades”

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[43]

Citation Linkwww.nytimes.com“So Far, Foreign Reporters in Pyongyang See Sights, but Not Main Show”

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[44]

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Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[45]

Citation Linkwww.kcnawatch.cothe original

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[46]

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[47]

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[48]

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[49]

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Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[50]

Citation Linkwww.kcnawatch.cothe original

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[51]

Citation Linkwww.reuters.com“North Korea congress adopts decision to further boost nuclear capability”

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[52]

Citation Linkweb.archive.org“Third-day Sitting of Seventh Congress of WPK Held”

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[53]

Citation Linkwww.kcnawatch.cothe original

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[54]

Citation Linkwww.washingtonpost.com“N. Korean leader gets new title; 3 BBC journalists get boot”

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM
[55]

Citation Linkwww.theguardian.com“Pink petals and cardboard missiles: North Korea ends congress with rally”

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[56]

Citation Linkwww.washingtonpost.com“At four-day congress, North Korean leader proves his strength”

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[57]

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[58]

Citation Linkwww.naenara.com.kp“Official Report of Seventh Congress of the WPK”

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[59]

Citation Linkwww.rodong.rep.kp“Chairman, Vice-Chairwoman of Central Auditing Commission of WPK Elected”

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[60]

Citation Linkkcna.kp“Official Report of First Plenary Meeting of 7th WPK Central Committee Issued”

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[61]

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[62]

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[63]

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[64]

Citation Linkweb.archive.orgKim Jong-un’s opening address

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[65]

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[66]

Citation Linkwww.ncnk.orgDocuments from the 7th Workers’ Party Congress

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[67]

Citation Linken.wikipedia.orgThe original version of this page is from Wikipedia, you can edit the page right here on Everipedia.Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Additional terms may apply.See everipedia.org/everipedia-termsfor further details.Images/media credited individually (click the icon for details).

Sep 25, 2019, 12:23 AM