North Korean President Kim Jong Un was given a chance to follow-through on a spectacular economic deal with President Donald Trump, and he chose poorly.
Kim is now warning his country about harsher economic times, which will likely compound the misery in which the North Koreans already live.
Kim told a gathering of ruling party leaders that the country “faced unexpected and inevitable challenges in various aspects” and that his development goals had been “seriously delayed,” state media said Thursday.Kim Jong Un issued a dire warning for North Korea’s economy amid reports that he delegated some power to his sister, including responsibility for relations with the USKim told a gathering of ruling party leaders that the country “faced unexpected and inevitable challenges in various aspects” and that his development goals had been “seriously delayed,” state media said Thursday. The unusually candid assessment came as sanctions, flooding and the coronavirus pandemic pushed the North Korean economy toward what was expected to be its worst contraction in more than two decades.
Indeed, North Korea’s economic situation has not been helped by the combination of coronavirus and flooding.
Kim said his country now faces a dual challenge of fending off COVID-19 amid a worsening global pandemic and repairing damage from torrential rain that lashed the country in past weeks.KCNA said 39,296 hectares (97,100 acres) of crops were ruined nationwide and 16,680 homes and 630 public buildings destroyed or flooded.It added many roads, bridges and railway sections were damaged and a dam of an unspecified power station gave way. There was no mention of any information related to injuries or deaths.
Kim also tasked his younger sister with the responsibility of dealing with the U.S.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has given his little sister Kim Yo-Jong more responsibilities, including overseeing the country’s often testy relationship with the United States and South Korea, according to reports from a Seoul spy agency.While Kim still maintains “absolute authority,” he has delegated more responsibilities to his sister and a handful of other aides in an effort to reduce his stress levels, the National Intelligence Service claimed.Kim Yo-Jong, who is in her early 30s, will now be “steering overall state affairs,” the NIS added.
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