2024 North Korean Sociocultural Outlook:

Insights from the 9th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of WPK

Jeon Young-sun

HK Research Professor, Konkuk University

During the 9th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, the 2023 sociocultural sector received only a brief mention, with a vague assessment of "active and rapid progress" in socialist construction. While it may sound positive, the absence of specific accomplishments implies a lack of notable achievements.

On January 1, 2024, Kim Jong-un is attending a New Year's celebration with his daughter Kim Ju-ae. (Photo by Rodong Sinmun)

In the sociocultural realm of North Korea in 2023, there are no remarkable new accomplishments to highlight. Nevertheless, there were positive assessments, likely influenced by the overall success seen in various industries, particularly agriculture. During his 2023 business review, Kim Jong-un expressed, "This year has been filled with miraculous victories and events like never before." This notably positive appraisal is a departure from recent years. Achievements in agriculture, as well as the military sector, have garnered recognition. It appears that the sociocultural sector also benefited from the positive evaluations, reflecting the overall success of 2023, which were driven by achievements in other areas.

Among various fields, science was highlighted as the most successful. Kim Jong-un said, "The most praiseworthy scientific and technological achievements have been made in the field of space science technology." He attributed these remarkable scientific accomplishments to the education efforts aimed at 'building a powerful country in education and talent'. The science sector has been a major focus since the beginning of Kim Jong-un's regime, with education being the foundation for building a strong scientific nation. Science and education are inseparable, and the emphasis on science policy has directly translated into advancements in scientific education, linking scientific achievements to the fruits of education.

The establishment of the 'Educational Research Institute' in 2023 was highlighted as a major achievement in education. This institute is dedicated to specialized research in education science and represents a continued effort in educational innovation and scientification since the mid-2000s. It is expected to play a key role in the future of North Korean education. Other significant accomplishments include the modern remodeling of the science library at Kim Il Sung University and improvements in infrastructure for educational institutions, including kindergartens.

In the healthcare sector, the establishment of infrastructure was evaluated as a significant achievement. Major pharmaceutical factories, medical equipment factories, and specialized disease prevention facilities were constructed, laying the material foundation for the healthcare field.

In sports, participation in international events, including the 19th Asian Games in 2022, after a four-year hiatus following the COVID-19 pandemic, was highly regarded.

Regarding the tasks and direction for the sociocultural sector in 2024, it was stated, "Tasks and plans for achieving continuous progress based on the achievements of the year have been outlined in various cultural sectors, including science, education, healthcare, literature and art, publishing, and sports."

Specific details for each sector were not provided, but the emphasis is expected to be on the education sector. In regard to the education sector in 2023, it received high praise, stating, "The remarkable achievements in our educational efforts to become a powerful nation in education and talent this year are unparalleled." Furthermore, it emphasized that "2024 should be a year of even greater transformation to catch up with advanced education and practical skills." Infrastructure improvement and a focus on educational science will align with this direction.

On December 26, 2022, the 9th Youth League Conference was held in Pyongyang, emphasizing ideological education and patriotic upbringing for student youth. (Photo by Rodong Sinmun)

During the plenary meeting, the second agenda titled "Enhancing Responsibility in Implementing Timely Socialist Policies for Youth and Students" was adopted, focusing on strengthening education policies. This can be seen as an effort to bolster socialist patriotic cultural activities for the post-Jangmadang generation, with Kim Ju-ae as a representative figure. It also involves providing students with necessary items to help them experience socialist policies and nurture patriotism.

In 2023, the establishment of student supply factories was noteworthy, including school uniform, bag, and shoe factories. These initiatives, along with local brands like Mindulle Notebook and Sonamu School Bag, contribute to local industry development and enhance the educational environment, fostering patriotism in future generations.

The key focus in the sociocultural sector is rural infrastructure improvement, in line with the 8th Congress of the WPK’s emphasis on addressing rural issues. This includes economic development and enhancing educational and cultural facilities in rural areas.

In 2024, it's expected to be set to reopen borders after the COVID pandemic, featuring tourism initiatives, sports events like the Pyongyang International Marathon, cultural events such as the April Spring Friendship Art Festival, and the Pyongyang International Film Festival (PIFF) in April. The adoption of the "Tourism Law" during the August 2023 27th Plenary Meeting of the 14th Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly indicates ongoing openness. However, internal controls, including measures against foreign ideologies and internal monitoring in the name of ‘patriotic culture’, are expected to strengthen further.