North Korea's Economic Assessment and Implications in the First Half of 2022: Focusing on the 5th Enlarged Plenary Meeting of the 8th WPK Central Committee

Choi Eun-ju 

(ej0717@sejon.org)

Research Fellow, 

The Sejong Institute​ 

English Abstract

In June 2022, North Korea held an enlarged plenary meeting of the 8th Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee (2022.6.8.-10).  At the plenary session, North Korea evaluated the implementation of its policies in the first half of the year and reviewed and finalized the tasks for the second half of the year. Three aspects of the economy are drawing attention. First, personnel changes were carried out to secure momentum for the party's policies in the second half of the year. Second, it did not disclose the details of evaluating the economic status in the first half of the year, and said that  there will be policy adjustments regarding the issues in the second half of the year. This is interpreted as a real adjustment  in line with the reality because the economic plan for the first half of the year could not be carried out smoothly due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Last, there is a policy to deal with COVID-19. It has been revealed that North Korea officially announced the outbreak of the new coronavirus infection on May 12 and stabilized it relatively quickly through regional blockade and unit-by-unit separation measures. However, considering the possibility of another outbreak of COVID-19 or other infectious diseases, it is necessary to improve the capabilities of quarantine and health care through cooperation. In this regard, the South Korean government should seek not only one-time humanitarian aid but also sustainable health and medical cooperation projects.