When North Korea held its last party congress in 2016, it was the first such gathering in 36 years and was Mr. Kim’s major coming-out event as leader. Since taking over his country following the 2011 death of his father and predecessor, Kim Jong-il, Mr. Kim has accelerated his country’s nuclear weapons and missile programs. North Korea has conducted the last four of its six underground nuclear tests under Mr. Kim. He vowed to boost the nuclear weapons program further, threatening to end his moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests. He said North Korea would unveil a “new strategic weapon” soon and “shift to a shocking actual action.”

Source: International New York Times January 06, 2021 01:07 UTC