North Korea Celebrates 80 Years of Workers’ Party with Global Leaders

North Korea marks a significant milestone today, celebrating the 80th anniversary of its ruling Workers’ Party. This event is poised to showcase the country’s strengthening ties with key international partners, particularly China and Russia. High-ranking officials from both nations are expected to attend, highlighting Pyongyang’s strategic agenda to reinforce these vital alliances amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

In recent years, Kim Jong Un has prioritized his relationship with China, often viewing it as North Korea’s most important ally. Meanwhile, ties with Russia have notably expanded, especially following North Korea’s reported assistance to Moscow by sending troops to support its military actions in Ukraine. The backdrop of this anniversary follows a significant public appearance in September, when Kim was seen alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a military parade in Beijing, commemorating the end of the Second World War.

High-Level Delegations Attend Celebrations

While North Korea has not confirmed whether a military parade will take place for this week’s celebrations, South Korean officials indicated signs of preparations for such an event. The Yonhap News Agency reported last week on potential military displays to mark the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea.

Premier Li Qiang of China arrived in Pyongyang on October 10, 2023, marking the highest-level visit by a Chinese leader since 2019. Upon his arrival, he was welcomed by an honour guard at the airport. Li emphasized the “profound traditional friendship” between China and North Korea, as stated by China’s foreign ministry. As a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party’s Politburo, Li serves as the second-highest leader in China, following President Xi Jinping.

Russia’s delegation includes Dmitry Medvedev, the former president and current deputy head of the Security Council. He is joined by Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov and the governor of the Kursk region. North Korea’s KCNA news agency reported that Medvedev’s visit symbolizes the growing cooperation between the two countries, particularly in military support against Ukraine.

Vietnam’s top leader, Lam Nguyen, also attended the celebrations, marking the first visit by a Vietnamese Communist Party leader to North Korea in nearly two decades. Cooperation agreements are anticipated to be signed during this visit, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and North Korea.

Additionally, Thongloun Sisoulith, the president of Laos and general secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, is in attendance. His participation underscores the regional solidarity among socialist nations.

Kim Jong Un Reflects on Party’s Legacy

In the lead-up to the anniversary, Kim Jong Un visited the Party Founding Museum in Pyongyang on October 9, delivering a significant speech honoring the party’s founders and revolutionary forerunners. According to North Korean state media, Kim paid tribute to his late grandfather and state founder, Kim Il Sung, as well as anti-Japanese fighters, acknowledging their role in establishing a “solid cornerstone” for the party’s strength and success.

Reflecting on the eight decades of party history, Kim called for the current generation to renew its understanding of their “revolutionary obligations and duties” to champion the socialist cause initiated by their predecessors. He stressed the importance of preserving the party’s ideological purity and vitality, referring to the Party Founding Museum as a “sacred sanctuary” that embodies the party’s traditions.

As North Korea celebrates this significant anniversary, the presence of international leaders highlights the nation’s efforts to strengthen its global alliances while continuing to assert its identity on the world stage.