In this photo provided Sept 30, 2020, by the the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) government,  DPRK leader Kim Jong-un attends the 18th meeting of Political Bureau of 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang, Sept 29, 2020. (KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY/KOREA NEWS SERVICE VIA AP)

SEOUL - Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), has called on his country to embark on an 80-day campaign to attain its goals in every sector before a congress in January to decide a new five-year plan, state news agency KCNA reported on Tuesday.

 A politburo meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party on Monday comes during a difficult year for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) as the coronavirus pandemic puts more pressure on a economy hurt by recent storms and flooding

Kim made the announcement in a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) on Monday. The meeting comes during a difficult year for the DPRK as the coronavirus pandemic puts more pressure on a economy hurt by recent storms and flooding.

“We have performed historical feats with our costly efforts, boldly overcoming unprecedentedly grave trials and difficulties this year, but we should not rest on our laurels,” reads the KCNA report.

“We still face the challenges that cannot be overlooked and there are many goals we have to attain within this year.”

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In August, Kim had announced that the ruling party will hold a congress in January to decide a new five-year plan, with a party meeting noting serious delays in improving the national economy.

Last year, Kim vowed to make a “frontal breakthrough” in the country’s campaign to build a self-reliant economy in the face of tightening sanctions aimed at curbing its nuclear and missile programmes.

Security officials were watching for signs that the DPRK may use an upcoming holiday to unveil new weapons or test fire a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) on Oct 10, the 75th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party.

At the meeting, Ri Pyong-chol, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the WPK and vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the WPK, and Pak Jong-chon, chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, were promoted to the Marshal, KCNA reports. 

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