Kim Jong Un discussed intranational issues at a recent two-day politburo meeting of the ruling Workers’ party of the country. The North Korean leader discussed “crucial issues arising in further developing the self-sufficient economy and improving the standards of people’s living”, as reported by the state’s official news agency. This meeting concentrated on how the opening of a new fertilizer factory and chemical industry is going to serve as a ‘major thrust to the economy’. The 13th political bureau meeting repeatedly stressed that the chemical industry was “a major thrust front of the national economy”

There was no mention of the North’s increasing hostility with its neighbour, South Korea, or the defectors who have been sending materials to the former, calling it home. This comes at a point where there is uncertainty looming over the economic state of the country because of the global pandemic. North Korea has been facing heavy backlash in the form of international sanctions, against its nuclear program.

Kim’s public appearances have been unusually limited, with his absence of the country’s biggest holiday on April 15, marking the birthday of the country’s founder, raising suspicions. It is to be noted that the country has had no confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection so far.

However, intelligence agencies from the South have said that an outbreak there cannot be ruled out. South Korea’s government has further stated that it remains committed to following inter-Korean agreements, and it is considering proposing legislation to ban groups from sending material into North Korea.