Has Kim Jong-un Called for Strict Discipline before a Significant Party Anniversary?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kim Jong-un calls for strict discipline in the WPK.
- 80th anniversary celebrations are approaching.
- Military parade planned with foreign dignitaries.
- Kim warns against harmful practices among party officials.
- Vietnam's leader will visit North Korea for the occasion.
Seoul, Oct 9 (NationPress) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has pledged to eradicate activities that threaten the legitimacy of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and has emphasized the need for strict discipline, according to reports from state media on Thursday.
During a visit to the Party Founding Museum in Pyongyang the day before, Kim made these statements in anticipation of the 80th anniversary of the party's founding, which is celebrated on Friday, as reported by Yonhap, referencing the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
"We must persistently strengthen a climate of order and discipline within the Party, prioritizing the identification and removal of any elements that could undermine the Party's leadership prestige," Kim reportedly stated during an English-language speech as covered by the KCNA.
He urged a shift in the mindset of party officials and cautioned against "harmful practices such as ignorance, incompetence, irresponsibility, self-protection, formalism, expediency, arbitrariness, high-handedness, and the abuse of power," according to Yonhap News Agency.
Kim was joined by members of the Praesidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, as well as top officials from various ministries and national institutions, as per the KCNA.
North Korea is preparing for a grand military parade to commemorate the party anniversary, which will be attended by senior officials from China and Russia. Typically, North Korea organizes military displays for party anniversaries that end in zero or five.
The leader of Vietnam, To Lam, is set to visit North Korea to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the WPK, as announced by state media on Monday.
To Lam's state visit comes at the invitation of Kim Jong-un, coinciding with the party anniversary festivities.
Vietnam's foreign ministry confirmed that Lam will be in North Korea for three days starting Thursday, marking the first visit by a Vietnamese leader to the North in 18 years.
Vietnam and North Korea have enjoyed close diplomatic ties since establishing relations in 1950.