This picture taken on December 26, 2023 and released by the DPRK's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Dec 27 shows DPRK top leader Kim Jong-un (center) attending the 9th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) at the office building of the WPK Central Committee in Pyongyang. (KCNA VIA KNS / AFP)

SEOUL - The top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) revealed the orientation of work for 2024 at the 9th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) on Wednesday.

During the session, WPK General Secretary Kim Jong-un emphasized efforts to strengthen the state administrative and economic work system and further enhance the Cabinet's responsibility and role, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Thursday.

Kim also underscored the importance of vitalizing rural areas by building more housing and stabilizing agricultural production. He called for improving land, environmental protection and urban management

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According to the report, the DPRK's top leader pointed out key priorities for sectors in the coming year, including basic industry, light industry, and construction.

Kim also underscored the importance of vitalizing rural areas by building more housing and stabilizing agricultural production. He called for improving land, environmental protection and urban management.

In addition, he set forth the priorities for the development of regional and aquaculture industries, noting the expansion and development of foreign economic work.

On the Korean Peninsula, Kim instructed the DPRK armed forces, the munitions department, the nuclear weapons department and the civil defense forces to further accelerate war preparations, the KCNA said.

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The latest WPK plenary meeting started on Tuesday, with an agenda that included reviewing the implementation of the Party and state policies in 2023 and the state budget for 2023, discussing the orientation of work for 2024, and rolling out the state budget for 2024.