Kim Jong-un urges enhanced role of grassroots leaders

PYONGYANG - Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Tuesday called upon grassroots ruling party chiefs to decisively enhance the function and role of the party branches in building a thriving socialist nation, the official news agency KCNA reported on Wednesday.

Kim, also the first secretary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), delivered a speech here at the Fourth Meeting of Secretaries of Cells of the WPK, asking all cell secretaries to enhance their responsibilities and roles and to creditably perform their duties.

"An important task facing the party branches at present is to energetically organize and mobilize the party members and general public for implementing the party's policies," he said.

Kim stressed the party, the army and the people of the DPRK should unite closer to "advance straight along the road of independence, Songun (military-first) and socialism true to the behests of great leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il."

The previous three meetings were held in 1991, 1994 and 2007. The irregularity suggests that such meetings are held only when deemed necessary.