김정은 "자립적 경제토대 강화... '제재로 굴복' 오판세력에 타격 줘야"

Breaking a long silence since the Pyeongyang-Washington summit in Hanoi,... North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said he won't give in to sanctions.
Our Oh Jung-hee tells us more on the possible motive behind his remarks... which came right before South Korea-U.S. summit.
Building a strong, independent economy on its own, struggling through the sanctions.
That's what North Korea plans to do... after its summit with the U.S. in February fell through with no agreement.
According to Pyeongyang's state-run media,... Kim Jong-un led a full meeting of the North's Workers' Party central committee on Wednesday.
He shared his analysis of the current international situation and the summit he had with U.S. President Trump.
Then he stressed the need to strengthen the foundations for an independent economy through the spirit of (quote)"self-reliance" -- a term that he repeated 27 times.
Kim made no mention of the U.S. nor nuclear weapons,... but emphasized the North will not give in to international sanctions.
"Kim Jong-un underscored the need to build a self-supporting national economy based on our efforts, technology and resources under the spirit of self-reliance, to deal a telling blow to the hostile forces who misjudge that sanctions can bring North Korea to its knees."
Kim Jong-un is sending a message here -- that he will keep his focus on economic development and won't really veer back to developing nuclear weapons.
But at the same time,... his remarks show that the North won't give in to international sanctions or accept the U.S. all-or-nothing deal,... and that it will stand on its own in developing its economy.
"What Kim Jong-un wants is to have sanctions lifted partially by dismantling the regime's Yeongbyeon nuclear complex. The message shows Kim's very strong will on that front. The North's intention is to endure until its goal is accomplished."
Pyeongyang isn't closing the door on nuclear negotiations... and Seoul's unification ministry says that the North is reaffirming its economic development policy.
But time is not on North Korea's side as sanctions are taking their toll.
Pundits say North Korea can't endure the sanctions forever... and is rather waiting for a proper middle ground to be found through South Korea's contacts with the U.S.
Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.
And these decisions are expected to be ratified at the Supreme People's Assembly on Thursday,... as North Korea's newly formed parliament are set to hold its first session.