North Korean state media this week urged party members to wholeheartedly believe in Kim Jong Un and the Workers’ Party’s ideology, warning against “formalistic” or “authoritarian” execution of orders. The appeal follows Kim’s recent purge of officials over corruption and misconduct, including a drinking party scandal. 

Pyongyang also intensified its focus on South Korea’s political turmoil, reporting for the first time on impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol’s indictment while continuing to portray the country as engulfed in “social and political chaos.”

Coverage continued of opening ceremonies of small light industry factories under