North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may have endorsed the “most hardline anti-U.S.” policy at the latest year-end party meeting, but his neglect of major policy announcements suggests he’s still waiting for the dust to settle as Trump’s return, political chaos in South Korea and the war in Ukraine amplify geopolitical uncertainty heading into the new year.

The leader’s wide-ranging address at the Workers’ Party of Korea plenary meeting partly followed a familiar pattern of celebrating achievements of the past year while laying the groundwork for the coming year’s agenda.