Kim Jong-un has banned weddings and funerals as North Korea tightens security for a big meeting this week at which he will be elevated as the country's undisputed ruler.
The Korean Workers Party will be holding its first full meeting since 1980 and Pyongyang has ramped up security for the event, noted Britain's
Sunday Times.
"The (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) proudly joined the ranks of advanced nuclear and space powers while demonstrating the might of the invincible politico-ideological, military and youth power and is now dashing ahead toward to a socialist economic power and highly civilized nation," the party's official newspaper stated, according to
The Independent.
Kim, 33, has been in power since 2011, taking over after his father, Kim Jong-il, died, noted the Times.
"With thousands of delegates expected to travel to Pyongyang to congratulate Kim, weddings and funerals have been canceled for security reasons," said the
Korea Times. "Security forces in provinces across the military state have been brought into the capital Pyongyang.
"At the congress, which is expected last four-five days from May 6, Kim will make his leadership official and praise the nation's recent nuclear and missile tests," the Korea Times said.
Cheong Joon-hee, spokesman at South Korea's Unification Ministry, told
The Mirror that North Korea has made such moves in the past ahead of major events, even going as far as closing off its border with ally China.
"Strengthening security can be seen as a measure to prevent mishaps over the party congress," Cheong told The Mirror.
A website operated by North Korean defectors, the Daily NK, reported that free movement around Pyongyang has been stifled since mid-April while domestic surveillance has been increased.
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