N. Korean leader vows to weed out 'evil', lauds troops fighting overseas

SEOUL North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to root out "evil" and lauded his troops fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine, the state media said on Dec 12, as Pyongyang capped a major meeting of its ruling party top brass.

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The three-day meeting of the North Korean central committee discussed key policy issues as well as plans for an upcoming congress of its ruling party - North Korea's first in five years and expected in January.

Wrapping up the meeting on Dec 11, Mr Kim condemned “the wrong ideological viewpoint and inactive and irresponsible work attitude” of some officials, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. He called on officials to have “greater confidence in and courage for the future of our cause and struggle”.

He also “pointed out the shortcomings and evil practices that must be corrected”, KCNA said.

The state media did not offer any specifics, though it did say the ruling party had revealed numerous recent “deviations” in discipline - a euphemism for corruption.