Kim Yo-jong, the deputy head of North Korea's Workers' Party, has been promoted to a ministerial-level position known as 'Department Chief'. This promotion comes as she re-enters a key political body, demonstrating her strengthened power within the ruling party. Previously acting as a spokesperson for Kim Jong-un in foreign affairs, her elevation marks her pivotal role in the party's leadership for the upcoming five years. This move was reported following the first plenary meeting of the new Central Committee of the Workers' Party held on the 23rd of October, where she was appointed along with other significant figures in North Korean diplomacy.

During the same meeting, Kim Sung-nam, the head of the party's international affairs department, and Choe Son-hui, the foreign minister, were also elected to the political bureau, underscoring a shift in North Korea's diplomatic leadership. They are expected to lead the efforts in the newly created 'External Affairs Research Council' to define the party's goals and plans for the future. This assembly saw the appointment of a new figure, Jang Geum-cheol, who is anticipated to fill the leadership gaps in South Korea-related affairs as experienced individuals step back.

Despite these significant developments within North Korea's leadership, reports indicate that Kim Jong-un did not make direct mentions of South Korea or the US during the meeting, hinting at a continued diplomatic silence. This omission raises questions about the North's strategic shift towards dialogue, as expectations for a change in stance or engagement with the South remain low. The lack of commentary could signal that the country is prioritizing internal consolidation of power rather than international relations in the short term.