Tuesday, February 24, 2026-North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been reaffirmed as the top leader of the ruling Workers’ Party at a rare party congress in Pyongyang, with state media praising him for strengthening the country’s nuclear arsenal and enhancing its regional standing.
Delegates at the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party unanimously reelected Kim as the party’s general secretary — the most powerful position in North Korea’s political hierarchy — underscoring his uncontested authority over the state’s political, military, and strategic direction. The congress, attended by thousands of party elites, is a once‑in‑five‑years event that sets priorities for the coming term and showcases the regime’s internal unity and policy agenda.
State broadcasts said Kim’s leadership in building up nuclear forces has given North Korea a military capable of handling “any threat of aggression” and guaranteed national future and pride. The official narrative emphasised that under his guidance, the Korean People’s Army has expanded its nuclear and missile capabilities into a central pillar of defence and deterrence.
Analysts interpret the move as a signal that Pyongyang will continue its strategic focus on advancing its nuclear weapons program, integrating those capabilities with conventional forces and pursuing self‑reliance amid international sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
The congress also marked adjustments in the party’s leadership and reiterated North Korea’s hard‑line posture toward foreign powers. Reports on changes to the powerful Central Committee suggest a generational reshuffling, sidelining some long‑time figures tied to past diplomatic efforts while elevating others seen as loyal to Kim’s vision.
The event did not offer new overtures toward resumed diplomatic talks with the United States or South Korea, reflecting ongoing tensions. Pyongyang’s leadership continues to reject denuclearisation demands and frames its nuclear buildup as essential to national sovereignty and security.
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