Kim Jong Un Vows to Boost Living Standards as He Opens Rare Congress
Kim Jong Un highlighted economic growth since 2021 and outlined a five-year plan while signaling ongoing military expansion during the Workers' Party Congress.
- On February 19, 2026, Kim Jong Un, North Korean leader, opened the Workers' Party of Korea congress in Pyongyang, addressing about 5,000 delegates including 224 central leadership.
- A weekslong buildup preceded the meeting, during which Kim toured industrial and housing projects to showcase alleged achievements and the party framed urgent tasks to boost economic construction and raise living standards.
- Analysts note Kim will press for military expansion by outlining plans to expand nuclear-armed forces and conventional systems under a five-year plan, with recent tests of solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles and the country's first military satellite .
- The congress is expected to consolidate Kim's authoritarian grip and serve as the Pyongyang stage to unveil key objectives before thousands of ruling party delegates, while South Korea's spy agency warns it could position Kim Ju Ae, believed to be about 13, as a potential successor.
- Looking beyond Pyongyang, Kim's ties with Russia and China have strengthened, with analysts estimate roughly 10% economic growth over five years due to trade and arms exports.
43 Articles
43 Articles
North Korea’s Kim opens rare party congress with pledge to fix economy
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to lift living standards as he opened a landmark congress, state media said on Friday, offering a glimpse of economic strains within the sanctions-hit nation. The supreme leader took centre stage with a speech to start the Workers’ Party congress, a gathering that directs state efforts on everything from house building to war planning. Held just once every five years, the days-long congress offers a rare gli…
Satellite images showed weeks ago that a parade was being rehearsed, stages were being built and banners were being hung.
Kim Jong Un vows to boost living standards as he opens rare congress
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to lift living standards as he opened a landmark congress, state media said Friday, offering a glimpse of economic strains within the sanctions-hit nation.
In North Korea's capital, Pyongyang, the Workers' Party Congress has begun. Kim Jong Un drew a positive economic balance for the isolated country from his point of view.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un opened the 9th congress of the ruling Communist Party of Korea. In his opening speech, he said the country had achieved significant achievements in the past five years, including overcoming an economic recession and achieving major changes in relations with other countries, Reuters reported on Friday night.
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