PYONGYANG — In a move solidifying his absolute leadership, Kim Jong Un has been re-elected as the General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). The announcement was made by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Monday, February 23, 2026.
The decision was finalized during the fourth day of the ongoing 9th Congress of the WPK, which began on February 19. According to state media, the re-election reflects the "unshakable will and unanimous desire" of all party members, citizens, and service personnel.
A Mandate for "Great Upsurge"
The re-election follows several days of high-level sessions where the Party reviewed the successes of the past five years. Delegates credited Kim Jong Un with:
Strengthening National Defense: Radically improving the country’s "war deterrence" with nuclear forces as its pivot.
Economic Stability: Navigating global sanctions to establish a foundation for the next stage of socialist construction.
Political Consolidation: Enhancing the "combat capability" of the Party as it enters its 80th year of history.
The Road Ahead (2026–2030)
As the Congress moves toward its conclusion, the General Secretary is expected to unveil a detailed five-year plan focused on:
Economic Self-Reliance: Accelerating "Juche-based" production and improving the people's standard of living.
Military Modernization: Integrating conventional forces with advanced nuclear capabilities.
Party Discipline: Implementing newly revised party rules to ensure "impartiality" and "qualitative consolidation" of the ranks.
"Today, our party is faced with heavy and urgent historic tasks... transforming all realms of state and social life as early as possible." — General Secretary Kim Jong Un
The 9th Congress remains in session at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang, with 5,000 delegates and 2,000 observers in attendance. This meeting marks only the ninth time the ruling party has convened such a congress, signaling a period of major strategic shifts for the nation.
