North Korean leader Kim Jong-un cited a new era of "upsurge" in national development as he reported on the ruling party's works on the third day of its ninth congress. The congress, North Korea's highest decision-making body, kicked off on Thursday for several days of meetings reviewing past policy performance and outlining new policies on the economy, defense, and other sectors. It is the first held since 2021 and is being closely watched for any messages toward Seoul or Washington.
The Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea began on Thursday, February 20, 2026, and entered its third day on Saturday. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un delivered a report on the party's central committee works, citing a new era of "upsurge" in national development. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted Kim as saying the committee "has fulfilled its important mission and role as the vanguard of the revolution, ushering in a new era of unprecedented changes and upsurge in the scope and depth of struggle and speed of development."
The report also "clarified the new fighting strategy corresponding to the strong spirit of advance of the country ... specified the prospective goals for all sectors and the tasks and ways for attaining them," KCNA said, without providing details. The congress expressed "full support" for Kim's report and unanimously recognized it as "a revolutionary guideline" to lead "more rapid development, faster change and greater progress."
This congress is the first since the eighth in 2021 and serves as North Korea's highest decision-making body, reviewing past policy performance and outlining new policies on the economy, defense, and other sectors. It is being closely watched for any messages toward Seoul or Washington, as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump have extended overtures to resume dialogue with Pyongyang.
