North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun with newly elected central leadership members of the Workers' Party of Korea after the ninth party congress concluded. The visit highlights the regime's focus on unity among party officials and commitment to implementing new five-year policy goals. At the congress, Kim expressed openness to dialogue with the United States if it abandons its hostile policy, while dismissing South Korea's overtures as 'deceptive'.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on February 26 with newly elected members of the central leadership of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, state media reported. The mausoleum honors his late grandfather Kim Il-sung and father Kim Jong-il. This came after the weeklong ninth party congress concluded on Wednesday, the first such event since 2021, where Pyongyang outlined new five-year policy goals in diplomacy, defense, the economy, and other areas.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the party central leadership members "solemnly hardened their firm will to fulfill their heavy duty in the responsible journey for brilliantly carrying out the fighting program of the WPK."
In a separate report, KCNA said Kim held a photo session with congress participants in front of the April 25 House of Culture, the event's venue. He expressed "belief and conviction that all the participants would play a vanguard role in the sacred struggle for the national prosperity and the well-being of the people to carry out the important policy-oriented tasks set forth by the party congress."
The activities appear aimed at solidifying unity among the new party leadership and motivating officials to implement tasks from the country's largest political gathering in five years. North Korea also held an art performance and receptions to mark the congress, attended by senior party officials and delegates.
During the congress, Kim indicated willingness for dialogue with the United States should Washington drop its hostile policy toward Pyongyang, but labeled South Korea's conciliatory gestures as "deceptive." At a military parade that night, he warned that North Korea would launch "terrible retaliatory attacks" against any forces engaging in hostile military acts.
