1972‑1994 – The DPRK constitution defines the president as head of state, a title held exclusively by Kim Il‑sung until his death, establishing the role’s symbolic centrality in North Korean governance [1].

1998 – A constitutional revision abolishes the presidency and creates the chairman of the National Defense Commission as the top post, reshaping the regime’s power structure [1].

Sep 2024 – State media begin referring to Kim Jong‑un as “head of state,” signalling a de‑facto elevation of his status despite the formal absence of a presidential office [1].

Dec 8‑9 2025 – The enlarged 13th plenary meeting of the Workers’ Party’s Eighth Central Committee convenes, approving five agenda items on policy review and congress preparation; Ri Il‑hwan reappears on the podium after a year‑long media absence [10][11].

Dec 9‑11 2025 – Kim Jong‑un presides over a party plenary, emphasizing the urgency of completing major party projects ahead of the upcoming congress [8].

Dec 10 2025 – At the second day of the plenary, Kim delivers an “important conclusion” on this year’s policy implementation and stresses problems to solve before the ninth congress [9].

Dec 14 2025 – Rodong Sinmun urges “all‑out public effort” to finish ruling‑party projects, noting the ninth congress will be held in Jan/Feb 2026 to adopt a new five‑year development plan [8].

Dec 31 2025 – South Korea’s two‑year term as a non‑permanent UN Security Council member ends, after hosting debates on cybersecurity and AI and voting for Palestine’s UN membership [6].

Jan 22 2026 – The Rodong Sinmun front page declares a “people‑first” policy, links it to Kim’s regional development drives, and reports the upcoming congress will unveil a five‑year economic plan and trigger a personnel reshuffle; Kim publicly dismisses a vice‑premier, condemning “defeatism, irresponsibility and passiveness” [5].

Jan 23 2026 – Seoul officials state the ninth party congress could occur as early as next month, recalling that past congresses (May 6 2016, early Jan 2021) were announced with only short notice [4].

Jan 29 2026 – The WPK Central Committee elects delegates for the ninth congress, marking the final stage of preparatory work after lower‑level committees completed their elections the previous week [3].

Jan 30 2026 – Delegates are confirmed, with former Premier Kim Tok‑hun appearing alongside senior secretaries, indicating his continued influence despite earlier criticism for a machinery‑plant mishap [2].

Feb 1 2026 – Kim Jong‑un delivers a greenhouse‑farm speech in Sinuiju, previewing policy themes that will be formalized at the forthcoming congress [1].

Feb 2026 (early) – The ninth Workers’ Party congress convenes, setting five‑year defence, economic and diplomatic policies; analysts note it may restore the presidential title, enshrine “Kim Jong‑un revolutionary ideas” in the party charter, and confer the honorific “grand marshal of the republic” on Kim Jong‑un [1][12].

Feb 2026 (post‑congress) – The Supreme People’s Assembly is expected to formally reinstate the DPRK presidency for Kim Jong‑un, a move that could reshape internal power dynamics and alter external perceptions of the regime [1].