Dec 3, 2025 – Kim Jong‑un inspects newly built regional factories in Sinyang and Pukchang counties, calling the projects a “gigantic revolution” that will improve livelihoods and lay foundations for independent local development, part of his 2024 “Regional Development 20×10” policy to build modern factories in 20 locales each year for a decade [29][30].

Dec 7, 2025 – State media reports that the final stage of the 50,000‑unit Pyongyang housing project is in its finishing phase, with interior work on the Hwasong district’s last 10,000 flats, a milestone set at the 2021 eighth Workers’ Party congress to expand capital housing [28].

Dec 9‑11, 2025 – The enlarged 13th plenary meeting of the Workers’ Party’s Eighth Central Committee convenes, reviewing this year’s policy implementation and preparing the agenda for the ninth party congress expected in early 2026 [26][27].

Dec 10, 2025 – At the plenary, Kim Jong‑un delivers an “important conclusion” on policy implementation and stresses the need to resolve outstanding issues before the ninth congress, which will set the next five‑year plan [25].

Dec 14, 2025 – Rodong Sinmun urges the completion of all ruling‑party projects before the ninth congress, noting the congress is slated for January or February 2026 and will showcase the Regional Development 20×10 achievements [24].

Dec 15, 2025 – Kim Jong‑un, accompanied by daughter Ju‑ae and wife Ri Sol‑ju, cuts the ribbon on an industrial complex in Kangdong County, describing regional development as a “sacred undertaking” that the party must pursue unconditionally [22][23].

Dec 28, 2025 – Kim attends the inauguration of the Unsan paper‑mill, presenting it as a model of the regional development drive that seeks to narrow the gap between Pyongyang and provincial areas [21].

Jan 23, 2026 – South Korean officials note that the schedule for the first Workers’ Party congress in five years remains unclear, but intelligence predicts an early‑February convening; a recent plenary meeting has already taken place as part of preparations [19].

Jan 27, 2026 – Kim Jong‑un announces that the upcoming congress will unveil new measures to strengthen North Korea’s nuclear deterrent, signalling a forthcoming “next‑stage” nuclear programme [18].

Jan 29, 2026 – Kim breaks ground in Unnyul County, personally digging the first spadeful and declaring the third‑year regional development drive will transform one‑third of the country by building modern factories, health and leisure facilities in 20 regions [16].

Jan 30, 2026 – Premier Pak Thae‑song declares the “Regional Development 20×10” policy the state’s top priority at a ceremony in Pyongwon County, urging officials to show “patriotic strength and enthusiasm” as the regime readies for the forthcoming congress [15].

Feb 3, 2026 – The regime accelerates the third‑year rollout of the regional development plan, holding groundbreaking ceremonies in Sinuiju, Kangnam and Maengsan and opening a large greenhouse farm in flood‑hit Sinuiju ahead of the party congress [14].

Feb 5, 2026 – KCNA reports that factories, mines and farms across multiple sectors have set “new records,” while the 50,000‑unit housing project nears completion and a new greenhouse farm in Sinuiju showcases the outcomes of Kim’s 2024 regional development policy [13].

Feb 16, 2026 – Pyongyang inaugurates Saeppyol Street, a new boulevard dedicated to families of soldiers killed in the Russia‑Ukraine war, reinforcing domestic support for the regime’s overseas military commitments [5][6].

Feb 17, 2026 – State media declares the 50,000‑unit housing complex finished, with Kim and daughter Ju‑ae attending the ceremony and pledging a “more gigantic” construction project for the upcoming ninth congress [11][12].

Feb 18, 2026 – South Korea announces plans to restore the inter‑Korean no‑fly zone suspended under the 2018 agreement, aiming to lower aerial tensions near the DMZ [5].

Feb 19, 2026 – Kim Yo‑jong praises Seoul’s pledge to block drone incursions and vows heightened border vigilance, reflecting North Korea’s concern over aerial surveillance [5].

Feb 19, 2026 – The ninth Workers’ Party Congress opens in Pyongyang, the first since 2021, convening roughly 5,000 delegates to set a five‑year agenda on defense, economy and diplomacy and to decide senior personnel appointments [7][8][9].

Feb 20, 2026 – Kim Jong‑un opens the congress, declares the economy has overcome difficulties and the state’s external status is “irreversible,” while omitting any reference to the United States or South Korea and signaling a forthcoming expansion of the nuclear arsenal [1][2][7].

Feb 21, 2026 – The congress proclaims “remarkable” success in implementing five‑year policies, calls the period a “great transformation,” and reiterates the hostile stance toward South Korea, framing the achievements as evidence of an “irreversible” rise in state strength [4].

Feb 22, 2026 – On the third day, Kim cites an “upsurge” in national development, outlines a new fighting strategy and sector goals, and receives unanimous delegate support for the report as a revolutionary guideline for faster progress [3].

Late Feb 2026 (planned) – The ninth congress is expected to adopt a new five‑year economic development plan, integrate nuclear and conventional forces under a fresh military development blueprint, and possibly open limited diplomatic channels with the United States while maintaining a hard‑line posture toward South Korea [1][2][4][8].