Dec 9, 2025 – The enlarged 13th plenary meeting of the Workers’ Party’s Eighth Central Committee opens, approving five agenda items that include a review of this year’s policies and preparations for the ninth congress; top leaders such as Kim Jong‑un, Premier Pak Thae‑song and Party secretary Jo Yong‑won sit on the podium, and long‑absent propaganda chief Ri Il‑hwan reappears, signaling a consolidation of the leadership ahead of the party’s highest decision‑making session[13][14].

Dec 10, 2025 – Kim Jong‑un delivers an “important conclusion” on the plenary’s agenda, stressing the need to resolve outstanding implementation problems before the ninth congress and linking the meeting’s outcomes to the upcoming five‑year development plan[12].

Dec 14, 2025 – Rodong Sinmun urges the completion of all Workers’ Party projects before the ninth congress, which it expects to convene in January or February 2026; the article notes the congress will adopt a new five‑year plan and that Kim will likely spotlight the “Regional Development 20×10” achievements[11].

Jan 22, 2026 – The Rodong Sinmun front page promotes a “people‑first” policy, citing Kim’s regional development projects and announcing that the upcoming congress will unveil a five‑year economic vision and a personnel reshuffle; on the same day Kim publicly dismisses the vice premier for “defeatism, irresponsibility and passiveness” at a machinery plant in Ham Hŭng[10].

Jan 23, 2026 – North Korean officials keep the exact date of the ninth congress undisclosed, though a recent party plenary meeting and South Korean intelligence both suggest an early‑February timetable; the article recalls that previous congresses (2016 seventh, 2021 eighth) were announced only days in advance, underscoring the likelihood of a short‑notice call‑up[9].

Jan 29, 2026 – The Workers’ Party Central Committee elects delegates for the ninth congress, marking the final stage of preparatory work; South Korean intelligence projects the congress for early February, after provincial delegate meetings finalize the roster[8].

Jan 30, 2026 – The Central Committee’s delegate election proceeds, featuring former Premier Kim Tok‑hun on the podium despite earlier criticism from Kim Jong‑un over a plant modernization issue, indicating his continued senior role and the regime’s emphasis on party unity ahead of the congress[7].

Feb 9, 2026 – Kim Jong‑un visits the Defense Ministry on the 78th anniversary of the Korean People’s Army, underscoring the military dimension of the forthcoming congress and foreshadowing the defense priorities that will be set in the five‑year agenda[5].

Feb 19, 2026 – The ninth Workers’ Party Congress opens in Pyongyang, the first since 2021, gathering roughly 5,000 delegates and electing a 39‑member presidium that includes Kim Jong‑un, Premier Pak Thae‑song and Foreign Minister Choe Son‑hui; the congress is slated to set five‑year goals for the economy, defense and diplomacy and to decide senior personnel appointments[4][6].

Feb 20, 2026 – In the congress’s opening session, Kim Jong‑un declares that the national economy has overcome difficulties and laid a foundation for progress, emphasizes socialist construction, and omits any reference to the United States or South Korea; the presidium is confirmed and no visual mention is made of his daughter Ju‑ae, despite speculation about succession[3].

Feb 21, 2026 – Kim Jong‑un proclaims “remarkable” success in implementing major policies over the past five years, calls the state’s status “irreversible,” and highlights economic gains while characterizing inter‑Korean relations as hostile; KCNA releases photos of Kim reviewing policy achievements during the congress’s second day[2].

Feb 22, 2026 – Kim Jong‑un reports an “upsurge” in national development, outlines a new fighting strategy aligned with the country’s advancing spirit, and sets prospective sectoral goals, while delegates unanimously adopt his report as a revolutionary guideline to drive faster development and change[1].

Future (post‑Feb 2026) – The congress is expected to run several days, finalize a five‑year development plan, enact major personnel reshuffles, and provide analysts with cues on North Korea’s nuclear posture and any potential diplomatic overtures toward Seoul and Washington, as international observers watch for signals beyond the official agenda[4].

Historical context – The 2021 eighth Workers’ Party Congress, held after a five‑year gap, adopted a five‑year economic plan that set the benchmark for the current ninth congress; the 2016 seventh congress was similarly announced with only a nine‑day lead, illustrating the regime’s pattern of short‑notice convocations for its highest party gatherings[9].