North Korea Selects Delegates for Ninth Party Congress, Signaling Early February Meeting
Updated (8 articles)
Delegate Election Marks Final Preparatory Phase The Workers’ Party central committee convened a headquarters conference on Jan. 28, 2026 and elected delegates to attend the ninth party congress, a step that traditionally signals the last stage of congress preparation[1][2]. Lower‑level city, county and provincial committees had completed their own elections the week before, completing the multi‑tiered delegate selection process[2]. South Korean intelligence agencies interpret the delegate vote as indicating an early‑February convening, consistent with historic timing patterns[1][3].
Congress Expected in Early February After Politburo Meeting Following delegate selection, the party’s politburo is anticipated to meet to set the exact congress date, as is customary after provincial delegate gatherings[2]. Seoul’s National Intelligence Service projects the meeting will occur in early February, though Pyongyang has not yet issued an official schedule[3]. Past congresses were announced with only a week‑long notice, suggesting the final date could be confirmed shortly before the event[3].
Ninth Congress Will Define Five‑Year Policy Direction The upcoming congress will be the first since 2021 and will determine North Korea’s defence, economic and foreign‑policy strategies for the next five years[1][2]. It serves as the party’s highest decision‑making body, tasked with setting long‑term goals across all sectors[1]. The timing coincides with renewed diplomatic overtures from South Korea and the United States, though the regime maintains that its nuclear programme remains non‑negotiable[1][2].
Leadership Presence Highlights Continuity Amid Speculation Photographs from the delegate conference show former Premier Kim Tok‑hun seated on the podium alongside senior secretaries, indicating his continued senior role despite earlier rumors of demotion after a machinery‑plant mismanagement issue[1]. His appearance underscores the regime’s effort to project stability within the top leadership as the congress approaches.
Diplomatic Context Remains Tense Over Nuclear Program The congress preparation occurs as Seoul and Washington seek to restart talks on North Korea’s expanding nuclear and missile capabilities, but Pyongyang repeatedly asserts that its nuclear arsenal will never be subject to negotiation[1]. The timing of the congress may influence future diplomatic dynamics, given its role in shaping defence policy.
Sources
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1.
Yonhap: North Korea’s Workers’ Party Elects Delegates Ahead of Expected February Congress – Details the Jan. 28 delegate election, former Premier Kim Tok‑hun’s presence, and the diplomatic backdrop of Seoul‑Washington dialogue, citing KCNA photos.
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2.
Yonhap: North Korea’s Workers’ Party Elects Delegates Ahead of Expected February Congress – Highlights the delegate vote as the final preparatory step, notes completed lower‑level elections, and forecasts a politburo meeting to set the congress date, with South Korean intelligence predicting early February.
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3.
Yonhap: North Korea yet to announce schedule for first party congress in five years – Reports that Pyongyang has not released a congress date, mentions a recent plenary meeting, cites intelligence expectations of an early‑February timeline, and references Kim Jong‑un’s recent disciplinary actions amid preparation.
Timeline
Dec 9, 2025 – The Workers’ Party of Korea convenes the enlarged 13th plenary meeting of the Eighth Central Committee, presided by Kim Jong Un, with central‑committee members, ministers and observers, approving five agenda items that include reviewing this year’s policies and preparing for the ninth congress, while Ri Il‑han reappears on the podium, signaling his reinstatement [7][8].
Dec 10, 2025 – Kim Jong Un delivers an “important conclusion” on policy implementation and ninth‑congress preparations at the second day of the 13th plenary, reviewing the 2025 budget and outlining issues to resolve before the upcoming congress, which is slated for January or February 2026 [6].
Dec 14, 2025 – Rodong Sinmun urges “all‑out public effort” to finish major party projects before the ninth congress, describing the period as crucial for implementing decisions and moving to a new reform stage, and notes that the congress will likely be held in January or February 2026 to adopt a new five‑year development plan, the first since the 2021 eighth congress [5].
Jan 22, 2026 – The Rodong Sinmun front page proclaims the party’s “absolute sense of service” to the people and frames a “people‑first” policy tied to Kim Jong un’s regional development projects, while announcing that the upcoming congress will unveil a five‑year economic vision and conduct a personnel reshuffle; earlier, Kim dismisses the vice premier at a Hamhung machinery plant for “defeatism, irresponsibility and passiveness” [4].
Jan 23, 2026 – Seoul officials say the ninth party congress could be held as soon as next month, noting that a plenary meeting last month signals preparation, and South Korea’s intelligence service predicts an early‑February date, recalling that the seventh congress began on May 6, 2016 after a nine‑day lead and the eighth was announced in early January 2021 with only a week’s notice [3].
Jan 28, 2026 – The WPK central committee holds a headquarters conference and elects delegates to attend the ninth congress, marking the final stage of preparations; former Premier Kim Tok‑hun appears on the podium alongside senior secretaries, indicating his continued standing despite recent criticism over a Hamhung plant project [1].
Jan 29, 2026 – The central committee’s delegate election confirms that lower‑level city and county committees have already chosen representatives, and analysts expect the politburo to set the exact congress date after provincial delegate meetings, reinforcing the view that the congress will occur in early February [2].
Jan 30, 2026 – South Korean intelligence agencies forecast that the ninth Workers’ Party congress will convene in early February, where it will set five‑year policies on defense, the economy and foreign relations, while diplomatic overtures from Seoul and Washington continue despite North Korea’s stance that its nuclear program is non‑negotiable [1].
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