Dec 9, 2025 – The Workers’ Party convenes an enlarged 13th plenary meeting, approving five agenda items that include reviewing this year’s policies and preparing for the ninth party congress, which South Korean intelligence expects to be held in February 2026[17][18].

Dec 10, 2025 – Kim Jong un delivers an “important conclusion” on the plenary agenda, assessing policy implementation, addressing problems to solve before the ninth congress, and outlining the 2025‑2026 budget work[16].

Dec 14, 2025 – Rodong Sinmun urges the completion of all Workers’ Party projects before the upcoming ninth congress, slated for January‑February 2026, and signals that Kim will likely highlight the Regional Development 20×10 policy at the meeting[15].

Jan 22, 2026 – The Rodong Sinmun front page promotes a “people‑first” principle tied to Kim’s regional development projects, announces that the congress will unveil a five‑year economic plan and a personnel reshuffle, and notes Kim’s public dismissal of the vice premier for “defeatism”[14].

Jan 23, 2026 – Pyongyang has not set a date for the first party congress in five years, but intelligence agencies predict an early‑February schedule; the article recalls that the seventh congress began on May 6 2016 after a nine‑day lead and the eighth was announced a week ahead in January 2021[13].

Jan 29‑30, 2026 – The Central Committee elects delegates for the ninth congress, signaling that preparations are in the final stage; former Premier Kim Tok‑hun appears among top cadres, indicating his continued role despite earlier criticism[12][11].

Feb 9, 2026 – Kim Jong un visits the Defense Ministry on the Korean People’s Army’s 78th anniversary, underscoring the military focus that will dominate the upcoming congress agenda[10].

Feb 19, 2026 – The ninth Workers’ Party Congress opens in Pyongyang, the first since 2021, with about 5,000 delegates; it sets out a five‑year policy framework for defense, the economy and diplomacy and will decide senior leadership appointments[9][8].

Feb 20, 2026 – The congress opening is described as a splendorous event, reinforcing its significance as the highest decision‑making body and prompting analysts to watch for nuclear‑policy signals[10].

Feb 22, 2026 – In his third‑day address, Kim declares an “upsurge” in national development, frames the central committee as a revolutionary vanguard, and outlines a new fighting strategy and sector‑wide goals for the next five years[7].

Feb 22‑23, 2026 – Delegates re‑elect Kim Jong un as general secretary, praise a “radical improvement” in nuclear deterrence, adopt revised party rules (details undisclosed), and install a new central committee that excludes senior figure Choe Ryong‑hae, reflecting a generational shift[5][6][2].

Feb 23, 2026 – State media announces Kim’s re‑appointment as general secretary, repeats that nuclear deterrence is “radically improved,” and quotes Kim pledging “heavy and urgent historic tasks” to boost the economy and living standards; Chinese President Xi congratulates Kim and South Korean intelligence notes the possible appearance of 13‑year‑old daughter Ju Ae as heir[1][19].

Feb 26, 2026 – Kim tours the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun with newly elected central leaders, where they pledge a “firm will” to fulfill the party’s fighting program; he signals willingness to dialogue with the United States if Washington ends its hostile policy while dismissing South Korea’s overtures as “deceptive,” and a military parade warns of “terrible retaliatory attacks” against any hostile force[3][4].

Feb 27, 2026 – Seoul’s Unification Ministry reports that Kim declares a full “Kim Jong‑un era,” omits traditional reverence to Kim Il‑sung and Kim Jong‑il, and notes that about half of the central committee members are newcomers, cementing his control over party structures[2].

Future outlook: The congress establishes a five‑year agenda (2026‑2031) for diplomacy, defense and economic development, and Kim’s conditional invitation to U.S. talks sets a possible diplomatic track contingent on Washington ending its hostile stance[3].