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Kim Declares Security Shifts Won’t Stall North Korea’s Five‑Year Agenda at Congress

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  • North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks at the opening of a congress of the Workers' Party of Korea on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo from the Korean Central News Agency the following day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks at the opening of a congress of the Workers' Party of Korea on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo from the Korean Central News Agency the following day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks at the opening of a congress of the Workers' Party of Korea on Feb. 19, 2026, in this photo from the Korean Central News Agency the following day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends the ninth congress of the Workers' Party of Korea on Feb. 22, 2026, in this image captured from the Korean Central Television on Feb. 23, 2026. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends the ninth congress of the Workers' Party of Korea on Feb. 22, 2026, in this image captured from the Korean Central Television on Feb. 23, 2026. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends the ninth congress of the Workers' Party of Korea on Feb. 22, 2026, in this image captured from the Korean Central Television on Feb. 23, 2026. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends the ninth congress of the Workers' Party of Korea on Feb. 22, 2026, in this image captured from the Korean Central Television on Feb. 23, 2026. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends the ninth congress of the Workers' Party of Korea on Feb. 22, 2026, in this image captured from the Korean Central Television on Feb. 23, 2026. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends the ninth congress of the Workers' Party of Korea on Feb. 22, 2026, in this image captured from the Korean Central Television on Feb. 23, 2026. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • This file image captured from the Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 28, 2026, shows a test of an upgraded multiple rocket launcher attended by leader Kim Jong-un and conducted the previous day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    This file image captured from the Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 28, 2026, shows a test of an upgraded multiple rocket launcher attended by leader Kim Jong-un and conducted the previous day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This file image captured from the Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 28, 2026, shows a test of an upgraded multiple rocket launcher attended by leader Kim Jong-un and conducted the previous day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (R) and his daughter, Ju-ae, watch a New Year's performance in Pyongyang in this Korean Central News Agency file photo on Jan. 1, 2026. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (R) and his daughter, Ju-ae, watch a New Year's performance in Pyongyang in this Korean Central News Agency file photo on Jan. 1, 2026. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (R) and his daughter, Ju-ae, watch a New Year's performance in Pyongyang in this Korean Central News Agency file photo on Jan. 1, 2026. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap) Source Full size

Congress Opens with Five‑Year Agenda and Policy Review The Workers’ Party of Korea convened its ninth congress in Pyongyang, marking the first session since 2021. Article 2 reports the opening took place on Feb. 19, 2026, while Article 1 notes the meeting opened on Thursday (Feb. 23) to assess 2021 outcomes and set goals for industry, agriculture, defense and culture over the next five years[2][1]. Both sources agree the congress will evaluate past results and outline a new half‑decade plan.

Kim Emphasizes Security Shifts Won’t Delay Development In his closing remarks, Kim Jong‑un asserted that “no challenge or change in the situation can delay or check our advance,” stressing that external security fluctuations will not impede North Korea’s progress[1]. He framed this statement as a reassurance amid regional diplomatic activity. The comment underscores the regime’s confidence in its autonomous capabilities.

Ideological, Technological, Cultural Revolution Called for Kim urged party members to launch a vigorous “revolution” across ideology, technology and culture, labeling backward practices as “evil” and promising a decade‑long push to transform the country and raise living standards[1]. He linked this cultural‑technological drive to the broader socialist construction agenda. The emphasis signals a renewed focus on internal modernization.

Diplomatic Posture Remains Cautious, Denuclearization Precondition Stated Neither speech mentioned Seoul or Washington, a rarity that analysts tie to the upcoming U.S.–China summit in April[1]. Article 2 adds that Kim has previously made U.S. denuclearization a prerequisite for any dialogue, suggesting the congress will keep the door open to talks without committing to a policy shift[2]. This silence reflects a strategic wait‑and‑see approach toward external negotiations.

Succession Signals Possible Fourth‑Generation Leadership Observers note Kim’s teenage daughter, Ju‑ae, has appeared at high‑profile events, and Article 2 speculates the congress may formalize her as heir, potentially confirming a fourth‑generation hereditary succession[2]. No official title has been announced yet, but the possibility indicates a continuity plan within the ruling family.

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Timeline

Sep 19 2018 – North and South Korea sign the inter‑Korean military agreement to reduce border incidents and prevent accidental clashes, a pact later suspended in 2024 [7][8].

2021 – The Workers’ Party of Korea’s fifth‑year plan outlines a nuclear‑powered submarine and other defense goals, results of which the 2026 congress will review [1][2].

2023 – Pyongyang declares the two Koreas “hostile to each other,” a stance that the 9th Party Congress may codify into the party charter [2].

2024 – The 2018 military agreement is fully suspended amid rising tensions and missile launches [6][7].

Nov 28 2025 – Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young warns that North Korea could adopt a more hostile posture in 2026, urges renewed dialogue, and flags the April 2026 U.S.–China summit as a diplomatic window [27].

Nov 28 2025 – President Lee Jae Myung tells a G20 audience that reunification remains a constitutional duty, warns of accidental clashes, and cites analysts projecting a North Korean stockpile of over 400 nuclear weapons by 2040 [28].

Dec 2 2025 – President Lee proposes restoring inter‑Korean communication channels, launches the 22nd Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, and frames peaceful coexistence as the basis for future relations [25][26][29].

Dec 2 2025 – Lee pledges a phased denuclearization roadmap, aims to start formal negotiations within six months, and sets a 2030 target for a nuclear‑free peninsula [30].

Dec 15 2025 – South Korea and the United States announce scheduled talks on North Korea policy for Dec 16, the first such dialogue since the liberal government took office in June [23].

Dec 16 2025 – The two allies hold comprehensive talks grounded in the Gyeongju summit fact sheet, covering denuclearization, peace, and coordination mechanisms [21].

Dec 17 2025 – Officials say the latest U.S.–South Korea talks differ from the 2017‑19 working group; the Unification Ministry abstains, fearing it could hinder inter‑Korean engagement [20].

Dec 17 2025 – The Unification Ministry formally declines to attend the U.S.–South Korea North Korea policy meeting, warning that a working‑group‑style forum would block peace efforts [19].

Dec 18 2025 – Unification Minister Chung vows to lead North Korea policy, seeks sanctions relief, proposes a Seoul‑Beijing high‑speed rail via the North, and suggests an escrow‑based trade system [16].

Dec 18 2025 – President Lee urges pre‑emptive steps to lower tensions, noting triple‑layered barbed wire and barriers on the Military Demarcation Line as signs of heightened hostility [17].

Dec 19 2025 – The Unification Ministry reports ten border crossings in November, calls for proactive tension‑reduction measures, and pushes to reopen stalled inter‑Korean exchanges [15].

Dec 19 2025 – The ministry refuses to join a post‑summit U.S. consultative framework, opting to handle North Korea policy directly with Washington and highlighting an internal rift with the Foreign Ministry [18].

Dec 22 2025 – President Lee shifts toward appeasement, argues sanctions have lost effectiveness, and pushes for sanctions relief despite North Korea’s continued missile launches [13].

Dec 31 2025 – Lee pledges active support as a “pacemaker” to help restart North Korea‑U.S. talks within the year, signaling a proactive diplomatic role [12].

Jan 13 2026 – Lee states that South Korea and Japan reaffirm their joint commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula [11].

Jan 16 2026 – The Unification and Foreign ministries launch a vice‑ministerial consultative channel to coordinate North Korea policy and improve information sharing [10].

Jan 16 2026 – Former U.S. special envoy Joseph Yun says Pyongyang would demand sanctions relief and formal nuclear acknowledgment as preconditions for any dialogue [9].

Jan 21 2026 – President Lee vows diplomacy to restart North Korea‑U.S. talks, pledges to restore the 2018 inter‑Korean military agreement, and reasserts a goal of a nuclear‑free peninsula [7][6][8].

Jan 26 2026 – The South Korean government reviews appointing a special envoy to mobilize regional support for U.S.–North Korea talks, aligning the review with President Trump’s planned April visit to China [4].

Feb 6 2026 – A senior South Korean official predicts a modest goodwill gesture “in a few days,” clarifying it is not full U.S.–North Korea dialogue but could open a diplomatic pathway [3].

Feb 20 2026 – The 9th Workers’ Party Congress opens, sets a five‑year agenda, keeps the door open for U.S. dialogue contingent on denuclearization, codifies a hostile stance toward Seoul, outlines new weapons development, and watches for a possible heir designation for Kim Jong‑un’s daughter [2].

Feb 23 2026 – Kim Jong‑un tells the Party Congress that external security changes will not delay North Korea’s progress, calls for a bold revolution in ideology, technology and culture, and envisions a decade‑long transformation to raise living standards [1].

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