Dec 9, 2025 – The Workers’ Party convenes an enlarged 13th plenary meeting, presided by Kim Jong‑un, approving five agenda items that include reviewing this year’s policies and preparing the ninth congress; Ri Il‑hwan reappears on the podium, signaling his reinstatement, and top leaders such as Premier Pak Thae‑song sit beside Kim, underscoring the session’s high‑level nature [11][12].

Dec 10, 2025 – Kim Jong‑un delivers an “important conclusion” on the plenary’s agenda, stressing the need to resolve implementation problems before the ninth congress and highlighting the upcoming five‑year development plan, though the exact wording remains undisclosed [10].

Dec 14, 2025 – Rodong Sinmun calls for the “full completion of party projects” before the 2026 congress, stating the meeting will formulate a new five‑year development plan and likely showcase the Regional Development 20×10 policy; it notes the congress is expected in January or February 2026, the first since the 2021 eighth congress [9].

Jan 22, 2026 – Rodong Sinmun’s front page promotes a “people‑first” principle, linking it to Kim’s regional development projects and announcing that the upcoming congress will unveil a five‑year economic vision and a personnel reshuffle; the same day Kim dismisses the vice premier for “defeatism, irresponsibility and passiveness” at a Hamhung machinery plant [8].

Jan 23, 2026 – Seoul officials report that the congress schedule remains unclear but could occur as early as next month, while a recent party plenary meeting signals preparation for the five‑year policy agenda; analysts recall that the seventh congress in 2016 was announced nine days in advance and the eighth in early January 2021, illustrating Pyongyang’s habit of short‑notice announcements [7].

Jan 29, 2026 – The WPK Central Committee elects delegates for the ninth congress, completing the final stage of preparations after lower‑level committees finish their elections; the Politburo is expected to set the exact date, and South Korean intelligence forecasts an early‑February convening [6].

Jan 30, 2026 – The delegate election confirms former Premier Kim Tok‑hun’s presence among senior cadres, countering earlier speculation of his removal after Kim Jong‑un criticized him at a Hamhung plant inauguration; the meeting reinforces that the congress will set five‑year policies on defense, economy and foreign relations [5].

Feb 9, 2026 – Kim Jong‑un visits the Defense Ministry on the Korean People’s Army’s 78th anniversary, emphasizing the military dimension of the upcoming congress and signaling that defense issues will dominate the agenda [3].

Feb 19, 2026 – The ninth Workers’ Party Congress opens in Pyongyang with roughly 5,000 delegates, the first gathering since 2021; Kim declares that the economy has “overcome difficulties” and laid a foundation for progress, while the congress prepares to set five‑year goals for the economy, defense and diplomacy and to decide major leadership appointments, omitting any reference to the United States or South Korea [1][2][4].

Feb 20, 2026 – The congress continues over several days, formally electing a 39‑member presidium that includes Kim, Premier Pak Thae‑song, party secretary Jo Yong‑won and Kim Yo‑jong, and proceeds to outline the state’s five‑year policy framework, prompting analysts to watch for possible shifts in nuclear strategy or diplomatic overtures [1][3].

Future (post‑Feb 2026) – The newly elected presidium is slated to finalize the five‑year economic development plan, implement a personnel reshuffle, and issue statements that could signal changes in North Korea’s nuclear posture or its approach toward the United States and South Korea, as international observers anticipate the congress’s conclusions [2][3].