North Korea Elects Delegates for Ninth Party Congress, Signaling Early February Meeting
Updated (14 articles)
Delegate Election Marks Final Preparations for Ninth Congress The Workers’ Party central committee held a headquarters conference on Jan. 28 and elected delegates to attend the ninth party congress, a step that traditionally signals the last phase before a congress [1][2]. South Korean intelligence agencies interpret the delegate selection as indicating an early‑February convening, consistent with past scheduling patterns [1][2][4]. The upcoming congress will be the first since 2021 and is expected to set five‑year policies on defence, the economy and foreign affairs [1][2].
Lower‑Level Party Bodies Have Completed Preliminary Elections City, county and provincial party committees finished electing representatives the week before the central‑committee vote, completing the multi‑tiered delegate selection process [2][4]. These lower‑level elections are described as essential groundwork that precedes the final delegate meeting and the subsequent politburo session to fix the exact congress date [2][4]. The rapid succession of these elections underscores the regime’s accelerated timeline toward the congress.
Agricultural Review Highlights Grain Production Gains Ahead of Congress A virtual cabinet meeting on Jan. 29 reviewed 2025 farm output, with Premier Pak Thae‑song, party secretary Jo Yong‑won and Vice Premier Ri Chol‑man reporting a “step forward” in meeting grain targets thanks to scientific placement, new methods and advanced machinery [3]. The session emphasized expanding agricultural machinery, addressing abnormal climate conditions, and renewing sector determination, linking food‑security achievements to the political significance of the forthcoming congress [3]. By showcasing these results, the leadership aims to bolster economic performance narratives for the five‑year plan.
Diplomatic Context Remains Tense as Congress Approaches Photographs from the delegate conference show former Premier Kim Tok‑hun on the podium, indicating his continued senior role despite earlier speculation of demotion [1]. The congress occurs amid renewed Seoul‑Washington attempts to restart talks on North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, while Pyongyang reiterates that its nuclear arsenal is non‑negotiable [1][4]. Additionally, Kim Jong‑un’s recent dismissal of a vice premier responsible for machinery projects reflects internal discipline tightening as the party readies its policy‑setting session [4].
Sources
-
1.
Yonhap: North Korea’s Workers’ Party Elects Delegates Ahead of Expected February Congress – Reports the central committee’s delegate election, links it to final congress preparations, and notes former Premier Kim Tok‑hun’s presence, highlighting diplomatic backdrop and intelligence forecasts .
-
2.
Yonhap: North Korea’s Workers’ Party Elects Delegates Ahead of Expected February Congress – Mirrors delegate election details, emphasizes lower‑level committee elections and the expected early‑February date, and outlines the congress’s five‑year policy scope .
-
3.
Yonhap: North Korea Reviews 2025 Farm Output Ahead of Party Congress – Details the virtual cabinet review of agricultural production, cites grain‑target progress, machinery expansion, and climate measures, and connects the meeting to the upcoming congress’s focus on food security .
-
4.
Yonhap: North Korea yet to announce schedule for first party congress in five years – Highlights the lack of an official congress date, references the preparatory plenary meeting, cites intelligence predictions of early February, and notes internal disciplinary actions such as the vice‑premier’s dismissal .
Timeline
1948 – Soviet troops complete withdrawal from North Korea, ending the Soviet military presence and reshaping the peninsula’s security landscape[8].
Dec 26, 1980 – The national security legislation council approves a media control law, expanding state oversight of the press during the military regime[8].
Dec 26, 1996 – The New Korea Party pushes 11 revision bills through parliament in seven minutes, illustrating rapid party‑led legislative action[8].
Dec 26, 2010 – A Korean Air charter evacuates 235 South Koreans from Libya, landing in Seoul and highlighting Seoul’s humanitarian response capabilities[8].
May 6, 2016 – The seventh Workers’ Party of Korea congress opens after a nine‑day notice period, setting a precedent for short‑notice convocations[4].
Jan 2021 – The eighth party congress is announced about a week in advance and later convenes, adopting a five‑year economic development plan[4].
2022 – Five North Korean drones breach the inter‑Korean border, prompting Seoul to deploy manned and unmanned assets and underscoring ongoing cross‑border tensions[8].
Dec 9‑11, 2025 – Kim Jong‑un presides over an enlarged 13th plenary meeting of the Workers’ Party, approving five agenda items that include reviewing policy implementation and preparing for the ninth congress[11][12].
Dec 10, 2025 – At the plenary’s second day, Kim makes an “important conclusion” on policy implementation and ninth‑congress preparations, though the content remains undisclosed[10].
Dec 14, 2025 – Rodong Sinmun urges “all‑out public effort” to finish major party projects before the ninth congress, warning that no incompletion may be tolerated[9].
Dec 31, 2025 – South Korea’s two‑year term as a non‑permanent UN Security Council member ends, marking its first council service in 11 years[7].
Jan 8, 2026 – State media calls officials to “honorably face the party congress with proud achievements” and to tighten discipline, framing the upcoming congress as a test of loyalty[6].
Jan 22, 2026 – The Rodong Sinmun front page declares a “people‑first” policy, urging projects that fulfill “the people’s long‑cherished wishes” and previewing a personnel reshuffle at the forthcoming congress[5].
Jan 23, 2026 – Seoul’s National Intelligence Service predicts the ninth congress could occur in early February, while Pyongyang has yet to announce a schedule[4].
Jan 28, 2026 – The Workers’ Party central committee holds a headquarters conference and elects delegates for the ninth congress, signaling the final stage of preparations[1].
Jan 29, 2026 – A virtual Cabinet meeting reviews 2025 farm output; Vice Premier Ri Chol‑man reports a “step forward” in grain production and urges expanded machinery use ahead of the congress[3].
Early Feb 2026 (expected) – The ninth Workers’ Party congress convenes, set to unveil a five‑year economic development plan, possibly enshrine “Kim Jong‑un revolutionary ideas” in the party charter, confer the title “grand marshal of the republic,” and highlight the Regional Development 20x10 policy[13][9][5].
Dive deeper (7 sub-stories)
-
North Korea Selects Delegates for Ninth Party Congress, Signaling Early February Meeting
(8 articles)
-
Yonhap: North Korea Reviews 2025 Farm Output Ahead of Party Congress
-
Yonhap: North Korea tells officials to tighten discipline and prove loyalty ahead of expected ninth party congress
-
Yonhap: South Korea to wrap up 2-year term as elected UN Security Council member
-
Yonhap: Dec. 26 milestones in Korean history (1948–2022)
-
Yonhap: North Korea may enshrine Kim Jong-un's guiding ideology in party charter and grant grand marshal title at congress
-
Yonhap: 2024 Korean Political Turmoil: Martial Law, Impeachment, and Snap Election
All related articles (14 articles)
-
Yonhap: North Korea’s Workers’ Party Elects Delegates Ahead of Expected February Congress
-
Yonhap: North Korea’s Workers’ Party Elects Delegates Ahead of Expected February Congress
-
Yonhap: North Korea Reviews 2025 Farm Output Ahead of Party Congress
-
Yonhap: North Korea yet to announce schedule for first party congress in five years
-
Yonhap: North Korea ramps up 'people-first' push ahead of party congress
-
Yonhap: North Korea tells officials to tighten discipline and prove loyalty ahead of expected ninth party congress
-
Yonhap: South Korea to wrap up 2-year term as elected UN Security Council member
-
Yonhap: Dec. 26 milestones in Korean history (1948–2022)
-
Yonhap: N. Korea urges completion of ruling-party projects ahead of key party congress
-
Yonhap: Kim Jong-un Reaches 'Important Conclusion' at WPK Plenum
-
Yonhap: N. Korea begins ruling party meeting to prepare for key party congress
-
Yonhap: North Korea Opens Ruling Party Plenary Meeting Ahead of Key Congress
-
Yonhap: North Korea may enshrine Kim Jong-un's guiding ideology in party charter and grant grand marshal title at congress
-
Yonhap: 2024 Korean Political Turmoil: Martial Law, Impeachment, and Snap Election