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Kim Declares Security Shifts Won’t Stall Five‑Year Plan at 9th Party Congress

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  • 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 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 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
  • 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, Sets Five‑Year Agenda Across All Sectors The Workers’ Party of Korea convened in Pyongyang on Feb 19, 2026, its first meeting in five years, to review 2021 outcomes and outline goals for foreign relations, industry, agriculture, construction, military, arms production, and culture through 2031 [1][2]. Delegates will assess past policy results while preparing a five‑year blueprint that is unlikely to be released in detail to the public. Analysts view the session as a platform for Pyongyang to recalibrate its domestic and diplomatic strategies ahead of upcoming international summits.

Kim Asserts External Security Changes Won’t Delay Development In his concluding remarks, Kim Jong‑un proclaimed that “no challenge or change in the situation can delay or check our advance,” stressing that fluctuations in the security environment will not hinder North Korea’s progress [1]. The speech notably omitted any reference to South Korea or the United States, a departure from previous congresses that sometimes addressed Seoul or Washington directly. Observers interpret the silence as a cautious stance while diplomatic overtures continue.

Call for Bold Revolution in Ideology, Technology, and Culture Kim urged party members to overcome “backwardness and evil practices” by launching a vigorous revolution across three sectors: ideology, technology, and culture [1]. He framed the transformation as essential for building a socialist nation and improving living standards over the next decade to twenty years. The emphasis on cultural renewal accompanies calls for technological self‑reliance and ideological purity.

New Weapons Development Integrated Into Nuclear Deterrent Strategy The congress is expected to codify plans for a next‑stage nuclear deterrent, including upgraded systems such as a multiple‑rocket launcher and a nuclear‑powered submarine envisioned in the 2021 defense plan [2]. Kim indicated that a military parade will showcase these advanced weapons, signaling continued investment in strategic capabilities. This weapons agenda aligns with the party’s broader goal of strengthening defense while keeping diplomatic options open.

Speculation Over Formalizing Daughter Ju‑ae as Heir Observers note the teenage daughter, Ju‑ae, has appeared at high‑profile events and may receive an official title at the congress, potentially confirming a fourth‑generation hereditary succession [2]. No formal announcement has been made, but the possibility reflects Kim’s effort to secure a dynastic future amid internal and external pressures. The succession question adds a personal dimension to the congress’s policy discussions.

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Timeline

2019 – South Korean presidents have not visited China since 2019, making Lee Jae Myung’s 2026 trip the first presidential visit in seven years and a symbolic reset of Seoul‑Beijing ties [1].

Dec 2, 2025 – President Lee announces a pledge to restore inter‑Korean communication channels, sets a six‑month target to begin formal talks and a 2030 goal for a nuclear‑free peninsula, and urges the UN Secretary‑General to help restart dialogue [25][29][30].

Dec 5, 2025 – Lee delivers a town‑hall speech stressing balanced regional development, calls for relocating government agencies and building an administrative capital to curb Seoul‑area concentration [27].

Dec 8, 2025 – In a policy briefing, Lee argues that balanced regional growth is essential for sustainable national prosperity and outlines a five‑hub, three‑special‑province framework [24].

Dec 26, 2025 – National Security Adviser Wi Sung‑lac meets UN Secretary‑General António Guterres in New York, delivers Lee’s letter urging the UN chief to visit North Korea and facilitate renewed talks [23].

Dec 31, 2025 – Lee’s New‑Year address declares 2026 the “first year of a great leap forward,” citing trade deals, U.S. approval of nuclear‑powered submarines, and a National Growth Fund to drive AI, semiconductors and diplomatic outreach [22].

Jan 2, 2026 – Lee begins a four‑day state visit to China; a summit with Xi Jinping is scheduled to focus on Korean‑peninsula peace, denuclearization, supply‑chain investment and climate cooperation [21].

Jan 4, 2026 – Lee lands in Beijing for the visit; hours earlier North Korea fires ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, adding urgency to talks on security and the disputed Yellow Sea structures [20][19].

Jan 5, 2026 – Lee and Xi open their Beijing summit, with Lee calling China “an important partner” for peace, vowing to make 2026 the first year of full restoration of Korea‑China relations, and pushing AI, cosmetics and cultural‑product cooperation [16][15].

Jan 5, 2026 – In a meeting with Premier Li Qiang, Lee says the restoration of Seoul‑Beijing ties will become an “irreversible trend of the times,” asks Li to back a trilateral summit with Japan and to promote peninsula peace [14].

Jan 6, 2026 – At a Shanghai welcome dinner, Lee urges both sides to curb “unfounded and unnecessary misunderstandings,” stresses good‑neighborly relations as a prerequisite for deeper economic cooperation, and commemorates Korean independence sites [13].

Jan 7, 2026 – Lee asks Xi to mediate the North‑Korean nuclear crisis, notes all inter‑Korean channels are blocked, and reports that China will remove its Yellow Sea structures [4][12].

Jan 9, 2026 – Cheong Wa Dae confirms Lee will travel to Nara for a Jan 13‑14 summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi [11].

Jan 12, 2026 – Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi announces he will host Lee in Nara, framing the summit as a chance to stabilize ties amid rising China‑Japan competition and to discuss trade and security [3].

Jan 13, 2026 – Lee and Takaichi begin the Nara summit, reaffirm commitment to complete denuclearization, discuss South Korea’s CPTPP accession (contingent on lifting Fukushima bans), tour Horyu‑ji Temple and agree to DNA analysis of remains from the Chosei undersea mine [2][8][9][10].

Jan 14, 2026 – Lee returns to Seoul, highlights the “shuttle diplomacy” framework for ongoing Seoul‑Tokyo‑Beijing engagement, notes progress on CPTPP talks and joint Northeast‑Asia cooperation [8].

Jan 22, 2026 – Lee calls for “pragmatic peace,” outlining a three‑stage denuclearization plan (freeze, arms reduction, full denuclearization) and cites U.S. President Donald Trump as a possible channel for renewed dialogue [7].

Feb 23, 2026 – Kim Jong‑un delivers the Workers’ Party congress speech, declaring that no security changes can delay North Korea’s advance, omitting any reference to Seoul or Washington, and urging a bold ideological, technological and cultural revolution [6].

Future (2026‑2027) – Lee seeks Chinese support for a trilateral summit with Japan later in 2026, pursues South Korea’s CPTPP membership with Japan, and plans DNA identification of Chosei‑mine victims; analysts note a possible U.S.–China summit in April that could affect regional diplomatic calculations [8][6].

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