Kim Jong Un leverages the Ninth Party Congress to consolidate authority, institutionalise nuclear permanence, and recalibrate diplomacy, signalling a confident, strategically assertive North Korea
On 23 February 2026, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was re-elected as General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) during the ongoing Ninth Party Congress (NPC). While his re-election was expected, it nonetheless reinforced his political dominance, underscoring his consolidated domestic authority and growing regional influence. Given the significance of the NPC and its implications for regional politics and security, it is important to examine its outcomes, including Kim Jong Un’s vision for North Korea and the future of inter-Korean relations.
The Party Congress is an important platform that convenes every five years, bringing together leading representatives from the party, military, and government under Kim Jong Un’s leadership. During the recent Ninth Party Congress, held between 19 and 25 February, a series of meetings over several days saw the leadership deliberate on the country’s foreign policy and economic development, including specific plans for industry, science and technology, and the agricultural sector. The previous two-party congresses were held in 2016 and 2021.
Kim Jong Un outlined his views on key issues, including the economic and security situation, and reiterated his support for self-reliance and socialist development — a continuation of the line set during the Eighth Party Congress (EPC).
At the NPC, the three main areas of focus were the review of the Central Committee’s work, the revision of the WPK rules, and the election of the party’s central leadership. In addition, Kim Jong Un outlined his views on key issues, including the economic and security situation, and reiterated his support for self-reliance and socialist development — a continuation of the line set during the Eighth Party Congress (EPC). While this was largely on expected lines, there was a noticeable shift in the tone and tenor at the NPC.
Unlike the Eighth Party Congress (EPC), which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic and under stringent Western sanctions, the NPC was held in a relatively more favourable domestic and geopolitical environment. This was reflected in the tone of the NPC report, which conveyed confidence and optimism. This outlook appeared to stem from two factors: the regime’s resilience in overcoming hardships over the past five years, and optimism about the future, driven by Kim Jong Un’s domestic standing and a favourable regional security environment.
Kim Jong Un echoed this sentiment in his opening address, highlighting the contrast between the EPC and the NPC. Referring to the earlier period, he noted, “[T]he subjective and objective conditions of our revolution were literally so harsh that we could hardly maintain our own existence.” In the present context, he added, “[W]e are here… filled with optimism and confidence in the future.”
Additionally, what stood out most at the NPC was Kim Jong Un’s effort to establish himself as the undisputed leader of the hermit kingdom, consolidating the ideological mantle inherited from his predecessors and dispelling any lingering doubts among political elites and military leaders.
Additionally, what stood out most at the NPC was Kim Jong Un’s effort to establish himself as the undisputed leader of the hermit kingdom, consolidating the ideological mantle inherited from his predecessors and dispelling any lingering doubts among political elites and military leaders. Through a combination of diplomatic engagement and careful management of the domestic economy, Kim has sought to demonstrate his ability to steer the state towards its socialist vision. Beyond these broader themes, three specific issues stood out for their implications for regional security and stability and merit closer examination.
The primary takeaways from the NPC and the subsequent changes can be divided into three categories. The first reinforces Kim Jong Un’s unequivocal position as the leader of North Korea. His re-election underscores his growing popularity within the party, the military, and the broader population. The changes, including the rise and fall of certain individuals, reflect Kim Jong Un’s effort to reward younger, meritorious figures and bring trusted individuals into his inner circle, such as elevating his sister to the position of department director.
The second important point concerns denuclearisation. The party congress report removes any remaining ambiguity about North Korea’s nuclear status. It states that “DPRK’s position as a nuclear weapons state has been consolidated to be irreversible and permanent.” It further outlines plans to strengthen and expand the country’s nuclear forces, including the nuclear weaponisation of naval surface and underwater platforms. This effectively puts an end to speculation about the use of nuclear weapons as a bargaining tool.
the language used in the report on the United States and South Korea reveals Kim Jong Un’s thinking. The mix of conciliatory and antagonistic tones towards the US and South Korea reflects a clear calculation, keeping the door open for President Donald Trump while closing it to South Korea.
The third aspect concerns North Korea’s external relations. Kim Jong Un’s statement, along with the expansion of the Party Congress presidium to 39 members — the highest decision-making body — reflects both the hierarchical positioning of key portfolios and his broader political calculations. For instance, the inclusion of Choe Son-hui, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in the Central Committee reflects her rising stature within the party and her contributions to the state. More importantly, it highlights the growing importance of Russia and China as critical partners in North Korea’s foreign policy.
Simultaneously, the language used in the report on the United States and South Korea reveals Kim Jong Un’s thinking. The mix of conciliatory and antagonistic tones towards the US and South Korea reflects a clear calculation, keeping the door open for President Donald Trump while closing it to South Korea. This underscores the regime’s lack of interest in negotiating or compromising.
While much has been conveyed through the NPC, what remains on the agenda will be revealed at the upcoming Sunday session of the newly convened Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA). The decisions taken at the NPC will be formalised at the SPA session. One of the key issues under observation is whether the labelling of South Korea as a hostile state will be included in the constitutional revision. This would offer insight into Kim’s broader plans for inter-Korea relations and whether he has moved away from his father’s and grandfather’s vision of unification. Nonetheless, regardless of the expected outcomes, 2026 is likely to be marked as the year Kim Jong Un led North Korea into a new era, one in which his ideology increasingly overshadows that of his predecessors.
Kim Jong Un today occupies a position comparable to that once held by his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, having achieved absolute control over the Workers’ Party of Korea and the Korean People’s Army that his father struggled to consolidate.
Kim Jong Un today occupies a position comparable to that once held by his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, having achieved absolute control over the Workers’ Party of Korea and the Korean People’s Army that his father struggled to consolidate. He now holds full authority over all three key institutions — the party, the military, and the cabinet — while also shaping their leadership by appointing close aides and delegating responsibility for key departments. He has effectively become an institution in himself, able to make decisions for the country without meaningful opposition. At a time when many authoritarian states are facing strain, Kim’s calculated diplomacy and political strategy have helped ensure the regime’s continued stability.
Abhishek Sharma is a Junior Fellow with the Strategic Studies Programme at the Observer Research Foundation.
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Abhishek Sharma is a Junior Fellow with ORF’s Strategic Studies Programme. His research focuses on the Indo-Pacific regional security and geopolitical developments with a special ...
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