Kim Jong Un, the General Secretary of North Korea’s Workers’ Party, attended the New Year’s celebration on Thursday and praised the people’s hard work in his speech. His daughter Ju-ae and First Lady Ri Sol-ju were also present.
The party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Thursday that the 2026 New Year’s celebration performance was successfully held at the May Day Stadium in the capital, stating that Comrade Kim observed the performance. The event appears to have taken place around midnight on Thursday.
In his address, Kim declared that it takes pride in having elevated the nation to new heights of strength and dignity in 2025, and reflected that it has recorded momentous events throughout 2025 and brought everything to a perfect conclusion.
He continued that the capital’s advancements are reforming the provinces, and the transformation of the provinces is driving the capital’s development. The historic endeavor aimed at the comprehensive progress of socialism has successfully completed its first phase, with all regions, sectors, and units advancing competitively, harmoniously, and simultaneously.
Kim commended the military personnel, stating that everyone in this country has worked incredibly hard this year (2025). The soldiers of the People’s Army endured significant hardships last year (2024), achieving remarkable results at the forefront of innovation and transformation. Their noble victories, won at the cost of their lives, will be revered by future generations as heroic feats.
He emphasized that as it embarked on 2025 with a massive workload, the sole reliance was on the patriotism and loyalty of the people. The true driving force that propelled them through the unprecedented challenges of the year was the strength of the people.
Kim asserted that the new year calls for even more vigorous struggles and great victories, urging everyone to unite more firmly in patriotism and move forward boldly and energetically toward the new prospects that will be outlined by the 9th Party Congress. He proposed that they chant long live together.
His speech did not include specific messages regarding foreign relations, inter-Korean issues, or defense. However, he mentioned the word people about ten times, underscoring his people-first ideology. This focus appears to be in preparation for new decisions and announcements expected at the upcoming 9th Party Congress scheduled for early this year.
The New Year’s celebration was attended by high-ranking officials from the party, government, and military, including members of the Standing Committee of the Central Committee. Also present were workers from provincial and central agencies, innovators, contributors, overseas military personnel and their families, soldiers of the People’s Army, faculty and students from revolutionary academies, builders of the capital, and Pyongyang citizens. The newspaper noted that some overseas Koreans were also invited to watch the performance.
Kim’s daughter Ju-ae and wife Ri also attended the performance. Notably, Ju-ae was seated at the center of the table, with Kim on her left and Ri on her right, drawing attention to Ju-ae’s prominent position.
On this day, Kim also released a New Year’s message to North Korean troops stationed in Russia and personally met with their families to offer comfort.
In the message, he stated that the year 2025 shines even brighter because of peoples’ sacrifices, praising the soldiers for heroically defending the dignity and honor of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
He added that the year 2026 will emerge as another great year for Korea, alongside the remarkable achievements it is building on foreign battlefields, emphasizing the strengthening alliance between North Korea and Russia, reinforced by their sacrifices and dedicated efforts.
He expressed that he has no greater wish than to see all of them return safely to the motherland, and he hoped for the day when all soldiers of the overseas military units would complete their missions and return home safely, a sentiment shared by the entire population and their families.
During his meeting with the families of the commanders, Kim remarked that as the whole country enters this hopeful new year, he feels a deeper longing for the commanders and combatants of the overseas military units. He mentioned that news and photos of their reunion would likely bring great joy to the commanders on the battlefield, and he took commemorative photos with the families, according to the newspaper.