North Korea has conducted elections for grassroots party organizations, including general meetings (representative assemblies) of local party branches and provincial party representatives. As preparations for the 9th Party Congress officially commence, the anticipated date for the event in February is becoming increasingly clear.
On January 24, the party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported that general meetings (representative assemblies) of grassroots party organizations were held with extraordinary political awareness and enthusiasm among party members, followed by local party representative assemblies.
The newspaper explained that these assemblies, attended by representatives elected from the general meetings of local party organizations and members of the local party leadership, comprehensively analyzed and evaluated the work of provincial party committees in implementing key tasks outlined during significant party meetings and the 8th Party Congress. The focus was on finding practical ways to improve the future work of city and county party organizations, which serve as the political command posts for their respective regions.
During the assemblies, it was emphasized that provincial party committees must prioritize political work that inspires the masses’ limitless spirit while upholding the banner of the party’s overarching three revolutions. The key to achieving their goals lies in thoroughly revolutionizing all revolutionary strongholds in their regions.
The assemblies also critically analyzed shortcomings and lessons from the review period. Elections were held for the leadership of provincial party committees and representatives to be sent to the provincial party representative assembly.
The preparatory committee for the party congress announced that they are guiding all levels of party organizations to innovatively develop organizational and political work. This aims to ensure that the heightened fighting spirit of all party members, citizens, military personnel, and youth leads to tangible results as they approach the party congress.
Previously, North Korea decided to convene the 9th Party Congress during a plenary meeting of the Central Committee held last June. They also stated that important decisions regarding the party congress were made during a plenary meeting in December, but specific agendas and schedules were not disclosed.
Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, analyzed the preparation timeline leading up to the 7th and 8th Party Congresses. He found that provincial party representative assemblies typically occurred about 7 to 8 days after state media reported on local party congresses, with the main congress following approximately 8 to 10 days after the provincial assemblies concluded.
Assuming that the local party representative assemblies have just concluded and the provincial party representative assembly is approaching, Hong estimated that the 9th Party Congress would likely open between February 6 and 10.
He noted that February 16, 2026, marks Kim Jong Il’s birthday (the Day of the Shining Star). It’s possible they will start the congress in early February, conclude the proceedings, and hold a grand celebration of the party congress, potentially including a military parade, on February 16.
The party congress, which sets the direction for national governance over the next five years, is a crucial event for determining North Korea’s mid-term policies and strategies. After taking power in 2011, Kim Jong Un restored party-centered governance and held the 7th Party Congress in 2016, the first in 36 years since the 6th Congress in 1980. North Korea held the 8th Party Congress in 2021 and established that party congresses would be held once every five years.
Of particular interest is whether the 9th Party Congress will unveil a new foreign policy. Over the past five years, North Korea has touted its close ties with Russia as its most significant diplomatic achievement. It remains to be seen whether this congress will continue that approach or present a new message aimed at dialogue and negotiations with the U.S. and South Korea.
