North Korea has announced that representatives elected from across the country have arrived in Pyongyang ahead of the 9th Party Congress of the Workers’ Party. This gathering of delegates suggests that the opening of the congress is imminent.
The party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Tuesday that the representatives for the 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea have arrived in Pyongyang, the revolutionary capital. The paper emphasized that these delegates are assembling in the capital with a profound sense of duty to the party and the revolution.
The newspaper framed this congress as a historic turning point towards new victories in socialist construction. It highlighted the high political enthusiasm of the participants as they begin preparations for the event. The report also described Pyongyang as being filled with a welcoming atmosphere, with residents of the capital greeting the arriving representatives.
Historically, North Korea announces the election of representatives and their arrival in Pyongyang before convening a party congress, which typically occurs within a few days. For example, the 7th Congress opened on May 6, 2016, after representatives arrived in Pyongyang on May 2, while the 8th Congress began on January 5, 2021, following the delegates’ arrival in late December 2020. In this context, the announcement of the representatives’ arrival indicates that the countdown to the congress has effectively begun.
The party congress is the most significant political event in North Korea, setting the course for national governance and outlining strategic objectives for the coming years. The upcoming 9th Congress is expected to address key issues such as economic development strategies, foreign policy directions, and potential organizational restructuring.
Recently, North Korea has been highlighting achievements in large-scale construction projects and emphasizing internal unity. The official announcement of the delegates’ gathering, in this context, suggests that the regime is ramping up its political agenda to showcase its accomplishments and lay out future policy directions.
