The 9th Congress of the North Korean Workers’ Party concluded on its fifth day, officially electing the 9th Central Committee and reaching its final conclusions.
The party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Tuesday that an expanded meeting of the 1st Plenary Session of the 9th Central Committee was held at the party’s headquarters on Monday, presided over by Kim Jong Un.
During the expanded meeting, elections were held for the Standing Committee and Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee. Additionally, the newspaper reported that party secretaries, the Central Military Commission, and the Central Inspection Commission were elected, and department heads of the Central Committee, provincial party secretaries, and key military commanders were appointed.
The newspaper stated that discussions were held on the 2026 work plan to implement the decisions of the 9th Party Congress. It also reported that draft resolutions reflecting this year’s plans were studied and opinions were consolidated from sectoral research and consultations for the new five-year plan, which were then submitted for review by the newly elected Political Bureau of the Central Committee.
The newspaper also revealed that discussions were held on revising the Central Committee’s slogan collection and party statute explanatory book. It was decided that the relevant drafts would be studied by Central Committee members and reviewed by the Political Bureau before being distributed to the entire party. However, specific details were not disclosed.
The newspaper reported that personnel proposals related to the composition of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly and the Cabinet were reviewed and decided upon, which were then proposed to the new term of the Supreme People’s Assembly.
The newspaper also conveyed news about the fifth day of the party congress. It reported that Jo Yong-won, on behalf of Kim, presented the decisions of the 1st Plenary Session of the 9th Central Committee to the congress.
In his concluding speech, Party General Secretary Kim stated that this ninth congress has been discussing crucial battle plans and issues aimed at the party’s continued strengthening and development. These plans are intended to transition the comprehensive development of socialism to a new stage amid the current domestic and international situation.
He explained that through data reports and work summaries, the activities of the 8th Central Committee were thoroughly analyzed. Furthermore, he noted that fundamental requirements, struggle lines, strategies, tactics, and basic tasks for accelerating the revolution and construction in the future were clearly presented.
General Secretary Kim particularly emphasized that comprehensively analyzing the past five years of struggle at this point provides a valuable opportunity. It allows for a proper sense of pride in the achievements made through unwavering efforts, while also clearly identifying which valuable experiences should be maintained and further developed, and which biases and lessons need to be corrected.
Kim: New Five-Year Plan, Economic Stabilization and Consolidation… No Change in Circumstances Can Impede Progress
General Secretary Kim stated that the remaining major agenda of this congress is to establish sector-specific prospective plans for the next five years and adopt decisions based on the results. He emphasized that the success of the party congress largely depends on how research, consultation, and decision-making are conducted to determine the direction of struggle and goals for each sector over the next five years.
General Secretary Kim particularly stressed that the newly elected members of the party’s central leadership should exercise a high degree of responsibility and prudence in setting policy tasks. He noted that the decisions of the party congress will serve as a practical program to be consistently pursued during their term. He reiterated that, as mentioned in the report, the period of the new five-year plan will be a stage of stabilization and consolidation, and gradual qualitative development for the economy.
General Secretary Kim advised that in finalizing plans for economic sectors, there should be a good balance between qualitatively consolidating and further developing the existing foundation and capabilities. He added that this direction should be maintained when discussing plans for other fields as well.
General Secretary Kim emphasized that the three revolutions of ideology, technology, and culture are the party’s general line for building socialism.
General Secretary Kim also addressed the issue of cadres’ attitudes. He pointed out specific examples of extreme negligence and irresponsibility, such as failing to properly manage and control new modern production and service facilities provided by the party and state within a year of their establishment. He criticized the revival of chronic problems like focusing only on immediate gains without appreciating the products of party policy.
General Secretary Kim expressed confidence in governance by stating that while the ideals, goals, and pace of progress are constantly changing and developing, the inherent ideas of the Korean revolution – people-first philosophy, single-hearted unity, and self-reliance – remain unchanged. He asserted that the immense power contained in these ideas will confidently propel its socialist construction towards a bright future, and no challenge or change in circumstances can delay or block our progress.
The newspaper indicated that the congress has entered the process of studying and discussing the 9th Central Committee’s prospective goals and plans in detail to reflect them in the resolution. It revealed that research and consultations are being conducted in various sectors including industry, agriculture, light industry, culture, construction, military, munitions, legal affairs, foreign affairs, and party work, suggesting that the adoption of the party congress resolution is in progress.
The North Korean party congress, which opened on February 19, had set three main agenda items: summarizing the work of the Central Committee, revising party rules, and electing central leadership organs. With this, discussions on all three agenda items have been completed. It is expected that the congress will conclude with the adoption of resolutions and General Secretary Kim’s closing remarks.
