The General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea will hold its 9th Congress in early May in Pyongyang.
On Wednesday, the Workers’ Party of Korea’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported that the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea’s 9th Congress will take place in the revolutionary capital, Pyongyang, in early May 2026.
The General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea is a prominent labor organization in North Korea that organizes workers to expand production and mobilize ideological commitment. Although it formally represents workers’ rights, it primarily functions as a mobilization tool to enforce the Party’s policies on the ground.
During the previous 8th Congress in 2021, key tasks included normalizing production, encouraging technological innovation, and enhancing labor discipline, all aligned with the focus on socialist economic construction. Since then, various plenary meetings have repeatedly emphasized the implementation of the Congress’s decisions, increasing production under the principle of self-reliance, and strengthening ideological education for workers.
The Central Committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea recently announced its decision to convene the Congress during the 15th plenary meeting of its 8th term.
The Central Committee emphasized at the meeting that they aim to amplify the momentum of the working class and members of the General Federation of Trade Unions who are rallying under the banner of self-reliance to implement the Congress’s decisions and enhance the functions and roles of the General Federation of Trade Unions organizations.
North Korea has defined this Congress as an opportunity for the working class to demonstrate revolutionary conviction and patriotism and as a new milestone in strengthening and developing trade unions. Accordingly, the Congress is expected to focus on redefining the role of labor organizations post-Congress and discussing strategies for encouraging production and strengthening ideological unity.
