North Korean leader Kim Jong Un participated in a New Year’s Day celebration on Thursday, delivering a speech that praised the efforts of the North Korean people.
The state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported that the 2026 New Year’s celebration performance was successfully held at the May 1st Stadium in Pyongyang, with Kim in attendance.
In his New Year’s address, Kim boasted that it has elevated the nation to new heights of strength and dignity in 2025, adding that it has perfectly concluded 2025 by recording momentous events throughout the year.
He continued that the capital’s progress is reforming the provinces, while provincial developments are driving the capital’s growth. This synergistic advancement across all regions, sectors, and units marks the successful completion of the first stage in its historic mission towards comprehensive socialist development.
Kim lauded the Korean People’s Army soldiers, stating that every citizen of the nation has worked tirelessly throughout the year. The soldiers, in particular, have endured tremendous hardships, achieving remarkable feats as pioneers of innovation and transformation. They have created a heroic legacy that future generations will revere.
He also remarked that as it faced daunting tasks at the start of 2025, the sole reliance was on the patriotic loyalty of the people. The true driving force behind the perseverance through an unprecedented year of challenges was the strength of the citizens. Kim specifically mentioned agricultural workers and women’s soccer players in his address.
Looking ahead to 2026, Kim declared that greater struggles and victories await them, urging everyone to unite more firmly in patriotism and advance boldly towards the new horizons that will be set forth at the Party’s 9th Congress. He then called for a resounding cheer.
The New Year’s celebration was attended by members of the Party’s Central Committee Politburo, government officials, military leaders, workers from various agencies, innovators, families of overseas operatives, soldiers, faculty and students from revolutionary academies, construction workers, and Pyongyang residents. The newspaper noted that overseas Koreans also viewed the performance.
Notably, this speech did not include specific messages regarding foreign policy, South Korea, or national defense. However, Kim emphasized the term people about ten times, underscoring his people-first ideology. This focus is seen as a strategy to prepare for new policies and announcements expected at the upcoming 9th Party Congress early this year.