Kim Jong Un Re-elected as Leader of North Korea's Ruling Party
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has extended his rule after being re-elected as leader, or General Secretary, of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the ruling party of the communist state.
Thousands of party elites, as reported by AFP on Monday (23/2/2026), packed the capital Pyongyang to attend the national congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea. The gathering, held once every five years, is regarded as a meeting that determines the country’s direction in all matters, from diplomacy to war planning.
The national congress offers a rare glimpse into the workings of North Korea’s opaque political system and is widely seen as a forum for Kim Jong Un to showcase his grip on power.
Senior North Korean military officials, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), delivered “pledges of loyalty” to Kim Jong Un as delegates endorsed the re-election of the supreme leader as General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea on Sunday (22/2) local time.
The Workers’ Party of Korea national congress highlighted Kim Jong Un’s efforts to deter North Korea’s enemies, who were not named, by “radically” enhancing the country’s “nuclear capabilities”.
“He has passionately led efforts to transform the Korean People’s Army, the backbone of national defence and pillar of peacekeeping, into an elite and powerful force,” read a Workers’ Party of Korea statement praising Kim Jong Un.
“And in doing so, (he has) built a revolutionary armed force capable of overcoming any threat of aggression on its own initiative and fully prepared for any form of warfare,” the statement added.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his statement, welcomed a “new chapter” in relations with North Korea following Kim Jong Un’s re-election.
Last year, Kim Jong Un appeared alongside Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a military parade in Beijing, in a striking moment that underscored his elevated status on the world stage.
Kim Jong Un is expected to unveil the next phase of North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme later during the multi-day national congress.
Under Kim Jong Un’s leadership, North Korea’s nuclear arsenal has evolved from a minor source of global concern into what is now regarded as a genuine threat.
In the days leading up to the Workers’ Party of Korea national congress, Kim Jong Un unveiled a series of enormous nuclear-capable rocket launchers. The vehicles carrying the rocket launcher systems were neatly parked in front of the Pyongyang Palace of Culture, the venue hosting the congress.