North Korea is expected to convene the Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party this month, the country’s most significant political gathering, where leadership changes can be made and long-term policy direction set.

The Congress comes as leader Kim Jong Un has intensified weapons development, increased inspections of factories and construction sites, and strengthened military ties with Russia, against a backdrop of sustained tensions with South Korea and the United States.

State media KCNA reported that the party’s Politburo decided to open the Congress in Pyongyang in late February 2026, following approval at a plenary meeting in June.

The Congress, held roughly every five years, serves as the party’s top decision-making body. It reviews performance over the previous period and establishes economic, defence and diplomatic priorities for the next phase.

New Five-Year Plan Under Review

A central focus is expected to be an assessment of the current five-year development plan and the unveiling of a new blueprint.

At the 2021 Congress, Kim acknowledged that the previous economic plan had failed in “almost every sector” and introduced a new five-year strategy running through 2025. That plan prioritised heavy industries such as metals and chemicals, alongside agriculture and light industry to boost consumer goods production.

In recent months, Kim has paired military messaging with visits to construction sites and industrial facilities, in what analysts see as an effort to demonstrate tangible progress ahead of the Congress. He has urged officials to adopt “scientific and realistic” targets for the next five-year period.

Weapons Buildup and Strategic Messaging

Kim has used late-2025 events to highlight what state media described as an “unlimited” drive to expand North Korea’s nuclear forces. Cruise missile launches and other weapons tests have featured prominently in state reporting.

He has also called for increased production of conventional systems, including multiple rocket launchers, suggesting that new defence production targets could be unveiled at the Congress.

Analysts say the meeting may be used to formalise an expanded nuclear and conventional weapons programme, potentially aimed at strengthening Pyongyang’s leverage in any future negotiations with Washington.

Leadership Changes and Succession Speculation

The Congress has the authority to reshuffle senior party positions and often results in significant personnel changes.

At the previous Congress in 2021, a majority of the executive committee members were replaced, with several economic technocrats elevated to senior roles.

Some analysts have suggested the possible revival of the title “president” for Kim, a designation historically linked to state founder Kim Il Sung, which could symbolically elevate Kim’s standing alongside foreign heads of state.

Kim’s teenage daughter, Ju Ae, has made frequent appearances at high-profile military and political events, fuelling speculation about succession signals. South Korea’s intelligence agency has indicated it is monitoring whether she receives any formal title or position during the Congress. Any such move would mark a continuation of the ruling family into a fourth generation.

Deepening Russia Partnership

At a key party meeting in December, Kim praised North Korean troops’ participation in overseas military operations, while state media highlighted a mutual defence pact signed with Russia.

According to South Korean, Ukrainian and Western sources, North Korea has supplied troops, artillery ammunition and missiles to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Congress may further formalise policy priorities linked to this partnership, including defence industry production goals and strategic alignment.

Relations with the United States, South Korea and China

North Korea has dismissed outreach from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, while recent missile launches have been interpreted by some analysts as signals directed not only at Seoul and Tokyo but also at Beijing.

With U.S. President Donald Trump expressing interest in resuming dialogue with Pyongyang, analysts say North Korea’s weapons activity may be designed to enhance its bargaining position ahead of any potential talks.

(with inputs from Reuters)