North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been re-elected as the General Secretary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), state media announced on Monday, February 23, 2026. The decision was made during the ongoing Ninth Party Congress in Pyongyang, a rare and high-stakes political gathering held every five years to set the nation’s strategic direction. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), thousands of delegates voted unanimously on Sunday to reinstate Kim, hailing his leadership for “radically improving” the country’s nuclear war deterrence and raising its global prestige. The congress, which began last Thursday, serves as a platform for Kim to consolidate his absolute power and unveil a new five-year plan focused on both military expansion and economic self-reliance. While the international community watches for signals regarding North Korea’s stance on stalled diplomacy with the U.S. and South Korea, the party’s laudatory report emphasized a “generational shift” in the leadership circle, with several aging officials being replaced by a younger guard. Amidst these internal reshuffles, Kim has vowed to prioritize the “unlimited development” of his nuclear arsenal while simultaneously addressing the chronic economic strains facing the sanctions-hit nation. As the congress concludes its final sessions, the re-election reaffirms Kim’s undisputed authority as he navigates deepening ties with Russia and an increasingly assertive regional foreign policy.
Kim Jong Un Re-elected as North Korea’s Party Chief
