North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared his country has beaten economic recession and achieved major goals during the opening of the nation's most important political meeting. The Ninth Party Congress, held every five years, brings together 5,000 ruling party members to set new policies and review progress.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared his isolated nation has defeated economic hardship and reached significant milestones during the launch of the country’s most significant political gathering, according to state-run media reports released Friday.
The Ninth Party Congress began Thursday, marking the nation’s most important political assembly that occurs every half-decade to assess progress, establish fresh policy directions, and potentially shuffle leadership positions under supreme leader Kim.
During his opening remarks, Kim stated North Korea had achieved “significant accomplishments” during the previous five-year period across political, economic, defense, cultural and diplomatic areas, strengthening the country’s independence.
Regarding international relations, North Korea has created a “big change” in its connections with other nations and influenced worldwide political dynamics, Kim declared.
Notably absent from Kim’s address were any references to ties with the United States or neighboring South Korea, and he made no mention of his nation’s nuclear weapons development program.
The gathering, drawing 5,000 members of the ruling Workers’ Party, received presentations outlining fresh objectives and strategies across multiple areas for the upcoming five-year period, state media KCNA announced.
Observers expect North Korea to display military strength through parades and announce weapons development targets during the conference.
Political experts are watching closely to see if Kim receives the “president” designation and whether his teenage daughter, Ju Ae, appears publicly or gains an official position.
Growing speculation among researchers and South Korean intelligence suggests Kim may be preparing Ju Ae as his eventual successor.
Kim described conditions during the previous Eighth Congress as “extremely challenging,” pointing to natural catastrophes and a global health emergency, clearly referencing the COVID-19 pandemic. The nation’s economic systems and industries were operating under outdated methods, Kim acknowledged.
North Korea’s economic performance hit its worst decline in over two decades during 2020, hammered by ongoing United Nations sanctions, coronavirus restrictions, and severe weather conditions, according to South Korea’s central banking authority.
However, recent indicators suggest improvement, with the economy expanding 3.7% in 2024, marking the strongest yearly growth in eight years, supported by strengthened economic partnerships with Russia, based on Bank of Korea calculations.
“Everything has changed fundamentally for the past five years,” Kim stated.
He urged party officials to work toward transforming the nation across all areas to boost economic development and enhance citizens’ living standards “as soon as possible.”
This week, Kim celebrated finishing 10,000 new residential units in Pyongyang, fulfilling the 50,000-home construction target established during the Eighth Congress.
The duration of this gathering remains uncertain, though the Seventh Congress lasted four days while the Eighth Congress extended to eight days.