Kim Jong Un Holds Rare 5-Year Party Congress Amid Economic Pressures

PYONGYANG – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has convened a key party congress, a rare gathering held every five years, with a focus on addressing the nation’s struggling economy and improving living standards. The congress, which opened on Thursday and continued on Friday February 20, 2026, signals a potential shift in priorities for the isolated state, traditionally focused on military development.

In his opening speech, Kim acknowledged the “heavy and urgent historic tasks” facing the ruling Workers’ Party, specifically citing the need to boost economic construction and elevate the standard of living for the North Korean people. He emphasized the necessity of “transforming all realms of state and social life as early as possible,” according to state media reports.

The congress, the Ninth of its kind, is a crucial forum for setting major policy goals across defense, diplomacy and the economy. It offers a rare glimpse into the internal workings of North Korea, a nation largely shrouded in secrecy. Thousands of party elites are reportedly in attendance at the Pyongyang gathering.

For decades, North Korea has prioritized its nuclear weapons program and military strength, often at the expense of its civilian population. This has resulted in chronic food shortages and economic hardship, even as the regime maintained a firm grip on power. However, since assuming leadership in 2011, Kim Jong Un has increasingly stressed the importance of economic development alongside military capabilities.

The current congress comes after a period of significant challenges for North Korea. The country has been grappling with the effects of stringent Western sanctions imposed to curb its nuclear ambitions, as well as the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Kim himself acknowledged difficulties in a previous party congress in 2021, admitting shortcomings in nearly all areas of economic development.

Analysts suggest this earlier admission was an attempt to address growing public discontent stemming from food insecurity, high military spending, and the country’s continued support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. The latest pronouncements from Kim indicate a renewed focus on domestic economic issues, though the extent to which this will translate into tangible improvements remains to be seen.

Kim stated that North Korea has overcome its most difficult period in the past five years and is now entering a new phase characterized by “optimism and confidence in the future.” However, he did not immediately address the country’s ongoing nuclear program or its strained relationships with the United States and South Korea in his opening remarks.

The congress is expected to outline the next phase of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, despite international pressure to abandon its atomic arsenal. The nation continues to reject calls for denuclearization, and has instead focused on expanding its military capabilities, including the development of advanced missile technology.

This gathering marks the Ninth Congress in the Kim dynasty’s history, a significant event for a nation where power has been passed down through three generations. The congress is a demonstration of the regime’s continued control and its determination to chart its own course, despite international isolation and economic hardship.

The economic pressures facing North Korea are substantial. Years of sanctions have severely limited its access to international trade and investment, hindering economic growth. The country remains heavily reliant on trade with China, but even that relationship is subject to international scrutiny.

While Kim Jong Un has pledged to improve living standards, the challenges are immense. The country’s infrastructure is outdated, its agricultural sector is inefficient, and its industrial base is struggling. Addressing these issues will require significant investment and reforms, which may be difficult to implement given the regime’s centralized control and its prioritization of military spending.

The outcome of the congress will be closely watched by the international community. The decisions made in Pyongyang will have significant implications for regional security, international diplomacy, and the future of the Korean peninsula. Whether Kim Jong Un can deliver on his promises of economic improvement remains to be seen, but the congress represents a critical moment for North Korea and its people.