Kim Jong Un has been re-elected as general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea during a rare party congress in Pyongyang, reinforcing his grip on power as the country advances its nuclear programme and confronts economic pressures.
The decision was taken on Sunday, the fourth day of the congress, and was described by state news agency Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) as reflecting the “unanimous desire” of all delegates. The leadership vote came during the ninth Workers’ Party congress convened under the Kim family’s decades-long rule.
According to KCNA, the congress credited Kim Jong Un with significantly strengthening North Korea’s war deterrence capabilities, centred on its nuclear forces. The leadership in Pyongyang has consistently framed its nuclear arsenal as the foundation of national security amid tensions with the United States and regional powers.
The Workers’ Party congress, held roughly once every five years, is one of the most important political events in North Korea. The gathering sets national policy direction across economic management, defence planning and internal party discipline. Proceedings are closely managed, and public information is tightly controlled.
Opening the congress last week, Kim Jong Un acknowledged economic challenges facing the sanctions-hit state and pledged to improve living standards. He stated that the party faces urgent tasks in strengthening economic construction and raising household incomes while reforming multiple areas of state and social governance.
North Korea has endured years of international sanctions tied to its nuclear and missile programmes, limiting trade and access to foreign currency. Although nuclear development has long dominated state priorities, Kim has repeatedly emphasised the need to strengthen the domestic economy since assuming leadership in 2011.
At the previous party congress in 2021, Kim publicly admitted shortcomings in economic performance, an unusual acknowledgment in North Korean political discourse. This year’s meeting is expected to outline the next stage of the country’s nuclear weapons strategy, according to prior official statements.
During Sunday’s session, delegates also approved revisions to party rules aimed at reinforcing internal discipline and consolidating party unity. State media reported that the changes were designed to strengthen organisational cohesion and ensure stricter enforcement of party standards.
The congress is only the ninth in the history of the Workers’ Party. It was not convened during the later years of Kim Jong Il’s rule but was revived in 2016 under Kim Jong Un, signalling an effort to institutionalise governance structures while reinforcing centralised authority.
The re-election consolidates Kim Jong Un’s leadership at a time when North Korea continues to prioritise nuclear capability alongside economic restructuring. The policy signals emerging from the congress will shape Pyongyang’s domestic trajectory and its engagement with regional security dynamics in Northeast Asia.
