Kim Jong-un charts a new strategic direction for North Korea at the Workers' Party Congress

In an intervention projecting institutional optimism, Kim Jong-un inaugurated the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party, the regime’s highest policy-setting event held every five years. During his speech, the leader presented an assessment highlighting the overcoming of previous economic obstacles and outlined a roadmap of priorities for the coming years, both in development and defensive capabilities.

Economic Recovery and Regime Self-Assessment

According to the state agency KCNA, Kim Jong-un emphasized that the economic and defense sectors achieved “notable, broad, and radical successes” over the five years since the 2021 Congress. The North Korean regime attributed this achievement to overcoming what it described as “prolonged obsolescence and stagnation” in multiple strategic industries.

This official assessment contrasts significantly with the situation five years ago. Kim indicated that conditions at that time were so difficult that the country “could barely sustain its national existence.” This comparison reflects a crisis-overcoming narrative, presented to justify the policies implemented.

Available economic data provide context for these statements. North Korea experienced a 4.5% GDP contraction in 2020, according to estimates from the South Korean Central Bank. Subsequently, the issuing authority anticipates recovery with projected growth of 3.1% in 2023 and 3.7% in 2024. These figures suggest an economy transitioning from its most critical points, though with moderate dynamism compared to Asian economic standards.

Defensive Power: Nuclear and Conventional Ambitions

A central component of Kim Jong-un’s message emphasized the need to continue strengthening national defense capabilities. Although he avoided explicit references to the United States or South Korea in his public speech, prior preparations had clearly indicated an intention to significantly expand North Korea’s military power.

At the 2021 Congress, Pyongyang revealed plans to develop nuclear-powered submarines, intercontinental ballistic missiles with solid fuel propulsion, and reconnaissance satellites. Among these projects, the Hwasong-20 missile stands out, classified as North Korea’s most powerful ICBM, designed to carry multiple nuclear warheads. To date, this weapon system has not completed its operational testing phase.

The traditional culmination of the Congress includes a large-scale military parade, where the regime publicly displays its arsenal for power projection. This ceremonial element serves both internal audiences and international scrutiny.

Diplomatic Tensions and the Succession Question

Bilateral diplomacy between Pyongyang and Washington remains frozen since 2019, when the summit between Kim Jong-un and former President Donald Trump failed. Disagreements over sanctions related to the nuclear program prevented progress toward agreements. Since Trump’s second term began, North Korea has rejected U.S. negotiation offers, demanding beforehand that Washington eliminate its denuclearization demands as a precondition.

Cooperation with South Korea is virtually paralyzed. Kim formally abandoned the historic goal of peaceful reunification and proclaimed a “two-state” architecture on the peninsula, which analysts suggest could be enshrined constitutionally during the ongoing Congress. This shift in orientation marks a break from decades of official rhetoric.

On the international stage, the ruling regimes of China and Russia—North Korea’s historic allies—sent messages of solidarity coinciding with the start of the legislative event.

A globally attention-grabbing aspect was the possible public appearance of Kim Ju-ae, Kim Jong-un’s approximately 13-year-old daughter. South Korean intelligence services suggest she may have been designated internally as a potential successor, though this remains unconfirmed officially.

Internal Repressions and Signs of Reorganization

In his speech, the leader publicly identified “deep-rooted defeatism” and “immaturity in leadership capabilities” as obstacles to the party’s functioning. These traditional remarks usually precede punishments for officials who failed to meet regime expectations.

About 5,000 party members attended the opening event. The previous edition lasted eight days, ending with formal decisions on expanding nuclear armament.

The Congress is expected to be a turning point where Kim Jong-un consolidates his strategic vision for the next decade, combining narratives of economic achievement with expansion of conventional and nuclear military capabilities.

(Information compiled from Associated Press and AFP)