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Kim lauds North Korea’s economy and regional standing as major party meeting opens

Kim Jong Un highlighted economic growth of about 10% over five years and set goals to expand nuclear and conventional military capabilities for the next five years.

  • On Friday, Kim Jong Un opened the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang, praising economic gains and a firmer regional footing since 2021.
  • Following high-profile appearances with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, Kim's closer ties with China and Russia included military displays and missile tests during the build-up to the congress.
  • About 5,000 delegates, including 224 members of the party's central leadership, are attending as analysts watch for signs Kim Ju Ae, teenage daughter, may be positioned as successor.
  • Experts say Kim will likely use the meeting to push integration of conventional and nuclear forces and map a five-year agenda deepening regional standoffs with Seoul and Washington.
  • Human Rights Watch said the congress started on February 20, 2026 amid escalating repression of young people, strict information control, and widespread forced labor, while UN bodies urged reforms and accountability.
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thairath.co.ththairath.co.th
Lean Right

Kim Jong-Un Opened the Workers' Party of North Korea's National Convention, Claiming Five Years of "Major Changes to the country."

North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un reviewed the country's progress over the past five years on the second day of the 9th National Workers' Party Congress, the country's most important political forum held every five years.

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Taipei TimesTaipei Times
Lean Left

North Korea’s Kim Jong-un opens landmark congress

Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan

·Taipei, Taiwan
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Digi 24Digi 24
Center

Kim Jong Un, Triumfalist Speech at the Party's Congress: "Great Success Despite the Severity of Trials and Difficulties"

North Korean leader Kim Jong One welcomed his country's "great success" at the opening of a national party convention, a rare event, with a triumphal speech that highlighted the growing confidence of the isolated regime, reports the Financial Times.

·Romania
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The New York SunThe New York Sun
Right

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, at Party Congress in Pyongyang, Focuses on Economy, Skips Nukes and Missiles

The North is expected to display military might before the congress ends with a parade featuring 12,000 troops.

·New York, United States
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The DiplomatThe Diplomat
Center

A Primer on North Korea’s Party Congresses

To understand what may emerge from the Ninth Party Congress, it is worth examining what these meetings are and how their functions have evolved.

·Tokyo, Japan
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Anadolu AjansıAnadolu Ajansı
Right

North Korea’s ruling party holds congress held once every 5 years

Workers' Party of Korea ‘faced with heavy and urgent historic tasks of boosting economic construction,’ says leader Kim Jong Un - Anadolu Ajansı

·Ankara, Türkiye
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Reuters broke the news in United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
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