North Korea's Workers' Party unanimously re-elected Kim Jong Un as party secretary, emphasizing the acceleration of economic development and the improvement of citizens' living standards.
On 22 Feb 2026 GMT+7, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported that Kim Jong Un was re-elected as secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea during the latest party congress, reaffirming his continuous 15-year rule and announcing plans to develop the economy alongside strengthening military power.
The report stated that the vote to select the party's new leader took place on Sunday, the fourth day of the five-yearly party congress. The meeting also elected a new Central Committee and amended some party rules, though details were not disclosed.
Kim Jong Un became North Korea's supreme leader after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, in 2011. In 2019, the legislature amended the constitution to centralize absolute power in the leader and formally recognize his status as head of state.
At this congress, Kim reviewed achievements over the past five years and outlined new strategies and goals for the next five-year period, describing the time as one of pride in advancing North Korean-style socialism despite pressures from sanctions and the global health crisis.
The North Korean leader stressed that the party faces a heavy and urgent historical mission to promote economic development, improve citizens' quality of life, and rapidly reform all state and social sectors, calling for relentless continued efforts.
Before the congress, Kim attended the unveiling ceremony for a missile launcher capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads, praising it as an “excellent” and “attractive” weapon, and stating that if used, “no power can expect protection from God.”
This latest move is closely monitored internationally amid concerns about North Korea's future security and economic policy directions.
Source: Yonhap