Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 20, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 3, 2026
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Kim Jong Un is reviewing five years of progress at North Korea’s Ninth Workers’ Party congress with 5,000 delegates in Pyongyang. KCNA flags policy updates and possible military displays as proceedings continue.
SEOUL, Feb 21 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un began reviewing the country's progress in the past five years that brought "great transformation" during the second day of a key party congress, state media KCNA said on Saturday.
North Korea's Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers' Party opened on Thursday and is expected to last a few days. As the country's biggest political event held every five years, it sets policy and can bring changes in leadership roles beneath supreme commander Kim.
North Korea's ruling party hailed "remarkable successes" in fields such as politics, economy, culture, defence, diplomacy under Kim's rule during the past five years, KCNA said.
The ruling party's Central Committee focused on finding shortcomings first before focusing on successes, KCNA said, but did not mention what the shortcomings were.
KCNA said on Friday that 5,000 members of the ruling Workers' Party are attending the meeting. There was no mention of major foreign dignitaries attending, although KCNA noted congratulatory letters were sent from Russia, China, Vietnam and Laos.
North Korea is expected to showcase military capabilities at a parade and weapons development goals as part of the meeting.
(Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
North Korea’s Ninth Workers’ Party congress, where Kim Jong Un is reviewing five years of national progress and outlining policy priorities.
KCNA reported about 5,000 party delegates are attending the congress in Pyongyang.
Policy signals on the economy, defense, and sanctions posture can affect regional risk, trade flows, and investor sentiment toward Asia-Pacific markets.
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