Kim Jong Un Re-Elected as North Korea’s Workers’ Party Leader

North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party has reaffirmed Kim Jong Un as its general secretary, state media report. The announcement by the party congress on Sunday was widely expected, as the Kim family has ruled the country since the late 1940s.

KCNA stated that under Kim’s leadership, North Korea has «radically improved» its «war deterrence» with nuclear forces at its core. Despite international sanctions, the country continues to develop nuclear weapons and test intercontinental missiles, though the secretive regime makes independent assessment difficult.

Kim, who took control in 2011 after his father’s death, has heavily invested in the nuclear programme, making Pyongyang a greater challenge for the West, particularly the United States. He is expected to outline the next phase of the country’s weapons development during the ongoing congress, which began on 19 February and runs every five years.

The gathering, attended by around 5,000 party members, offers rare insight into North Korea’s opaque political structure. The presidium has been reshuffled since 2021, with over half of its 39 members replaced.

In his opening address, Kim pledged to improve the economy and raise living standards, calling them «heavy and urgent historic tasks.» Attention also remains on Kim’s daughter, Ju Ae, reportedly chosen as his heir at age 13. She has increasingly appeared at official events, including missile inspections and a military parade in Beijing.

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