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

Kim Jong Un’s re-election as general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea occurred during the party’s Ninth Congress, a key event held every five years in Pyongyang.

The vote to re-elect Kim Jong Un took place on the fourth day of the congress, which started on February 19, 2026, at the April 25 House of Culture. The party congress serves as the main decision-making gathering for the ruling party in North Korea.

According to state media, the re-election was described as reflecting the collective will and agreement of delegates, party members, citizens, and military personnel. The congress also included the adoption of revisions to party rules and the selection of new members and alternate members for the Central Committee.

Kim Jong Un’s new term as general secretary is set for five years, as outlined by party regulations. The congress is scheduled every five years and brings together party leadership to decide on organizational and policy matters.

What the numbers show

• The Ninth Party Congress began on February 19, 2026
• Kim Jong Un was re-elected on February 22, 2026
• The congress is held every five years

During the congress, delegates reviewed and approved amendments to the party’s rules. The process also included the election of new and alternate members to the Central Committee, which oversees party operations between congresses.

The congress is expected to outline policy objectives for the next five years, covering areas such as the economy, defense, and diplomatic relations. These goals are typically set during the congress to guide the country’s direction until the next meeting.

State media stated that the re-election of Kim Jong Un demonstrated support from various groups within the country, including party members and service personnel. The congress’s decisions are anticipated to shape the party’s activities and leadership structure for the coming term.

The Ninth Congress marks the continuation of established procedures for leadership selection and policy planning within the Workers’ Party of Korea. The event concluded with the formalization of leadership roles and organizational changes for the next five-year period.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.