North Korea to Hold Key Workers' Party Congress by End of Month, Kim Jong Un Expected to Outline Future Policies

North Korea will hold a major political conference of the ruling Workers' Party near the end of this month, state media reported on Sunday. It is expected that leader Kim Jong Un will unveil key goals and directions for domestic and foreign policy for the next five years at the conference.

According to the Korean Central News Agency, a meeting of the party's political bureau was held in Kim's presence, where the decision was made to hold the conference in late February. However, specific details regarding the exact date and agenda of the conference have not yet been made public.

Kim previously held similar congresses in 2016 and 2021. In recent years, North Korea has rapidly expanded its nuclear and missile programs, while tensions with the United States and South Korea have escalated following the deepening of ties with Russia after the war in Ukraine.

Analysts suggest the conference is likely to be a carefully orchestrated display of Kim's authoritarian leadership and may last several days. Recently, Kim has inspected weapons tests and visited military and economic projects, which state media has presented as reflecting his leadership in strengthening and developing military capabilities.

It is anticipated that Kim will announce plans to accelerate economic development based on self-reliance and mass mobilization, as well as a policy to further expand the nuclear-capable military through the conference. This may include a program to modernize conventional weapon systems and integrate them with nuclear capabilities.

Experts suggest Kim will also emphasize a hardline foreign policy based on close ties with Moscow and Beijing. Kim might adopt an even tougher stance toward South Korea, advancing the concept of a so-called 'new Cold War.'

There is no clarity on Kim's desire to resume diplomacy with the United States. Relations soured after disagreements over sanctions following the second summit meeting with then-US President Donald Trump in 2019.

Kim has rejected proposed dialogue should Trump begin a second term, reiterating the demand that Washington abandon its call for North Korea's denuclearization.

Entering the 15th year of his rule, Kim appears to be in a stronger position now compared to the previous congress in 2021. According to South Korean analysts, there are signs of some improvement in North Korea's economy in recent years due to gradual improvements in trade with China and income derived from supplying arms to Russia.