Leadership
Information related to North Korea’s leadership and leadership structures
North Korea opens Ninth Party Congress with optimistic message on economy
In speech on opening day, leader Kim Jong Un vows honest review of 'deep-rooted' problems among party members
February 20, 2026
Yoon Suk Yeol sentenced to life in prison over martial law decree
Seoul court finds ex-president led an insurrection through his purported crackdown on alleged pro-North Korea forces
February 19, 2026
Kim Jong Un vows to ‘open new service sectors’ at launch of construction project
North Korean leader also makes rare admission of overcrowded housing, kicking off mysterious fifth stage of Hwasong area
February 19, 2026
Seoul pushes to restore no-fly zone after alleged drone flights into North Korea
Unification minister says move aims to stop future incursions, expressing ‘official regret’ over flights by civilians
February 18, 2026
North Korean officials receive credentials ahead of Ninth Party Congress
Delegates signal the meeting laying out strategic direction for next five years is just days away
February 18, 2026
What to expect at North Korea’s Ninth Party Congress, from nukes to US ties
Kim Jong Un likely to consolidate military gains rather than break new ground, doubling down on Russia and anti-ROK line
February 18, 2026
Takaichi renews pledge to seek summit with Kim Jong Un after election win
Japanese leader says she’ll use ‘every means’ to resolve issue of North Korea’s abduction of Japanese nationals
February 17, 2026
Puppies and PC games: Kim Jong Un promotes ‘modern’ living at housing ceremony
North Korean leader claims victory in 5-year project to build over 50K homes across capital’s new skyscraper streets
February 17, 2026
How the Party Congress became North Korea’s biggest political event
A look back show how the Ninth Congress could announce policies, purge officials, herald a successor and more
February 17, 2026
Decades of data trace China’s dramatic retreat from North Korea denuclearization
Mentions of DPRK weapons at ministry briefings have cratered since 2017, as China learns to live with a nuclear neighbor
February 17, 2026
