North Korea Congress
This photo provided on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech during the ruling Workers’ Party Congress in Pyongyang, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has lauded his nation’s improving economy and regional standing as he opened the country’s most important political event. Kim is expected to set his domestic and foreign policy agenda for the next five years at the Workers’ Party Congress. State media said Friday the congress began the previous day. Kim said the North has made significant progress since the last congress in 2021, held during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing economic gains and a firmer regional footing that he said marked an “irreversible” strengthening of the state’s status. South Korea’s spy agency has said it was watching for signs that Kim could use the congress to position his teenage daughter as a potential successor.
