North Korea’s Kim Jong Un re-elected as chief of Workers’ Party
Al Jazeera
February 22, 2026
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North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has been re-elected as secretary-general of the Workers’ Party, solidifying his 15-year hold over the country’s sole governing party. The election took place during the party congress, held every five years, where new Central Committee members were also elected and some party rules were modified. In his speech at the event, Kim emphasized the need to boost economic construction and improve the people’s standard of living, calling these tasks “heavy and urgent historic missions.” He acknowledged challenges such as international sanctions and the global public health crisis but expressed optimism about North Korea’s future, describing it as a new stage of “confidence” after overcoming past difficulties.
Kim has been in power since 2011 following his father Kim Jong Il’s death. Over the years, he has strengthened his control, with constitutional changes in 2019 making his authority over all state affairs monolithic. While North Korea’s economy remains fragile and faces significant challenges, Kim has increasingly stressed the importance of economic development alongside military might. During the congress, he unveiled new nuclear-capable rocket launchers, underscoring the regime’s continued focus on its military capabilities.
The re-election reinforces Kim’s position as the central figure in North Korean politics, with no official succession plans hinting at a potential transfer of power to his daughter or any other leader. This move signals that the country
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/22/2026