Despite the ongoing international sanctions, North Korea is actively developing its nuclear capabilities and regularly conducts intercontinental missile tests. However, due to the regime's secrecy, it is difficult to accurately assess the progress in military technologies.
Kim Jong Un took over the leadership of the country in 2011 after the death of his father. He significantly increased funding for the nuclear weapons program, making Pyongyang a serious threat to the West, especially to the United States.
At the congress, which is now in its fourth day, an announcement is expected regarding the next phase of the country's military program. Before it began, North Korea showcased a number of missile systems that, according to the authorities, are capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
The party congress, held every five years over the past decade, started on February 19. According to KCNA, about 5,000 party members attended, which helps to better understand the structure of political power in North Korea, which remains quite opaque even for experienced observers.
Such meetings are considered key political events that help clarify the country's priorities, including issues of foreign policy and nuclear ambitions.
Although Kim Jong Un continues to hold the top position in North Korean leadership, the composition of the presidium or executive committee has changed since the last meeting in 2021. More than half of the 39 members have been replaced, according to state media.
In his opening speech last week, Kim Jong Un emphasized the importance of economic growth and improving the living standards of the population, calling these tasks "complex and urgent historical challenges."
Particular attention is focused on whether Kim's daughter, Ju Ae, will appear at the congress. Earlier this month, South Korean intelligence reported that Kim Jong Un had chosen Ju Ae as his successor. The 13-year-old Ju Ae is becoming an increasingly prominent figure at official events — she inspected missiles and attended a military parade in Beijing with her father.
