North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been re-elected as general secretary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea during the party’s key five-yearly congress, state media reported on Monday.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency said Kim’s re-election came with the “unshakable will and unanimous desire” of thousands of delegates. The congress highlighted his leadership in strengthening the country’s military capabilities, with plans reportedly to double North Korea’s nuclear arsenal.
The party’s new 138-member Central Committee features significant personnel changes, replacing several senior officials with younger cadres. Notably, the 76-year-old head of Pyongyang’s parliament was removed from the lineup, signaling a shift in the leadership structure.
The congress, which began on Thursday, serves as a platform for North Korea to outline its political and military priorities for the coming five years. Observers note that the event coincides with North Korea’s growing ties with Moscow, including reports of troops deployed to support Russian forces in Ukraine.
Kim has also strengthened diplomatic engagement with China, attending Beijing’s 80th anniversary military parade in September 2025, marking his first major multilateral diplomatic appearance in recent years.
Analysts say the leadership reshuffle and the nuclear expansion pledge underline Kim’s focus on consolidating military power while navigating strategic relations with China and Russia.