Kim Jong Un prepares for North Korea’s pivotal party congress in early 2025
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called a meeting of top officials to prepare for the ruling Workers’ Party’s first full congress in five years. The event, expected in January or February, will set new state priorities and review policies from the past year. Outside observers are closely watching how Kim will respond to recent diplomatic overtures from the U.S. and South Korea.
The party congress serves as North Korea’s top decision-making body. Kim revived the practice in 2016 to strengthen the party’s control and consolidate his leadership. Last year, he declared an end to the country’s long-standing goal of peaceful unification with South Korea, even ordering a rewrite of the constitution to define the South as a permanent adversary.
The congress will shape North Korea’s direction for the coming years. Decisions made there could influence regional stability, particularly in relations with South Korea and the U.S. Kim’s next moves will determine whether diplomacy resumes or tensions persist.
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