North Korea's Kim Jong Un opens key party congress

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un opened the ruling party's congress, held once every five years, state media KCNA reported.

Thousands of delegates and party elites packed the House of Culture in the capital, Pyongyang, for the event, where Kim is expected to set his domestic and foreign policy agendas for the coming half a decade.

In a speech at the Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers' Party, given on Thursday but reported on Friday, Kim praised his nation's improving economy and regional standing, media reported.

Kim said North Korea had overcome its "worst difficulties" since the last congress in 2021, held during the global economic downturn from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The country was now entering a new stage of "optimism and confidence in the future," he said.

"Our party is faced with heavy and urgent historic tasks of boosting economic construction and the people's standard of living and transforming all realms of state and social life as early as possible," he said.

Russia, China give North Korea an economic boost

North Korea is one of the world's poorest and most isolated countries.

Its strict information blockade obscures its true economic state. But its economy has suffered for years under Western sanctions that aim to block funding for its nuclear weapons program.

Recently, however, experts suggest the country has seen some economic recovery. In 2024, the economy grew by 3.7%, according to the South Korea-based Korean Association of International Studies. 

Part of North Korea's economic recovery is likely boosted by the country's stronger ties with Russia.

North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia as well as substantial military equipment to contribute to its war in Ukraine.

In return, Russia has expanded trade with North Korea as well as providing economic aid and military technologies. 

In addition, support from China continues to be critical for North Korea. China is North Korea's largest trading partner and also provides direct aid.

The ruling parties of both China and Russia sent friendly messages to mark the start of the congress, according to the KCNA.

No mention of North Korea's nuclear weapons

Kim didn't mention relations with the United States or neighboring South Korea in his speech.

He also didn't refer to his country's efforts to develop a stockpile of nuclear weapons

On Thursday, Kim unveiled multiple rocket launchers capable of firing nuclear warheads, according to state media reported on Thursday.

Will Kim's daughter Kim Ju Ae appear?

South Korea's spy agency told lawmakers last week that it was monitoring whether Kim's teenage daughter would attend the party congress. The National Intelligence Service said it believed that Kim had selected the daughter, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae and aged about 13, as his heir.

Kim is the third in his family dynasty to rule North Korea, following his father, Kim Jong Il, and his grandfather, Kim Il Sung. 

It is widely believed that he will pass on the throne to Ju Ae.

Edited by: Sean Sinico