Leader Kim Jong Un took centre stage with a speech to start the Workers' Party congress, a gathering that directs state efforts on everything from house building to war planning. Kim has already declared this year's congress will lay out plans to bolster North Korea's nuclear arsenal. It has been more than eight years since North Korea's last nuclear test triggered a man-made earthquake underneath the northern Hamyong mountains. - Ruling dynasty -It is just the ninth time the Workers' Party congress has convened under North Korea's decades-spanning Kim rule. Photos released by state media showed Kim delivering his opening address as senior party officials appeared to take notes in the background.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha February 20, 2026 02:55 UTC