N. Korea touts 'new strategy' at party congress

Feb. 22 (Asia Today) -- North Korea said it proclaimed a "new struggle strategy" on the third day of its ninth party congress, though it did not disclose details or issue specific messages toward South Korea or the United States.

According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, leader Kim Jong Un continued delivering the Workers' Party Central Committee's work report for a second day during proceedings held Friday.

The report said a "new struggle strategy corresponding to the soaring confidence of the state and the people" was announced, along with sector-by-sector goals and implementation tasks. However, no specifics were made public.

Two officials spoke during discussions on the agenda: Jang Kyong-guk, a provincial party representative from South Hamgyong, and Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, representing the Pyongyang party organization.

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Observers said their prominence suggests an emphasis on domestic development achievements and Pyongyang's claimed rise in international standing.

Sinpo City in South Hamgyong Province has been highlighted as a pilot area under Kim's regional development policy, and Kim has visited the city multiple times in recent years. Analysts said Jang's remarks likely underscored those efforts.

Choe's participation was viewed as signaling North Korea's evolving foreign policy posture amid shifting geopolitical conditions. Pyongyang has deepened ties with Moscow, signing a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty after providing support related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and has appeared alongside Chinese and Russian leaders at recent commemorative events.

Still, analysts noted the absence of explicit references to inter-Korean relations or Washington. Some speculated that internal discussions may have addressed foreign policy adjustments following developments in the Russia-Ukraine war, as well as Pyongyang's framing of inter-Korean ties as "state-to-state" relations.

Cho Han-beom, a senior fellow at the Institute for National Unification in Seoul, said the overall tone of the congress appears more confident than the previous gathering held during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"On the surface, the atmosphere looks improved compared with the eighth congress," he said. "But underlying economic challenges such as high exchange rates and electricity shortages remain."

Experts expect the congress to continue into early next week. The seventh party congress lasted four days, while the eighth ran for eight.

Some lawmakers in Seoul have cited satellite imagery suggesting preparations for a possible military parade to coincide with the closing ceremony, potentially featuring strategic weapons.

-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260223010006460