North Korea’s ruling party has once again chosen Kim Jong Un as its general secretary, according to reports by state media and widely covered by BBC.
BBC reports that the decision was announced during a major party meeting held in Pyongyang on Sunday. The gathering was part of the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, an event that is often seen as a formal process because the Kim family has ruled the country since the late 1940s.
According to BBC, North Korea’s official news agency, KCNA, praised Kim’s leadership, saying the country has greatly strengthened its military power, especially its nuclear weapons programme. BBC notes that despite heavy international sanctions, North Korea has continued to develop nuclear weapons and test long-range missiles that are banned by global agreements.
BBC explains that Kim took power in 2011 after the death of his father and has since focused strongly on expanding nuclear capabilities. This has made North Korea a much bigger security concern for Western countries, particularly the United States.
The party congress, which began on 19 February, is held roughly every five years and is considered the country’s most important political event. BBC says the meeting gives rare insight into how power is arranged inside one of the world’s most secretive governments. Around 5,000 party members reportedly attended.
Before the congress opened, North Korea displayed what it claimed were nuclear-capable rocket launchers, signalling that more weapons developments could be announced soon, BBC reports.
In his opening speech, Kim promised to improve the country’s struggling economy and raise people’s living standards. BBC highlights that he described these goals as urgent national tasks, showing that the government wants to balance military ambitions with economic challenges.
BBC also reports that there is growing attention on Kim’s daughter, Ju Ae, who is believed to be about 13 years old. She has appeared more often at major events, including missile inspections, leading to speculation — mentioned by South Korean intelligence — that she could be prepared as a future leader.
International relations were also in focus. Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly congratulated Kim and spoke of strengthening ties, according to BBC coverage citing Chinese media. China remains North Korea’s biggest trading partner and main source of aid.
At the same time, BBC notes that China is cautious about Pyongyang’s nuclear expansion and its closer relationship with Russia and President Vladimir Putin, fearing instability in the region.
BBC’s reporting suggests that this congress is not just about confirming Kim Jong Un’s leadership — which many expected — but about showing how North Korea wants to shape its future. On one hand, the country continues to invest heavily in nuclear weapons to strengthen its position globally. On the other hand, BBC highlights Kim’s repeated promises to improve the economy, showing the pressure he faces to deliver better living conditions at home.
The increased visibility of his daughter, as noted by BBC, also hints that North Korea may already be thinking about the next generation of leadership, something rarely discussed openly in such a secretive system.
Overall, BBC coverage shows that while the leadership announcement may look routine, it carries deeper meaning about succession planning, military priorities, and North Korea’s evolving relationships with powerful allies — all of which will shape tensions and diplomacy in the region for years to come.
Credit: BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg18588mdko