North Korea to Hold Party Congress in February, Aiming to Maximize Nuclear Capabilities
North Korea's leadership has announced plans to hold a party congress in late February 2026, marking the first such gathering since 2021. The decision was made during a meeting of the Workers Party of Korea (WPK), led by Kim Jong Un. The congress, which is the ruling party's top gathering, is expected to serve as a platform for significant policy announcements and potential shifts in elite personnel. Historically, these congresses have been used by Kim to emphasize the completion and enhancement of North Korea's nuclear capabilities. The upcoming congress is anticipated to focus on maximizing the country's nuclear operational prowess, as suggested by Lee Ho-ryung, a principal researcher at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses. This event follows a series of missile tests and ongoing tensions with the United States and South Korea, particularly concerning nuclear submarine technology. 
