Overview
- KCNA reported the enlarged 13th plenary of the Eighth Central Committee opened Dec. 9 to review 2025 party and state policies and to ready the Ninth Party Congress.
- On day two, Kim reviewed this year’s results, identified problems to fix before the congress, assigned preparatory tasks, and discussed organizational issues, the 2025 budget implementation and the 2026 draft budget.
- Delegates approved discussion of five agenda items that include the policy review and congress preparations, with proceedings expected to run for several days.
- State media photos showed propaganda secretary Ri Il-hwan back on the leadership podium after about a year out of view, indicating a possible reinstatement.
- South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea fired around 10 artillery rockets into the Yellow Sea hours after the plenum began, which analysts assessed as routine winter training, while experts expect major policy lines to be unveiled at the congress, including a possible new five-year plan and ideological or institutional changes.