Overview
- Kim Jong Un was re-elected General Secretary at the ruling party’s five-year congress in Pyongyang, according to KCNA.
- State media said the nuclear deterrent has been “radically” strengthened, and Kim pledged to unveil the next phase of the program during the meeting.
- Kim Yo Jong was elevated to full department director by the Party Central Committee, with Reuters reporting her reinstatement as an alternate Politburo member.
- Beijing signaled support as Xi Jinping sent congratulations, while Western and South Korean estimates say thousands of North Koreans are fighting for Russia in Ukraine.
- Reuters reports Kim has rebuffed outreach from South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump to restart talks.