INTERNATIONAL — February 19, 2026

Kim Jong-un: New Military Goals to Be Announced at 9th Workers' Party Congress

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said new military and construction goals will be set at the 9th Workers' Party Congress, where he presented 50 advanced multiple rocket launchers comparable to ballistic missiles.

The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Hasht-e Subh2 min read

Kim Jong-un: New Military Goals to Be Announced at 9th Workers' Party Congress
Image courtesy Hasht-e Subh

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced that new military and construction goals will be determined during the 9th Congress of the Workers' Party.

KCNA reported on Wednesday night, February 18, that Kim participated in a ceremony handing over 50 600mm multiple rocket launchers to the Party Congress. He stated that these weapons match precise ballistic missiles in accuracy and power and are suitable for strategic missions.

Kim added that the 9th Party Congress will mark a new stage in strengthening self-reliant defense. He said the modernization of military capabilities to counter external threats will accelerate.

Reports indicate the congress, North Korea's largest political gathering, may begin on Thursday or Friday of that week.

Read the original reporting at Hasht-e Subh

Reliability assessment

Single source (Hasht-e Subh citing KCNA) provides direct, on-record attribution to named official Kim Jong-un at a concrete event (handover of 50 600mm multiple rocket launchers on Feb. 18) with specific, checkable details; not a high-stakes unverified ground event.

Across the newsrooms

Filed by

Filed under

InternationalKim Jong-un, North Korea, Workers' Party Congress, military

Spotted an error or have more on this story? Tip the desk on Telegram → or WhatsApp →.

Reader supported

Keep Ehtebar running

Every published story uses paid tools to translate reporting, compare sources, extract claims, and produce a clearer read on Afghanistan. Reader support helps keep that work independent.

€5

helps cover daily verification runs

€15

supports a week of source comparison

€50

keeps independent analysis moving