ALWAGHT- Kim Jong Un has announced a major military shift, ordering the Korean People's Army to expand its operational front in 2026 ahead of a critical Party Congress.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared that 2026 will be a year of “tremendous transformation” for the country’s military. Speaking on the army’s founding anniversary, he emphasized the need to significantly widen the military’s fighting front and strengthen its defense posture. Kim further forecast that the military's role would become “outstanding” in the coming five years, aligning with plans to upgrade strategic capabilities.
During his address, Kim also publicly acknowledged and praised North Korean soldiers operating alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, stating they were carrying out orders in a “faraway alien land.” This reaffirms Pyongyang’s stated unconditional support for Moscow in the conflict, underscoring the deepening military cooperation between the two nations.
These announcements set the stage for the upcoming Ninth Party Congress in late February, where the regime is expected to formalize its five-year strategic direction. The congress will likely outline detailed military, diplomatic, and economic policies, building on previous ambitions such as developing advanced missiles, satellites, and nuclear submarines unveiled at the last congress in 2021.
