The 9th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea concluded on the 25th in Pyongyang, with a remarkable display of honorific accolades showered upon Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un. While the congress praised Kim for his extraordinary ideological and theoretical wisdom, as well as his leadership, critics argue that these claims lack substantial backing, especially in light of testimonies from defectors and former party officials. The fervent glorification of Kim during the congress may be a desperate attempt to bolster a regime facing increasing instability and challenges.

In the resolutions passed at the congress, Kim was described as an exceptional political figure, supported by claims of large-scale construction projects and improvements in rural modernization and health care. However, individuals like Lee Jong-ho, a former official assigned to manage foreign currency earnings for Kim's 'royal family', assert that the reported economic achievements of North Korea are merely superficial. He argues that despite claims of constructing 50,000 new apartments in Pyongyang over the past five years, critical infrastructure such as electricity and water supply remains severely lacking, leading to deplorable living conditions for the residents.

The congress not only reflects Kim’s ambitions to maintain his position but also highlights the creaking foundations of what the regime touts as economic progress. With the grand rhetoric surrounding the leadership and its projects, the underlying reality points towards a struggling economy that lacks the necessary investment to sustain itself. This situation raises serious questions about the regime's ability to implement its ambitious goals without significant external assistance or fundamental changes in its economic policies, further hinting at an internal crisis that could pose challenges to Kim's grip on power.