North Korea's Kim to tour military and economic facilities

North Korea will convene the Ninth Party Congress this month, a major political undertaking aimed at showcasing leader Kim Jong Un's absolute grip on power and his image as a benevolent leader at home and as head of a world-class military.



In the run-up to the once-every-five-year gathering, Kim has toured military and economic facilities across the isolated state, from a cruise missile launch site to a large-scale greenhouse farm, to highlight his accomplishments.



The Congress ⁠is expected to open on an undisclosed date in late February.



It will deliver a verdict on the current five-year development push and outline future priorities.



At the 2021 Congress, Kim said the prior economic plan had failed in "almost every sector" and called for greater investment in heavy industries, while strengthening agriculture and light industry to increase consumer goods supply.