North Korea Codifies Nuclear Statehood and Hostile ‘Two-State’ Relations at 9th Party Congress

The Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), which concluded its final session on February 25, fundamentally reordered the geopolitical framework of the Korean Peninsula. Through a comprehensive review of the party’s strategic direction, Kim Jong Un, the autocratic leader of North Korea, formalized the permanent severance of ties with South Korea and institutionalized a high-tech nuclear doctrine for the newly elected WPK leadership.

The Ninth Congress – held for seven days from February 19 to 25 – served as a definitive proclamation that North Korea has moved beyond the era of nuclear aspiration, cementing its status as a permanent nuclear-armed state with an operationalized arsenal.

A pivotal outcome of the Congress was the formalization of “Haekpangasoe,” translated literally as “nuclear trigger.” In the report on the Ninth Congress released by Korean Central News Agency, North Korea’s state media outlet, Haekpangasoe represented an integrated nuclear crisis response system designed to ensure that the national nuclear shield could be operated promptly and accurately at any moment.

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