The 8th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) opened in Pyongyang, the capital of the revolution, on January 5, Juche 110 (2021) amid the great attention, expectations and aspiration of all Party members, people and service personnel across the country.

The WPK Central Committee convened the Congress, the eighth of its kind in the sacred history of the WPK, in order to comprehensively and strictly review the work of the Party Central Committee, clearly reconfirm the correct orientation and duty in its struggle for winning a bigger victory in the socialist cause and take measures for substantial improvement, as required by the times witnessing a new upsurge and great turn in the development of the Korean revolution.

The convention of the 8th Congress of the Party, which will present the path to be followed by the Korean revolution in its fresh struggle, is an expression of our Party’s firm self-confidence to lead the socialist cause to a next-stage victory. It also serves as a political event of great significance to be etched in the glorious history of the WPK’s struggle.

In the period under review, our Party, guided by great Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism, vigorously struggled to enhance its leadership and fighting efficiency, realize the great cause of building a prosperous country with strong army and apply the people-first principle to all fields of the revolution and construction more thoroughly.

The 8th Congress of the WPK will discuss and decide on a fresh line of struggle and strategic and tactical policies for making a radical leap forward in the development of the Party and socialist construction on the basis of a scientific analysis of the trends of the development of the revolution and the requirement of prevailing subjective and objective situations.

Our people, who have absolutely supported and trusted the WPK, the ever-victorious guide, and faithfully upheld its idea and determination, are paying highest tribute and extending warm congratulations to its historic 8th Congress which will indicate the orientation of new development and progress in accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche.

At 9 a.m. on January 5, Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un , the great head of our Party, state and people and outstanding leader of the Juche revolution, took the platform of the Congress together with the members of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Party.

All the participants broke into stormy cheers of “Hurrah!” in reverence for Kim Jong Un who is confidently leading the Party and people to shining victory and glory with his gifted wisdom, prominent leadership, and strong courage and will.

Under the outstanding and seasoned leadership of the Party Central Committee led by Kim Jong Un , the revolutionary nature of the WPK as the guiding force of the revolutionary cause of Juche has become purer, a new era of independence and prosperity, a brilliant era of the our-state-first principle, has ushered in, and the dignity of our Republic, its international prestige and overall national power have been put on a remarkably high level in the period under review.

The single-hearted unity of the Party and the revolutionary ranks has been strengthened in every way and the absolute superiority of Korean-style socialism with the people-first principle as its lifeblood and the brave spirit of Juche Korea advancing under the uplifted banner of self-reliance have been demonstrated to the world in the course of devotedly upholding the leadership of the Party Central Committee and tiding over the unprecedentedly harsh trials and difficulties.

The Congress was attended by the members of the leadership body of the 7th Party Central Committee and the delegates elected by the Party organizations at all levels.

Kim Jong Un made an opening address.

He paid the noblest respect and extended the highest glory to President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il in reflection of the boundless loyalty of all the delegates, all Party members, and all the people of the country and servicepersons of the People’s Army.

Taking a solemn oath on behalf of all the delegates that the Congress will consistently remain faithful to the revolutionary idea and cause of the President and the Chairman, the great leaders who are the founder and builder of our Party, he declared the 8th Congress of the WPK open.

The National Anthem was solemnly played, instilling fresh enthusiasm for revolution and struggle into the participants who were gripped by boundless emotion.

Upon the authorization of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, Kim Jae Ryong presided over the Congress.

The Congress elected its presidium.

The Congress elected Kim Jong Un to the presidium in token of the unanimous will and desire of all the Party members and other people and service personnel across the country.

The participants in the Congress gave enthusiastic cheers of “Hurrah!” in reflection of their ardent trust in and loyalty to Kim Jong Un .

Members of the presidium are as follows:

Kim Jong Un

Choe Ryong Hae, Ri Pyong Chol, Kim Tok Hun,

Pak Pong Ju, Pak Jong Chon, Kim Jae Ryong,

Ri Il Hwan, Choe Hwi, Pak Thae Dok,

Kim Yong Chol, Choe Pu Il, Kim Su Gil,

Thae Hyong Chol, O Su Yong, Kim Hyong Jun,

Ho Chol Man, Pak Myong Sun, Jo Yong Won,

Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Gwan, Jong Kyong Thaek,

Kim Il Chol, Im Chol Ung, Ri Ryong Nam,

Kim Yong Hwan, Pak Jong Nam, Yang Sung Ho,

Ri Ju O, Tong Jong Ho, Ko In Ho,

Kim Hyong Sik, Choe Sang Gon, O Il Jong,

Kim Yong Su, Ri Sang Won, Ri Yong Gil,

Kim Myong Gil, Kang Yun Sok,

The Congress nominated members to the platform.

Appeared on the platform were the presidium members of the 8th WPK Congress and officials of the leadership body of the Party Central Committee and exemplary officials of principal units who have made efforts to fulfill their responsible duty in the struggle for implementing the decisions made at the 7th WPK Congress during the period under review, amid warm applause by the participants.

Invited to the platform were Pak Yong Il, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party, Ri Myong Chol, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Chondoist Chongu Party, and Pak Su Chol, Chief of the Pyongyang Mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front.

The Congress elected its secretariat.

The following are the members of the secretariat:

Sin Ryong Man, Ham Ryong Chol, So Kyong Nam,

Kim Pong Chol, Kang Jong Gwan, Kim Jong Min,

Ri Hyong Jin

The Congress approved the following agenda items:

First, Review of the work of the WPK Central Committee

Second, Review of the work of the Central Auditing Commission of the WPK

Third, On amendments to the Rules of the WPK

Fourth, Election of the central leadership body of the WPK

A discussion on the first agenda item was started at the Congress.

Kim Jong Un started a report on the work of the 7th Central Committee of the WPK.

All the participants are listening to the historic report on the work of the Party Central Committee with deep attention.

The Congress continues.