North Korea's Kim marks completion of Pyongyang housing project as key party congress nears

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae attend a completion ceremony for the 10,000-unit housing complex in the fourth phase of the Hwaseong District, in Pyongyang, North Korea, February 16, 2026, in this picture released February 17, 2026 by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS

SEOUL, Feb 17 (Reuters) - ⁠North Korean leader Kim Jong Un marked the completion of 10,000 ⁠new houses built in Pyongyang, state media KCNA said on ‌Tuesday, as the country prepares to hold a key party congress.

Kim has been touring construction sites and touting project progress ahead of this month's Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers' Party, ​the country's biggest political gathering that reviews performance, ⁠sets new policy goals and ⁠can bring leadership change.