The party congress made the decision "in accordance with the indomitable will and unanimous desire of all delegates," the state news agency KCNA reported.
In the congress's opening speech on Friday, Kim said that North Korea has overcome "the worst difficulties" and is now entering an era of "optimism and confidence" as economic growth and people's living conditions improve.
It requires us to wage a more active and persistent struggle without allowing even the slightest retreat.
The Kim dynasty has controlled North Korea for decades, with a cult of personality dominating daily life and tightly controlled state media. Kim Jong-Un is the third leader in his family.
North Korea is the world's most closed country, a dictatorship ruled by Kim Jong-Un, son of totalitarian leader Kim Jong-Il and grandson of the "father of the nation" Kim Il-Sung. Society is militarized and people are strictly monitored.
The official ideology of Juche in North Korea celebrates "national independence" and "self-reliance." In practice, it has meant isolationism, oppression, and starvation for the approximately 25 million inhabitants.
Arbitrary arrests of regime critics, non-existent rule of law, and torture and mistreatment of prisoners in the country's prisons and detention camps are widespread.
Data also suggests that the country practices public executions for crimes such as theft of state property and hoarding of food, in addition to other serious crimes.
North Korea is also a nuclear-armed state that devotes significant resources to its defense. According to UN resolutions, the country is not allowed to launch ballistic missiles or conduct nuclear tests. Repeated violations of these resolutions have led to the country being subjected to extensive sanctions.
Sources: Landguiden/UI, NE and others.
