Kim Jong Un maintains firm control over North Korea’s ruling institutions, as demonstrated by his February 2026 re-election as Workers’ Party general secretary and ongoing direction of nuclear and missile policy at party congresses. Recent state media coverage shows him actively overseeing weapons programs, economic initiatives tied to Russia, and public events, with no verified reports of health crises or elite challenges in 2025–2026. Positioning of his daughter Kim Ju-ae through repeated appearances signals long-term hereditary succession planning rather than an immediate leadership vacuum. The regime’s closed structure, emphasis on bloodline legitimacy, and lack of recent internal or external shocks sustain trader consensus against removal by year-end. Low-probability shifts could still arise from sudden illness, elite power struggles, or major geopolitical escalation, though none are currently indicated.