[4] On 30 October 2015, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea announced a decision to hold a Congress in early May 2016, saying: The Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee decides to convene the 7th Congress of the WPK early in May Juche 105 (2016), reflecting the demand of the party and the developing revolution that witness epoch-making changes in accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche, the cause of building a thriving socialist nation.

Human Rights Watch claimed that the campaign meant uncompensated and forced labor for people across the country, including children, and that the object of the campaign was to boost outputs in manufacture and agriculture and demonstrate loyalty.

[8] The Congress was opened on 6 May 2016 at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang,[9] in the presence of 3,467 voting delegates.

[18] On the 9th, foreign journalists were briefly let in the Congress venue for the first time, during the announcement of Kim Jong Un's election as Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea.

[21] 15 members were elected to the 7th Central Auditing Commission:[22] Choe Sung-ho, Pak Myong-sun, Kim Kyong-nam, Hwang Chol-sik, Kim Yong-chol, Ri Yong-ik, Kim Myong-hun, Kye Yong-sam, Jo Jong-ho, Kye Myong-chol, Jang Jong-ju, Pho Hui-song, Jong Pong-sok, Choe Kwon-su and Ho Kwang-uk.

[23] The Commission soon convened and chose as its Chairman Choe Sung-ho and Vice-chairwoman Pak Myong-sun.