North Korean media say the central committee of the ruling Workers’ Party has elected delegates to the party’s first congress in five years.
The Friday edition of the party’s newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported that the delegates were selected at a conference of the headquarters of the party’s central committee on Wednesday.
The congress is considered the party’s supreme organ and last met in January 2021.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un suggested earlier this week that the congress would unveil the next phase of plans to further strengthen the country’s nuclear deterrence.
A deputy spokesperson at South Korea’s Ministry of Unification spoke to reporters on Friday and expressed the view that the congress is apparently drawing near.
The official said the ministry is keeping a close eye on related developments.
South Korean media are speculating that the congress is likely to be held in early February. They are reporting that the schedule of the congress is expected to be published soon.