There's speculation that North Korea could make a major policy announcement ahead of its summits with South Korea and the U.S.... as the regime is holding a Workers' Party gathering in Pyongyang today.<br />It's the same meeting as the one back in 2013.... when Kim Jong-un adopted his policy of simultaneously developing the North's economy AND its nuclear weapons program.<br />Oh Jung-hee has more on what to expect. <br /> North Korea kicked off the third plenary session of its ruling Workers' Party's central committee this Friday.<br />The central committee's plenary meeting is usually held when there's a need for the Party to decide or modify its policy direction.<br /> At this meeting in March 2013, the Workers' Party adopted Kim Jong-un's signature " Byongjin" policy,... which seeks for both nuclear and economic development.<br /><br />And there's rising speculation that in Friday's meeting, we could see some changes to that policy.<br /> A report from Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency on Thursday hinted that the meeting will decide on new policies in line with (quote)"the important historic period."<br />That's apparently in reference to the inter-Korean summit only a week away,... and the first-ever Washington-Pyongyang summit that's currently in the works.<br /><br /> With these talks expected to focus on denuclearization,... the regime could show its willingness to negotiate on that.<br />It may stress the precondition that the regime's security has to be guaranteed first... or it might choose... not to call itself a 'nuclear state' but a 'strategic country.'<br /> The party could also show a willingness to improve relations with Seoul, Washington and Tokyo,... and seek a peaceful coexistence within the international community.<br /> Pundits say... the reason for Pyongyang to hold this meeting at this time... could be because it needs to provide its people with policy-based justifications... for whatever agreements North Korea reaches with Seoul and Washington at the upcoming summits.<br />Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News. <br />
