Pyongyang: North Korea has launched a plenary meeting of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, state media reported Wednesday, as Pyongyang prepares for a key party congress that could offer glimpses into North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's plans for military and economy. The enlarged 13th plenary meeting of the party's Eighth Central Committee was convened the previous day, presided over by Kim and attended by key central committee members, government ministry officials and observers, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the meeting approved five agenda items for discussion, including the review of the implementation of this year's party and state policies and other major issues related to the preparations for the party's ninth congress. The year-end plenary party meeting usually runs for several days to review the year's policy implementation and set the direction for future policies.

This year's meeting carries added significance as it was held in the run-up to the party's ninth congress, which South Korean intelligence authorities expect to take place in February, where the country is likely to unveil another five-year national economic development plan and possibly its foreign policy direction.