North Korea parades prior to Party Congress Opening Session

On September 9, 1948, North Korea established the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (D.P.R.K.) headed by then-Premier Kim Il-sung...

The North Korean Workers Party leadership is to delay the opening of an extraordinary congress to later this week. It will be the first extraordinary party congress in 44 years. Thursday 9th or Friday 10th appear as the latest dates selected.

Kim Jung-un, Kim Jong-il’s youngest son, oversees all the preparations for the meeting, including personnel affairs, gifts for delegates and accommodation as well as the selection of actors, commercials, finances and so on. "Jang Sung-tek, senior official of the National Defense Committee and the head of administration, assists Kim Jung-eun only in security affairs." (North Korean Sources)

The party is expected to elect members of the Central Committee first, and then a plenary session of the Central Committee will elect members of the Politburo, the Secretariat, and the Central Military Committee, the source said. The source speculated that Kim Jon-un will be elected to the Central Committee and then given a key post such as a member of the Presidium of the Politburo or party secretary, provided he makes an appearance at all. The source added, "It may be possible for the North to hold a plenary session of the party Central Committee separately later," so Kim Jong-un's election to a key post could be delayed.

(Sources Xinhua)

Party conferences have been held only twice before: in 1958 and 1966. In 1958, the country’s economic development plans and a restructuring of the party system were discussed. In 1966, the party’s top position had its name changed to “general secretary".

Children contribution to the Party Congress

Like in former sessions, North Koreans' schoolchildren have been marching Pyongyang streets last days chanting a song believed to hail North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's third son and heir apparent Jong-un.

Almost every morning and evening, several groups of junior high school students in uniforms march on streets near Pyongyang Station singing the song, known as "Footsteps," to promote the upcoming event and the 65th anniversary of the founding of the party on Oct 10. They also sing a song for North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung and one for Kim Jong-il. Similar scenes were witnessed last year when the country staged a 150-day campaign and a 100-day campaign to rebuild the economy. (Sources Kyodo)

Restart the 6 part talks on the agenda?

Also the United States "has begun weighing a fresh effort at engagement with Mr. Kim’s government, officials and analysts say." (Quotes New York Times August 27th).

Sources: Reporter's Notes