Will Kim Jong-un reopen dialogue with US? All eyes on North Korean party plenum for answers

Analysts say Kim has used previous plenary meetings to announce diplomatic strategies, including messages aimed at the US and South Korea

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un delivers a speech during an opening ceremony of a defence exhibition in Pyongyang, North Korea, in November. Photo: Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

Published: 8:00am, 4 Dec 2024

A key party meeting in North Korea this month will be closely watched for any sign that Kim Jong-un may be open to dialogue with the incoming Trump administration in the US.

The ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) plans to convene the 11th plenary meeting of its 8th Central Committee in late December, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The meeting will “review the execution of the party and state policies in 2024, confirm orientation of struggle for 2025 and discuss and decide on a series of important issues arising in achieving the comprehensive development of socialist construction,” KCNA said.

Such year-end meetings have traditionally been used to review the past year’s administrative performance and outline policies for the coming year.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre) holds a year-end plenary meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party in Pyongyang on December 26, 2023. Photo: Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

Analysts note that Kim often uses such occasions to announce diplomatic strategies, including potential messages directed at Washington and Seoul.