Recently approved a resolution on new sanctions to be put in place against North Korea.
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In March, the UN Security Council approved its toughest sanctions yet on the nation, with an aim to withhold funds being used to finance the state’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, following a series of military tests this year.
Security has been stepped up ahead of the congress.
While some past party congresses featured representatives from countries the North has ties with, South Korean officials said they were not aware of invitations sent to official foreign guests for the upcoming event.
Heading to North Korea for a wedding this week?
He said: “One of the most important things through this party congress is to show to the entire world the union of our people”.
The gathering will be the first of its kind since 1980, when dictator Kim Jong-un’s grandfather was in power.
The normally well-sealed country has invited a horde of journalists from around the world to give the congress an worldwide spotlight. That’s all the more important because the enigmatic young leader, still in his early 30s, has yet to travel overseas or meet any other heads of state.
The congress party will reportedly also be when Kim Jong-un is officially crowned North Korea’s leader, despite already being so. “Kim Hyun-bin, Arirang News”. He has conducted numerous shake-ups in the regime’s top ranks – the most prominent being the execution of his powerful uncle in 2013 – to make sure he is surrounded by loyal lieutenants.
South Korea, and others nervously watching the North’s defiance of United Nations resolutions aimed at curbing its nuclear and ballistic missile technologies, expect another nuclear test before the congress.
Anchor: As tensions are running high over the possibility of another nuclear test by North Korea, Seoul’s Defense Minister told the parliamentary defense committee that the underground experiment could come on or around the North Korean ruling party’s rare congress on Friday.
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South Korea said in April 13 North Korean workers at a restaurant run by the North in China had defected.
