Kim Jong Un prepares for key party congress amid US/SK talks push

• North Korea's ruling elite, led by Kim Jong Un, is preparing for the Workers Party's first full congress in five years.
• Kim presided over a plenary meeting to discuss congress preparations and review state policies.
• The upcoming congress, expected in Jan/Feb, will set new priorities and is a key decision-making body.
• Outside attention focuses on whether Kim will respond to US and South Korean calls for talks, which have been rebuffed since 2019.
• North Korea recently fired artillery rounds; last year, Kim declared South Korea a permanent enemy.

Why It Matters: This meeting will set North Korea's future direction for foreign policy and internal affairs.