북한, 내일 노동당 전원회의 개최... "새로운 단계의 정책 문제 토의"

North Korea announced it will hold a major party policy gathering on Friday to discuss policy issues for what it called an "important, historic moment."
This is the same meeting where the regime's leader officially adopted his policy of developing both its economy and nuclear weapons.
Oh Jung-hee delves deeper to gauge the possibility of a shift in Pyongyang's policy direction ahead of the summits with Seoul and Washington.
North Korea's ruling Workers' Party is holding a key policy meeting on Friday.
Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency reported on Thursday... that the central committee of the regime's ruling party will convene its third plenary session.
The aim -- to decide on new policies in line with (quote)"the important historic period."
That is apparently in reference to the inter-Korean summit only a week away... and the Washington-Pyongyang summit now in the works.

It was at the same kind of meeting in March 2013 that the Workers' Party adopted Kim Jong-un's signature " Byongjin" policy,... which seeks both nuclear and economic development.
But ahead of the relay summits with Seoul and Washington, which are expected to focus on denuclearization,... experts say... Friday's meeting could see changes to the Byongjin policy.

"The new policy direction is expected to show Pyongyang's willingness to negotiate on denuclearization,... to improve relations with Seoul, Washington and Tokyo and to peacefully coexist in the international community. That will raise Kim Jong-un's credibility and work to his advantage in the summit negotiations."

Also possible is an official announcement of the Washington-Pyongyang summit... since recent developments may have given Kim Jong-un some confidence and assurance.

What's not clear is whether the North will clearly stipulate that it's willing to abandon its nuclear weapons.
It might stress again that the security of the regime has to be guaranteed first... or it its willingness might be expressed in more subtle ways.
Since last week, the regime has made no mention of itself as a "nuclear power" in its major meetings or announcements.

"The North might refer to itself as a 'strategic country' instead of a 'nuclear state' in order to not to mess things up ahead of its talks with the U.S. And to justify to its people... talks with a country it's called an enemy for seven decades,... the Party might stress that it's necessary for economic reasons."

Experts think Pyongyang will use this meeting as a cushion... so its officials and citizens are aware of and ready for whatever agreement the two Koreas reach at their summit next week.
Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.