North Korea convenes a meeting of its Central Committee focused on foreign policy and inter-Korean relations.

In recent years, North Korea has typically held plenary sessions in late June and late December, and can also convene extraordinary sessions in case of strategic issues. Although presented as regular meetings devoted to reviewing the socio-economic situation and implementing plans for the second half of the year, these meetings arouse particular interest from South Korean observers, who are particularly interested in the possibility that North Korea will define new directions concerning its relations with South Korea and the United States.

This concern stems from North Korea’s recent constant adjustments to its legal framework and policy direction. Following the 9th Party Congress, North Korea revised its charter and also adopted amendments to the Constitution during the session of the Supreme People’s Assembly (i.e. Parliament) last March.

The revised constitution reflects the “two-state” policy promoted by leader Kim Jong Un, defining North Korean territory as the northern part of the Korean Peninsula and removing previous provisions relating to national reunification.

Furthermore, public opinion is closely following the possibility of a readjustment of North Korean foreign policy, following reports of a possible visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Pyongyang soon. This trip could take place at the end of October or the beginning of November, after discussions between Xi Jinping and American President Donald Trump concerning the North Korean nuclear program.

Analysts say the outcome of the upcoming North Korean Central Committee meeting could indicate Pyongyang’s approach to the United States, as well as the direction its relations with South Korea will take in a new phase.