North Korea's Kim Convenes Major Party Meeting Ahead of New Year

SEOUL - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this week opened a key ruling party meeting, state media reported on Tuesday, a forum he has previously used to make major New Year policy announcements.

The 4th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was convened Monday, state news agency KCNA said.

The gathering of party and government officials comes as North Korea grapples with