N.Korea prepares for major party congress amid growing challenges

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a meeting of the ruling Workers' Party Politburo in Pyongyang, North Korea Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020. - AP

SEOUL (Reuters): North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will convene a rare congress of the ruling party in early January, where he will seek to rally public support and outline new long-term economic and political goals in the face of unprecedented challenges.

Kim chaired a politburo meeting on Tuesday (Dec 29) to prepare for the congress, state media reported, without specifying an exact date for its start.