North Korea Silent on Party Forum as Deadline Passes
This article is for subscribers only.
North Korea may have missed its own deadline to hold the regime’s biggest political gathering in 30 years, fueling speculation the health of leader Kim Jong Il is worsening as he prepares to transfer power to his son.
State media had said, without giving any precise dates, the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea would convene a congress in “early September” to elect “its highest leading body.” As the midpoint of the month passed with no mention of a meeting, speculation has increased that it was delayed either because of Kim’s deteriorating health or damages from recent floods.