Kim Jong-un Initiates Congress In North Korea

The Workers' Party Congress in North Korea is gathering for the first time since 1980. The congress opened on Friday and is expected to last for a few days. The purpose of the event is presumed to be a formality to cement and endorse the leadership of Kim Jong-un. 

"North Korea appears to seek to establish the socialist party-centered system and further consolidate the Kim Jong-un regime through the party congress," Jeong Joon-hee, a spokesman from Seoul's unification ministry, said on Wednesday. 

The congress opened with a keynote address from the North Korean leader addressing his political direction and agenda. However, the state media has yet to release the contents of the speech publically. 

A report from Yonhap News suggests that about 120 foreign reporters were invited to cover the congress, however, they were not allowed inside the actual convention center. 

Reports indicate that North Korea may be having this congress without the attendance of high-profile foreign guests. The previous congress lead by Kim Jong-il, included 177 delegates from 118 countries including China and Russia.