North Korea’s Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party opened on Thursday and is expected to last a few days. As the country’s biggest political event held every five years, it sets policy and can bring changes in leadership roles beneath the supreme commander Kim.

North Korea’s ruling party hailed “remarkable successes” in fields such as politics, economy, culture, defence, and diplomacy under Kim’s rule during the past five years, KCNA said.

The ruling party’s Central Committee focused on finding shortcomings first before focusing on successes, KCNA said, but did not mention what the shortcomings were.

KCNA said on Friday that 5,000 members of the ruling Workers’ Party are attending the meeting.

There was no mention of major foreign dignitaries attending, although KCNA noted congratulatory letters were sent from Russia, China, Vietnam and Laos.

North Korea is expected to showcase military capabilities at a parade and weapons development goals as part of the meeting.