SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and other top officials have gathered to discuss preparations for the ruling party's first full congress in five years, state media reported Wednesday. The top-level meeting will set new priorities as the U.S. and South Korea seek a resumption of talks with North Korea.
The Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim presided over a plenary meeting of the Workers Party's Central Committee on Tuesday. It said participants began discussing unspecified key issues related to the party congress and reviewing this year's state policies.
KCNA gave no further details, but observers say the plenary meeting will likely last a few days and set an official agenda for the party congress, which is expected to be held in January or February.
The congress, the top decision-making organ of the Workers’ Party, was revived by Kim in 2016 after a 36-year hiatus. Experts say Kim aimed to increase the party’s authority as part of efforts to solidify his grip on power.
The focus of outside attention on the congress is whether Kim will respond to U.S. and South Korean efforts to improve ties. North Korea has steadfastly rebuffed the U.S. and South Korea's calls to resume talks since Kim's high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019, but some experts say Kim could return to talk with the U.S. next year.
In an apparent response to Trump's repeated outreach, Kim suggested in September that he could return to talks if the U.S. drops “its delusional obsession with denuclearization” of North Korea.
Meanwhile, South Korea's military said North Korea fired several artillery rounds off the North's west coast on Tuesday. Observers say the artillery launches were likely part of the North Korean military's wintertime training.
Last year, Kim declared that his country was abandoning its long-standing goal of peaceful unification with South Korea and ordered the rewriting of the North’s constitution to mark the South as a permanent enemy.
In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, attends a plenary meeting of the Workers Party's Central Committee in North Korea, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — Wales tasted Six Nations success for the first time in 1,099 days after blowing away Italy 31-17 in Principality Stadium on Saturday.
The growing confidence from recent narrow losses against Scotland and Ireland spilled over into an unexpected and dominant bonus-point win, Wales' first in the championship since March 2023 when it beat Italy in Rome.
Wales was physical, direct and ruthless, leading 21-0 by halftime then 31-0 before Italy scored.
The Welsh scramble defense was also impressive as Italy had two tries ruled out, one held up, and another saved by an ankle tap.
While Wales ended the nightmare of a national record 15-match losing streak in the Six Nations, it was expected to finish with a third consecutive wooden spoon depending on fifth-placed England's result against France in the late match in Paris.
Italy was seeking a third successive win in Cardiff and an historic third win in a single championship after beating Scotland and England, but it was beaten up at the breakdown, lost its composure, and missed 30 tackles.
Wales made the penalties count.
A kick-chase penalty earned by workaholic winger Ellis Mee was booted into the corner and No. 8 Aaron Wainwright crashed over. Despite lineout issues, Wales used the platform again to drive at the line for a second Wainwright try.
Another lineout drive finished with captain Dewi Lake touching down. With Dan Edwards a perfect four-of-four off the tee and nine-for-nine in the tournament, Wales was a deserved 21-0 up after 29 minutes.
They resumed from the second half kickoff. Edwards slanted through a tired defense, converted his try and chipped a drop goal for a scarcely believable 31-0 lead.
Italy ruled the last 30 minutes. But Wales still made it tough for the visitor.
Replacements Tommaso Di Bartolomeo and Tommaso Allan dotted down for Italy but Wales' defense shone.
Mee held up hooker Giacomo Nicotera and made a try-saving tackle on opposite wing Monty Ioane, Edwards ankle-tapped Tommaso Menoncello when the midfielder looked like he was away, Tomos Williams stopped Allan on the tryline, and James Botham's sliding hip ruined a chance for Leonardo Marin.
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Wales' Daniel Edwards celebrates scoring a drop goal with team-mate Tomos Williams during the Men's Six Nations match between Wales and Italy in Cardiff, Wales, Saturday March 14, 2026. (David Davies/PA via AP)
Wales' Daniel Edwards scores their side's fourth try of the game during the Men's Six Nations match between Wales and Italy in Cardiff, Wales, Saturday March 14, 2026. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)
Wales' Louis Rees-Zammit is tackled by Italy's Tommaso Menoncello during the Men's Six Nations match between Wales and Italy in Cardiff, Wales, Saturday March 14, 2026. (David Davies/PA via AP)
Wales players celebrate their side's third try of the game, scored by Dewi Lake, during the Men's Six Nations match between Wales and Italy in Cardiff, Wales, Saturday March 14, 2026. (David Davies/PA via AP)
