N. Korea discusses draft proposals of 5-yr policy goals at key congress

North Korea's ongoing party congress discussed five-year plans and goals for key sectors, including national defense and foreign affairs, on the sixth day of the party gathering, state media reported Wednesday. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, "Study and consultative meetings in various fields," including the economy and party work, were held the previous day at the congress of the Workers' Party of Korea. Still, the North's state media made no mention of foreign policy as the first party congress in five years nears its conclusion after it opened last Thursday to review policy outcomes from the previous congress and set new goals for the next five years. Once the new policy directions are finalized, the North is expected to unveil them in the closing session of the congress. "The consultative meetings ... intensified the discussion on the orientation and plans of the work of different sectors and units," the KCNA said. "(They) discussed in detail the realistic proposals for achieving gradual and qualitative development. "The discussion focused on ensuring the scientific accura