SEOUL: North Korea's ruling Workers' Party had a crucial meeting earlier this week with leader Kim Jong-un in attendance to review state policies, state media claimed on Thursday, amid widespread speculation that Pyongyang could soon conduct a nuclear test.

Kim presided over the eighth Central Committee's fifth enlarged plenary meeting on Wednesday, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

According to news report, the KCNA did not disclose any details, including agenda topics or when the session is slated to expire.  The meeting will be conducted to conduct an interim review of state policy for 2022 and to deliberate on a "series of key topics," according to the agency.

Late last year, the fourth plenary session took place.

The meeting has drawn special attention from the outside world this time since it coincides with signals that the North is about to conduct its seventh nuclear test. Officials from South Korea and the United States said the North appeared to have finished its preparations.

Observers fear the North may use the party meeting to send a new message justifying its nuclear progress.

S.Korea, US, Japan hold high-level talks on global issues

N. Korea to face 'swift, forceful' response in nuke test: Wendy Sherman

S Korean President appoints new envoys to China, Japan, Russia, UN