North Korean leader Kim Jong Un kicked off the ruling party’s end-of-year plenum expected to produce domestic and foreign policy changes on Monday, according to state media, calling 2022 an “unprecedentedly arduous” year with “unimaginable crises.”

Kim also attended an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the country’s constitution on the same day. Meanwhile, the Korean Children’s Union reportedly began its ninth congress without Kim in attendance, though he could appear later as it will last two or more days. 

The plenum could last six days with a final report released on the morning of Jan. 1, if precedent