North Korea party meeting discusses 'offensive measures'

North Korea has discussed "offensive measures" to ensure the country's sovereignty and security during the second-day session of a major party meeting, state media reported on Monday, amid concerns that Pyongyang could ditch negotiations with the US and restart major weapons tests.

The plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the North's ruling Workers' Party came as Pyongyang has threatened to take a "new way" if Washington fails to offer concessions in their nuclear talks before the end of this year, hinting that it would end diplomacy and return to provocative acts, reports Yonhap News Agency.

It also came days ahead of a much-anticipated New Year's Day address that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is slated to deliver on Wednesday, in which he is expected to announce a major policy shift related to denuclearization and diplomatic issues.

Kim opened the party meeting Saturday and presided over its second-day session on Sunday.

"Emphasizing the need to take positive and offensive measures for fully ensuring the sovereignty and security of the country as required by the present situation, he indicated the duties of the fields of foreign affairs, munitions industry and armed forces," Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

It however, did not elaborate on what the "offensive measures" would be.

Kim also called for efforts to improving science, education and public health. The KCNA said the plenary meeting "goes on", suggesting there will be a third-day session on Monday.

It is unusual for the North to have such a multiple-day party meeting, said Yonhap News Agency.

The plenary party meeting is one of the communist state's highest decision-making bodies, though it rubber-stamps the policy presented by Kim who has absolute power.

South Korea's Unification Ministry said it is believed to be the first time for the North to hold a multi-day party meeting since Kim took office in late 2011.

The Ministry added that it was closely watching the results of the North's meeting.

While the US has warned Pyongyang against provocations, saying it could lose everything, North Korea responded by saying that that it has no more to lose.