NKorea's congress youth league meets amid pandemic

North Korea's latest mass meeting with masked participants was presented on state television on Thursday, two days after the event took place.

The official report did not mention leader Kim Jong Un attending the 10th Congress of the "Kimilsungist-Kimjongilist Youth League" but like the last time this congress was held, Kim may attend later.

The youth league is an important part of social control in North Korea, requiring participation from many citizens up until their late twenties, or whenever they move into another state organisation that will take over responsibility for managing their lives.

The opening ceremony took place on Tuesday in a stadium built by the South Korean Hyundai company, back when it was trying to develop relations with Pyongyang.

Footage from North Korea's state television showed thousands of young adults in suits and military uniforms filing into the stadium.

The agenda items include "renaming the youth league", according to the Korean Central News Agency, as well as standard procedures like reviewing past work and revising rules and electing its leadership.

The last congress of this youth league was in August 2016.

North Korea has cut contacts with the outside world since the coronavirus pandemic emerged.

Pyongyang's state media continue to emphasise strict precautions against the virus, but have not announced plans for vaccination of the population.