North Korean leader Kim Jong-un chaired the first part of a key ruling party meeting in Pyongyang on Saturday, amid speculation that the communist state may proclaim a “new path” in the face of stalled disarmament talks with the United States.

Former reformer and founder of the People’s Reform Party, Paiboon Nititawan, has submitted a request to the junta for the party to proceed with a meeting. In doing so, he has become the first to ask for the junta’s permission in regard to administrative work for a new political party.