North Korea’s 12th Supreme People’s Assembly will convene its fourth regular session at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Thursday.

During regular sessions, which are held every year between March and April, the members of the assembly approve budget plans while reviewing the previous year’s budgets plans. Also during such sessions, legislators approve various bills, reorganize state agencies and conduct personnel reshuffles.

Particular attention is being drawn to the upcoming session as North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s heir apparent Kim Jong-un could be given a new title during the reshuffle process.

Some observers say the junior Kim is likely to be named vice chairman of the National Defense Commission.