North Korea's state-run media said Thursday that top officials will meet in Pyongyang in an attempt to resuscitate its weakened economy due to the pandemic.

The pandemic border lockdown has created shortages for the authoritarian nation, which has also suffered from years of financial mismanagement. The meeting will take place on Sept. 28 and delve into economic development, youth education, government organizational matters, and other issues, the Associated Press reported.

The U.S. and North Korea have had strained relations since 2019, when former President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un failed to reach an agreement on denuclearization.

Nuclear decisions have since been shut down by Kim, who has rejected nuclear diplomacy talks due to “hostile” U.S. policies.

Government meetings usually consist of approving budgets, formalizing personnel changes, and rubber-stamping Kim’s policy priorities. At the last assembly meeting in January, Kim vowed to build up his nuclear arsenal and sought economic development plans for the next five years.

In early August, North Korea had sought to resume critical trade ties with China. North Korea, which saw trade with China plunge 80% in 2020, is dependent on imports and aid from China, which has been at odds with the U.S.

On Thursday, Vice President Kamala Harris accused China of coercion and intimidation in the South China Sea.

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