Business in Pyongyang, the capital city of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), seems as usual, but a closer look shows that people are calmly expecting the coming Conference of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).

Pyongyang citizens attend a celebration ceremony rehearsal for the upcoming Conference of Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang, capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Sept. 5, 2010. The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK has announced that a conference of the WPK will be held in early September to elect its highest leading body. [Gao Haorong/Xinhua]

By a decision announced by the Politburo of the Central Committee of the WPK on June 23, the WPK will hold a conference in early September to elect its highest leading body.

This conference is required by the new needs of the development of the WPK and revolution when the country's Juche revolutionary cause and the endeavor to build a powerful socialist nation has entered a decisive era, said the decision.

According to the charter of the WPK, delegates will discuss and decide the routs, policies and personnel changes of the party during the WPK conference.

On Sunday, Xinhua reporters took a tour of the city to get a feel of Pyongyang on the eve of this historical meeting.

The cloudy and drizzling weather caused by typhoon did not discourage local residents from joining a massive rehearsal at the Kim Il Song Square in the city center. Several thousand people, with colorful plastic bouquets in hand, gathered at the square to practise for the celebration of the Party conference and their country's 62nd birthday.

Near the square, the First Department Store of Pyongyang was opened as usual. Several policemen were drawing car parking lines on the ground in front of the store, apparently preparing for some big event.

A tourist bus pulled over near the fountain of the Mansudae Artistic Theater and some Malaysian tourists braved the rain to have their photos taken as a memento.

Near the theater, the Mansudae Assembly Hall, the venue for important conferences, looked fresh in the rain, showing no signs of any major conference going on there.

At a scenic spot along the Taedong River, some children, probably primary school pupils, were doing some rehearsal with small sticks in hand.

The posh Koryo Restaurant, which primarily serves foreigners, opened as usual and shopping centers around the city were crowded with customers.

The rain did cause some inconvenience for the rehearsals. Participants had to end their drills earlier and hurried home, thronging the almost deserted streets with commuters.

Over the past few days, the DPRK media gave heavy coverage to recent meetings at the city (district) and county levels across the nation to elect delegates to the party conference.

Kim Jong Il, top leader of the party, was unanimously elected a delegate at a meeting of the Korean People's Army and WPK on Aug. 25.

In an editorial on Sunday, WPK's official newspaper Rodong Sinmun said this showed the firm will of the DPRK people and armed forces to rally around WPK Central Committee led by Kim Jong Il, and their unshakable belief and determination to build a great prosperous and powerful nation under his leadership.