TOKYO/SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea's ruling party could meet to choose a new leadership on within the next day, media reports said on Tuesday, dismissing reports of a delay because of “dear leader” Kim Jong-il's health.

Japan's Yomiuri newspaper cited a source close to the issue as saying the Workers' Party conference, which brings together the secretive state's ruling elite for the first time in 30 years, could have been held up by severe flooding.
It said the meeting could start as early as Wednesday. Radio Free Asia, quoting sources in North Korea, said it could start as early as Tuesday.
The meeting is being watched closely by regional powers for signs of the start of the succession process involving the ailing Kim's youngest son, Kim Jong-un.
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