SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea convened its rubber-stamp Parliament on Friday as its reclusive leader, Kim Jong-il, struggled with deepening economic woes while preparing to hand over the reins of power to his youngest son.

The body, known as the Supreme People’s Assembly, met in the capital, Pyongyang, on Friday as scheduled, but Mr. Kim did not show up, the South Korean news agency, Yonhap, reported, quoting Central TV, a state-run North Korean network. It was not immediately clear what bills the Parliament discussed during its one-day session.

The irregular gatherings of legislators in the North are closely monitored by outside officials and analysts who seek clues to North Korea’s policies and any changes in its leadership hierarchy.

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