North Korea’s Kim celebrates the new year with a letter and a visit to the rulers’ tomb

Seoul: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un marked the new year with a letter to the country’s citizens and a visit to the grave of his father and grandfather, state media reported, but gave no immediate signs that he would deliver a speech like it has in the past. years.

In the letter, Kim thanked people for trusting and supporting the ruling party even in “difficult” times, state news agency KCNA reported on Friday (January 1).

The North Korean leader has previously apologized for failing to deliver on promises of economic improvement and for the hardships citizens have endured as a result of international sanctions and strict measures aimed at preventing a coronavirus outbreak.

“In the new year, too, I will work hard to bring earlier the new era in which the ideals and wishes of our people will come true,” wrote Kim, according to KCNA.

North Korea has said it has no confirmed coronavirus cases, although South Korean and US officials say it is unlikely.

Its economy has been strained by self-imposed border closures and other strident measures to prevent an outbreak.

Crowds of mask-wearing revelers rang out Thursday night at a concert and fireworks show in the main square of Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, state media showed.

As the clock struck midnight, Kim and other top leaders visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the bodies of his father and grandfather, the former rulers of North Korea, lie under glass.

Kim was also accompanied by delegates to the Eighth Party Congress, a rare political meeting to be held in early January, KCNA reported.

Together, the leaders and delegates “hardened their firm commitment to glorify the VIII Party Congress as the turning point in the development of the Party and the revolution,” KCNA said.

Kim is expected to use congress to announce a new five-year economic plan, make leadership changes and make other political statements.