Kim Jong Un thanked North Koreans for supporting his leadership in "difficult times" in a rare hand-written New Year letter released Friday ahead of a crucial ruling party congress that will set the country's economic goals. South Korean media said it was the first time since 1995 that a North Korean leader has sent a New Year card to the country's citizens, the last one coming from Kim's father Kim Jong Il. Kim also visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun mausoleum on the outskirts of Pyongyang at midnight, according to KCNA, to pay his respects to his grandfather and father -- North Korean founder Kim Il Sung and his successor Kim Jong Il. The congress is expected to take place ahead of the January 20 inauguration of Joe Biden as US president. Relations with the United States have been deadlocked since talks between President Donald Trump and Kim stalled early last year.

Source: Mint January 01, 2021 10:18 UTC