Letterhead

North Korea's leader goes beyond New Year's speech with a written message

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un congratulated his people on the New Year in a handwritten message, bypassing his distinguished speech he gave on the first day of the year.

This comes before the rare party conference, which is planned to be held in the coming days.

Almost every year, Kim gives a televised address on January 1, presenting his annual plans and policy directions.

The speech was closely followed, looking for indicators that might reveal the trends of the isolated country, according to Yonhap News Agency.

This is the first time that Kim has sent such a message since taking office after the death of his father, Kim Jong-il, in late 2011. It is also the first time that a North Korean leader in this way has sent his greetings to his people on New Year's Day since 1995.

In the message, Kim said, "I will work hard in the new year ... to bring about an early new era, in which the ideals and desires of our people will be fulfilled."

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