North Korean leader Kim Jong Un
Kim Jong UnOvernight Defense: Biden Team Expresses Concern Over ‘Abrupt Stop’ in Pentagon Collaboration | Chief of Defense pushes back | Lawmakers Question Major Cyber Attack Is An Act of War North Korean Plant Might Be Building Nuclear Components, Report Finds Barr Outs With ‘Love Letter’ To Trump MORE sent his first New Year’s cards to the citizens on Friday, thanking them for their support “in the troubled times”.
The Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim wrote that he “will work hard to bring earlier the new era in which the ideals and desires of our people will come true. ”
“I want to thank the people for consistently trusting and supporting our party, even in the difficult times,” he added. “I wish all families across the country more happiness and dear people, good health.”
However, the news agency reported that the letter was handwritten by Kim The Associated Press noted that given the oppressive nature of the North Korean government, it is nearly impossible to independently confirm this, as well as whether or not all of the country’s 25 million residents have received copies.
Although Kim usually gives a televised address to citizens on Jan. 1, he was expected to opt out before 2021, as he plans to deliver a speech to the Congress of the country’s Workers’ Party early in the month.
According to the AP, the Congress, which serves as the party’s main decision-making body, is the first since 2016, although many of the country’s decisions are made by Kim himself, as well as his closest allies.
North Korea is facing an economy that has been further weakened by the coronavirus pandemic and US-led sanctions against the country’s nuclear program.
In November, South Korean lawmakers briefed by members of the country’s intelligence agency said the North Korean government had ordered the execution of at least two people, locked up the capital Pyongyang, and taken other measures. to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The Wall Street Journal reported this in early December North Korean actors tried to hack in at least six pharmaceutical companies developing COVID-19 treatments in the US, UK and South Korea.
One of the companies targeted by the hackers was UK-based AstraZeneca, which was approved by UK health authorities for emergency use this week.
North Korea has continued to claim that it has not had a single COVID-19 case, although this has been disputed by several outside experts.