SEOUL聽鈥 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended New Year鈥檚 celebrations in Pyongyang that included fireworks, patriotic songs and dances and a taekwondo demonstration, state media KCNA said on Thursday.
Mr. Kim鈥檚 daughter Ju Ae, who some analysts view as the frontrunner to become his successor, accompanied Mr. Kim during the celebrations, hugging children along with her father, sitting next to him and holding hands with him, KCNA photos showed.
In a speech, Mr. Kim lauded the North Korean people鈥檚 efforts which led to 鈥渟uccesses and phenomenal changes鈥 in 2025, and called for their unity as a key party congress expected to be held in early 2026 will lay out the future direction for the country.
North Korea is expected to hold the 9th Congress of the ruling Workers鈥 Party of Korea soon, which will lay out the country鈥檚 plans for the next five years in various fields such as nuclear and weapons development, as well as the economy.
Mr. Kim also sent a New Year鈥檚 message to North Korean troops fighting on Russia鈥檚 side in the war in Ukraine, calling them the 鈥済reatest strength and pride and a strong pillar鈥 of the country and saying he looks forward to their reunion back home.
鈥淏e brave. Behind you are Pyongyang and Moscow,鈥 Mr. Kim said in the message, according to KCNA.
KCNA also said that Mr. Kim received New Year cards from many heads of state including the Chinese president and his wife, although it did not mention Xi Jinping by name nor disclose further details. 鈥 Reuters
