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JAKARTA - Supreme Leader of North Korea (North Korea) Kim Jong-un welcomes the New Year 2021 by visiting the graves of his father and grandfather, who were former leaders of North Korea. Previously, he also marked the beginning of the year by sending a letter to his citizens.

Quoting Reuters, Friday January 1, 2021, in a letter he wrote, Kim Jong-un thanked the people for trusting and supporting the Labor Party, which is ruling in North Korea. He was grateful that the people had supported the Party even in difficult times.

Kim Jong-un has previously apologized for failing to fulfill promises of economic improvement and for the hardships endured by international sanctions. Economic recovery is also difficult due to strict measures aimed at preventing the COVID-19 outbreak.

"In the new year too, I will work hard to bring the beginning of a new era in which the aspirations and wishes of our people will come true," said Kim Jong-un in the letter.

The North Korean government claims the closed country has no COVID-19 cases. However, South Korean (South Korean) and United States (US) officials said that was unlikely.

One proof of this is that the North Korean economy is depressed by the locks and borders imposed in an effort to prevent the COVID-19 outbreak. Other evidence, according to North Korean media, is that there are crowds wearing masks at a concert and fireworks display in Pyongyang's main square to celebrate the new year.

Grave pilgrimage

Meanwhile, at midnight New Year's Eve, Kim Jong-un and other senior leaders visited the Kumsusan Sun Palace, where the bodies of his father and grandfather - the former ruler of North Korea - lay under glass.

Kim Jong-un was also accompanied by a delegation from the Eighth Party Congress, a rare political meeting to be held in early January. Together the leaders and delegates "solidify their unwavering promise to glorify the Party Congress as a turning point in the development of the Party and the revolution," said KCNA.

The dictator's leader is expected to use the congress to announce a new five-year economic plan, make leadership changes and make other political statements.