N. Korea TV airs ‘special’ Kim Jong-Un speech

In this image made from video by North Korean broadcaster KRT, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks at the party congress in Pyongyang, North Korea, Saturday, May 7, 2016. AP

SEOUL — North Korea flagged a “special” announcement on state television Sunday, which turned out to be a recording of leader Kim Jong-Un’s speech the day before to a rare ruling party congress.

In the past, notice of such a “special and important” announcement has preceded major events, such as a nuclear test or even the death of a top leader.

But at the allotted time, state television simply began airing its recording of Kim’s lengthy report to the congress on Saturday — a transcript of which had already been published by state media.

In his address, Kim unveiled a five-year economic plan and stressed that North Korea was a “responsible” nuclear weapons power with a no first-use policy and a commitment to non-proliferation.

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