North Korea's Kim Jong-un Delivers Rare New Years Speech, Talks Economy and Relations With South Korea; Is The Reclusive State Seeking Aid Again?

In a rare New Years speech, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to "open up a new phase" in the country's economy in 2013. The speech, the first one by a North Korean leader in 19 years proved that the 29-year-old was willing to improve his impoverished nation as well as improve foreign relations with neighboring countries.

Standing at a large wooden podium surrounded by vases with purple flowers, Kim Jong-un delivered his speech in what appeared to be a pre-recorded video, the Telegraph reported. During his speech, he promised to "open up a new phase" and make a "radical turnaround" in North Korea's economy in 2013.

"Let us bring about a radical turn in the building of an economic giant with the same spirit and mettle as were displayed in conquering space," he said.

According to the Guardian, Kim Jong-un also spoke on easing tensions with North Korea's neighbor to the south, South Korea. "An important issue in putting an end to the division of the country and achieving its reunification is to remove confrontation between the north and the south," he said. He added, "The past records of inter-Korean relations show that confrontation between fellow countrymen leads to nothing but war."

The comments are being seen as an attempt to reach out to South Korea's new first female president, Park Geun-hye. According to the Telegraph, Geun-hye has promised to engage North Korea and increase South Korean aid to its neighbor to the north.

Kim Jong-un added that it was South Korea's responsibility "to unclench its fist first, so that the leader of a weaker state can outstretch his hand," the Telegraph reported.

The Guardian reported that the two nations continue to remain technically at war after the 1950-53 conflict between the two ended in an armistice and not a peace treaty. North and South Korea are separated by a demilitarized zone.

The new leader's comments mark a vast difference from his father Kim Jong-il, who passed over a year ago.  According to ABC News, Kim Jong-il only spoke publicly once during the 17 years he ruled. However, Kim Jong-un's grandfather and founder of North Korea Kim Il Sung was much more open to speaking to the public and continues to enjoy immense popularity, the Telegraph reported.

According to analyst Kim Tae-woo, of Seoul's Korea Institute for National Unification, the comments made by Kim Jung-un "apparently contains a message that he has an intention to dispel the current face-off [between the two Koreas], which could eventually be linked with the North's call for aid." However, Tae-woo told Reuters, "But such a move does not necessarily mean any substantive change in the North Korean regime's policy towards the South."

The Guardian reported that although Park, the daughter of a former South Korean dictator, had promised to engage North Korea more, she did not state she supported a return to the "sunshine policy" of unconditional aid.