The government says it will continue to keep a close eye on North Korea following Kim Jong-un’s calls for improved ties with the South during his annual New Year’s message.
 
Seoul's Unification Ministry said on Wednesday it will not let down its watch, noting the young leader criticized President Park Geun-hye and discussed the possibility of a nuclear disaster in his message.
 
The ministry said Kim expressed his plans to strengthen the Worker's Party's control over the military while calling for solidifying the monolithic leadership and the purity of party echelon.
 
The ministry said the North only reiterated its previous positions in the latest New Year’s message without explicitly discussing nuclear issues. 
 
The ministry said there was no direct mention of nuclear deterrence or a nuclear test in Kim's message, which focused more on North Korea defending its sovereignty against external nuclear threats.
 
In terms of the economy, the ministry said Kim vowed to resolve food supply problems for his people and unveiled plans to pursue construction projects. 

Kim's message centered around his call for improved ties with the South. He said the time has come to end destructive slander and defamation and stop hampering efforts toward compromise and unity.
 
He added the North will support anyone who cares about the people and wants unification, and he vowed to work toward improving relations between Seoul and Pyongyang.