North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reviewed inter-Korean relations and pledged to develop external ties at a rare ruling Workers' Party congress, according to the reclusive country's state-run media.

In his address to the ruling party congress on Thursday, the North Korean leader said relations with South Korea and other countries will be pursued considering "the prevailing situation and the changed call of the times," the North's official Korean Central News Agency(KCNA) said Friday, without elaborating.

North Korea has faced major challenges in 2020 with COVID-19 and flooding from typhoons that further strained its impoverished economy already hit hard by international sanctions. The strained economic conditions have raised hopes that the North may reach out to overtures of aid from South Korea.

Kim, however, vowed to maintain the regime's own "wholesome and revolutionary lifestyle" in all aspects of social life and "thoroughly eliminating non-socialist elements."

[Photo : YONHAP News]