NK Leader Kim Jong-un Promises To Put Focus On Economic Improvements In His New Year Speech

In this Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013 file image made from video, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gives his first speech for the New Year in Pyongyang, North Korea, calling for his country to focus on economic improvements with the same urgency that scientists put into the launch of a long-range rocket last month. North Korea swiftly lashed out against the U.N. Security Council’s condemnation of its December launch of a long-range rocket, saying Wednesday, Jan. 23, that it will strengthen its military defenses ? including its nuclear weaponry ? in response. The defiant statement from North Korea’s Foreign Ministry was issued hours after the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution condemning Pyongyang’s Dec. 12 rocket launch as a violation of a ban against nuclear and missile activity. <AP Photo/KRT via AP Video, File>