North Korean leader urges officials to overcome the country’s ‘grim situation’

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech during an event to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the country’s Workers’ Party in Pyongyang on Sunday (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service/AP)

North Korea’s state media says the country’s leader Kim Jong Un has urged officials to overcome a “grim situation” facing the country and make stronger efforts to improve the food and living conditions of his people.

But no mention was made of any specific comments toward Washington and Seoul amid reports on Kim’s speech marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party.