North Korea has ushered in 2024 by warning that it is the year “with the highest risk of confrontation,” appearing to justify its new policy ditching the goal of unification while also condemning recent South Korean military drills.

Leader Kim Jong Un kicked off his activities in the new year by watching a children’s performance at a prestigious academy in Pyongyang, a visit orchestrated to portray the leader as a generous father to the nation who cares for younger generations.

State media also reported that Kim exchanged letters with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping around