DPRK state TV airs recorded work report of ruling party's central committee

A general view of DPRK's first congress of the country's ruling Workers' Party in 36 years, in this photo released by DPRK's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang, May 6, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

On north-south relations, Kim stressed that the most important work for the ruling party is to realize national reunification.

In order to achieve national reunification, the most pressing issue before the party is to fundamentally improve his country's relations with South Korea, he said.

He said the two sides should respect each other and join hands to open up a new chapter for improving inter-Korean ties and the campaign for national reunification.

Kim urged South Korea to drop the mentality of confrontation and legal and institutional barriers, and to take practical steps to facilitate the development of bilateral relations.

He called for dialogue and negotiations at all levels between the two Koreas, saying misunderstanding and distrust should be removed for achieving common prosperity.

It is the first time for Kim to deliver a televised marathon speech. All foreign journalists were told to gather at Yanggakdo International Hotel to watch the recorded speech as the 7th Congress of the ruling party entered the third day.

A torch march and massive parades are expected to take place in central Pyongyang to celebrate the meeting, described by Pyongyang as "a glorious gathering of victors."

On the morning of the same day, foreign journalists were sent to the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang for an event, whose subject was kept a secret. After more than 100 journalists waited at the hall for around 20 minutes, an official told the press that the event was canceled.

The ruling party of the DPRK opened its 7th congress on Friday, the first in 36 years and also the first under the leadership of Kim Jong-un. Foreign media were invited to the outside of the main site for covering the meeting, but were disallowed to enter.