'N. Koreans forced to memorise Kim's New Year's speech'

North Korea is urging its people to memorise its leader Kim Jong-un's New Year's address by offering giveaways, a US broadcaster reported on Friday.

"Local parties and labour organisations are pushing for various events, including contests to learn the address by heart as well as oratorical ones," Radio Free Asia said, citing a source in North Korea's Ryanggang Province.

The North Korean authorities have ordered the organisations to complete the contests by Friday, and will give the winners North Korean-made tablet PCs and goose-down winter clothing, Yonhap reported.

On New Year's Day, Kim delivered an annual verbal speech via a state-run TV station, claiming that his country has soared as a nuclear and military power.

Housewives are also checked on whether or not they have memorised the speech at neighbourhood meetings, said the report.

--IANS

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