North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a New Year’s letter to residents, eschewing his annual tirade against foreign powers, state-run media reported. In the letter, Kim offered thanks to the people for having trusted and supported the ruling communist Party even in the “difficult” times, state news agency KCNA reported on Friday. The North Korean leader has previously apologized for failing to fulfill promises of economic improvement and for the hardships citizens have endured as a result of international sanctions and strict measures aimed at preventing a coronavirus outbreak. “In the new year, too, I will work hard to bring earlier the new era in which the ideals and desires of our people will come true,” Kim wrote, according to KCNA. North Korea has said it has no confirmed cases of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, though officials in South Korea and the United States say that is unlikely. The virus causes the …