Pyongyang, January 18 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Wednesday:

- The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent New Year cards to foreign party and state leaders.

- Achievements have been made in various economic sectors and units.

- The spread of Covid-19 remains unabated worldwide.

Rodong Sinmun

- State economic guidance organs have worked out detailed plans for implementing the decisions made at the plenary meeting of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee.

- More than 15 000 young people across the country have volunteered to work at difficult and labor-consuming sectors after the 8th WPK Congress.

- Officials and members of the working people's organizations held meetings in provinces (municipalities) to vow to carry through the decisions of the 6th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the WPK.

- A national contest of traveling agitation troupes and brass bands of university students took place at major worksites of the national economy.

- An article calls for building a powerful socialist country by dint of self-reliance while holding fast to the revolutionary line of independence.

Minju Joson

- An article says that a large number of congratulatory messages and letters sent by Kim Jong Un to the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) are the important guidelines that developed the patriotic work of Chongryon to a steady upsurge.

- Another article says that Japan can get rid of physical and moral downfall only through the settlement of its past. -0-