SEOUL (AFP) - North Korea flagged a "special" announcement on state television Sunday (May 8), which turned out to be a recording of leader Kim Jong Un's speech the day before to a rare ruling party congress.

In the past, notice of such a "special and important" announcement has preceded major events, such as a nuclear test or even the death of a top leader.

But at the allotted time, state television simply began airing its recording of Kim's lengthy report to the congress on Saturday - a transcript of which had already been published by state media.

In his address, Kim unveiled a five-year economic plan and stressed that North Korea was a "responsible" nuclear weapons power with a no first-use policy and a commitment to non-proliferation.