In his nationally televised New Year address, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reaffirmed his resolve to completely denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. He said he was willing to meet US President Donald Trump again at any time to achieve denuclearization, and urged Washington to take corresponding action to speed up the stalled process. He said North Korea would have no option but to explore a new path in order to protect its sovereignty if the US miscalculates North Korean people's patience, pursues sanctions and pressure without keeping a promise it made in front of the world.

US President Donald Trump wished his country a happy new year in a Twitter video, saying 2019 is going to be a great year. Russian President Vladimir Putin told his compatriots in the traditional New Year’s message for 2019 that Russia should stay united and work as one strong, solid team.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said in a video message that New Year is a time to look ahead and in 2019 the UK will start a new chapter. She said the referendum in 2016 was divisive but they all want the best for their country and 2019 can be the year they put their differences aside and move forward together, into a strong new relationship with European neighbors and out into the world as a globally trading nation.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged people to unite to confront threats, defend human dignity and build a better future together.