Kim Jong Un, Ban Ki-moon exchange New Year's cards

UNITED NATIONS — Nothing says Happy New Year like a holiday card from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

In an exchange that raised eyebrows, the young leader and the United Nations secretary-general, who is South Korean, sent each other holiday cards.

A diplomat with North Korea's mission to the U.N., Kim Song, confirmed the rare exchange of greetings Thursday.

"Our leader has sent a New Year's card in return for Ban Ki-moon's New Year card," he says.

A spokesman for Ban did not comment on the exchange, which follows a letter from Kim that North Korea's foreign minister delivered to Ban last year during the annual U.N. General Assembly.

North and South Korea technically remain in a state of war, and Pyongyang strongly objects to Seoul's joint military drills with the U.S.