Kim Jong Un delivers his first speech
Source: Agencies |
April 16, 2012, Monday
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North Korea's new leader addressed his nation and the world for the first time yesterday, vowing to place top priority on his nation's military, which promptly unveiled a new long-range missile.
Kim Jong Un's speech was the culmination of two weeks of celebrations marking the centenary of the birth of his grandfather, national founder Kim Il Sung - festivities marred by a failed launch last Friday of a rocket that generated UN criticism and cost the country a food aid-for-nuclear-freeze deal with the United States.
Appearing calm and measured as he read the 20-minute speech, Kim Jong Un covered a wide range of topics, from foreign policy to the economy. His speech, and a military parade that followed at Kim II Sung Square, capped the carefully choreographed festivities.
It was the best look yet the outside world has had of the young Kim, who is believed to be in his late 20s.
Punctuating the young leader's message that North Korea will continue to pour funds into its military, the parade culminated with the unveiling of a new long-range missile, though it's not clear how powerful or significant it is.
Kim's address was seen by analysts as an expression of confidence by the young leader and meant to show that he is firmly in control.
"Superiority in military technology is no longer monopolized by imperialists, and the era of enemies using atomic bombs to threaten and blackmail us is forever over," Kim said.
His message suggested no significant changes in national policy - the "Military First" strategy has long been at the center of North Korea's decision-making process.
But there was strong symbolism in the images of the new leader addressing the country on state TV and then watching - and often laughing and gesturing in relaxed conversation with senior officials - as the cream of his nation's 1.2 million-strong military marched by.
Kim said he would strengthen North Korea's defenses by placing the country's "first, second and third" priorities on military might.
But he said he is open to working with foreign countries that do not have hostile policies toward his nation, and said he would strive to reunify Korea.
He also stressed the importance of national unity, calling his country "Kim Il Sung's Korea" rather than North Korea.
He said he would aggressively pursue economic growth to improve people's daily lives.
The country has suffered decades of economic hardship following a mid-1990s famine.
Kim Jong Un's speech was the culmination of two weeks of celebrations marking the centenary of the birth of his grandfather, national founder Kim Il Sung - festivities marred by a failed launch last Friday of a rocket that generated UN criticism and cost the country a food aid-for-nuclear-freeze deal with the United States.
Appearing calm and measured as he read the 20-minute speech, Kim Jong Un covered a wide range of topics, from foreign policy to the economy. His speech, and a military parade that followed at Kim II Sung Square, capped the carefully choreographed festivities.
It was the best look yet the outside world has had of the young Kim, who is believed to be in his late 20s.
Punctuating the young leader's message that North Korea will continue to pour funds into its military, the parade culminated with the unveiling of a new long-range missile, though it's not clear how powerful or significant it is.
Kim's address was seen by analysts as an expression of confidence by the young leader and meant to show that he is firmly in control.
"Superiority in military technology is no longer monopolized by imperialists, and the era of enemies using atomic bombs to threaten and blackmail us is forever over," Kim said.
His message suggested no significant changes in national policy - the "Military First" strategy has long been at the center of North Korea's decision-making process.
But there was strong symbolism in the images of the new leader addressing the country on state TV and then watching - and often laughing and gesturing in relaxed conversation with senior officials - as the cream of his nation's 1.2 million-strong military marched by.
Kim said he would strengthen North Korea's defenses by placing the country's "first, second and third" priorities on military might.
But he said he is open to working with foreign countries that do not have hostile policies toward his nation, and said he would strive to reunify Korea.
He also stressed the importance of national unity, calling his country "Kim Il Sung's Korea" rather than North Korea.
He said he would aggressively pursue economic growth to improve people's daily lives.
The country has suffered decades of economic hardship following a mid-1990s famine.
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