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N. Korea marks anniversary of late leader's death
Source: Agencies |
December 17, 2012, Monday
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NORTH Korea parlayed the success of last week's rocket launch to glorify leader Kim Jong Un and his late father yesterday, the eve of the first anniversary of his death.
The successful firing the rocket last Wednesday - ostensibly to place a satellite in space - was a clear sign that Kim will continue his father Kim Jong Il's militaristic hardline policies.
The West sees the rocket as a thinly-disguised way of carrying out UN-banned tests of long-range missile technology. It also fears after the rocket launch, Pyongyang will go ahead with a nuclear test to build a warhead small enough to be carried by a long-range missile.
At a somber memorial service yesterday to start a fresh round of mourning, North Korea's top leadership predictably eulogized Kim Jong Il and his son, who is certain to have gained national prestige and clout by going ahead with the rocket launch.
Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of North Korea's parliament, credited Kim Jong Il with building Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, and called the satellite launch a "shining victory" and an emblem of the promise that lies ahead with his son in power.
Top military official Choe Ryong Hae, meanwhile, warned that the army was prepared to defend the country's sovereignty.
Wednesday's launch was North Korea's second attempt in eight months to fulfill Kim Jong Il's 14-year quest to put a satellite into space. International experts confirmed the rocket reached space.
Criticism of the launch was swift. The US called it a covert test of missile technology, and the UN Security Council blasted the launch as a violation of resolutions barring Pyongyang from developing its nuclear and missile programs.
The successful firing the rocket last Wednesday - ostensibly to place a satellite in space - was a clear sign that Kim will continue his father Kim Jong Il's militaristic hardline policies.
The West sees the rocket as a thinly-disguised way of carrying out UN-banned tests of long-range missile technology. It also fears after the rocket launch, Pyongyang will go ahead with a nuclear test to build a warhead small enough to be carried by a long-range missile.
At a somber memorial service yesterday to start a fresh round of mourning, North Korea's top leadership predictably eulogized Kim Jong Il and his son, who is certain to have gained national prestige and clout by going ahead with the rocket launch.
Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of North Korea's parliament, credited Kim Jong Il with building Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, and called the satellite launch a "shining victory" and an emblem of the promise that lies ahead with his son in power.
Top military official Choe Ryong Hae, meanwhile, warned that the army was prepared to defend the country's sovereignty.
Wednesday's launch was North Korea's second attempt in eight months to fulfill Kim Jong Il's 14-year quest to put a satellite into space. International experts confirmed the rocket reached space.
Criticism of the launch was swift. The US called it a covert test of missile technology, and the UN Security Council blasted the launch as a violation of resolutions barring Pyongyang from developing its nuclear and missile programs.
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