North Korean Leader Lauds Army in First Speech
09:31 15/04/2012
PYONGYANG, April 15 (RIA Novovsti, Andrew Roth) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un reaffirmed the supremacy of North Korea’s military in his first public speech since he assumed power in December of last year.
“Let us make every unit of the Korean Public Army the shield and bombs which safeguard the revolutionary headquarters,” said Jong-Un at a parade dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of North Korean founder Kim Il-Sung.
“We should concentrate our efforts more and more toward strengthening and developing the Korean People’s Army,” he added.
Under a dazzling blue sky in Pyongyang, North Korea put on an unexpected show of its military might including Soviet-era heavy rockets, female batallions armed with automatic rifles, and an aviation display.
The speech came just days after an embarassing North Korean satellite launch that undermined the legitimacy of the country’s advanced weapons systems.
Neither the speech, nor the military parade were announced in advance.
Jong-Un, who was just 29 years old when he came to power in December, has made numerous public appearances, but has never spoken publicly.
Jong-Un’s father, Kim Jong-Il, established a culture of reclusiveness during his 17-year rule. His voice was only publicly broadcast on television once during his reign.
Jong-Un used much of the speech to laud his grandfather, Kim Il-Sung, for developing Korea’s infrastructure and in particular, the country’s army, which plays a central role in North Korean life.
“Today the Korean Public Army has become a modern army with nuclear weapons,” said Jong-Un.
North Korea has come under heavy fire from the international community for the failed missile launch.
The United States cancelled $200 million in food aid to North Korea this week, claiming the country had breached an arms control agreement.
Kim Jong-Il echoed the politics of his father and grandfather in his call for North Korea to stand up to international pressure to halt its rocket and nuclear development.
“The era of history when mighty world powers could force their will on small countries is over,” said Jong-Un.
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