North Korean leader Kim Jong-un lauded what he called his country’s fight against a US-led military threat and vowed to turn North Korea into “the best socialist paradise in the world,” as he addressed state anniversary celebrations in the presence of Chinese Premier Li Qiang (李強), Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman and former president Dmitry Medvedev and other foreign dignitaries.
Kim’s speech on the eve of yesterday’s 80th founding anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party comes as he tries to bolster an anti-West partnership with other countries, even as he signaled interest in resuming diplomacy with the US.
The pinnacle of the North Korean anniversary events would be a military parade expected after press time last night at a Pyongyang plaza, where Kim was to stand alongside Chinese, Russian and other leaders to watch the display of some of his newest and most advanced weapons targeting the US and its allies.
Photo: AP
In a speech on Thursday at Pyongyang’s May Day Stadium packed with tens of thousands of spectators, Kim said that North Korea has been pushing for the simultaneous development of nuclear weapons and the economy to cope with “growing nuclear war threats by the U.S. imperialists,” according to state media.
“Our party and government are still coping with our adversaries’ ferocious political and military moves of pressure by pursuing harder-line policies, holding fast to firm principles and employing brave, unflinching countermeasures,” Kim said. “This is powerfully propelling the growth of the progressive camp against war and hegemony.”
Kim also expressed confidence in overcoming difficulties and drastically improving the economy in the near future.
Photo: EPA
“I will surely turn this country into a more affluent and beautiful land and into the best socialist paradise in the world,” Kim said.
Other foreign dignitaries attending included Vietnamese Communist Party General-Secretary To Lam.
Kim separately met with Li and To Lam for talks on strengthening ties, and one of his top aides and ruling party secretary Jo Yong-won met with Medvedev.
Photo: Reuters
State media photos showed Kim waving between Li and To Lam, as the central section of the stands used cards to spell out the words “Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea” and fireworks lit up the sky.
The exact timing for the military parade was unclear, with rain expected in Pyongyang throughout the day yesterday.
Some observers say North Korea would likely hold the parade yesterday afternoon or evening, after weather conditions improved.
Photo: EPA
The parade was to feature some of the weapons systems North Korea has tested or unveiled in past years, including intercontinental ballistic missiles potentially capable of reaching the US mainland and shorter-range weapons the North says can deliver nuclear strikes against rival South Korea.
Kim has been accelerating the expansion of his nuclear-armed military since his high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with US President Donald Trump fell apart in 2019 due to wrangling over the US-led economic sanctions on North Korea.
However, last month, Kim suggested he could return to talks if the US drops its demand for a complete denuclearization of North Korea, after Trump repeatedly expressed his hopes for a new round of diplomacy.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Kim has made Russia the priority of his foreign policy, sending thousands of troops and large shipments of conventional weapons to help fuel Russian President Vladimir Putin’s warfighting.
Kim also visited China last month, and shared center stage with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) and Putin at a massive military parade, in a step aimed at strengthening his diplomatic footing.
North Korea’s three major state-run newspapers including the main Rodong Sinmun issued a rare joint editorial urging loyalty to Kim and supporting his nuclear weapons program.
Kim is “the great representative of the Party and the nation’s dignity and bright future,” the editorial said.
It was the first time that they ran a joint editorial since January 2012, in a New Year’s statement weeks after Kim inherited power following the death of his father, Kim Jong-il.
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