“We will continue to strengthen the army for self-defense and deterrence,” said Kim, who saw the show in a suit and tie and not in traditional formal attire, a Maoist jacket with a stand-up collar.
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Kim Jong-un
Photo: Uncredited, ČTK / AP
The Kyodo news agency noted that Kim Jong-un did not mention relations with the United States or the failed nuclear disarmament talks, which came to a standstill last year. In a half-hour speech, he said that after the end of the pandemic, he hoped for future cooperation with South Korea, and even apologized to the citizens for the difficult living conditions. He is said to want to improve them through “innovation and practical change”.
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The anniversary, which is commemorated by a number of concerts and festivals, is closely watched throughout the region. It is seen as one of the few predictable events in which leader Kim Jong-un could send a message to both domestic and foreign audiences.
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Analysts predicted that the DPRK could show new strategic weapons, but the state media did not publish any pictures or reports of the show. In addition, it took place early in the morning, which is very unusual. According to Reuters, South Korean chiefs of staff said they noticed signs of a parade in the capital, Pyongyang, involving extensive military equipment and personnel. No further details were given.
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NO COMMENT: North Korea celebrates the 75th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Korean Labor Party with, among other things, a military parade
Video: AP/Reuters
Introduction of a new weapon
According to analysts, North Korea has demonstrated a new intercontinental ballistic missile.
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“The edited footage broadcast on state television showed the weapon on a transporter with 11 wheels on each side,” Reuters said, noting that North Korea had not conducted a ballistic missile test for more than half a year. However, the leader of the totalitarian state, Kim Jong-un, promised at the December party meeting that the country would have a “new strategic weapon” in the near future.
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The AP agency admitted that it was not immediately clear whether the show actually took place or just the rehearsal of the show. He also recalls that the North Korean state media broadcast two military parades from the record the year before last.
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“South Korea and US intelligence agencies are closely following developments, including the possibility that this was a major event,” South Korean commanders said in a statement.
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“It was the first time the parade had taken place in the early morning,” an unnamed military source told Reuters. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was expected to attend the parade.
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South Korean officials speculated that Kim could use the parades as a showcase of strength ahead of the November US presidential election, when talks on nuclear disarmament stalled.
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Images from commercial satellites have been capturing weeks as thousands of North Korean soldiers rehearse. As expected, the DPRK could use the parades to demonstrate new intercontinental missiles or new submarine missiles.
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Foreign diplomats in Pyongyang were often invited to earlier celebrations. This time, however, the Russian embassy said on social networks that the authorities advised all diplomats this year to refrain from traveling around the city as much as possible, not to get close to the venue and not take photos or videos.
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The Chinese president wants to develop relations with the DPRK
This year’s celebrations are taking place at a time when isolated North Korea has introduced strict measures against the spread of coronavirus. The DPRK does not report any domestic cases of infection, which South Korea and the United States question. State media reported that the restrictions caused delays in some of Kim’s key economic and construction projects, which had already been adversely affected by international sanctions.
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“An impressive and large rally during the global pandemic suggests that North Korean authorities are more interested in the political history and morals of the people than in preventing the spread of covid-19,” said Leif-Eric Easley, who teaches at Seoul University.
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North Korea last aired a military parade on television in 2017, showcasing many large intercontinental missiles under peak tensions with the United States. These rockets were also demonstrated in February 2018, but no international media was allowed to watch the show. Shortly afterwards, Kim’s meetings with US President Donald Trump followed, and no large rockets have been demonstrated since.
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Congratulating Kim on the anniversary, Chinese President Xi Jinping said he intended to “defend, consolidate and develop” relations with the DPRK.
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