North Korea, Following Weapon Displays, Continues "Praise of Kim Jong-un"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] North Korea showcased advanced weapons at the Defense Development Exhibition, demonstrating its military strength alongside praising Kim Jong-un, the General Secretary of the Workers' Party.

The Workers' Party organ newspaper Rodong Sinmun on the 13th published a front-page article beginning with the phrase "Long live the great revolution of our Party's defense industry," praising General Secretary Kim for focusing on the development of advanced weapons to protect the regime and emphasizing the legitimacy of defense policies.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Hae-yeon, a participant in the Korean War, praised Kim Jong-un's statement that "If we do not possess self-defense capabilities at an appropriate level, we will inevitably be dragged and coerced by external military threats, and ultimately, we cannot even protect the very existence of the state and its people," calling it "truly a golden saying."

Lee Jae-nam, the responsible secretary of the Nampo City Party Committee, lauded Kim Jong-un while mentioning "the grave historical mission to build absolute power for the dignity and happiness of future generations, and the path of the life-or-death defense industry revolution that had to be inevitably undertaken over the past five years."

This tone in Rodong Sinmun is interpreted as indicating that the defense exhibition, held for the first time in North Korea's history, serves not only as an external message directed at South Korea and the United States but also aims to strengthen internal unity.

Despite facing the worst economic difficulties due to sanctions, COVID-19, and natural disasters, North Korea is emphasizing self-reliance and going all-in on strengthening its defense capabilities, seeking to soothe public dissatisfaction and instill patriotism as "citizens of a nation with the strongest defense power" to reinforce cohesion.

North Korea held the Defense Development Exhibition "Self-Defense-2021," gathering armed equipment developed over the past five years in one place on the 11th, and reported the news on the 12th.

General Secretary Kim criticized South Korea for creating tension on the Korean Peninsula through military equipment modernization and declared strengthening defense capabilities as a core national policy.