Kim Jong-un Visits People's Army Quarters with Daughter Kim Ju-ae... "Main Force of the Revolutionary Armed Forces"

Commemorative Banquet Speech "Our Gun is the Strongest in the World"
No Message Targeting Hanmi... Parade Speech Draws Attention

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un visited the People's Army quarters with his daughter Kim Ju-ae ahead of the military parade on the 8th, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army (Army Day).

The Korean Central News Agency reported that "Respected Comrade Kim Jong-un visited the quarters of the People's Army commanders on February 7, marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army, which will be inscribed in golden letters in the history of powerful Juche Korea," and added, "Respected Comrade Kim Jong-un, whom we longed to see even in our dreams, arrived at the quarters with his respected child." The term 'respected child' appears to refer to his daughter Kim Ju-ae.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Following his visit to the People's Army quarters, Chairman Kim delivered a speech at the Army Day commemorative banquet, stating, "Even in difficult circumstances like today, our army demonstrates infinite strength as the armed force and vanguard of the Korean Workers' Party because the red spirit, noble mission, resolute revolutionary spirit, and determined will for all-out resistance, which the first generation of revolutionary armed forces instilled, remain unchanged even today in the fifth and sixth generations."

He continued, "The new generation of commanders and soldiers, who now form the main force of our revolutionary armed forces, have not experienced the harsh revolutionary wars or the severe trials of the revolution," but added, "I firmly believe without doubt that our People's Army's unique absolute loyalty, dedicating their incomparable lives without regret, has been inherited from previous generations' traits. Our army is the strongest army in the world," he emphasized.

Although the speech did not contain direct messages targeting South Korea or the United States, there remains a possibility that messages aimed at the South and the U.S. will be delivered during the military parade expected to be held that evening at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang.

If the parade takes place, it will be the 13th since Kim Jong-un came to power and the fifth since the transition to nighttime parades in 2020. Kim personally delivered speeches five times: in 2012, 2015, 2018, 2020, and last year. At last year's parade, he appeared wearing a white marshal's uniform with a grand marshal's shoulder insignia and declared, "We will not keep nuclear weapons solely for war prevention but will use them if attempts are made to infringe upon national interests." This implied the possibility of preemptive nuclear strikes if necessary. Notably, the parade showcased a full range of nuclear delivery systems, from short-range ballistic missiles aimed at the South to the new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-17 and new submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM).

There are also speculations that this parade may feature the 600mm super-large multiple rocket launcher capable of carrying nuclear warheads, ICBMs, and stealth drones. Considering that previous parades were held in the early morning or late at night and broadcast the following day, it is expected that the footage will be released on the 9th.