Captured an Awkward Moment of Nodding and Shaking Head While Waiting for a Handshake in Rank and Name Introduction; Recently Emphasized 'War Mission' in Front of Military Officers
A scene was captured showing North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un awkwardly standing with his hand extended after offering a handshake to a military officer. On the 20th (local time), the British Daily Mail, citing a video from the Swedish media Expressen, introduced the image of Chairman Kim extending his hand and moving his head up, down, left, and right as if embarrassed while waiting for a handshake in front of a North Korean officer who only saluted without responding to the handshake.
A scene was captured where Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, extended his hand for a handshake to an officer who was saluting him but did not receive it in time, causing an awkward moment. Photo by Expressen
In the video, as soon as Chairman Kim saw the officer, he extended his hand in greeting, but the officer continued speaking something, including his rank and name, without lowering his saluting hand. This created an awkward situation where Chairman Kim had to wait for the officer's handshake. Looking embarrassed, Chairman Kim kept his hand extended and glanced around until the officer finished speaking, then gestured again. Only then did the officer stop saluting and respond with a handshake. Local netizens who saw the video reacted with comments such as "It's funny to see Kim Jong-un waiting for the officer to shake hands," "His shifting gaze and empty hand look awkward," and "He is now likely to become a 'former officer' rather than an officer."
A scene was captured where North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un extended his hand for a handshake to an officer who was saluting him but felt embarrassed when the handshake was not reciprocated in time. Photo by Expressen
Meanwhile, recent reports have emerged that Chairman Kim ordered military officers to prepare for war. Kim criticized the United States' support for Ukraine and even mentioned the possibility of a 'Third World War.' On the 18th, the Korean Central News Agency reported that in a speech at the 4th Battalion Commander and Battalion Political Instructor Conference held in Pyongyang on the 15th, Chairman Kim stated, "The more the U.S. anti-Republic provocations intensify, the more clearly justified are our efforts and actions to safeguard the country's security and regional peace."
Among them, recent reports stated that Chairman Kim gathered military officers and ordered 'war preparations.' Chairman Kim criticized the United States' support for Ukraine and even mentioned the possibility of a 'Third World War' breaking out.
He asserted, "War is never someone else's business nor a distant future matter," and argued, "The war that the U.S. and the West are waging by using Ukraine as a spearhead against Russia should be seen as a war to thoroughly increase real combat experience and expand military intervention worldwide." He further claimed, "The policy of strengthening nuclear forces has long become an irreversible policy for us," and insisted, "What remains is only to establish a more perfect operational posture so that nuclear forces can immediately fulfill their mission of war deterrence and their secondary mission."
This speech mainly targeted criticism at the United States. It presented a logic that North Korea's nuclear development is justified due to the U.S.'s involvement in Europe and the Middle East increasing the threat of war. Although he did not mention Donald Trump by name, this is the first time Chairman Kim has directly criticized the U.S. since the U.S. presidential election. In particular, he claimed that many countries are being dragged into war due to U.S. support for Ukraine and Israel, stating, "The international security situation is raising concerns that a Third World War could break out."
Finally, Chairman Kim also defined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as "the military forces of the U.S. imperialists and their follower countries," saying, "It would not be surprising if a military alliance banner like NATO appeared in the Korean Peninsula region." He repeatedly emphasized, "Completing war preparations is an urgent task that cannot be postponed even for a single day."
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