A “prosperous socialist paradise”, with a “powerful people”. Kim addressed his subjects with strong words on Friday. “There are no obstacles we cannot overcome,” he said. His country is capable of “delivering great achievements”, quotes the North Korean news agency KCNA.
On Thursday, the 80th anniversary of the Kim dynasty in North Korea was celebrated in a stadium, state propaganda images show. © ANP / Associated Press
During those 80 years under the Korean Workers’ Party’s rule, “not a single mistake or mistake” has been made, Kim vowed. However, the very closed country is having a hard time, although exports and GDP grew sharply by North Korean standards last year, partly due to the war in Ukraine.
According to the Reuters news agency, Moscow is increasingly turning to its neighbors in Pyongyang. At the request of President Putin, the country even sent thousands of troops to the front in areas including the Donbas.
However, much of the proceeds for the North Korean treasury do not go to the population, but are put into the nuclear weapons program. Kim said again on Friday that “political and military enemies” threaten North Korea and wants to deter outsiders with his hypersonic missiles.
Russia’s controversial former Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev faced Kim Jong-un on Thursday at the stadium in Pyongyang where authorities organized a party for Kim. © ANP / Associated Press
The outspoken Dmitry Medvedev of the Russian Security Council did the honors on behalf of Moscow during the festivities on Thursday. Chinese Premier Li Qiang was also present. In recent years, the countries have increasingly drawn together, as a kind of autocratic alliance, including Shi’ite Iran. The countries are standing together against the West and America in particular.
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North and South divided
The Kims seized power in 1945 when the Japanese capitulated in Korea and the area was divided into a northern part, under the influence of the Soviet Union, and a southern part, supported by the United States.
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A few years later, in 1948, the North was officially baptized the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The Korean War broke out in the early 1950s. This happened under the leadership of ‘Eternal President’ Kim Il-sung, who was prime minister until the 1970s and then president until his death in 1994.
His eldest son Kim Jong-il took over, after which Kim Jong-un took office in 2011. The current ruler is only 41 years old.