Kim visited symbolic sites suggesting big decisions are to be made
- 5 years ago
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un appears to be focusing on consolidating power... amid growing speculation that he is to make another big decision following reports of him visiting symbolic sites.
Kim Ji-yeon reports.
North Korea's Korean Central News Agency reported Wednesday... that "the great leader rode a white horse through the first snow... up the snow-covered Paekdu-san Mountain."
The report went on to praise Kim Jong-un for leading the country tenaciously towards the battle line of superpowers.
The report also said Kim had visited construction sites of hospitals and a beverage factory in Samjiyon County... traditionally a move that aims at consolidating his leadership by showing him working to improve the people's living conditions.
The visits are also kindling anticipation as these two places were frequented by Kim ahead of grand political or diplomatic decisions.
So already there's growing speculation on whether another big decision might be coming in terms of denuclearization... or on the country's economic development.
The report also slammed sanctions placed on the regime... blaming hostile forces that praise the U.S. for the hardships the country faces... and called for greater "self-reliance" efforts to weather through the difficulty.
It said the pain inflicted upon the people is no longer pain, but anger.
Kim's previous visit to Paekdu-san Mountain was in December 2017... before the inter-Korean talks were held the following year.
He also visited the place in November of 2014... just before the end of the three-year mourning period for his late father... as well as in February of 2013 before the execution of his uncle Jang Song-thaek.
His last visit to Samjiyon was in April this year following the break-down of denuclearization talks held between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump in Hanoi.
The timing of his recent Samjiyon visit comes after a break-down in Pyeongyang-Washington working-level denuclearization talks held in Sweden earlier this month... suggesting the North may be trying to focus on consolidating power rather than rushing into another round of talks.
Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News.
Kim Ji-yeon reports.
North Korea's Korean Central News Agency reported Wednesday... that "the great leader rode a white horse through the first snow... up the snow-covered Paekdu-san Mountain."
The report went on to praise Kim Jong-un for leading the country tenaciously towards the battle line of superpowers.
The report also said Kim had visited construction sites of hospitals and a beverage factory in Samjiyon County... traditionally a move that aims at consolidating his leadership by showing him working to improve the people's living conditions.
The visits are also kindling anticipation as these two places were frequented by Kim ahead of grand political or diplomatic decisions.
So already there's growing speculation on whether another big decision might be coming in terms of denuclearization... or on the country's economic development.
The report also slammed sanctions placed on the regime... blaming hostile forces that praise the U.S. for the hardships the country faces... and called for greater "self-reliance" efforts to weather through the difficulty.
It said the pain inflicted upon the people is no longer pain, but anger.
Kim's previous visit to Paekdu-san Mountain was in December 2017... before the inter-Korean talks were held the following year.
He also visited the place in November of 2014... just before the end of the three-year mourning period for his late father... as well as in February of 2013 before the execution of his uncle Jang Song-thaek.
His last visit to Samjiyon was in April this year following the break-down of denuclearization talks held between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump in Hanoi.
The timing of his recent Samjiyon visit comes after a break-down in Pyeongyang-Washington working-level denuclearization talks held in Sweden earlier this month... suggesting the North may be trying to focus on consolidating power rather than rushing into another round of talks.
Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News.