Kim Jong-un's emotional tactics to solidify internal unity among people: Experts
- 3 years ago
北 열병식 '최고존엄의 눈물'…인간적인 리더십 강조 및 내부결속 유도
Meanwhile, in Pyeongyang, North Korea continues to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the regime's ruling Workers' Party.
Its leader Kim Jong-un attended a mass gymnastics performance following the military parade over the weekend - what experts view as Kim's efforts to shore up internal unity as his regime struggles through the pandemic, natural disasters and a failing economy.
Our Kim Dami has more.
Observers say Kim Jong-un's latest string of appearances is aimed at strengthening unity among his people in difficult times.
He even shed tears in his speech at the military parade over the weekend, apparently a tactic to project a style of leadership that's compassionate and humane.
"Since taking power, Kim has wanted to portray himself as a sympathetic, caring chairman. He wanted to dramatically highlight that image because the regime has been struggling due to international sanctions and natural disasters."
In fact, after acknowledging the failure of his five-year economic development plan in August, Kim pledged to come up with a new plan at a party congress set for January 2021.
He also spoke of South Korea in a conciliatory tone, hinting at a possible improvement in inter-Korean relations.
"I also send this warm wish of mine to our dear fellow countrymen in the south, and hope that this health crisis comes to an end as soon as possible and that the day comes when the north and south take each other's hand again."
Analysts say it's too soon to hope for major progress, since ties between Pyeongyang and Washington remain unstable.
"The North's new weapons, including its ICBM, suggest that the regime could test them in the future. If they do, the relations between North Korea and the U.S. will freeze, leading to uncertainties between the two Koreas themselves."
Plus, despite the regime's intense fight against COVID-19, Kim on Sunday attended a mass gymnastics show in Pyeongyang with no mask.
Experts say it's no surprise that Kim would attend such performances, dedicated to himself, and that it's highly likely that the performers had no outside contact while preparing for the show, so the virus risk would have been minimal.
Kim Dami, Arirang News.
Meanwhile, in Pyeongyang, North Korea continues to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the regime's ruling Workers' Party.
Its leader Kim Jong-un attended a mass gymnastics performance following the military parade over the weekend - what experts view as Kim's efforts to shore up internal unity as his regime struggles through the pandemic, natural disasters and a failing economy.
Our Kim Dami has more.
Observers say Kim Jong-un's latest string of appearances is aimed at strengthening unity among his people in difficult times.
He even shed tears in his speech at the military parade over the weekend, apparently a tactic to project a style of leadership that's compassionate and humane.
"Since taking power, Kim has wanted to portray himself as a sympathetic, caring chairman. He wanted to dramatically highlight that image because the regime has been struggling due to international sanctions and natural disasters."
In fact, after acknowledging the failure of his five-year economic development plan in August, Kim pledged to come up with a new plan at a party congress set for January 2021.
He also spoke of South Korea in a conciliatory tone, hinting at a possible improvement in inter-Korean relations.
"I also send this warm wish of mine to our dear fellow countrymen in the south, and hope that this health crisis comes to an end as soon as possible and that the day comes when the north and south take each other's hand again."
Analysts say it's too soon to hope for major progress, since ties between Pyeongyang and Washington remain unstable.
"The North's new weapons, including its ICBM, suggest that the regime could test them in the future. If they do, the relations between North Korea and the U.S. will freeze, leading to uncertainties between the two Koreas themselves."
Plus, despite the regime's intense fight against COVID-19, Kim on Sunday attended a mass gymnastics show in Pyeongyang with no mask.
Experts say it's no surprise that Kim would attend such performances, dedicated to himself, and that it's highly likely that the performers had no outside contact while preparing for the show, so the virus risk would have been minimal.
Kim Dami, Arirang News.