'Really sorry': Kim Jong-un's tearful apology to North Koreans
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un became visibly emotional during a speech at a military parade over the weekend as he thanked troops for their sacrifices.
In a rare display, the 36-year-old dictator also apologised to citizens for failing to improve their lives.
In a country of about 25 million, it is estimated roughly 60 per cent continue to live in poverty.
At a speech on Saturday (local time) during celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of its ruling Workers’ Party, Mr Kim thanked thousands of gathered troops for responding to recent damaging storms and for helping to prevent a coronavirus outbreak in the country.
His unusual contrition is an indication, analysts say, of the mounting pressure on his regime.
In video footage edited and released by the state television station, Mr Kim appeared tearful and at one point seemed to choke up as he sought to sympathise with his people.
“Our people have placed trust, as high as the sky and as deep as the sea, in me, but I have failed to always live up to it satisfactorily,” he said, according to a translation in The Korea Times.
Mr Kim said his efforts had “not been sufficient” when taking up the nation’s cause from his father and grandfather, Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, who previously ruled the country.
“I am really sorry for that,” he said.
Mr Kim said he was grateful that not a single North Korean had been infected with the virus, a claim that global health officials, including in neighbouring South Korea, have previously cast doubt on.
Reports of North Koreans dying from coronavirus
Back in March, Australian National University Professor Leszek Buszynski – who studies military security and nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula – told Yahoo News Australia the country was particularly vulnerable.
The country shares a border with China and was very quick to shut down traffic between the two countries. But its possible the virus entered the so-called Hermit Kingdom before it quarantined trade shipments.
“South Korean press reports something like 180 North Korean soldiers have died from the coronavirus and another group of several thousand have been quarantined,” Prof Buszynski said at the time.
“There’s this speculation because North Korea has a 40 per cent malnourished rate that makes them exceptionally vulnerable.”
The impact of anti-coronavirus measures, international sanctions and several typhoons combined to prevent the government from following through on promises to improve citizens’ lives, the North Korean leader said in the speech.
“My efforts and sincerity have not been sufficient enough to rid our people of the difficulties in their life,” he said.
“Our people, however, have always believed and absolutely trusted me, and supported my choice and determination, whatever it is.”
The footage shows members of the crowd crying in an animated fashion – a scene that has become emblematic of events held in the country governed by a cult-of-personality dictatorship. Women and men were seen with tears streaming down their face.
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The parade in the capital, Pyongyang, featured the unveiling of a new intercontinental ballistic missile and other military hardware as large missiles were paraded before adoring crowds.
Despite US presidents Donald Trump’s unprecedented meetings with the North Korean leader, the country has continued to aggressively pursue its nuclear ambitions.
Experts slammed the meetings for giving legitimacy to the North Korean regime and its ruthless leadership. Mr Trump also agreed to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea – something that would have pleased the North Koreans.
However the ongoing nuclear weapons program has come at a cost for the country, which has been borne by its people.
North Korea’s economy, already severely restricted by international sanctions imposed over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, took a further hit as the country shut down nearly all border traffic in an effort to prevent a coronavirus outbreak.
The United Nations has said as much as 40 per cent of the population faces food shortages, which may have been exacerbated by severe summer floods and typhoons.
with Reuters
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