Kim Jong-un, "We Must Not Repeat the Terrible History of Using Military Power Against Our Own People"

[경향신문]

On October 12, the Korean Central News Agency reported that North Korea opened the Defense Development Exhibition, “Self-Defense 2021” at the Three Revolution Exhibition on October 11, in time for the 76th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea, and that Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the party gave a speech. Korean Central News Agency/Yonhap News

On October 11, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended the opening ceremony of the Defense Development Exhibition and said, “Our enemy is war itself and not South Korea, the United States or any particular state or power.” As he had done when addressing the Supreme People’s Assembly last month, he stressed the withdrawal of hostile policies and double standards against North Korea.

On October 12, the Korean Central News Agency reported the opening of the Defense Development Exhibition, “Self-Defense 2021” at the Three Revolution Exhibition on October 11, in time for the 76th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea and said that Chairman Kim attended the opening ceremony and gave a speech.

On October 12, the Korean Central News Agency reported that North Korea opened the Defense Development Exhibition, “Self-Defense 2021” at the Three Revolution Exhibition on October 11, in time for the 76th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea. The picture shows Kim Jong-un, the party’s general secretary reviewing the Defense Development Exhibition. Korean Central News Agency/Yonhap News

In his speech, the North Korean leader said, “If we do not secure an adequate level of self-defense, we will inevitably be dragged and forced by outside military threats. Furthermore, we may not be able to protect the existence of the state and the people.” Kim claimed that this was the nature of things in all ages and countries. He also said, “The military threats our country faces due to the military tension surrounding the Korean Peninsula now is different from ten years, five years, no three years ago.” Kim went on to mention the military exercises by South Korea and the United States, South Korea’s efforts to modernize its arms and the emphasis on military technology.

Kim said, “It may be dangerous for us to neglect such excessive attempts by South Korea, but a greater danger is their excuse for modernizing their arms and their hypocritical and thief-like double standards,” and again emphasized that the U.S. and South Korea abandon their double standards.

Chairman Kim said, “We express our deep regrets on such greedy ambitions of South Korea and the double standards and irrational and thief-like attitude, which promotes unfairness for the opponent and injures feelings. If they continue to try and violate our right to self-defense, we will never tolerate it and fight back with strong actions.”

Kim Jong-un declared his determination to strengthen nation defense again, but at the same time said, “Our main enemy is war itself, and not South Korea or the United States or any particular country or power.”

He further said, “If South Korea stops frantically trying find fault with us, if they do not interfere with our exercise of sovereignty, I can guarantee that tensions will never rise on the Korean Peninsula.” He emphasized, “We are not strengthening our national defense with our aim on South Korea. We must never repeat the terrible history of using military power against our own people in this land.”

Towards Washington, Kim said, “Recently, the U.S. has sent out frequent signals claiming it is not hostile towards our country, but there are no actions for us to believe that they are not hostile.” He criticized, “What is clear is that the political instability on the Korean Peninsula cannot be easily resolved because of the root of the matter, the U.S.”