Kim Jong-un looks to stoke patriotism ahead of Putin meeting

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un appears to be reinforcing his regime's internal unity ahead of his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday by promoting a sense of patriotism among the general population.

Kim Jong-un meets with North Korean who had taken part in the parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of North Korea, held on Saturday at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun. [KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un appears to be reinforcing his regime's internal unity ahead of his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday by promoting a sense of patriotism among the general population.

According to the North Korean state-owned media outlet Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), on Sunday, Kim met with individuals who had taken part in the parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of North Korea, held on Saturday at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun.

“The scared development course of the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] for defending its dignity and building a rich country with a strong army is shining with the indomitable fighting spirit and the proud achievements of the strong Korean people who firmly supported their motherland in the face of harsh ordeals, convinced of the validity and invincibility of their cause,” KCNA cited Kim as saying.

“Patriotic people, including the persons of merits and labor innovators who have dedicated themselves to creating valuable assets for prosperity of the country by placing the state affairs above their family affairs in good or bad days are the best assets representing the very might of the country,” Kim said.

The report was made a day after North Korea held a parade marking the celebration of the regime’s founding 75 years ago, at midnight on Saturday held at Kim Il Sung Square.

This parade was the 15th of its kind since Kim Jong-un assumed leadership from his father. Notably, it was the third parade held this year, which is a first for North Korea.

The previous two parades, on Feb. 8 and July 27, had a strong focus on the North Korean military and its weaponry, including new aerial drones that closely resembled U.S. unmanned surveillance aircraft like the Global Hawk, underwater drones known as Haeil and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The motorcycle troup of the Worker-Peasan Red Guards during Saturday's parade at Kim Il Sung Square. [KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY]

The latest parade featured paramilitary organizations and public security forces, including columns of Worker-Peasant Red Guards, motorcycle troops and tractors towing anti-tank missile launchers.

North Korea has released pictures related to the parade, including images of Kim Jong-un and his daughter Kim Ju-ae seated in the VIP section, along with the Chinese delegation led by Liu Guozhong, vice premier, and Russian delegates.

However, video footage of the parade has not yet been made public.

North Korea has ceased live streaming of its parades ever since a malfunctioned tank reared off rank during the parade celebrating the 105th anniversary of Kim Il Sung's birth in April 2017.

As of now, North Korean media has not reported whether Kim Jong-un delivered any speech during the event.

KCNA, however, reported that both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Putin had sent messages to North Korea to celebrate its 75th anniversary, expressing solidarity with the nation.

Recently, there have been increased movements between North Korea, China and Russia on strengthening relationship including speculations over a possible joint naval exercise.

This move appears to be a response to the growing alliance between South Korea, the United States and Japan, reminiscence to the Cold War era.

According to KCNA, Chinese President Xi, in his messages to Kim Jong-un, emphasized the need to enhance cooperation between the two countries, building upon their long-standing relationship.

“China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors sharing mountains and rivers,” the message said, adding that “the traditional China-DPRK friendship, personally provided and cultivated by the leaders of the elder generation of the two parties and two countries, has roots deep in the mind of the two peoples and is growing stronger with the passage of time,” KCNA reported.

“It is the steadfast stand of the Chinese party and the government to defend, consolidate and develop the traditional China-DPRK friendship, no matter how the international and regional situation may change,” KCNA cited Xi’s letter as stating.

Xi reportedly stressed the need to deepen cooperation between Beijing and Pyongyang including “strategic communication” in stabilizing the region.

Putin also relayed a similar message as he reportedly said the expanded bilateral ties in “all respects” will ensure “security and stability in the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia.”

North Korean leader Kim Jong-0un, center, with daughter Kim Ju-ae attends the parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of North Korea at the Kim Il Sung Square on Saturday. [KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY]

While KCNA has not yet confirmed the meeting between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin, there is an expectation that the two leaders will meet for the first time in nearly four years in Vladivostok.

This meeting is drawing attention, especially in light of the possibility of North Korea and Russia forming a military alliance that involves the exchange of weaponry, which could violate the United Nation’s sanction.

North Korea on Friday unveiled its newly developed "tactical nuclear attack submarine," capable of carrying out underwater nuclear attacks.

However, doubts have been raised about the actual operational capabilities of the submarine, similar to the skepticism surrounding the country's two failed spy satellite launch attempts earlier this year.

Despite North Korea's ambitious goals, many experts question the full development of such strategic weapons due to technological limitations and the difficulty in obtaining key components due to the UN sanctions.

The prospect of an alliance with Russia is concerning, given that Russia possesses crucial technologies for submarines and rockets, which North Korea appears to be in dire need of to advance its weapons program.

In return, Russia, currently in its second year of war against Ukraine, is facing challenges with depleted arsenals and a need for fresh supplies, including artillery shells and missiles.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]