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N. Korean regime uses ICBM test as means of consolidating power

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By Jun Ji-hye

The Kim Jong-un regime has been encouraging a festive mood after its purported successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), apparently using it as a means to propagate the North Korean system and consolidate internal unity.

According to the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, the mouthpiece of the Workers' Party of Korea, Monday, the North held a music and dance performance in Pyongyang, Sunday, to celebrate the latest missile test.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as well as scientists and technicians in charge of the missile development attended the event, the newspaper said.

The repressive state announced, July 4, that it successfully launched its first ICBM capable of carrying a large-size heavy nuclear warhead and striking the continental United States.

South Korea, the United States and Japan, which used to downplay the North's missile capability, recently expressed their concerns in a joint statement, calling it "a ballistic missile with intercontinental range," which clearly poses a threat to the three nations as well as countries around the world.

The North's newspaper said working-level officials, who were in charge of the latest test of the Hwasong-14 missile, watched the performance sitting next to Kim. The officials included Ri Pyong-chol, Kim Jong-sik, Jang Chang-ha and Jon Il-ho.

Songs related to the missile launch, such as "The Song of Hwasong," were sung during the event, the newspaper noted.

"The people showed their respect for the Dear Leaders' achievement of their wish to become a nuclear power," it added, attempting to idolize Kim Jong-un.

The young leader was also accompanied by key party and military officials who contributed to the launch of the Hwasong-14 at an event to pay tribute to the North's late founder, Kim Il-sung, upon the 23rd anniversary of his death, Saturday.

Officials related to the ICBM launch were also seated next to the young leader at Kumsusan Memorial Hall, where the body of his grandfather is enshrined, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Usually, high-ranking officials, such as Choe Ryong-hae, a vice chairman of the North's ruling party, and Hwang Pyong-so, the director of the general political bureau of the Korean People's Army, sit next to Kim during major events.

The state-media added that various events celebrating the successful launch have been taking place in every province.

After the missile test, Kim has increasingly made remarks boasting of the regime's military power, including: "The overall national power and strategic position of the DPRK have been put on a new level as it is possessed of an A-bomb, an H-bomb and even an inter-continental ballistic rocket," according to the KCNA.

Kim added, "Everyone should take pride in having firmly consolidated a powerful nuclear war deterrence despite the hostile forces' persistent pressure and sanctions," indicating that the regime will not give up its nuclear ambitions despite the international community's condemnation and moves to impose harsher sanctions.

Jun Ji-hye jjh@koreatimes.co.kr


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