North Koreans today appeared oblivious to international tensions over a possible missile launch by pouring on to the streets of capital Pyongyang to mark the 101st anniversary of the birth of founding father, Kim Il-sung.
Leader Kim Jong-un visited the mausoleum of his grandfather and father Kim Jong-il while girls in red and pink jackets skipped along the streets of the Pyongyang, which was decorated with banners and flags. People queued to lay bouquets at the statues of Kim and his son, late leader Kim Jong-il at the start of a three-day holiday.
In recent weeks the North has threatened to attack South Korea, Japan and US bases in the Pacific region. In February it staged an underground nuclear test and there was speculation that the North would use Kim Il-sung’s birthday for a missile launch.
South Korea’s defence minister, Kim Kwan-jin, today told a parliamentary committee in Seoul that North Korea still appears poised to launch a missile from its east coast. The United States has ruled out holding any more “artificial talks” with the North over its nuclear programme. Secretary of State John Kerry, who put North Korea at the top of his agenda on a tour of East Asia, said “real steps” must be taken.
Mr Kerry told the BBC that the North’s main diplomatic ally, China, had made a very strong statement criticising Pyongyang for its recent behaviour.
He added that he hoped Beijing was now recognising the regional instability created by the threats of Kim Jong-un. “We cannot continue this charade and we cannot have a policy of rhetoric about de-nuclearisation. There have to be real steps here,” he said.
North Korea’s media gave little indication today of the tensions. The Rodong Sinmun, the Workers’ Party newspaper, featured photos and coverage of Kim Jong-un’s visit to the Kumsusan mausoleum. There was only one line at the end of the article vowing to bring down the “robber-like US imperialists”.
