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NUKEWARS
N. Korea's Kim shows confident face despite launch fiasco
by Staff Writers
Pyongyang (AFP) April 16, 2012

Text of UN statement on North Korea
United Nations (AFP) April 16, 2012 - Text of UN statement on North Korean rocket launch adopted on Monday:

"The Security Council strongly condemns the April 13 2012 launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

"The Security Council underscores that this satellite launch, as well as any launch that uses ballistic missile technology, even if characterized as a satellite launch or space launch vehicle, is a serious violation of Security Council resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009).

"The Security Council deplores that such a launch has caused grave security concerns in the region.

"The Security Council demands that the DPRK not proceed with any further launches using ballistic missile technology and comply with resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009) by suspending all activities related to its ballistic missile program and in this context re-establish its preexisting commitments to a moratorium on missile launches.

"The Security Council agrees to adjust the measures imposed by paragraph 8 of resolution 1718 (2006), as modified by resolution 1874 (2009). The Security Council directs the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) to undertake the following tasks and to report to the Security Council within fifteen days:

a.Designate additional entities and items;

b.Update the information contained on the Committee's list of individuals, entities, and items (S/2009/205 and INFCIRC/254/Rev.9/Part.1), and update on an annual basis thereafter;

c.Update the committee's annual work plan.

"The Security Council further agrees that, if the committee has not acted pursuant to the paragraph above within fifteen days, then the Security Council will complete action to adjust these measures within an additional five days.

"The Security Council demands that the DPRK immediately comply fully with its obligations under Security Council resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009), including that it: abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner; immediately cease all related activities; and not conduct any further launches that use ballistic missile technology, nuclear tests or any further provocation.

"The Security Council calls upon all Member States to implement fully their obligations pursuant to resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009).

"The Security Council expresses its determination to take action accordingly in the event of a further DPRK launch or nuclear test."


North Korea's young new leader has shown a confident face to the world, despite a failed rocket launch that was a costly international embarrassment and deprived the nation of much-needed US food aid.

Kim Jong-Un gave an assured 20-minute address Sunday, his first public speech since taking charge of the impoverished but nuclear-armed nation four months ago.

The surprise address came at an elaborate mass military parade marking the centenary of the birth of his grandfather Kim Il-Sung, founder of the dynasty which has ruled the communist nation since it came into being in 1948.

Jong-Un smiled and chatted with military leaders and waved to the crowd from a balcony decorated with giant portraits of his father Kim Jong-Il and his grandfather.

The North also invited an unprecedented number of foreign journalists to report on preparations for the satellite launch and the anniversary celebrations.

They were told to surrender mobile phones and escorted everywhere they went. But officials allowed them unrestricted Internet and phone access from a specially equipped modern media centre.

When the rocket disintegrated last Friday, official media -- unlike after previous satellite launch flops in 1998 and 2009 -- admitted the exercise had failed.

The announcement, albeit brief, was carried on the state news agency and TV news in what was widely seen as an unprecedentedly open response by the secretive state.

After the launch, which went ahead in defiance of stern warnings from Western nations, the United States confirmed it would cancel a recent deal to send food aid in return for a moratorium on missile launches.

Jong-Un, aged in his late 20s, was thrust into the leadership unexpectedly early when his father died of a heart attack last December and must now prove his credentials.

"I think the speech was designed to send a clear signal to the North Korean people and the world that he is firmly in control," said Peter Beck, Korea representative for the Asia Foundation.

"Only time will tell whether that is actually the case," he told AFP.

Beck said Sunday's speech "does help compensate for the embarrassment the leadership must have felt after the rocket launch".

Jong-Un praised his late grandfather for defeating "the most ferocious two imperialisms in one generation" -- a reference to Japan's occupation of Korea and the 1950-53 Korean War, in which Pyongyang claims it triumphed over Washington.

He vowed to strengthen the military "in every possible way" and praised his nation's nuclear programme, saying enemies could no longer threaten his country with atomic bombs.

South Korean observers said it was the North's biggest display of weapons -- some 880 -- in a military parade, including a missile the North appeared to be displaying for the first time.

Jong-Un has a more outgoing image than his father, who spoke just once -- a single sentence -- at a major public occasion. He has been seen hugging soldiers, posing for photos with troops and linking arms with women.

He physically resembles his grandfather, who still commands respect among some North Koreans for his past as an anti-Japanese guerrilla fighter and national founder.

"Jong-Un's style is clearly different from his father and is similar to his grandfather," said Yang Moo-Jin of Seoul's University of North Korean Studies.

"He is quick in decision-making and especially is more media-friendly, probably because of his age," Yang told AFP, adding that the quick admission of the launch failure showed him well informed about international opinion.

"He appears to be more open than his father and is trying to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, who enjoyed genuine public support."

The analyst said the launch failure was an apparent embarrassment but that Jong-Un had moved in accordance with a well-planned political schedule aimed at strengthening unity.

"His confidence means the transfer of power has been completed and Jong-Un is firmly in power. He is also trying to show the world that the regime is stable," Yang said.

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Pyongyang stands behind 'military-first'
Seoul (UPI) Apr 16, 2012 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in his first televised speech -- and only days after an embarrassing failed rocket launch -- that he will boost the country's military strength.

The policy of "military first" remains the cornerstone of the communist state's strength, Kim said in his open air address to an armed forces parade in the main square of Pyongyang.

Kim was speaking during celebrations to mark the centenary of the birth of the country's founder, his grandfather Kim Il Sung, and his own father Kim Jong Il who died in December.

Kim read from a prepared script during the march, which included thousands of soldiers as well as military vehicles, some carrying rockets, the BBC said.

"I express my greetings to our compatriots in South Korea and across the world who dedicate themselves to reunification and the prosperity of the nations," Kim said in his 20-minute speech.

He also said "superiority in military technology is no longer monopolized by imperialists and North Korea has to make "every effort to reinforce the People's armed forces."

Along with the usual references to maintaining military strength, Kim was seen laughing and joking with senior officials.

His performance was in marked contrast to that of the image of his father who is believed to have made only one public speech in his 17-year rule, the BBC said.

Kim made no reference to last week's failed launch of North Korea's $1 billion satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, an event that was to bolster the 100th anniversary celebrations.

The official government Korean Central News Agency said only that "the Earth observation satellite failed to enter its pre-set orbit" and that "scientists, technicians and experts are now looking into the cause of the failure."

The launch was criticized heavily by many countries, including China.

The West, including the United States, called the satellite a thinly disguised military test flight for a rocket capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

Shortly after the launch-date announcement, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun met with North Korean Ambassador Ji Jae Ryong "to express China's worry over the matter," Zhang was quoted as saying by China's state-run news agency Xinhua.

"We sincerely hope parties concerned stay calm, exercise restraint and avoid escalation of tension that may lead to a more complicated situation," he said.

The launch was Pyongyang's second attempt to put a satellite into orbit after what most observers said was a botched first attempt in 2009.

Kim Jong Un, believed to be in his late 20s, has little military background although the military and the ruling Workers Party, of which Kim is head, are inextricably linked. His two dead older brothers were generals -- Kim Song U died in 2009 and Kim Song Gil died in 2006.

Kim's lack of military credentials was seen a flaw in his leadership's armor.

However, despite the rocket launch failure, Kim's grip on national leadership was further enhanced last week when North Korea's rubber stamp legislative body the 12th Supreme People's Assembly elected him as first chairman of the country's National Defense Commission.

The "auspicious event" provides "an eternal guarantee for glorifying Korean-style socialism," a report by the KCNA said.



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NUKEWARS
N. Korea's Kim gives first speech at centenary parade
Pyongyang (AFP) April 15, 2012
North Korea's new leader Kim Jong-Un delivered his first public speech Sunday and vowed to push for a stronger military as his country unveiled an apparently new missile. Kim addressed cheering troops and citizens waving flowers at a major military parade marking the centenary of the birth of his grandfather and the nation's founder Kim Il-Sung. The parade came just two days after the No ... read more


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