North Korea on Thursday urged those 1.2 million troops serving under Kim Jong Un to unite behind their leader and to defend him with their lives, as it celebrated the 10th anniversary of Kim’s ascension to the role of military supreme commander.
In celebration of the anniversary, North Korea is holding a multi-day political conference during which officials are expected to discuss how to address difficulties posed by the pandemic and long-dormant diplomacy with the United States.
The official Rodong Sinmun newspaper said that the North Korea’s military commanders and soldiers must become an “impregnable fortress and bulletproof walls in devotedly defending (Kim) with their lives.”
Similar propaganda-heavy statements have previously been issued by North Korea, encouraging people to rally to Kim in time of trouble. Some experts say Kim has been grappling with the toughest moment of his 10-year rule due to the coronavirus pandemic, UN sanctions, and his own mismanagement.
