김정은, 당창건 기념 집단체조 관람…열병식참가자와 기념사진도<br /><br />North Korea continues to celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of the regime's ruling Workers' Party.<br />Over the weekend, Kim Jong-un attended a mass gymnastics performance as a part of efforts to strengthen internal unity among his people.<br />Kim Dami has the details.<br />Despite the regime's vigorous antivirus campaign, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Sunday attended a mass gymnastics show in Pyeongyang.<br />Entitled "Great Guidance," the event by tens of thousands of performers is seen as a major propaganda tool for the North with a sharp focus on praise for its leaders.<br />Kim, along with the regime's other top brass, wore no face mask, and similar grand shows will reportedly run through the end of October.<br />Watchers say the North is trying to solidify internal unity in the midst of the regime's struggles that include crushing international sanctions, the COVID-19 pandemic and severe typhoon damage.<br />On the same day, Kim held a photo session in front of the April 25 House of Culture with his top aides who attended Saturday's military parade that was also held to mark the party anniversary.<br />While there, Kim expressed the "expectation and belief that men of his revolutionary armed forces would remain boundlessly true to the regime."<br />Kim's outwardly emotional speech at the military parade is also being seen as an effort to maintain stability and strengthen unity among the North Korean people.<br />Unlike his previous speeches, Kim spent a large part of the address expressing gratitude and offering sympathy to the North Korean people over the regime's hardships and struggles.<br />Watchers noted that Kim's rare public display of tears and his sincere apology indicate the level of internal pressure he's under.<br />In August, Kim acknowledged that his five-year economic development plan had failed to achieve its intended goals.<br />He then pledged to come up with a new plan at a party congress set for January 2021.<br />Other watchers see Kim's emotional speech as an attempt to portray himself as a compassionate, global leader.<br />Kim offered consolation to the world battling against the COVID-19 pandemic, including South Korea, hinting that the two Koreas could "take each other's hand again" when the health crisis is over.<br />Kim Dami, Arirang News.<br />
