North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivered a speech at a military parade held on October 10 to mark the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. He stressed the need for the armed forces to evolve into an invincible entity capable of neutralizing any threats to the nation’s defense rights. Notably, Kim refrained from directly criticizing or issuing threats toward South Korea and the U.S.
The following day, the party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported that Kim’s address had taken place during a nighttime parade that began around 10:00 p.m. the previous evening.
In his speech, Kim stated that the party’s sacred duty to take full responsibility for the fate and future of the homeland and its people necessitated the establishment of the military before the state. He added that the matured revolutionary armed forces have been a powerful driving force in advancing the Korean revolution and safeguarding national sovereignty and development rights.
Kim described the current period as a watershed moment in the party’s struggle and a new era of transformation. He expressed deep gratitude to the veteran comrades and previous generations of servicemen who have upheld the party’s ideology and mission.
The North Korean leader specifically extended warm encouragement and inspiration from the Workers’ Party of Korea and the entire nation to overseas operational units, commanders, and troops faithfully executing orders from the party and the homeland. This message is widely interpreted as referring to North Korean forces deployed to Russia and involved in operations near Kursk since October of the previous year.
Kim further asserted that the military must continue to evolve into an invincible force capable of eliminating all threats to the defense rights through overwhelming political, ideological, and military superiority. He emphasized that the party and government would fulfill their responsibilities in the collective struggle of progressive humanity against injustice and hegemony, and in defense of justice and peace, alongside a powerful revolutionary military force.
The leader reiterated that today, it reaffirms that the sovereignty and the perpetuity of the cause can only be protected and guaranteed through strength and victory.
Notably, Kim’s speech did not directly mention South Korea or the U.S. He exercised restraint in issuing provocative statements, instead declaring that the foundation of the party and revolutionary armed forces lies with the people, and the sacred purpose and mission are to serve the people.
While some analysts had speculated that North Korea would use this party founding day event as a platform for anti-U.S. solidarity alongside China, Russia, and Vietnam, it appears that Pyongyang has opted for a more nuanced approach. The focus seems to have been on demonstrating military might through the parade and conveying indirect messages via extensive diplomatic engagement with various countries, rather than issuing overt threats.