Kim Jong-un Emphasises 'Military First' in Maiden Speech

Kim Jong-un, the young leader of North Korea, praised the achievements of his father and grandfather in his first televised public speech on Sunday while the country commemorated the 100<sup>th birth anniversary of its founder.

The third Kim to rule North Korea made it clear before the applauding crowd that the military first policies of his nation will not change over the future.

"In order to enhance the dignity of Songun (military first) Chosun (Korea) and to accomplish the task of building a strong and prosperous socialist country, we have to make every effort to reinforce the people's armed forces," said Kim who is believed to be in his late 20's.

"Superiority in military technology is no longer monopolized by imperialists, and the era of enemies using atomic bombs to threaten and blackmail us is forever over," he added.

Putting up a brave face after the embarrassing launch, Kim's speech also seems to have had a tint of wounded man's words when he said, "Let us move forward to final victory."

Political observers doubt the words as an indication of north's supposed nuclear test in the immediate, which the county has been denying so far.

Meanwhile, the country unveiled a new missile at the parade in Pyongyang during the celebrations, according to reports.

The young leader also mentioned his commitment to revamp the economy and mitigate the economic hardships of the people following the lack of international aid. North Korea went through severe famine in the mid-1990.

Kim's speech is likely to encourage North Koreans and remind them of their happier days under his grandfather, given the fact that his father had addressed the people only once in his 17-year-old rule.

"It shows a new governing style for the Kim Jong-un era. Admitting to the failure of the rocket launch and making public speeches follows is not just the pattern of a new ruler but the way of his grandfather Kim II-sung," Reuters quoted Koh Yu-hwan, professor at the Department of North Korea studies of Dongguk University.

On the other hand, experts are also suggesting north's humiliation in the eyes of the world will only aggravate the tensions prevailing if US, South Korea and Japan continues to mock at the country.

The impoverished state tried to launch a rocket on Friday which other nations claimed as a ballistic missile test.

Take a look at the pictures of military parades in Pyongyang on Sunday.