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Videos: Kim Jong-Un Speaks, North Korean Soldiers Goose-Step
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 15, 2012
Modified Apr 15, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 15, 2012
Modified Apr 15, 2012
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To celebrate the 100th anniversary of North Korea's founder Kim Il-Sung's birth, a lavish celebration was held today, including fireworks, goose-stepping soldiers and a speech by the founder's grandson and the country's new leader, Kim Jong-un. Too bad that rocket failed to launch!
According to the NY Times, "In his first speech in public since assuming the leadership of North Korea, Kim Jong-un said Sunday that his 'first, second and third' priorities were to strengthen the military, and he declared that superiority in military technology was 'no longer monopolized by imperialists.'" The Washington Post reports, "Kim’s Sunday speech lasted about 20 minutes. He spoke assuredly but fixed his eyes on his notes. He wore a dark Mao suit, and when he finished, he remained on the observation deck overlooking Kim Il Sung square, clapping and saluting while he watched a massive military parade."
The young leader (he's either 28 or 29) said, "Let us move forward to final victory," and Al Jazeera says, "While its contents were uncontroversial, the speech itself was a big surprise after many years of silence from Kim's father when he presided over similar events. Commenting on Kim Jong-un's speech, Choi Jong-kun, a professor at Yonsei University in the South Korean capital, Seoul, said it was aimed at assering his leadership. 'He is trying to emphasise his legitimacy as a leader, and demonstrate where his power base is,' he told Al Jazeera."
And what's one way to show power? Military precision marching, also known as goose-stepping.
The AP has some history:
European historian Norman Davies writes that the stiff-legged step originated in the Prussian Army in the 17th century. In "Europe: A History," Davies wrote that the march was meant to send "a clear set of messages" through the synchronicity of the marchers, their high kicks and their chins held high, a message that "Here, quite literally, was the embodiment of Prussian militarism." He said critics were the ones who dubbed it the goosestep.
Different armies varied the height of the kicks in their marching as the precision step made its way around the world. Perhaps the most well-known example of its usage is by the Nazis in Germany.
Here are more videos:
Coverage of the anniversary events:
Fireworks:
And, for those who understand Korean, here's Kim Jong-Un's speech:
The U.N. Security Council deplored the rocket launch; there is concern that the impoverished and isolated country will try a nuclear test to save face after the rocket failure.
Tagged
goose stepping
kim il-sung
kim jong-un
north korea
nuclear test
rocket
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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