North Korean new leader
Kim Jong-un has made his first televised public speech, as Pyongyang
marks the centenary of the birth of the country's founder.He offered respects to grandfather Kim Il-sung and late father Kim Jong-il.Mr Kim praised the "military first" doctrine and said the time his nation could be threatened was "forever over".There
was also a huge military parade in the main square which unveiled what
appeared to be a large new missile - two days after a failed rocket
launch.
The launch was condemned by the international
community, amid concern that it was a covert test of long-range missile
technology.
During Sunday's military parade, North Korea showed what appeared to be a large new missile.
The
BBC's Lucy Williamson in Seoul says the missile was camouflaged and
carried on a 16-wheel truck, far bigger than the other trucks in the
parade. Such a missile would be larger than the nation's current
weaponry, she says.
Our correspondent says the US has
been making vague references to North Korea pushing ahead with an
inter-continental ballistic missile programme (ICBM), although there is
no confirmation that this apparent missile is related.
One
South Korean rocket scientist, Sohn Young-hwan, told Associated Press
it was more likely an intermediate-range ballistic missile, not an ICBM.
'Military first'
North
Korean television footage showed thousands of soldiers carrying red
flags marching into the square to the sound of drumbeats during the
parade.
This was the first time Kim Jong-un, believed
to be in his late 20s, has spoken publicly since taking power following
the death of his father in December.
"I express my greetings to our compatriots in
South Korea and across the world who dedicate themselves to
reunification and the prosperity of the nations," he said reading from
a script, in an address that lasted more than 20 minutes, as the crowds
applauded throughout.
Mr Kim said peace was important but national pride more so.
"Let us move forward to final victory," he said.
Mr Kim praised the country's "military first" policy.
"Superiority
in military technology is no longer monopolised by imperialists," he
said, adding: "We have to make every effort to reinforce the people's
armed forces."
Mr Kim said the time when nuclear weapons could threaten and blackmail his country was "forever over".
The speech marks a significant change in profile for North Korean leaders.
Kim Jong-il is thought to have made one recorded public utterance in his 18-year rule - and that was a single sentence.
After the speech, soldiers marched past and saluted the leader.
They were followed by tanks and artillery, and a final fly-over by five fighter jets.
Activists in South Korea marked the anniversary by floating 10 helium balloons filled with 200,000 leaflets over the border.
The leaflets denounced the launch of a rocket at the time the people are suffering famine.