Kim Jong Un, chairman of North Korea's State Affairs Commission, told residents on the day before the 80th anniversary of the founding of the party (Oct. 10) that he would build a "prosperous paradise."
The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 10th that Kim Jong Un gave a speech at a celebration for the 80th anniversary of the party's founding held on the evening of the 9th at May Day Stadium on Rungnado in Pyongyang.
Kim Jong Un said, "Amid the global great political upheaval of the 1990s, we had to uphold our ideology and system," adding, "In the new century, in response to the intensifying nuclear war threat from U.S. imperialism, we had to open a new leap forward in socialist construction by pushing forward both economic development and the buildup of nuclear forces." He went on to claim, "Our party has not had a single error or mistake in its line over the long span of 80 years."
He also said, "Even today, we are confronting with ultra-hard-line measures the ferocious politico-military pressure maneuvers of hostile countries," adding, "The international prestige of our republic, as a faithful member of the socialist camp and a steadfast bulwark of independence and justice, is growing stronger by the day."
He continued, "If we fight well for a few years with the same momentum as now, we can transform our lives noticeably with our own hands," and said, "We will surely make this country more prosperous and beautiful and raise it up as the world's finest socialist paradise."
The celebration began with fireworks and continued with a mass gymnastics performance and an arts show, "Long live the Workers' Party of Korea." It was the first time in five years that mass gymnastics had been held in North Korea since the "Great Leadership" performance on the party founding day in 2020.
Li Qiang, China's No. 2 in the power hierarchy and premier of the State Council; Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Security Council and chairman of the United Russia party, a close aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin; and To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Vietnam's top leader, attended the event as spectators.
Before the event, when greeting the guests, Kim Jong Un shook hands in the order of Premier Li, General Secretary Lam, and Deputy Chairman Medvedev. On the rostrum, General Secretary Lam was to Kim Jong Un's left, and Premier Li was to his right. Deputy Chairman Medvedev sat to General Secretary Lam's left. Premier of the Cabinet Pak Thae-song sat to Premier Li's right.
In photos released by North Korean media, Kim Jong Un appeared close with Deputy Chairman Medvedev, clasping hands with a broad smile or hugging before the celebration began. Photos including Kim Jong Un's wife Ri Sol-ju or their daughter Ju-ae were not released. North Korea is expected to hold a military parade that day.