World1 min(s) read
Published 12:51 12 Oct 2020 GMT
The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, shed tears as he issued a rare apology for his failure to guide the country through difficult times amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Per the Guardian, when he was speaking at a military parade held at the weekend (11 October) to mark the 75th anniversary of the ruling Workers' party, Jong-un removed his glasses and wiped away tears.
"Our people have placed trust, as high as the sky and as deep as the sea, in me, but I have failed to always live up to it satisfactorily," he said, according to a translation of his comments in the Korea Times.
"I am really sorry for that," he added.
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/MothershipSG/status/1315605131073740800]]
Referencing his father and grandfather, who were North Korea's previous two leaders, Jong-un continued;
"Although I am entrusted with the important responsibility to lead this country upholding the cause of the great comrades Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il thanks to the trust of all the people, my efforts and sincerity have not been sufficient enough to rid our people of the difficulties in their lives."
Although the parade in Pyongyang also featured the unveiling of a new intercontinental ballistic missile and other military hardware, analysts have said that the 36-year-old used a large portion of his speech to sympathize with his civilians.
He also offered support to people around the globe suffering due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and voiced hope for an improvement in the relationship with South Korea.
Hong Min, director of the North Korea division at the Korean Institute for National Unification, told the Korea Times: "It is important to look at why he has come to shed tears at such an occasion. Underneath his message, one can sense that Kim is feeling a lot of pressure on his leadership."
The North Korean leader also warned in his speech that he would "fully mobilize" his nuclear force if threatened, however, he steered clear of direct criticism of Washington.
