North Korea celebrates late leader, recent missile launch

“I felt great pride and excitement when I saw the launch on TV,” said Kang Kuk Hwa, who works at a greenhouse run by the North’s trade ministry to grow Kimjongilia and flowers for another event held in April that features a kind of orchid named after Kim Il Sung, North Korea’s “eternal president” and Kim Jong Un’s grandfather.

“As long as there is a threat from the United States, we must build up our defences,” said Kang, who is 23.

The missile tested Sunday flew about 500 kilometres (310 miles) before splashing down into the Pacific and is believed to have featured several elements — including solid fuel and new mobile launching techniques — that could indicate significant advances in the country’s missile capabilities. It has been widely criticized as a violation of a U.N. resolution.

Last year, the North also conducted two nuclear tests and is believed to be moving quickly closer to having a nuclear device that can be mounted on a long-range missile.

The North has repeatedly defended the nuclear and missile programs as necessary for national defence.

Visitors to the flower show who spoke to The Associated Press echoed that position. Like Kang, they were quick to say the United States must abandoning its “hostile policies” if it wants peace.

However, they apparently have not had time to demonize the new U.S. president, Donald Trump.

While most North Koreans would be familiar with at least the name Obama, who was frequently trashed by the state media, Trump has not yet been mentioned much. Kang said she didn’t know his name, or anything about his policies.

On that, she wasn’t alone.

“I don’t know anything about the new president,” said Kim Chung Il, a middle-aged worker. “But I know the previous presidents were hostile toward us. We must have nuclear weapons to defend ourselves and our socialist system.”

Eric Talmadge, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

North Korea celebrates late leader, recent missile launch

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