Kim Jong Un vows to strengthen nuclear program, watches military parade with daughter

Source Domain: www.cnn.com

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to strengthen the country’s nuclear weapons program during the closing remarks at the once-in-five-years Ninth Workers’ Party Congress.
During a nighttime military parade in Pyongyang, Kim was accompanied by his teenage daughter, Ju Ae, who has been speculated as a potential successor but no new titles were announced.
Although the military parade showcased 14,000 troops and aerial displays, it notably omitted major military hardware such as tanks, ICBMs, and rocket launchers despite recent displays of such arms.
Kim promoted his sister Kim Yo Jong to a more prominent position within the party and reshuffed senior party and military posts, reinforcing younger loyalists and reelecting himself for another term.
The restrained military display could suggest Pyongyang is showing discipline and reserving strategic leverage amidst its deepening partnership with Russia.
Kim left conditional room for discussions with Washington on the basis of US acceptance of North Korea’s nuclear status and abandonment of perceived hostile policies.
The timing of the parade comes as US President Donald Trump prepares for a trip to China that may reshape regional diplomacy, with some speculating a renewed Trump-Kim dialogue could occur.
Despite tensions, Kim emphasized unity, loyalty, and readiness, and state media delivered a clear warning that any sovereignty violation would provoke immediate retaliation.

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