Who owns north korea

KCNA described Red Guard units from Pyongyang and other regions marching through the square and praised their contributions in rebuilding communities destroyed by natural disasters and efforts to improve the economy. The marchers also included anti-virus workers from the Ministry of Public Health, who paraded in bright red hazmat suits and masks. North Korea often celebrates major state anniversaries by displaying thousands of goose-stepping troops and its most advanced military hardware in parades at Kim Il Sung Square.

The event was the third straight parade held at night — timed for spectacle. Amid the stalemate in diplomacy with the U. But experts say Kim is facing perhaps his toughest moment as he approaches a decade in rule, with North Korea maintaining an indefinite border lockdown to keep out the coronavirus, and no prospect in sight for the ending of international sanctions. Sections U. Science Technology Business U. According to Mr Kim, Pyongyang also sold weapons and technology to countries fighting long civil wars.

The UN warns that weapons developed in Pyongyang could end up in many troubled corners of the world. Mr Kim led a privileged life in North Korea. He claims he was given use of a Mercedes-Benz car by Kim Jong-un's aunt, and allowed to travel abroad freely to raise money for the North Korean leader. He says he sold rare metals and coal to raise millions in cash, which would be brought back into the country in a suitcase. In an impoverished country where millions of people are struggling with food shortages, this is a life few can imagine, let alone live.

Mr Kim's powerful political connections through marriage allowed him to move between different intelligence agencies, he says. But those same connections also put him and his family in danger. Not long after ascending to the political throne in , Kim Jong-un decided to purge those he perceived as a threat, including his own uncle, Jang Song-thaek. I felt he would be banished to the countryside," he says. I knew I could no longer exist in North Korea.

Mr Kim was abroad when he read about the execution in a newspaper. He decided to make a plan to flee with his family to South Korea. Even behind his dark glasses, I can see that the memory is difficult for him. The one question I keep asking during our many meetings, over many hours, was why he decided to speak now. There are more than 30, defectors in South Korea. Only a few decide to speak to the media.

The more high profile you are, the higher the risk to you and your family. There are also many in South Korea who doubt defectors' accounts of their lives. After all, how can anyone truly verify their stories? Mr Kim lived a highly unusual life. His account should be read as part of North Korea's story - not the whole. But his story offers us a view inside a regime few are able to escape, and tells us something about what it takes for the regime to survive.

Over generations, it produces a "loyal heart". The timing of this interview is also interesting. Kim Jong-un has hinted he may be willing to talk to South Korea in the near future, if certain conditions are met. What you need to know is that North Korea hasn't changed 0. Kim Jong-un wages war on slang, jeans and films. Mr Kim, surrounded by an array of military hardware including tanks, accused the US of stoking tensions between North and South Korea.

He said there was "no behavioural basis" to make North Korea believe that the US was not hostile. The US under President Joe Biden has repeatedly said it is willing to talk to North Korea, but has demanded Pyongyang give up nuclear weapons before sanctions can be eased.

North Korea has so far refused. Kim Jong-un didn't just talk about his new military might - he showed it to us.

This was the equivalent of a military parade. We have not seen this kind of defence exhibition since Mr Kim took power. Surrounded by intercontinental ballistic missiles and portraits of him dressed in military uniform, he told those gathered that he felt "bottomless pride" as he touched the missiles. And he made it clear that he's not done building his arsenal, which he says he needs as a deterrent.

He vowed to continue work on his wish list of weapons, while noting that South Korea was doing the same by building up its defence force in recent years. This is Mr Kim's way of telling those criticising his arms programme that they are hypocrites. North Korea accuses U. Security Council of double standards over missile test. North Korea fires new anti-aircraft missile in latest test. Kim Jong Un orders inter-Korean hotline to reopen, but criticizes 'cunning' U.

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