Kim Jong Un, the ruthless dictator of North Korea, gave his annual New Year's speech on state-run media late Tuesday night. He expressed his desire to extend his high-stakes nuclear summit with President Trump in 2019 but also gave a forceful warning to those in Washington.
Kim stated that he doesn't want the U.S. to test North Koreans' "patience" with sanctions. Parts of the lengthy speech also broke from Chairman Kim speaking and switched to highlighting the country’s economic and technological advances to come.
Kim made clear in his speech that he's ready to meet with President Trump for another summit. Chairman Kim was open to talks that would be "welcomed by the international community."
“I think we both understood the situation…I am ready to meet the U.S. President at any time,” Kim stated.
Nevertheless, the young North Korean leader did say that his country will seek a different path if the United States "continues to break its promises and misjudges the patience of our people by unilaterally demanding certain things and pushes ahead with sanctions and pressure."
Chairman Kim also declared to North Korea's state-run media that the U.S. should continue to suspend its bilateral military exercises with South Korea. While also urging the United States to pledge not to deploy any further military assistance to the South. Notably, the United States has obeyed these wishes and ceased all military training practicums with the South.
The speech concludes with Kim urging for peace with surrounding nations.
NK News, who translated the speech to English, reports:
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He called on the neighboring countries and the international community to support the sincere stand and efforts of the DPRK to accelerate the positive development of the situation on the Korean peninsula, and to work hard against all sorts of acts and challenges disturbing peace and going against justice.
He stressed that the WPK and the government of the DPRK would continue to promote unity and cooperation with the socialist countries in the idea of independence, peace and friendship and develop relations with all countries who are friendly to the DPRK.
Amazing to be watching Kim Jong Un’s annual New Year’s Day speech live in South Korean TV rn. Used to be I had to watch this on a special feed of North Korean state TV. #NewYear2019 #NorthKorea pic.twitter.com/x9ftTRdGwA
— Jean H. Lee (@newsjean) January 1, 2019
No bombshells so far but the reaffirmation of inter-Korean unity, and commitment to improving relations with US, will be reassuring to Seoul &. Washington after weeks/months of stalled diplomacy. #NorthKorea
— Jean H. Lee (@newsjean) January 1, 2019
Kim Jong Un appeared calm while shuffling through the pages of his prepared speech.
North Koreans' only had positive things to say about the New Year's speech.
Here's how people in North Korea reacted after watching the New Year's speech by their leader Kim Jong Un #NewYears2019 pic.twitter.com/LdzlPAdDMv
— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) January 1, 2019
Reuters reports:
There was no immediate comment from the White House and asked for a reaction, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said: “We decline the opportunity to comment.”
The GOP tweeted late Tuesday night that the Singapore Summit was a "huge step forward in negotiations with North Korea."
The #SingaporeSummit proved to be a huge step forward in negotiations with North Korea.
— GOP (@GOP) December 31, 2018
Promises made, promises kept. ? pic.twitter.com/9rn0IZJM8h
Citizens of North Korea also had the opportunity to ring in the New Year by watching a firework display in the countries most populated city of Pyongyang.
Three... two... UN: Kim Jong-un puts on a spectacular fireworks display above Pyongyang to ring in 2019 in North Korea https://t.co/BygNTfuyRP pic.twitter.com/GSreN2xk5c
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) December 31, 2018
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