New DPRK leader's speech 'boosts confidence'

Female soldiers salute as they march in a military parade in Pyongyang on Sunday. The parade, which reportedly attracted a record 200,000 people, followed a speech by leader Kim Jong-un. [Wang Jing / China Daily]

"Let's move on toward our final victory!" he said, pointing his finger ahead to cheering troops who repeatedly chanted "Long life!" and "Safeguard Kim Jong-un until death!"

The speech itself was a surprise to many in the DPRK.

"I feel proud to hear our leader make such an encouraging speech. I believe he will lead the party, the state and the army to greater achievements," said Go Sun-young, a Pyongyang resident.

The late leader Kim Jong-il seldom spoke when he presided over similar events, and it is also the first time Kim spoke publicly.

Kim then watched as row upon row of infantry marched smartly past, saluting him.

They were followed by tanks, heavy artillery and a wide array of increasingly large truck-mounted missiles.

Kim smiled and chatted, occasionally, with high-ranking officials standing next to him.

Five fighter jets, trailing plumes of colored smoke, flew over.

Liu Jiangyong, deputy dean of the institute of modern international relations at Tsinghua University, said the parade "gives young Kim a great opportunity to mark the start of a new era under the new leadership".

The young Kim was officially named first secretary of the ruling Workers' Party and first chairman of the National Defense Commission last week.

Liu said Kim's speech is to show that he has won unanimous support for his leadership and "inspire confidence among the DPRK people".

According to the Associated Press, during the military parade the DPRK unveiled what appeared to be a new missile.

Military analysts in Japan and the Republic of Korea said further examination would be required before confirming if it was an intercontinental ballistic missile that the DPRK has reportedly been working on for some time.

Liu said it is a matter of urgency for the DPRK to strengthen its national cohesion and boost people's confidence after the failure of the DPRK's launch of a satellite on Friday, "and that is also the aim of this parade".