North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended a military meeting in Pyeongyang this week,... making his first reported public appearance in more than two weeks,... when he voted in the regime's rubberstamp parliamentary election.
The spotlight was on his opening and closing speeches at the meeting,... where he called for economic reforms.
Lee Seung-jae reports.
Making his first reported public appearance since March 10th,... the regime's state-run media says North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presided over the fifth general meeting of lower-ranking North Korean military officers,... for the first time since 2013.
The Korean Central News Agency reported on his appearance,... saying Kim called for a "golden age" in "military construction".
There might be difficulties and tribulations, but there's a team of revolutionary soldiers closely guarding the party, the country, and the people. Because of this, Chairman Kim says we should have nothing to fear.
The latest reports come a matter of months after the North Korean leader ordered the rebuilding of the regime's economy through the military in his New Year's address.
However, experts say the emphasis on economic reforms shouldn't come to any surprise.
The reason Kim Jong-un emphasized economic development at a military event is that it implies indirectly that North Korea can move forward without nuclear weapons and it might be a way to improve the lives of ordinary North Koreans."
Watchers says Kim Jong-un's presence at the meeting indicates he's adhering to a party-centered supervision of the military,... instead of the "military-first" approach of his late father, Kim Jong-il.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.