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Kim Jong-un: North Korean leader rides horse up sacred mountain | Kim Jong-un: North Korean leader rides horse up sacred mountain |
(about 3 hours later) | |
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has climbed the country's highest mountain on horseback, according to state media. | North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has climbed the country's highest mountain on horseback, according to state media. |
A series of photos released by KCNA show Mr Kim astride a white horse on a snow-covered Mount Paektu. | A series of photos released by KCNA show Mr Kim astride a white horse on a snow-covered Mount Paektu. |
This is not the first time he has scaled the 2,750-metre peak and analysts say such gestures have been known to precede major announcements. | This is not the first time he has scaled the 2,750-metre peak and analysts say such gestures have been known to precede major announcements. |
The mountain holds a special place in the country's identity and is feted as the birthplace of Kim Jong-un's father. | The mountain holds a special place in the country's identity and is feted as the birthplace of Kim Jong-un's father. |
"His march on horseback in Mt Paektu is a great event of weighty importance in the history of the Korean revolution," said a KCNA report released on Wednesday. | "His march on horseback in Mt Paektu is a great event of weighty importance in the history of the Korean revolution," said a KCNA report released on Wednesday. |
"Sitting on the horseback atop Mt Paektu, [he] recollected with deep emotion the road of arduous struggle he covered for the great cause of building the most powerful country, with faith and will as firm as Mt Paektu." | "Sitting on the horseback atop Mt Paektu, [he] recollected with deep emotion the road of arduous struggle he covered for the great cause of building the most powerful country, with faith and will as firm as Mt Paektu." |
In 2017, he visited the mountain a few weeks before his new year's address, where he hinted at a diplomatic thaw with South Korea. | In 2017, he visited the mountain a few weeks before his new year's address, where he hinted at a diplomatic thaw with South Korea. |
A play to attract attention? | A play to attract attention? |
First let's talk about those epic photos. | First let's talk about those epic photos. |
Nothing evokes an image of power quite like a leader astride a white steed, taming the first snows of winter while galloping through one of the Korean peninsula's most sacred places. | Nothing evokes an image of power quite like a leader astride a white steed, taming the first snows of winter while galloping through one of the Korean peninsula's most sacred places. |
This may be an attempt to project the strength and authority of the "Paektu bloodline" - the Kim family line. A not-so-subtle reminder for the North Koreans of their leader's power, as well as his prowess on a horse. | This may be an attempt to project the strength and authority of the "Paektu bloodline" - the Kim family line. A not-so-subtle reminder for the North Koreans of their leader's power, as well as his prowess on a horse. |
But there are a few quotes in the soaring state media prose that should give us pause for thought. | But there are a few quotes in the soaring state media prose that should give us pause for thought. |
The last line in particular is striking. We are told that the officials with Mr Kim were convinced "there will be a great operation to strike the world with wonder". | The last line in particular is striking. We are told that the officials with Mr Kim were convinced "there will be a great operation to strike the world with wonder". |
Kim Jong-un's previous visits to Mount Paektu have come ahead of major decisions. | Kim Jong-un's previous visits to Mount Paektu have come ahead of major decisions. |
There's speculation that this time Kim could be rethinking his promise to refrain from testing long-range missiles and nuclear weapons. Talks with the US are currently at a stalemate and Donald Trump is a little distracted by other domestic and foreign affairs. | There's speculation that this time Kim could be rethinking his promise to refrain from testing long-range missiles and nuclear weapons. Talks with the US are currently at a stalemate and Donald Trump is a little distracted by other domestic and foreign affairs. |
The North Korean leader may be using the brisk mountain air to consider ways of attracting the attention of the Trump administration. | The North Korean leader may be using the brisk mountain air to consider ways of attracting the attention of the Trump administration. |
Pyongyang has given the US until the end of this year to come up with a denuclearisation deal. Kim has repeatedly called for sanctions relief upfront before making any moves to dismantle his nuclear programme, but he has so far failed to convince Washington. | Pyongyang has given the US until the end of this year to come up with a denuclearisation deal. Kim has repeatedly called for sanctions relief upfront before making any moves to dismantle his nuclear programme, but he has so far failed to convince Washington. |
Perhaps he feels it's time to turn up the pressure with a few more launches? | Perhaps he feels it's time to turn up the pressure with a few more launches? |
Or just maybe the North Korean leader just fancied enjoying the first snow of the winter? | Or just maybe the North Korean leader just fancied enjoying the first snow of the winter? |
I have a feeling we will find out which one it may be within the coming months. | I have a feeling we will find out which one it may be within the coming months. |
Mr Kim has reportedly climbed Mount Paektu at least three times, and made a joint visit to the mountain with South Korean president Moon Jae-in in 2018. | Mr Kim has reportedly climbed Mount Paektu at least three times, and made a joint visit to the mountain with South Korean president Moon Jae-in in 2018. |
KCNA previously released photos of Mr Kim atop the mountain, after apparently climbing it in black leather shoes. | KCNA previously released photos of Mr Kim atop the mountain, after apparently climbing it in black leather shoes. |
Mount Paektu, an active volcano, is said to be the birthplace of Dangun, the founder of the first Korean kingdom more than 4,000 years ago. | Mount Paektu, an active volcano, is said to be the birthplace of Dangun, the founder of the first Korean kingdom more than 4,000 years ago. |
The mountain is hundreds of kilometres from the capital Pyongyang, and sits right on the border between North Korea and China. | The mountain is hundreds of kilometres from the capital Pyongyang, and sits right on the border between North Korea and China. |
Earlier this month, North Korean officials held talks with US officials in Sweden, the first since US President Donald Trump and Mr Kim met briefly at the inter-Korean border zone in June. | Earlier this month, North Korean officials held talks with US officials in Sweden, the first since US President Donald Trump and Mr Kim met briefly at the inter-Korean border zone in June. |
North Korea's top nuclear envoy Kim Myong-gil said the negotiations had "not fulfilled our expectation and finally broke off". | North Korea's top nuclear envoy Kim Myong-gil said the negotiations had "not fulfilled our expectation and finally broke off". |
However, the US maintained that "good discussions were had". | However, the US maintained that "good discussions were had". |
Before the talks, North Korea fired a new type of ballistic missile, its 11th test this year. | Before the talks, North Korea fired a new type of ballistic missile, its 11th test this year. |