Kim Jong-un's first public speech

  • Author, Damian Grammaticas
  • Role, China correspondent

North Korea's new leader, Kim Jong-un, has spoken in public for the first time since assuming power late last year.

Kim Jong-un, who inherited his position from his father Kim Jong-il and grandfather Kim Il-sung, vowed to maintain his country's military might during a speech at a huge military parade in the capital, Pyongyang.

He spoke as North Korea marked the 100th anniversary of the birthday of Kim Il-sung. Here's my report:

Video caption, North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has spoken in public for the first time since taking power late last year

A day earlier, some 70,000 people gathered for a rally at the Kim Il-sung stadium as part of the commemorations. It was also a mass show of loyalty, especially from the military, for the new Supreme Leader.

The rally took place the day after the failure of a high-profile rocket launch that North Korea claimed was for its space programme. Critics have said it was a cover for testing long-range missile technology.

Video caption, The 91热爆's Damian Grammaticas says the Pyongyang rally is a "mass show of loyalty" for Kim Jong-un