Link to article: https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-business-united-states-lifestyle-baf6ab0f2e2585efa0690e8f3e9f6610
On Monday night, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea held a military parade to celebrate the ninetieth anniversary of the country’s military, a symbol of the Kim family’s power. Donning a white military uniform, Kim Jung Un, the country’s brutal dictator, vowed to continue funding and progress within the country’s nuclear program. Also, Kim Jung Un stated that the North Korean army is prepared to use nuclear weapons proactively at any time to defend itself from its enemies like South Korea, Japan, and the United States.
This military parade comes as the North Korean economy is crippled by pandemic issues, Western sanctions, and mismanagement of the country’s finances by the Kim regime.
This military parade and threats from Kim Jung Un are an attempt to coerce the United States and its allies to relax sanctions by threatening the use of nuclear bombs. However, this will do little to stop the strong pressure applied by American and allied powers as North Korea’s nuclear strength is significantly weaker compared to the United States and the use of a nuclear weapon by Kim Jung Un would almost guarantee the loss of his power. However, by having access to use a nuclear bomb, North Korea can act as a “wild card” within the international system as must be taken seriously.
This recent announcement will likely further tensions in the already tumultuous Asian Pacific realm where countries are competing for access to the South China Sea, natural resources, and trade routes while there is a high military presence from China and the United States as well.The source of Kim Jung Un’s legitimacy to rule is a quasi-blend of both traditional and charismatic legitimacy. The current North Korean government was founded by Kim Jung Un’s grandfather, Kim Il-Sung, after the end of the Japanese occupation of the country. Kim Il-Sung had charismatic legitimacy as he was able to unite the people of North Korea around the theory of Juche. However, through Kim Il-Sung’s popularity and deity-like treatment through propaganda, his legacy has allowed his son and grandson to continue ruling the country, setting up a dynasty and more traditional legitimacy. Even though Kim Jung Un is a brutal dictator and hated by most foreign powers, his family and he have been able to maintain power over the country as they are seen as legitimate rulers of the state.