[SUMMIT] President Moon makes first public speech in N. Korea

By Park Sae-jin Posted : September 20, 2018, 15:24 Updated : September 20, 2018, 15:24

[Joint Press Corps]
 

 

[Joint Press Corps]


PYONGYANG -- President Moon Jae-in made a striking appearance in Pyongyang by becoming the first South Korean leader to speak before North Korean citizens who gathered at a giant stadium to watch an evening show involving tens of thousands of school children, military bands, and professional artists.

"The era of peace and prosperity", a slogan floating atop the mosaic picture of a bullet train in motion, was shown on a special moving screen created by children holding up colorful cards that marked the start of the mass acrobatic, dance and gymnastic performance Wednesday at the May Day Stadium.

The performance came on the second day of Moon's three-day visit to North Korea after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un agreed to forge a fresh peace deal on denuclearization and peace on the divided Korean peninsula.

 

[Joint Press Corps]

 

[Joint Press Corps]


"Chairman Kim and I, our hands firmly holding the hands of 80 million people from North and South Korea, will create a new nation. Let's step forward to the new future," Moon said in his seven-minute speech at the end of the one-hour event.

"I have confirmed how desperately you are longing for reconciliation and peace. In difficult times, I saw your indomitable courage to keep your pride and stand up," Moon said. North Korean citizens gave out a blast of applause, waving hands and flags that represent one Korea.

For his last-minute rite, Kim reached out to hold Moon's left hand, followed by an explosion of fireworks. When their hands were suspended up high in the air, the crowd went wild.
 

[Joint Press Corps]

 
 

[Joint Press Corps]

 
After a five-year hiatus, North Korea resurrected the extravaganza this year to celebrated the 70th anniversary of its founding on September 9. It has been a crucial propaganda tool to eulogize the Kim dynasty, unfolding an epic story of how North Korea ended the history of distress and rose as a dignified nation.

For Wednesday's special show which was televised live by South Korean TV stations, North Korean flags were not used, and organizers repackaged the show to drop anti-American and other sensitive elements. Drones, lasers and colorful art techniques were used to support card sections.

With one side of the stadium filled with the gargantuan human display, performers dressed in modified Korean costumes held decorated fans and other accessories to perform a mass dance, followed by an acrobatic show. The animation displayed on the wall of cards changed topics, impressing the audience with slogans such as "Sky Road, Ground Road, Sea Road - Connects the bloodlines of our people".

Mixed groups of singers sang all-time Korean favorites such as "Spring of the Homeland" and "Wild Rose". A roar of applause and cheers erupted every time the performers made moves, getting louder when the images of Kim and Moon were displayed.

The card section showed an animation with a slogan reading "We welcome South Korean President Moon Jae-in!" and the human display wall showed messages like "Let's unite to become one strong unified nation!"


 
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