Tag: Andray Abrahamian

HONG KONG — For North Korea experts, virtually every detail in the authoritarian state is a potential window into the political priorities of its elusive leader, Kim Jong-un. A mass gymnastics performance that ended in North Korea on Sunday, after a nearly two-month run, was no exception: Unlike in previous years, this year’s edition was said to highlight recent changes in Mr. Kim’s posture toward China, South Korea and the United States. Jump Around Dept. Along with a military parade in September, it marked the 70th anniversary of the founding of North Korea. A banner at the show also read, “From now, a new history begins.” Mr. Abrahamian said that was an apparent reference to an April declaration by Mr. Kim and President Moon Jae-in of South Korea, in which the two leaders agreed to work to remove all nuclear weapons from the Korean Peninsula and, within the year, pursue talks with the United States to declare an official end to the Korean War. Image Tilting Toward Peace: Missiles Missing From Games The choreography of this year’s Mass Games presented the Kim regime’s vision of its own history, in keeping with the style of previous years. Notably, Mr. Xi was depicted inside a gold-framed circle surrounded by red — the same style previously used to depict Mr. Kim’s father, Kim Jong-il, and grandfather, Kim Il-sung. Image Cheers for Peace: Moon Makes a Cameo During a September performance of “Glorious Country,” Mr. Moon, the South Korean president, appeared beside Mr. Kim at the games and addressed the audience, according to the Yonhap news agency. “This is not only frustrating for the U.S. and South Korea; it’s also not where Kim Jong-un would like to be,” she added.