Defiant North Korea stages huge fireworks show as world fears nuclear crisis (VIDEO)
A massive fireworks display in Pyongyang capped two weeks of festivities to celebrate the 100th birthday of the founder of modern North Korea – Kim Il-sung.
Earlier Kim Jong-un, the current chief of North Korea and grandson of Kim Il-sung, delivered his first public speech since assuming leadership last year to a seemingly rapturous crowd.The 29 year-old leader struck a bellicose note throughout his address. He emphasized that North Korea would continue its “Military First” policy, which sees the majority of the country’s economic resources spent on maintaining a huge and well-equipped army, and lashed out at international critics."Superiority in military technology is no longer monopolized by imperialists, and the era of enemies using atomic bombs to threaten and blackmail us is forever over," Kim said.The centerpiece of the celebrations was a rocket launch on Friday. Officially designed to deliver a satellite into space to commemorate the anniversary, the international community said it was a dry run for a nuclear missile launch.The 450-million-dollar rocket exploded within seconds of take-off.After previous failed tests, North Korea often rallied with an even more ambitious display of strength, leaving the international community fearful the country may conduct a nuclear test similar to ones in 2006 and 2009.
