Kim rides on the sacred mountain on horseback: waiting for his next move

The North Korean leader usually visits Mount Paekdu ahead of major political and diplomatic decisions and events. For the state media, Pyongyang is ready for "a major operation, to amaze the world again".

Seoul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - On a white horse, Kim Jong-un visited Mount Paekdu, the highest peak on the Korean peninsula this morning - considered the birthplace of his deceased father. The state media reported that the North Korean leader once again condemned US sanctions and asked the population to redoucble tehir efforts towards greater self-sufficiency  to frustrate them. Analysts say that the symbolism of the ride underlines North Korean opposition to punitive measures and international pressure on nuclear weapons and ballistic programs.

In the past, Kim went to the mountain - considered one of the most sacred places in Korea - close to major political and diplomatic decisions and events; the latest trip triggers speculation about the imminence of another important provision. Documenting the visit with a series of photographs, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reports that the leader "climbed Mount Paekdu, riding a white horse on the first snow".

"The situation of the country is difficult owing to the ceaseless sanctions and pressure by the hostile forces, and there are many hardships and trials facing us," Kim said, according to KCNA. "The pain the U.S.-led anti-DPRK hostile forces inflicted upon the Korean people is no longer pain, but it turned into their anger”. ""Whenever the enemies try to strangle us with the chain of pressure," Kim said, the country should make greater efforts to "live well under the banner of the great spirit of self-reliance so that the enemies feel a pain in their stomach and head" .

Kcna states that "a"Having witnessed the great moments of his thinking atop Mount Paekdu, all the officials accompanying him were convinced with overflowing emotion and joy that there will be a great operation to strike the world with wonder again". At the moment it is not clear what the latter may entail. Kim's last visit to the Mountain follows the interruption of the denuclearization negotiations with the United States, held in Stockholm earlier this month. On the sidelines of the talks, Pyongyang accused Washington of failing to present a new proposal.