Horse riding and party gathering: Kim sends a threatening message

For the second time in two months, North Korea's leader went on a ride to his family's holy mountain, along with senior military officials. At the same time, the leaders of the ruling party will meet for a rare gathering. This is before the deadline expired by the regime in the US

Horse riding and party gathering: Kim sends a threatening message

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un embarked on a horse-riding campaign for the second time in two months, while a ruling party leadership conference was announced on Wednesday. It is estimated that this may signal Pyongyang's preparations for a more assertive stance towards the international community. Kim arrived at the Facto holy mountain, this time accompanied by senior military officials. The North Korean News Agency is reported to have ridden to a place where, according to legend, the Kim dynasty was born, to instill a "revolutionary spirit" in the people.

Kim warned the United States that if it did not change its policy by the end of the year, North Korea would resort to a "new path." This is probably a warning of a possible resumption of long-range missile launches or nuclear trials, which they avoided in the last two years of negotiating with the United States. At this point, the talks between the parties reached a dead end, in light of Pyongyang's demand for further Washington concessions, with the headline being lifted. Washington first requires it to dismantle key parts of its nuclear and missile program.

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Mounted on a white horse. Kim at the foot of Mount Facto (Photo: Reuters)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un rides a horse while visiting Mount Factu on December 3, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)

Experts said the announcement of the ruling ruling party's central committee meeting in late December highlights that Pyongyang is serious about making a major decision. Such conferences are often held when North Korea announces significant changes to its policy. The official news agency reported that the party leadership will discuss and decide on "crucial issues" in light of "the changing situation at home and abroad." The timing of the convention is unconventional because it comes before the ultimatum expires, as well as before Kim's upcoming New Year's speech.

United States special envoy to North Korea, Stephen Begun, told reporters in Washington yesterday that the United States will not give up talks with Pyongyang. Biggun had previously rejected North Korea's ultimatum, which he described as "artificial." He warned that it would be "a huge mistake and missed opportunity" by North Korea to take any provocative steps. However, official media outlets in North Korea have issued a series of statements warning Washington not to ignore the warnings. It rejected calls by the United States for call management as a tactic designed to attract time.

Rachel Minyung, an expert on the NK News website who follows North Korea, said Pyongyang's decision to convene the meeting before the end of the year indicates her "strong determination". She said, "Along with the announcement of the party's conjunction with the visit to Mount Facto, 'determination' meant that North Korea would not surrender to the United States and that it would continue despite the difficulties."

Negotiation window closes. Kim while riding Mount Facto (Photo: Reuters)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un rides a horse while visiting Mount Factu on December 3, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)

Kim often visits the Holy Mountain for major developments in the country, including missile launches. His October visit to a horse sparked rumors of a likely change to Pyongyang's nuclear negotiation policy. In the local media, the saddle and harness on Kim's horse were adorned with gold accessories and government emblems.

According to the Associated Press, the riding is intended to instill a "tireless revolutionary spirit" in the face of "the unprecedented siege and pressure imposed by imperialists." Kim said there was a need to prepare for the "toughness and longstanding nature of our revolution." Although Kim's plans are still unclear, the latest signs suggest that the diplomacy window is closing fast, if not already closed.

"The message is being delivered. It will be a big year for us next year," explained John Delorey of Younsai University in Seoul. "Not a year of diplomacy and peaks, but of national power."

He said the riding was a symbol for North Korean citizens, and sending poignant messages for domestic purposes required Kim to make his statements. Lee noted the fact that Kim was accompanied by senior military officers and not by party officials, and along with the recent military-related announcements in the state media, he points out that Pyongyang "will probably move to a more militaristic line."

The party convening will be the first time it is held twice a year under Kim's rule. "This is not an ordinary meeting," said Delory. "Some information really came out of the meeting is a guess, but it does indicate that it may be the end of diplomacy and that they are really going to work."