N. Korean leader confesses fatigue due to economic drive: state paper

(ATTN: ADDS 6th para for previous report on Kim reduced to tears, MODIFIES quote in
3rd para)
By Kim Hyun
SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has confessed he's
struggling with the grinding pace of his activities but keeps pushing himself
onwards out of responsibility for the fate of his homeland, the North's party
mouthpiece said Friday.
"A man is not made of iron and ought to take care his own body. But I have no
time to do so," Kim was quoted as saying by the Rodong Sinmun, published by the
Workers' Party, during a recent field trip.
"Why wouldn't I be tired and need more sleep?" Kim said. "Even though I'm tired,
I'm pushing myself to keep going. What drives me to keep going despite the
fatigue and distress? The profound sense of duty of bearing the fate of our
homeland -- our people -- on my shoulders."
The 67-year-old leader, now back in control after a reported stroke last summer,
has significantly increased his economy-related visits this year, making 49 such
trips as of Friday, compared to 19 last year and 17 in 2007, according to Seoul's
Unification Ministry. Watchers say Kim's stepped-up public activities are a sign
of Pyongyang striving to increase industrial output for its 2012 economic
campaign.
In a New Year editorial, North Korea vowed to solve food problems and rebuild its
frail industrial infrastructure by that year, which marks the centennial of Kim
Il-sung's birth.
State media often portray Kim as a paternal benefactor to the nation. Two days
after the April 5 rocket launch, the Rodong Sinmun said Kim was "choked with
sobs" as he thought of his poor citizens who may have been better off using the
money that instead went to the launch.
Pyongyang hosted a large fireworks display on Wednesday celebrating Kim Il-sung's
birthday and the rocket launch, which his son Kim Jong-il attended with
"countless" citizens cheering for him.
"The fireworks ... are a preview of the feast of victory that we will enjoy in
2012," the Rodong Sinmun said.
The paper said the rocket launch was a victory against "imperialist enemies,"
apparently referring to the U.S. and its allies including South Korea that had
threatened U.N. sanctions should Pyongyang go ahead with the launch.
The Rodong Sinmun also said the launch was "fireworks" from North Korea that,
armed with nuclear weapons, is declaring a victory against foreign forces.
North Korea insists it has successfully orbited an experimental communications
satellite, Kwangmyongsong-2, with the launch, a claim refuted by outside monitors
who say no such object has entered space. Regional powers suspect Pyongyang was
actually testing its long-range missile technology, which could be used as a
bargaining tool against the United States and yield cash when sold abroad.
Eight days after the launch, the U.N. Security Council adopted a statement
condemning North Korea for violating a U.N. resolution barring it from any
missile-related activities and demanding the North refrain from further launches.
Its sanctions committee is discussing punitive measures against North Korean
entities involved in missile and other weapons transfer.
"The Kwangmyongsong-2 satellite shot into the sky of our nuclear state as a
solemn firework of victory in a war against imperialist enemies," the paper said.
Analysts have said the rocket launch was also to celebrate Kim starting a new
five-year term on April 9 as chairman of the National Defense Commission, the
highest military decision-making body. Kim's reappointment is usually compared to
the start of a new administration.
"We have the mental power and unity of our people that are stronger than a
nuclear weapon and the power of military-first policy that can shake the earth,
as well as a solid foundation for economic growth and cutting-edge science and
technology that can conquer space," the paper said.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)