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Kim Jong-un’s tearful apology to North Koreans shows he fears being overthrown by enraged masses, says expert

At one point, the dictator took off his glasses to wipe away tears as he addressed the nation, which has been overwhelmed by typhoons, floods, the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as international sanctions

An international relations expert has said that Kim Jong-un's tearful apology to North Koreans indicates that he fears angry masses will rise up and attempt to overthrow his regime. Kim addressed his people on Saturday and issued what appeared to be a sincere apology to impoverished masses for their current hardships, The Sun reported. At one point during his speech, the North Korean dictator took off his glasses to wipe away tears as he addressed the nation, which has been recently overwhelmed by typhoons, floods, the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as international sanctions. Kim reportedly "acknowledged his failings" and said "sorry" as he spoke at the military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of North Korea's ruling Communist Party. Meanwhile, his brand new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) rolled across North Korea's capital Pyongyang.

Speaking to The Sun, Dr. Ramon Pacheco-Pardo, an associate professor in international relations at King's College London, said Kim knows that the biggest threat to his reign is North Korea's own population. "Kim understands if he wants to continue in power, he has to deliver on his promises," he told the outlet. "He promised the North Korean population wouldn't have to tighten then belts - and then earlier this year he had to say 'you will have to'."

According to the professor, there won't be a regime change in the "short term, or even the midterm." However, the North Korean supremo may be paranoid about any challenges to his rule coming from the masses. A recent study by Vienna University suggests that the Hermit Kingdom invests heavily in its nuclear arsenal, but around 60 percent of the nation lives in absolute poverty. "If you look at dictators around the world, when they are removed from power it happens internally rather than externally," Pacheco-Pardo continued. "Kim knows the US cannot invade - that's unthinkable with his nuclear deterrent. It's likely to come from the people. Any challenge to his position would be internal."

The expert claimed that Kim's tearful speech was simply an act to portray himself as a "man of the people." "North Korea cannot lie about this, the domestic population knows what situation they are in - and from what we know the situation is even worse in 2020," he explained. "He is implicitly saying better times should be coming and he is trying to show eventually he will try to come through diplomatically. That is the only way the economic situation of the people is going to improve substantially."

Kim was addressing the nation in a televised speech when he broke down in tears. "Our people have placed trust, as high as the sky and as deep as the sea, in me, but I have failed to always live up to it satisfactorily," he said. "I am really sorry for that.” "I am entrusted with the important responsibility to lead this country upholding the cause of the great comrades Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il thanks to the trust of all the people," he continued. "My efforts and sincerity have not been sufficient enough to rid our people of the difficulties in their lives."

North Korea has been hit hard by floods and typhoons coupled with the coronavirus pandemic. It's buckling economy has been worsened by international trade sanctions. Furthermore, North Korea has also sealed its borders with essential trade ally China in light of the pandemic.