16 Apr 2012

Kim Jong-un gives first speech

10:04 am on 16 April 2012

The new leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, has made his first televised speech.

He was taking part in celebrations to mark the centenary of the birth of the state's founder, his grandfather Kim Il-sung.

Kim Jong-un praised his father Kim Jong-il and grandfather saying they had made a once weak North Korea into a strong nation despite the fact the country was still surrounded by, what he called, colonial powers.

The speech followed North Korea's attempt to launch a long range rocket, which ended in embarrassing failure on Friday.