North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has made his first televised speech, as Pyongyang marks the centenary of the birth of the country's founder¹.

朝鲜纪念其开国元勋金日成诞辰百年之际，新任领导人金正恩做了首次电视演讲。

In front of cheering crowds, the new leader praised and offered respect to Kim il-Sung - his grandfather - and his father, the late Kim Jong-il.

As part of the celebrations, a huge military parade has been staged in the main square of Pyongyang.

His speech comes just two days after a failed rocket launch.

The attempted launch was condemned² by the international community, amid concern that it was a covert³（隐蔽的） test of long-range missile technology.

On Sunday, television footage showed thousands of soldiers carrying red flags marching into the square to the sound of drumbeats.

It is the first time Kim Jong-un, believed to be in his late 20s, has been seen speaking publicly since taking power following the death of his father in December.

"I express my greetings to our compatriots（同胞） in South Korea and across the world who dedicate themselves to reunification and the prosperity of the nations," he said reading from a script, in an address which lasted more than 20 minutes, as the crowds applauded throughout.

"Let us move forward to final victory."

He praised the country's "military first" policy.

"Superiority in military technology is no longer monopolised by imperialists（帝国主义） ," he said.

After the speech, soldiers marched past and saluted⁴ the leader. They were followed by tanks and artillery⁵, and then an array of truck-mounted missiles.