Pyongyang , North Korea ( CNN ) -- North Korea 's leader Kim Jong Un spoke before hundreds of troops and others in Pyongyang on Sunday as part of a massive , orchestrated celebration marking 100 years since the birth of the nation 's founder , his grandfather . Kim 's address was his first televised speech since assuming the country 's leadership . The remarks , which touched on a number of issues including the significance of North Korea 's military , regularly stirred applause from the crowd . `` Our military has become a powerful military capable of handling any kind of modern warfare , with complete offensive and defensive tactics , '' Kim said . `` The foreign powers are not the only ones with military supremacy anymore . And the days of their threatening and lying to us with atomic weapons is forever gone . '' Kim also vowed never to let the country starve . `` Our fellow citizens , who are the best citizens in the world , who have overcome countless struggles and hardships , it is our party 's firmest resolve not to let our citizens go hungry again , '' he said . Much of Kim 's roughly 20-minute talk focused on the importance of the revolution spearheaded by his grandfather , saying that it was the North Korean government 's responsibility to work to realize the movement 's aspirations and live up to its values . Deemed the Eternal President , Kim 's grandfather -- Kim Il Sung -- was born on August 15 , 1912 . Some 33 years later , following North Korea 's liberation from Japan , he pledged in Pyongyang to build a nation on wealth , strength and knowledge . The grandson , Kim Jong Un , is now North Korea 's `` supreme commander '' -- a title he has recently assumed , following the death of his father , Kim Jong Il . Elaborate and extensive 100th anniversary celebrations of Kim Il Sung 's birth have been in the works for years . One of those milestones was the Friday launch of a long-range rocket -- a move deplored by the United States and many others in the international community , even after it prematurely broke apart and failed to escape the Earth 's atmosphere . On Sunday , state TV showed video of large blocks of North Korean troops as they marched in tight formation . Music was interspersed at times by coordinated chants , while military officials could be seen saluting from vehicles that drove past tanks lined up in the square .
Kim Jong Un touts the importance of the revolution begun by his grandfather . He stresses the military 's significance and vows citizens wo n't starve again . He spoke during a celebration in Pyongyang marking Kim Il Sung 's birth 100 years earlier .