Seoul, July 8 – In a somber display of reverence, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun at midnight on July 8th to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the death of his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, the nation’s founding father. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported the event earlier today.
Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, paid his respects before the statues of the Great Leader Kim Il-sung and the Great General Kim Jong-il, his father, expressing his wishes for their immortality. He affirmed that the revolutionary lives and achievements of the two leaders would forever be intertwined with the prosperity of socialist Korea, which is advancing triumphantly across centuries and comprehensively realizing the ideals of the people.
Accompanying Kim Jong-un were key figures from the Workers’ Party of Korea, including members of the Political Bureau Standing Committee such as Pak Thae-song, Choe Ryong-hae, and Jo Yong-won, highlighting the significance of the event within the regime.
Notably, this year’s commemoration has been relatively subdued, with no large-scale events organized. Instead, various organizations across North Korea have been observing the anniversary in a more low-key manner. This contrasts with last year’s observances, which were more elaborate due to the 30th anniversary milestone. Kim Jong-un also visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun last year to mark the occasion.
The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun serves as a mausoleum where the embalmed bodies of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il are enshrined, making it a site of immense symbolic importance in North Korea’s political landscape. Kim Jong-un’s annual visit underscores the regime’s continued emphasis on the Kim family’s legacy and its role in shaping the nation’s identity and ideology.
Conclusion:
Kim Jong-un’s visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on the 31st anniversary of Kim Il-sung’s death serves as a potent reminder of the enduring influence of the Kim dynasty in North Korea. The subdued nature of this year’s commemoration, while notable, does not diminish the significance of the event as a key element in maintaining the regime’s legitimacy and reinforcing its ideological foundations. Further observation of North Korea’s commemorative events and rhetoric will be crucial in understanding the evolving dynamics of its leadership and its vision for the future.
References:
- Yonhap News Agency. (2024, July 8). 金正恩参谒锦绣山太阳宫纪念金日成去世31周年 [Kim Jong-un Pays Homage to Kim Il-sung on 31st Anniversary of Death]. Retrieved from [Insert URL if available]
Views: 1