North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a rare visit to his father’s mausoleum, reaffirming his commitment to the regime’s ideological legacy.
The appearance comes as the communist dictator deepens his ties with Russia, sending his own troops to die in Ukraine.
At a Glance
- Kim Jong Un visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on his late father’s birthday
- This was his first visit in four years for the anniversary
- Kim pledged to continue the “sacred struggle” for North Korea’s so-called “prosperity”
- He also attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a major housing project in Pyongyang
- The visit underscores the regime’s focus on leadership legacy and extreme ideological loyalty
Kim Jong Un’s Tribute to His Father
In a symbolic gesture of leadership continuity, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paid homage to his late father, Kim Jong Il, at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun.
The visit, which took place on the Day of the Shining Star – Kim Jong Il’s birthday – marked Kim Jong Un’s first such tribute in four years. Accompanied by his sister Kim Yo Jong and other high-ranking officials, the North Korean leader’s pilgrimage to the mausoleum underscores the regime’s commitment to its founding principles (well, we should maybe write “principles”) and the cult of personality surrounding the Kim dynasty.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Kim’s visit, emphasizing the leader’s dedication to the regime’s ideological foundations. According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his commitment to the nation’s prosperity and security during the solemn occasion.
During his visit to the mausoleum, Kim Jong Un reportedly expressed his resolve to continue the work of his predecessors.
“He expressed his solemn will to devote himself to the sacred struggle for the eternal prosperity of the country, the security of the people and the promotion of their well-being,” KCNA reported.
This statement reflects the regime’s ongoing narrative of sacrifice and dedication to the North Korean people, while also reinforcing the legitimacy of Kim Jong Un’s rule through his familial lineage.
Focus on Economic Development
In addition to paying respects to his father, Kim Jong Un’s public appearances included attending a groundbreaking ceremony for an ambitious housing project in Pyongyang. The project, part of a five-year economic plan, aims to construct 50,000 new homes in the capital city.
Maybe they should focus on making sure everybody can eat, too…
State-run media said that the plan will “usher in a new era of prosperity of Pyongyang in which the ideal streets of the people to be proud of in the world are built every year.”
While North Korean men are being sent to the “meat grinder” in Ukraine…
While the feasibility of such large-scale projects remains questionable due to international sanctions and economic challenges, the regime’s focus on housing development indicates a strategic approach to bolstering public support and projecting an image of progress.
Kim Jong Un’s rare visit to his father’s mausoleum, coupled with his involvement in domestic development projects, offers insight into the regime’s priorities and strategies.
He may not appear in public very often, but he’s busy working with whatever country will work with him and cementing his family’s legacy at a time when the nation faces difficult choices on its nuclear plans.
Trump is coming for them – and they know it.