Kim Jong-un, Who Skipped Kim Il-sung's Birthday Tribute, Observed the Ancestral Rite on the Memorial Day

Commemorating the 26th Anniversary of Kim Il-sung with a Visit to the Kumsusan Sun Palace of the Sun

The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 8th that Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, paid tribute at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the body of President Kim Il Sung is enshrined, on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of President Kim's death. High-ranking officials including Choe Ryong Hae, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, Pak Pong Ju, Vice Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, and Kim Jae Ryong, Premier of the Cabinet, accompanied him.

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, paid tribute at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the bodies of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il are enshrined, on the 26th anniversary of Kim Il-sung's death. Chairman Kim had notably been absent from the usual visit to the palace on April 15, Kim Il-sung's birthday known as the 'Day of the Sun,' sparking rumors about his health.

North Korea's state media, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), reported on the 8th that "the 26th anniversary of Comrade Kim Il-sung's passing is the nation's greatest day of mourning," and that "Comrade Kim Jong-un visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun." Chairman Kim and other attendees conducted the tribute and floral offerings without wearing masks.

The exact date and time of the visit were not disclosed, but since North Korean state media typically report on Chairman Kim's activities the following day, it is believed to have taken place late at night or around midnight on the 7th.

The agency stated, "The Supreme Leader Comrade visited the Eternal Halls where Comrade Kim Il-sung and Comrade Kim Jong-il remain in their lifelike forms and paid the most reverent respects."

It added, "The participants, following the leadership of the Respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, steeled their iron will to demonstrate to the world the stature of a powerful and dignified socialist Korea where the people's dreams and ideals blossom."

High-ranking officials who attended the tribute included Choe Ryong-hae, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly; Pak Pong-ju, Vice Chairman of the State Affairs Commission; Kim Jae-ryong, Premier of the Cabinet; members of the State Affairs Commission; members and alternate members of the Party Central Committee Political Bureau; and members of the Party Central Military Commission.

Notably, the tribute photos showed Ri Pyong-chol, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Military Commission and a key figure in missile development, standing alongside Choe Ryong-hae, Pak Pong-ju, and Kim Jae-ryong in the front row, highlighting his elevated status.

This tribute occurred as Stephen Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea, began his active engagements following his visit to South Korea. However, there was no mention of inter-Korean relations, North Korea-U.S. relations, or any separate message from Chairman Kim.

Previously, North Korea's First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choe Son-hui and Director General for U.S. Affairs at the Foreign Ministry Kwon Jong-gun repeatedly dismissed the possibility of North Korea-U.S. talks in a series of statements, saying they had "no intention of sitting down face-to-face with the United States."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.