Kim Jong-un, Kim Jong-il 9th Anniversary Kumsoosan Taeyang Palace Tribute (Comprehensive)

Ministry of Unification "Similar Level and Scale as Previous Years"
Expected to Proceed Quietly Due to COVID-19 and Irregular Anniversary

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, paid tribute at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on the 9th anniversary of Kim Jong-il, Chairman of the National Defense Commission.

The state-run media, Korean Central News Agency, reported on the 17th, "Comrade Kim Jong-un visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on the occasion of the nation's greatest day of remembrance." Flower baskets bearing Kim Jong-un's name, as well as those from the Party Central Committee, the State Affairs Commission, the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, and the Cabinet, were laid at the statues of President Kim Il-sung and Chairman Kim Jong-il.

Choe Ryong-hae, First Vice Chairman of the State Affairs Commission; Ri Pyong-chol, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Military Commission; Kim Tok-hun, Premier of the Cabinet; Pak Pong-ju, Vice Chairman of the State Affairs Commission; along with other party and government officials and senior military personnel, attended together. Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of Chairman Kim who was not seen during the 8th anniversary last year, accompanied this time, showcasing her elevated status.

The agency conveyed, "Respected Supreme Leader Comrade Kim Jong-un, who visited the Eternal Life Hall where Comrade Kim Jong-il remains in his lifetime form, paid the highest reverence with the most solemn heart to the great General who, until the last moment of his revolutionary life, walked the path of fiery love and dedication for the homeland and the people, illuminating the world with a dignified and great party of unyielding victory and a country of united solidarity." He solemnly paid his respects.

It continued, "Party and government officials and responsible workers of the armed forces made a firm pledge to steadfastly uphold and glorify Comrade Kim Jong-il's ideology and achievements, and to fulfill the significant responsibilities entrusted to them in the sacred struggle for new victories in the socialist cause under the leadership of Respected Supreme Leader Comrade Kim Jong-un."

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un paid tribute at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on the 9th anniversary of National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il, the Korean Central News Agency reported on the 17th.

Chairman Kim has visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the bodies of President Kim Il-sung and Chairman Kim Jong-il are enshrined, since the 1st anniversary of Kim Jong-il's death in 2012. In the past, North Korea held central memorial meetings in Pyongyang on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th anniversaries. This year, as it is not a milestone anniversary (multiples of 5 or 10 years) and due to the serious situation of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the event is expected to be held quietly.

There were no separate messages regarding inter-Korean or US relations. North Korea, focusing all efforts on epidemic response and flood recovery, is expected to refrain from external messaging and concentrate on situation management and internal unity until the 8th Party Congress scheduled for January next year. Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, said, "Although there was no separate message, holding a unity event at the end of the year itself reflects an intention to strengthen internal discipline and renew the atmosphere."

Regarding the recent developments related to the 9th anniversary tribute, a Ministry of Unification official said, "About 20 people accompanied Chairman Kim Jong-un, which is similar to last year." He added, "No central reporting meeting was held this non-milestone year, and there were no separate commemorative event reports amid the emergency epidemic prevention situation and the ongoing '80-day campaign.' However, the death anniversary of Kim Jong-il is commemorated as a 'National Memorial Day' (designated by the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly in January 2019), and related reports on Kim Jong-il's lifetime achievements continue."

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