North Korea Observes 'Kwangmyongsong Day' Without Provocations... No Reports of 'Kumsusan Visit' Either

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 16th, the North Korean Rodong Sinmun praised Kim Jong-il on the occasion of the Gwangmyeongseongjeol (the birthday of Kim Jong-il, former Chairman of the National Defense Commission), calling him "the one who laid a solid stepping stone for building a socialist powerhouse," creating a celebratory atmosphere. However, there was no report on the annual 'visit to the Kumsusan Sun Palace,' and aside from congratulatory messages from various countries, there were no reports of large-scale events. There were also no signs of provocations that some had anticipated.

On the same day, Rodong Sinmun published a front-page editorial titled "Let Us Endlessly Illuminate the Achievements Built by the Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong-il in Carrying Out the Juche Socialist Cause," emphasizing that "in the hearts of our people celebrating the nation's greatest joyous holiday, Gwangmyeongseongjeol, a fiery faith and will to further illuminate our style of socialism, the precious revolutionary legacy of the Great General, are burning intensely."

It continued, "Under the leadership of Respected Comrade Kim Jong-un, let us achieve a breakthrough advance in socialist construction and further illuminate the great Sun Korea," adding, "This is the fiery resolution that all our people and People's Army soldiers are making on this meaningful Gwangmyeongseongjeol." This content both fosters a commemorative atmosphere for the late Kim Jong-il and emphasizes loyalty to Kim Jong-un, the General Secretary of the Party.

Additionally, Rodong Sinmun introduced congratulatory messages sent by various countries and organizations on pages 1 and 2 for Gwangmyeongseongjeol, and on page 3, it reported on the awarding of the 'Kim Jong-il Medal' and 'Kim Jong-il Prize' to those who made contributions in their work.

Reports on the visit to the Kumsusan Sun Palace, which had been held annually since General Secretary Kim Jong-un took power in 2012, have not yet appeared.

Some speculated that North Korea might carry out provocations on the occasion of Gwangmyeongseongjeol, but no signs of provocations were observed. The Ministry of Unification also stated in a briefing on the 15th that there were no unusual developments related to Gwangmyeongseongjeol. Earlier, concerns had been raised that North Korea might provoke in response to the upcoming South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, which North Korea had requested to suspend at the 8th Party Congress but are scheduled to proceed next month.

However, experts analyze that North Korea has nothing to gain from provocations. Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies said, "There is no reason for North Korea to provoke at a time when it should be creating an atmosphere of celebration and mourning for Gwangmyeongseongjeol," adding, "They will observe the scale of the upcoming South Korea-U.S. joint exercises and respond accordingly."

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