[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] North Korea's Taeyangjeol is a Festival for Now... What Comes Next

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] On the 15th, North Korea plans to hold a large-scale evening party, grand performance, and fireworks at Kim Il-sung Square to celebrate the 110th anniversary of Kim Il-sung’s birthday (Day of the Sun), which is considered the ‘biggest holiday.’ This indicates an intention to continue a large-scale festival instead of a military parade.

On that day, an intelligence official said, “North Korea is focusing on internal unity by continuing the celebration rather than conducting military provocations on the Day of the Sun,” adding, “A military parade is expected to be held on the 25th to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army.”

Korean Central Broadcasting reported, “At 7 p.m. on the 15th, a youth and student evening party celebrating the Day of the Sun will be held at Kim Il-sung Square in the capital Pyongyang, followed by the grand performance ‘Song of the Eternal Sun’ commemorating the 110th birthday of the great leader Comrade Kim Il-sung.”

This year marks the exact anniversary of Kim Il-sung’s birthday, and since North Korea is putting all its efforts into internal unity among its people, there is speculation that Chairman Kim Jong-un may personally attend the grand performance.

Military and intelligence authorities believe there will be no military parade to commemorate Kim Il-sung’s birthday. A parade is expected to be held on the 25th to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army. However, government sources said a large-scale mass march is anticipated on the evening of the 15th.

Evening parties will be held in Pyongyang and other provinces, followed by fireworks starting at 8 p.m. North Korea has been creating a celebratory atmosphere since the day before the 110th anniversary of Kim Il-sung’s birthday by holding a lighting festival and celebratory ball, as well as issuing commemorative stamps. The State Stamp Issuing Bureau also released commemorative stamps for the 110th anniversary of Kim Il-sung’s birthday (one each of individual, small sheet, and souvenir sheet).

On the surface, the focus is on highlighting the 110th anniversary of Kim Il-sung’s birthday, but in reality, greater significance is being placed on the 10th anniversary of Kim Jong-un’s official leadership. This is meant to elevate Kim Jong-un to the same stature as Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. The fact that North Korea has unveiled large-scale construction projects and military promotions timed to coincide with Kim Jong-un’s 10th year in power is interpreted in the same context. Although Kim Jong-un is considered to have effectively taken power when he was appointed Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army on December 30, 2011, following the death of his father Kim Jong-il earlier that month, his official leadership is regarded as beginning from April 11, 2012, when he was appointed First Secretary of the Workers’ Party, and April 13, when he was appointed First Chairman of the National Defense Commission.

However, after the Day of the Sun, the timing is seen as appropriate for additional military demonstrations, as North Korea has already broken the moratorium on intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches. Signs of impending provocations are increasingly being detected. North Korea is restoring tunnels at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in North Hamgyong Province and has also demolished South Korean buildings in the Mount Kumgang tourist area, intensifying pressure on the U.S. and South Korea.

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