North Korea celebrated its most important national day on Friday with a mass event to mark the 110th anniversary of the birth of its founding leader, Kim Il Sung, who died in 1994. There was no display of military might at the celebrations.
State television showed images of thousands of people dancing in Pyongyang’s central square the men wore white shirts, black pants and ties, the women the country’s traditional colorful attire. Everyone wore protective masks against the corona virus.
A grand fireworks display ended the holiday known as the “Day of the Sun.” It was unclear whether Kim Jong Un, the current Supreme Leader and Kim Il Sung’s grandson, was present.
2 of 3 people dance at the birthday celebration of North Korea’s founder Kim Il Sung at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on April 15, 2022 — Photo: Kyodo News via AP
People dance at the celebration of North Korea’s founder Kim Il Sung’s birthday at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on April 15, 2022 — Photo: Kyodo News via AP
The bodies of Kim Il Sung and his son Kim Jong Il, who died in 2011, are being embalmed in a mausoleum in Pyongyang as part of the dynasty’s personality cult. Kim Il Sung’s birthdays are regularly celebrated.
On Friday, Pyongyang residents bowed and laid bouquets near the bronze statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
South Korean observers had predicted the celebrations would be marked by more missile tests or a nuclear test to demonstrate the country’s military might. However, there was no sign of weapons testing or a large military parade.
It is now speculated that Pyongyang’s most important military parade this year will be held on April 25, the anniversary of the founding of the North Korean army.
“Since the two birthdays are only 10 days apart, holding a parade on both occasions seems a bit difficult,” said Yang Moojin, a professor at Seoul University of North Korean Studies.
3 in 3 citizens attend a festival of lights celebrating North Korea’s founder Kim Il Sung’s 110th birthday on April 15, 2022 — Photo: AP Photo/Cha Song Ho
Citizens attend a festival of lights to celebrate North Korea’s founder Kim Il Sung’s 110th birthday on April 15, 2022.
On previous anniversaries, Pyongyang broadcast images of military parades on state television many hours after the events and did not publicize them in official newspapers in advance.
In late March, North Korea tested what is believed to be the largest test of an ICBM and the first with such a powerful weapon since 2017, the governments of Japan and the United States said. The test defies UN resolutions banning such weapons. The country is under severe sanctions for its nuclear weapons program.
The launch in late March was at least the 11th missile test North Korea has conducted this year an unprecedented frequency and marks the end of a selfimposed moratorium on longrange and nuclear tests.