N. Korea creating personality cult around next leader Kim Jong-un

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Thu, November 30, 2023 | 16:30

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N. Korea creating personality cult around next leader Kim Jong-un

Posted : 2010-10-20 19:00

Updated : 2010-10-20 19:00

By Kim Se-jeong

The Open Radio for North Korea, a Seoul-based broadcaster, reported Tuesday that the Joseon Revolutionary Museum in Pyongyang opened up a brand new permanent exhibition on Kim Jong-un, Kim Jong-il’s third son, in a move to build up a personality cult as a leader.

Quoting an anonymous source from North Korea, the radio said the “Kim Jong-un Room” filled with photos of him in uniform and other items was opened in July, and top party and military officials visited there.

“It will probably open to the public next year around his birthday which is Jan. 8,” the source was quoted as saying.

During a rare Workers’ Party meeting on Sept. 28, Kim Jong-un was given senior military and the party posts, paving his way to become the reclusive country’s leader, succeeding his father.

The personality cult, a common and old propaganda tool in North Korea, comes in various forms.

Photos of Kim Il-sung, the founder of North Korea, and Kim Jong-il, are hung in every household there.

The “Dear Leader” is also a subject of art ― songs, movies and paintings. Some theatrical and dance performances, one of Kim’s evening routines, are known to also be of the same subject matter.

The Voice of America earlier this month reported that immediately after the party meeting last month, 10 million copies of Kim Jong-un’s portrait were sent to print for public distribution.

One European diplomat based in Seoul said in July when he was in Pyongyang, he heard the foreign ministry officials talk about Kim Jong-un badges that were newly given out.

skim@koreatimes.co.kr