North Korean Media Uses Term ‘Gwangmyeongseong Day’
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun to pay tribute on February 16, marking the first time in four years on the occasion of ‘Gwangmyeongseong Day’ (Kim Jong-il’s birthday, February 16).
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on February 17, Kim Jong-un visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, laid flowers at the statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, and paid his respects. He expressed his commitment to always being loyal to the revolutionary ideas and work of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il and to dedicate himself to the sacred struggle for the endless prosperity of the homeland and the well-being of the people.
The visit was accompanied by Park Jeong-cheon, Ri Hi-yong, the party secretary, No Kwang-chol, the defense minister, Kim Jae-ryong, party department director, and Kim Yo-jong, deputy department director.
Photos featuring Kim Jong-un and these six individuals standing before the statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il were published in North Korean media.
The public disclosure of Kim Jong-un’s visit to the Kumsusan Palace for Kim Jong-il’s birthday marks the first time since his last visit in 2021.
‘Gwangmyeongseong Day,’ Kim Jong-il’s birthday, is considered one of the most significant holidays in North Korea alongside Kim Il-sung’s birthday.
This year, the use of the term ‘Gwangmyeongseong Day’ was frequently replaced by ‘2·16’ in North Korea, reducing its frequency. However, North Korean media, including the KCNA, opted to use the term ‘Gwangmyeongseong Day’ on this occasion.