North Korea Highlights 'Kim Jong-un's October Activities' and the Reason Behind It

'Emphasis on "Leader Image" Interpreted as an Intent to Elicit Loyalty'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] North Korea's propaganda media focused on Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, and his activities throughout October. The coverage, which summarized everything from his guidance of missile drills at tactical nuclear units to his attendance at the completion ceremony of the Yeonpo Greenhouse Farm, is interpreted as an attempt to highlight Kim's image as a leader.

The Workers' Party organ, Rodong Sinmun, published an article on the front page of its October 31 issue titled "Our Party, Our State, and Our People's Future is Bright as We Reverently Follow the Great Leader," summarizing Kim's activities in October.

The newspaper stated, "The realistic military drills conducted under the leadership of Comrade Kim Jong-un were a demonstration of our state's immense and invincible power that cannot be denied by anything," adding, "This once again proved that no hostile forces' attempts to suppress us will ever succeed on this land, and that no one can stop the advance of Juche Korea."

It further emphasized, "The General Secretary's determination is scientific, and everything will unconditionally and inevitably lead to a brilliant victory. The victory of Korea is an absolute truth, powerfully demonstrated to the whole world."

Earlier, from September 25 to October 9, Kim personally directed large-scale military drills involving tactical nuclear units, long-range artillery units, and air force flight units. North Korean media at the time stressed that these drills were conducted in response to joint exercises by South Korea, the United States, and Japan.

The newspaper also described Kim's attendance at the founding anniversary events of the Mangyongdae Revolutionary Academy and the Kang Ban-seok Revolutionary Academy, as well as his visit to the Central Cadre School of the Workers' Party. After emphasizing Kim's role as a protector of the nation, it highlighted his attention to "people's livelihood." The newspaper stated, "The Yeonpo Greenhouse Farm, whose completion was declared with the General Secretary present on the Mother Party's birthday (October 10), is a gift our Party gave to the people on its 77th anniversary," attributing the construction of the Yeonpo Greenhouse Farm, completed to coincide with the Party's founding day, to Kim's efforts.