North Korean state media has hailed Kim Jong Un’s “brilliant victories” in 2022 as the end of the year approaches but largely steered clear of the many problems that continue to plague the nation.

In a series of articles published between Dec. 6 and 24, ruling party daily Rodong Sinmun emphasized the military, construction projects, “victory” over COVID-19 and Kim’s love for the people.

At the core of these articles lies a propaganda emphasis on glorifying Kim’s ideological guidance and reinforcing his messaging at all levels — from the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) leadership to North Korea’s