Why Kim Jong Un is paying unprecedented tribute to a late military official



Analysis Why Kim Jong Un is paying unprecedented tribute to a late military official North Korea has honored Hyon Chol Hae in ways usually reserved for Kim family, with leader even kneeling at his grave Fyodor Tertitskiy May 22, 2023 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON North Korean leader Kim Jong Un kneels while laying a flower at the grave of late army marshal Hyon Chol Hae \| Image: KCNA (May 20, 2023) North Korea held a large-scale commemorative event for late military official Hyon Chol Hae on Friday, and for analysts like myself, the spectacle presented in state media was nothing short of astounding. Photos published in the Rodong Sinmun on Saturday showed a grand hall adorned with a portrait of Hyon positioned on the stage — an honor typically reserved exclusively for members of the Kim family. State TV later aired a 39-minute video of the event. North Korea held a large-scale commemorative event for late military official Hyon Chol Hae on Friday, and for analysts like myself, the spectacle presented in state media was nothing short of astounding. Photos published in the Rodong Sinmun on Saturday showed a grand hall adorned with a portrait of Hyon positioned on the stage — an honor typically reserved exclusively for members of the Kim family. State TV later aired a 39-minute video of the event. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

Why Kim Jong Un is paying unprecedented tribute to a late military official

North Korea has honored Hyon Chol Hae in ways usually reserved for Kim family, with leader even kneeling at his grave

Fyodor Tertitskiy May 22, 2023

Why Kim Jong Un is paying unprecedented tribute to a late military official

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un kneels while laying a flower at the grave of late army marshal Hyon Chol Hae | Image: KCNA (May 20, 2023)

North Korea held a large-scale commemorative event for late military official Hyon Chol Hae on Friday, and for analysts like myself, the spectacle presented in state media was nothing short of astounding.

Photos published in the Rodong Sinmun on Saturday showed a grand hall adorned with a portrait of Hyon positioned on the stage — an honor typically reserved exclusively for members of the Kim family. State TV later aired a 39-minute video of the event.

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Why Kim Jong Un is paying unprecedented tribute to a late military official

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Fyodor Tertitskiy

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