On February 8, the 78th Army Day, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Ministry of Defense to underscore the military’s crucial role.
The Workers’ Party’s official mouthpiece, Rodong Sinmun, devoted its Monday front pages to Kim’s inspection. Accompanying him was Pak Jong-chon, the second-highest-ranking military official and Vice Chairman of the Party’s Central Military Commission.
In his address, Kim declared that this year marks a transformative period requiring its armed forces to expand their operational scope and engage more boldly. He added that the next five-year plan, as outlined by the 9th Party Congress, will see the military’s indispensable role elevated to unprecedented levels.
The newspaper’s third page prominently featured a group photo of Kim with top brass from the Defense Ministry. It also showcased Kim’s personal engagement with veterans and troops, including his attendance at athletic events and interactions with service members.
Page 4 reported on high-ranking military officials, including No Kwang-chol, Jong Kyong-taek, and Ri Yong-gil, paying respects at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where North Korea’s former leaders are entombed. The paper also noted a cultural performance by the Defense Ministry’s ensemble at the Bonghwa Arts Theater the previous day.
The fifth and sixth pages highlighted progress in regional development initiatives. The report detailed new construction projects in various counties, including Bongsan, Sijung, Sinheung, and Tongchon. It also trumpeted the success of the recently completed Siniju Greenhouse Complex, which has already distributed its first harvest to orphanages and schools.
Page 7 boasted that key industrial sites, such as the Dae-an Heavy Machine Complex, had surpassed their economic targets for the previous month. The paper emphasized growing national unity among officials and workers in anticipation of the upcoming 9th Party Congress.
The eighth page briefly mentioned the opening of the Milano-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics on February 6. It noted that the games, themed around Harmony, would feature athletes from over 90 nations and regions, continuing until February 22.