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With only two days remaining until Kim Jong Il’s (February 16) birthday, the former Chairman of North Korea’s National Defense Commission, North Korea has notably avoided referring to the occasion as “Kwangmyongsong Day,” a term traditionally used to mark his birthday.
As of Thursday, Rodong Sinmun, the Workers’ Party’s official newspaper, reported on various events related to Kim Jong Il’s birthday without once using the term Kwangmyongsong Day.
North Korea typically celebrates Kwangmyongsong Day, one of its most significant holidays nationwide, starting in early February. This year, various commemorative events are being held as usual. However, most state media outlets have replaced Kwangmyongsong Day with alternative expressions such as “February 16 Celebration” or “February Holiday.”
In its Thursday report, Rodong Sinmun published an article titled “The Streets of the Capital Overflow with the Fragrance of Flowers on This February Holiday.” The article described how Pyongyang’s capital was beautified to mark “the greatest and most glorious national holiday—the birthday of the great General.”
Similarly, in its Tuesday edition, the newspaper reported the start of a “February 16 Celebration Film Screening Week.” In previous years, this event had been officially promoted as the “Kwangmyongsong Day Celebration Film Screening Week.”
This shift in terminology is widely interpreted as part of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s efforts to consolidate his own cult of personality. Last year, reports emerged that North Korea had minimized using “Day of the Sun” (April 15), the official term for Kim Il Sung’s birthday, and even considered renaming it.
Additionally, North Korea introduced a badge featuring Kim Jong Un’s portrait for the first time and appeared to be phasing out various idolization practices linked to his predecessors. This included the reported abolition of the Juche calendar system, established during Kim Il Sung’s rule.
South Korea’s Ministry of Unification has stated that it is closely monitoring North Korea’s avoidance of the term Kwangmyongsong Day and that further observation is needed. The ministry suggested a more precise assessment will be possible based on the content of North Korea’s official reports on February 16.