In his 12th year of rule and at the age of 40, Kim Jong Un’s portrait badge has been revealed for the first time. The badge featuring the supreme leader’s face indicates that Kim’s unique idolization is progressing relatively faster than his predecessors.
North Korea has held the Tenth Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Worker’s Party since June 28. North Korean media revealed on June 29 that all executives were wearing badges featuring Kim’s face on the second day of the meeting. The appearance of the portrait badge is interpreted as a measure that particularly emphasizes differentiation from the predecessors in the idolization process of the supreme leader of North Korea. Despite ruling for over a decade, North Korea has never publicly displayed his portrait badge, a move related to the absence of Kim’s unique ruling ideology distinct from the ruling ideology of his predecessors, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il-ism.
However, visible changes in the level of idolization appeared as Kim entered his tenth year of rule. As the establishment of Kim Jong Un-ism was confirmed internally, it was speculated that efforts were underway to elevate Kim’s status to a leader on par with his predecessors.
Evidence of the unique idolization process was confirmed at the Yeonpo Greenhouse Farm in October 2022. Honoring his local guidance achievements, the first mosaic mural of Kim was revealed. Mosaic murals have been consistently produced in various locations nationwide since then. The first mural was spotted about 18 months later, in May, at the completion ceremony of the Central Party School. Hanging alongside his predecessors in classrooms and on the exterior of buildings, Kim’s portrait was captured for the first time. A month later, Kim’s badge was revealed at this plenary meeting.
The portrait badge of Former General Secretary Kim Il Sung began to be produced in earnest in 1970 to commemorate his 25th year in power. He was 58 years old at the time. The portrait badge of Kim Jong Il was believed to have been produced on his 50th birthday in February 1992.
After becoming the supreme leader at a young age, there are analyses that Kim is admired at the same level as his predecessors due to the complexity of his ascending to the position of supreme leader at a young age.
On the other hand, there are also analyses that as he enters his 12th year in power this year, he has perfectly established a one-man rule system and can achieve idolization at the level of his predecessors.
North Korea is believed to have changed the names of the birthdays of Former General Secretary Kim Il Sung, called Day of the Sun (April 15), and Former General Secretary Kim Jong Il, called Day of the Shining Star (February 16), starting this year. Kim did not pay tribute to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where his father and grandfather’s bodies are enshrined, even once this year.
As a leader with a unique status, Kim is expected to focus on idolizing his new achievements in politics, diplomacy, and an economy based on the declaration of nuclear possession. There are predictions that North Korea will soon officially announce Kim Jong Un-ism and amend the constitution and party regulations to support it institutionally.
In North Korea, everyone must wear a portrait badge on their chest. However, there is a saying that which badge to wear depends on the individual’s choice. An interest in how the portrait badge of Kim will be distributed to the residents is gaining attention.
A statue of Kim may be produced and revealed in the future. In North Korea, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il statues are installed in various places across the country, including the Mansudae Hill in Pyongyang. Residents visit the statue on New Year’s Day and major anniversaries to pay their respects and offer flowers.