North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paid his respects at the grave of Hyun Chol Hae, a former mentor and influential military figure, on the third anniversary of Hyun’s death, according to a Monday report by the state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun.
The visit occurred at the Sinmiri Patriotic Martyrs’ Cemetery, where Hyun is buried. Images released by North Korean media show Kim kneeling before Hyun’s gravestone and solemnly placing a red rose.
Kim Jong Un recalled Hyun’s close association with his father, the late leader Kim Jong Il, saying, “The image of Comrade Hyun Chol-hae, who was always by the Great General’s side, is still vivid in my mind. He was the General’s shadow.”
He went on to describe Hyun as a principled, skilled, and capable military-political figure, calling him “a sincere and humble man who lived with integrity and conviction” and “a true revolutionary whose legacy will eternally inspire our sacred struggle and remind us of the era of the General.”
Kim expressed hope that Hyun’s “noble soul and outstanding accomplishments will forever shine with the highest honor and dignity,” and paid tribute to all patriots buried at the cemetery for their sacrifices toward the eternal prosperity and future of the homeland.”
Hyun Chol Hae was an influential figure during Kim Jong Il’s rule. Through his post in the General Political Bureau, which oversaw military personnel and ideological affairs, he played a central role in the military leadership. He is also known to have played a key role in preparing Kim Jong Un for succession, acting as a mentor during the transitional period.
Rodong Sinmun described Hyun as “a revolutionary comrade devoted to the glorious cause of completing the Juche revolution” and “a true son of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, a steadfast revolutionary, and a model patriot.”
This marks the third consecutive year that Kim Jong Un has personally visited Hyun’s grave, having done so in 2023 and 2024.