North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended the opening ceremony of a local industrial factory in Sinpo City, accompanied by his wife Ri Sol-ju and daughter Ju Ae.
The Workers’ Party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, dedicated its front pages on December 21 to cover the grand opening ceremony held on December 19 under Kim’s supervision. The published photographs vividly captured Kim cutting the ceremonial ribbon, commending construction workers, and meticulously inspecting various areas of the factory, including close examinations of bread and beverage bottles.
Ju Ae, clad in a black coat, was seen assisting her father and following closely behind him, while Ri maintained a low profile in the media coverage.
The newspaper also reported that on December 20, similar opening ceremonies were held at four locations across the country. Page 3 featured the inauguration of the Paechon County local industrial factory, attended by Prime Minister Pak Thae-song. Local residents, along with their children, were observed exploring the facility while waving balloons and national flags.
Page 4 covered the opening ceremony of a local industrial factory in Koksan County, presided over by Choe Ryong-hae, Chairman of the Standing Committee. The newspaper highlighted scenes of female residents trying on winter jackets and closely examining products manufactured at the factory.
Pages 5 and 6 reported on opening ceremonies in Sepo County and Kimjongsuk County in Gangwon Province. The coverage emphasized the festive atmosphere, with residents dressed in traditional Korean attire enjoying nighttime ceremonies complete with fireworks displays.
Page 7 detailed housewarming events in Songhan-dong and Seonsang-dong in Sinuiju, as well as in Sanbuk-ri, Suan County. The newspaper proclaimed that the season of openings, blessed by the Party, continues endlessly, adding that citizens were expressing their excitement and joy.
Page 8 featured a statement from the director of the Foreign Ministry’s Japan Research Institute, condemning recent discussions within the Japanese government about nuclear armament. The statement criticized a senior official from the Prime Minister’s office for suggesting Japan’s need for nuclear weapons, asserting that attempts by Japan, a nation with a history of war crimes, to acquire nuclear arms must be thoroughly prevented to avoid potential catastrophic consequences for humanity.
