North Korean leader Kim Jong Un revisited the Combat Merit Memorial Hall construction site after a three-month hiatus. The memorial is being built to honor North Korean troops deployed to Russia.
The regime’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Tuesday that Kim, along with top party and government officials, inspected the memorial’s construction site the previous day.
During the tree-planting ceremony, Kim stated that the noble sacrifices and heroic achievements of the veterans will serve as a strong foundation supporting our motherland’s strength, inspiring patriotism in the hearts of all generations.
Released photos show Kim’s daughter, Ju-ae, participating in the tree-planting event. However, she was not mentioned by name in the newspaper report.
Kim toured various sections of the construction site, assessing the progress. He lauded the memorial as a crystallization of our party and people’s eternal gratitude and respect for the great representatives of the nation’s honor, and a monumental symbol of our era representing the heroism of Korea’s finest sons.
He added that this construction will create another crucial ideological and spiritual stronghold for educating about victory traditions in our capital. The people will commemorate major holidays, including Victory Day, alongside these heroes.
Kim had previously attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the memorial on October 23 last year. In his speech then, he highlighted the close North Korea-Russia relationship, stating that the bonds of combat friendship, nurtured with precious blood, will flow stronger and more steadfast, carrying the noble spirits of great heroes. Earlier in August, during a state commendation ceremony for deployed soldiers, he announced plans to develop a New Star Street in Pyongyang’s Daesong District for their families.
On January 1 this year, Kim’s first public appearance included meeting families of overseas operation unit commanders, signaling his intent to strengthen ties with troops deployed to Russia.