On Thursday, the reported birthday of Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s Workers’ Party General Secretary, state media outlets remained silent on the matter.
The Rodong Sinmun, the party’s official newspaper, featured a front-page editorial titled, Let’s welcome the party congress with pride, bearing the achievements of dedicated service to the people. This piece called for unity among party officials ahead of the 9th Party Congress. Meanwhile, the Korean Central News Agency, geared towards international audiences, only reported on economic activities from the Cabinet and economic leadership bodies.
Kim’s birthday first came to light in 2014 during former National Basket Association (NBA) star Dennis Rodman’s visit to North Korea. On January 8, 2014, the Korean Central News Agency reported that Rodman had participated in a friendly basketball match, quoting him as saying that he came to North Korea to celebrate the Supreme Leader’s birthday.
Intelligence agencies have also concluded that Kim’s birthday is January 8, based on various intelligence reports. However, North Korea has yet to officially confirm this date.
Analysts note that the lack of special events commemorating Kim’s birthday stands in contrast to how his predecessors were honored.
Kim Il Sung’s birthday, April 15, was declared a public holiday in 1962 when he turned 50. It was later renamed the Day of the Sun in 1997, three years after his death. Similarly, Kim Jong Il’s birthday, February 16, was designated as the greatest national holiday in 1995 when he turned 54. Following his death, it was renamed the Day of the Shining Star.
A spokesperson for the South Korean Unification Ministry informed reporters that no new developments regarding Kim’s birthday have been observed.