On February 8, Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of North Korea’s Workers’ Party, visited the Ministry of National Defense to rally troops on the 78th anniversary of the country’s Military Foundation Day.
North Korea’s state-run newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Monday that Kim made a congratulatory visit to the Ministry of National Defense of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on February 8, extending his best wishes to all military personnel. The visit was accompanied by Pak Jong-chon, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission.
During his address, Kim paid tribute to all soldiers, leadership members of the Defense Ministry, and military officials from combined units.
He specifically stated that he extends the warmest encouragement and congratulations to the commanders and troops of the overseas special operations units. These brave individuals are carrying out the nation’s orders at distant battle positions, and he finds himself missing them even more on this significant day.
Kim emphasized that as it marks Military Foundation Day, just ahead of the upcoming 9th Party Congress, it is profoundly reminded of the greatness and invaluable nature of the armed forces.
He further declared that this year marks a grand transformation. Its military’s sphere of influence will expand, requiring even bolder action. The next five years, as outlined by the 9th Party Congress, will see the military’s unique role become even more crucial – a role that no other entity can fulfill.
Following his speech, Kim commemorated the occasion by taking photographs with senior officials and military personnel at the Defense Ministry headquarters. He also observed sports competitions featuring ministry leadership and greeted veterans invited to the event.
In a separate ceremony, military leaders including No Kwang-chul, Jeong Gyeong-taek, and Ri Yong-gil paid their respects at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the bodies of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il are preserved.
North Korea’s Military Foundation Day, observed on February 8, commemorates the 1948 establishment of the Korean People’s Army as a regular military force. From 1978 to 2017, the country celebrated the founding of the People’s Army on April 25, marking the creation of the Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Army in 1932. In 2018, the celebration was moved back to February 8.
This year, North Korea is observing Military Foundation Day with less fanfare, as it’s not a milestone anniversary. This contrasts with last year’s 75th anniversary, which featured a large-scale military parade and the unveiling of the new Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).