The Rodong Sinmun, North Korea’s state-run newspaper, reported on Thursday that Kim Jong Un, Supreme Leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, observed an artillery competition conducted by the western district combined units of the Korean People’s Army on Wednesday. The event commemorated the birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung, revered as the Day of the Sun.
According to the report, Kim was greeted at the site by key military figures, including Defense Minister No Kwang-chol, Chief of the General Staff Ri Yong-gil, and other high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Defense, alongside commanders from the western district combined units.
Kim emphasized the critical role of artillery in determining the outcome of military operations, battles, and wars. He stressed the importance of modernizing artillery forces within the framework of the new five-year defense development plan. The Supreme Leader also underscored the need for frequent training competitions, stating that the People’s Army must focus solely on combat readiness through rigorous training.
The newspaper’s second page covered the Day of the Sun celebrations, reporting that citizens from various sectors laid floral tributes at statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il across the country, including at Mansudae Hill and Kumsusan Palace of the Sun.
The Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan issued a letter of gratitude to Kim for educational aid funds. The organization reported receiving 316.36 million JPY (approximately 1.98 million USD) in educational assistance and scholarships, bringing the total to 50.35 billion JPY (about 315 million USD) over 172 instances to date, coinciding with the 114th birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung.
Page 3 highlighted a grand performance by the Mansudae Art Troupe at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre, celebrating Kim Il Sung’s 114th birth anniversary. Premier Pak Thae-song and other high-ranking party and government officials attended the event, which featured patriotic songs such as “Long Live Kim Il Sung” and “The Leader’s Homeland.”
In sports news, North Korea secured a spot in the finals of the 2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-20 Women’s Asian Cup after defeating South Korea 3-0 in the semifinals. Park Il Sim opened the scoring in the 24th minute, followed by Kang Ryu Mi in the 34th minute, with Choi Yeon Ah sealing the victory in the 84th minute. The final match against Japan is scheduled for April 18.
The fourth page detailed nationwide celebrations of Kim Il Sung’s 114th birthday, including tributes at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, various performances, and Young Pioneer induction ceremonies. The report also mentioned a dance party organized by the women’s union at the Pyongyang Sports and Tourism Complex.
An article on page 5 commemorated the 65th anniversary of the Chollima statue, recounting how Kim Il Sung proposed erecting a monument symbolizing the Chollima era at Mansudae Hill in 1959. The statue was unveiled on April 15, 1961.
The final page reported on Israel’s escalating military actions against Lebanon, claiming that recent airstrikes resulted in 35 fatalities and 152 injuries. The newspaper noted that Hezbollah retaliated with missile strikes. Additionally, the article highlighted deteriorating Sino-Japanese relations following the formation of Japan’s new cabinet, citing a breach at the Chinese embassy and China’s sanctions against Japanese lawmakers.