North Korea is promoting loyalty among its officials by highlighting the biography of Hyun Chol-hae, a former top advisor to the Ministry of National Defense who was known as Kim Jong Un’s mentor during his succession period. This propaganda push comes as the regime prepares for its 9th Party Congress, aiming to bolster unity.
On Thursday, the party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported that considerable time has passed since the publication of the lengthy biographical novel “Marshal Hyun Chol-hae (Part 1),” which details the life of a distinguished political and military figure loyal to the party.
The newspaper recounted Hyun’s words, emphasizing that for him, betrayal and defection were equivalent to forsaking the leader’s trust – the epitome of ingratitude. It stressed that loyalty and conviction are not only tested in battle but also in peacetime, as history has shown that traitors to the revolution can emerge even during calm periods.
The article further explained that living with the leader’s trust as one’s lifeline means constantly reflecting on the leader’s benevolence and approaching all aspects of work and life as if reporting directly to the leader. It urged that this voice of loyalty remains a fundamental truth of life for the new generation.
The newspaper added that by maintaining the leader’s trust as one’s lifeline, one becomes a loyalist; conversely, betraying that trust renders one’s life meaningless. It declared this principle a crucial life motto for all individuals in the current era, as they navigate compounding challenges and drive the revolution forward through persistent innovation and progress.
Hyun, who died on May 19, 2022, was a pivotal military figure who held positions including Politburo member, Central Committee member, and Central Military Commission member of the Workers’ Party. He was promoted to army marshal in 2012 and received the title of marshal in 2016.
Hyun served under all three generations of North Korea’s leadership and was reportedly responsible for mentoring Kim during the succession process.