Kim Jong Il's Birthday

On February 16th 2022, hundreds gathered outside near the border to China at the food of Mount Paektu for a rare outdoor ceremony celebrating the 80th birthday of the late Kim Jong Il, one of the most important holidays in North Korea along with the birthday of Kim Il Sung, despite pandemic-related hardships. A music concert, fireworks, and great cheers were displayed in Kim Jong Un’s hopes of celebrating his late father's birthday and fostering greater internal unity amongst North Korean society. In relation, similar but smaller birthday celebrations were held across the country. Additionally, North Korean citizens laid bouquets of flowers at the statues of their late leaders, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang in preparation for the grand ceremony.

Julia H.