North Korea Calls For Unity On 10th Death Anniversary Of Kim Jong-il

North Korea on Friday commemorated the 10th anniversary of former leader Kim Jong-il’s death with calls for greater public loyalty toward his son and current leader Kim Jong-un, who is struggling to navigate the country out of deepening pandemic-related hardships, Hyung-Jin Kim reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Photo Insert: Statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il

In his 10 years at the helm of North Korea since his father’s death, Kim Jong Un, 37, has secured the same absolute power enjoyed by Kim Jong-il and Kim Il-sung, the current leader’s grandfather, and state founder.

Despite massive economic shocks caused by draconian anti-virus measures and long-dormant diplomacy with the United States, North Korea shows no signs of political instability and few outside experts question Kim’s grip on power.

But the long-term stability of Kim Jong-un’s rule could still be questioned if he fails to work out steps to address the ongoing difficulties and improve public livelihoods, some observers say.

At midday Friday, as a siren blared for three minutes, North Koreans fell silent and bowed in respect for Kim Jong-il. Cars, trains, and ships blew their horns, national flags were lowered to half-staff, and masses of people climbed Pyongyang’s Mansu Hill to lay flowers and bow before giant statues of Kim Jong-il and Kim Il-sung.

During an outdoor ceremony, senior North Korean official Choe Ryong Hae called Kim Jong-il “the parent of our people” who built up the potentials for the North’s military and economic might.

Under Kim Jong-un, Choe said North Korea’s “strategic status” has been boosted and urged the public to “faithfully uphold” his leadership. The North’s main Rodong Sinmun newspaper published articles venerating Kim Jong-il and calling for greater unity behind Kim Jong-un.

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