North Korea marks founding with ceremonies
Kim Jong Un praises unity as events highlight regime strength
North Korea conducted official ceremonies marking the nation’s founding, with state media releasing footage showing people and officials at the Mausoleum of King Tangun in Pyongyang. The observances included a central flag-raising and oath-taking meeting at the Mansudae Assembly Hall, presided over by leader Kim Jong Un and attended by senior party and government officials, military leaders, and representatives of workers and farmers. In his speech, Kim praised the country’s “absolute status and security,” reiterated the regime’s commitment to self-reliance and national unity, and asserted that no external force could reverse the nation’s progress.
The state declared the day a national holiday and ordered factories, farms and enterprises to observe a one-day break. Workers were mobilized to guard historical revolutionary sites and propaganda installations across the country as part of the official observance. In Pyongyang and other locales, authorities organized a range of cultural and public events: mass youth gatherings, art performances, exhibitions and outdoor ceremonies took place in central squares and civic spaces. While full-scale military parades are normally reserved for major milestone anniversaries, the leadership staged smaller-scale displays that highlighted discipline, choreography and ritual, maintaining a visible show of state power without mounting a large parade.
State commentary and official reporting framed the commemoration as both a celebration of Korea’s legendary origins and a vehicle for reinforcing the regime’s core narratives. Coverage emphasized themes of sovereignty, ideological continuity and reverence for the founding legacy of Kim Il-Sung, positioning the day as an affirmation of the regime’s historical legitimacy and current political aims. Independent verification of state-released footage is limited; reporting relies on images and accounts provided by the country’s official news agency.
