Thousands of North Koreans dance ‘with honour and pride’ in tribute to Kim Jong-il
The day marked 25 years since the current Kim’s father was elected chairman of the National Defence Commission
Thousands of North Koreans gathered in locations across Pyongyang Monday to dance in celebration of late leader Kim Jong-il.
Men in suits and women in the traditional high-waisted, formless dresses known as hanbok in the South and joseon-ot in the North assembled in formation, squatting patiently until a master of ceremonies gave the command for the party to begin.
Moving smoothly into groups of three concentric circles, they gyrated and kicked in time, clapping in unison to tunes lauding Kim, who died in 2011, including The General Star Beyond the Clouds and We will hold Our General in High Esteem.
Other numbers included the jaunty We have Nothing to Envy in the World, and songs in praise of Kim’s son and successor Kim Jong-un, the third member of the dynasty to rule the nuclear-armed one-party state.
The North Korean calendar is peppered with anniversaries relating to the nation’s history, to Kim’s father, and to his grandfather Kim Il-sung, the country’s founder.
The late leaders’ dates of birth are known as the Day of the Sun for Kim Il-sung – April 15 – and the Day of the Shining Star on February 16 for Kim Jong-il.