North Korea celebrates founder as US prepares for potential provocations

Kim Il-sung, the late grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-un, was born on April 15, 1912; North Korea is celebrating his birth anniversary

Analysts, officials thought state might hold military parade to mark event but no indication yet that any has taken place

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North Koreans at the ‘Light Festival’, held to celebrate the 110th birth anniversary of their late leader Kim Il Sung, in Pyongyang. Photo: AFP

Published: 5:19pm, 15 Apr 2022Updated: 7:03pm, 15 Apr 2022

North Korea celebrated the 110th birthday on Friday of its deceased state founder, while a US aircraft carrier group was in waters east of the Korean peninsula poised for provocations that could include Pyongyang’s first nuclear test since 2017.

Dance celebrations, music and fireworks were planned for Friday night in the capital as part of the festivities for the Day of the Sun holiday to mark the birthday of Kim Il-sung, the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-un, state media reported.

On Friday, Pyongyang residents gathered near bronze statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il to bow and lay bouquets of flowers before them. Big celebratory posters calling Kim Il-sung “the parent of the nation” and his birthday “the Day of Sun” were set up along neatly manicured streets.

People lay flowers near statues of late North Korean leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il as part of celebrations on Friday marking the 110th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il-sung. Photo: AFP

There has been a steady drumbeat of celebratory coverage in state media leading up to the day, including commemorative stamps, light festivals and dance parties.

“I came to see the lighting festival with my daughter. Looking at it today, it’s really cool. The most impressive thing in particular is this one that says ‘self-reliance’,” Ri Bom Chol, a 40-year-old doctor, told an AFP reporter in Pyongyang.

Citizens visit a light festival in Pyongyang on Thursday. Photo: AP

Seoul-based specialist site NK News said its sources in the North heard helicopters and jets flying low over Pyongyang very early Friday, hinting at a military parade. But an analysis of satellite imagery later on Friday suggested no parade had taken place, the site added.

In recent years, North Korea has held military parades at night and then edited footage to air hours later on state television.

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