Kim Jong-un Visits Military Living Quarters with His Daughter on the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the Korean People’s Army

Kim Jong-un, leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), attended a banquet celebrating the 75thanniversary of the foundation of the Korean People’s Army (Feb. 8), along with his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, on February 7, according to the coverage by the Korean Central News Agency on February 8. Yonhap News

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, visited the lodging quarters of military commanders and attended a banquet commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) on the eve of the anniversary.

On February 8, the Korean Central News Agency reported, “Chairman Kim Jong-un made a visit to the living quarters of the KPA commanders on February 7 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army, which would be engraved in gold letters in the history of a powerful and self-reliant (juche) Korea.”

Chairman Kim was accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju-ae. The North Korean state media stated, “When Kim Jong-un arrived at the living quarters along with his honorable child, the commanders in the Ministry of Defence and the corps and division commanders of the KPA greeted them with the warmest respect and affection.”

This was the third time that a picture of Kim Ju-ae attending a formal event was released since she appeared at the launch site of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwaseong-17, last November and took a picture with experts who contributed to the missile launch. On January 1, the Korean Central TV showed Kim Ju-ae observing the inside of a missile base along with her father.

In a banquet after the visit to the military living quarters, Chairman Kim praised, “I find myself bowing my head whenever I see our armed forces struggling like an undying spirit with the power of determination, overcoming all mental and physical limitations in every aspect in the protection of our national sovereignty, the defense of our people, and the grand creation.” First lady Ri Sol-ju also attended the banquet along with her daughter.

Kim Jong-un mentioned how he sought the KPA first whenever the country faced a challenging situation, how he had entrusted the military with the task of a bigger struggle, and how the North Korean military, just like himself, knew no hesitation when it came to the call of the party. He said, “As the supreme commander of such an excellent military, I have the greatest honor, and I find myself immersed in infinite pleasure when I resolve to share the fate of our military.”

The leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) continued and said, “Our armed forces have fulfilled the call of the times and history as the strongest military in the world,” and argued, “For eternal peace, for true prosperity and development, and for all descendants in this land, we have endured much pain and suffering, and at last have achieved great and absolute power.”

The Korean Central News Agency reported on February 8 that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (front row right) attended a banquet celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army along with his daughter, Kim Ju-ae (center), and first lady Ri Sol-ju (left) on February 7. Yonhap News

Chairman Kim claimed that the image of the DPRK “growing tougher in the turbulence and growing stronger amidst trials” was reflected in the image of its armed forces and said, “There are hundreds of countries on Earth and more than a few armies that boast of a long history and tradition, but the Korean People’s Army is the only military that shares its fate with the party, the nation and the people throughout its entire operation, contributes to that authority and greatness, and guarantees that high honor and bright future.”

The North Korean leader made an effort to strengthen internal solidarity by praising his armed forces on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army. Kim, accompanied by his daughter, stressed continuous loyalty crying power for the future generation. North Korea is expected to hold a massive military parade in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of its armed forces in Pyongyang on Wednesday.