Even though the North Korean authorities did not organize any big public events to commemorate the birthday of Kim Jong Eun, several smaller events for the burnishing of the successor’s image as a leader went ahead.
A source from a South Korean intelligence agency explained this morning, “According to a Central Committee decree, song and poetry contests were held across the entire spectrum of enterprises and Party organs,” and added, “Lectures on Kim Jong Eun’s fabricated qualifications and character as well as his achievements were also carried out in an attempt to raise the people’s loyalty to him.”
“The reason why the authorities did not host any festive public events was because they have no gifts for the people,” the source went on to suggest. “For a lack of the ingredients for the food or alcohol that would be needed for a festive atmosphere, they just had the Party and military organize loyalty gatherings.
However, at 8:25PM, Chosun Central TV did air a special, one-hour documentary called “Having the Great General”, which contained images of letters expressing loyalty to the successor.
Meanwhile, while the authorities did not provide the people with any special provisions, widespread efforts to curry favor with the successor through the medium of expensive birthday gifts continued unhindered, according to the source.
Trading organs earning foreign currency were apparently involved in the preparation of gifts such as expensive athletic equipment, liquor, pictures and so on for Kim Jong Eun, with competition to offer gifts getting quite fierce.
The source said, “They also tried to show that Kim Jong Eun was receiving congratulations from foreign countries by pushing overseas pro-North Korean organizations or figures to send congratulatory telegrams, too.”
A Daily NK source reported after attending a commemorative lecture for the birthday on Friday, “They proclaimed that on January 1st there were two huge rainbows around the sun in the sky east of Jongil Peak on Mt. Baekdu.” Using claims of implausible natural phenomena is a common North Korean idolization tactic.
The Daily NK source added, “This year, there was no distribution on January 1st or on Kim Jong Eun’s birthday. From the first day of the New Year we have just been suckling on our fingers.”
