Despite North Korea’s steadfast adherence
to referring to July 27, the date commemorating the signing of the Korean War
armistice, as “Victory Day,” a growing contingent within the country find their
own feelings about the matter in stark contrast with state propaganda, Daily NK
has learned.
“From June 25th to July 27th the authorities
carried out events for the ‘month of joint anti-U.S. struggles’ in a bid to drum
anti-U.S. sentiments among the population,” a source in South Pyongan Province
reported on July 27th. “However, a growing number of residents feel that
‘Victory Day’ lacks sense and find it hard to swallow.”
Sources in North Pyongan Province, North Hamkyung Province, and South Hamkyung Province all corroborated this news.
As previously reported, more and more North
Koreans are cognizant that the version of the outbreak of the Korean War that
they have been fed runs contrary to history. “Most [North Korean] people know
that contrary to the government’s assertions, 6.25 [Korean War] broke out due to a
preemptive attack from the North instead of the South–an offensive that brought
tragic economic and human losses to both sides; besides, the war isn’t actually even over so
it can’t be seen as a victory,” he explained.
From mid-July, Rodong Sinmun, Korean
Central News Agency, fixed-line cable broadcaster ‘3rd Broadcast,” and KCTV
have reported to North Korean residents on a daily basis about “Victory Day” and its history. Enterprises and
schools nationwide have been pushing related lectures and moral ideological sessions
in conjunction with expeditions to former war sites, meetings between residents
and war veterans, and a slew of other political events.
The ardor for commemorative activities
around the day varies greatly from the Kim Jong Il era, wherein
“Victory Day” was not marked in the overarching, grandiose manner Kim Jong Un has sought
to implement since coming into power. This, according to the source, is a futile
attempt by the young leader to drum up solidarity and loyalty for the regime–futile, he added, because of the growing awareness among residents of fabrication woven into every aspect of the commemorative day.
On the ground, he went on to note, citizens
are complaining about being “worn out from a month-long senseless event” and
sarcastically remarking that because Kim Jong Un has no exploits of his own to
boast, he has resorted to “recycling the tired festivities his grandfather pushed
forward.”
