North Koreans, in eye of storm, fete leader’s birthday
-
Share on Facebook
-
Share on Bluesky
-
Share on X
- Copy Link
PYONGYANG, Korea, Democratic People’s Republic Of — Unaware of reports his eldest son — and current leader Kim Jong Un’s half brother — was killed just days ago in what appears to have been a carefully planned assassination, North Koreans marked the birthday of late leader Kim Jong Il on Thursday as they do every year, with dancing, special treats for children and reverential bows and bouquets of flowers before bronze statues.
There has been no mention of half brother Kim Jong Nam’s killing at the Kuala Lumpur airport in the North’s official media.
In fact, Kim Jong Nam, who is believed to have lived most of the past decade in a kind of exile away from the North, may as well have never existed as far as most North Koreans are concerned. Few have access to outside media sources and reports here are generally limited to the ruling line of Kims.
Other members of the family tree — especially problematic ones like Kim Jong Nam, who once suggested the North should do away with its hereditary succession — are rarely if ever mentioned.
