Kim Jong Un opened a new residential district in Pyongyang, announcing it will be given to families of soldiers who died in the Ukraine war, honoring them as "war heroes" and reinforcing his image as a strong caretaker of the military.
Kim Jong Un, North Korea's supreme leader, announced the completion of a new residential area in Pyongyang to be given to families of soldiers who died while operating alongside Russia in the Ukraine war. This is his latest move to honor war heroes and reinforce his image of caring for the military.
North Korean state media released images of the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new apartment project named “Saepyol Street,” showing Kim Jong Un on stage accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju-ae, who has been appearing publicly alongside her father increasingly often recently.
News photos showed Kim visiting the homes of soldiers' bereaved families, handing over housing ownership documents, and praising the young heroes who sacrificed everything for their homeland. Additionally, images showed citizens bowing deeply before the leader as they received the documents amid a celebratory atmosphere with fireworks and balloons released into the sky.
However, none of the images or information can be independently verified, and it is common for North Korean media to report events with delays of several hours or more after they occur.
In recent months, North Korea has intensified its propaganda praising the forces sent to support Russia in the war against Ukraine, which began following Russia’s invasion under President Vladimir Putin’s leadership.
Previously, Pyongyang established memorial walls and built museums to honor soldiers who participated in the fighting. Analysts view these actions as efforts to foster national unity and reduce public dissatisfaction or pressure that might arise from the significant military losses.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service revealed to lawmakers last week that it estimates about 6,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or injured in this war, though it did not provide detailed death tolls. Last year, the agency estimated around 600 deaths.
Reports indicate that in recent months, Kim Jong Un has sent thousands of soldiers and large quantities of military equipment, including artillery and missiles, to support Russia’s war effort, reflecting the close ties between Pyongyang and Moscow amid pressure and confrontations with Washington faced by both countries.
This new housing development opens as North Korea prepares for its ruling party congress later this month, where Kim Jong Un is expected to announce major economic and foreign policy goals for the next five years and continue consolidating his control over the country.
Analysts say honoring fallen soldiers and allocating housing to their families serve as both political symbols and tools to legitimize the leadership during a time when the country faces external pressures and ongoing internal economic challenges.
. . .AP
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