Kim Jong Un's Personality Cult on the Rise: New Lapel Pins Spark Change

North Korean officials have started wearing lapel pins of Kim Jong Un, indicating a push to elevate his cult of personality similar to his predecessors. This move aims to establish Kim's distinct leadership while facing internal challenges. Experts believe this change is also linked to grooming his daughter as a potential successor.

For the first time, North Korean officials have been observed wearing lapel pins adorned with the image of leader Kim Jong Un. This is another indication that North Korea is elevating his personality cult to the level previously reserved for his late father and grandfather.

North Koreans are traditionally required to wear pins over their hearts bearing images of the country's founder, Kim Il Sung, or his son Kim Jong Il, or both. The existence of pins dedicated to Kim Jong Un had not been confirmed until state media released photos on Sunday showing officials wearing his pins at a meeting of the ruling Workers' Party.

The pins are part of a broader state-sponsored mythologization of the Kim family, which treats Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il as almost divine figures. Their birthdays are celebrated as major holidays, and their portraits are ubiquitous in homes and offices throughout the country.

While Kim Jong Un's grip on power remains unchallenged, there have been few public displays honoring him since he ascended to power in late 2011. Recently, however, he has taken steps to build his own personality cult, further distinguishing himself from his predecessors.

In May, his portrait was publicly displayed alongside those of the other Kims for the first time at a Workers' Party training school. In January, Kim announced a departure from his father's and grandfather's longtime policy of peaceful reunification with South Korea. Observers also note North Korea is now avoiding terms such as "the Day of Sun," a reference to Kim Il Sung's birthday on April 15.

"The recent efforts to idolize Kim Jong Un are viewed as attempts to distinguish his leadership from that of his predecessors while solidifying his own authority," said Kim Inae, a deputy spokesperson for South Korea's Unification Ministry.

She added that Kim likely aims to bolster internal support as he contends with economic difficulties and the growing influence of South Korean pop culture.

According to Ahn Kyung-su, head of dprkhealth.org, Kim Jong Un is attempting to phase out symbols associated with his forebears to promote his own era. However, as a third-generation leader, he faces the challenge of not undermining the legitimacy of the dynastic rule.

"Kim Jong Un is in a dilemma. He wants to distance himself from his father's and grandfather's legacies but faces constraints," Ahn observed. He noted the current expectation for North Koreans to wear Kim Jong Un pins.

Some experts believe these moves are linked to Kim's reported efforts to groom his preteen daughter as a potential heir. South Korea's spy agency speculated in January that his daughter, reportedly named Ju Ae and around 11 years old, is the likely chosen successor. However, analysts caution it is premature to definitively identify her as Kim's heir due to her young age and North Korea's male-dominated hierarchy.

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