January 8 was Kim Jong-un's birthday. As in previous years, the North Korean government did not designate the 8th as a national holiday, and state media made no mention of the birthday. However, rallies were held around the 8th to study Kim Jong-un's "greatness" and pledge loyalty, and some enterprises reportedly distributed special rations. This appears to be a move to strengthen his cult of personality around his birthday. Two reporting partners living in the northern region provided the information. (JEON Sung-jun / KANG Ji-won)
Age Still Not Officially Announced: Theories of '82 Birth vs. '85 Birth
Reporting Partner A in Ryanggang Province and Reporting Partner B in North Hamgyong Province shared information about the domestic situation surrounding Kim Jong-un's birthday.
Q: What was the atmosphere like for Kim Jong-un's January 8 birthday?
Reporting Partner A: Nothing special. At the Saturday "lifestyle review sessions" on the 10th, enterprises and organizations held "loyalty pledge meetings." On the 8th, there was "film documentary study" where they showed documentary films of [Kim Jong-un's] revolutionary activities and achievements.
Reporting Partner B: Everyone knows today (the 8th) is his birthday. Some say he was born in '82, others say '85, so no one knows exactly how old he is. There were no official events, but internally they held events emphasizing "Our Marshal's" achievements.
There were instructions not to hold unnecessary events since people's livelihoods come first, but rumors are circulating among North Koreans that things are being kept quiet because Kim Jong-un is reluctant to have his age revealed.
No Special Rations: Some Enterprises Distribute Small Amounts of Bread, Oil, and Snacks
Q: Were there no holiday supplies (special rations)?
A: I heard some enterprises independently distributed materials or food items, but I understand there were no state-level distributions.
B: Some enterprises independently distributed small amounts of bread, snacks, and oil, but other places received nothing at all.
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