North Korea avoids ‘Day of the Sun' term in state media
April 15 (Asia Today) -- North Korea has avoided using the term "Day of the Sun" in state media coverage marking the birthday of Kim Il Sung, signaling a shift in how the regime frames its leadership symbolism.
Instead of the traditional term, the ruling party newspaper referred to April 15 as an "auspicious April 15" and used phrases such as "April holiday" and "spring holiday," while urging loyalty from officials and citizens.
The change contrasts with messages from pro-North Korean groups abroad, including the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, which praised Kim Jong Un as the "great sun of Juche Korea" in congratulatory letters.
North Korea has long commemorated the birthdays of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il as the "Day of the Sun" and "Day of the Shining Star." However, it has reduced use of those terms since 2024, a trend analysts say reflects an effort to elevate Kim Jong Un's individual authority.
A South Korean government official said the reduced use of the term indicates a weakening of symbolic glorification of past leaders as Pyongyang strengthens the current leader's standing.
"In North Korea, 'sun' symbolizes the supreme leader and has been applied to all three generations," the official said, adding that overseas pro-North groups have continued to refer to Kim Jong Un using the term.
Kim In-tae, a senior researcher at a state-run institute, said the term "sun" traditionally refers to a living leader, making its use for a deceased figure inconsistent.
"This can be seen as a process of transferring the symbolic title to Kim Jong Un," he said.
Some analysts also say North Korea may be limiting use of such terms to project a more normalized state image internationally.
-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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