What's happened
North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has been praised as the 'friendly father' in a new propaganda song and celebrated at a ceremony for a new housing project in Pyongyang. The song, performed live at the event, highlights Kim's leadership and the completion of a 10,000-home development project in the capital.
Why it matters
The event is significant as it showcases the ongoing cult of personality around Kim Jong-un and the efforts to strengthen his grip on power. The propaganda song and ceremony serve to reinforce his image as a beloved leader among the North Korean population.
What the papers say
The Independent and SBS both report on the new song praising Kim Jong-un as the 'friendly father' and the ceremony in Pyongyang. The Independent emphasizes the cult of personality around the Kim family dynasty, while SBS highlights the song's declaration of unity and belief in Kim's leadership by the North Korean people. Sky News provides details of the ceremony, including Kim's arrival in an armoured limousine gifted by Russian President Putin and the enthusiastic reception from the crowd.
How we got here
The Kim family dynasty has ruled North Korea since its founding, cultivating a cult of personality around its leaders. The new song and ceremony are part of ongoing efforts to maintain this image of Kim Jong-un as a benevolent and revered figure in the country.
More on these topics
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North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
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Kim Jong-un is a North Korean politician who has been the supreme leader of North Korea since 2011 and chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea since 2012.