North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un made a special trip to Pyongyang's Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on February 16, 2025, to mark the birthday of his late father, Kim Jong Il. The Day of the Shining Star is North Korea's national holiday. Accompanied by his sister, Kim Yo Jong, and other senior officials, Kim Jong Un made a rare visit to the mausoleum where the embalmed bodies of his father and grandfather, Kim Il Sung, lie. citeturn0news33
A Rare Visit to the Mausoleum
The tour was the fourth in four years that Kim Jong Un visited the Kumsuan Palace of the Sun on this milestone day. While presiding over the ceremony, he announced his binding commitment to the "sacred struggle" of the prosperity, security, and happiness of the state and the people. The gesture relates to the enduring tenacity of the Kim clan within North Korean society and politics. citeturn0news33
Progress in Housing Development
Apart from celebrating his father's birthday, Kim Jong Un also participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the completion phase of an ambitious housing project in Pyongyang. Initiated in 2021, the project seeks to build 50,000 new apartments in the capital by 2025, with a goal of allocating at least 10,000 new apartments every year. Despite being subject to international sanctions and economic adversity, the project has made significant progress. During the ceremony, Kim Jong Un commended construction workers and officials for having almost 400% more progress than they had the previous year and pledged to continue developing the city.
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Implications for North Korea's Future
These efforts highlight Kim Jong Un's efforts to fulfill his father's legacy while forging his own path for North Korea's future. The housing project, in particular, is a demonstration of a strategic focus on economic development and urbanization, attempting to improve the standard of living in Pyongyang and demonstrate the regime's commitment to the welfare of its citizens.
To have a visual sense of the housing project, you can watch the following video:
videoKim visits Ground-Breaking of Pyongyang Housing Projectturn0search11