Unification Ministry: "Kim Jong Un's Public Activities in First Half Up 64% Year-on-Year"

A Total of 92 Public Activities in the First Half of This Year

In the first half of this year, the number of public appearances by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un increased significantly by approximately 64% compared to the same period last year. The surge is attributed to a focus on the defense sector and on North Korea–China and North Korea–Russia relations.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended an important weapons test organized by defense science research institutions on June 25, according to Korean Central Television. Yonhap News Agency

An official from the Ministry of Unification told reporters at the government complex in Seoul on July 9, "Kim Jong Un made a total of 92 public appearances in the first half of this year," adding, "This is about a 64% increase compared to 56 appearances during the same period last year."

The official further explained, "By sector, there were 40 military appearances, 22 political, 12 economic, 10 social and cultural, and 8 international activities."

Notably, the number of military-related actions has increased compared to last year. According to sources such as the Korea Institute for National Unification's 'Kim Jong Un Public Activity Report Analysis Database,' there were 25 such appearances from January to June last year. This was followed by 26 in 2024 and 13 in 2023.

Regarding this, the official analyzed, "There were large-scale political events early in the year, such as the 9th Party Congress and the Supreme People's Assembly, and Kim focused on achievements in the defense sector while actively engaging in foreign activities centered on relations with China and Russia."

Meanwhile, on this day, North Korea criticized Japan–South Korea military cooperation through an editorial titled "A Perilous Military Collusion Leading to Self-Destruction," published under the name of Kang Cheolsu, Director of the Anti-Enemy Research Institute. According to Korean Central News Agency, Director Kang stated, "No matter what kind of military alliance Japan and South Korea form, the irreversible balance of power on the Korean Peninsula established by the strongest nuclear state will absolutely, and forever, remain unchanged."

On this, the Ministry of Unification official commented, "It is seen as a low-level response made under the research institute's name rather than the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is similar in context to previous criticisms of trilateral cooperation between South Korea, the United States, and Japan."

The Anti-Enemy Research Institute is believed to be a research agency formerly known as the Institute for National Reunification. It first appeared on November 3, 2024, when it published a white paper harshly criticizing then-President Yoon Suk Yeol.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.