North Korea Highlights Chinese Volunteers in 'Victory Day' 73rd Anniversary Event... Unification Ministry: "Emphasis on North Korea-China Friendship" (Comprehensive)

Kim’s Daughter Ju-ae Appears in Public for the First Time in 50 Days

North Korea held large-scale events to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the signing of the Korean War Armistice Agreement, which the regime observes as the “Victory Day of the Fatherland Liberation War.” Notably, the commemorative performance featured video footage highlighting the participation of Chinese People's Volunteers, drawing attention. The Ministry of Unification stated, “Compared to the past, it appears North Korea is placing greater emphasis on North Korea-China friendship.”

Yonhap News Agency

An official from the Ministry of Unification told reporters at the Seoul Government Complex on the 28th, “Since the North Korea-China summit last June, the relationship between the two countries has developed into a strategic partnership, underscoring the historical significance and importance of bilateral ties.” The official further evaluated this year’s anniversary by noting, “Although it is not a milestone year, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paid respects at the Chinese People's Volunteers Cemetery on the 26th, highlighting a stronger emphasis on North Korea-China friendship than before.”

According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim Jong Un attended the “73rd Anniversary Performance Celebrating the Victory of the Fatherland Liberation War” the previous day, accompanied by his wife Ri Sol Ju and his daughter Ju Ae. Workers’ Party officials, government and military commanders, war veterans, and wartime contributors were also in attendance. Chinese and Russian diplomats based in North Korea were invited as well. The performance included video montages of the Chinese People's Volunteers’ participation and Chinese songs, including the “Song of the Chinese People’s Volunteers.”

The state media reported that, despite the hardships of its early founding period, the Chinese People's Volunteers shed blood to aid the Korean people’s just war of resistance under the banner of resisting America and aiding Korea, making significant contributions to the victory in the war as well as to safeguarding world peace and security. Media outlets further emphasized that the North Korea-China friendship, based on shared ideology and militant camaraderie, will remain immortal along with the great history of victory.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was seen shedding tears while watching the 73rd anniversary performance celebrating the Victory of the Fatherland Liberation War held in Pyongyang on the 27th, as broadcast by Korean Central Television. Photo by Yonhap News.

Amid a recent trend of high-level exchanges between Pyongyang and Beijing, the emphasis on bilateral friendship appears intentional. Park Wongon, professor in the North Korean Studies Department at Ewha Womans University, said, “When North Korea-China ties were strained, Kim Jong Un did not attend commemorative events or visit the Cemetery of Martyrs of the Chinese People’s Volunteers. This year’s actions must be viewed entirely within the context of North Korea-China relations.” He added, “Of particular note, Kim Jong Un knelt down at the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery on Daesongsan this time, which can be interpreted as a show of determination to fully restore ties with China.”

It is also noteworthy that Kim Jong Un’s daughter Ju Ae made an official appearance for the first time in about 50 days. Professor Park assessed, “Bringing Ju Ae to the event is part of the succession plan, and suggests she will participate in major international events in the future as well.” He continued, “By presenting Ju Ae as the heir apparent in front of China, North Korea symbolically demonstrates that bilateral relations will continue even after a fourth-generation succession.”

Meanwhile, according to the Korean Central News Agency, a commemorative parade for the “symbolic units of the Fatherland Liberation War period” took place at the plaza in front of Pyongyang Gymnasium with Kim Jong Un in attendance. Participants in the parade wore military uniforms and carried rifles reminiscent of those used during the Korean War. The media outlet introduced not only symbolic units recreating the units from the war, but also current North Korean Army, Navy, and Air Force units. This was intended to highlight the continuity between the generation that fought in the Korean War and the current generation.

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