Kim Jong Un Meets Veterans at Victory Day Event, Offers Encouragement as “Spiritual Pillars”

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un took commemorative photos with war veterans and individuals recognized for their wartime contributions during celebrations marking the anniversary of the armistice agreement—an event that North Korea claims as "Victory Day"—on July 27. He encouraged them, referring to them as the "spiritual pillar."

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met and encouraged war veterans and war service personnel who participated in the 73rd anniversary celebration of the armistice agreement, commemorated as "Victory Day" on the 28th, according to the Korean Central News Agency on the 29th. On that day, Kim took commemorative photos with the war veterans and war service personnel. Yonhap News Agency

According to the Korean Central News Agency on the 29th, Kim attended the celebration event held in Pyongyang the previous day. He stated, "Celebrating the victorious July 27th each year together with the generation who fought in the war is a meaningful occasion that continuously instills in the hearts of future generations the spirit of self-respect and the invincible truth worth more than millions of treasures, overflowing during the heroic era. It also serves as a strong encouragement for the struggle toward new victories."

He further said, “The victorious generation, who have inscribed our homeland’s heroic status and reputation in history—an honor that must shine for future generations—stand before us today as living embodiments and witnesses of that miraculous victory. This is a tremendous joy and source of inspiration for our party, state, and people.”

Kim Jong Un held hands with the participating war veterans and those honored for their wartime contributions, offering encouragement and taking commemorative photos with them. Kim said, "I sincerely wish that our precious war veterans and wartime contributors, who provide irreplaceable strength and act as a spiritual pillar, may continue to enjoy great health in their later years."

North Korea claims victory in the Korean War and commemorates the armistice anniversary as the “Day of Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War.” Although this year did not mark a major milestone (such as the 5th or 10th year), various large-scale events—including commemorative marches and performances—were held once again. Kim Jong Un attended the official ceremonies with his wife Ri Sol Ju and daughter Kim Ju Ae. It was the first time in 50 days that Kim Ju Ae appeared at an official event.

The Victory Day commemorations continued on the 29th as well. Rodong Sinmun reported that a rally expressing determination took place in front of the Fatherland Liberation War Martyrs Cemetery, attended by Party Secretary Ju Changil, war veterans, members of the youth league, students from Mangyongdae Revolutionary School and Chilgol Revolutionary School, and students from Pyongyang City.

Paek Euncheol, Member of the Central Committee of the Youth League, spoke at the event, claiming, “This is a historic holiday on which we drove out arrogant invaders, defended our nation’s sacred dignity and sovereignty, and secured a noble ideological and spiritual heritage that our new generation must steadfastly carry forward.”

Meanwhile, the “73rd Anniversary Commemorative Performance for the Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War,” which Kim Jong Un attended the previous day with Ri Sol Ju and Kim Ju Ae, was held again in Pyongyang on this day.

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