North Korea's Silent Anniversary: Is Kim Jong Un Erasing His Own Grandmother?

In North Korea, silence can speak louder than propaganda. State media has made no mention of the birthday of Kim Jong Suk, leader Kim Jong Un's grandmother, on December 24, a stark departure from decades of reverence. This move appears to be a calculated step in Kim's ongoing effort to build his authority independent of his formidable predecessors.

A Break from Tradition

According to a report by Yonhap News Agency, the Rodong Sinmun, the country's most prominent newspaper, has remained silent on the late Kim Jong Suk's birthday. This is unusual, as she has long been a central figure in the nation's mythology. As the first wife of founder Kim Il Sung and mother of former leader Kim Jong Il, she was the only deified woman of the "Paektu bloodline." She was lauded as a "female hero" in the fight against Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule and one of the "three generals of Mount Paektu." Just last year, the paper published an article praising her as the "great mother of revolution."

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A Pattern of De-Mythologizing

This isn't an isolated incident. State media also ignored the anniversary of her death on September 22. It aligns with a broader trend of Kim Jong Un distancing his regime from the cults of personality surrounding his father and grandfather. Since last year, North Korea has reportedly stopped referring to Kim Il Sung's birthday as the "Day of the Sun" and has ceased using its "Juche" calendar, which numbers years from the founder's birth. Analysts see these moves as a concerted effort by Kim Jong Un to cement his status as a stand-alone leader rather than just an heir.