North Korea's "do it yourself" Kim Jong Un idolization campaign | NK News
NK News Logo
September 16, 2026Sep 16, 2026
NK News Logo

Get behind the headlines

Weapon Directory

Evergreen

North Korea’s “do it yourself” Kim Jong Un idolization campaign

How North Korean propagandists were able to quickly unleash a Kim Jong Un veneration campaign
Curtis Melvin May 15, 2013
Copy Icon COPY LINK Mastodon Icon MASTODON
North Korea’s “do it yourself” Kim Jong Un idolization campaign
North Korean State Media

Following the death of Kim Jong Il, efforts to venerate the former leader have been well publicized. New badges jointly depicting the deceased leader and his father, Kim Il Sung, have been issued. New statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il are being erected in provincial capitals as well as prominent locations in Pyongyang. Paintings of Kim Jong Il have been placed next to new paintings Kim Il Sung in public areas such as Kim Il Sung Square, Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, and the Rodong Sinmun headquarters.

New monuments of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il

© Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved.
No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group.

Weapon Directory

Get the Daily Update

Start your day with
the North Korea stories that matter most –

as selected by

daily-brush-stroke

Never miss a beat. Try the new mobile app.

Recent Stories

North Korea’s attack drill, Wonsan Kalma slowdown and Google’s blurry maps
North Korea’s attack drill, Wonsan Kalma slowdown and Google’s blurry maps
Kim Jong Un vows firm support for Russia’s ‘sacred’ Ukraine war before election
Kim Jong Un vows firm support for Russia’s ‘sacred’ Ukraine war before election
Kim Jong Un thanks troops deployed to Russia in founding anniversary ceremony
Kim Jong Un thanks troops deployed to Russia in founding anniversary ceremony

About the Author

Curtis Melvin

Curtis Melvin

Curtis Melvin a researcher at the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins SAIS and contributor to NK News Pro. He is also editor of North Korean Economy Watch,  one of the longest running DPRK blogs, as well as creator and manager of a database of the most extensive Google Earth imagery work on North Korea.

View more articles by Curtis MelvinGot a news tip?Let us know!
© 2026, Korea Risk Group (NK Consulting Inc.). All Rights Reserved