Christmas and New Year’s in North Korea



Evergreen Christmas and New Year’s in North Korea While Christmas officially ignored, New Years marks big date in North Korea Benjamin R. Young December 31, 2013 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Eric Lafforgue As an atheist country North Korea does not celebrate Christmas, though many of its citizens are aware of the holiday. New Year’s is a different story. Like their Southern brethren, North Koreans drink and party on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The holiday season in North Korea has a unique twist to it, though, with the birthday of Kim Il Sung’s first wife, Kim Jong Suk, celebrated on December 24. As a notable heroine in North Korean propaganda, Kim Jong Suk’s birthday is commemorated by many women’s organizations throughout the country. Many North Koreans visit her tomb at © 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. Get the Daily Update & Podcast Updates Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

Evergreen

Christmas and New Year’s in North Korea

While Christmas officially ignored, New Years marks big date in North Korea

Benjamin R. Young December 31, 2013

Eric Lafforgue

As an atheist country North Korea does not celebrate Christmas, though many of its citizens are aware of the holiday.

New Year’s is a different story. Like their Southern brethren, North Koreans drink and party on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The holiday season in North Korea has a unique twist to it, though, with the birthday of Kim Il Sung’s first wife, Kim Jong Suk, celebrated on December 24.

As a notable heroine in North Korean propaganda, Kim Jong Suk’s birthday is commemorated by many women’s organizations throughout the country. Many North Koreans visit her tomb at

About the Author

Benjamin R. Young

Benjamin R. Young, Ph.D. has taught at Virginia Commonwealth University, Dakota State University and the U.S. Naval War College. He was a 2024-25 Stanton Foundation Nuclear Security Fellow at the RAND Corporation. He is now an Assistant Professor of Intelligence Studies at Fayetteville State University. He is the author of the book "Guns, Guerillas, and the Great Leader: North Korea and the Third World" (Stanford University Press, 2021).

View more articles by Benjamin R. Young Got a news tip?Let us know!