Kim Jong Un erasing prominent symbol of predecessors' top military rank



Investigations Kim Jong Un erasing prominent symbol of predecessors’ top military rank Removal of Generalissimo star from former leaders’ shrines aligns with push to bolster Kim’s personality cult Colin Zwirko October 22, 2026 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A large gold Generalissimo star with colored jewels on the front gate of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun \| Image: Rodong Sinmun (Feb. 17, 2020) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to be erasing the Generalissimo symbol highlighting his father and grandfather’s exalted military status from key shrines, according to NK Pro analysis, in a likely attempt to bolster his personality cult relative to the former leaders. The country’s first leader Kim Il Sung took the Generalissimo title, the highest military rank, just a couple years before he died, and Kim Jong Un bestowed it on his father Kim Jong Il posthumously. Kim Jong Un used the Generalissimo symbol as a visual reminder of his predecessors early Read More © 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. Have follow-up questions? Ask NK PRO's Intelligence Suite to learn more. What other symbolic changes to North Korea’s monuments and shrines has Kim Jong Un implemented to raise his own cult? This question is generated by AI and could contain mistakes. LATEST ANALYSIS 01How South Koreans weigh the costs of unification with North Korea 02All the missiles and weapons at North Korea’s new ‘defense revolution’ museum 03Why the inter-Korean border remains unmarked, despite military risks 04How the DMZ blasts unfolded, from mine laying to North Korean denials 05North Korean TV airs outdated map laying claim to South Korean border islands 06How North Korea’s newest ‘hypersonic’ missile could foil adversary defenses 07Crossing the Yalu: Why China and North Korea want to open long-stalled bridge 08A decade apart, two DMZ mine blasts highlight a new inter-Korean reality

Investigations

Kim Jong Un erasing prominent symbol of predecessors’ top military rank

Removal of Generalissimo star from former leaders’ shrines aligns with push to bolster Kim’s personality cult

Colin Zwirko October 22, 2026

Kim Jong Un erasing prominent symbol of predecessors’ top military rank

A large gold Generalissimo star with colored jewels on the front gate of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun | Image: Rodong Sinmun (Feb. 17, 2020)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to be erasing the Generalissimo symbol highlighting his father and grandfather’s exalted military status from key shrines, according to NK Pro analysis, in a likely attempt to bolster his personality cult relative to the former leaders.

The country’s first leader Kim Il Sung took the Generalissimo title, the highest military rank, just a couple years before he died, and Kim Jong Un bestowed it on his father Kim Jong Il posthumously.

Kim Jong Un used the Generalissimo symbol as a visual reminder of his predecessors early

01How South Koreans weigh the costs of unification with North Korea
02All the missiles and weapons at North Korea’s new ‘defense revolution’ museum
03Why the inter-Korean border remains unmarked, despite military risks
04How the DMZ blasts unfolded, from mine laying to North Korean denials
05North Korean TV airs outdated map laying claim to South Korean border islands
06How North Korea’s newest ‘hypersonic’ missile could foil adversary defenses
07Crossing the Yalu: Why China and North Korea want to open long-stalled bridge
08A decade apart, two DMZ mine blasts highlight a new inter-Korean reality

Kim Jong Un erasing prominent symbol of predecessors’ top military rank

LATEST ANALYSIS

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Colin Zwirko