North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made several public appearances in state media this week, mostly tied to celebrations of the 78th founding anniversary of the DPRK. Notably, he attended the commissioning ceremony of the Kang Kon destroyer on Sunday with his family. 

Residents had a busy week, with Pyongyangites, in particular, mobilized for state-held events. They are likely to be busy again next month with attending events, when the party marks the founding anniversary on Oct. 10.

Domestic outlets kept up their criticism of Japan but stayed quiet on the U.S., even as the