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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a congratulatory speech at a flag-raising ceremony and central oath-taking event marking the 78th anniversary of the founding of North Korea at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang on Sept. 9, according to Korean Central Television on Sept. 10. / Yonhap

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for patriotism and “devoted contributions” on the anniversary of the regime’s founding, urging loyalty among citizens. He also expressed “special gratitude” to troops deployed to the Russia-Ukraine war, in what is seen as an effort to strengthen internal unity on the anniversary.

According to the Korean Central News Agency on Sept. 10, Kim attended a flag-raising ceremony and central oath-taking event marking the anniversary and extended congratulations and thanks to workers, military personnel and overseas Koreans.

“The realization of our ideals is drawing ever closer at a rapid pace thanks to the patriotism, conscious efforts and devoted contributions of all citizens,” Kim said.

Participants at the ceremony pledged to “thoroughly defend the Constitution of the Republic, strictly fulfill their legal obligations, firmly uphold the socialist ideology and system, and devote their bodies and minds to remaining loyal to their beloved homeland.”

A South Korean Unification Ministry official told reporters that North Korea has held flag-raising ceremonies and central oath-taking events on its founding anniversary since last year in an apparent effort to present itself as a normal state.

“It appears aimed at promoting patriotism among residents and strengthening internal unity,” the official said.

The participants’ emphasis on defending the country’s constitution, which enshrines North Korea’s status as a nuclear-armed state, is also being interpreted as a reaffirmation of Pyongyang’s position that dialogue on denuclearization cannot take place.

North Korea has recently continued to refer to “defending the Constitution” and responding in accordance with its constitutional status whenever South Korea-US or South Korea-US-Japan joint military exercises are held.

Kim also referred to “service members who participated in overseas military operations,” saying he extended his “special gratitude and profound respect” to them.

The remarks are seen as an official recognition of the contributions of troops deployed to the Russia-Ukraine war, while also seeking to encourage them and ease any domestic discontent related to the deployment. They are also being interpreted as possible groundwork for additional troop deployments in the future.

Also notable was the absence of any external message in Kim’s speech marking the founding anniversary. In 2024 and last year, Kim used the occasion to send messages related to North Korea’s nuclear-armed status and the expansion of its nuclear arsenal.

His silence this year is being interpreted as a wait-and-see approach amid a fluid international environment.

“This year’s founding anniversary appears to have been marked overall at the level of a non-jubilee year,” the Unification Ministry official said. “Unlike in 2024 and last year, there was no external message, and it was also unusual that the full text of Kim’s speech was not released.”

                                                                                                           Mok Yong-jae