Kim Jong Un as the 'Friendly Father' in the new North Korean song
Kim Jong Un is actively working to strengthen his rule in North Korea. A recent music video broadcast on local television, in which he stars, aims to support this endeavor. Analysts interpret the song "Friendly Father" as an attempt to differentiate him from the cults of his predecessors.
7:58 AM EDT, April 20, 2024
History has seen many dictators portray themselves as paternal figures. This tactic was employed by tsars and 20th-century leaders and now by Kim Jong Un. Kim faces a challenging task, unlike his predecessors, particularly because his father enjoyed a more substantial cult following.
This explains why the young dictator is keen on bolstering his image and legacy among the populace. The "Friendly Father" music video is a prime example, featuring Kim Jong Un among soldiers and a cheerful crowd, all while being praised as an excellent leader in the song.
Kim Jong Un aims to transfer his father's cult following to himself
Creating a song in honor of the dictator isn't itself remarkable. What analysts find noteworthy is the timing of its release, aligning with a shift in the local propaganda's rhetoric. The holiday on April 15th, celebrating Kim Il Sung's birthday (the nation's founder), was traditionally known as the "Day of the Sun." This year, it was renamed to the more neutral "the April holiday." According to analysts from the Reuters agency, this change suggests that Kim Jong Un is endeavoring to cement his legacy.
This suggests that the Korean leader attempts to escape from the shadow of his illustrious ancestor, Kim Il Sung, and establish his cult. Achieving this is no small feat, as his predecessor is revered by many North Koreans not just as a hero but as a deity. Nevertheless, as indicated by the recent ceremony marking the initiation of 10,000 new homes, Kim Jong Un is undeterred in his efforts.
