Kim Jong-un Adjusts Criticism Level on South Korea and US on Armistice Day, No Mention of North Korea-China Friendship

[Financial News] Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, did not issue any anti-US or anti-South Korea messages at the ceremony commemorating the 72nd anniversary of the signing of the Korean War Armistice Agreement. Although Chairman Kim has often declared his intention to strengthen nuclear power, it seems that he has decided to adjust the level this year.
Chosun Central News Agency reported on the 27th that a youth and student dance party celebrating Victory Day was held at Kim Il-sung Square the previous day. North Korea, which claims to have won against the United States in the Korean War, designated the signing date of the armistice agreement as 'Fatherland Liberation War Victory Day' in 1973 and elevated it to a national holiday 'Victory Day' in 1996.
Previously, in his speech at the 2022 Victory Day ceremony, Chairman Kim harshly criticized the newly launched South Korean government, mentioning the real name of then-President Yoon Suk-yeol. In 2020 and 2021, even though it was not a milestone year (ending in 5 or 10), Chairman Kim attended the related events and gave speeches for two consecutive years. However, since 2023, he has not given a speech on Victory Day.
Chairman Kim also visited the Friendship Tower, which commemorates the Chinese troops who participated in the Korean War. Chosun Central News Agency reported that Chairman Kim visited the Friendship Tower the previous day and laid a wreath, saying, "We will never forget the combat achievements and merits of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army heroes engraved in the great victory history of the Fatherland Liberation War."
The Friendship Tower, located at the foot of Moranbong in Pyongyang, was built in 1959 to honor the Chinese troops who participated in the Korean War and is considered a 'symbol of friendship' between North Korea and China.
The Chinese delegation visiting North Korea always visits this place. Chosun Central News Agency briefly reported Chairman Kim's wreath-laying at the Friendship Tower in four sentences. Despite the clear abnormality in North Korea-China relations last year due to the close ties between North Korea and Russia, it was reported in nine sentences, but recently, despite the trend of restoring North Korea-China relations, it was reported more passively.

rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter