Residents in North Korea have a special tradition of celebrating Chinese New Year. North Koreans start Chinese New Year by showing their respect to family Kim Jong-un, the leader of the country.
They laid flowers and paid homage to statues or portraits of former North Korean leaders, Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il.
Pyongyang residents visit the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the bodies of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il are buried. After that, they climbed Mansu hill to bow to the giant bronze statues of the previous leaders.
Then, people watched ancestral ceremonies, dined with family, and watched art performances bearing messages of praise to Kim Jong-un and the ruling party, according to the Korean Herald.
In addition, North Koreans also play traditional games such as kite flying, top-spinning, jegichagi, and yunnori board games at the festival.
However, there is no homecoming for most North Koreans to visit family. Citizens of that country must have a travel permit if they wish to leave their place of residence.
Not only that, restrictions on the movement of North Korean citizens are currently being tightened to prevent and control the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un and his loyal aides also witnessed a concert filled with songs and acts of worship against the Korean Labor Party and North Korean leaders.
According to local media reports KCNA, songs such as “We Will Go Along the Path of Allegiance,” and “We Will Travel One Way Forever,” are often performed in concert halls.
“The audience has once again felt the truth that our country and people have a bright future despite facing difficulties and hardships on the path of progress as long as Secretary General (Kim Jong-un) leads the party,” KCNA wrote. Korea Herald.
Meanwhile, Kim Il-sung views the Chinese New Year as a remnant of feudal society. Since the Korean War broke out in 1953, the holiday tradition has disappeared from North Korea.
However, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il reinstated the Chinese New Year as part of the “First Spirit of the Korean Nation” campaign. The Kim Jong-il regime emphasizes the importance of Chinese New Year as a traditional holiday to inherit national traditions.
According to South Korea’s Unification Ministry, this year’s calendar shows North Korea has given a public holiday to celebrate Lunar New Year. Residents are allowed to take the day off, but they have to do extra work on weekends.
However, North Koreans will participate in this year’s celebrations, as Kim Jong-un’s regime provides food and daily necessities on national holidays.
(pwn / bac)
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