North Korea honors its 80th year of independence through festivities that glorify the reign of the Kim dynasty.
Celebrating Liberation and Reinforcing National Identity: North Korea Marks 80th Anniversary of Korean Peninsula's Liberation from Japan
The Korean Peninsula is commemorating its 80th anniversary of liberation from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule, with North Korea using the occasion to reinforce its national identity and historical ties. The commemoration is marked by an exhibition, and the Korean Central News Agency published photos from the exhibition on Aug. 5, making it a significant event for the Korean Peninsula.
The exhibition, currently ongoing, is held to celebrate the liberation from Japan's colonial rule and to emphasize North Korea's historic anti-Japanese struggle. The event serves as a platform for North Korea to bolster nationalistic sentiment and legitimize its governance through historical continuity and military valor.
One of the highlights of the exhibition is the promotion of the "Paektu Spirit," a term used by North Korea to refer to a patriotic spirit associated with Mount Paektu, a significant location in Korean history and culture, located on the border between China and North Korea. North Korea is promoting trekking to Mount Paektu as part of the 80th anniversary commemoration, anticipating that the event will attract visitors interested in Korean history.
North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, welcomed the Russian Duma chief during the 80th liberation anniversary celebrations, underlining the historic ties between the two countries rooted in their shared opposition to Japanese imperialism. This event was used to reinforce North Korea's diplomatic ties and wartime legacy alongside Russia.
The anniversary also serves as a means for North Korea to emphasize its resistance against colonial and neo-colonial forces. This narrative of defending sovereignty from foreign domination is a key component of North Korea's national identity and is reflected in official receptions and state-sponsored events.
The South-U.S. joint military exercises are a potential source of tension between North and South Korea. North Korea has vowed a "resolute counteraction posture" to these drills, with the country conducting firing drills in preparation for the planned exercises, although the specific dates have not been disclosed.
Despite the ongoing tensions, the 80th liberation anniversary in North Korea functions as a key moment to reinforce national identity rooted in liberation, military struggle, and alliance with Russia, as reflected in official receptions and state-sponsored events. The exhibition is likely to attract visitors interested in Korean history and culture, offering a unique opportunity to understand North Korea's perspective on its past and present.
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