Kim Jong Un attended circus performances and sports cultural events on Liberation Day, accompanied by his daughter Ju-ae. He did not respond to President Yoon Suk Yeol's official proposal for multilateral discussions on ending the war.
According to the Korean Central News Agency, a comprehensive circus performance celebrating the 81st anniversary of the country's liberation was held at the Pyongyang Circus Theater on the 16th, with Kim in attendance.
The performance featured various acts, including tightrope walking and aerial acrobatics, which have won awards at international circus festivals. Kim expressed satisfaction with the performers' achievements and praised their contributions, as reported by the agency.
Kim also took commemorative photos with officials from the national circus troupe. On the same day, he attended a sports cultural event where he watched swimming and diving competitions. His daughter Ju-ae and wife Ri Sol-ju accompanied him during these events.
North Korean state media, including the Korean Central News Agency and Rodong Sinmun, released photos showing Ju-ae sitting next to Kim in the VIP section while watching the performances.
Attending the events with Kim were senior officials, including Jo Yong-won, Ri Il-hwan, Ju Chang-il, and Jong Kyong-tack, as well as Premier Pak Tae-sung, Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, Defense Minister No Kwang-chol, and military advisor Pak Jong-chun.
While North Korean media have been reporting various commemorative events for Liberation Day, they have not mentioned President Yoon's speech proposing multilateral discussions to end the Korean War as of the morning of the 17th.
In his Liberation Day address on the 15th, President Yoon stated, "We will embark on a journey to end the war and transform the unstable armistice system on the Korean Peninsula into a peace system," urging parties involved to begin discussions to end the long-standing conflict.
North Korea appears to be emphasizing its friendship with Russia on Liberation Day. State media previously reported on congratulatory messages exchanged between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Rodong Sinmun also noted that Andrei Belousov, Russia's Defense Minister, attended a Liberation Day banquet held by the North Korean embassy in Russia on the 14th.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.