The portrait of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was put on public display along with those of his father and grandfather for the first time, sparking speculation about the message it could send.
The portraits of the leaders are at the heart of the cult of personality maintained by the North Korean state, which has supported the power of the Kim family since the founding of the country in 1948.
Nearly all homes and public offices in North Korea are required to display portraits of Kim Jong Il’s father and grandfather Kim Il Sung, but portraits of the younger Kim were not required until recently.
North Korean state media released a photo on Wednesday showing the large portrait of Kim Jong Un hanging on the wall of a building, alongside those of Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung, during his recent visit to the Central Training School for cadres of the Workers’ Party, the ruling party.
Another state media photo shows smaller portraits of the three Kims placed side by side in a classroom, where Kim Jong Un, seated in a chair, talks with officials who take note of his remarks.
Longtime North Korea watchers believe this is the first time North Korea has released images showing Kim Jong Un’s portrait installed alongside those of the two former North Korean leaders since the younger Kim took power in late 2011.
Placing his portrait alongside those of his father and grandfather suggests that he wishes to elevate his status to a level similar to that of the two former leaders, who have a strong and loyal following and are considered like gods. In doing so, Kim Jong Un wants to herald the start of his own era, according to Kwak Gil Sup, director of the One Korea Center, a website specializing in North Korean affairs.
