In a significant departure from tradition, North Korean officials were seen wearing badges with a portrait of Kim Jong-un in public for the first time [6bf019e7]. The badges were worn by officials at the 10th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, a key meeting chaired by Kim that reviewed the party's performance for the first half of the year [6bf019e7]. The badges feature Kim's face against a flag-shaped red background and are worn on the left chest, alongside the typical party logo badge on the right lapel [6bf019e7]. This shift towards emphasizing Kim Jong-un's portrayal on the new badges reflects an intensified campaign to underscore his leadership and elevate him to the ranks of his predecessors, Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il [6bf019e7].
This development adds another layer to the ongoing narrative of growing negative sentiment towards Kim Jong-un and the hereditary power succession in North Korea. While the recent report by Seoul's Unification Ministry highlighted the increasing doubts about the legitimacy of the Kim family's hereditary power succession, the wearing of badges featuring Kim Jong-un indicates an intensified effort to solidify his position as the leader and strengthen the cult of personality surrounding him [d7fd3d3d] [6bf019e7]. The shift from the traditional practice of wearing pins showing portraits of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il to badges featuring Kim Jong-un's image is a clear attempt to establish his own legacy and consolidate his authority [6bf019e7].
The move to prominently display Kim Jong-un's image on the badges also aligns with the broader political landscape in North Korea. The negative public sentiment towards Kim Jong-un and the hereditary power succession, as revealed in the report, has the potential to impact the stability and future of the regime [d7fd3d3d]. By emphasizing Kim Jong-un's leadership through the badges, the North Korean government is likely aiming to counteract this growing dissatisfaction and maintain control over the narrative surrounding the leadership succession [6bf019e7].
In addition to the internal dynamics, North Korea's recent actions also reflect its efforts to challenge U.S. dominance and strengthen ties with other countries. The state media's criticism of U.S. President Joe Biden and North Korea's attendance at a sports ministerial meeting of the BRICS+ alliance are part of this broader strategy [5b87dd65]. These developments further contribute to the complexity of the political landscape in North Korea and its relations with other nations [5b87dd65].