Kim Jong Un visits Liberation Tower and Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery for National Liberation Day

Imagers via KCNA

Various Sources

Kim Jong Un, the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, visited both the Liberation Tower in Pyongyang and the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery on Mt Taesong to mark the 81st anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese rule.

National Liberation Day is held annually on August 15.

At the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery he was accompanied by senior party, government, and military officials, he participated in wreath-laying ceremonies and observed a march-past by a Korean People's Army (KPA) guard of honor.

During his visit, Kim Jong Un highlighted the steadfast revolutionary faith and indomitable fighting spirit of the anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters, describing them as an enduring ideological and spiritual legacy for the Korean people. He emphasized that the ideals and sacrifices of the first-generation revolutionaries provide motivation for building a prosperous and powerful nation.

At the Liberation Tower Kim Jong Un laid a wreath with an inscription stating, "We will never forget the feats of the Soviet army martyrs," reaffirming the historical ties and respect for the sacrifices during World War II made by the peoples of the USSR. He also emphasized the strong relations between the DPRK and today's Russia, referring to shared history and strategic cooperation, which has included a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed in 2024.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent congratulatory messages acknowledging North Korea-Russia cooperation, indicating ongoing bilateral engagement and shared regional security interests.

During the visits, Kim Jong Un was joined by his wife, Ri Sol-ju, and his daughter, Kim Ju-ae.

The celebrations also included cultural and commemorative activities, with war veterans and persons of wartime merit attending performances and events marking the Day of Victory.