THE nation unveiled one of its first-known statues of Kim Jong-un, using the “highly unusual” sculpture to depict the leader as a smiling man of the people.
State television showed images of the half-body sculpture, depicting Kim smiling with his right hand in his coat pocket.
South Korea’s Unification Ministry said it was the first such work depicting the third-generation leader.
North Korea is dotted with massive statues venerating Kim’s grandfather Kim Il-sung and his father Kim Jong-il -- the first two members of the family dynasty to rule the reclusive nation.
“North Korea is now moving toward the peak of a leader-focused cult,” said Lim Eul-chul, from the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University.
“The statue is particularly notable because it is highly unusual for the regime to create a monument of a leader who is still alive.”
The work stood out for its efforts to portray Kim as a more relatable figure, Lim said.
“Rather than depicting him as a god-like figure, the North is likely to promote a narrative portraying him as a leader who earns people’s respect and devotes himself to their welfare.”
North Korea has in the past released highly choreographed images to illustrate Kim’s absolute grip on power. — AFP
