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North Korea announces celebration of late founder's birthday, no mention of 'Day of the Sun'

Published: 25 Mar. 2026, 12:43 Updated: 25 Mar. 2026, 16:53

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks at the second day of the Supreme People's Assembly in Pyongyang on March 23 in this photo carried by the Korean Central News Agency on March 24. [YONHAP]

North Korea on Wednesday announced an annual springtime festival marking late state founder Kim Il Sung's birthday in April but avoided calling the anniversary by its reverent name, the "Day of the Sun."

The 34th April Spring Friendship Art Festival will be staged in Pyongyang to mark the 114th anniversary of the late state founder's birthday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, as part of celebrations on April 15.

The birthdays of the founder and his son, late leader Kim Jong-il, are celebrated extravagantly in North Korea, with the founder's birthday glorified as the Day of the Sun.

Wednesday's KCNA report, however, did not use the reverent term and instead referred to the anniversary as "a joyous April holiday," as state media increasingly avoid the designation in an apparent effort to put the spotlight on the current leader, Kim Jong-un.

The KCNA said art troupes, dancers and performers from around the world will participate in the festival.

The Rodong Sinmun, the North Korean ruling party newspaper, had previously announced a flower festival for April as part of celebrations for the founder's birthday.

Yonhap