Kim Jong Un Inaugurates Pyongyang Housing for Families of Soldiers Killed in Ukraine
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has unveiled a new street of apartments in Pyongyang, built specifically for the families of soldiers who were sent to die fighting for Russia on the frontlines in Ukraine. Propaganda photos released by the secretive state on Sunday depicted Kim touring Saeppyol Street in the Hawasong area of the capital, accompanied by his young daughter, Kim Ju Ae.
Ceremony and Symbolic Gestures
The opening ceremony featured a fireworks display, with Kim seen engaging with what appeared to be bereaved family members of fallen troops, seated on a sofa while his daughter stood behind them. Additional images showed families inspecting the utilities in their new flats, highlighting the regime's effort to portray state-provided compensation.
In a speech during the event, Kim stated, 'The new street has been built thanks to the ardent desire of our motherland that wishes that... its excellent sons, who defended the most sacred things by sacrificing their most valuable things, will live forever.' Although he did not explicitly mention Russia, this move follows his recent pledge to 'unconditionally support' all policies and decisions of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Military Deployment and Intelligence Reports
According to South Korean and Western intelligence agencies, North Korea has deployed thousands of troops to assist Russia in the Ukraine conflict. Seoul estimates that approximately 2,000 of these soldiers have been killed so far. Analysts suggest that in return for this military support, North Korea is receiving financial aid, military technology, and essential supplies such as food and energy from Russia.
Succession Speculation Involving Kim Ju Ae
The presence of Kim's daughter, Ju Ae, at the ceremony adds to growing speculation about her role as a potential successor. South Korean intelligence has reported that she has been clearly 'designated as a successor', citing her participation in high-profile events with her father. This appearance comes ahead of Pyongyang's upcoming party congress, a major political event scheduled for later this month, where attention will focus on policy directions and whether Ju Ae will be granted official party titles.
Political Calculations and Power Dynamics
Hong Min, an analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told AFP that the timing of the street inauguration is a 'highly calculated political move to justify its soldier deployment' ahead of the party congress. He described it as a symbolic showcase to visualize state compensation for fallen soldiers' families.
However, concerns about a potential power struggle have emerged. A former intelligence official warned that Kim Jong Un's inclusion of his daughter in prominent events could trigger a brutal succession battle. His ambitious sister, Kim Yo Jong, aged 38 and widely respected within political and military circles, is seen as the most powerful figure in North Korea after Kim Jong Un. Rah Jong-yil, former South Korean ambassador to the UK and deputy director of Seoul's intelligence service, told The Telegraph that a struggle for power after Kim's death is probable, noting that Kim Yo Jong might seize the opportunity to implement her own political project if she believes she has a chance to become the top leader.
As the regime continues to navigate these internal and external dynamics, the inauguration of Saeppyol Street serves as both a domestic propaganda tool and a reflection of North Korea's deepening alliance with Russia amid ongoing global tensions.
