Why is North Korea’s loyalty language to Kim Jong Un suddenly softer?
North Korea’s Ninth Party Congress in 2026 formally cemented Kim Jong Un’s status as the country’s supreme and unchallenged leader. Yet a recent destroyer commissioning speech and a national loyalty oath ceremony have quietly softened the language long used to describe him, suggesting Pyongyang may be recalibrating how it presents his authority to the outside […]
North Korea's recent language shift regarding its supreme leader, Kim Jong Un, has raised questions about the nation's approach to presenting his authority. At the 2026 Ninth Party Congress, Kim's status was formally solidified, yet his leadership language has become softer, suggesting a possible recalibration of how Pyongyang portrays his power to the outside world.
Recent amendments to the constitution and the Workers' Party of Korea charter have removed references to Kim's predecessors, solidifying his position as the unchallenged leader. The constitution can now be seen as the "Kim Jong Un constitution," emphasizing his absolute authority. State media has also promoted the "Kim Jong Un era" and called him the most accomplished supreme leader, indicating a shift in how his legacy is portrayed.
North Korean schools have also intensified their focus on "greatness education," centered on Kim Jong Un's ideas and achievements. According to recent reports, schools are incorporating more courses dedicated to him, such as "The Childhood of the Dearly Beloved Marshal Kim Jong Un" for primary school students and "The Revolutionary History of the Dearly Beloved Marshal Kim Jong Un" for senior middle school students.
This shift in educational focus could be an effort to reinforce Kim's status and the monolithic leadership doctrine.
However, two events in September caught attention: Kim's speech at the commissioning ceremony for a guided missile destroyer and the National Flag Hoisting and Central Oath Taking Ceremony. While the destroyer commissioning ceremony is not directly tied to Kim's personal standing, the flag ceremony, which symbolizes loyalty to him and the concentration of state power, showed a more measured tone compared to previous years.
Kim's remarks at the event featured forceful phrases, such as "multipurpose strike platform" and "ultra-powerful preemptive strike capability," but also hinted at a recalibrated approach to his leadership language.
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Also reported by 1 other outlet
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