N. Korea rallies loyalty with celebratory events ahead of party founding anniversary

Seoul, Oct. 8 - North Korea is ramping up festivities and fostering public loyalty in the run-up to the 81st founding anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), according to reports. The Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea, one of the nation's four labor unions, hosted a celebration on Wednesday, with participants at a debate session advocating for stronger party leadership and more intense ideological education, as well as the necessity to achieve the party's grain production targets, reported the Rodong Sinmun.

Artistic events have also been held in anticipation of the Oct. 10 anniversary. On the same day, party officials and artists marked the opening of the National Art Exhibition at the Korean Central Art Gallery. The Rodong Sinmun published a front-page article urging citizens to uphold the party's history, ideology, and founding spirit.

Additionally, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that flower baskets from foreign dignitaries have begun arriving, including one from the presidents of Laos and Palestine, as well as from military attaches stationed in North Korea, with the bouquet presented to leader Kim Jong-un.