Kim Jong Un Pushes Propaganda as North Korea Faces Economic Struggles and Rumors of Troop Deployments

North Korea has launched a sweeping propaganda campaign to promote the achievements and leadership of Kim Jong Un, aiming to rally internal unity amid ongoing economic struggles, slow disaster recovery, and reports of potential troop deployments to Russia.

On Monday, the state-run Rodong Sinmun published an article titled “Let’s Vigorously Usher in a New Era of Great Transformation Under the Leadership of Our Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un!” The piece claimed that under Kim’s exceptional and refined leadership, the nation is experiencing a new era of great transformation filled with miracles and events that astound the world.

The article asserted that the country has witnessed miracles every day and elevated its national power and status to unprecedented heights despite facing severe challenges over the past decade of Kim’s rule. They claimed this was solely due to Kim’s revolutionary ideology and leadership.

It highlighted various accomplishments, including new residential areas, rural cultural housing, and local industrial factories across the country. These were attributed to Kim’s tireless efforts, dedication, and people-centered leadership, further emphasizing his role in the nation’s progress.

The Rodong Sinmun praised defense scientists, workers in the military-industrial sector, and youth vanguards as exemplars of loyalty to the Party’s leadership. It commended their decades-worthy, unwavering commitment to their posts for the revolution, regardless of recognition.

In an effort to boost patriotism, the article emphasized that a nation filled with patriots is a powerful nation, warning that countries lacking such devotion would decline, even if abundant in resources.

This high-profile coverage appears designed to quell growing public discontent stemming from severe economic challenges, the slow pace of disaster recovery, and recent rumors that North Korea is deploying troops to support Russia in its war in Ukraine. The campaign seeks to strengthen domestic support for Kim’s regime during heightened internal and external pressures.