Kim Jong Un’s New Year Event: Music and Dance to Reinforce North Korea’s Patriotic Spirit

North Korea’s state-run newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Friday that Jeong Gwang Hyeon, Director of the State Planning Commission, praised the debut of new songs at the recent New Year’s celebration. He emphasized that tracks like “We Are Koreans” and “Mighty Motherland, My Country” inspire a strong sense of pride in being citizens of a powerful nation.

Kim Myeong Geun, Chairman of the North Korean Taekwondo Committee, remarked that “We Are Koreans” perfectly encapsulates the spirit of North Korean athletes, reflecting their resolve to bring honor to the country through gold medal victories.

Park Kyung Cheol, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, expressed a commitment to building on the achievements of the New Year Celebration Performance and vowed to produce more literary and artistic works that mirror the spirit of the times in this historic year for the nation.

The newspaper also covered public reactions, underscoring a renewed national loyalty inspired by the new songs.

Professor Kang Dong Wan from Dong-A University analyzed the event, noting that North Korea has used the same format for its New Year’s celebrations for three years running. The event, held at the May Day Stadium, involves many participants and mirrors performances from 2023 and 2024, which Kim Jong Un attended.

The second part of this year’s performance introduced new songs, which Rodong Sinmun called “new masterpieces,” that capture the enhanced patriotic spirit of the people in this new era of national strength.

Kang compared this year’s performance to the one in 2014, pointing out a shift in focus. While 10 out of 14 songs in the 2014 celebration featured party-related themes, this year’s selection emphasized regime and patriotic songs, including three new compositions.

Kang described one standout piece, “Mighty Mother, My Homeland,” as particularly energetic. Its chorus, “Yes, therefore we will grow stronger, all of us together moving forward,” was accompanied by a coordinated dance routine involving both the performers and the audience.

Kang concluded that by blending familiar melodies with simple dance moves, the performance reinforces collectivism and promotes a cultural trend that reflects North Korea’s governance strategy through music.