Kim Jong Un Makes People Stand Outside In Freezing Cold Just To Listen To Speech On His Father
Pyongyang: North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un often hits the headlines for some bizarre reasons and this time was no different.
The dictator was seated alongside other top officials and hundreds of attendees in ice-cold weather conditions in order to listen to a speech about his late father and former North Korean Leader Kim Jong II on 15 February, according to state media.
As per NK news, the celebratory event was held outdoors in the northern city of Samjiyon, with the maximum temperature plunging to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. This event is held to commemorate the 80th birth anniversary of Kim Jong II, who passed away in 2011.
Notably, there is a dispute regarding the place of his birth. On one hand, North Korea claims that Kim's father was born at a secret site near Samjiyon in 1942 and on the other hand, Soviet records suggest that his birthplace was actually in Eastern Russia.
Some North Korean watchers suspect that Kim and other top officials sitting on stage might have used heaters so as to escape the bone-chilling weather conditions.
A large clump of wires running underneath the red carpet under the long desk at which Kim was seated caught the eye of Colin Zwirko, a senior analytic correspondent for NK News.
The speech celebrating the Kim family lasted about 30 minutes, during which time attendees stood at attention without wearing gloves or ear coverings.
According to state media, Kim Jong II was praised by top North Korean official Ri Il Hwan for challenging "US imperialists and providing a "stepping stone" and leaving behind a "revolutionary legacy" for his son Kim Jong Un.
The event which took place on 15 February happened to be the first "National Meeting" since July 2019. These events usually take place on the day before major holidays, including the birthdays of former and current leaders.
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