North Korea has celebrated what would have been the 80th birthday of Kim Jong-Un’s late father in a massive celebration involving fireworks.

Kim was pictured at the statue of Kim Jong Il in Samjiyon City to commemorate the anniversary yesterday, which was also attended by government, military and ruling Workers’ Party officials.

The anniversary was dubbed the Day of the Shining Star in North Korea, state media said.

The northern alpine town of Samjiyon, near the border with China and Mount Paektu, was chosen as the location for the ceremony as it is the holy mountain where Kim’s family claims its roots.

However, it is rare that North Korea holds celebrations in the remote region.

Kim has also tried to transform the city into a massive economic hub by building new apartments, hotels, a ski resort and commercial, cultural and medical facilities.

During the ceremony, Kim laid flowers at the statue during the meeting but did not make an official statement.

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Ri Il Hwan, a senior party official, gave a speech vowing to uphold the late strongman’s mantra of self-reliance, KCNA state media said.

The news agency said: “The meeting showed well the firm will and enthusiasm of the participants to… build a people’s paradise prospering with self-reliance on this land.”

The celebrations also included fireworks and a music performance, but no military events, which has been the case in the past.

It comes after a US think tank said last week that commercial satellite imagery showed possible preparations for a military parade for the birthday celebration, which could have displayed new missiles or other military advances.

North Korea conducted a record seven missile tests in January, and has warned it may resume testing intercontinental ballistic missiles or nuclear weapons for the first time since 2017, amid stalled denuclearisation talks with the US.

Analysts have said Pyongyang could use key holidays, including the upcoming 110th birthday anniversary on 15 April of Kim’s late grandfather and national founder, Kim Il Sung, to carry out a major weapons test.

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