Cheong Seong-chang, director of the Center for Korean Peninsula Strategy at the Sejong Institute, is a longtime observer of North Korea and has closely followed the reclusive regime's two previous successions: before and after Kim Il-sung's sudden death in 1994 and Kim Jong-il's sudden death in 2011.

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The Kim dynasty that has ruled North Korea since its founding after World War Two and has sought to strengthen their grip on power by building cults of personality around them, th

Observers note a potential shift in Kim's approach - reviving the personality cult of his ancestors to strengthen his own authority North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a rare visit to his ancestors' mausoleum on Sunday,

Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, paid tribute to his father for the first time in four years. Kim Jong Il, who is revered in North Korea, was born on 16th February, so his son visited the mausoleum of his predecessors—father and grandfather—to commemorate this anniversary.

Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, paid tribute to his father for the first time in four years. Kim Jong Il, who is revered in North Korea, was born on February 16, so his son visited the mausoleum of his predecessors—father and grandfather—to commemorate this anniversary.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Kumsusan Palace of Sun in Pyongyang for the first time in four years to commemorate the birthday of his late father, Kim Jong Il, known as the Day of the Shining

Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, paid tribute to his father for the first time in four years. Kim Jong Il, who is revered in North Korea, was born on February 16, so his son visited the mausoleum of his predecessors—his father and grandfather—to commemorate this anniversary.