Portraits of Kim Jong-un hang in every classroom, workplace, and home. Statues, murals, and loyalty walls bearing his image are omnipresent. His speeches are memorized, his movements tracked by adoring state media, and his leadership described in mythical terms. Official publications now refer to him as “The Guardian of the Sun” and “The Heart of the Korean Nation.”
Elevated Language, Deified Image
The regime’s propaganda has shifted from simply praising Kim’s leadership to framing him in supernatural and moral absolutist terms. State newspapers describe him as having “unmatched wisdom from birth,” “a heart purer than the morning star,” and “strength that overcomes nature’s fury.” These are not metaphors—they are statements presented as factual truth within the North Korean information sphere.
This portrayal is reinforced by films, children’s books, songs, and even science textbooks, which attribute national breakthroughs in technology, agriculture, and medicine to Kim’s personal guidance.
“Kim is not just leading the country—he is, according to the regime, the source of all good things,” said Dr. Rachel Min, a North Korea researcher at the East Asia Institute. “This is political theology disguised as governance.”
A Carefully Engineered Myth
The cult of personality did not emerge spontaneously. It has been cultivated over decades, beginning with Kim Il-sung and developed systematically under Kim Jong-il. Kim Jong-un inherited the framework and expanded it aggressively following his consolidation of power.
Unlike his predecessors, however, Kim Jong-un has adapted the cult using modern tools—digital animations, holographic projections during public events, and dramatic televised spectacles where he is often the only figure in full color amid black-and-white historical imagery.
“Every new medium the regime acquires is used to magnify his image,” said Michael Madden, a leading expert on North Korean leadership. “They are making him not only a national leader but a timeless figure of reverence.”
Rituals of Devotion
Public life is shaped by rituals of loyalty to Kim. Citizens bow to his portraits, sing odes in his name, and participate in mandatory “reflection sessions” that emphasize gratitude for his guidance. These rituals are designed not only to express loyalty but to create emotional dependency on the leader.
According to defectors, schools often begin the day with students swearing allegiance to Kim, while workplaces host weekly self-criticism sessions in which workers praise the Supreme Leader before evaluating their performance.
“People are made to believe their success, health, and family happiness all depend on him,” said a defector now living in South Korea. “It’s more than politics—it’s worship.”
Religious in All but Name
Scholars argue that the cult of personality surrounding Kim Jong-un functions as a form of state religion, complete with sacred texts (his speeches), saints (his ancestors), and taboos (criticizing or doubting the leader).
The government prohibits any form of organized religion but uses religious frameworks to elevate Kim above criticism. Even natural disasters are framed as trials overcome through his wisdom. When the country succeeds, it’s attributed to his foresight; when it fails, it’s blamed on sabotage or insufficient loyalty from citizens.
“In many ways, the regime has replaced God with Kim,” said Dr. Lim Su-jin, a political psychologist. “He is omnipresent, infallible, and the object of unconditional devotion.”
Conclusion
In 2025, the cult of Kim Jong-un is not merely a political tool—it is the ideological foundation of the North Korean state. Through relentless propaganda, ritualized loyalty, and the manipulation of history and truth, the regime has transformed a man into a myth. For the citizens of North Korea, belief in Kim’s divinity is not just encouraged—it is required.