[ad_1]
Copyright of the image
KCTV
Cuban Miguel Díaz-Canel and North Korean Kim Jong-un
North Korea has unveiled what is believed to be Kim Jong-un's first official painting, raising the leader to a new level of personality worship.
While portraits of his predecessors are spread across the country, Kim Jong-un has long been described as a successor rather than a full leader.
Its role, however, has evolved gradually over time, greatly aided by a series of international visits in 2018.
The huge new photo was on display during a Cuban President's visit.
There was no official portrait before?
Nope. If you remember seeing pictures of Mr. Kim, he would then act as photographs, not unofficial paintings or fan art.
The new work, larger than life, shows him smiling, slightly to his left, dressed in a Western suit and a tie.
Copyright of the image
KCNA
Although very familiar, there was no portrait before
"The painted portrait of Kim Jong-un in this style is a strong clue that the regime could start taking steps to develop Kim Jong-un's cult of personality," said Oliver Hotham, an analyst at NK News, to the BBC.
The style of the painting is so evocative of the ever present portraits of the ancient Kims that "the North Koreans will certainly understand the symbolism of this approach".
Copyright of the image
Reuters
Symbolism and images are of paramount importance in North Korea: portraits of Kim Jong-a's father and grandfather's portraits hang in every building in the country.
Since coming to power in 2011, the current leader has been identified more as a successor and a follower of his two dominant predecessors than as an equal for the moment.
How did Kim Jong-un's image change?
Kim Jong-un passed quite brutally at the helm of the country when his father died suddenly in 2011.
He was relatively inexperienced and had not yet been built as a future leader.
Over time, however, his image has changed, says Andray Abrahamian of the Griffith Asia Institute.
"The most important markers have been a series of songs and cultural products celebrating Kim Jong-un and his family – called the Paektu lineage – reorganizing the government so that a new institution is at the base, with a new strategic line, separated from his father. "
Copyright of the image
AFP
From the surprise successor to the powerful autocrat
While his father was pursuing a military goal first and foremost, Kim Jong-un pleaded for a two-pronged policy aimed at developing nuclear weapons as well as the economy.
"All that has happened in 2018 has also helped to reinforce its image," said Mr. Hotham.
"Eight summits involving foreign heads of state have delighted Pyongyang's propagandists, helping them to portray this leader as an internationally respected statesman, on a par with Xi Jinping and Donald Trump."
Where can you see the portrait?
So far, it has been broadcast on television only during the Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Cane's official visit to Pyongyang.
It is not clear how Pyongyang will handle the display in the future or whether it will make regular appearances.
Copyright of the image
Reuters
Will the next image of this kind bring together the three Kims?
For now, the painting will probably be stored, said Mr. Abrahamian, to be presented only on special occasions.
It remains to be seen whether this will become a staple of propaganda, just like portraits of the father and grandfather.
