Day of the Foundation of the Republic (North Korea)

Day of the Foundation of the Republic
Also called Independence Day
Observed by  North Korea
Observances Visits to statues of Kim Il-sung and his mausoleum, fireworks, performances, sports competitions, folk dances
Date 9 September
Frequency annual
Related to Day of the Shining Star (16 February),
Day of the Sun (15 April),
Party Foundation Day (10 October),
Constitution Day (27 December)

Day of the Foundation of the Republic (Korean: 인민정권 창건일) is the Republic Day and National day[1] of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, held on 9 September.

The Day of the Foundation of the Republic is one of the most important holidays of the country, along with the Day of the Sun (birthday of Kim Il-sung), Day of the Shining Star (birthday of Kim Jong-il) and Party Foundation Day.[2]

History

Following the Liberation of Korea in 1945 by the Soviet and American forces, a communist Soviet military regime was set up in the northern part of Korea. A new Supreme People's Assembly was elected in August 1948, and on 3 September a new constitution was promulgated. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea was proclaimed on 9 September, with Kim Il-sung as Premier.[3] Because the date is 9 September, it is also called simply 9 · 9 (old version).

National celebrations

The holiday is celebrated throughout the country.[4] On this day, events such as art performances, exhibitions, athletic events, and reports are held. On jubilee years (ex: 60th anniversary, 65th anniversary), military parades on Kim Il-sung Square take place with the participation of the leader of North Korea. It is also common for new children to be admitted to the Young Pioneer Corps on the day.[1]

In contrast to many other holidays that are very politicized, the Foundation Day concerns the whole country. It also has an international and diplomatic outlook with foreigners being likelier to attend it than some other holidays.[5]

The day was first celebrated in 1949. The intensity of celebrations has varied considerably. Celebrations in 1950 were low key due to the Korean War. In contrast, 1956 saw sizeable celebrations following Kim Il-sung's triumph in a domestic political crisis just days earlier called the August Faction Incident. In 1997 the Juche calendar was adopted on September 9, which became September 9, Juche 86.[5]

In 2018, North Korea marked the 70th anniversary of it's foundation. Russian Federation Council Chairman Valentina Matviyenko and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, as well as delegations from Cuba, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, the Dominican Republic, Uganda, and South Africa were in attendance during the celebrations.[6] Chinese President Xi Jinping was expected to attend the parade during his state visit to North Korea on 9 September, however cancelled his attendance, instead sending Li Zhanshu to Pyongyang.[7][8][9] The Korean People's Army has been preparing for the parade at Mirim Parade Training Ground since July 2018 and is expected to be one of the largest according to a satellite analysis of the capital.[10][11] For the first time in five years, the Arirang Mass Games will also take place.[12]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Hunter, Helen-Louise (2008). "The Society and Its Environment". In Worden, Robert L. North Korea: A Country Study (Fifth ed.). Washington: Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress. p. 85. ISBN 978-0-8444-1188-0.
  2. ↑ Yonhap News Agency, Seoul (27 December 2002). North Korea Handbook. M.E. Sharpe. pp. 451–452. ISBN 978-0-7656-3523-5.
  3. ↑ Buzo, Adrian (2002). The Making of Modern Korea. London: Routledge. p. 60–61. ISBN 0-415-23749-1.
  4. ↑ "Democratic People's Republic of Korea Founding Day". Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary (Fourth ed.). Omnigraphics. 2010. Retrieved 13 January 2017 – via TheFreeDictionary.com.
  5. 1 2 Tertitskiy, Fyodor (8 September 2018). "Is North Korea's 9/9 Foundation Day its most important holiday?". NK News. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  6. ↑ "Russian upper house speaker Matviyenko to pay official visit to N. Korea". tass.com. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  7. ↑ Lieu, Amy (19 August 2018). "China's Xi to make first official visit to Pyongyang for North Korea's 70th anniversary". Foxnews.com. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  8. ↑ "Chinese President Xi to visit North Korea next month: Straits Times". Reuters. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  9. ↑ https://m.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2163237/theres-no-point-asking-why-xi-jinping-isnt-going-north-korea
  10. ↑ "North Korea preparing for major military parade". Upi.com. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  11. ↑ "North Korea's Foundation Day Parade: Likely to be Larger than the February Army Day Parade - 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea". 38north.org. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  12. ↑ Smith, Josh (1 September 2018). "North Korea preparing toned-down military parade: analysts". Reuters. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
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