by Joseph Yun Li-sun

In recent days, a campaign launched to commemorate first wife of Kim Il-sung, who gave her life to the "dear leader" Kim Jong-il. She died in 1949, was part of an ancient Christian family in Korea just like her husband, who disowned the faith to build a personal cult.

Seoul (AsiaNews) - North Korean propaganda has launched a new heroine into the nation's socialist pantheon: it is Kim Jong-suk, mother of the "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-il and wife of the father of Kim Il-sung. According to several sources, the woman - who died in 1949 - was from one of the oldest Christian families from Korea and her marriage with Il-sung was arranged by the parents of the two, both known in the Christian community in Pyongyang.

In recent days, the KCNA - the official press agency of the Stalinist regime - has launched a series of specials on the wife of the "Eternal President". According to the press she "was known for her leadership and revolutionary spirit, which enabled her to give life to our great leader." According to intelligence sources, this is a move to help the young Kim Jong-un (the third son and Jong-il heir) in his rise to power.

However, the praises of propaganda have erased the mother of Jong-un, the third wife of the "dear leader" Ko Yong-hui, who died in 2004.  She is not mentioned in any family document because of her birth, which occurred in Japan. She is therefore "unclean" by the standards of the racist North Korea, and her profession of "dancer" which leaves many doubts about her morality.

• korea
• kim
• jong-il
• stalinist
• regime
• propaganda
• christianity