Kim Jong-un Is Back Attending The Commemoration Of Kim Il-sung’s Birthday After Being Absent Last Year

Monumen Kim Il Sung then Kim Jong Il di Mansu Hill Pyongyang Korea Utara. (Wikimedia Commons / JA de Roo)

JAKARTA - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un paid homage at the grave of his grandfather Kim Il-sung on Thursday, April 15 to commemorate the birthday of the North Korean founder, the Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

Located in the Kumsusan Sun Palace, Kim Jong-un accompanied by his wife Ri Sol-ju also watched a song and dance performance at the place where Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-il who were Kim Jong-un's father were buried.

April 15, which is the date of Kim Il-sung's birth, is designated as a national holiday every year, by the North Korean Government.

"When the show was over, the audience cheered again for the Secretary-General", said KCNA as quoted by Reuters, Friday, April 16.

KCNA said that this year Kim Jong-un was accompanied by a number of senior North Korean officials, including his younger sister Kim Yo-jong. Unlike last year, where Kim Jong-un was not present.

In the midst of his absence last year, various issues and speculation surrounding his health have flared up, questioning his health condition. Including the news of Kim Jong-un's unfavorable condition after undergoing surgery.

Kim's appearance this time is said to be a symbol that Kim Jong-un was still in good health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The North Korean government has so far claimed there have been no cases of the coronavirus in the country.

In early April, the North Korean Olympic Committee decided not to take part in the Tokyo Olympics because of concerns about the coronavirus and the safety of the country's athletes and coaches.