In a mysterious turn of events, North Korea's enigmatic leader, Kim Jong Un, is believed to have turned 40, marking what would typically be a significant milestone.
However, the leader's birthday remains a closely guarded secret, shrouded in speculation and intrigue.
The usually low-key celebrations for Kim Jong Un's suspected birthday on January 8 took an unexpected turn, as official pictures were released of him and his daughter visiting a chicken farm.
This subdued affair sharply contrasts with the grandiose celebrations that marked the birthdays of his predecessors, Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung, which are still commemorated as national holidays in North Korea.
The secrecy surrounding Kim Jong Un's birthdate has long puzzled North Korea watchers, with various hints and clues emerging over the years.
In January 2020, North Korean officials expressed gratitude to then-US President Donald Trump for his birthday wishes, without specifying the actual date. Six years prior, basketball player Dennis Rodman sang happy birthday to Kim Jong Un in front of a large crowd, providing further evidence for the January 8 speculation.
Gilsup Kwak, head of One Korea Center, a website specializing in North Korean affairs, suggests that the secrecy could be tied to Kim Jong Un's mother, Ko Yong Hui, reportedly born in Japan.
Given the historical tensions between North Korea and Japan, acknowledging this connection could undermine Kim Jong Un's bloodline claims. Kwak believes that making a spectacle of the leader's birthday might attract unwanted attention to this sensitive aspect of his background.
"Kim Jong Un's Achilles' heel is the truth of his birth," explained Mr. Kwak, emphasizing the potential complications associated with revealing his mother's Japanese heritage.
However, other theories abound, including the idea that Kim Jong Un may be intentionally downplaying his birthday to maintain an image of humility.
Some experts also posit that older members of North Korea's ruling elite view him as too young to hold such a significant position, despite the fact that his father's birthday became an official holiday when he turned 40.
