| Day of Songun | |
|---|---|
| Korean name | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 선군절 |
| Hancha | 先軍節 |
| Revised Romanization | Seongunjeol |
| McCune–Reischauer | Sŏn'gun-jŏl |
.jpg) Day of Songun celebrations by the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang | |
| Observed by |  North Korea |
| Significance | Beginning of the Songun leadership of Kim Jong Il (1960) |
| Observances | Flying the flags of North Korea and the Supreme Commander of the KPA, galas, dancing parties, concerts, laying bouquets, and visiting historic sites |
| Date | 25 August |
| Next time | 25 August 2025 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| First time | 2013 |
The Day of Songun (Korean: 선군절; MR: Sŏn'gun-jŏl[1]) is a public holiday in North Korea celebrated on 25 August annually to commemorate the beginning of Kim Jong Il's Songun (military-first) leadership in 1960.
In 2013, Kim Jong Un elevated the holiday to an official status on the North Korean calendar, on par with the Day of the Sun (birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung). Thus it became the holiday associated with Kim Jong Un, with his own birthday still missing from the official calendar. This has helped to further Kim Jong Un's charismatic rule.[2] According to North Korea analyst Adam Cathcart,[3] the purpose of the holiday is "to reinforce Kim Jong-un's legitimacy to rule, confirm the principle of very early succession and young leadership, and emphasize the preternatural military abilities of the sons in the Kim family."[4]
On the calendar, the 25 August holiday takes place after the Liberation Day (15 August) and before the Day of the Foundation of the Republic (9 September). Day of Songun is one of three days celebrating Kim Jong Il on the calendar, the other two being the Day of the Shining Star (his birth anniversary) and Generalissimo Day (commemorating his accession to the rank of Taewonsu).[5]
- ^ Cathcart, Adam (3 September 2013). "A Tale of Two and a Half Visits: Wu Dawei, and Rodman vs. The King". Sino-NK. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Sino-NK2013was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Adam Cathcart". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Cathcart2015was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cho Jong Ik (25 December 2013). "2014 Calendar Reveals Few Surprises". Daily NK. Retrieved 19 August 2016.