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Kim Jong Un's Mount Paektu press stunt decried as propaganda

North Korea's presentation of Kim Jong Un's visit was pure propaganda, said one North Korean defector, and Yonhap reported manipulated images were used in North Korean media.

By Elizabeth Shim
South Korean news agency Yonhap reported the Kim Jong Un visit to Mount Paektu was presented in a manipulated photo image, seen above. In the circled area, one soldier is standing without support. Photo by KCNA/Yonhap
South Korean news agency Yonhap reported the Kim Jong Un visit to Mount Paektu was presented in a manipulated photo image, seen above. In the circled area, one soldier is standing without support. Photo by KCNA/Yonhap

SEOUL, April 20 (UPI) -- Kim Jong Un scaled the highest North Korea mountain range of Mount Paektu on Saturday in a move seen by analysts as an opportunity to intensify propaganda that legitimizes the North Korean leader's right to govern the country.

North Korea's state-controlled newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported that Kim delivered a speech on the significance of Mount Paektu, three days after the celebration of Kim Il Sung's 103rd birthday and two days before the anniversary of Kim Jong Un's designation as marshal on April 20, 1992.

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"Climbing atop snowy Mount Paektu and directly experiencing knife-like winds strengthens our determination to complete the Korean revolution," said Kim, according to Yonhap.

"The power of no nuclear weapon could compare to the valuable mindset climbing Mount Paektu bestows upon us – the tradition of Mount Paektu's tradition of revolution."

South Korean newspaper Herald Business reported Mount Paektu is associated with the ruling Kim family, and Kim Jong Un's ascent to Mount Paektu was strategically designed to connect Kim to his father and his revered grandfather. An unidentified North Korean defector was quoted as saying Kim Jong Un's press stunt will have a major propaganda effect, given the timing of the Paektu visit between two major North Korea anniversaries.

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On Sunday, Yonhap reported its North Korea monitoring team spotted a manipulated image in one of the photographs featured in North Korean news media.

In the backdrop, a cluster of North Korean soldiers are seen celebrating the Kim visit, but upon closer look the soldier at the highest elevation is not on a support but suspended against the backdrop of Mount Paektu. Yonhap also reported the soldier's sleeve appeared cropped.

During his visit, Kim Jong Un paid respects to anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters.

North Korea air fighters and military units were present to commemorate Kim's visit, and top North Korea officials Hwang Pyong So, Choe Ryong Hae, Kim Yang Gon, Ri Jae Il, and Ri Byong Chol were in attendance, reported Yonhap.

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