Kim Jong Un’s 40th Birthday: Unprecedented Silence Raises Speculation

Analysts offer diverse perspectives on why Kim’s birthday is not officially celebrated, with some suggesting it could be politically burdensome for Kim to idolize himself at a relatively young age. Others believe that elderly members of the North’s ruling elite may still view Kim as too young for his birthday to become an official holiday.

While birthdays are central to North Korean mythology, with tributes, dance parties, and massive military parades for Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un’s birthday has never been formally commented on by North Korea. The only public acknowledgment was in 2014 when former NBA star Dennis Rodman sang “Happy Birthday” before an exhibition basketball game in Pyongyang.

Despite the absence of known public birthday events, experts believe Kim Jong Un faces little political challenge and anticipate an intensification of weapons tests in the lead-up to the U.S. presidential election in November. In a recent ruling party meeting, Kim pledged to enlarge his nuclear arsenal and launch additional spy satellites, citing an unprecedented confrontation led by the U.S. The geopolitical landscape in the region remains uncertain, highlighting the complexities surrounding North Korea’s leadership.