Walk into any home in Pyongyang and your eyes will immediately go to the same spot. It’s the "most prominent wall" in the living room. It's usually high up. It's always perfectly clean. For decades, that space was reserved for two faces: Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. But things are changing fast. If you’ve been following the recent shifts in North Korea, you’ve probably noticed that a new face is joining the lineup.
The portrait of Kim Jong Un is no longer just a rare sight at summits or on the front page of the Rodong Sinmun. It is becoming a fixture of the state's visual identity.
Basically, we’re witnessing a massive branding update for an entire country. For years, Kim Jong Un seemed content to stay in the shadow of his father and grandfather’s portraits. Experts thought maybe he was being humble—or maybe he just didn't want to mess with a "god-tier" status he hadn't yet earned in the eyes of his people. That's over now.
The Tectonic Shift in May 2024
The world really took notice in May 2024. During the opening of the Central Cadres Training School, state media released photos that sent ripples through intelligence agencies.
There it was. A large, oil-painted portrait of Kim Jong Un hung right next to his predecessors. It wasn't lower. It wasn't smaller. It was perfectly level. This wasn't a mistake. In North Korea, where every centimeter of a photo is carefully vetted, this was a loud, clear shout: "I am an equal."
It was the first time all three "Great Leaders" were presented as a trinity in a permanent public installation. Before this, you might see Kim Jong Un’s photo during a special event, like when the Cuban president visited in 2018. But those were temporary. This new setup in 2024 signaled a permanent change in how the regime wants the people to see the current leader.
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Why the Wait?
You might wonder why it took over a decade. Kim took power in late 2011. His father, Kim Jong Il, had his face on every wall almost immediately after the elder Kim passed.
Some analysts, like those at the Daily NK, suggest it was about age. North Korean culture deeply respects seniority. Hanging a portrait of a man in his late 20s or early 30s next to the "Eternal President" might have felt... off. It could have looked like a kid sitting at the adults' table. Now that Kim is in his 40s and has a firm grip on the nuclear program, the regime clearly feels he has the "gravitas" to share the wall.
Honestly, it’s also about the "Paektu bloodline." By putting himself on that wall, he isn't just saying he's the boss. He's saying he's part of a divine lineage. It’s a move toward what experts call "Kimjongunism"—an ideology that moves away from just following the "teachings" of his father and toward his own unique path.
The Secretive World of Mansudae Art Studio
Every single official portrait of Kim Jong Un comes from one place: the Mansudae Art Studio.
This isn't your average neighborhood art gallery. It’s a 120,000-square-meter complex in Pyongyang that employs around 4,000 people. Out of those, 1,000 are the elite of the elite—the "People's Artists." These people are the only ones allowed to depict the leaders.
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- The Medium: Most are oil paintings, though they often look like high-resolution photos.
- The Style: It’s strictly Socialist Realism. No abstract art here. No weird angles.
- The Wardrobe: In his early days, Kim was often shown in a Mao-style suit. Lately, the official portraits have shifted. He’s often seen in a Western-style suit and tie, or even his signature light-colored summer gear.
The studio operates like a factory. Every brushstroke is monitored. If an artist messes up the hair or the expression, it’s not just a bad day at the office—it’s a political disaster.
The Rules You Have to Live By
If you live in North Korea, a portrait of Kim Jong Un (or his predecessors) isn't just decor. It's a responsibility. There are actual laws about how you treat these images.
- The Cleaning Kit: Families are often given a special cloth used only for cleaning the portraits. You can't use the same rag you use for your coffee table.
- The Inspection: Neighborhood watch groups (inminban) do random checks. If they find dust on the frame, you're in trouble. We’re talking "self-criticism" sessions or even hard labor.
- The Disaster Protocol: There are countless state media stories about "heroes" who died in floods or fires while saving the portraits. One famous story from 2012 involved a 14-year-old girl who drowned trying to keep the portraits above water. The state uses these stories to guilt-trip everyone else into total devotion.
It sounds intense because it is. These portraits are treated more like religious icons than political posters.
Different Versions for Different Eras
Not every portrait of Kim Jong Un looks the same. The regime updates his "look" to match the current political vibe.
In the early 2010s, the imagery focused on his resemblance to his grandfather, Kim Il Sung. He wore the same clothes, had the same haircut, and even stood the same way. It was a visual shortcut to legitimacy.
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By 2024 and heading into 2026, the portraits have become more "statesman-like." He’s smiling more. He looks more comfortable. He’s often depicted with his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, in the background or at his side in general propaganda, though the official solo portrait remains the gold standard for public buildings.
What This Means for the Future
The elevation of the portrait of Kim Jong Un is a sign that the "transition period" is officially over. He isn't the "successor" anymore. He's the Sun.
South Korean intelligence agencies think this "trinity" of portraits is also a way to prepare the public for the next generation. By standardizing the three-leader display, it makes it much easier to eventually add a fourth portrait—likely his daughter—without it feeling like a radical change.
If you’re ever traveling to the region (or just watching the news), keep an eye on the background of the shots from Pyongyang. Where those portraits are placed, and how they are lit, tells you more about the power structure than any official press release ever will.
Actionable Insights for Observers
- Check the Frames: In North Korean propaganda, the frames are often tilted forward slightly. This isn't for style; it’s to prevent glare so the leader’s eyes are always visible to the viewer.
- Watch the "Trinity": If you see a news report from a school or factory, look at the wall. If there are three portraits instead of two, that institution has been "upgraded" to the new standard.
- Monitor the Daughter: While there isn't an official "living room" portrait for Kim Ju Ae yet, her appearance in murals and mosaics is the precursor. Once she gets a standalone oil painting, the succession is essentially a done deal.
The cult of personality in North Korea is a living, breathing thing. It evolves. It moves. And right now, it is moving squarely into the era of the portrait of Kim Jong Un as the center of the North Korean universe.