Kim Jong Un moves one of his favourite bands into his Pyongyang palace as ‘a reward for their loyalty’
- The North Korean dictator is said to be a fan of the Band of the State Affairs Commission and their propaganda music
- He is so enamoured with the musicians that he has allowed them to live in palace
- Music videos and photos appear to show the band at two palaces in Pyongyang
Kim Jong Un appears to have moved in one of his favourite music bands into his Pyongyang palace as ‘a reward for their loyalty’.
The North Korean dictator is said to be a fan of the Band of the State Affairs Commission (SAC) and their propaganda-laden music which promotes faith in the ruling party.
Now it appears Kim is so enamoured with the band that he has allowed them to live in two of his luxurious palaces in Pyongyang, which feature prominently in their music videos, according to analysis by NK News.
Kumsusan Guesthouse in east Pyongyang, built to accommodate Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a visit two years ago, appears to have been featured in at least one of the band’s music videos.
The sprawling estate, which features a lake and scores of palace buildings, was also where Kim met the band on July 11, according to the news site.
Kim Jong Un appears to have moved in one of his favourite music bands into his Pyongyang palace as ‘a reward for their loyalty’. In one of the band’s music videos, it appears it was filmed at the Kumsusan Guesthouse
The green floor lights and white decorations in the music video matches those seen during a visit by Xi Jinping in 2019
The North Korean dictator is said to be a fan of the Band of the State Affairs Commission (SAC) and their propaganda-laden music which promotes faith in the ruling party. Pictured: The band appears to be playing outside the Paekhwawon Guesthouse in one music video
Their analysis of pictures from the meeting shows the interior, which includes red sofas and paintings, are the same during Jinping’s stay there in 2019.
In a further four new music videos released by the band, the musicians are seen playing at the nearby Paekhwawon Guesthouse, where the presidents of South Korea and Cuba stayed in 2018.
They can be seen in the footage playing in the palace’s luxurious halls and rooms as well as in the grounds in front of a large fountain and private lake.
The band members have also been pictured relaxing and writing music together in the palace grounds.
The Kumsusan Guesthouse, which features a lake and scores of palace buildings, was also where Kim met the band on July 11
The interior shown in the music video appears to match the interior of the Kumsusan Guesthouse when Kim met Xi Jinping in 2019
King Jong Un has previously met with the band and other musicians at the palace
https://youtube.com/watch?v=dEzRR7Fxtxs%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1
This comes mere months after Kim Jong Un warned that North Korea is facing a great famine which he compared to a 1990s famine thought to have killed up to 3.5million North Koreans.
The videos and pictures suggest the band lives in the palaces or the equally luxurious Samjiyon Theatre as ‘a reward for their extraordinary loyalty’, according to NK News.
While the band could have been granted access to the palaces solely to shoot their music videos, their meeting with Kim at the Kumsusan Guesthouse suggests it is more permanent as he would not meet guests at the palace for just a photoshoot.
‘The band could have been granted long-term residence of seasonal access to these places as a gift from the state,’ the outlet said.
The musicians are an important tool for Kim and his ruling party to spread their propaganda and increase the loyalty for the dictator.
A music video released by the band shows the musicians inside the Paekhwawon Guesthouse
The music video matches the interior of the Paekhwawon Guesthouse seen during the South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s visit in 2018
This comes at a time when loyalty to Kim is key after he warned that North Korea is facing a great famine.
North Korea is a mountainous nation, meaning suitable land for farming is in short supply and many of its farmers lack access to tools such as tractors, combine harvesters and threshers.
It is thought that North Korea relies on foreign imports and aid to feed around a third of its population, but 2017 UN report concluded that two fifths of the population are undernourished – meaning they don’t have access to the number of calories needed per day to maintain a healthy weight.
A third of North Korea children are also thought to be stunted, meaning they did not get enough calories during the early years of their life.
Last year, Kim Jong Un declared that pet dogs are a symbol of capitalist ‘decadence’ and ordered that dogs in Pyongyang be rounded up – but many suspect this was a ploy to try and stave off the nation’s food shortages.
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