North Korea Reveals Interior of Workers' Party Headquarters Amid Mourning for Deployed Soldiers

On June 30, 2025, North Korea's state-run Korean Central Television (조선중앙TV) aired footage of Kim Jong-un mourning over the casket of a North Korean soldier who died during deployment in Russia. This broadcast is interpreted as an effort to mitigate public discontent following significant casualties and to justify further troop deployments.

The broadcast featured Kim Jong-un alongside a Russian cultural delegation, including Minister Olga Lyubimova, during a commemorative performance marking the first anniversary of the 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement' between North Korea and Russia. The event showcased performances from both countries' artistic troupes, with the Russian group performing at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre and the North Korean group at the 4.25 Cultural House.

During the North Korean performance, a large screen displayed images of the deployed soldiers, including a scene where Kim Jong-un tenderly touches the casket, visibly emotional. He was also seen kneeling beside the casket with his sister, Kim Yo-jong, who is a senior official in the Workers' Party. The broadcast captured moments of Kim Jong-un and other officials wiping away tears and standing in respect during the performance. Additionally, for the first time, footage was shown of Kim Jong-un personally approving the 'Operation Plan for the Liberation of the Sea of Kursk.' Images from the performance backdrop revealed that he had signed the plan on three occasions: October 22, December 12, and December 22 of the previous year.

In a notable development, North Korean media also unveiled previously undisclosed areas of the Workers' Party headquarters. Photos and videos from Kim Jong-un's meeting with Minister Lyubimova revealed a starkly different interior from what has been shown before, which typically featured the first floor adorned with large portraits of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. The newly revealed images suggest a three-story structure reminiscent of a large library, complete with a piano on the first floor. A government official commented that this appearance is significantly different from previously released images, indicating either a renovation of the headquarters or the unveiling of previously hidden spaces that require further analysis.