Kim Jong Un was absent from the most important celebration of North Korea

April 15 is North Korea's most important holiday, Sun Day. The communist state celebrates the birthday of the country's founder Kim Il Sung, and in the past has been celebrated with major events, such as satellite launches, or massive military parades.

But this year the celebrations were very lukewarm, with leader Kim Jong Un not appearing in public. At first glance, coronavirus pandemic is the main factor that has influenced. However, North Korea has not reported any cases so far with Covid-19, although public health experts have high suspicions.


The communist state has taken pandemic very seriously. North Korea also completely isolated the borders of tourists and quarantined foreign diplomats, who later fled. The state media constantly repeats the advice on hygiene, while also reporting the steps that the government is taking.

Restricting celebrations to Sun Day may have been an action to avoid gatherings. CNN writes that Kim's stay away from celebrations is another way to protect the leader from possible exposure to the virus.