North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been in power for about two and a half years now, and the family tradition of "field guidance" trips shows no sign of abating. Kim Jong Un, like his father and grandfather before him, visits hospitals, factories, and military facilities, giving on-the-spot advice, which is dutifully recorded by the many note-takers in attendance at every event. Gathered here are just a few of the photos of these visits, released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) over the past 12 months.
Kim Jong Un's Busy Year
Hints:
View this page full screen.
Skip to the next and previous photo by typing j/k or ←/→.
-
![]()
Read moreNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un (front) in the conning tower of a submarine during his inspection of the Korean People's Army (KPA) Naval Unit 167 in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang on June 16, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
-
![]()
Read moreKim Jong Un looks through a periscope of a submarine during his inspection of KPA Naval Unit 167 in Pyongyang on June 16, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreKim Jong Un visits a submarine during his inspection of KPA Naval Unit 167 in Pyongyang on June 16, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreKim Jong Un rides in the conning tower of a submarine during his inspection of KPA Naval Unit 167 in Pyongyang on June 16, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreKim Jong Un, surrounded by admirers, guides a multiple-rocket launching drill by women's sub-units under KPA Unit 851, in this undated photo released by KCNA on April 24, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreKim Jong Un inspects a biscuit as he provides field guidance at Foodstuff Factory No. 354 of the Korean People's Army on November 17, 2013. #
Reuters/KCNA -
-
![]()
Read moreStudents at Mangyongdae Revolutionary School greet Kim Jong Un on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the founding of the Korean Children's Union in Pyongyang on June 7, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreKim Jong Un gives field guidance to the Pyongyang Weak-current Apparatus Factory in Pyongyang on March 3, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreKim Jong Un walks through an exhibit during a visit to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum, which is nearing completion, on July 2, 2013. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his wife Ri Sol Ju, applauds as they attend an art performance by the Moranbong Band at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang on May 20, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreKim Jong Un supervises a flight drill of the KPA Air and Anti-Air Force Unit 2620 on March 7, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
-
![]()
Read moreAt the Ryugyong Dental Hospital and Okryu Children's Hospital in Pyongyang, Kim Jong Un observes, on March 22, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read morePosing for a souvenir photo, Kim Jong Un stands with Dennis Rodman and his former U.S. NBA basketball colleagues after a basketball game against North Korean players of the Hwaebul team of the DPRK at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on January 9, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreKim Jong Un applauds during a photo session with war veteran delegates who took part in the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the truce of the Korean War on July 30, 2013. Kim Jong Un, reportedly 5 ft, 9 in tall, appears to tower over most of the veterans in attendance. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreKim Jong Un visits the construction site of apartment buildings for faculty members of Kim Chaek University of Technology in Pyongyang on May 21, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un gives field guidance to the Hydro-meteorological Service in Pyongyang on June 10, 2014. He was apparently unhappy with the performance of the forecasters, reportedly criticizing their "many incorrect forecasts", and saying that "only when meteorological observation and forecast are done properly, is it possible to protect the lives and properties of the people from disasters caused by the abnormal climatic phenomenon and prevent various fields of national economy including agriculture and fishery from natural disasters in good time." #
Reuters/KCNA -
-
![]()
Read moreKim Jong Un is greeted enthusiastically as he visits an outpost at Mount Osung on December 28, 2013. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreWater slides made by the Korean People's Army (KPA) are examined by Kim Jong Un on June 2, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreKim Jong Un inspects the Korean People's Army (KPA) Air and Anti-Air Force Unit 447 on May 14, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreKim Jong Un addresses commanding officers of the combined units of the Korean People's Army in Pyongyang on April 2, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreSoldier-builders of KPA Units 966, 462, 101, 489, who took part in building the workers' hostel of Kim Jong Suk Pyongyang Textile Mill, applaud during a photo session with Kim Jong Un on May 6, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
-
![]()
Read moreKim Jong Un visits the newly built workers' hostel of Kim Jong Suk Pyongyang Textile Mill on April 30, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreAr the construction site of a ski resort on Masik Pass, Kim Jong Un and entourage make observations on November 3, 2013. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreKim Jong Un gives field guidance to the August 25 Fisheries Station under KPA 313 Unit on December 16, 2013. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreBoth staff members and children react as Kim Jong Un smiles during a visit to Taesongsan General Hospital in Pyongyang on May 19, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreKim Jong Un smokes a cigarette as he attends a flight exercise of the KPA Air and Anti-Air Force Unit 188 on March 17, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
-
![]()
Read moreAt the January 18 General Machinery Plant, Kim Jong Un specifies tasks and methods for its modernization, on May 14, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreKim Jong Un is surrounded by female participants of the first meeting of the airpersons of the Korean People's Army (KPA) during a photo session in Pyongyang on April 17, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreKim Jong Un and others share a laugh as he gives field guidance at the Ryongmun Liquor Factory in Pyongyang on May 28, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreKim Jong Un inspects KPA Unit 863 on June 14, 2014. Note the image used as wallpaper in the background is the same photo discovered to have been digitally altered last year. #
Reuters/KCNA -
![]()
Read moreNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un guides a multiple-rocket launching drill of women's sub-units under KPA Unit 851 on April 24, 2014. #
Reuters/KCNA -
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.