NK News analysis has identified new murals in 8 of 14 major cities as leader expands cult of personality
Large murals glorifying North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are being erected in city centers across the country as part of efforts by authorities to boost his cult of personality, according to NK News analysis.
Authorities have started using plazas where the murals are located for major state-organized rallies, in some cases switching venues from plazas housing statues of the country’s former leaders.
The murals, which depict Kim smiling and guiding his subjects, have been built on public streets in busy areas in eight of 14 provincial capitals and special cities since 2024, with three of these construction projects occurring in 2025.
NK News analysis of satellite imagery also suggests recent construction of new murals in the centers of three additional cities.
Kim Jong Un first introduced “mosaic murals” of himself in 2022, marking an important first step in taking a larger share of mandated public worship from his predecessors, though these were at first only inside factory compounds and special project sites.
While he recently approved the first known statues of himself, these have remained small and confined to state art exhibitions, leaving the mosaic murals as the largest shrines used by the state to instill obedience to the dictator at major public events.
The Kim Jong Un mosaic mural in central Hamhung was built in March 2025. It was used for a children’s obedience rally in May this year. | Image: KCTV (May 22, 2026) | Location coordinates: 39.91878° N, 127.53369° E
A closer view of the Hamhung mural | Image: KCTV (March 15, 2026)
This large Kim Jong Un mural in Pyongyang is on a public street but specifically references his guidance over the Jonwi Street project. It is likely more have been or will be built in other parts of the capital not tied to any specific project. | Image: KCTV (May 15, 2024) | Location coordinates: 38.74740° N, 125.40785° E
The large Kim Jong Un mural in central Nampho was built from Aug. to Nov. 2024 and was used for a post-Congress rally in March this year, after such rallies have typically been held at the Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il statue pavilion in the city | Image: KCTV (March 15, 2026) | Location coordinates: 38.74740° N, 125.40785° E
The Kim mural in Sinuiju is located at the entrance to the city along the main highway rather than in the city center. It was built in 2024. | Image: KCTV (Sept. 11, 2025) | Location coordinates: 40.05926° N, 124.42879° E
Authorities bring children to the new Kim mural in Hyesan for an obedience rally in May | Image: KCTV (May 22, 2026) | Location coordinates: 41.40766° N, 128.18394° E
The new Kim mural in central Wonsan was built from Aug. to Sept. 2025, after previously demolishing murals of Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Suk in the same spot years earlier | Image: KCTV (May 22, 2026) | Location coordinates: 39.16152° N, 127.43534° E
This reverse angle shows children whom authorities brought to an obedience rally held at the spot in May | Image: KCTV (May 22, 2026)
The new mural in central Sariwon was built from July to Sept. 2024 | Image: KCTV (May 21, 2026) | Location coordinates: 38.51304° N, 125.74225° E
The Kim mural in central Haeju was built from June to Sept. 2024 as well | Image: KCTV (Sept. 11, 2026) | Location coordinates: 38.03769° N, 125.71813° E
TAKING CENTER STAGE
NK News has confirmed the locations of new city street-based murals in Pyongyang, Nampho, Sinuiju, Hyesan, Hamhung, Wonsan, Sariwon and Haeju.
The new murals have even replaced ones depicting Kim’s predecessors at the spots in Nampho, Sinuiju, Hyesan, Wonsan, Sariwon, Haeju and Rason, emphasizing his apparent goal of becoming the center of national ideological teachings.
Planet Labs satellite imagery also shows signs of construction in Rason, Kaesong and Kanggye.
The continued construction of the new Kim murals over the past year suggests the leader aims to establish them in all major cities as the primary location for regular ideological rallies.
These images show an old mosaic mural in central Rason that was demolished in late March this year before the plaza was rebuilt and a new mural, likely depicting Kim Jong Un, was built by May | Image: Planet Labs (March 21, 2026), edited by NK News | Location coordinates: 42.24409° N, 130.29340° E
These images show an old mosaic mural in central Rason that was demolished in late March this year before the plaza was rebuilt and a new mural, likely depicting Kim Jong Un, was built by May | Image: Planet Labs (April 5, 2026), edited by NK News | Location coordinates: 42.24409° N, 130.29340° E
These images show an old mosaic mural in central Rason that was demolished in late March this year before the plaza was rebuilt and a new mural, likely depicting Kim Jong Un, was built by May | Image: Planet Labs (May 29, 2026), edited by NK News | Location coordinates: 42.24409° N, 130.29340° E
They were already used for such rallies after the February Party Congress, as well as ceremonies where children have to swear loyalty to Kim and run cross-country to demonstrate their will to sacrifice for him.
Murals of Kim Jong Un could become as ubiquitous as those depicting Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, which have long existed along the streets of every town in the country.
NK News has so far identified at least 39 murals across the country. There are likely more that have not yet been confirmed through state media coverage.
As part of his diminishing of his predecessors, Kim Jong Un also recently deleted all but one reference to their names from the constitution.
Crowds at major rallies have stopped holding large portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in recent years as well, while Kim Jong Un has replaced their images hung prominently at indoor event venues with photos of himself.
However, state media still regularly cites their teachings, and their portraits still appear in all classrooms and on the front of train stations and other major buildings, suggesting Kim Jong Un does not plan to completely erase their influence.
Edited by Alannah Hill