While China, Taiwan and other Asian countries are celebrating the Chinese Lunar Year of the Dragon with fireworks and dancing, North Korea is celebrating it with flowers; precisely, "kimjongilia" begonias. Did you pick up the name of their late leader in there? You should. Single red begonias were the late Kim Jong Il's favorite flower. The flowers are being placed in Kim Il Sung square which also hosts a large portrait of the deceased leader.
After Kim Jong Il's death on December 17, 2011, the city of Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, was dark and dreary. Now the city is colorful once again with all the kimjongilia flowers, North Korea's red, white and blue flag flying overhead and bright-colored posters marking the holiday which are pinned to buildings and walls. There are banners, too, celebrating "Juche 101," the current year according to the North Korean calendar. Their calendar begins with the 1912 birth of national founder Kim Il Sung, father of Kim Jong Il and grandfather of the current leader.
Historically, North Korea came into being, along with South Korea, after the 1945 Allied victory in World War II, which ended Japan's 35-year colonial rule of Korea. The country was initially ruled as a trusteeship with a dividing line along the 38th parallel. Elections were scheduled to make Korea free and independent, but they were never held. The Soviet Union refused to cooperate and a Communist state was permanently established in the north with a pro-western democracy being set up in the south. By 1948, two totally opposite states claimed control over the entire Korean peninsula. This situation was further entrenched by the 1950-53 Korean War and continues to this day.
The bright, colorful city, the Lunar Year of the Dragon and the inherent festivities seem to be welcoming new leader Kim Jong Un, the son of late leader Kim Jong Il, who was handpicked by his father three years ago for the succession. Kim Jong Un has pledged to continue his father's military program. Amidst the celebration of the Lunar Year of the Dragon, North Korea is also preparing to celebrate the 100th birthday of founder Kim Il Sung.
While not utilizing the kimjongilia begonias, Atlantic City is preparing its own Chinese New Year celebrations to usher in the Lunar Year of the Dragon.
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