The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has celebrated Party Foundation Day in style, with the capital Pyongyang illuminated by fireworks, performances, and a sense of renewed confidence. The 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers Party of Korea was marked not only by large scale domestic festivities but also by the attendance of several foreign delegations, the first Western visitors to participate since the border closures of 2019. Their presence, while limited and symbolic, was enough to suggest that North Korea’s isolation may be softening at the edges.
What is Party Foundation Day
Party Foundation Day held on October 10 each year, is one of the most important national holidays in the country. It commemorates the founding of the Workers Party of Korea in 1945, only months after the liberation from Japanese colonial rule. The creation of the party under Kim Il Sung was a defining moment in the birth of modern Korea and is regarded by North Koreans as the beginning of true national independence.
The Workers Party of Korea ( WorkersPartyofKorea.com ) is not seen merely as a political institution but as the engine that drives the entire state. It leads the government, the military, and the economy, and serves as the ideological foundation of society. To the citizens of the DPRK, the party represents unity and continuity, the force that has guided the nation through both its triumphs and its struggles.
For decades, October 10 has been marked with parades, cultural performances, and public gatherings. Workers and students take part in organized celebrations, while state television airs documentaries about the founding of the party and the country’s revolutionary history. Factories and public buildings are decorated with red flags, portraits of national leaders, and slogans calling for loyalty, self reliance, and unity. Even during difficult periods of famine or sanctions, the day has always been celebrated, symbolizing resilience and national pride.
It should eb noted though that there are other partes in the DPRK.
How was it celebrated
This year’s celebration was one of the grandest since before the pandemic. Pyongyang’s streets were lit up with red and gold lights as thousands of people filled Kim Il Sung Square and the surrounding avenues. Choirs and orchestras performed patriotic songs while fireworks erupted over the Taedong River. The main ceremony was attended by Kim Jong Un along with senior members of the party and military.
State media reported that delegations from friendly and fraternal organizations were present, including groups from Africa, Russia, and several smaller socialist movements in Europe. Their attendance was notable, marking the first time in several years that foreign guests had taken part in an official DPRK event. The atmosphere was one of controlled enthusiasm, combining solemn ceremony with public celebration.
What did we learn from the foreign delegations
The presence of foreign delegations, while modest in scale, has sparked speculation about a gradual re engagement by the DPRK. These visitors were not tourists but representatives of sympathetic organizations, many of whom were free to post photos and videos on social media. These online glimpses revealed something surprising: hotels such as the Yanggakdo in Pyongyang now appear to have functioning WiFi, as is already the case in Rason.
While this development is hardly a revolution, it does show subtle shifts in how the country manages its external image. Whether this could lead to wider tourism openings is uncertain. In the short term, and likely through 2025, a major reopening to tourists remains unlikely. However, events such as the upcoming Pyongyang International Film Festival could see an increase in official visitors, academics, and media professionals entering under special arrangements.
Overall
Party Foundation Day 2025 may not mark a grand reopening to mass tourism, but it shows a country that continues to project strength and pride far beyond its size. North Korea has consistently demonstrated an ability to organize large scale national events despite heavy sanctions and isolation. The country is clearly benefiting from closer ties with Russia, China, and a network of sympathetic groups that continue to engage despite Western pressure.
The continued celebrations are a reminder that the DPRK is not about to disappear. For all the sanctions and diplomatic campaigns aimed at containing it, the state continues to operate, adapt, and maintain its ideological core. When will the West finally understand that isolation has failed and that the country is not going anywhere?
Until that lesson is learned, North Korea will keep doing what it has always done, celebrating its milestones in its own way and on its own terms.