North Korea Hosts International Children’s Day Events to Project Normalcy

North Korea marked the 75th anniversary of International Children’s Day with a series of events aimed at showcasing an image of normalcy and inclusiveness, according to state media reports on Monday.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the celebrations, held a day earlier in Pyongyang, included children with disabilities and were attended by foreign diplomats based in the capital as well as overseas Koreans.

Unlike many countries that observe Children’s Day on May 5, North Korea, China, and several other socialist nations commemorate the occasion on June 1.

Analysts suggest that the North’s decision to highlight such events — particularly in the presence of international observers — is part of a broader effort to present itself as a responsible and compassionate state, amid ongoing global criticism of its human rights record.

Despite being a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, North Korea has long faced scrutiny over its treatment of minors, including allegations of forced labor, limited access to education, and indoctrination.

Experts believe the regime is using these high-profile public displays to counter international pressure and to align its image with international norms regarding child welfare.