Syria Names A Park After Kim Jong Un's Grandpa | HuffPost

Welcome to Kim Il Sung park.

By

Senior World News Reporter, HuffPost

Young women hold a North Korean flag during a ceremony to name a park in Damascus after Kim Il Sung.

Credit: AFP/Getty Images

North Koreans gathered Monday in the Syrian capital of Damascus, where authorities held a ceremony dedicating a park to the Hermit Kingdom's late founder, Kim Il Sung. Members of the North Korean embassy watched as official Fairouz Moussa gave a speech praising their nation's support for the Syrian government, according to state media agency SANA.

Syrian President Bashar Assad's embattled regime doesn't have many international allies, as nations and rights groups routinely condemn its horrific attacks on civilians and its human rights abuses. The government also lacks control over a majority of its territory, as various rebels and militant groups like the Islamic State carve up the country. But the Syrian regime is not without its sympathizers, among which is fellow pariah state North Korea.

North Koreans bow in front of bronze statues of the late leaders Kim Il Sung, left, and Kim Jong Il at Munsu Hill on July 27, 2015, in Pyongyang, North Korea.

Credit: Wong Maye-E/ASSOCIATED PRESS

The two brutally repressive countries have a history of friendly ties. Kim praised Assad via North Korean state media last year, in addition to sending the DPRK's foreign minister Ri Su Yong to Damascus to discuss increased cooperation. Syria's farcical 2014 presidential election even brought in North Korean observers to ensure that "democracy" was being upheld.

A leaked UN report in 2010 also stated that North Korea was circumventing sanctions to export nuclear and missile technology to Syria, among other nations, The Guardian reported.

A young woman holds a North Korean flag during the inauguration ceremony of a park in the Syrian capital Damascus to honor North Korea's founding father Kim Il Sung on Aug. 31, 2015.

Credit: AFP/Getty Images

Meetings between North Korean and Syrian officials usually result in some form of statement affirming each other's domestic policy and propaganda, this latest occasion being no exception.

After Monday's ceremony, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Moqtad praised Kim Il Sung, an authoritarian ruler and the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un, telling Agence France-Presse that anyone who criticized the founder was "absurd and stupid."

North Korean ambassador Jang Myong Ho offered his own sentiments, stating that Syria's civil war -- which is estimated to have killed hundreds of thousands and forced millions to flee their homes -- was the result of U.S.-led conspiracies and terrorists.

Also on HuffPost:

Daily Life in North Korea

Daily Life in North Korea(01 of16)

Two members of the crew serve food for journalists during the trip between Pyongyang and the North Phyongan Province on the west coast on April 8, 2012. North Korea is counting down to the 100th anniversary of its founder's birth Kim Il-Sung on April 15 with top-level meetings and a controversial rocket launch scheduled in coming days to bolster his grandson's credentials. (Pedro Ugarte, AFP / Getty Images)

Daily Life in North Korea(02 of16)

North Korean students ride down a water slide into a swimming pool at Kim Il-Sung University in Pyongyang on April 11, 2012. North Korea is counting down to the 100th anniversary of its founder's birth Kim Il-Sung on April 15 with top-level meetings and a controversial rocket launch scheduled in coming days to bolster his grandson's credentials. (Pedro Ugarte, AFP / Getty Images)

Daily Life in North Korea(03 of16)

North Korean women work in a textile factory in Pyongyang on April 9, 2012. North Korea is counting down to the 100th anniversary of its founder's birth, with top-level meetings and a controversial rocket launch scheduled in coming days to bolster his grandson's credentials. (Pedro Ugarte, AFP / Getty Images)

Daily Life in North Korea(04 of16)

The painting of North Korea's late presidents Kim Il-Sung (L) and his son, Kim Jong-Il hang in an auditorium of a textile factory in Pyongyang on April 9, 2012. North Korea is counting down to the 100th anniversary of its founder's birth, with top-level meetings and a controversial rocket launch scheduled in coming days to bolster his grandson's credentials. (Pedro Ugarte, AFP / Getty Images)

Daily Life in North Korea(05 of16)

A woman plays the piano in a restaurant in Pyongyang on April 9, 2012. North Korea is counting down to the 100th anniversary of its founder's birth, with top-level meetings and a controversial rocket launch scheduled in coming days to bolster his grandson's credentials. (Pedro Ugarte, AFP / Getty Images)

Daily Life in North Korea(06 of16)

North Korean workers operate a fruit juice factory on the outskirts of Pyongyang on April 10, 2012. North Korea is counting down to the 100th anniversary of its founder's birth Kim Il-Sung on April 15 with top-level meetings and a controversial rocket launch scheduled in coming days to bolster his grandson's credentials. (Pedro Ugarte, AFP / Getty Images)

Daily Life in North Korea(07 of16)

North Koreans are seen from the window of a train along the railway line between Pyongyang and the North Phyongan Province on the west coast on April 8, 2012. North Korea is counting down to the 100th anniversary of its founder's birth on April 15 with top-level meetings and a controversial rocket launch scheduled in coming days to bolster his grandson's credentials. (Pedro Ugarte, AFP / Getty Images)

Daily Life in North Korea(08 of16)

North Korea technicians watch live images of the rocket Unha-3 at the satellite control room of the space center on the outskirts of Pyongyang on April 11, 2012. North Korea said that the fuelling of a long-range rocket is under way, ahead of the launch scheduled for later this week despite international protests."We are injecting fuel as we speak. It has started" Paek Chang-Ho, director of the satellite control centre told visiting foreign journalists. North Korea is counting down to the 100th anniversary of its founder's birth Kim Il-Sung on April 15 with top-level meetings and a controversial rocket launch scheduled in coming days to bolster his grandson's credentials.(Pedro Ugarte, AFP / Getty Images)

Daily Life in North Korea(09 of16)

North Koreans workers clean a building with the portrait of late president Kim Il-Sung in Pyongyang on April 11, 2012. North Korea is counting down to the 100th anniversary of its founder's birth Kim Il-Sung on April 15 with top-level meetings and a controversial rocket launch scheduled in coming days to bolster his grandson's credentials. (Pedro Ugarte, AFP / Getty Images)

Daily Life in North Korea(10 of16)

A policeman stands guard as North Koreans walk in a street of Pyongyang on April 10, 2012. North Korea is counting down to the 100th anniversary of its founder's birth Kim Il-Sung on April 15 with top-level meetings and a controversial rocket launch scheduled in coming days to bolster his grandson's credentials. (Pedro Ugarte, AFP / Getty Images)

Daily Life in North Korea(11 of16)

North Koreans women wearing traditional dresses rehearsal their show in streets of Pyongyang on April 11, 2012. North Korea is counting down to the 100th anniversary of its founder's birth Kim Il-Sung on April 15 with top-level meetings and a controversial rocket launch scheduled in coming days to bolster his grandson's credentials. (Pedro Ugarte, AFP / Getty Images)

Daily Life in North Korea(12 of16)

North Korean soldiers stand guard in front of the Unha-3 rocket at Tangachai -ri space center on April 8, 2012. North Korea has confirmed their intention to launch the rocket next week despite international condemnations. (Pedro Ugarte, AFP / Getty Images)

Daily Life in North Korea(13 of16)

North Koreans workers travel in a truck in Pyongyang on April 11, 2012. North Korea is counting down to the 100th anniversary of its founder's birth Kim Il-Sung on April 15 with top-level meetings and a controversial rocket launch scheduled in coming days to bolster his grandson's credentials. (Pedro Ugarte, AFP / Getty Images)

Daily Life in North Korea(14 of16)

A transit controler salutes as a bus with journalists drives by in Pyongyang on April 11, 2012. North Korea is counting down to the 100th anniversary of its founder's birth Kim Il-Sung on April 15 with top-level meetings and a controversial rocket launch scheduled in coming days to bolster his grandson's credentials. (Pedro Ugarte, AFP / Getty Images)

Daily Life in North Korea(15 of16)

North Korean students work on their computers at Kim Il-Sung University in Pyongyang on April 11, 2012. North Korea is counting down to the 100th anniversary of its founder's birth Kim Il-Sung on April 15 with top-level meetings and a controversial rocket launch scheduled in coming days to bolster his grandson's credentials. (Pedro Ugarte, AFP / Getty Images)

Daily Life in North Korea(16 of16)

North Koreans dance during a rehearsal for the commemoration of the 100th birth anniversary of their late president Kim Il-Sung in Pyongyang on April 9, 2012. North Korea is counting down to the 100th anniversary of its founder's birth on April 15 with top-level meetings and a controversial rocket launch scheduled in coming days to bolster his grandson's credentials. (Pedro Ugarte, AFP / Getty Images)

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.

Support HuffPost

Suggest a correction

|

From Our Partner

HuffPost Shopping's
Best Finds

The Best Durable Shoes, According To Zookeepers Who Work In Mud All Day

The Most Comfortable Sandals For Walking All Day, According To Tour Guides Who Live In Them

This $4 Cat Toy Is 'Worth Its Weight In Gold' — And Behaviorists Say There's A Reason

This Seemingly Silly Luxury Is Actually Important For Your Pet's Health

This Internet-Beloved Bedding Brand Is Having Its Biggest Sale Of The Year