North Korea to host arts festival commemorating late founder? Kim Il

A performance marking the 110th birth anniversary of North Korea's former late leader Kim Il-sung takes place in this April 10, 2022 file photo. Yonhap

North Korea said Wednesday it will hold an international arts festival next month on the occasion of the 112th birth anniversary of the country's late founder Kim Il-sung.

Overseas troupes have sent videos of their prerecorded performances, which will be edited and broadcast on television and online, the Korean Central News Agency said.

North Korea celebrates the birthdays of its two late leaders — current leader Kim Jong-un's grandfather and father, Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il — as two of its most important holidays.

The North has invited overseas troupes biennially to mark the late founder's birthday on April 15 but canceled the event in 2020 in the wake of COVID-19 and held the event virtually in 2022.

North Korea has yet to officially confirm or designate the birthday of Kim Jong-un, presumed to be born on Jan. 8, 1984, as a national holiday. (Yonhap)