Kimilsungia is one of
North Korea's national flowers, named after its "eternal president" and "Great Leader"
Kim Il Sung.
According to the Pyongyang-published book Korea in the 20th Century: 100 Significant Events, Kim Il Sung travelled to Indonesia to meet with his counterpart, Sukarno. Kim was taken on a tour of the Bogor Botanical Garden, where
he stopped before a particular flower, its stem stretching straight, its leaves spreading fair, giving a cool appearance, and its pink blossoms showing off their elegance and preciousness; he said the plant looked lovely, speaking highly of the success in raising it. Sukarno said that the plant had not yet been named, and that he would name it after Kim Il Sung. Kim Il Sung declined his offer, but Sukarno insisted earnestly that respected Kim Il Sung was entitled to such a great honour, for he had already performed great exploits for the benefit of mankind.
Kimilsungia flower shows are held every year in Pyongyang. Traditionally, embassies of foreign countries in North Korea each present their own bouquet of the flower to the annual exhibition.
The North Korean government says that Kim Il Sung's peerless character is "fully reflected in the immortal flower" which is "is blooming everywhere on the five continents".
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