u/H3nrysC0meToSeeUs

I know the offroad wheels are an unconventional choice, but I like the look of the thicker tires

Just obtained a very hard to find piece for my collection!

This is a "Double Kim" badge - in North Korea, citizens are expected to wear badges depicting the portraits of the first two leaders of the country, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il (and recently, Kim Jong Un as of 2024). They have existed since the 1960s, but came into widespread use by citizens in the 1970s.

The vast majority of Kim badges have just one portrait; usually of Kim Il Sung, and less commonly Kim Jong Il. Badges depicting both leaders are generally worn by North Koreans of higher social or political status.

The badge in the photo was introduced in 2012 after the death of Kim Jong Il in 2011, and have since become a symbol of North Korea's elite. I will attach a second photo of the double Kim badges being worn by North Korean military officials, and a third photo of my new badge alongside my other Kim badges in my collection.

Fun fact about this badge - Usually it is not possible to pinpoint the date of Kim badges beyond a decade as there are many different designs, but this is a very early variant of the double Kim badge from 2012 (maybe 2013?) - it has a rounded flagpole, whereas later variants have a pointed flagpole.