Viral social media posts suggested that North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un personally honored the legendary country artist following her passing from the peak of Mount Paektu.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Following Dolly Parton’s passing in August 2026, a bizarre rumor began spreading across digital platforms alleging that North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un had offered a special tribute to the music legend from Mount Paektu—a location of immense historical and political significance in North Korea. Let’s examine the validity of this viral report.
Claim: Kim Jong Un honored Dolly Parton after her passing
The rumor originated from an X post that read, “Fond memories of dear friend Dolly Parton immortalized from summit of Mt Paektu.”
This statement heavily implied that Kim Jong Un himself had issued a formal acknowledgment of Parton’s death from the iconic mountain.
As global tributes from artists, celebrities, and world leaders flooded in for Parton, the rumor gained traction. Many internet users mistook the handle @DPRK_News for an official mouthpiece of the North Korean government.
The formal tone of the post, paired with references to Mount Paektu—a revered site in North Korean state mythology—contributed to the widespread belief that Kim had made a surprising gesture toward the American singer.
Because Mount Paektu is so heavily intertwined with the ruling dynasty’s propaganda, the supposed tribute seemed striking enough to draw significant online curiosity and sharing.
Fact Check: The claim is entirely fabricated
This viral narrative is completely false. The rumor stems from the @DPRK_News account on X, which clearly displays a “Parody Account” label. According to X’s guidelines, this designation is used for profiles that satirize, parody, or share information in a non-serious manner.
Historically, this specific account has managed to trick prominent news outlets into treating its satirical statements as legitimate dispatches from Pyongyang. It has a long history of publishing fictionalized headlines about the nation, ranging from obvious jokes to clever satires blended with real-world events, such as a fabricated trade agreement between North Korea and Canada.
While the imagery sometimes accompanying these posts may be authentic, it is entirely unrelated to the stated claims. In this instance, any associated photos likely trace back to legitimate archival footage, such as Kim Jong Un’s actual December 2019 inspection tour of Mount Paektu, the country’s highest elevation.
A thorough search of legitimate news archives yields zero evidence that Kim Jong Un ever issued a public statement or tribute regarding Dolly Parton’s passing.
The satirical account in question was originally established to mimic North Korean state media rhetoric. In a 2014 interview with Newsweek, the creators behind the profile—identified as Patrick Popehat and Derrick Popehat—noted that they craft their posts by closely emulating the distinctive propaganda language utilized by North Korean state outlets and historical Soviet publications.