 who have asked other people to vote for them because they don't want to lose their vote at this crucial time. North Korean officials have appeared in public wearing badges displaying a portrait of their leader, Kim Jong-un, for the first time. More from our Asia-Pacific editor, Celia Hatton. The emergence of pins showing North Korea's current leader marks a key step in an unfolding campaign to place Mr. Kim on a par with the country's past leaders, his father and grandfather.