Lepistö was invited by Champions on Ice to skate in the 21st annual Paektusan Festival in North Korea in February 2012 which was used to honor the memory of Kim Jong-il.
Lepistö was invited by Champions on Ice to participate in the 21st annual Paektusan Festival in North Korea in February 2012, which paid tribute to the memory of Kim Jong-il, highlighting the connection between figure skating and state honors.