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N. Korean leader hailed on father's 70th birthday
Source: Agencies |
February 17, 2012, Friday
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SMILING and saluting, new leader Kim Jong Un reviewed a parade of thousands of soldiers yesterday who vowed to protect him with their lives as North Korea commemorated the 70th birthday of his late father Kim Jong Il.
Kim Jong Un, wearing a dark Mao-style suit and a solemn expression, bowed deeply before a large portrait of his smiling father in Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang, the capital. Hundreds of senior officials, military leaders and citizens followed to pay their respects.
Outside the palace, a huge crowd of North Korean soldiers lined up in neat rows on a sunny but frigid day, listening to speeches praising the Kim family. Later, the new leader and other officials watched as goose-stepping soldiers marched by, followed by military jeeps and trucks carrying artillery guns and rocket launchers. Fireworks exploded, military music boomed and people waved artificial pink and red flowers.
After the funeral, Kim Jong Un was named supreme commander of the country's 1.2 million-member military. State media and officials have praised Kim Jong Il as a strong but benevolent leader, while calling Kim Jong Un the unquestioned choice to succeed him in this socialist nation of 24 million.
Military-first
"We will faithfully uphold the 'military-first' leadership of our respected supreme commander and comrade with our guns," military General Staff chief Ri Yong Ho said in a speech.
"Let's dedicate our lives to protect Kim Jong Un!" troops in the plaza roared.
At Kim Il Sung Square, the main plaza in the capital, North Koreans bowed and laid flowers, including red "kimjongilia" begonias, at a portrait of Kim Jong Il hanging on the Grand People's Study House. Among them was Paek Won Chol, who described himself as a "soldier and disciple" of Kim Jong Il.
"I will devote my all for the building of a powerful and prosperous nation" under Kim Jong Un, Paek said.
Kim Jong Il's death halted discussions between Pyongyang and Washington on much-needed food aid in exchange for nuclear disarmament. North Korea has tested two atomic devices since 2006. A United States envoy will hold talks with North Korea on its nuclear program in Beijing next week, the first such negotiations since Kim's death.
Composers have crafted new odes to Kim Jong Il, while sculptors have chiseled slogans honoring him into the sides of mountains. His birthday was renamed "Day of the Shining Star," and this week he was accorded a new title: Generalissimo.
Last month, top leaders of the Workers' Party said that Kim's body would lie in state at Kumsusan, where his father, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung, already lies in state.
Kim Jong Un, wearing a dark Mao-style suit and a solemn expression, bowed deeply before a large portrait of his smiling father in Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang, the capital. Hundreds of senior officials, military leaders and citizens followed to pay their respects.
Outside the palace, a huge crowd of North Korean soldiers lined up in neat rows on a sunny but frigid day, listening to speeches praising the Kim family. Later, the new leader and other officials watched as goose-stepping soldiers marched by, followed by military jeeps and trucks carrying artillery guns and rocket launchers. Fireworks exploded, military music boomed and people waved artificial pink and red flowers.
After the funeral, Kim Jong Un was named supreme commander of the country's 1.2 million-member military. State media and officials have praised Kim Jong Il as a strong but benevolent leader, while calling Kim Jong Un the unquestioned choice to succeed him in this socialist nation of 24 million.
Military-first
"We will faithfully uphold the 'military-first' leadership of our respected supreme commander and comrade with our guns," military General Staff chief Ri Yong Ho said in a speech.
"Let's dedicate our lives to protect Kim Jong Un!" troops in the plaza roared.
At Kim Il Sung Square, the main plaza in the capital, North Koreans bowed and laid flowers, including red "kimjongilia" begonias, at a portrait of Kim Jong Il hanging on the Grand People's Study House. Among them was Paek Won Chol, who described himself as a "soldier and disciple" of Kim Jong Il.
"I will devote my all for the building of a powerful and prosperous nation" under Kim Jong Un, Paek said.
Kim Jong Il's death halted discussions between Pyongyang and Washington on much-needed food aid in exchange for nuclear disarmament. North Korea has tested two atomic devices since 2006. A United States envoy will hold talks with North Korea on its nuclear program in Beijing next week, the first such negotiations since Kim's death.
Composers have crafted new odes to Kim Jong Il, while sculptors have chiseled slogans honoring him into the sides of mountains. His birthday was renamed "Day of the Shining Star," and this week he was accorded a new title: Generalissimo.
Last month, top leaders of the Workers' Party said that Kim's body would lie in state at Kumsusan, where his father, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung, already lies in state.
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