NK soldiers dance as Kim named marshal
Source: Agencies |
July 19, 2012, Thursday
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SOLDIERS danced in Pyongyang's plazas as North Korea announced yesterday that leader Kim Jong Un was named marshal, a title cementing his status atop the nation's military as he makes key changes to the 1.2 million-man force.
State media said in a special noon bulletin that North Korea's military, government and political leadership had decided on Tuesday to award the top title to Kim, who already is supreme commander of the Korean People's Army. It solidifies his standing seven months into Kim's rule and follows several days of reshuffling at the highest levels of the military.
Soldiers applauded and cheered the news during a meeting at the April 25 House of Culture called by officers and officials of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces. Among the men lined up on stage were the military's new vanguard: four generals promoted to vice marshal since Kim Jong Un succeed his father Kim Jong Il, who died in December.
The announcement of Kim Jong Un's title and the presentation of the new military leadership comes just three days after the dismissal of army chief Ri Yong Ho, a high-ranking figure in both political and military circles and seen as a close adviser to Kim. The government said Ri was ill, but there was widespread speculation abroad of a military reshuffle at the top levels.
A day later, a general named Hyon Yong Chol was promoted to vice marshal, joining three others named to that rank in February and April. Hyon became a member of the Workers' Party's Central Committee, a key decision-making body, in September 2010, and was on the funeral committee for Kim Jong Il in two strong indicators of his rise in stature.
The title of marshal was held previously by Kim's father and grandfather, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung.
Soldiers and students in uniform filled the streets of the capital to celebrate, dancing and singing despite the rain.
"I am pleased that our cherished desire came into reality," said Kim Jong Gum, a student at the Kang Pan Sok Revolutionary School dressed in a military uniform. "July 18th: This day will be remembered in our hearts as another meaningful and auspicious day."
One by one, Kim Jong Un has collected top posts in the military and party, including first chairman of the National Defense Commission, first secretary of the ruling Workers' Party, chairman of the party's Central Military Commission and member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau. He was made supreme commander of the military in December, just days after his father's death from a heart attack.
State media said in a special noon bulletin that North Korea's military, government and political leadership had decided on Tuesday to award the top title to Kim, who already is supreme commander of the Korean People's Army. It solidifies his standing seven months into Kim's rule and follows several days of reshuffling at the highest levels of the military.
Soldiers applauded and cheered the news during a meeting at the April 25 House of Culture called by officers and officials of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces. Among the men lined up on stage were the military's new vanguard: four generals promoted to vice marshal since Kim Jong Un succeed his father Kim Jong Il, who died in December.
The announcement of Kim Jong Un's title and the presentation of the new military leadership comes just three days after the dismissal of army chief Ri Yong Ho, a high-ranking figure in both political and military circles and seen as a close adviser to Kim. The government said Ri was ill, but there was widespread speculation abroad of a military reshuffle at the top levels.
A day later, a general named Hyon Yong Chol was promoted to vice marshal, joining three others named to that rank in February and April. Hyon became a member of the Workers' Party's Central Committee, a key decision-making body, in September 2010, and was on the funeral committee for Kim Jong Il in two strong indicators of his rise in stature.
The title of marshal was held previously by Kim's father and grandfather, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung.
Soldiers and students in uniform filled the streets of the capital to celebrate, dancing and singing despite the rain.
"I am pleased that our cherished desire came into reality," said Kim Jong Gum, a student at the Kang Pan Sok Revolutionary School dressed in a military uniform. "July 18th: This day will be remembered in our hearts as another meaningful and auspicious day."
One by one, Kim Jong Un has collected top posts in the military and party, including first chairman of the National Defense Commission, first secretary of the ruling Workers' Party, chairman of the party's Central Military Commission and member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau. He was made supreme commander of the military in December, just days after his father's death from a heart attack.
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