PYONGYANG: North Korea’s ruling-party congress wrapped up its official agenda on Monday by announcing a new title for Kim Jong Un — party chairman — in a move that highlights how the authoritarian country’s first congress in 36 years was aimed at bolstering the young leader and ushering in a new era of leadership.
The new title was announced during the roughly 10 minutes that a small group of foreign media, including The Associated Press, was allowed to watch the congress in the ornate April 25 House of Culture.
It was the first time since the congress began Friday that any of the more than 100 foreign journalists invited were allowed to view the proceedings. Earlier Monday, three BBC journalists were expelled for allegedly “insulting the dignity” of North Korea.
As a military band in full uniform played the welcoming song used whenever North Korea’s leader enters a public place, Kim confidently strode onto the stage, generating a long, loud standing ovation from the several thousand delegates attending.
In unison the delegates shouted, “Mansae! Mansae!” wishing Kim long life.
He and other senior party members took their seats, filling several rows on a stage, below portraits of Kim’s grandfather, North Korean founder Kim Il Sung, and father, Kim Jong Il, the walls decked with banners of red with the ruling party’s hammer sickle and pen logo embossed in gold.
Kim Yong Nam, the head of North Korea’s Parliament, stood to read a roster of top party positions — calling Kim Jong Un chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea for the first time.
Kim had already been head of the party, but with the title of first secretary.
His predecessors keep their posthumous titles. Kim Jong Il remains “eternal general secretary.”
The congress has touted Kim’s successes on the nuclear front and promised economic improvements to boost the nation’s standard of living.
The new title was announced during the roughly 10 minutes that a small group of foreign media, including The Associated Press, was allowed to watch the congress in the ornate April 25 House of Culture.
It was the first time since the congress began Friday that any of the more than 100 foreign journalists invited were allowed to view the proceedings. Earlier Monday, three BBC journalists were expelled for allegedly “insulting the dignity” of North Korea.
As a military band in full uniform played the welcoming song used whenever North Korea’s leader enters a public place, Kim confidently strode onto the stage, generating a long, loud standing ovation from the several thousand delegates attending.
In unison the delegates shouted, “Mansae! Mansae!” wishing Kim long life.
He and other senior party members took their seats, filling several rows on a stage, below portraits of Kim’s grandfather, North Korean founder Kim Il Sung, and father, Kim Jong Il, the walls decked with banners of red with the ruling party’s hammer sickle and pen logo embossed in gold.
Kim Yong Nam, the head of North Korea’s Parliament, stood to read a roster of top party positions — calling Kim Jong Un chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea for the first time.
Kim had already been head of the party, but with the title of first secretary.
His predecessors keep their posthumous titles. Kim Jong Il remains “eternal general secretary.”
The congress has touted Kim’s successes on the nuclear front and promised economic improvements to boost the nation’s standard of living.
