Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Kim Jong-un waves to supporters after a mass rally in April. Kim has given himself the title of 'Marshal' - an office previously held by his father and grandfather. David Guttenfelder/AP
Musical Chairs

Kim Jong-un gives himself new title to cement grip on power

The 29-year-old leader has given himself the title of ‘Marshal’ – previously held by his father and grandfather.

KIM JONG-UN has been made “Marshal” of North Korea, a title previously held by his late father, Pyongyang said, as the young successor of the communist dynasty tightens his grip on power.

The move came as Hyon Yong-Chol was confirmed as the new army chief after his recent appointment as vice-marshal. The promotion was widely expected and sees him replace Ri Yong-Ho who was removed from his post at the weekend.

Analysts said the new title underlined Jong-Un’s efforts to reinforce control over the 1.2-million-strong military. The new leader, who is in his late 20s, has made a series of visits to military units since his father died in December.

“A decision was made to award the title of Marshal of the DPRK [North Korea] to Kim Jong-Un, supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army,” the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Wednesday.

The title of Marshal was held by both Jong-Un’s father, Kim Jong-Il, and his grandfather Kim Il-Sung, the North’s founding father.

“By donning the mantle worn by the two Kims, Jong-Un is projecting an image as a legitimate successor to the throne and tightening his grip on power,” Professor Kim Yong-Hyon of Dongguk University told AFP.

Il-Sung was promoted to “Generalissimo” in 1992, two years before his death of a heart attack, while Jong-Il was posthumously awarded the same title in February.

With Hyon promoted to vice marshal on Monday, Jong-Un, who was made a general in September 2010, apparently needed a new rank befitting the supreme commander of the military, Cheong Seong-Chang of the Sejong Institute said.

“This is the only title left for Jong-Un to decorate himself with after he assumed almost all party and army positions,” he said.

Senior military officials and thousands of soldiers gathered in Pyongyang to celebrate Jong-Un’s promotion and to pledge loyalty to the new marshal, state TV showed.

- © AFP, 2012

Read: Meet the new boss: North Korea names new army chief

Your Voice
Readers Comments
20
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.