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.

AP Photo/Kyodo News
North Korea

North Korean heir apparent appears in public alongside Kim Jong-Il

Kim Jong-un appears for the first time at a major public event as the North Korean Workers’ Party celebrates its 65th anniversary.

THE HEIR APPARENT to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il appeared with his father at a huge military parade today in Pyongyang in his first major public appearance since being named as North Korea’s next leader.

Twenty seven year-old Kim Jong-un was promoted top the rank of four star general last month and vice-chairman of the Korean Worker’s Party.  His father is believed to have suffered a stroke last year and named the Swiss-educated Kim Jong-Un as his successor last month as a result of his ailing health.

Soldiers paraded in front of thousands of civilans to mark the 65th anniversary of the communist regime. Chinese officials and selected foreign media were also invited.

Al Jazeera’s Melissa K Chan, Tania Branigan from The Guardian and Louisa Lim from NPR are among the journalists in Pyongyang- among the first journalists to tweet back from the North Korean capital.

North Korean heir apparent appears in public alongside Kim Jong-Il
1 / 7
  • Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un

    Source: AP Photo/Kyodo News
  • Journalist in Pyongyang

  • Kim Il Sung

  • 65

  • North Korean soldiers

    Source: AP Photo/Xinhua, Yao Dawei
  • The parade's start.

    Source: AP Photo/KRT via APTN
  • 'Long Live'