Thursday, December 29, 2011
Associated Press
PYONGYANG, North Korea
North Korea says Kim Jong Il’s son is now “supreme leader” of the ruling party, military and people as a massive crowd gathers to memorialize the late leader.
Ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam told a sea of people today in the main plaza in Pyongyang that Kim Jong Un inherits his father’s “ideology, character and revolutionary” cause.
Kim Jong Un looked on with his head bowed from a balcony during the memorial.
He was flanked by the top party and military officials.
The memorial began with a silent tribute for Kim Jong Il. The elder Kim led his 24 million people with absolute rule after taking power after the 1994 death of his father, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung.
On Wednesday, an emotionally charged funeral left millions of people wailing in grief in a ceremony that cemented his youngest son as his successor.
Kim Jong Un was head mourner on a bitter, snowy day in Pyongyang, walking with one hand on the black hearse that carried his father’s coffin on its roof, his other hand raised in salute, his head bowed against the wind.
Although analysts say Kim Jong Un is on the path toward cementing his power and all moves in North Korea so far point in that direction, his age and inexperience leave questions about his long-term prospects. Whereas his father was groomed for power for 20 years before taking over, the younger Kim has had only about two years.