Korean commemoration
February 17, 2012
Pyongyang's Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang was renamed Kumsusan Palace of the Sun for the occasion, the reference being to Kim Il Sung, founder and "eternal president" of North Korea. Kim Il Sung's birthday is known as the Day of the Sun in the official North Korean calendar. His son and successsor, deceased leader Kim Jong Il's birthday is now being called the Day of the Shining Star. Kim Jong Un, the present leader and the third Kim in an unprecedented dynastic succession in a communist state, presided over the main ceremony in Pyongyang on Thursday.
Army vehicles carrying artillery and rocket launchers rolled by while thousands of soldiers goose-stepped past the reviewing stand in a military parade which was not one of Pyongyang's most extravagant. But it carried a message spelt out clearly by Ri Yong Ho, vice marshal of the Korean People's Army and the military's Chief of General Staff. "Bearing guns, we will faithfully uphold the 'military-first' leadership of our respected supreme commander and comrade," Ri said. "Let's dedicate our lives to protect Kim Jong Un!" the troops cried.
The star of the show
Massive portraits and bronze equestrian statues, hybrid red begonias named Kimjongilias after the late leader, North Korea's special brand of the personality cult has been in evidence all through the week of honors. But the star of the show has been the young Kim Jong Un, analysts agree, helped by his uncanny resemblance to his dead grandfather, the first Kim and founder of the state as well as of the dynasty. At the military parade, Kim Jong Un appeared to be calm and composed as he saluted the troops. He chatted with Ri Yong Ho and Armed Forces Minister Kim Yong Chun, often with a smile on his lips. Later, when he attended a performance of songs and orchestral music in his father's honor at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium, the performers and musicians chanted "Kim Jong Un, single-hearted unity!" and "Kim Jong Un, defend to death!" for five minutes, with the audience joining in.
A change in style?
This is the second transition of power in the Stalinist state which was officially against dynastic succession till the 1970s and analysts are registering every detail. Kim Jong Il disappeared from public view for 100 days when his father, Kim Il Sung, died 17 years ago. Kim Jong Un was next seen visiting a tank division in Pyongyang four days after his father, Kim Jong Il, had been laid to rest.
Kim Jong Il was short and potbellied, serious and expressionless at the same time, ailing and in oversized sunglasses towards the end. Kim Jong Un has mostly been on view at his so-called "field inspections" with the army, numbering a dozen or so by now. But he has also been seen holding hands with the top brass as well as linking arms with women cadres or chatting with ordinary soldiers. Kim Jong Un seems to enjoy the photo ops, analysts say. In a word, he smiles.
This special "warmth and kindness" offensive on the part of North Korea's new leader has taken the outside world by surprise, to the extent that it is also being interpreted as a sign of weakness by some. But the truth is that Pyongyang's propaganda cadres have succeeded in establishing Kim's credibility internally, to a certain extent. Thursday's memorial could well serve as the end of the first chapter before the all-important nuclear talks with the United States scheduled to begin next week.
Author: Arun Chowdhury (AP, dpa, AFP, Reuters)
Editor: Grahame Lucas