By For everyone who has been waiting for North Korea to unveil their next leader, they have now got their wish:
North Korea introduced its heir apparent to the world Thursday, a chubby-faced young man with a serious expression, combed back hair cut high and tight on the sides and wearing a communist-style black suit.
State media published the first official images of Kim Jong Un, the youngest son of leader Kim Jong Il who appears destined to inherit control of the impoverished, nuclear-armed state.
North Korean television broadcast video of a meeting of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party held Tuesday, including images of Kim Jong Un, who was positioned in the front row during a speech and shown standing and vigorously clapping with other delegates in the cavernous venue.
North Korean authorities confirmed to TV news agency APTN in Pyongyang that the man shown in the footage is Kim Jong Un.
A photo of senior Workers’ Party officials also appeared on the front page Thursday of the authoritarian regime’s main Rodong Sinmun newspaper, two days after the party concluded its biggest political gathering in 30 years to elect new leaders.
An article listed the names of those in the picture, which was taken outside the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, where the embalmed body of the country’s founder Kim Il Sung lies in state.
The still and video images confirmed what many analysts suspected for the past two years: that Kim Jong Un, believed to be in his 20s, has been anointed to succeed his father and carry the family’s rule into a third generation.
Needless to say I am not impressed with Kim Jong-un who probably has only one North Korean fatter than him, which is his older brother Kim Jong-nam. Sharing Kushibo’s opinion on this, I don’t think many in the ruling elite in North Korea is going to be too impressed with this guy. Just look at him via the Chosun Ilbo image:
This guy appears in over his head, which is what worries me because he may attempt something provocative to build his creditability with the ruling elite. Like anything with North Korea who knows and only time will tell.
5:00 pm on September 30th, 2010 1
Although just now unveiled, Kim Jong-un has been allegedly participating in NK's Government and military decision making since at least late 09.
He did play a part in the failed currency reform and the sinking of the cheonan earlier this year, however his level of involvement is unknown.
GI Korea is absolutely correct – Now that he has been introducted, one can expect increased anti-us rhetoric and provocations to strengthen his support base.
11:59 pm on September 30th, 2010 2
I know KJU's level of involvement in the sinking of the Cheonan. He pushed the button to launch the torpedo. Not too difficult to understand he was "proving" himself.
12:07 am on October 1st, 2010 3
He was proving
1. He is loyal to dear leader and KN
2. He hates KS
3. He is ruthless
I would like to know the remote assessment for the psychological evaluation CIA has on him and if the sinking of the Cheonan and murder of 45 has any effect.
8:16 pm on October 1st, 2010 4
Interesting dialogue at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSSJpTmlSvQ