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North Korea names Kim Jong-un army commander | North Korea names Kim Jong-un army commander |
(about 14 hours later) | |
North Korea's new leader, Kim Jong-un, has been formally named supreme commander of the country's armed forces, state media said. | North Korea's new leader, Kim Jong-un, has been formally named supreme commander of the country's armed forces, state media said. |
Kim Jong-un, who took over after the death of his father Kim Jong-il earlier this month, was appointed at a meeting on Friday, KCNA news agency said. | Kim Jong-un, who took over after the death of his father Kim Jong-il earlier this month, was appointed at a meeting on Friday, KCNA news agency said. |
The move is seen as a clear sign that the young leader is fast consolidating power over North Korea. | The move is seen as a clear sign that the young leader is fast consolidating power over North Korea. |
Kim Jong-il, who had ruled since 1994, died of a heart attack on 17 December. | Kim Jong-il, who had ruled since 1994, died of a heart attack on 17 December. |
On Wednesday, a huge funeral procession was staged for the late leader in the snowy streets of the capital, Pyongyang. | On Wednesday, a huge funeral procession was staged for the late leader in the snowy streets of the capital, Pyongyang. |
Father's will | Father's will |
According to KCNA, Kim Jong-un "assumed supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army" at a Workers' Party meeting on Friday. | According to KCNA, Kim Jong-un "assumed supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army" at a Workers' Party meeting on Friday. |
The appointment, which puts the young Kim in charge of the world's fifth largest army, was made in accordance with a will written by Kim Jong-il on 8 October, the news agency said. | |
In a statement, the news agency referred to him for the first time as "Great Leader" - regarded as a clear message of continuity of the regime of his late father. | In a statement, the news agency referred to him for the first time as "Great Leader" - regarded as a clear message of continuity of the regime of his late father. |
Kim Jong-il - known in North Korea as the "Dear Leader" - was in the process of formalising Kim Jong-un as his successor when he died. | Kim Jong-il - known in North Korea as the "Dear Leader" - was in the process of formalising Kim Jong-un as his successor when he died. |
However, the transition was not complete, leaving regional neighbours fearful of a power struggle in the nuclear-armed pariah state. | However, the transition was not complete, leaving regional neighbours fearful of a power struggle in the nuclear-armed pariah state. |
On Friday, North Korea told the international community not to "expect any change" in the wake of Kim Jong-il's death. | On Friday, North Korea told the international community not to "expect any change" in the wake of Kim Jong-il's death. |
The message came in a statement carried by state media and attributed to the powerful National Defence Commission. | The message came in a statement carried by state media and attributed to the powerful National Defence Commission. |
"We declare solemnly and confidently that the foolish politicians around the world, including the puppet group in South Korea, should not expect any change from us," it said. | "We declare solemnly and confidently that the foolish politicians around the world, including the puppet group in South Korea, should not expect any change from us," it said. |
Kim Jong-un inherits 1.2 million-strong military and a national policy known as the Songun, that prioritises the welfare of the armed forces over civilians. | Kim Jong-un inherits 1.2 million-strong military and a national policy known as the Songun, that prioritises the welfare of the armed forces over civilians. |
During the memorial service on Thursday, head of state Kim Yong-nam said that, under the new leader, the North would "march firmly along the path of Songun taught by great leader Kim Jong-il". | During the memorial service on Thursday, head of state Kim Yong-nam said that, under the new leader, the North would "march firmly along the path of Songun taught by great leader Kim Jong-il". |
Songun is the phrase used for North Korea's "military first" policy. | Songun is the phrase used for North Korea's "military first" policy. |
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