1,038 views since Nov 26, 2023

(9 May 2016) North Korea's ruling party congress announced the new title of party chairman for Kim Jong Un on Monday, in a move that highlights how the country's first congress in 36 years is aimed at bolstering the young leader.
The news emerged in Pyongyang during the few minutes that a small group of foreign media was allowed to watch the congress in the ornate April 25 House of Culture.
As a military band in full uniform played the welcoming song, used whenever North Korea's leader enters a public place, Kim strode onto the stage, generating a long loud standing ovation from the several thousand delegates.
In unison the delegates shouted, "Mansae! Mansae!", wishing Kim long life.
He and other senior party members took their seats, filling several rows on a stage, below portraits of Kim's grandfather, North Korean founder Kim Il Sung, and father, Kim Jong Il.
The walls were decked with red banners, featuring the ruling party's hammer sickle and pen logo embossed in gold.
Kim Yong Nam, the head of the North Korean Parliament, stood to read a roster of top party positions - calling Kim Jong Un chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea for the first time.
Kim was already head of the party, but with the title of first secretary.
His predecessors keep their posthumous titles: Kim Jong Il remains eternal general secretary and Kim Il Sung is still eternal president.
The congress, which began on Friday, has touted Kim's successes on the nuclear front and promised economic improvements to boost the nation's standard of living.
Mostly, though, the congress has put Kim himself front and centre in the eyes of the people and the party as the country's sole leader.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...