Kim Jong-un
son of N. Korean leader Kim Jong-il |
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
Amid growing rumors of the father-to-son succession in North Korea, the secretive state is presumed to have celebrated heir-apparent Kim Jong-un’s 28th birthday, Friday.
The North Korean state media has yet to report related details. But the Rodong Shinmun, a mouthpiece of the North’s ruling Workers’ Party, hinted that a celebratory event took place in its commentary, titled a “Toast to the Party.”
“A cannon salute brightens up our future following the leading party ... which is a huge event in our history,” it said. “Rays of light which will open a new era of prosperity on our land are everywhere.”
North Korea watchers said this indicates that Kim Jong-un will soon ascend to a leadership role.
Earlier, the reclusive state showed signs of preparing to crown the heir-apparent, the youngest son of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, eulogizing him as the “morning star.”
“A bright full moon shone through the night in the skies above Mt. Baekdu, marking the maximum distance of vision until dawn came,” the North’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in its New Year’s Day meteorological report on Jan. 2.
Jong-un was initially referred to as “General Kim” but he is now called “Morning Star General.”
“Venus, also known as the morning star, shed an unusually bright light above the Chonji (the crater lake on top of Mt. Baekdu) before sunrise,” it added.
Even though the New Year’s message does not directly mention the succession issue, a leading North Korea watcher here said the message seems to clearly have pertained to the junior Kim.
“The message describes a 150-day campaign (to revive the North Korean economy) as an unforgettable battle in its history,” said Cheong Seong-chang, a senior fellow at the Sejong Institute in Seoul.
“Given that the son is known to lead the initiative, the state indirectly admires his leadership through the message.”
The North Korea expert also said that a special team on reform and openness, led by Jong-un, may have affected North Korea’s softened stance toward South Korea and its recent currency revaluation.
“Some North Korean sources claimed that Kim led the currency reform on Nov. 30 last year, which indicates that he has great influence on North Korea’s domestic and foreign policies,” he said.
North Korea abruptly dropped two zeros off the nominal value of its currency in an apparent attempt to fight inflation and black marketeering.
Cheong speculated that Jong-un is likely to officially become the successor as early as September when the Workers’ Party holds its General Assembly.
ksy@koreatimes.co.kr
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