New sign of rising power for new Sonny Boy's uncle
SEOUL: North Korean state TV footage on Sunday showed Jang Song-thaek, the power behind the communist states throne, wearing a military uniform with the insignia of a general, another sign of his rising influence after the death of Kim Jong-il.
Kremlinologist heaven in a photo at the link. | The footage, which state TV said was taken on Saturday, showed Jang at the front of rows of top military officers who accompanied Pudgy Kim Jong-un, the youngest son of Kim Jong-il and his anointed successor, paying their respects in front of Kims body.
Kim Jong-un was hailed by state media on Saturday as supreme commander of the Norths 1.1 million-strong armed forces, the title held by his father.
While the younger Kim has been described as the Great Successor, a senior source told Reuters this week Pyongyang will shift from a strongman dictatorship to a coterie of rulers including the military and Jang, Kim Jong-uns uncle. Jong-un, in his late 20s, has also been called by his official title of vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Norths ruling party.
Jang married the daughter of the countrys autocratic founder, Kim Il-sung, in 1972, to join the ruling family.
A Seoul official familiar with North Korea affairs said it was the first time Jang has been shown on state TV wearing a military uniform. His appearance was interpreted as meaning he has secured a key role in the Norths powerful military, which has pledged its allegiance to Kim Jong-un.
Sources with close ties to North Korea and China have said Jang is the real power behind Pyongyangs succession process.
North Koreas state media have geared up their propaganda machine since Saturday in an apparent bid to smooth the untested Kim Jong-uns succession and show his grip on the military, which is trying to develop a nuclear arsenal.
Posted by: Steve White 2011-12-26 |