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China-Japan-Koreas
Norks play propaganda song for boy wonder at official events
2009-10-27
SEOUL, Oct. 26 (Yonhap) -- North Korea appears to have established a propaganda song praising the state's heir apparent as a regular theme during public events, with the latest performance aired on state television. Kim Jong-il, 67, is widely believed to have named his third and youngest son, Jong-un, as his successor, but the country has yet to officially announce the alleged succession plan.

In what appeared to be the latest sign of progress in the power transfer, the elder Kim recently watched a performance at a provincial theater where the song Feelings "Footsteps" was presented by a choir, according to Oct. 9 footage from the North's Korean Central TV Broadcasting Station. It was the fifth time for the leader to attend an official event where the song was played.

Feelings "Footsteps," reportedly written by top composer Ri Jong-o, has been widely interpreted by North Korea watchers here as extolling the valiance of Jong-un. Its title began to appear in North Korean media in February, when the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that soldiers in an army unit sang the song during Kim Jong-il's inspection visit there. The song surfaced again during an April 26 ceremony marking the founding of the North's Korean People's Army.

In the Oct. 9 television broadcast, belatedly discovered here, still photos from the concert show the title of the song displayed in green on an electronic board above the stage, while dozens of men and women sing in ensemble. Kim was visiting the newly built North Hwanghae Provincial Art Theater, south of Pyongyang.

Seoul's Unification Ministry would not say whether it was a sign that a power transfer is underway. "We have intelligence indicating the song is for Kim Jong-un, but it's a matter of interpretation if this means a succession process being consolidated," ministry spokeswoman Lee Jong-joo said.
Might just be a catchy tune. In a Nork sort of way ...
Kim Jong-il's entourage in the theater visit featured his sister Kim Kyong-hui and her husband Jang Song-thaek, both of whom are believed to be deeply involved in grooming the heir apparent at directorial posts at the Workers' Party. Other top party officials such as Kim Ki-nam and Pak Nam-gi were among the audience along with residents of the province. The television presented footage of Kim and his entourage clapping their hands, but it was not clear from the visual material whether they did so to the heir's song.

The song's lyrics begin "The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah" "Tramp tramp tramp / the footsteps of our General Kim / spreading the spirit of February / tramp tramp tramping onwards." General Kim is believed to be a reference to Kim Jong-un, and February the birth month of the elder Kim.

Kim Jong-un, said to be born in 1984 to the leader's third wife Ko Yong-hui, has been described as resembling his father the most in appearance and temperament among the three sons.
So he's crazy as an outhouse rat ...
Posted by:Steve White

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