Song about Kim’s heir apparent played in North
Published: 27 Oct. 2009, 01:47
A North Korean song praising Kim Jong-il’s heir apparent Kim Jong-un was played at a recent performance attended by the North Korean leader, footage from the North’s state television shows. Analysts said the move proves Kim Jong-il’s faith in his third son as the next leader of the reclusive state.
According to intelligence sources, the North’s state-run Korean Central Television reported on Oct. 9 that Kim Jong-il attended a show at North Hwanghae Provincial Art Theater, north of Pyongyang, and a choir performed the song called “Footsteps” as part of commemoration of the newly-built art center. The Unification Ministry yesterday confirmed that a caption flashed the word “Footsteps” as it was being performed.
The song is believed to extol virtues of the young Kim. It includes the lyrics, “Tramp, tramp, tramp, the footsteps of our General Kim, honoring the spirit of February.” General Kim is thought to be a reference to Kim Jong-un and Kim Jong-il was born in February. This is the first reported case of Kim Jong-il’s attending an event where the song was played. Lee Ki-dong, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Strategy in Seoul, likened the move to former leader Kim Il Sung’s praising his son Kim Jong-il in public before his succession. Kim Jong-il was accompanied by key government officials, including his sister and a Workers’ Party director Kim Kyong-hui, her husband and high-level Workers’ Party official Jang Song-thaek, and a party secretary Kim Ki-nam.
Jeong Seong-jang, a senior researcher at the Sejong Institute, said the presence of these figures must not be overlooked. Both Kim Kyoung-hui and Jang are believed to be involved in grooming Jong-un for leadership, while Kim Ki-nam handles propaganda. “That Kim Jong-il came with these key individuals proves that handing over the reins [to Kim Jong-un] is now official, at least internally,” Jeong said.
Kim Jong-un, who was born in 1984 as the second son of Kim Jong-il’s third wife, is regarded as the leader’s favorite among his three sons.
By Yoo Jee-ho, Lee Young-jong [[email protected]]
According to intelligence sources, the North’s state-run Korean Central Television reported on Oct. 9 that Kim Jong-il attended a show at North Hwanghae Provincial Art Theater, north of Pyongyang, and a choir performed the song called “Footsteps” as part of commemoration of the newly-built art center. The Unification Ministry yesterday confirmed that a caption flashed the word “Footsteps” as it was being performed.
The song is believed to extol virtues of the young Kim. It includes the lyrics, “Tramp, tramp, tramp, the footsteps of our General Kim, honoring the spirit of February.” General Kim is thought to be a reference to Kim Jong-un and Kim Jong-il was born in February. This is the first reported case of Kim Jong-il’s attending an event where the song was played. Lee Ki-dong, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Strategy in Seoul, likened the move to former leader Kim Il Sung’s praising his son Kim Jong-il in public before his succession. Kim Jong-il was accompanied by key government officials, including his sister and a Workers’ Party director Kim Kyong-hui, her husband and high-level Workers’ Party official Jang Song-thaek, and a party secretary Kim Ki-nam.
Jeong Seong-jang, a senior researcher at the Sejong Institute, said the presence of these figures must not be overlooked. Both Kim Kyoung-hui and Jang are believed to be involved in grooming Jong-un for leadership, while Kim Ki-nam handles propaganda. “That Kim Jong-il came with these key individuals proves that handing over the reins [to Kim Jong-un] is now official, at least internally,” Jeong said.
Kim Jong-un, who was born in 1984 as the second son of Kim Jong-il’s third wife, is regarded as the leader’s favorite among his three sons.
By Yoo Jee-ho, Lee Young-jong [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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