N. Korean media promote song praising leader

A primary school classroom in Pyongyang is shown in this picture taken on June 28 by North Korea’s state-run media. / Yonhap

North Korea’s state-run media are promoting a song praising its new leader Kim Jong-un in an apparent move to justify his power succession.

The new song is titled “Moving Ahead for the Final Victory.”

The name of the name is identical to the last phrase of Kim’s speech on April 15, a day which marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il-sung, the country’s founding leader and Kim’s grandfather.

Since the Rodong Sinmun, the mouthpiece of the North’s ruling Workers’ Party, published the song last Tuesday, North Korea’s state-run media ― the Korean Central Broadcasting Station and Radio Pyongyang ― have been playing it several times a day.

Experts say the move aims to consolidate the inexperienced successor’s leadership which is now being tested by the international community.

Kim, who is known to be in his late twenties, took the helm in Pyongyang following the death of his father Kim Jong-il who died of a heart attack last December.

The first and second verses of the song praise the work of the former leaders, while the third and the last verse emphasize the upcoming “industrial revolution in the new century” by the new head.

The broadcasts claim the song is gaining popularity across the nation and generating positive responses from soldiers, workers and college students.

It is the first time Pyongyang has enthusiastically promoted a propaganda song dedicated to its new leader.

A song titled “Footsteps” was released in 2009 in honor of the then heir apparent under Kim Jong-il’s leadership.

Pyongyang has long been promoting propaganda verses to idolize its leaders.

With Kim Jong-un consolidating his position as new leader, Pyongyang has been more focused on stabilizing the livelihoods of the people as polarization keeps deepening there.

Against this backdrop, Pyongyang is stepping up efforts to boost economic cooperation with China in the border cities of Rason (Rajin-Sonbong) and Hwanggeumpyeong Island, areas dedicated as special economic zones allowing foreigners to invest.

Meanwhile, according to the Seoul government, the number of North Korean defectors to South Korea dropped 43 percent in the first half of 2012 year-on-year due to increased security along the North Korea-China border. <The Korea Times/Chung Min-uck>

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