N. Korean media begin calling heir apparent `full general`

North Korean media began Tuesday to call Kim Jong Un, the heir apparent to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, a "full general."

When reporting on attendees at Kim Jong Il’s meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang, the North’s Korean Central News Agency, Korea Central TV and Pyongyang TV introduced Kim Jong Un as “compatriot full general.” He had been previously called “compatriot” just like other ranking officials.

North Korean media called the heir apparent "compatriot full general four times in the past, but the title was mostly included in speeches and op-ed pieces.

A South Korean government source said, “Thus far, hanging boards reading ‘Compatriot Full General Kim Jong Un’ have often appeared through videos and pictures on the North’s Korea Central TV and Rodong Shinmun.”

Covering inter-Korean reunions of separated families at the North’s Mount Kumgang resort in November last year, North Korean reporters would call Kim Jong Un “compatriot full general.”

An expert in South Korea said, “Sitting with China’s next leader, Vice Premier Li, North Korean media are believed to have intentionally called Kim Jong Un ‘Compatriot Full General’ to promote his stature as the successor.”

North Korean media’s use of the new title for Kim Jong Un en masse is seen as Pyongyang’s bid to more directly officialize the transition of power to the junior Kim, going beyond alluding him as successor.

shcho@donga.com