North Korea Hails Era of 'Supreme Leader'

North Koreans crammed into Pyongyang's main square today to hail Kim Jong Un as "supreme leader of the party, state, and army," in a memorial service for Kim Jong Il that the BBC notes appears to mark the unofficial transfer of power. The younger Kim was joined by North Korea's top brass on center stage. "The fact that he completely resolved the succession matter is Great Comrade Kim Jong Il's most noble achievement," said Kim Yong Nam, the country's No. 2 leader. The New York Times puts the crowd at "tens of thousands," and notes that most were uniformed soldiers.

Some had been fearful of a power struggle, as the official transition was not complete when Kim Jong Il died, but the late leader's two older sons did not make an appearance at the funeral. But the Times notes that it remains to be seen whether Kim Jong Un will rely on caretakers or regents. Kim Yong Nam also promised the country's sorrow would turn to strength "1,000 times greater under the leadership of comrade Kim Jong Un," and called on citizens to "solidify [his] monolithic leadership." One of the country's top military officials promised Kim Jong Un would continue the Songun (military-first) policy of channeling money into the military; Kim Yong Nam credited that policy with turning North Korea into "a proud nuclear weapons state." (More Kim Jong Il stories.)