GMA News Online News » World

SEOUL - North Korea said Wednesday it has awarded its highest title to late leader Kim Jong-Il on the eve of his 70th birthday, giving him the same rank as his father and founding leader Kim Il-Sung.

 

The announcement came a day after a rare statue of Kim Jong-Il was unveiled in Pyongyang, part of a series of attempts to burnish the reputation of the former strongman as his own young son consolidates power.

 

"The title of Generalissimo of the DPRK (North Korea) was awarded to leader Kim Jong-Il," the official news agency said, adding the decree by top state organs was issued Tuesday.

 

"Kim Jong-Il strengthened the Korean People's Army founded and led by Generalissimo Kim Il-Sung along the path of victory and glory, honourably defended the socialist country and the destiny of the nation, and made immortal contribution to global peace and stability," the news agency said.

 

The leader, who died on December 17 of a heart attack at age 69, also turned the North into a military power with his Songun (military-first) policy and "led the stand-off with imperialism and the US to victory", it proclaimed.

 

In 1992, Kim Il-Sung was made Generalissimo as his son Jong-Il became Marshal. Kim Il-Sung died of a heart attack in 1994.

 

Jong-Il's youngest son Jong-Un, believed to be in his late 20s, has taken over the leadership in the communist nation's second dynastic succession.

 

Statues of the two late Kims riding horses together were unveiled Tuesday in central Pyongyang ahead of the 70th anniversary Thursday -- dubbed the Day of the Shining Star -- of Kim Jong-Il's birthday, the news agency said.

 

The country's nominal head of state Kim Yong-Nam told the unveiling ceremony the statues had been set up thanks to Kim Jong-Un's "boundlessly noble loyalty and meticulous guidance." — AFP