PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — Soldiers danced in Pyongyang’s plazas as North Korea announced today that leader Kim Jong Un was named marshal, a title cementing his status atop the authoritarian nation’s military as he makes key changes to the 1.2 million-man force.
State media said in a special noon bulletin that North Korea’s military, government and political leadership had decided Tuesday to award the top title to Kim, who already is supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army. It solidifies his standing seven months into Kim’s rule and follows several days of reshuffling at the highest levels of the military.
Soldiers applauded and cheered the news during a meeting at the April 25 House of Culture called by military officers and officials from the Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces.
Among the men lined up on stage was the military’s new vanguard: four generals promoted to vice marshal since Kim Jong Un succeed his father Kim Jong Il, who died in December.
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