"Saetbyeol General, Nickname for Kim Jong-un in Childhood"
Taeyongho "Internal Procedures for Successor Appointment Completed"
There is an analysis that the title referring to Kim Ju-ae, daughter of Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, has changed from the previous 'Honored Daughter' to 'The Morning Star of Korea,' signaling the beginning of idolization within North Korea. Some view this as part of the process of appointing a successor.
The title 'The Morning Star of Korea' appeared at a commemorative lecture held to celebrate the success of the military reconnaissance satellite 'Manlilyeong-1.' According to Radio Free Asia (RFA) on the 28th of last month, the Party Organization Guidance Department held a commemorative lecture on the 23rd for officials from the Pyongyang City Party, State Security Department, and Ministry of Social Security to mark the success of 'Manlilyeong-1.'
At the lecture, it was emphasized that "a reconnaissance satellite, which constantly monitors the military plots of hostile forces with the courage of the Supreme Dignity, has been deployed in space, opening an era of space power for Korea," and "the future of the space power era will shine even brighter under the young female general known as 'The Morning Star of Korea.'"
'The Morning Star of Korea' is a title that was used to promote the early revolutionary activities of Kim Il-sung, the President of North Korea. It is also known that Kim Jong-un was called the 'Morning Star General' within North Korea during his childhood.
Kim Ju-ae appeared alongside Kim Jong-un at the test launch site of the new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-17 on November 18 last year. At that time, she was referred to as 'Beloved Daughter,' but later, at the banquet commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army (Army Foundation Day) in February, her title was elevated to 'Honored Daughter.'
The North Korean government held a banquet on the evening of the 23rd at Mokran Hall to celebrate the successful launch of the reconnaissance satellite 'Manlilkyong-1,' according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 24th. 2023.11.24 [For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution]
nkphoto@yna.co.kr
(End) [Image source=Yonhap News]
In this regard, Tae Yong-ho, a member of the People Power Party and former North Korean diplomat, claimed, "This means that the internal procedure to appoint Kim Ju-ae as successor has been completed."
Through social media on the same day, Representative Tae said, "Until now, North Korean media have only referred to Kim Jong-un's daughter, known by the name 'Ju-ae,' as 'Beloved Daughter' or 'Respected Daughter.' If North Korea is using this satellite launch success to deify and idolize Kim Jong-un's teenage daughter, it means that the highest leadership within the North Korean leadership has completed the internal procedure to appoint Kim Jong-un's daughter as successor."
He explained that in the case of Kim Jong-un, the idolization and deification process began in 2009 when his father, Kim Jong-il, the National Defense Commission Chairman, was in declining health.
Representative Tae said, "In early 2009, the 24-year-old Kim Jong-un was given the title 'Marshal Kim,' and the song 'Footsteps' was suddenly forced to be sung nationwide, marking the start of idolization and deification," adding, "Although there was no official party plenary session declaring Kim Jong-un as successor at that time, North Korean residents judged that the process of appointing a successor was complete when the title 'Marshal Kim' was bestowed upon him."
He continued, "If it is true that the idolization and deification of Kim Jong-un's teenage daughter began by linking her to the satellite launch success, it is excessive even by North Korean standards and common sense, and North Korean residents will also judge that Kim Jong-un's health is in trouble and that the succession appointment is being rushed."
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