海角大神

North Korea鈥檚 leader Kim Jong-un rose to the rank of marshal of his country Wednesday in the latest act of symbolism, evidently intended to show that he鈥檚 in charge seven months after the death of his father, Kim Jong-il.聽

North Korea鈥檚 state radio and TV networks disclosed the move around noon Korea time, after having told listeners and viewers to await 鈥渁n important announcement.鈥� The portentous nature of the advance notice gave the impression that a drastic overhaul in the power structure was under way.聽After all, the last time聽North Korea聽said an "important announcement" was coming at noon was Dec. 19, when a wailing woman in black delivered the news that Kim Jong-il had died two days earlier.

Instead, however, the news on Wednesday only served to reiterate that聽Kim Jong-un, to outward appearances, reigns supreme as successor to聽his father.

The urge to embellish Kim Jong-un鈥檚 image with聽a super-rank suggests to some experienced observers a sense of insecurity about the man, widely believed to be in his late 20s.聽鈥淭his is a reflection of instability,鈥� says Kim Tae-woo, long-time military analyst here. 鈥淭he most important interpretation is North Korea wants to establish the new leader.鈥澛�

Kim Jong-un鈥檚 military credentials are especially vulnerable since his father only named him a general in Sept. 2010.

His newest title represents, perhaps, a climactic move in a shake-up in which Ri Yong-ho, the chief of staff of the Korean People鈥檚 Army, which includes all of North Korea鈥檚 armed forces, was ousted. After Mr. Ri, a vice marshal, was 鈥渞elieved,鈥� another military leader, Hyon Yong-chol, was named a vice marshal 鈥� though it was not clear if he had replaced Mr. Ri as chief of staff.聽 聽 聽 聽聽聽

Kim Jong-un鈥檚 rank of marshal puts him more than one significant rung聽above all eight or nine vice marshals. He is marshal of his entire country, not simply the armed forces. But he still has one more rank to which to aspire 鈥� that of 鈥済reat marshal,鈥� the title held by his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, and his father. Meaningless though the difference between "marshal" and "great marshal" may appear, the inference is that he聽is rapidly falling into place as heir to the dynasty 鈥� and may soon reign on their same level.

On the day that Kim Jong-il named Jong-un a general, he聽also named his younger sister, Kim Kyong-hui, a general. Her husband, Jang聽Song-thaek, another general with no military experience, is vice chairman of the national defense commission. Kim Jong-il served as chairman of the commission and remains 鈥渆ternal chairman鈥� while Kim Jong-un holds the title of 鈥渇irst chairman.鈥澛�

The inner workings of the ruling elite remain a deep mystery, but the sense is that Mr. Jang, his wife, and others with no military background are anxious to hold the real military generals, those with years in charge of the country鈥檚 1.2-million man military establishment, in check.

鈥淲hat they have in mind is how to firmly establish their power,鈥� says Kim Tae-woo.鈥漈he North Korean government is afraid of resistance from military cadres. They are uncomfortable about things to come.鈥�

The North Korean media reported Kim Jong-un鈥檚 鈥渁ward of the marshalship鈥� in the most superlative terms. 鈥淎ll people throughout the country have taken the news as the nation's great auspicious event,鈥� said the Korean Central News Agency, (KCNA) while the state radio broadcast songs 鈥渞eflecting their will to fully display the might of single-minded unity.鈥�

Kim Jong-un鈥檚 acquisition of the title showed 鈥渢he foremost strength of Songun,鈥� the military-first policy advanced by his father, according to KCNA.

One general, Hyon Ki-chong, was quoted as saying 鈥渋t was our ardent wish to confer the title of Marshal鈥� on him 鈥渁t an earlier date.鈥� Military people, according to KCNA, 鈥渉ave respected him as a brilliant commander of varied attainments who is strong in faith, will,聽and grit, prominent in strategy and command and versed in civil and military affairs.鈥�

In fact, Kim Jong-un has no military background other than a degree from the Kim Il-sung Military Academy 鈥� though there鈥檚 no evidence he ever studied there.