NORTH KOREA: NORTH KOREA STAGES ELABORATE CEREMONIES TO CELEBRATE 54TH BIRTHDAY OF LEADER-IN-WAITING KIM JONG-IL

Record ID: 1002146

  • Title: NORTH KOREA: NORTH KOREA STAGES ELABORATE CEREMONIES TO CELEBRATE 54TH BIRTHDAY OF LEADER-IN-WAITING KIM JONG-IL
  • Date: 16th February 1996
  • Summary: PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA (RECENT) 1. GVS/WVS CHILDREN PERFORMING GYMNASTIC SHOW AT BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS/ OFFICIALS WATCHING PERFORMANCE (6 SHOTS) 0.35 2. WVS/GVS KOREANS PAYING RESPECT AT MEMORIAL TO KIM IL-SUNG (4 SHOTS) 0.53 4. GVS STREET SCENE/MEMORIAL (2 SHOTS) 1.00 5 GV MAN CARRYING LARGE SACKS ON HIS BACK IN STREET
  • Embargoed: 1st March 1996 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Access Restrictions:This media cannot be downloaded as there may be copyright restrictions. Please contact us for more information
  • Location: PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA
  • City:
  • Country: North Korea
  • Reuters ID: LVA6E0EOF0G0YH70EL9HBX7T16FU
  • Story Text:North Korea staged elaborate ceremonies on Friday (February 16) for the 54th birthday of leader-in-waiting Kim Jong-il but stopped short of elevating him to key titles held by his late father, Kim Il-sung.

    Tens of thousands of youths took part in a rally and gymnastics display in Pyongyang, pledging loyalty to Kim Jong-il, long-designated heir of president and Korean Workers' Party general-secretary Kim Il-sung.

    Although state media heaped praise on Kim junior, there was no announcement that the shadowy leader was to be formally promoted in what would be communism's first dynastic succession.

    Experts believe the long-awaited transition of power from father to son could take place after the second anniversary of the death of Kim Il-sung, who died on July 8, 1994.

    Analysts in Seoul painted a grim picture of North Korea, saying there were signs of cracks in the rigid, secretive system of the Stalinist state.

    In the latest of a wave of defection bids, a North Korean sergeant killed three guards to force his way into the Russian embassy compound in Pyongyang on Wednesday.

    The latest material obtained from North Korea showedthat the cult of personality surrounding the Kim dynasty has not dimmed in recent months despite reports of impending famine and severe shortages.

    Around Pyongyang bands of students chanting patriotic slogans remain a regular sight.
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