Kim named 'Marshal' of North Korea

Kim Jong-Un has been made "Marshal" of North Korea, a title previously held by his late father, Pyongyang said yesterday, as the young successor of the communist dynasty tightens his grip on power.
The move came after army chief Ri Yong-Ho was removed from his post due to "illness" and the little-known Hyon Yong-Cho promoted to vice marshal, paving the way for him to take over as head of the military.
Analysts said the new title underlined Jong-Un's efforts to reinforce control over the 1.2-million-strong military. The new leader, who is in his late 20s, has made a series of visits to military units since his father died in December.
"A decision was made to award the title of Marshal of the DPRK (North Korea) to Kim Jong-Un, supreme commander of the Korean People's Army," the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
The title of Marshal was held by both Jong-Un's father, Kim Jong-Il, and his grandfather Kim Il-Sung, the North's founding father.
KCNA said North Koreans were filled with joy on hearing the news of Jong-Un's new title. "All people throughout the country have taken the news as the nation's great auspicious event," it said.