PYONGYANG, December 30 (Itar-Tass) — North Korea announced on Friday that its policy after the death of the country’s leader Kim Jong Il will not undergo any changes. “Stupid politicians around the world” should not hope so, the State Defence Commission said in a statement released in Pyongyang. It actually performs the functions of the highest authority in North Korea.
“We solemnly and confidently proclaim,” the document says, “that stupid politicians around the world, including the puppet forces in South Korea should not expect any changes from us.” The statement also stressed that Pyongyang will not have any relationship with the current authorities in Seoul.
On Thursday (Dec 29), two-day nationwide mourning over the death of Kim Jong Il ended in Pyongyang. His youngest son Kim Jong Un in the course of these ceremonies was named supreme leader of the Party, army and people of the DPRK.
The North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that a solemn national memorial service for Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, was held in Pyongyang Thursday.
Kim Il Sung Square was wrapped in a solemn atmosphere.
The dear respected Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the WPK and supreme leader of the WPK, state and army, appeared on the tribune of honor.
Present there were members of the National Funeral Committee, Nam Sung U, vice-chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, officials of the party, state, armed forces and power bodies, public organizations, ministries and national institutions, men and officers of the KPA and the Korean People's Internal Security Forces, officials in the fields of science, education, culture, arts, public health and media, anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters, bereaved families of revolutionary martyrs, mourners delegations from all provinces, people of all social standings, a mourners delegation of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters in China, those related to the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle in China, families of Chinese related to the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle and their parties, mourners groups of overseas Koreans and other overseas Koreans, the chief of the Pyongyang Mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front, diplomatic envoys of foreign countries, members of the military attaches corps and representatives of international organizations here and foreign guests.
All the participants in the memorial service observed a moment's silence in humblest reverence in memory of Kim Jong Il who worked heart and soul to accomplish the cause of building a thriving socialist nation till the last moments of his great life.
Kim Yong Nam, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK and president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, made a memorial address.
He said, in particular:
Kim Jong Il, who devoted energies and tireless efforts to the accomplishment of the revolutionary cause of Juche, national reunification and global independence, passed away so suddenly and so early to our regret. This is the greatest loss to the WPK and the revolution and the biggest loss to the nation which no one could have ever imagined.
All the people, men and women of all ages, who suffered the greatest loss of the nation, unbelievable, visited the bier of Kim Jong Il and the mourning stations in the whole mourning period to mourn his demise in humblest reverence.
Born as the son of guerrillas in Mt. Paektu, the holy mountain of the revolution, Kim Jong Il led the revolution and construction to victory with his brilliant wisdom, outstanding ideas and theories, extraordinary leadership ability and noble virtues for a long period, performing the undying revolutionary feats for the country, the nation, the times and history.
He made a new history of accomplishing the cause of perpetuating the memory of President Kim Il Sung with his noblest revolutionary moral obligation, making sure that the lofty revolutionary life and feats of the President were enshrined in the hearts of the Korean people and mankind to shed rays forever.
Standing at the helm of the Korean revolution is Kim Jong Un, the successor to the revolutionary cause of Juche.
Kim Jong Un is the supreme leader of our party and army and people as he fully personified the ideas and leadership, personality, virtues, grit and courage of Kim Jong Il.
We will turn sorrow into thousand-fold strength and courage and tide over the present difficulties and more dynamically advance along the road of Songun indicated by Kim Jong Il under the leadership of Kim Jong Un.
Kim Ki Nam, member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the C.C., the WPK, spoke at the memorial service on behalf of the WPK, Kim Jong Gak, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK and first vice director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA, on behalf of the KPA and Ri Yong Chol, first secretary of the C.C., the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, on behalf of the youth and students.
While recollecting with deep emotion the immortal revolutionary career of Kim Jong Il and his revolutionary feats, dedication and efforts for the country and people, the servicepersons and people of the DPRK are keenly feeling once again under what great leader we have lived and struggled, the speakers said, KCNA reported.
They made firm pledges to accomplish the historic cause of national reunification, the lifelong desire of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, without fail and carry to completion the revolutionary cause of Juche which started on Mt. Paektu generation after generation under the leadership of Kim Jong Un. Similar memorial services took place in all provinces, cities and counties that day.