N.Korea's new leader all smiles, wearing power lightly
A smiling Kim Jong-un led celebrations of his dead father's official 70th birthday celebrations in the North Korean capital on Thursday, nearly two months after taking power, indicating a smooth transition in the one of the world's most closed states.
The third of his line to run the totalitarian North, the youngest Kim is believed to be in his late 20s and sports the same haircut, physique and uniform as his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, the state founder who is revered as its eternal president.
The young Kim has conducted a dozen or so "field inspections" mostly to military units since inheriting power in December and has been pictured smiling with troops in sharp contrast to his father Kim Jong-il's austere rule.
He has been seen holding hands with top brass, linking arms with women cadres and chatting to ordinary soldiers.
"He does seem to be genuinely enjoying the photo opportunities, even the physical contact with people, more than his two predecessors did, but that could just be because he's new to all this," says Brian Myers, an expert on the North's propaganda from South Korea's Dongseo University.
Kim Jong-un has moved quickly from mourning to action whereas his father Kim Jong-il disappeared from public view for 100 days following the death of Kim Il-sung 17 years ago.
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