Following In The Footsteps Of His Grandfather, Kim Jong-un Takes The Title Of President

North Korean President Kim Jong-un. (Wikimedia Commons / US Department of State)

JAKARTA - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a new history, after officially using the title in English. This usage replaces the word 'Chairman' as it was used in the past. This information was reported by Koreatimes from the North Korean government media.

It said the Korean Central News Agency's (KCNA) English service had used the word 'president' rather than 'chairman' since February 12, in a report about Kim's attendance at a Lunar New Year show with prominent members of the ruling Korean Labor Party (WPK).

Since then, KCNA has referred to him as' Secretary General of the Korean Workers' Party and President of State Affairs for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) '. DPRK is the official international name for North Korea.

"President Kim" appears in the latest English language reports of his visit to the Kumsusan Sun Palace Wednesday to mark the birthday of his late father, Kim Jong-il, whose body is buried there along with his grandfather Kim Il-sung.

His title change follows the eighth party congress in January, during which Kim became Secretary General of the WPK.

Experts predict this change of English degree is to enhance his image ahead of possible international negotiations. This is because most of the country's leaders, including China's leader Xi Jinping, also use the title 'president' in English.

"Kim who took the title of president seems to emphasize his representation and control over the entire North Korean state above his cultivated image as the leader of the ruling Korean Labor Party," said Professor of International Studies Ewha Womans University Seoul Leif-Eric Easley as reported by Koreatimes.

"North Korea is trying to refute the theory that they are desperate under pandemic economic conditions. Kim intends to show confidence in domestic governance and strength ahead of international negotiations," he added.

To note, the North Korean leader previously used the 'chairman' of the Foreign Affairs Commission as his title, and 'Chairman Kim' is often used by US officials, such as former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. He also has the title of 'marshal', the highest rank in the Korean People's Army.

In his footsteps, Kim Jong-un is the same as his grandfather who was also the founder of North Korea Kim Il Sung who wore the title of president. Meanwhile, his father Kim Jong-il preferred the title of leader.