'General Secretary' Kim Jong Un tightens grip on party in year 10

North Korea leader reaches back to the past, claiming forebears' title

20210111N kim jong un (REUTERS)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Workers' Party congress in Pyongyang, in this photo supplied by the country's Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 11. © KCNA via Reuters

YOSUKE ONCHI, Nikkei staff writer

SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has entered his 10th year in power by reviving a title once used by his predecessors, in a visible attempt to further cement unitary control.

Kim was elected Sunday as general secretary of the ruling Workers' Party. The party had previously called him chairman.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.