North Korea's Leader Gets New Title of Party Chairman

PYONGYANG,���NORTH KOREA – MAY 9: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's new title was announced Monday -- chairman of the country's ruling party -- before its once-in-a-generation congress concluded after four days of sessions, in the latest sign of his further consolidation of power. The new post of Kim, who had headed the Workers' Party of Korea as first secretary until now, symbolizes the beginning of a new era of his one-man rule, since inheriting power following the sudden death of his predecessor and father, Kim Jong Il, in late 2011. Kyodo News was one of a few selected foreign media outlets allowed to enter the April 25 House of Culture, the venue for the congress, for about 10 minutes and confirmed Kim's newly-created title at the scene. In the presence of the foreign journalists, North Korea's ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam referred to him using the new title and unveiled a fresh lineup of senior party officials. Just before that, when the current leader, presumed to be 33 years old, appeared on stage in a dark western-style suit, thousands of delegates who packed the huge building offered him thunderous applause and shouted, "Manse!" or "cheers for long life!"���It was the first time North Korea allowed foreign journalists to directly cover the party event in Pyongyang since it opened Friday. Also at the congress, it was decided to increase the number of standing members of the party's political bureau from three to five. Premier Pak Pong Ju and Choe Ryong Hae, a close aide to Kim who was once a member of the party's highest organ, will join him, Kim Yong Nam and Hwang Pyong So, director of the army's General Political Bureau.