Kim Jong Un pays tribute at middle-level senior official’s funeral

North Korea publicized images of Kim Jong Un taking deep bow at the funeral of a middle-level senior government official on Monday. Along with Kim's apology to the public for his lack of ability in his New Year’s message, the young leader is believed to be focusing his efforts on creating the image of a "humane and warmhearted leader" while trying to shed the image of a dictator in the New Year.

The North’s Rodong Sinmun reported on the day that Kim Jong Un visited the funeral parlor of the late Kang Ki Sob, chief of the civil aviation general bureau who was a candidate member of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party, and expressed condolences on the day. Photos in the newspaper showcase Kim Jong Un taking deep bow in the company of ranking North Korean military officials in front of Kang’s body and expressing sadness while touching the face of the deceased.

The late Kang was the chief of the organization in charge of civil aviation including Air Koryo, but he was not ranked within 100th in North Korean state hierarchy. The Central Committee of the Workers' Party alone has more than 100 officials ranking higher than candidate members. If members of the military and the Cabinet are also included, the number of officials ranking higher than Kang amounts to hundreds.

It was the first time for North Korean leader to attend the funeral of the Central Committee’s candidate member who was not high-ranking. Hence, experts say that Kim’s condolence call highly likely indicates either that they are in special relationship or that Kim seeks to create the image of a leader who deeply cares about his staff.

Kim Jong Un is presenting images of a warmhearted leader to the public by paying attention to school bags for children and making a public gesture and remarks catering to soldiers’ parents beginning in the New Year. Experts on North Korea said the fact Kim is highly wary of the North Korean people is evidence that public sentiment against him could be extremely serious, rather than he is actually taking care of people’s livelihood.

Sung-Ha Joo zsh75@donga.com