(Image Source: Xinhua)

BY HARUMENDHAH HELMY

Earlier this week — he was the Great Successor. Now — Kim Jong-un has a new title. Here’s MSNBC.

"In North Korea today, state media says the son of Kim Jong-il will be upheld as the Supreme Commander with, quote, ‘blood and tears.’ Kim Jong-un, who’s in his late 20s, was unveiled last year as his father’s choice for successor.”

The announcement, ran in the official Workers’ Party newspaper, is in the form of an appeal to Kim Jong-un to accept the title of Supreme Commander.

euronews explains what the title means.

“The new title, announced by national media, is another sign that he is consolidating his grip on power after Kim Jong-il’s death. The younger Kim ... was already a four-star general despite not yet being 30.”

The backing of North Korea’s powerful military is crucial to ensure a smooth power transition. The Guardian suggests the media’s continuous praise for Kim Jong-un is actually an act to appease those armed forces.

“The third son of the late leader has little political experience and senior officials are believed to be guiding the transition. State media have heaped praise on him amid fears that his succession could meet with resistance from the powerful Korean People's Army.”

The New York Times reports the media have been building the son’s image as a ‘young military commander’ since last year. The Times notes this isn’t a new practice.

“...when Kim Jong-il himself was cementing his grip on power decades ago by relying on the party as the central tool of control, he was referred to as the ‘party center.’ … [Kim Jong-un] had been shown inspecting military parades and barracks along with his father. … [The official party newspaper] called the military ‘the vanguard’ of ‘upholding the leadership of Comrade Kim Jong-un.’”

On top of the image-building, Bloomberg reports that Kim Jong-il had also installed trusted family members in office to ensure a smooth transition.

“When Kim Jong Il handed official posts to his son last year, he also elevated allies to act as guardians, including sister Kim Kyong Hui and brother-in-law Jang Song Thaek. Not everyone expects the younger Kim to assert immediate control.”